Patents by Inventor John Bird

John Bird 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).

  • Publication number: 20080045345
    Abstract: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided for operating a gaming machine candle. Initially, a status of a gaming machine is identified. Such status relates to an aspect of gaming such as a jurisdictional requirement, a cashless gaming mode, and/or an enhanced entertainment experience mode. In use, a gaming machine candle of the gaming machine is operated, based on the status. To this end, the status of the gaming machine is indicated by the gaming machine candle. Another gaming machine system and associated method are included for providing a networked gaming machine candle system. Included is a plurality of gaming machines each with at least one candle mounted thereon. Further included is a network in communication with the gaming machines. In use, a status of the candle is monitored and/or controlled via the network. Yet another gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Included is a gaming machine with at least one candle mounted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080032802
    Abstract: A gaming system and associated method are provided. In use, a user of at least one gaming machine is identified. In addition, at least one other party is identified that is associated with the user utilizing a data structure, for providing interaction between the user and the at least one other party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080026849
    Abstract: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Initially, a user of a gaming machine is identified, along with at least one other party. In uses, communication between the user and the at least one other party is provided. In another embodiment, first identified is a first user of a first gaming machine associated with a second user of a second gaming machine. In use, the first gaming machine is located for the second user, for various purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080026850
    Abstract: A gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Further included is a server in communication with the gaming clients, and a computer in communication with the server. The computer is equipped with a broadband communication link for receiving information destined for at least one of the gaming clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080015010
    Abstract: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided involving a plurality of networked gaming machines. Each of the networked gaming machines is equipped with a display and/or a speaker for providing output, and a camera and/or a microphone for receiving input. In use, the communication devices are capable of being used by users of the gaming machines for two-way communication with at least one other party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080015027
    Abstract: A centralized gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Further included is a centralized repository of computer processing units. Each of the computer processing units is connected to at least one of the game clients for executing a gaming application for play by a user utilizing the gaming client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080015028
    Abstract: A gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Also included is a server in communication with the gaming clients. Further, communication between the gaming clients and the server is provided by a switching protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080015019
    Abstract: A gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Further included is a server in communication with the gamming clients. In addition, the server is in communication with a central repository of at least one game application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080015016
    Abstract: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Initially, biometric information, and smart device and/or personal identifier information are received from a gaming machine user. Such received biometric information, and smart device and/or personal identifier information are then reconciled. Use of the gaming machine and/or a gaming-related transaction is then conditionally allowed based on the reconciliation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080015026
    Abstract: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Included are a plurality of gaming machines and a high-speed network. Such network couples the gaming machines in either a daisy-chain and/or tapped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20080015029
    Abstract: A gaming system is provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. In addition, the gaming clients are each positioned on at least one of a casino floor, a hotel room, and an arcade room. Also included is a central repository of at least one game application in communication with the gaming clients via a network. The central repository is further situated in an impenetrable housing with a security door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20070245916
    Abstract: A flexographic printing system for printing flat corrugated sheets using radiation curable inks. An ultraviolet curing unit is positioned after each of the printing stations. The ink applied at each station is partially cured before a different color ink is applied at the next printing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: The Diagnostic Group
    Inventors: John Bird, Warren Bird, Peter Goeben, Jack Roberts
  • Publication number: 20070087154
    Abstract: A system and method of providing a wheelchair accessible path through a variety of impact attenuating surfaces including loose fill materials. The combination of a tarmac and loose fill material provides an ASTM compliant impact attenuating surface for playgrounds and other activities. The modular tarmac 15 is also used in wet conditions to improve the traction and impact attenuation over traditional materials used in water parks, and also for reducing wear to park patrons' feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Elouise Bird, John Bird
  • Publication number: 20070074172
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for software problem administration that includes identifying the occurrence of a predefined watch event; identifying an action in dependence upon the identified predefined watch event and a policy; and executing the action. A policy defines predefined watch events and their associated actions. Identifying the occurrence of a predefined watch event may be carried out by detecting a message of a predefined message type in a message queue. Identifying the occurrence of a predefined watch event may also include detecting a log entry of a predefined log type. Identifying an action in dependence upon the identified predefined watch event and a policy may be carried out by identifying a software upgrade request action and executing the action may be carried out by requesting a software upgrade from a service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Bird, Dawn May, Rose Sundermeyer
  • Patent number: 7155257
    Abstract: A wireless communications systems employing code-division multiple access information transmission techniques includes a transmission facility having ground-based transmission and reception electronic equipment, a remotely located RF power amplifier, an antenna, and an RF cable connecting the ground-based equipment with the remotely located RF power amplifier. Power level detectors in the ground-based equipment and in the remotely located RF power amplifier measure the signal level at each end of the RF cable. A microcontroller compares these measurements and adjusts a variable attenuator in the transmission signal path and a variable attenuator in the received signal path to compensate for signal level variability due to variations in signal loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Bird, Leonid Kazakevich
  • Patent number: 7123939
    Abstract: A wireless communications systems employing code-division multiple access information transmission techniques includes a transmission facility having ground-based transmission and reception electronic equipment, a remotely located RF power amplifier, an antenna, and an RF cable connecting the ground-based equipment with the remotely located RF power amplifier. Power level detectors in the ground-based equipment and in the remotely located RF power amplifier measure the signal level at each end of the RF cable. A microcontroller compares these measurements and adjusts a variable attenuator in the transmission signal path and a variable attenuator in the received signal path to compensate for signal level variability due to variations in signal loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Bird, Leonid Kazakevich
  • Publication number: 20060189383
    Abstract: A gaming machine system is provided including a gaming machine and a plurality of mechanical buttons coupled to the gaming machine capable of being depressed by a user. Also included is a plurality of lights each associated with at least one of the buttons. Further, at least one aspect of the lights is modulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20060189391
    Abstract: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided involving a plurality of networked gaming machines. Each of the networked gaming machines is equipped with a display and/or a speaker for providing output, and a camera and/or a microphone for receiving input. In use, the communication devices are capable of being used by users of the gaming machines for two-way communication with at least one other party. Still yet, additional optional features are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20060189390
    Abstract: A gaming system and associated method are provided including at least one electronic gaming machine, and an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a data collection unit and a back-end server. Further included is a transport medium for providing communication between the at least one electronic gaming machine and the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: John Bird
  • Publication number: 20050250580
    Abstract: A game method and system is shown, comprising at least one cell phone and a web site wherein a game sponsor sets rules of the game and provides the rules to users of the cell phones, the game sponsor then provides clues to the game, the user solves the clues and provides solutions to the sponsor and the sponsor determines a winner of the game based upon the solutions provided. The games can be of any variety, such as the games of tag, elimination and treasure hunt. The preferred embodiment shows the cell phone having text messaging capabilities. Other embodiments would show the cell phone having picture taking, image capture or video capture capabilities as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventor: John Bird