Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Tracy

Joseph J. Tracy 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: 9384622
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons or tellers select a graphic area on a display element to place runners in a position of a pari-mutuel wager. In another method, a patron or teller selects a graphic area of a display element to copy a runner of a position to another position of a pari-mutuel wager. Another method provides a patron or teller with an opportunity to sort a list of runners of a pari-mutuel gaming activity by selecting an icon of a display element. In a further method, a patron or teller places a multi-position pari-mutuel wager by selecting an area of a display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8814700
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable an organization to set rules to display the gaming activity. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable players to make subscription as well as programmed bets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8292729
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons select runners, and betting options of selected runners are presented. In another method, a first wager is placed and other wagers are presented, wherein the additional wagers may include a runner of the first wager. Another method allows patrons to wager on a runner, wherein an area representing the runner is marked to indicate that this runner was selected on a previous wager or in the current wager. In another method, a portion of a wager is patron selected and a portion of the wager is suggested by the betting interface. In another method, patrons may construct wager(s) for single or future races, or specify criteria for those wagers. In another method, runners are displayed in a table and patrons may select or deselect runner combinations by selecting cells within the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8033911
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment, an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include the randomly assigning a finishing order to the player selected participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison, Stephen M. Smith, Mark G. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7942735
    Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment a series of events, such as horse races, dog races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager, and a wagering activity thereon is structured as a contest. Bettors may each be provided with a “play money” bankroll for use in wagering, and play against one another competitively to achieve one or more winning outcomes for the contest as defined by the operator. Alternatively, bettors may have their conventional, live wagers entered into the contest. The prize pool for the contest, which may be multi-tiered, is fixed based on the number of participants and allocated to winners independent of the live wager prize pool, thus not affecting odds for the live wager. The contest wagering activity may be run in parallel with live wagering, and utilizing the same wagering system for administration of both. Wagering systems and a wagering network are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Mark G. Meyer, Joseph J. Tracy
  • Patent number: 7883411
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as parimutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor-selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player-selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include randomly assigning a finishing order to the player-selected participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison, Jeffery B. Murphy, Stephen M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7147557
    Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a first wager on a first game and a second wager on the outcome of second group game. The outcome of the second group game is determined first, but is only applied if the first game is a winner. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Scientific Games Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Mark Guthrie Meyer
  • Patent number: 7018292
    Abstract: Methods and systems for metered, raffle-style gaming implemented over a distributed network of locations and suitable for use in lottery and casino gaming environments. Potential winning numbers are issued in an order determined by relative time of a request for a number as received by a central controller, in comparison to the timing of other requests received by the controller, and matched to one or more known or predictable winning numbers. Time entries placed by players and compared to one or more target times may also be used to determine winning outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Scientific Games Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Jason E. Bliss, Alvin R. Ringgold, Jr., Mark G. Meyer, Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 6830514
    Abstract: A system and method of playing a lottery-type game are provided. The game comprises obtaining at least one player-selected combination, or concatenated indicia string, such as from a series of one or more columns on a game play slip. A first random combination, or concatenated indicia string, is generated by a gaming administrator and it is determined whether at least one of the player-selected combinations matches the gaming administrator generated combination. Regardless of whether any player-selected combinations match the first gaming administrator generated combination, at least a second gaming administrator generated combination, or more, may be provided for a player to determine whether at least one of the player-selected combinations matches the second gaming administrator generated combination. A payout amount may be awarded based upon the number of player-selected combinations and gaming administrator generated combinations matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Scientific Games Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: Mark G. Meyer, Joseph J. Tracy, Fred L. Richard, Deborah Jonasson, Keith A. Jonasson
  • Patent number: 6692354
    Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a first wager on a first game and a second wager on the outcome of second group game. The outcome of the second group game is determined first, but is only applied if the first game is a winner. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Mark Guthrie Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040014515
    Abstract: Methods and systems for metered, raffle-style gaming implemented over a distributed network of locations and suitable for use in lottery and casino gaming environments. Potential winning numbers are issued in an order determined by relative time of a request for a number as received by a central controller, in comparison to the timing of other requests received by the controller, and matched to one or more known or predictable winning numbers. Time entries placed by players and compared to one or more target times may also be used to determine winning outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Anchor Gaming
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Jason E. Bliss, Alvin R. Ringgold, Mark G. Meyer, Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 6648753
    Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a wager on the outcome of the game, and determining whether the group is a winner. The game can either be played as a stand alone game, or in combination with an individual participation game. When combined with another game, the method includes forming a group of at least some of the entrants in the individual participation game, e.g. all winners, who have made a wager on the outcome of the group participation game. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Mark Guthrie Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030114210
    Abstract: A system and method of playing a lottery-type game are provided. The game comprises obtaining at least one player-selected combination, or concatenated indicia string, such as from a series of one or more columns on a game play slip. A first random combination, or concatenated indicia string, is generated by a gaming administrator and it is determined whether at least one of the player-selected combinations matches the gaming administrator generated combination. Regardless of whether any player-selected combinations match the first gaming administrator generated combination, at least a second gaming administrator generated combination, or more, may be provided for a player to determine whether at least one of the player-selected combinations matches the second gaming administrator generated combination. A payout amount may be awarded based upon the number of player-selected combinations and gaming administrator generated combinations matched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Mark G. Meyer, Joseph J. Tracy, Fred L. Richard, Deborah Jonasson, Keith A. Jonasson
  • Publication number: 20020187825
    Abstract: Methods and systems for metered, raffle-style gaming implemented over a distributed network of locations and suitable for use in lottery and casino gaming environments. Potential winning numbers are issued in an order determined by relative time of a request for a number as received by a central controller, in comparison to the timing of other requests received by the controller, and matched to one or more known or predictable winning numbers. Time entries placed by players and compared to one or more target times may also be used to determine winning outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Jason E. Bliss, Alvin R. Ringgold, Mark G. Meyer, Lee E. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20020151342
    Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a first wager on a first game and a second wager on the outcome of second group game. The outcome of the second group game is determined first, but is only applied if the first game is a winner. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Anchor Gaming
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Mark Guthrie Meyer
  • Patent number: 6416408
    Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a first wager on a first game and a second wager on the outcome of second group game. The outcome of the second group game is determined first, but is only applied if the first game is a winner. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Anchor Gaming
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Mark Guthrie Meyer
  • Publication number: 20010004606
    Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a first wager on a first game and a second wager on the outcome of second group game. The outcome of the second group game is determined first, but is only applied if the first game is a winner. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: JOSEPH J. TRACY, MARK GUTHRIE MEYER