Patents by Inventor JP Cody

JP Cody 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: 8808094
    Abstract: A top box wheel assembly and method are disclosed wherein a flat panel display is mounted on a rectangular shaped cabinet top box structure and a circular bezel structure overlays the flat panel display such that a wheel-shaped display area is provided. The circular bezel structure also is shown to include a rectangular cutout base to also provide a rectangular-shaped display area. The circular bezel structure is further shown to include a circular pattern of LEDs which may be operated synchronously or quasi-synchronously with the wheel-shaped display area on which a rotating wheel may be displayed together with an indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank DeSimone, Michael Kolodziej, Travis Bussey, Brandon Fish, Joel Shively, Clint Owen, JP Cody
  • Patent number: 8753202
    Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view general and personalized real-time position updates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Apirian, Keith Riggs, Paul Klingensmith, Brandon Fish, Steven Meyer, Clint Owen, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20140148250
    Abstract: A multi-site tournament gaming system and method are disclosed wherein multiple casino operators are engaged to initiate a series of player qualifying events and to hold a multi-session tournament of the qualified players to determine the site winners; and, a final tournament is operated wherein the site winners are provided prizes and compete to be named the ultimate champion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Johnson, Linda Trinh, Galen Svanas, John J. Carpenter, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20140100035
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a different type of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Johnson, Allison L. Pope, Brian A. Watkins, Clint Owen, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20140045587
    Abstract: Gaming devices, systems and related methods are disclosed that include a jackpot controller which offers players the opportunity to win awards and/or jackpots (fixed or progressive awards) that are greater than the average award of the base game and which are associated with symbol combinations that have a likelihood of occurrence that is greater than the average probability of occurrence of winning outcomes in the base game. The jackpots are determined randomly, pseudo-randomly, or through other algorithmic processes from a pool and are activated for a finite number of game plays wherein a player may have a chance to win the jackpot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Johnson, Brian A. Watkins, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20140024442
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a bonus currency game is operable simultaneously with the primary game. When a player initiates play of the primary game, the bonus currency game is initiated as well. The bonus currency game includes a set of target symbols which have corresponding bonus currency values such that, when a target symbol is activated, such as by a random or quasi-random determination, the bonus currency value associated with the target symbol is awarded to the player. After a player accumulates bonus currency, the player may utilize the currency to purchase various available online items, such as game plays in an arcade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Johnson, Brian A. Watkins, Clint Owen, Darren Schueller, JP Cody
  • Patent number: 8608546
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a different type of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Johnson, Allison L. Pope, Brian A. Watkins, Clint Owen, JP Cody
  • Patent number: 8602877
    Abstract: A tournament game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a tournament game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the tournament game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Carpenter, Keith Riggs, Allison Pope, Michael D. Conway, Clint Owen, Bradley W. Johnson, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130324211
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more dynamic bingo cards or artifices wherein each daubed number on a bingo card is removed from its initial location and re-located to the last position of the payline on which the daubed number is positioned and at least one other number on the associated payline is moved to replace the position vacated by the daubed number. Once the final number is drawn, paylines with all daubed numbers are paid according to the paytable. If all positions on a bingo card are daubed, then a progressive or other jackpot award may be paid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Schulze Huynh, Clint Owen, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130281197
    Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: John J. Carpenter, Keith Riggs, Allison Pope, Michael D. Conway, Clint Owen, Bradley W. Johnson, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130274004
    Abstract: A progressive prize method for a group of linked gaming machines includes maintaining both a respective local progressive pool for each respective gaming machine in the group and a group progressive pool shared among the group of gaming machines. A local progressive prize trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from a local progressive pool and a separate group progressive trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from the group progressive pool. The group progressive trigger may be based on a count of local progressive prizes that have been awarded. Thus a local progressive trigger may ultimately result in the award of a progressive prize from the group progressive pool rather than the respective local progressive pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Johnson, Keith Riggs, Jim McHugh, Clint Owen, Brian Watkins, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130231180
    Abstract: A system and method are set forth which provides for biometric identification at a first server of an identified user and an established anonymous user and a device such as a gaming device and for using a second device such as a cellular telephone interfacing with the device to also access a second server which may also store biometric information as well as chargeable account information. If a user cannot be identified the first server establishes a new anonymous player account. Location determination may also be used where use of the device is subject to area use restrictions, such as remote gaming, to enable or disable the restricted use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan Kelly, Bruce Rowe, JP Cody
  • Patent number: 8500539
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more dynamic bingo cards or artifices wherein each daubed number on a bingo card is removed from its initial location and re-located to the last position of the payline on which the daubed number is positioned and at least one other number on the associated payline is moved to replace the position vacated by the daubed number. Once the final number is drawn, paylines with all daubed numbers are paid according to the paytable. If all positions on a bingo card are daubed, then a progressive or other jackpot award may be paid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Schulze Huynh, Clint Owen, JP Cody
  • Patent number: 8469788
    Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Carpenter, Keith Riggs, Allison Pope, Michael D. Conway, Clint Owen, Bradley W. Johnson, Jp Cody
  • Publication number: 20130065693
    Abstract: A multi-site tournament gaming system and method are disclosed wherein multiple casino operators are engaged to initiate a series of player qualifying events and to hold a multi-session tournament of the qualified players to determine the site winners; and, a final tournament is operated wherein the site winners are provided prizes and compete to be named the ultimate champion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: MULTIMEDIA GAMES, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Johnson, Linda Trinh, Galen Svanas, John J. Carpenter, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130065659
    Abstract: A tournament game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a tournament game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the tournament game outcome. The award may be non-credit prizes redeemed in various ways such as printing a coupon at the player machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Johnson, John J. Carpenter, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130059655
    Abstract: A gaming machine is configured to calculate hash values for both game loader software and game software. The game loader software is executed to load game software into random access memory at the gaming machine, and game software is executed at the gaming machine to provide a wagering game or a portion thereof. The calculated hash values are compared to hash values produced from a known authentic version of the game software and of the game loader software. The game software is allowed to load and present a wagering game if both of these comparisons are true, that is, if both comparisons show that the calculated and pre-calculated values are equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan Wasicek, Sherrod Segraves, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130029739
    Abstract: A gaming system and method is disclosed that includes a personalized tournament or group event hosting website wherein players may participate in or organize one or more groups and/or associated group events online or at participating casinos, invite friends and acquaintances to join one or more groups, accept or extend invitations to play in tournaments or competitions, and, set up and enter tournaments or competitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Ramsey, Bradley W. Johnson, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130029746
    Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, gaming network, and associated methods are disclosed including scatter symbols, and more specifically a left-to-right scatter feature having variable increasing payouts associated with each symbol. The symbols in the left-to-right scatter may interact visually in a sequential manner according to a theme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Alexander Watkins, JP Cody
  • Patent number: 8342957
    Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines wherein each of the gaming machines includes a video camera connected to capture live player video feed during competition or tournament operating mode, and each of the gaming machines is operable to display a tournament game presentation simultaneously with a player dashboard. The player dashboard includes a display of the live player video, the player position, the player score, and remaining time in the competition or tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Carpenter, Keith Riggs, Allison Pope, Michael D. Conway, Clint Owen, Bradley W. Johnson, JP Cody