Patents by Inventor Craig J. Sylla

Craig J. Sylla 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).

  • Publication number: 20160071373
    Abstract: A method and system to perform operations for providing mobile gaming. In some instances, the operations include detecting a cash input at a casino kiosk, generating an electronic tracking identifier, and storing a first copy of the electronic tracking identifier in a memory accessible to a gaming server. The operations can further include causing a casino accounting system to generate a casino accounting system identifier associated with an amount for the cash input. The operations can further include obtaining the casino accounting system identifier, associating the casino accounting system identifier with the first copy of the electronic tracking identifier; and instructing the casino kiosk to present a second copy of the electronic tracking identifier to link to a mobile device for the mobile gaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Mark B. Gagner, Anuradha Jandhyala, Sean P. Kelly, Vladislav Modilevsky, Justin A. Perkins, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Nickey C. Shin, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9275519
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game in response to receipt of a first wager from a first player and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game in response to receipt of a second wager from a second player. The system further comprises a community display having a plurality of display regions thereon, and at least one controller operative to (i) detect activation of a first supplemental feature by the first player, (ii) detect activation of a second supplemental feature by the second player, (iii) determine in which of the plurality of display regions to display the first and second supplemental features in accordance with at least a first rule set, and (iv) display the first and second supplemental features on the community display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20160055701
    Abstract: A gaming device and its example operations include detecting, via a secondary gaming controller, an electronic request for funding a second casino wagering game (“second game”) concurrently presented with a first casino wagering game (“first game”) via an electronic display device associated with a wagering game machine. The first game includes first content that originates from a first content source. The second game includes second content that originates from a second content source independent from the first content source. The first game is funded via user input of monetary value via a value input device associated with the wagering game machine. The operations can further include initiating, by the second game controller, access to funds associated with the first game. The operations can further include electronically routing accessed funds associated with the first game to fund one or more wagers for the second game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9269212
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system also comprises an interface to receive a nonvolatile storage device, which is operable to mount and unmount one or more hot pluggable mass storage devices. In a further embodiment, the interface is operable to prohibit write caching data to be written to the nonvolatile storage device, and to restrict mounting nonvolatile storage devices to authorized users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Mercado, Craig J. Sylla, Stephen A. Canterbury
  • Publication number: 20160042599
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a request to pair a mobile device with a secondary content controller that is communicatively coupled to a wagering game machine. In some examples the secondary content controller is independent of a primary content controller for the wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining, by the secondary content controller, that primary wagering game content of the wagering game machine is in a state that would permit secondary wagering on the primary wagering game content. Further, the operations can include pairing the mobile device with the secondary content controller after determining that the primary wagering game content is in the state that would permit the secondary wagering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: John Toohey, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dale R. Buchholz, James S. Peterson, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20160027244
    Abstract: A Near Field Communication (NFC) is established between a wagering game machine and a mobile device. The mobile device receives a credit amount from an account server that is communicably coupled to the mobile device via a network other than the Near Field Communication. The mobile device transfers the credit amount to the wagering game machine via the Near Field Communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Michael R. Bytnar, Craig J. Sylla, Gerardus A. Weijers
  • Publication number: 20150379814
    Abstract: A patron flow system aggregates wagering game data from a plurality of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment. The wagering game data indicates a plurality of patrons and times. Patron flow data is generated from the aggregated wagering game data. The patron flow data indicate flows of the plurality of patrons among the plurality of wagering game machines in the wagering game establishment with respect to the times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Larry J. Pacey, Scott H. Schulhof, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9202334
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring, at a wagering game machine, base wagering game activity associated with one or more base wagering games that are presented during a wagering game session. The operations can also include generating and transmitting one or more activity notification messages comprising at least an indication of the base wagering game activity to a player tracking server to cause the player tracking server to reward the base wagering game activity. The operations can further include generating and transmitting login and logout notification messages to a secondary game server to cause the secondary game server to determine secondary wagering game activity associated with one or more secondary wagering games presented during the wagering game session. The secondary wagering game activity can be used by the player tracking server to reward the secondary wagering game activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Daniel P. Louie, James E. Oatman, Mark C. Pace, Erhard W. Rathsack, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9192852
