Patents by Inventor James M. Rasmussen
James M. Rasmussen 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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Publication number: 20170116822Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Mark B Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C Loose, James M Rasmussen, Victor T Shi, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 9619968Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Balley Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
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Patent number: 9595157Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Patent number: 9520030Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
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Publication number: 20160253870Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
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Patent number: 9361755Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
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Patent number: 9330525Abstract: A switchable transmissive display for a gaming system has an underlying display mode and a full video mode. The switchable transmissive display includes a first underlying display and a second display overlaying the first display. The second display includes a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a backlight assembly and a switchable diffuser film layer. The backlight assembly includes a transmissive aperture behind which the first underlying display is positioned. The second display also includes a supplemental backlight directed at the aperture. The second display has a first mode where the switchable diffuser film layer is transparent to allow viewing the first display and a second mode where the switchable diffuser film layer is translucent to obscure the transmissive aperture and an image is displayed. The switchable diffuser film layer distributes light to provide substantially homogeneous light intensity across the back of the transmissive liquid crystal panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Timothy C. Loose
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Patent number: 9330515Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of sorting batches of coins are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins, and one or more coin receptacles stowed inside the housing. A disk-type coin processing unit is operatively coupled to the coin input area and the coin receptacle(s). The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins received from the coin input area, and a sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and at least partially spaced from the rotatable disk. The lower surface forms a plurality of shaped regions for guiding the coins, under the motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit stations through which the coins are discharged to the coin receptacle(s). The sorting head and the rotatable disk are obliquely angled with respect to the support surface upon which the housing rests.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Marianne Krbec, John R. Blake
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Publication number: 20160110955Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20160027253Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
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Patent number: 9224263Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 9092931Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game systems having one or more electrically responsive touch screens, and input devices for use with such touch screens. The disclosure addresses example configurations for such input devices that may be used to provide inputs to the wagering game system. The described input devices may be used to provide various input capabilities to the gaming assembly, and to thereby facilitate different configuration options of the gaming assemblies, including new operational options and functional capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen
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Patent number: 9092924Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of sorting batches of coins are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins, and one or more coin receptacles stowed inside the housing. A disk-type coin processing unit is operatively coupled to the coin input area and the coin receptacle(s). The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins received from the coin input area, and a sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and at least partially spaced from the rotatable disk. The lower surface forms a plurality of shaped regions for guiding the coins, under the motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit stations through which the coins are discharged to the coin receptacle(s). The sorting head and the rotatable disk are obliquely angled with respect to the support surface upon which the housing rests.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Marianne Krbec, John R. Blake
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Patent number: 9064372Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Publication number: 20150126267Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
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Publication number: 20150094136Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8974297Abstract: Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods of reconfiguring a display device are presented herein. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed, which includes an input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, a cabinet, and a display device operatively mounted to the cabinet. The display device has an electronic graphical display screen that is operable to dynamically display information related to the wagering game. The display screen is configured to physically change shape and/or size.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Massing, Frank E. Rodriguez, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Kenneth M. Ross, Miguel A. Vega, Michael R. Bytnar
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Patent number: 8956224Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
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Patent number: 8932140Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8926421Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Gilbert J. Q. Burak, Mark B. Gagner, Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, James V. Palermo, James M. Rasmussen, Gene Rigsby, Richard T. Schwartz, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas, Timothy C. Loose