Patents by Inventor Dion K. Aoki

Dion K. Aoki 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: 20240087408
    Abstract: A method and system are described that involve operations to communicatively couple a personal mobile device to an additional device via a casino network. The operations are further to detect a user-input gesture, performed via one or more of the personal mobile device or the additional device, to transfer a gaming object between the personal mobile device and the additional device. The operations are further to, in response to detection of the user-input gesture, route communication of the transfer to a wagering game server connected to the casino network. The operations are further to transfer, via the wagering game server, the gaming object between the personal mobile device and the additional device and animate, via a display device of one or more of the personal mobile device or the additional device, transfer of the gaming object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Anthony J. BAERLOCHER, Dion K. AOKI, Larry J. PACEY, Jesse M. SMITH, Jamie W. VANN
  • Patent number: 11823529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that detects, via an electronic processor, a first orientation of a mobile device relative to an orientation of a gaming device. The method and/or apparatus further provides, by the electronic processor via a user interface of the mobile device, at least one bet placement option for a game conducted by the gaming device, in response to detecting the first orientation. After detection of a selection of the at least one bet placement option, the method and/or apparatus detects, via the electronic processor, a change from the first orientation of the mobile device to a second orientation different from the first orientation. The method and/or apparatus further presents, by the electronic processor via the user interface, at least one game play option for the game in response to detecting the change from the first orientation to the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dion K. Aoki, Larry J. Pacey, Jesse M. Smith, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20210319658
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that detects, via an electronic processor, a first orientation of a mobile device relative to an orientation of a gaming device. The method and/or apparatus further provides, by the electronic processor via a user interface of the mobile device, at least one bet placement option for a game conducted by the gaming device, in response to detecting the first orientation. After detection of a selection of the at least one bet placement option, the method and/or apparatus detects, via the electronic processor, a change from the first orientation of the mobile device to a second orientation different from the first orientation. The method and/or apparatus further presents, by the electronic processor via the user interface, at least one game play option for the game in response to detecting the change from the first orientation to the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony J. BAERLOCHER, Dion K. AOKI, Larry J. PACEY, Jesse M. SMITH, Jamie W. VANN
  • Patent number: 11107331
    Abstract: A gaming system has a plurality of reels. Each reel has a plurality of symbol locations. The gaming system is in communication with one or more processors. The gaming system involves the selection of a symbol location on a first reel of the plurality of reels. The selected symbol location is associated with a first type of symbol. At least one additional symbol location is added to the first reel at a location adjacent to the selected symbol location. Each additional symbol location is filled with the first type of symbol to create a first clump of the first type of symbols. Alternatively, the gaming system determines a number of additional symbol locations that are added to the first reel adjacent to the selected first symbol location. The gaming system then fills the additional symbol locations with symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Allon G. Englman, Michael W. Mastropietro
  • Patent number: 11055959
    Abstract: A method for transferring a wagering game object, monetary value, and/or non-monetary value between a mobile device and a second device is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include presenting, on a mobile device, a graphical user interface configured to receive user input. The method can further include receiving, via the graphical user interface, a gesture that initiates transfer of one or more of a wagering game object, monetary value, and non-monetary value between the mobile device and a second device. The method can further include transmitting, via a network in response to the gesture, one or more of the wagering game object, the monetary value, and the non-monetary value between the mobile device and the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dion K. Aoki, Larry J. Pacey, Jesse M. Smith, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 10262497
    Abstract: A gaming system is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game providing eligibility to a plurality of progressive jackpots. The gaming system comprises a secure gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, an electronic input device, a random element generator, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to allocate a portion of the wager to at least one of a first group of progressive jackpots, direct the electronic display device to increment the value of the first group of progressive jackpots, and direct the electronic display device to increment the values of a second group progressive jackpots based on the values of the first group of progressive jackpots. And, in response to a progressive-triggering outcome, the game-logic circuitry directs the electronic display device to display a reset value for the awarded progressive jackpot and an altered reduced value for another one of the progressive jackpots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Publication number: 20190019377
    Abstract: A gaming system has a plurality of reels. Each reel has a plurality of symbol locations. The gaming system is in communication with one or more processors. The gaming system involves the selection of a symbol location on a first reel of the plurality of reels. The selected symbol location is associated with a first type of symbol. At least one additional symbol location is added to the first reel at a location adjacent to the selected symbol location. Each additional symbol location is filled with the first type of symbol to create a first clump of the first type of symbols. Alternatively, the gaming system determines a number of additional symbol locations that are added to the first reel adjacent to the selected first symbol location. The gaming system then fills the additional symbol locations with symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Dion K. AOKI, Allon G. ENGLMAN, Michael W. MASTROPIETRO
  • Publication number: 20180253942
    Abstract: A gaming system is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game providing eligibility to a plurality of progressive jackpots. The gaming system comprises a secure gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, an electronic input device, a random element generator, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to allocate a portion of the wager to at least one of a first group of progressive jackpots, direct the electronic display device to increment the value of the first group of progressive jackpots, and direct the electronic display device to increment the values of a second group progressive jackpots based on the values of the first group of progressive jackpots. And, in response to a progressive-triggering outcome, the game-logic circuitry directs the electronic display device to display a reset value for the awarded progressive jackpot and an altered reduced value for another one of the progressive jackpots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Dion K. AOKI, Michael W. MASTROPIETRO, Jeffry L. NAUMAN
  • Patent number: 10046232
    Abstract: A method includes acquiring media content of a wagering game table at a wagering game establishment with a camera of a mobile device. A location of the mobile device is determined when the media content is acquired. A direction that a lens of the camera is facing when the media content is acquired is determined. The wagering game table is identified based on the location and the direction. Overlay imagery derived from wagering game activity of the wagering game table is downloaded into the mobile device from a server. The overlay imagery is composited onto the media content to create a composited media content. The composited media content is displayed on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 9990804
