Patents by Inventor John F. LaSalvia

John F. LaSalvia 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: 9292997
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting wagering game content via an autostereoscopic display of a wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining a degree change in a position of a chair connected to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the change in the position occurs in accordance with an event from the wagering game content. The operations can further include altering an autostereoscopic presentation of the wagering game content proportional to the change in the position of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, John F. LaSalvia, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20140295970
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting wagering game content via an autostereoscopic display of a wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining a degree of change in a position of a chair connected to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the change in the position of the chair occurs in accordance with an event from the wagering game content. The operations can further include altering an autostereoscopic presentation of the wagering game content proportional to the change in the position of the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, John F. LaSalvia, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8784206
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a three-dimensional image of wagering game content via a display associated with a wagering game machine. The operations can further include estimating a degree of alteration to a stereoscopic view of the three-dimensional image caused by a change in the position of a device (e.g., a chair) connected to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include altering a presentation of the three-dimensional image based on the degree of alteration to the stereoscopic view of the three-dimensional image caused by the change in the position of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, John F. LaSalvia, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8632398
    Abstract: A cabinetmaker can create an electronic license that governs 1) components allowed to be connected to a wagering game machine and 2) functionality enabled on the wagering game machine. The electronic license (cabinet license) is bound to a wagering game machine cabinet. The cabinetmaker can load the electronic license into a secure memory area bound to the cabinet of a wagering game machine. A process (application, daemon, etc.) can perform various operations that ensure the wagering game machine complies with the cabinet license. The executable code that implements this process (license compliance code) can execute to disable components and/or functionality that do not comport with the electronic license, can execute to place the wagering game machine in a limited operation state, can execute to generate a notification of the license violation and freeze the wagering game machine, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry S. Krebs, John F. LaSalvia, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
  • Patent number: 8556714
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a wagering game on a display device of a wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting head movements and facial gestures of a player of the wagering game via a video capture device of the wagering game machine, and generating player input data based on the head movements and facial gestures of the player. The operations can further include modifying wagering game content based on the player input data associated with the head movements and facial gestures of the player, and presenting results of the wagering game on the display device of the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Joel R. Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, James E. Motyl, Victor T. Shi, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Mark K. Trego, Michael C. Ward, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20130053139
    Abstract: A cabinetmaker can create an electronic license that governs 1) components allowed to be connected to a wagering game machine and 2) functionality enabled on the wagering game machine. The electronic license (cabinet license) is bound to a wagering game machine cabinet. The cabinetmaker can load the electronic license into a secure memory area bound to the cabinet of a wagering game machine. A process (application, daemon, etc.) can perform various operations that ensure the wagering game machine complies with the cabinet license. The executable code that implements this process (license compliance code) can execute to disable components and/or functionality that do not comport with the electronic license, can execute to place the wagering game machine in a limited operation state, can execute to generate a notification of the license violation and freeze the wagering game machine, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Larry S. Krebs, John F. LaSalvia, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
  • Publication number: 20130023337
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a wagering game on a display device of a wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting head movements and facial gestures of a player of the wagering game via a video capture device of the wagering game machine, and generating player input data based on the head movements and facial gestures of the player. The operations can further include modifying wagering game content based on the player input data associated with the head movements and facial gestures of the player, and presenting results of the wagering game on the display device of the wagering game machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Joel R. Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, James E. Motyl, Victor T. Shi, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Mark K. Trego, Michael C. Ward
  • Patent number: 8337300
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting a skill-based wagering game on a wagering game machine. The skill-based wagering game can have a limited winnable award amount for the skill-based wagering game. The operations can also include tracking skilled game goals that a player accomplishes during the skill-based wagering game and awarding the player from the limited winnable award amount. The operations can also include determining a surplus amount that was not earned from the limited winnable award amount, and awarding some, or all, of the surplus amount during subsequent activity. In some embodiments, the operations can also include allocating the surplus amount to wagering game pools, distributing the surplus amount as tokens based on triggered activities, and presenting game modifiers that enable players to enhance performance in a skill-based game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming. Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Joel R. Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, Michael W. Mastropietro, Scott H. Schulhof, Richard T. Schwartz, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Bruce E. Urban, Michael C. Ward
  • Publication number: 20110212766
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting a skill-based wagering game on a wagering game machine. The skill-based wagering game can have a limited winnable award amount for the skill-based wagering game. The operations can also include tracking skilled game goals that a player accomplishes during the skill-based wagering game and awarding the player from the limited winnable award amount. The operations can also include determining a surplus amount that was not earned from the limited winnable award amount, and awarding some, or all, of the surplus amount during subsequent activity. In some embodiments, the operations can also include allocating the surplus amount to wagering game pools, distributing the surplus amount as tokens based on triggered activities, and presenting game modifiers that enable players to enhance performance in a skill-based game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Joel R Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, Michael W. Mastropietro, Scott H. Schulhof, Richard T. Schwartz, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Bruce E. Urban, Michael C. Ward
  • Patent number: 7794014
    Abstract: A multimedia chair (200) includes an electronic module having an electronic processor and at least one electronic controller operatively connected to the electronic processor. A visual display (120) is connected to the electronic module and operatively communicates with the electronic processor. A base (202) structure connected to the electronic module is connected to a chair (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ozio LLC
    Inventors: P. Shawn Beall, John F. LaSalvia
  • Publication number: 20100222141
    Abstract: A mode control device in a wagering game network is described herein. The mode control device can be used to control operational modes on a machine within the wagering game network. The mode control device can interface with the machine and gather criteria affecting which of the operational modes can be activated on the machine. Additionally, the mode control device can select, based on the criteria, allowable modes from the operational modes. Furthermore, the mode control device can notify the machine about the allowable modes. In addition, mode control device can select, activate, limit, enhance, or in any other way control the modes on the machine. In some embodiments, the mode control device can also control the modes on other devices associated with the machine in the wagering game network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. LaSalvia, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Joseph L. Spina, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20100130278
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a wireless power module. The power module is operable to provide power to a wagering game component via a power signal traveling through a nonconductive medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Jorge Luis Shimabukuro, James M. Rasmussen, Craig J. Sylla, John F. LaSalvia, Joseph Lane Spina
  • Publication number: 20080185888
    Abstract: A multimedia chair (200) includes an electronic module having an electronic processor and at least one electronic controller operatively connected to the electronic processor. A visual display (120) is connected to the electronic module and operatively communicates with the electronic processor. A base (202) structure connected to the electronic module is connected to a chair (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Ozio LLC
    Inventors: P. Shawn Beall, John F. LaSalvia