Patents by Inventor Dale R. Buchholz
Dale R. Buchholz 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).
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Patent number: 10339757Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Toohey, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dale R. Buchholz, James S. Peterson, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 10140814Abstract: A wagering game machine includes a processor and a wagering game module, executable on the processor, configured to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered to a wagering game player. The machine includes a receiver configured to communicate with a transmitter of a mobile device to receive a mobile payment from the mobile device. The machine includes a bill validator that is communicatively coupled to the receiver. The bill validator configured to receive the mobile payment from the receiver, wherein the bill validator is configured to output a first communication to issue a first wagering game credit for the wagering game machine in response to receipt of a monetary bill, wherein in response to receipt of the mobile payment from the receiver the bill validator is configured to output a second communication to issue a second wagering game credit on the wagering game machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas, Matthew J. Ward
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Publication number: 20180336760Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: John TOOHEY, Anthony J. BAERLOCHER, Dale R. BUCHHOLZ, James S. PETERSON, Craig J. SYLLA, Matthew J. WARD
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Patent number: 10068417Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Toohey, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dale R. Buchholz, James S. Peterson, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 9858751Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Bytnar, Michael V. Dicillo, Patrick M. Gustafson, Jeremy M. Hornik, Gary J. Oswald, Richard B. Robbins, Nickey C. Shin, Jesse M. Smith, Simon E. Sunblade, Jamie W. Vann, Muthu Velu, Matthew J. Ward, Steven J. Zoloto, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Craig J. Sylla
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Patent number: 9489792Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include accumulating data for a plurality of events that a first application generates during a wagering game session from a plurality of wagering game sessions associated with a wagering game player account. The operations can further include detecting that occurrence of at least one of the plurality of events would cause a second application to award a level of progress in a persistent-state game. A state of the persistent-state game is persisted across the plurality of the wagering game sessions for the wagering game player account. The operations can further include providing the data to the second application, after the occurrence of a trigger, such as in response to determining the at least one of the plurality of events would cause the second application to award the level of progress in the persistent-state game.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Magesh Gangadharan, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
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Publication number: 20160314657Abstract: Capping single or multiple progressive wins subject to a maximum jurisdictional limit. Each progressive level(s) can be configured up to the maximum limit. The sum of all reset values for all levels does not exceed the maximum limit. The progressive award cannot exceed the maximum limit, and is funded first by the reset values of all progressive levels that triggered an award, followed by the increment values from the most rare to the least rare progressive levels up to the maximum limit. Any excess increment value is saved as short-term overflow and possibly long-term overflow. For the next play cycle, each progressive level is raised by its initial reset value plus its short-term overflow for that level, resulting in a higher reset value. Any increment that exceeds the maximum limit is stored as long-term overflow and is available to fund a subsequent play cycle following the next play cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Jacek Grabiec, James E. Oatman, Gary J. Oswald, Douglas P. Reichmuth
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Patent number: 9466182Abstract: Systems and methods coordinate requests to display content on one or more windows of a display screen of a wagering game machine. A display control process determines whether or not to honor a request to display content in accordance with an owner status of a window, a lock status of the window, a lock status of the wagering game machine, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventor: Dale R. Buchholz
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Patent number: 9454871Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations including receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the multiple applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 9443385Abstract: “Described herein are processes and devices that perform operations that, 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. The first wagering game includes first content that originates from a first content source, and the second wagering game includes second content that originates from a second content source. The operations further include accessing funds associated with the first wagering game. The operations further include funding one or more wagers for the second wagering game using at least a portion of the accessed funds associated with the first wagering game.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mary M. Burke, Timothy F. Dinovo, Magesh Gangadharan, Jacek A. Grabiec, James S. Halprin, Mark C. Pace, Jacqueline F. Parra, David M. Pryor, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 9430899Abstract: A method includes presenting, by at least one processor, a configuration interface to enable creation of a presentation template. The method includes defining a number of presentation areas in the presentation template. The method includes defining a configuration setting for at least a first presentation area of the number of presentation areas, wherein the configuration setting limits a content type that is to be displayed in the first presentation area and defines a display location where the presentation area is positioned. At least one content of a number of content to be displayed in the number of presentation areas comprises wagering game play. The method includes storing, in a machine-readable medium, the presentation template.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
