Patents Examined by William H McCulloch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10876812
    Abstract: A self-defense apparatus includes a sleeve portion and an adapter connected to the sleeve portion. The sleeve portion includes a proximal end surface, an outer side surface, and a distal end surface. The sleeve portion defines an implement-receiving cavity that extends axially into the proximal end surface. The sleeve portion defines an adapter-receiving passage that extends axially into the distal end surface. A proximal portion of the outer side surface defines a handle portion that includes one or more finger grooves. A distal portion of the outer side surface defines an adapter-interfacing body. A first portion of the adapter body is disposed within the adapter-receiving passage. A second portion of the adapter body extends beyond the distal end surface. A distal portion of the second portion of the adapter body defines a conical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Parise
  • Patent number: 10872501
    Abstract: A gaming system including multiple gaming devices (e.g., slot machines) forming a network. The network includes a common bonus game, which when activated, is played by all players on the network. The bonus game may be skill based and played in accordance with time credits earned during play of a primary game. The multiple gaming devices may comprise linked standalone gaming devices, mobile gaming devices (e.g., smart devices), server-based gaming devices, etc. Individual gaming devices may also benefit from the timed, skill-based bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: First Gaming Group, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Tilemahos Georgilas, Evgeny Bronnikov
  • Patent number: 10864444
    Abstract: A system includes at least one hardware processor in communication with a gaming device and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, cause the at least one hardware processor to perform operations including receiving suspect gaming behavior data associated with a suspect user playing a computer game on the gaming device, comparing the suspect gaming behavior data to a user gaming behavior profile associated with another user, the user gaming behavior profile includes at least one component of behavior associated with the other user and the computer game representing a pattern of conduct of the other user, and based on the comparing, authenticating the suspect user for access to a target system as the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Abhijit Rao, Edward J. Landers, Byron G. Chun, Samuel B. Martin, Michael H. Chang, Traci H. Nguyen, Douglas S. Pelton
  • Patent number: 10861290
    Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser system includes a physical dispenser array having a plurality of separate bins for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. A control system is in communication with a drive mechanism in each bin to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command. A central lottery server is in communication with the control system. An electronic display device is in communication with the central lottery server and is configured to present a virtual dispenser array with bin positions that mimics the physical dispenser array. The central lottery server transmits lottery ticket images to the electronic display device that correspond to the lottery tickets in the physical dispenser array and bin position assignments for the lottery ticket images in the virtual dispenser array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay J. Ghia, William F. Behm, Kent Christensen, Sten Hallundbaek Mejenborg
  • Patent number: 10861285
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display device. The game controller is arranged to play a game in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display device. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize to a player. When a trigger condition occurs in a base game of the game, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a series of bonus games. If a particular special symbol outcome occurs during any of the bonus games, the particular special symbol outcome is collected towards a jackpot prize awarding event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Scott Olive
  • Patent number: 10843072
    Abstract: A login management section 112 allows a user to log in to an information processing apparatus 10. A status management section 120 manages the status of the information processing apparatus 10. A change instruction acceptance section 144 accepts an instruction for change from a server. When the user has logged in to the information processing apparatus 10 that in turn has signed in to a service, the status management section 120 manages the information processing apparatus 10 in either an active status or a listen status. The active status is a status in which the information processing apparatus 10 is in an online state and allowed to use the service, and the listen status is a status in which the information processing apparatus 10 is in an offline state that disables game execution and is allowed to use the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Soshi Urakawa, Nobukazu Koyama
  • Patent number: 10838485
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for portable or stationary virtual reality and augmented reality video game systems. A game system that is operable of providing visual information to numerous head mounted displays are provided. A game system that is operable to receive, and recharge, numerous rechargeable batteries is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Mullen
  • Patent number: 10832521
    Abstract: Utilizing blockchain in a gaming environment comprises one or more of receiving one or more contracts related to a game stored in a blockchain, initiating a game session of the game based on the one or more contracts, and receiving information and actions related to a game player in the blockchain based on the initiated game session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Praveen Jayachandran
  • Patent number: 10823536
    Abstract: An interactive target system including a first target assembly having a first target base operationally engaged with a first anchoring component, a first target surface rotatably engaged with, or fixed to, the first target base, a first spring adapted to bias the first target surface into the open position, a first electronics component having a first target GPS operationally engaged with the first target assembly, a first target strike status detector adapted to generate a first target strike count, and a first target electromagnetic signal transmitter and receiver, a first cooperating signal device having a first cooperating signal device GPS operationally engaged with the first cooperating signal device, a first cooperating signal device electromagnetic signal transmitter and receiver, a clock, and a first sound generator adapted to selectably generate a first notification sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: James Sarver
  • Patent number: 10821354
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a video game, comprising a seat, at least one operating member connected to the video game, means for displacing the seat and the at least one operating member relative to each other and means for fixing the seat and the at least one operating member in a number of different positions relative to each other. According to an aspect of the invention, the fixation means are form-fitting. The fixatin means can here comprise a gear rack and a toothed block for placing into engagement therewith. The toothed block and the gear rack can be movable toward and away from each other in the direction of their toothing or be pivotable relative to each other parrallel to the toothing. According to another aspect of the invention, the displacing means comprise a pair of mutually parallel rails and a pair of bearing blocks slidable therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: F.SMIT HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Smit
  • Patent number: 10814168
    Abstract: A pitch count system monitors pitch count data for baseball and softball pitchers so that coaches, officials and team administrators can know when a team's pitcher is approaching or has reached pitch count limits. The system may register information upon game completion and/or enable live updating during game play, and may make updated pitch count information available to each team. The system may allow coaches to view their opponents' reports so that coaches can know who is not eligible to pitch against them on a certain day, or after a certain point in time as a game progresses. Further, the system may provide leagues and governing associations with an oversight mechanism to ensure that teams are adhering to the prescribed pitch count regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PitchKount, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Weems
  • Patent number: 10818132
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes: detecting a plurality of wagering game machines in proximity to the mobile phone, and selecting a first of the plurality of wagering game machines with which to establish a connection. The method can also include requesting the connection with the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, and transmitting, from the mobile phone to the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, player account information for configuring a wagering game. The method can also include receiving, from the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, content indicating a result of the wagering game, and presenting, on the mobile phone, the result of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Abouchar, Martin J. Biernat, Andrew C. Guinn, Damon E. Gura, Mahesh Lakshmanaperumal, Richard B. Robbins
  • Patent number: 10818133
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system to acquire and display casino data on a portable electronic device may include a portable electronic device having a processor operative with a real-time location based data application to transmit the location of the portable electronic device and acquire, prioritize, store and display real-time casino data. The real-time casino data may be periodically updated based on the location of the portable electronic device and visually presented to a user on a display of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Nguyen Gaming LLC
    Inventor: Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10814227
    Abstract: A system and method of pausing a game in a cloud gaming system including playing a game on a first game computer included in the cloud gaming system, pausing the game at a selected point in the game and capturing game state data for the paused game. The paused game can be resumed by retrieving the game state data and applying the game state data to a selected game computer and resuming the game at the selected point in the game on the selected game computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventor: Roelof Roderick Colenbrander
  • Patent number: 10810840
    Abstract: A bingo gaming system, machine, and method include a main bingo game, a feature bingo game, a main reel game associated with the main bingo game, and a feature reel game associated with the feature bingo game. The main reel game simulates outcomes of the main bingo game. The feature reel game simulates outcomes of the feature bingo game. A feature bingo game may be triggered by a main bingo game outcome. Before the feature bingo game begins, a player may be given an opportunity to select a volatility option for the feature bingo game. The volatility selection may impact the probability of winning the feature bingo game (and/or feature reel game), as well as the reward(s) associated with winning the feature bingo game (and/or feature reel game).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael P. Casey, David Michael Smith, Jose Antonio Uberuaga, Joshua Wade Davis, Kelton F. Flinn, Zhao Ming Fei, Kenner Scott Warren
  • Patent number: 10799783
    Abstract: A system may comprise one or more monitoring devices that may communicate with a mobile device or a wearable device worn by a user of a sporting apparatus. The system may enable motion data specific to motion of the sporting apparatus to be conveniently captured and transmitted, and displayed on the wearable device. The system may include functionality to permit disablement of the motion detecting, transmission, and/or displaying functions at times when such functions are not permitted to be used, and to record the date, time, and location when such functions have been disabled to permit verification thereof by a governing body or sporting organization. The system may further include a learning module enabling monitored motion of the object to be correlated to monitored motion of the user such that predictive motion of the sporting object based only on monitored motion of the user may be obtained and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kline, John Rae, Scott Carlyle, Kirk Bacon, Patrick Ripp, Jeff Brunski, Jay Vogler, Dustin Brekke
  • Patent number: 10792565
    Abstract: A game server receives game data associated with a computer implemented game played on a user device. Using this data the computer implemented game is recreated in dependence to generate video data which corresponds to the computer implemented game being played on the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Fredrik Persson
  • Patent number: 10795183
    Abstract: Improved wearable optics is disclosed. The wearable optics comprises a frame member and a lens. The wearable optics also includes circuitry within the frame member for enhancing the use of the wearable optics. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is directed to a variety of ways to enhance the use of eyeglasses. They are: (1) media focals, that is, utilizing the wearable optics for its intended purpose and enhancing that use by using imaging techniques to improve the vision of the user; (2) telecommunications enhancements that allow the eyeglasses to be integrated with telecommunication devices such as cell phones or the like; and (3) entertainment enhancements that allow the wearable optics to be integrated with devices such as MP3 players, radios, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Percept Technologies Inc
    Inventor: Scott Lewis
  • Patent number: 10786732
    Abstract: The present invention allows stress of a user that may occur until matching is completed when to carry out matching of a plurality of users with each other to be reduced. The users are arranged by taking into consideration a waiting time of a user who has never cleared content. When the user carries out a play request for content, the user is arranged in the content. The content in which the user is arranged is extracted by using an extraction condition regarding the waiting time of a non-cleared user. The plurality of users arranged in the content are thus matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Takemura, Yoshinori Aoyagi, Mitsutoshi Gondai, Tsuyoshi Yokozawa
  • Patent number: 10773155
    Abstract: A game machine controller, which is used in combination with a mouse and is connected to a game machine to be used is improved so that a user is free from feeling strange about its input. As illustrated in FIG. 6 (A), a game machine controller (1) and a mouse (2) are connected to a game machine (3) via an output cable (172) and a mouse cable (210), respectively. A signal output from the game machine controller (1) to the game machine (3) is a keyboard control signal generally output from a keyboard to the game machine (3). With this, the game machine (3) recognizes the game machine controller (1) as the keyboard. As a result, the game machine (3) receive and recognize WASD input in a vertical or horizontal direction from the game machine controller (1) and input from the mouse (2) in a direction that is not limited to the vertical or horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Muramatsu, Koichiro Amano, Yoshinori Konishi