Patents by Inventor Edward G Brunell

Edward G Brunell 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: 10207187
    Abstract: A sound system presenting audio that supplements multi-player game-play in which multiple views of a 3D game object as seen from different viewpoints are simultaneously displayed. The audio includes audio characteristics responsive to behaviors of the 3D game object and depict a focus direction associated with respective behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Zoloto, Joseph Gordon Marcus, Edward G. Brunell, Michael P. Connelly, Nicholas Matthew Garoufalis, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 10169958
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include presenting, via an electronic display device of the wagering gaming system, a configuration interface capable of presenting options to configure a wagering game machine. The operations can further include automatically detecting, via user input from the configuration interface, an electronic request to configure the wagering game machine for presentation of a wagering game effect (“effect”). The effect has a presentation limit for the presentation amongst a plurality of wagering game machines. The operations can further include electronically modifying, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, an availability of at least one of the options in response to determining, based on electronic evaluation of the electronic request against the presentation limit, whether the presentation of the effect via the wagering game machine complies with the presentation limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Radek, Edward G. Brunell, Wingate K. Williams, Brian L. Yarger
  • Patent number: 10068412
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes detecting, by the first emotive lighting controller, the wagering game event for which to present the coordinated media show. The method can include executing, by the first emotive lighting controller, an instruction script identifying a first group of media effects for the coordinated media show, and in response to executing the instruction script, causing presentation of the first group of media effects by at least one media device connected, via a network, to the first emotive lighting controller. The method can include detecting a synchronization trigger associated with the coordinated media show, and in response to the synchronization trigger, transmitting a synchronization marker to at least a second emotive lighting controller in the network, wherein the synchronization marker causes the second emotive lighting controller to transition to a second group of media effects for the coordinated media show.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Publication number: 20180071631
    Abstract: A sound system presenting audio that supplements multi-player game-play in which multiple views of a 3D game object as seen from different viewpoints are simultaneously displayed. The audio includes audio characteristics responsive to behaviors of the 3D game object and depict a focus direction associated with respective behaviors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Steven J. ZOLOTO, Joseph Gordon MARCUS, Edward G. BRUNELL, Michael P. CONNELLY, Nicholas Matthew GAROUFALIS, Timothy C. LOOSE
  • Patent number: 9547952
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include operations for presenting a lighting show in a wagering game system. The operations can include receiving, over a first network, a playlist identifier that identifies a playlist, where the playlist is associated with a first group of lighting commands for presenting lighting effects on lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating the first group of lighting commands, and receiving, over the first network, a second group of lighting commands for presenting the lighting effects on the lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating, based on the first and second groups of lighting commands, instructions specific to the lighting devices, and transmitting, over a second network, the instructions for execution by one or more lighting controllers connected to the lighting devices, wherein the execution causes the lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Patent number: 9520018
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations which can include analyzing electronic information associated with a first gaming effect and a second gaming effect provided for concurrent presentation via an output device, determining that the first gaming effect has a higher priority than the second gaming effect, and causing the first gaming effect to be presented via the output device before the second gaming effect is presented based on the higher priority. The operations can further include preventing, without user input, presentation of a first portion of the second amine effect via the output device while the first gaming effect is presented. The operations can further include electronically determining that a second portion of the second gaming effect is available for presentation after an ending point for the first gaming effect, and causing the second portion to be presented via the output device after the first gaming effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 9421454
    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: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Charles A. Richards, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9367987
    Abstract: This document describes techniques for selecting lighting colors in wagering game systems. In some embodiments, a wagering game machine comprising a game controller configured to determine a result for a wagering game, and control presentation of video content indicating the results for the wagering game. The game controller can also select, in response to the result, lighting content and one or more color pallets, wherein the lighting content defines choreographed lighting effects, and wherein the one or more color pallets define coloring for the lighting effects. The wagering game machine can also include a lighting engine configured to randomly select colors from the one or more color pallets, and control presentation of the lighting effects based on the lighting content and the randomly selected colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Publication number: 20150339879
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes detecting, by the first emotive lighting controller, the wagering game event for which to present the coordinated media show. The method can include executing, by the first emotive lighting controller, an instruction script identifying a first group of media effects for the coordinated media show, and in response to executing the instruction script, causing presentation of the first group of media effects by at least one media device connected, via a network, to the first emotive lighting controller. The method can include detecting a synchronization trigger associated with the coordinated media show, and in response to the synchronization trigger, transmitting a synchronization marker to at least a second emotive lighting controller in the network, wherein the synchronization marker causes the second emotive lighting controller to transition to a second group of media effects for the coordinated media show.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Publication number: 20150262455
