Patents Examined by Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 11049365
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining rewards due to a player playing a regulated gaming machine may comprise providing a game comprising a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to give rise to a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player, the game being further configured to have an overall minimum and an overall maximum return to player (RTP). Upon receiving player interactions, determining whether the received interaction resulted in a successful interaction or an unsuccessful interaction and generating a wagering event when the received player interaction resulted in a successful interaction. The game may be configured such that successful interactions with the in-game assets cause the game to have a return to player closer to the overall maximum RTP and such that unsuccessful interactions with the in-game assets cause the game to a have a return to player closer to the overall minimum RTP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SYNERGY BLUE LLC
    Inventor: Michael Oberberger
  • Patent number: 11043063
    Abstract: A gaming machine having a display and a user interface. At least one symbol is spun up on each of a plurality of spinning reels and displayed on the display to form outcomes. If a particular outcome occurs, the gaming machine awards an award. Each reel has an associated set of symbols. The display also displays a plurality of game options, each game option designating a respective number of free games that are each associated with a designated multiplier. A game controller (a) receives an input choosing one of the options; and (b) sequentially plays each of the number of free games according to the chosen game option. If an award is payable as a result of playing the number of free games, that award is modified by the designated multiplier associated with the respective number of free games for the chosen game option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Ryan Paul Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 11027204
    Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Ubisoft Entertainment
    Inventors: Paul Cross, Nicholas Bonardi, Naomi Higo
  • Patent number: 11007428
    Abstract: A video game apparatus for generating a captured image of a virtual camera set in a virtual space includes a virtual camera setting section configured to set an imaging direction of the virtual camera, a captured image generation section configured to change a transmittance of a transmittance variable object within the virtual space based on an imaging direction of the virtual camera, and generate a captured image of the virtual camera, and a display panel configured to display the captured image generated by the captured image generation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Watanabe, Shunichi Shirai
  • Patent number: 10909798
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for transferring a monetary value from a first gaming station to a second gaming station by use of biometric data are disclosed. Each station includes a biometric sensor that provides biometric data that is used in the transfer of the payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Stanley P. Dabrowski
  • Patent number: 10569133
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a first measurement unit configured to measure floor reaction forces of golfer's left and right legs, a second measurement unit that is attached to the upper body of a golfer and configured to measure an angular velocity of the golfer, and a processing unit. The processing unit calculates, based on measurement results of the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit, a first energy which is a kinetic energy of the golfer during a swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomotaka Ishihara
  • Patent number: 10561935
    Abstract: A thumbstick for a user input device comprises a tiltable post operable to output a control signal based on its position, with the post comprising external threads and a post anchor feature. An adjustable tensioning mechanism is configured to modify a tilt tension of the post. A cap comprises a cylindrical stem that defines a cavity. A base is moveable with the post and comprises a first cylindrical portion extending into the cavity, and a second cylindrical portion comprising internal threads and a base anchor feature. The internal threads mate with the external threads of the post to fasten the post to the base, and the base anchor feature abuts the post anchor feature to prevent displacement of the base toward the proximal end of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin John Tiffany, Benjamin Michael Finney, Aaron Schmitz
  • Patent number: 10559159
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine for providing a game to a player includes a camera configured to generate camera data. The electronic gaming machine further includes a display configured to provide auto stereoscopic 3D viewing of at least a portion of the game and a processor coupled with the display and the camera. The processor is configured to: determine a location of the player relative to the electronic gaming machine from camera data; adjust the display based on the determined location of the player to provide auto stereoscopic three dimensional viewing by the player; responsive to movement of the player indicated by the camera data, update the display to account for a change in location of the player; and determine that the movement of the player corresponds to a predetermined gesture and, in response, update a game state of the game based on the predetermined gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: IGT CANADA SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventor: Peter John Post
  • Patent number: 10549177
    Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Troy D. Nelson, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10549165
    Abstract: A ball including a core, at least one layer of yarn surrounding the core, a cover assembly comprising panels joined by stitching and surrounding the at least one layer of yarn, a sensor to sense motion of the ball, a data output device carried by the ball and in communication with the sensor, and a light emitter coupled to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Robert T. Thurman
  • Patent number: 10553077
    Abstract: A method for managing horseracing bets. The method includes receiving one or more bets. Each bet comprises a selection of five horse races selected from a plurality of horse races scheduled to be run at a track in a day, a selection of a respective horse for each of the five horse races selected and a bet amount. The method also includes combining each bet amount to form a betting pool and determining an amount of a total payout for the day based at least in part on the betting pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CANTOR INDEX LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10546460
    Abstract: A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system is configured to detect the presence of portable electronic devices and determine their locations in a casino environment and determine whether to initiate an attract feature. Based on the determined location of the portable electronic device, nearby gaming devices, such as electronic gaming machines can be selected for use in generating an attract feature for a patron. The generated attract feature can include outputting content to one or more EGMs and/or a patron's portable electronic device. The gaming devices selected for use in an attract feature and/or the content associated with the attract feature can be affected by patron specified preferences. In one embodiment, the patron specified preferences can be entered and stored using an application executed on their portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Steven G. LeMay
  • Patent number: 10540852
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing a gaming tournament having a variable average expected point payout. Generally, during the gaming tournament, the gaming system enables each tournament player to play a tournament game at an EGM. The gaming system accumulates one or more tournament points for the tournament player when a play of the tournament game results in a winning outcome. At various points during the tournament, the gaming system increases or decreases an average expected point payout of the tournament game to change the tournament players' gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Bradford Brown, Ronald P. Papson, Robert W. Ruymann
  • Patent number: 10537782
    Abstract: The method makes it possible to perform the measurement of at least one crossing time of a moving object on a line of passage via a personalized transponder placed on the object. The method includes the steps of: generating a low frequency electromagnetic field signal, activating the transponder module on reception of the modulated synchronization command in the electromagnetic field signal, measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic field signal without modulation captured by the activated transponder module at regular time intervals, transmitting directly in a measurement signal via the transponder module each intensity measurement or a packet of intensity measurements to the decoder unit for determination of a crossing time of the line of passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Swiss Timing Ltd
    Inventors: Andre Zanetta, Gael Coron, Reto Galli
  • Patent number: 10532272
    Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10535227
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing players of an online game the option of performing one or more activities external to the online game instead of spend virtual currency to accomplish a specific action in the game. This option is presented through an interface that creates and displays separate “offer walls” for separation actions in the game. The activities may thematically correspond to the type of action the player wants to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Inyang Akpan, Bryan Tsao, Albert Wei, John Kim, David McNeill, Kevin Chanthasiriphan
  • Patent number: 10536753
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect one or more user-generated remarks from each of a plurality of computing devices where the one or more user-generated remarks are temporally associated with media content in the form of a gaming session presented at the plurality of computing devices and present the one or more user-generated remarks as an overlay combined with the gaming session as a presentation to at least a set among the plurality of computing devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Linda Ann Roberts, E-Lee Chang, Ja-Young Sung, Natasha Barrett Schultz, Robert King
  • Patent number: 10529175
    Abstract: A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. When a Player surpasses predetermined game play parameters on a game of an EGM, a bonus game or related game material may be “unlocked” and offered to the Player for download onto the Player's Portable Electronic Device (PED). Upon installation, the game or content may be viewed or played on their PED at a later time and at their leisure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Steven G. LeMay
  • Patent number: 10518180
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed which provide an approach for selecting group-based digital content using a market system. An application receives a bid that indicates a selection for a user-configurable feature of a shared online activity and specifies an amount of currency that a corresponding participant is bidding for the selection. The application identifies a selection of the user-configurable feature having a highest total bid and initiates the shared online activity configured according to the user-configurable feature having the highest total bid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Millegan, Lily Xudan Liu, Alif Salim Khalfan
  • Patent number: 10522000
    Abstract: A system enables group play for table games of craps and/or roulette comprising. The gaming table surface enables play of craps or roulette. A processor receives event outcomes from outcomes on the gaming table surface from game play. Multiple player input terminals are distributed around the gaming table surface in an arc including of more than 200 degrees. The multiple player input terminals are in two-way communication with the processor. An elevated display system is supported above and around the gaming table surface. The elevated display system shows a dynamic rendition of craps or roulette game play including at least a display of event outcomes from play of craps or roulette on which the wagers are resolved by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Interblock d.d.
    Inventor: Joze Pececnik