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Patent number: 9336649Abstract: In some embodiments, a method including determining a first wagering game content and a second wagering game content, wherein the first wagering game content is related to a first wagering game, and wherein the second wagering game content is related to a second wagering game. The method can also include determining, based on priority rules, a first display priority for the first wagering game content, and a second display priority for the second wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the first display priority, the first wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the second display priority, the second wagering game content after the presenting of the first wagering game content, and detecting player inputs. The method can also include assigning priority values to the player inputs, and responding to the player inputs in an order related to the priority values.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mary M. Burke, Timothy F. Dinovo, Magesh Gangadharan, Jacek A. Grabiec, James S. Halprin, Mark C. Pace, Jacqueline F. Parra, David M. Pryor, Matthew J. Ward
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Publication number: 20160093154Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Michael R. Bytnar, Michael V. Dicillo, Patrick M. Gustafson, Jeremy M. Hornik, Gary J. Oswald, Richard B. Robbins, Nickey C. Shin, Jesse M. Smith, Simon E. Sunblade, Jamie W. Vann, Muthu Velu, Matthew J. Ward, Steven J. Zoloto, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Craig J. Sylla
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Publication number: 20160042599Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: John Toohey, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dale R. Buchholz, James S. Peterson, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
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Publication number: 20150262451Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include determining, via an electronic presentation controller, that a first presentation priority of the first content exceeds a second presentation priority of the second content for presentation via an electronic output device of the wagering game system. The operations can further include analyzing, via the electronic presentation controller, presentation criteria associated with one or more of the first gaming application or the second gaming application. The operations can further include electronically modifying, via the electronic presentation controller, a presentation setting of the second content in response to determining, based on the analyzing of the presentation criteria, that modifying the presentation setting would cause the second presentation priority to increase.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Publication number: 20150199866Abstract: A method includes presenting, by at least one processor, a configuration interface to enable creation of a presentation template. The method includes defining a number of presentation areas in the presentation template. The method includes defining a configuration setting for at least a first presentation area of the number of presentation areas, wherein the configuration setting limits a content type that is to be displayed in the first presentation area and defines a display location where the presentation area is positioned. At least one content of a number of content to be displayed in the number of presentation areas comprises wagering game play. The method includes storing, in a machine-readable medium, the presentation template.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
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Patent number: 9058724Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include obtaining data provided from a first application. In some examples, the first application is a wagering game application presented on a wagering game machine. The operations can also include determining a subscription level associated with a second application. The subscription level indicates access to the data from the first application. Further, the operations can also include, providing a service to the second application. In some examples, the service is one of a plurality of tiers of services that correspond to the subscription level. In some examples, the service has one of a plurality of degrees of access to the data from the first application according to the subscription level.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 9039517Abstract: An illustrative method controls a gaming device that supports wagering on games. A communication is received at a gaming device coupled to the gaming network from another gaming device coupled to the gaming network. A determination is made by the gaming device if proprietary information is present in the communication or requested to be transmitted by the communication from the gaming device to the another gaming device. A determination is made by the gaming device whether the another gaming device is a trusted source. The gaming device processes the proprietary information associated with the communication only if the gaming device determines that the another gaming device is a trusted source.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Srinivyasa Murthy Adiraju, Christopher J. Frattinger
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Publication number: 20140349726Abstract: A method for presenting the appearance of altered game outcome is described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting, by an electronic wagering game table, a wagering game including a game piece. The operations can also include determining a result for the wagering game. The operations can also include receiving first player input to move the game piece to reveal the result. The operations can also include presenting, on a display device, movement of the game piece. The operations can also include receiving, by the electronic wagering game table, second player input to alter the movement of the game piece, wherein alteration of the movement of the game piece appears to modify the result for the wagering game. The operations can also include presenting, in response to the second player input, altered movement of the game piece and the result for the wagering game.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mary M. Burke, Brian L. Yarger, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Jesse M. Smith, Matthew J. Ward
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Publication number: 20140287834Abstract: A method includes presenting, by at least one processor, a configuration interface to enable creation of a presentation template. The method includes defining a number of presentation areas in the presentation template. The method includes defining a configuration setting for at least a first presentation area of the number of presentation areas, wherein the configuration setting limits a content type that is to be displayed in the first presentation area and defines a display location where the presentation area is positioned. At least one content of a number of content to be displayed in the number of presentation areas comprises wagering game play. The method includes storing, in a machine-readable medium, the presentation template.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy