Patents by Inventor Howard R. Pfeifer

Howard R. Pfeifer 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: 9520014
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting a trigger associated with a first wagering game machine. The trigger can be related to wagering game content or a wagering game event. A soundtrack is associated with the wagering game content or wagering game event. The operations can further include beginning play of the soundtrack in unison on the first wagering game machine at an audible volume level and on the second wagering game machine at an inaudible volume level in response to detecting the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua C. Moshier, Howard R. Pfeifer, Paul J. Radek, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Publication number: 20140378225
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting that presentation devices (e.g., speakers, lights, etc.) associated with a group of wagering game machines, are scheduled to simultaneously present a community wagering game event that includes a gaming effect (e.g., sound, light, vibrations, etc.). The operations can further include determining, based on a characteristic associated with the presentation of the gaming effect (e.g., a character of the presentation devices, a property of the gaming effect, a location or number of wagering game machines, etc.) that the sound effect, if played simultaneously on the presentation devices associated with the plurality of the wagering game machines, would provide an amplified presentation of the gaming effect that would exceed a threshold presentation level that may cause discomfort to a casino patron. The operations can further include determining a default presentation setting or property (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Vito M. Caporusso, Howard R. Pfeifer, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8827805
    Abstract: Operations for a wagering game system include detecting that presentation devices (e.g., speakers, lights, etc.) associated with a group of wagering game machines, are scheduled to simultaneously present a community wagering game event that includes a gaming effect (e.g., sound, light, vibrations, etc.). The operations can further include determining, based on a characteristic associated with the presentation of the gaming effect that the gaming effect, if played simultaneously on the presentation devices associated with the plurality of the wagering game machines, would provide an amplified presentation of the gaming effect that would exceed a threshold presentation level that may cause discomfort to a casino patron. The operations can further include modifying a presentation setting or property so that a presentation of the gaming effect remains below the threshold presentation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vito M. Caporusso, Howard R. Pfeifer, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8821283
    Abstract: In a wagering game machine, operations and systems are disclosed for ending wagering game audio in a key of the current state. In one embodiment, the use of markers to denote the state of a music file enables following the continuous music and ending wagering game bang-up audio in whatever key the continuous music is in at the precise moment the bang-up ends. The continuous music, bang-ups and marker file are all started at the same time and may be the same length. The continuous music is audible, the bang-ups are heard by raising the volume when programmatically called for, and the marker file continuously sends out signals at a set rate which the code then interprets to determine the state of the song to trigger the appropriate musical ending. When the bang-up ends it can then be played in the key corresponding to the current state of the music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Dicillo, Howard R. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20130281210
    Abstract: In a wagering game machine, operations and systems are disclosed for ending wagering game audio in a key of the current state. In one embodiment, the use of markers to denote the state of a music file enables following the continuous music and ending wagering game bang-up audio in whatever key the continuous music is in at the precise moment the bang-up ends. The continuous music, bang-ups and marker file are all started at the same time and may be the same length. The continuous music is audible, the bang-ups are heard by raising the volume when programmatically called for, and the marker file continuously sends out signals at a set rate which the code then interprets to determine the state of the song to trigger the appropriate musical ending. When the bang-up ends it can then be played in the key corresponding to the current state of the music.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Dicillo, Howard R. Pfeifer