Patents by Inventor Eric V. Erickson

Eric V. Erickson 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: 10134225
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include establishing a connection with an input device, from a plurality of input devices configured for user input, for use in a wagering game during a wagering game session. The operations can further include receiving input data from the input device, wherein the input data has a first format specific to the input device, and wherein the wagering game requires the input data in a second format different from the first format. The operations can further include converting the input data from the first format to the second format required by the wagering game, and providing the input data to the wagering game in the second format for use as the user input for the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Sean P. Kelly, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9685029
    Abstract: Wagering game systems including gaming chairs are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, in a wagering game machine, access information identifying a wagering game player, and determining the wagering game players motion profile associated with a gaming chair connected to the wagering game machine, wherein the motion profile indicates movements of the gaming chair that are acceptable to the wagering game player. The method also includes determining prescribed motions for the gaming chair, wherein the prescribed motions are associated with wagering game events, and determining that one of the wagering game events occurred on the wagering game machine. The method also includes moving the gaming chair in accordance with the prescribed motions for the gaming chair and the wagering game players motion profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Paul M. Lesley, Scott A. Massing, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150339885
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include establishing a connection with an input device, from a plurality of input devices configured for user input, for use in a wagering game during a wagering game session. The operations can further include receiving input data from the input device, wherein the input data has a first format specific to the input device, and wherein the wagering game requires the input data in a second format different from the first format. The operations can further include converting the input data from the first format to the second format required by the wagering game, and providing the input data to the wagering game in the second format for use as the user input for the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Sean P. Kelly, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, JR.
  • Patent number: 9098967
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include establishing a connection with an input device, from a plurality of input devices configured for user input, for use in a wagering game during a wagering game session. The operations can further include receiving input data from the input device, wherein the input data has a first format specific to the input device, and wherein the wagering game requires the input data in a second format different from the first format. The operations can further include converting the input data from the first format to the second format required by the wagering game, and providing the input data to the wagering game in the second format for use as the user input for the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Sean P. Kelly, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130005442
    Abstract: Wagering game systems including gaming chairs are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, in a wagering game machine, access information identifying a wagering game player, and determining the wagering game players motion profile associated with a gaming chair connected to the wagering game machine, wherein the motion profile indicates movements of the gaming chair that are acceptable to the wagering game player. The method also includes determining prescribed motions for the gaming chair, wherein the prescribed motions are associated with wagering game events, and determining that one of the wagering game events occurred on the wagering game machine. The method also includes moving the gaining chair in accordance with the prescribed motions for the gaming chair and the wagering game players motion profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Paul M. Lesley, Scott A. Massing, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110115413
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include configuring a casino light show on a light show design map using lighting device objects that correlate to lighting hardware devices in a casino. The lighting hardware devices can present light effects using different lighting control formats. The operations can further include configuring the light effects for the lighting device objects, and generating lighting control instructions in a common data format. The operations can further include converting the lighting control instructions to individual sets of lighting control instructions that comply with the different lighting control formats. The operations can further use the sets of lighting control instructions to present the light effects on the lighting hardware devices according to the different lighting control formats required by the lighting hardware devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, John L. Griffin, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Sean P. Kelly, David M. Pryor, Alfred Thomas, Martin R. Ugarte, JR.
  • Patent number: 7471692
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for maximizing call connect rate in a remote access application. The method uses an adjustable hunting algorithm for allocating calls to channels to be connected. The method described categorizes the channels based on their past performances into groups that are preferred to be used. The results of the channels performances are accumulated and saved in order to decide which channels are to be used more often than others. The channels that perform the worst will be used sparingly, thus reducing the possibility that they may be locked out. This gives the PSTN switch the most optimal number of channels to choose from since the least number of channels will be locked out. Since the best performing channels will be used most often, the system will have maximized its overall connect rate. The channels will constantly be monitored in order to guarantee that the next most effective available channel will be used for all incoming calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: UTStarcom, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric V. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6289097
    Abstract: A method and device for providing telephone subscribers serviced from digital loop carrier (“DLC”) systems access to a computer network. The described device includes a redirect repeater with the capability to redirect multiplexed channels of the DLC to a computer network. The redirect repeater is interfaced to the DLC and redirects channels of the multiplexed DLC system to the computer network in response to a redirect signal. The described method includes monitoring the DLC for a call origination message indicating a subscriber is originating a telephone call, buffering messages from the originating telephone call and recognizing a redirect signal indicating the telephone call is to be directed to the computer network. Messages indicating the telephone call is redirected to the computer network are inserted and the messages from the telephone call can then be redirect to the computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Gregory, Eric V. Erickson, James A. Renkel, Christopher J. Rozman, John M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6233237
    Abstract: A method and protocol for creating R2 data connections over a telecommunications connection is presented. The protocol includes a small set of signals used to create a data connection over a telecommunications using R2-MFC signaling for voice connections. The method includes a first set of methods for R2-MFC short cycling and a second set of methods for R2-MFC spoofing. R2-MFC short cycling uses the R2 data connection protocol and a tone detection apparatus to create a data connection. R2-MFC spoofing uses the R2 data connection protocol to create a data connection without a tone detection apparatus to detect a forward register signal. The method and protocol allow a data connection to be quickly and economically completed using R2-MFC signaling. The method and protocol are suitable for data services such as Internet or intranet access and teleconferencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Mustafa S. Yucebay, Richard H. E. Smith, Eric V. Erickson