Patents by Inventor Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR.

Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR. 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: 9405984
    Abstract: A method for portable lottery ticket sales and redemptions by mobile vendors is provided wherein the vendor have an existing credit or debit card processing interchange. The vendor is provided with a portable local processor having a memory, and with a local printer connected to the local processor. The local processor is in wireless communication with a network. A bank identification number (BIN) is assigned to lottery tickets sold or redeemed by the vendor that is unique to lottery tickets in the vendor's existing credit or debit card processing interchange. The unique lottery BIN is also associated with a lottery data blob provided on the lottery ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Edward J. Stanek, William J. Huntley
  • Publication number: 20160035177
    Abstract: A method for processing lottery transactions and debit/credit transactions with lottery terminals that communicate with a lottery central site over a closed lottery network includes conducting lottery transactions at the lottery terminals and transmitting lottery transaction data between the lottery terminals and the lottery central site. An interface is configured between the lottery central site and an acquiring processor that is external to the closed lottery network. Debit/credit purchase transactions are conducted at the lottery terminals and debit/credit purchase transaction data is transmitted from the lottery terminals through the closed lottery network to the lottery central site, and from the lottery central site to the acquiring processor via the interface. The debit/credit purchase transaction data and lottery purchase transaction data are isolated throughout the closed lottery network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160019749
    Abstract: A lottery data transfer method for processing lottery ticket data piggybacks on a merchant's existing transaction card interchange system, such as a debit or credit card interchange system. A routing code is assigned to lottery tickets that is unique in the merchant's transaction card exchange, the routing code associated with a lottery data blob also provided on the lottery ticket. The routing code and data blob are entered into the merchant's existing transaction card activation protocol to initiate transfer of the lottery data to a central lottery site via the interchange. At an issuing processor within the exchange, the routing code is recognized and initiates special routing to and further processing of the lottery data blob at the lottery central site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150258450
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for ensuring the integrity and security of digital shuffles of cards or objects across multiple entities and/or jurisdictions. All entities participating in the shuffle can optionally review the forensic data to ensure that the shuffle was legitimate and that no other entity prematurely peeked at another entity's private hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR.
  • Patent number: 9064381
    Abstract: A method and associated lottery game card/ticket are provided for implementing a ticket-based, multi-component lottery game and includes providing lottery tickets for players, wherein the lottery tickets include a first game component with a first prize structure and at least one additional game component with a separate second prize structure. A first validation code is provided on the lottery ticket that is linked to a first game server for validating and redeeming the first game component of the lottery ticket. A second validation code is provided on the lottery ticket that may be linked to a separate second game server for validating and redeeming the second game component of the lottery ticket. Validation and redemption of the lottery ticket for the first and second game components is enabled by separate redemption acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Stanek, Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Amy Hill
  • Publication number: 20150112858
    Abstract: A lottery data transfer method for processing lottery ticket data piggybacks on a merchant's existing debit or credit card interchange system. A BIN is assigned to lottery tickets that is unique in the merchant's credit or debit card interchange, the BIN associated with a lottery data blob also provided on the lottery ticket. The lottery BIN and data blob are into the merchant's existing credit or debit card activation barcode protocol to initiate transfer of the lottery data to a central lottery site via the interchange. At a processor within the interchange, the unique lottery BIN is flagged to initiate special routing to and further processing of the lottery data blob at the lottery central site, wherein the lottery data blob is processed outside of the interchange's debit or credit card data transfer and processing procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR., Edward J. Stanek, William J. Huntley
  • Publication number: 20150111630
    Abstract: A lottery data transfer method for processing lottery ticket data piggybacks on a merchant's existing debit or credit card interchange system. A BIN is assigned to lottery tickets that is unique in the merchant's credit or debit card interchange, the BIN associated with a lottery data blob also provided on the lottery ticket. The lottery BIN and data blob are into the merchant's existing credit or debit card activation barcode protocol to initiate transfer of the lottery data to a central lottery site via the interchange. At a processor within the interchange, the unique lottery BIN is flagged to initiate special routing to and further processing of the lottery data blob at the lottery central site, wherein the lottery data blob is processed outside of the interchange's debit or credit card data transfer and processing procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR., Edward J. Stanek, William J. Huntley
  • Publication number: 20150066694
    Abstract: A method for verifying the age or location of a player of an Internet-based lottery game entails providing lottery tickets for purchase by players at an authorized retail location, the lottery tickets having a game authorization code that is entered by the initiate play of the Internet-based lottery game on an internet enabled device. The age of the player is verified at the retail location and a separate verification password is entered via a terminal that is in communication with to the lottery system central computer, with the password linked to the game authorization code. Upon initiating play of the game via a web site, the player enters the verification password separately from the game authorization code. An Internet game server communicates with the lottery system central computer to ensure that the entered verification password corresponds to the linked verification password prior to permitting play of the Internet-based lottery game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR., Charles Kline, Gary Streeter
  • Patent number: 8951110
