Patents by Inventor Charles A. Richards

Charles A. Richards 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: 10068416
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining a classification of a first sound provided by a first wagering game application for presentation via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. Further, a second wagering game application provides a second sound for concurrent presentation via the one or more output devices. The first wagering game application is independent from the second wagering game application. In some embodiments, the operations further include determining a prioritized relationship between the first sound and the second sound based on the classification, and controlling presentation of the first sound and the second sound via the one or more output devices according to the prioritized relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 10032332
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining that a sound problem would occur if first content were to be presented simultaneously with second content via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. In some examples, the first content is provided by a first application and the second content is provided by a second application independent from the first application. In some embodiments, the operation can further include modifying one or more characteristics of one or more of the first content and the second content based on the determining that the sound problem would occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 9421454
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring gaming-related events at a wagering game machine of the wagering game system to detect a promotion trigger event. The operations can also include determining information associated with the promotion trigger event, and providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to a promotional content server of the wagering game system to cause the promotional content server to select promotional content based, at least in part, on the information associated with the promotion trigger event. The operations can further include receiving the promotional content from promotional content server in response to said providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to the promotional content server, and presenting the promotional content at the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Charles A. Richards, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9126106
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring gaming-related events at a wagering game machine of the wagering game system to detect a promotion trigger event. The operations can also include determining information associated with the promotion trigger event, and providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to a promotional content server of the wagering game system to cause the promotional content server to select promotional content based, at least in part, on the information associated with the promotion trigger event. The operations can further include receiving the promotional content from promotional content server in response to said providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to the promotional content server, and presenting the promotional content at the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Charles A. Richards, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20150228157
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring gaming-related events at a wagering game machine of the wagering game system to detect a promotion trigger event. The operations can also include determining information associated with the promotion trigger event, and providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to a promotional content server of the wagering game system to cause the promotional content server to select promotional content based, at least in part, on the information associated with the promotion trigger event. The operations can further include receiving the promotional content from promotional content server in response to said providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to the promotional content server, and presenting the promotional content at the wagering game machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Charles A. Richards, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20140228122
    Abstract: “A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining a classification of a first sound provided by a first wagering game application for presentation via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. Further, a second wagering game application provides a second sound for concurrent presentation via the one or more output devices. The first wagering game application is independent from the second wagering game application. In some embodiments, the operations further include determining a prioritized relationship between the first sound and the second sound based on the classification, and controlling presentation of the first sound and the second sound via the one or more output devices according to the prioritized relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Publication number: 20140228121
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining that a sound problem would occur if first content were to be presented simultaneously with second content via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. In some examples, the first content is provided by a first application and the second content is provided by a second application independent from the first application. In some embodiments, the operation can further include modifying one or more characteristics of one or more of the first content and the second content based on the determining that the sound problem would occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8740701
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining audio playlists from a plurality of independent wagering game applications (“applications”). The audio playlists can include multiple sound content that is activated contemporaneously on a wagering game machine for each of the applications. The operations can further include determining sound classes assigned to the sound content and determining, from prioritization rules, priority values for the sound classes. The operations can further include comparing the priority values and generating sound balancing priorities for the sound content based on the comparison of the priority values. The operations can also include dynamically balancing the sound content, as presented on audio production devices, based on the sound balancing priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Publication number: 20100317437
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining audio playlists from a plurality of independent wagering game applications (“applications”). The audio playlists can include multiple sound content that is activated contemporaneously on a wagering game machine for each of the applications. The operations can further include determining sound classes assigned to the sound content and determining, from prioritization rules, priority values for the sound classes. The operations can further include comparing the priority values and generating sound balancing priorities for the sound content based on the comparison of the priority values. The operations can also include dynamically balancing the sound content, as presented on audio production devices, based on the sound balancing priorities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 4044832
    Abstract: A packer with a liner assembly depending from it is packed off and anchored in well casing so that a screen portion of the liner assembly straddles casing perforations within a producing formation. An outer tubing string is lowered through the well casing and engaged with the packer to isolate the formation from well fluids above the packer and to provide a passage to the surface for the formation fluids.A member having crossover fluid passages and external seals engageable with internal seal surfaces in the liner and packer is lowered through the outer tubing string into the liner and packer on an inner string. Fluid passages between the two strings, and between the two strings and the interior and exterior of the liner to control the flow of circulating, washing or acidizing fluids and for placement of gravel on the outside of the liner are selectively opened or closed by manipulation of the inner string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Baker International Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Richard, John Philip Barbee