Patents by Inventor John Sommer

John Sommer 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: 10417865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with promotion devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the promotion device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyzes data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 10242523
    Abstract: Various embodiments directed to systems and methods that enable remote play of a game hosted by a gaming machine using a mobile device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a network in communication with the gaming machine and the mobile device, and the network includes a first wireless access point located in a first area and a second wireless access point located in a second area of a venue. Also included is a remote gaming server in communication with the gaming machine and mobile device over the network. The remote gaming server enables remote play when the mobile device is connected to the second wireless access point and prevents remote play when the mobile device is connected to the first wireless access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 10204476
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a user-specific object using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a user-specific object through a display of a mobile device; acquiring user-specific identification information from the user-specific object; sending the user-specific identification information via a network to a server; retrieving user-specific specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the user-specific information in conjunction with the user-specific object when viewing the user-specific object through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun Arumugam, Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Publication number: 20180225921
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with promotion devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the promotion device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyses data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Bryan M. KELLY, John SOMMER
  • Publication number: 20180114401
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a user-specific object using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a user-specific object through a display of a mobile device; acquiring user-specific identification information from the user-specific object; sending the user-specific identification information via a network to a server; retrieving user-specific specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the user-specific information in conjunction with the user-specific object when viewing the user-specific object through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun ARUMUGAM, Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 9940788
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with promotion devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the promotion device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyses data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 9875600
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a user-specific card using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a user-specific card through a display of a mobile device; acquiring user-specific identification information from the user-specific card; sending the user-specific identification information via a network to a server; retrieving user-specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the user-specific information in conjunction with the user-specific card when viewing the user-specific card through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun Arumugam, Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Publication number: 20170256124
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a user-specific card using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a user-specific card through a display of a mobile device; acquiring user-specific identification information from the user-specific card; sending the user-specific identification information via a network to a server; retrieving user-specific specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the user-specific information in conjunction with the user-specific card when viewing the user-specific card through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun ARUMUGAM, Martin S. LYONS, Bryan M. KELLY, John SOMMER
  • Publication number: 20170256132
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with promotion devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the promotion device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyses data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Bryan M. KELLY, John SOMMER
  • Patent number: 9697683
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with gaming devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the gaming device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyzes data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 9697676
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a player card using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a player card through a display of a mobile device; acquiring player identification information from the player card; sending the player identification information via a network to a server; retrieving player specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the player specific information in conjunction with the player card when viewing the player card through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun Arumugam, Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Publication number: 20160351011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with gaming devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the gaming device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyses data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 9355519
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with gaming devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the gaming device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyzes data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Publication number: 20160019746
    Abstract: Various embodiments directed to systems and methods that enable remote play of a game hosted by a gaming machine using a mobile device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a network in communication with the gaming machine and the mobile device, and the network includes a first wireless access point located in a first area and a second wireless access point located in a second area of a venue. Also included is a remote gaming server in communication with the gaming machine and mobile device over the network. The remote gaming server enables remote play when the mobile device is connected to the second wireless access point and prevents remote play when the mobile device is connected to the first wireless access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, John Sommer
  • Publication number: 20150356812
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a player card using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a player card through a display of a mobile device; acquiring player identification information from the player card; sending the player identification information via a network to a server; retrieving player specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the player specific information in conjunction with the player card when viewing the player card through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun Arumugam, Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 9155968
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of enabling a player to use remote home terminals or mobile devices via a network to enroll in a casino tournament gaming system, in addition to winning prizes offered as an outcome of a primary game on underlying gaming machines located in a casino. The method includes enabling enrollment in the casino tournament gaming system to form tournament teams via remote home terminals or mobile devices, wherein the system uses existing social networks to leverage pre-existing relationships between players that are members of the social network to form tournament teams; enabling play of a game of chance on the underlying gaming machines that award game credits that are redeemable for a payout and are controlled by overall payout percentages relating to the game of chance; and facilitating entry into one or more skill-based tournament games in the player's tournament team against other tournament teams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Hedrick, Martin S. Lyons, Amy Monette, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 9111418
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a player card using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a player card through a display of a mobile device; acquiring player identification information from the player card; sending the player identification information via a network to a server; retrieving player specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the player specific information in conjunction with the player card when viewing the player card through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun Arumugam, Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Publication number: 20150094135
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of enabling a player to use remote home terminals or mobile devices via a network to enroll in a casino tournament gaming system, in addition to winning prizes offered as an outcome of a primary game on underlying gaming machines located in a casino. The method includes enabling enrollment in the casino tournament gaming system to form tournament teams via remote home terminals or mobile devices, wherein the system uses existing social networks to leverage pre-existing relationships between players that are members of the social network to form tournament teams; enabling play of a game of chance on the underlying gaming machines that award game credits that are redeemable for a payout and are controlled by overall payout percentages relating to the game of chance; and facilitating entry into one or more skill-based tournament games in the player's tournament team against other tournament teams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Randy Hedrick, Martin S. Lyons, Amy Monette, John Sommer
  • Publication number: 20140350704
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with gaming devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the gaming device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyses data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 8821274
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling a user in an augmented reality gaming venue to use an augmented reality gaming venue component and a mobile device to find a particular game or gaming machine. The method includes: controlling a camera on the mobile device using the augmented reality gaming venue component, once the component is activated; determining the location of the mobile device; determining the orientation of the mobile device; querying a casino management system to retrieve data for the augmented reality gaming venue; generating a list of gaming machines and other objects currently visible to the camera; rendering a camera-captured image on a display of the mobile device; and overlaying icons on the image for each visible object to display additional visual information to a user on the display of the mobile device in response to the user aiming the mobile device at gaming machines or other objects of interest in the augmented reality gaming venue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer