Patents by Inventor Christopher John Thacker

Christopher John Thacker 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: 11941941
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a gaming server, data representative of gaming activity of a player of the at least one game, providing, by the gaming server, a code associated with the random reward, wherein the code is representative of an entry to win the random reward, receiving, by the gaming server, data representative of a text message including the code, determining whether the player won the random reward based on the received code, and providing a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Publication number: 20230419784
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 11790726
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20230169822
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a gaming server, data representative of gaming activity of a player of the at least one game, providing, by the gaming server, a code associated with the random reward, wherein the code is representative of an entry to win the random reward, receiving, by the gaming server, data representative of a text message including the code, determining whether the player won the random reward based on the received code, and providing a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Patent number: 11557170
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a gaming server, data representative of gaming activity of a player of the at least one game, providing, by the gaming server, a code associated with the random reward, wherein the code is representative of an entry to win the random reward, receiving, by the gaming server, data representative of a text message including the code, determining whether the player won the random reward based on the received code, and providing a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Patent number: 11257320
    Abstract: Servers and method for use in creating a random reward are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan, Stephen Wade Brooks
  • Publication number: 20210090398
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 10872496
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20200364707
    Abstract: A cryptographic key is associated with an identifier (ID) of an electronic gaming machine (EGM). A computing device receives a coupon redemption request including an electronic payment coupon having the EGM ID and a credit amount. The computing device authenticates the electronic payment coupon based at least in part on the cryptographic key associated with the EGM ID and transmits a redemption confirmation when the electronic payment coupon is successfully authenticated. The computing device also stores a cancellation associated with the electronic payment coupon. The cancellation indicates that the electronic payment coupon has been redeemed for the credit amount. Such an electronic payment coupon may, for example, be generated by an EGM and/or be redeemed using an EGM and/or any other computing device capable of receiving the electronic payment coupon, transmitting a redemption request, and providing the credit amount to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael M. Oberberger, Ben Lechlitner, Chris Jarrell, John M. Plunkett, Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Publication number: 20200265669
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a gaming server, data representative of gaming activity of a player of the at least one game, providing, by the gaming server, a code associated with the random reward, wherein the code is representative of an entry to win the random reward, receiving, by the gaming server, data representative of a text message including the code, determining whether the player won the random reward based on the received code, and providing a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Patent number: 10740753
    Abstract: A cryptographic key is associated with an identifier (ID) of an electronic gaming machine (EGM). A computing device receives a coupon redemption request including an electronic payment coupon having the EGM ID and a credit amount. The computing device authenticates the electronic payment coupon based at least in part on the cryptographic key associated with the EGM ID and transmits a redemption confirmation when the electronic payment coupon is successfully authenticated. The computing device also stores a cancellation associated with the electronic payment coupon. The cancellation indicates that the electronic payment coupon has been redeemed for the credit amount. Such an electronic payment coupon may, for example, be generated by an EGM and/or be redeemed using an EGM and/or any other computing device capable of receiving the electronic payment coupon, transmitting a redemption request, and providing the credit amount to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Oberberger, Ben Lechlitner, Chris Jarrell, John M. Plunkett, Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Patent number: 10685533
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a gaming server, data representative of gaming activity of a player of the at least one game, providing, by the gaming server, a code associated with the random reward, wherein the code is representative of an entry to win the random reward, receiving, by the gaming server, data representative of a text message including the code, determining whether the player won the random reward based on the received code, and providing a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Publication number: 20190304250
    Abstract: Servers and method for use in creating a random reward are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan, Stephen Wade Brooks
  • Patent number: 10354483
    Abstract: Servers and method for use in creating a random reward are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan, Stephen Wade Brooks
  • Patent number: 10304288
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20190051111
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 9754449
    Abstract: Gaming servers and methods for use in providing a random reward to multiple players are disclosed. One exemplary method includes randomly shuffling bonus values between each of the plurality of gaming machines participating in the random reward, wherein the random reward includes a trigger condition triggering the random reward, upon shuffling the bonus values between each of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes determining if the trigger condition is satisfied by one of the plurality of gaming machines, and in response to the trigger condition being satisfied, awarding, at the gaming server, the random reward based on a final bonus value randomly shuffled to the one of the plurality of gaming machines from amongst each of the bonus values at a time the random reward is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Patent number: 9633521
    Abstract: A game of chance associated with a first player is executed at least in part by selecting a combination of game symbols from a set of available game symbols. A history of previous game symbol combinations selected by one or more previous executions of a game of chance is determined. The previous executions are associated with a second player and/or a previous gaming session associated with the first player. When the selected game symbol combination is included in the history of previous game symbol combinations, a prize is awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan
  • Patent number: 9607471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one play-for-fun application are disclosed. One exemplary method includes crediting, at the gaming server, gaming activity directed to a play-for-fun application by a player to a player tracking account, issuing at least one coupon associated with a random reward based on at least the gaming activity credited to the player tracking account, tracking, at the gaming server, redemption of the at least one coupon, and awarding the random reward when the coupon is redeemed at a gaming machine in accordance with at least one trigger condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan, Ryan Cuddy
  • Publication number: 20170011587
    Abstract: Servers and method for use in creating a random reward are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan, Stephen Wade Brooks