Patents by Inventor Dow K. Hardy
Dow K. Hardy 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: 9792765Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Jr., John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
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Publication number: 20160232750Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
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Patent number: 9324213Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
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Patent number: 9317993Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
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Patent number: 9180362Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrman, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, Jr., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
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Patent number: 9129476Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
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Patent number: 9084931Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, Jr., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
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Patent number: 8821295Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr., Matthew S. Ross
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Patent number: 8784185Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr.
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Patent number: 8727867Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a maze-based game similar to the well-known game of PAC-MAN.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
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Publication number: 20140106866Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
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Publication number: 20140087811Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
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Patent number: 8641519Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
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Patent number: 8597109Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Jr., Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
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Patent number: 8585503Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, Jr., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
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Publication number: 20130244746Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr., Matthew S. Ross
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Publication number: 20130225283Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, JR.
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Patent number: 8512150Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, Jr., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
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Patent number: 8512133Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. One aspect relates to accumulating outcomes. Another relates to incentives provided to player program member(s). In some embodiments, the person does not need to be qualified. In one embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location, in another at a redemption location. In one embodiment, a player is required to take an action in order to redeem an outcome. In some embodiments, a game play and/or redemption and/or any action must occur in a specified time, respectively. In one embodiment the electronic game is not located at a gambling location, in another it is not located at a redemption location.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K Hardy, Mark E Herrmann, John E Taylor, Jr., John F Acres, Steven N Kane
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Patent number: 8512134Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Jr., John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane