Patents by Inventor Harlan J. Darrah

Harlan J. Darrah 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: 8535139
    Abstract: A bonusing game system and method usable with games of chance in which all participating machines are synchronized so their independent bonus rounds play simultaneously. In one embodiment, one player terminal triggers a bonus round and is deemed a “seller” in a simulated auction, and all other active player terminals in a bank also participate as simulated “buyers.” The “seller” makes choices of items to sell which are communicated to the “buyers.” The “seller” watches as simulated bids are placed on their items, and “buyers” participate in simulated bidding of items shown on their screens. The seller and all buyers are awarded some winnings, enabling all players' terminals that run the simultaneous simulated auction bonus round to win each time the simulated auction bonus game is invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Darrah, Jeff Mincey, Jason Deen, Nick Greenwood, Michael DePalma
  • Publication number: 20130172066
    Abstract: A bonusing game system and method usable with games of chance in which all participating machines are synchronized so their independent bonus rounds play simultaneously. In one embodiment, one player terminal triggers a bonus round and is deemed a “seller” in a simulated auction, and all other active player terminals in a bank also participate as simulated “buyers.” The “seller” makes choices of items to sell which are communicated to the “buyers.” The “seller” watches as simulated bids are placed on their items, and “buyers” participate in simulated bidding of items shown on their screens. The seller and all buyers are awarded some winnings, enabling all players' terminals that run the simultaneous simulated auction bonus round to win each time the simulated auction bonus game is invoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Darrah, Jeff Mincey, Jason Deen, Nick Greenwood, DePalma Michael
  • Patent number: 8246436
    Abstract: A bonusing game and method usable with games of chance in which all participating machines are synchronized so their independent bonus rounds play simultaneously. In one embodiment, one player terminal triggers a bonus round and is deemed a “seller” in a simulated auction, and all other active player terminals in a bank also participate as simulated “buyers.” The “seller” makes choices of items to sell which are communicated to the “buyers.” The “seller” watches as simulated bids are placed on their items, and “buyers” participate in simulated bidding of items shown on their screens. The seller and all buyers are awarded some winnings, enabling all players' terminals that run the simultaneous simulated auction bonus round to win each time the simulated auction bonus game is invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Darrah, Jeff Mincey, Jason Deen, Nick Greenwood, Michael DePalma
  • Publication number: 20100203941
    Abstract: A bonusing game and method usable with games of chance in which all participating machines are synchronized so their independent bonus rounds play simultaneously. In one embodiment, one player terminal triggers a bonus round and is deemed a “seller” in a simulated auction, and all other active player terminals in a bank also participate as simulated “buyers.” The “seller” makes choices of items to sell which are communicated to the “buyers.” The “seller” watches as simulated bids are placed on their items, and “buyers” participate in simulated bidding of items shown on their screens. The seller and all buyers are awarded some winnings, enabling all players' terminals that run the simultaneous simulated auction bonus round to win each time the simulated auction bonus game is invoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Darrah, Jeff Mincey, Jason Deen, Nick Greenwood, DePalma Michael
  • Patent number: 7699697
    Abstract: A simulated auction bonusing game and method usable with games of chance, where one player terminal triggers a bonus round and is deemed a “seller” in the simulated auction, and all other active player terminals in a bank also participate as simulated “buyers.” The “seller” makes choices of items to sell which are communicated to the “buyers.” The “seller” watches are simulated bids are placed on their items, and “buyers” participate in simulated bidding of items shown on their screens. All the machines are synchronized so that the simulated auction bonus rounds play simultaneously. The seller and all buyers are awarded some winnings, enabling all player's terminals that run the simultaneous simulated auction bonus round to win each time the simulated auction bonus game is invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Darrah, Jeff Mincey, Jason Deen, Nick Greenwood, DePalma Michael
  • Publication number: 20090048012
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for group play gaming including multiple variations of awards. Upon a triggering event, gaming machines operate in a group play mode which includes multiple award opportunities for each player which may include a grand prize award, one or more mystery prize awards, and one or more progressive awards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Pravinkumar Patel, Josh Larsen, John Vallejo, David Schultz, Keith Kruczynski, Alexander Villagran, Harlan J. Darrah