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, etc. to perform operations which, in some embodiments, include receiving, a request for concurrent presentation of a first wagering game and a second wagering game via a display device of a wagering game machine, wherein the first wagering game includes first content that originates from a first content source, wherein the second wagering game includes second content that originates from a second content source. The operations can further include accessing funds associated with the first wagering game. The operations can further include funding one or more wagers for the second wagering game using at least a portion of the accessed funds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20150302695
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling a first casino wagering game. The first casino wagering game has a first credit meter balance. The operations can further include intercepting an electronic request sent from a second device to cash out a second credit meter balance for a second casino wagering game controlled by the second device. In some examples, the gaming system is independent from the second device. The operations can further include, after intercepting the electronic request, cashing out a combined total of the first credit meter balance and the second credit meter balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, John McCormack, Joseph A. Sharpe, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20150302684
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a gaming machine through its audio jack. The audio jack is located behind a locked access door in a cabinet of the gaming machine. An external device connects to the audio jack through the access door and downloads an audio file to the gaming machine. The audio file is encoded with configuration information including configuration settings and corresponding values or parameters for the target gaming machine. When the file transfer is complete, an optional graphical user interface displayed on the gaming machine or on the external device allows the operator to accept a group of configuration settings or to selectively change user-selectable configuration settings. A group of default configuration settings embedded in the configuration information can be automatically applied to the affected hardware or software components of the gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, Scot W. Salzman, Jacob C. Greenburg, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9153095
    Abstract: A method includes establishing a Near Field Communication (NFC) between a wagering game machine and a mobile device, without a manual configuration and a manual intervention. The method includes receiving, into the wagering game machine, player identification data from the mobile device through the Near Field Communication. The method includes authenticating the player identification data, wherein the authenticating is at least part of a player login into a wagering game account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Michael R. Bytnar, Craig J. Sylla, Gerardus A. Weijers
  • Patent number: 9135777
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide interfaces to control the download of downloadable game components to one or more gaming machines or systems. The gaming configuration elements may include banner content, advertising content, denomination data, pay table, language data, video content, audio content, episodic game data, wagering game software, operating system software, device driver software and device firmware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Mark B. Gagner
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9129477
    Abstract: A patron flow system aggregates wagering game data from a plurality of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment. The wagering game data indicates a plurality of patrons and times. Patron flow data is generated from the aggregated wagering game data. The patron flow data indicate flows of the plurality of patrons among the plurality of wagering game machines in the wagering game establishment with respect to the times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Larry J. Pacey, Scott H. Schulhof, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9117339
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a computer-implemented method for tracking, over an electronic wagering game network, services performed on a wagering game machine. The method comprises: receiving, in the wagering game machine, a wagering game machine access identifier, wherein the wagering game machine access identifier indicates identity of a technician accessing a wagering game machine; detecting a service event in the wagering game machine; and generating a report indicating a modification to the wagering game machine. The method can also comprise receiving a technician log describing the modification to the wagering game machine; transmitting, to a service controller, the report, the log, and the wagering game machine access identifier. The method can also comprise receiving, from the service controller, maintenance information associated with the wagering game machine; and presenting the maintenance information on a display associated with the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary M. Burke, 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
  • Patent number: 9098970
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive operational power from a primary power supply at a processor housed within a wagering game machine, where the processor is operable to present a wagering game. Further activities may include determining that the wagering game machine is currently in a hibernation state, authenticating at least one hibernation file, and resuming operation of the wagering game machine to a base operation state defined by the at least one hibernation file. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Antkowiak, Jesse Garvey, Damon E. Gura, Vernon W. Hamlin, Budyanto Himawan, Mahesh Lakshmanaperumal, Laurie Lasseter, Robert A. McPeak, Jorge Luis Shimabukuro, Craig J. Sylla, Anussorn Andy Veradej, Jun Wang
  • Publication number: 20150213675
    Abstract: This document describes techniques for processing graphics in wagering game systems. Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter use stereoscopic 3-D graphics and 2-D graphics to present composite images including multiple views of a virtual 3-D wagering game environment. Such embodiments present the composite images on stereoscopic 3-D devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Peter J. Aponte, Michael J. Irby, II, Sean P. Kelly, Brian D. Manning, Anthony J.W. Prohl, Craig J. Sylla, John L. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9058714
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device configured to receive a wager, at least one display device configured to display a wagering game, one or more thermal devices configured to produce a thermal effect, at least one controller in operative communication with the one or more thermal devices, at least one memory device storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one controller, the one or more thermal devices to produce a thermal effect according to an aspect of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Dion K. Aoki, Charles R. Bleich, Mary M. Burke, Joel R. Jaffe, Timothy C. Loose, Craig J. Sylla