    Abstract: A gaming system is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game providing eligibility to a plurality of progressive jackpots. The gaming system comprises a secure gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, an electronic input device, a random element generator, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to allocate a portion of the wager to at least one of a first group of progressive jackpots, direct the electronic display device to increment the value of the first group of progressive jackpots, and direct the electronic display device to increment the values of a second group progressive jackpots based on the values of the first group of progressive jackpots. And, in response to a progressive-triggering outcome, the game-logic circuitry directs the electronic display device to display a reset value for the awarded progressive jackpot and an altered reduced value for another one of the progressive jackpots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Patent number: 9741209
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for executing a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed, which includes an input device for receiving wagers, a display for displaying the wagering game, and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine whether one or more progressive jackpots are active, each jackpot having a respective progressive value and a respective trigger value; randomly determine an outcome of the base game; determine if the base-game outcome has an award associated therewith; if one or more progressive jackpots are active and the base-game outcome has an award associated therewith, provide the award to the player and increment the progressive value for each active jackpot by at least the base-game award; and, if the incremented value of an active progressive jackpot is equal to or greater than its respective trigger value, award the incremented value to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Dion K. Aoki
  • Patent number: 9704342
    Abstract: A gaming system or gaming device for conducting a wagering game includes a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device to determine an outcome of the wagering game, which is randomly determined from plural available wagering-game outcomes, and display, in an array located at a first position on the display device, symbols indicative of the wagering-game outcome. The processor, in conjunction with the memory device, determines a value associated with the wagering-game outcome. The symbol array is then shown moving from the first position to a second position on the display device. The second position is based on a random determination and/or player input. The value of the wagering-game outcome is modified based upon one or more modifiers achieved due to movement of the array to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Benjamin T. Gomez, Pamela S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170157507
    Abstract: A method includes acquiring media content of a wagering game table at a wagering game establishment with a camera of a mobile device. A location of the mobile device is determined when the media content is acquired. A direction that a lens of the camera is facing when the media content is acquired is determined. The wagering game table is identified based on the location and the direction. Overlay imagery derived from wagering game activity of the wagering game table is downloaded into the mobile device from a server. The overlay imagery is composited onto the media content to create a composited media content. The composited media content is displayed on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 9652935
    Abstract: A gaming system and method includes receiving a wager and in response thereto a basic game is conducted. The basic game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. In response to an offer trigger, an offer is displayed to conduct one or more subsequent plays of the basic game at a reduced maximum bet wager having a wager amount that is less than a normal maximum bet wager amount. A second input is received indicative of an acceptance of the offer for a reduced maximum bet wager. A randomly selected outcome is displayed. The plurality of possible outcomes each include a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. If the randomly selected outcome includes a winning symbol combination, an award is provided for any winning outcome. The provided award is determined as though a normal maximum bet wager amount was received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Daniel P. Louie, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeremie D. Moll
  • Patent number: 9607476
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of simulated reels. Each reel has a plurality of symbol positions, including first symbol positions with reel symbols thereon and second symbol positions with initially transparent regions. The gaming system selects one of the reel symbols to serve as a background symbol, displays a game outcome region through which the simulated reels move, and while the simulated reels are moving, reveals the background symbol through the initially transparent regions of the second symbol positions that move through the game outcome region. For each simulated reel that has stopped moving, each of the second symbol positions located within the game outcome region are filled with the reel symbol corresponding to the background symbol. An award is provided based on the symbols in the game outcome region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry L. Nauman, Dion K. Aoki
  • Patent number: 9595162
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes permitting a plurality of wagering game terminals to participate in a community game in a land-based gaming establishment. The method includes permitting a player device remote from the land-based gaming establishment to play an online game. The method also includes modifying, by at least one of one or more processors, the community game based on an event in the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Tracey L. Wright, Dion K. Aoki, Andrew C. Guinn, Joel R. Jaffe, Robert L. Kyte, Bradley D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9573053
    Abstract: A method includes acquiring media content of a wagering game table at a wagering game establishment with a camera of a mobile device. A location of the mobile device is determined when the media content is acquired. A direction that a lens of the camera is facing when the media content is acquired is determined. The wagering game table is identified based on the location and the direction. Overlay imagery derived from wagering game activity of the wagering game table is downloaded into the mobile device from a server. The overlay imagery is composited onto the media content to create a composited media content. The composited media content is displayed on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 9564022
    Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game includes player-controlled, dynamically determined wagering rates, with each wager initiating a separate instance of the wagering game and further displays concurrently executing instances together on one or more display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Dion K. Aoki, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20170032612
    Abstract: A gaming system includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager and to display an array having a plurality of symbol positions, each of the symbol positions being populated by symbols located on a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The reels spin and stop to place symbols on the symbol-bearing reels in visual association with symbol positions of the array. At least one extended symbol indexed on a first reel visually overlaps one or more symbols on an adjacent second reel (a) as the first reel spins the extended symbol through the array and (b) without affecting a stopping position of the adjacent second reel. An award is awarded for any winning combinations defined by the symbols in the display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Shawn C. Collette, Jeremy M. Hornik, Pamela S. Smith
  • Patent number: D783096
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Shawn C. Collette, Allon G. Englman