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include presenting, via an electronic display device of the wagering gaming system, a configuration interface capable of presenting options to configure a wagering game machine. The operations can further include automatically detecting, via user input from the configuration interface, an electronic request to configure the wagering game machine for presentation of a wagering game effect (“effect”). The effect has a presentation limit for the presentation amongst a plurality of wagering game machines. The operations can further include electronically modifying, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, an availability of at least one of the options in response to determining, based on electronic evaluation of the electronic request against the presentation limit, whether the presentation of the effect via the wagering game machine complies with the presentation limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Paul J. Radek, Edward G. Brunell, Wingate K. Williams, Brian L. Yarger
  • 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
  • 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: 9087429
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting an indication to initiate a lighting presentation on a wagering game machine of a bank of wagering game machines. The operations can also include determining a position offset associated with the wagering game machine based, at least in part, on a position of the wagering game machine within the bank of wagering game machines relative to a reference wagering game machine of the bank of wagering game machines. The operations can further include determining a position-based time delay for initiating the lighting presentation on the wagering game machine based, at least in part, on the position offset associated with the wagering game machine, and initiating the lighting presentation on the wagering game machine after the position-based time delay associated with the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Patent number: 9076289
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations include analyzing sound content that is not configured for use with a wagering game machine's sound system prior to presentation via sound equipment of the wagering game machine. If the sound content meets sound presentation tolerances of the sound equipment, then the operations can include approving presentation of the sound content. If a portion of the sound content does not meet the sound presentation tolerances, the operations can further include removing or modifying the portion of the sound content, such as filtering frequencies, reducing power levels, reducing volume levels, and reducing a duration of play of the sound content. The operations can further include prioritizing presentation of the sound content along with other content configured for use with the wagering game machine's sound system and which is scheduled for presentation via the sound equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Radek, Edward G. Brunell
  • Patent number: 9070249
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a request to configure a wagering game machine for presentation of a wagering game effect. The operations can further include, in response to detecting the request, evaluating, a position of the wagering game machine against criteria for presentation of the wagering game effect. The operations can further include, based on the evaluating the position of the wagering game machine against the criteria for presentation of the wagering game effect, modifying an availability of at least one of a plurality of options to configure the wagering game machine for the presentation of the wagering game effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Radek, Edward G. Brunell, Wingate K. Williams, Brian L. Yarger
  • Publication number: 20150148134
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 8968088
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 8912727
    Abstract: In a wagering game environment, a light engine can determine a number of lighting devices that constitute a light chain, and a chaining configuration. The light chain is associated with a wagering game machine. The light engine can determine attributes of the constituent lighting devices and compute timing to produce the light effect. In accordance with the determined attributes and computed timing, the light engine generates output lighting device commands for controlling the lighting devices and/or light source elements of the constituent lighting devices. The light engine can dynamically handle a variation in the number or chaining configuration of the lighting devices that constitute the light at runtime. Accordingly, the light engine can generate appropriate output lighting device commands to display the appropriate light effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Publication number: 20140335956
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include operations for presenting a lighting show in a wagering game system. The operations can include receiving, over a first network, a playlist identifier that indentifies a playlist, where the playlist is associated with a first group of lighting commands for presenting lighting effects on lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating the first group of lighting commands, and receiving, over the first network, a second group of lighting commands for presenting the lighting effects on the lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating, based on the first and second groups of lighting commands, instructions specific to the lighting devices, and transmitting, over a second network, the instructions for execution by one or more lighting controllers connected to the lighting devices, wherein the execution causes the lighting effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Publication number: 20140335937
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a first media controller in the wagering game system, a playlist identifier that identifies a playlist, wherein the playlist is associated with scripts that, when executed, present media effects of the coordinated media show. The method can also include presenting, by the first media controller, a first of the media effects by executing a first of the scripts associated with the playlist, and detecting an indication to wait for a synchronization marker from a second media controller. The method can also include receiving, over a multi-drop network, the synchronization marker from the second media controller, and selecting a second of the scripts associated with the playlist, after receiving the synchronization marker. The method can also include presenting, by the first media controller, a second of the media effects by executing the second of the scripts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek