Patents by Inventor Bruce H. Blair

Bruce H. Blair has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8968080
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computerized method includes: creating a number of frames of images for displaying on a monitor of a wagering game machine; and selecting at least a subset of the number of frames. The method can also include performing pixel encoding in the images of the subset of the number of frames, where the pixel encoding is used to identify at least one of adding third party content to the images. The method can also include replacing the images with the third party content, where the adding of the third party content and replacing with the third party content occurs after creating the frame but prior to the displaying the frame on the monitor of the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the number of frames of images to the monitor of the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Bruce H. Blair, John M. Burica, Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Michael J. Irby, Timothy C. Loose, Scott M. Minch, Mark C. Pace, Eugene M. Rigsby, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8888591
    Abstract: A gaming machine is configured for playing a wagering game and includes at least one non-rotating curved surface and a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus includes at least one rotatable element and is configured to project images of symbols onto the curved surface while the at least one rotatable element is rotated and then stopped such that the symbols appear to respectively move and then stop along the curved surface. The stopped symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael dos Santos, Bruce H. Blair, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8821299
    Abstract: Techniques for protecting wagering game machines from electrostatic discharge are described herein. In some embodiment, a wagering game machine includes a wagering game controller configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered. The wagering game machine can also include a button panel that includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) connected to an electrical ground and a second PCB connected to the first PCB by a conductive connector. The button panel can also include a display device connected to the second PCB, an actuator connected to the second PCB, a cap in contact with the actuator, wherein the display device is visible through the cap, and a bezel to retain the cap, where the bezel is coupled to a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H. Blair, Timothy J. Durham, Jeremy K. Gill, James M. Rasmussen, Francisco D. Salmeron, Adam J. Voracek
  • Publication number: 20140073403
    Abstract: A gaming machine is configured for playing a wagering game and includes at least one non-rotating curved surface and a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus includes at least one rotatable element and is configured to project images of symbols onto the curved surface while the at least one rotatable element is rotated and then stopped such that the symbols appear to respectively move and then stop along the curved surface. The stopped symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Raphael dos Santos, Bruce H. Blair, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8246441
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display, a reel mounted for rotation relative to the display, the reel having a plurality of display symbols thereon, a plurality of light cups stationary relative to the display for illuminating symbols on the reel in the direction of the display, a sensor to detect the position of the light cups relative to the display and generate position information, and a controller in communication with the sensor operative to receive the position information from the sensor and determine the position of the light cups relative to the reel from the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Bruce H. Blair, Anticio T. Duke, James P. Krol, Eric T. Miner, James M. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20100099483
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display, a reel mounted for rotation relative to the display, the reel having a plurality of display symbols thereon, a plurality of light cups stationary relative to the display for illuminating symbols on the reel in the direction of the display, a sensor to detect the position of the light cups relative to the display and generate position information, and a controller in communication with the sensor operative to receive the position information from the sensor and determine the position of the light cups relative to the reel from the position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Bruce H. Blair, Anticio T. Duke, James P. Krol, Eric T. Miner, James M. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20100099501
    Abstract: Techniques for protecting wagering game machines from electrostatic discharge are described herein. In some embodiment, a wagering game machine includes a wagering game controller configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered. The wagering game machine can also include a button panel that includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) connected to an electrical ground and a second PCB connected to the first PCB by a conductive connector. The button panel can also include a display device connected to the second PCB, an actuator connected to the second PCB, a cap in contact with the actuator, wherein the display device is visible through the cap, and a bezel to retain the cap, where the bezel is coupled to a panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H. Blair, Timothy J. Durham, Jeremy K. Gill, James M. Rasmussen, Francisco D. Salmeron, Adam J. Voracek
  • Patent number: 4901625
    Abstract: A system for positioning equipment quickly and accurately over a plurality of desired positions by employing a "long move" mode of operation and a "short move" mode of operation to adapt the operation of the positioning system to variable and changing conditions. The system generally includes a microprocessor as the controlling means, a controlled valving means, a pressure source coupled to the valving means, an encoder sensing means and a positioning means defined by a pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Increcyl, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Bussan, Christopher F. Bussan, Bruce H. Blair