    Abstract: A method is provided for implementing a Digital Gate-based, multi-player lottery game by providing lottery tickets for players that may include a first game component with a first prize structure and an entry into a multi-player network wherein a plurality of players combine their respective entries to complete a multi-player game, such as a puzzle. Upon successful conclusion of the multi-player game, the players are awarded a prize separate from the first prize structure. A code is provided on the lottery ticket that enables the player to access a designated Internet website and place their entry into at least one of a plurality of ongoing multi-player games with other players. Respective validation files associated with the lottery ticket codes are updated to reflect prizes won in the multi-player games, wherein players may present the lottery ticket and assigned code if required for redemption in the multi-player game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Stanek, Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Amy Hill
  • Patent number: 8915780
    Abstract: A lottery data transfer method for processing lottery ticket data piggybacks on a merchant's existing debit or credit card interchange system. A BIN is assigned to lottery tickets that is unique in the merchant's credit or debit card interchange, the BIN associated with a lottery data blob also provided on the lottery ticket. The lottery BIN and data blob are into the merchant's existing credit or debit card activation barcode protocol to initiate transfer of the lottery data to a central lottery site via the interchange. At a processor within the interchange, the unique lottery BIN is flagged to initiate special routing to and further processing of the lottery data blob at the lottery central site, wherein the lottery data blob is processed outside of the interchange's debit or credit card data transfer and processing procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Edward J. Stanek, William J. Huntley
  • Patent number: 8900046
    Abstract: A method is provided for implementing a Digital Gate enabled lottery game wherein players are offered the chance to increase the prize value of a ticket by linking subsequently purchased tickets in a chain. Lottery tickets are provided for players, wherein each lottery ticket includes a unique validation code and play of the game enabled by the lottery ticket may result in a prize within a given prize structure. For winning plays of one of the lottery tickets, consumers are provided an option to redeem the ticket for the prize or to register and designate the winning lottery ticket as part of a chain. The player may enhance the prize associated with the first ticket in the chain by subsequent registration of an additional lottery ticket wherein, upon being registered, the additionally registered tickets in the chain may or may-not be individually redeemed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Stanek, Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Amy Hill
  • Publication number: 20140295932
    Abstract: A method for conducting a lottery second chance game program defines a quorum condition for entry into a second chance games, wherein a plurality of losing game tickets in a primary lottery game are needed to satisfy the quorum conditions. A quorum value is assigned to the game tickets and is linked to a unique identifier on each game ticket. Game ticket data is received from entries by players of losing game tickets, including the unique identifiers. The quorum value for the entered losing game tickets is applied to the quorum conditions for the second chance games. A prize value is established for each of the second chance games that appears to the player as a rolling prize that varies over time but is a fixed amount predetermined by one of the losing game tickets used to satisfy the quorum condition for the respective second chance game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR.
  • Patent number: 8827795
    Abstract: A method for verifying the age or location of a player of an Internet-based lottery game entails providing lottery tickets for purchase by players at an authorized retail location, the lottery tickets having a game authorization code that is entered by the initiate play of the Internet-based lottery game on an internet enabled device. The age of the player is verified at the retail location and a separate verification password is entered via a terminal that is in communication with to the lottery system central computer, with the password linked to the game authorization code. Upon initiating play of the game via a web site, the player enters the verification password separately from the game authorization code. An Internet game server communicates with the lottery system central computer to ensure that the entered verification password corresponds to the linked verification password prior to permitting play of the Internet-based lottery game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Charles Kline, Gary Streeter
  • Publication number: 20140206435
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for conducting a parlay wagering game wherein players place a parlay wager on a plurality of linked wagering events. The odds of winning and respective parlay payouts are computed for the parlay wagering game and presented to the players. Wagers are then collected from the players for the particular parlay game they select prior to the first wagering event. If the player is a winner in the first wagering event, an exit payout is calculated and presented to the player that is less than the original parlay payout. The player is presented with the option to accept the exit payout and cash out of the parlay wagering game or to continue with play of the original parlay wager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Toohey, Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140187305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing a prize structure of a game by using insurance to provide payment of highly valued prizes while securing the game entries such that the parties cooperating to form the entries are unable to locate winning entries in the completed entries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140187303
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method establishes a payout schedule for a game of chance having an enhanced upper tier or a method of conducting a real time drawing for multiple jurisdictions. Arrangement is made with an insurer to provide insurance payment to the game provider in the event of payout of the enhanced upper tier amount, wherein the insurer receives a premium payment that is less than the upper tier payout amount. A computer system uses an algorithm known to the insurer and the game provider to randomly determine whether the upper tier payout will be awarded in the game of chance. One or more seeds are input into the computer system for use by the algorithm for random determination of whether the upper tier payout will be awarded, with each party contributing to generation of the seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140141866
    Abstract: A method for implementing transfer of payments and prize amounts for Internet gaming transactions includes issuing an Internet gaming account to a consumer having an open loop sub-account affiliated with a financial institution, and respective wagering and winning sub accounts. The consumer loads the closed loop wagering account from a plurality of sources. Funds are transferred from the wagering account in defined incremental amounts to a lottery Internet service provider's game account for play of lottery games by the consumer via an Internet enabled device. Any transactional fees associated with loading the wagering account are garnered at the time of a respective load to the account and substantially no transactional fees are associated with the individual incremental transfer of funds from the wagering account to the lottery Internet service provider's game account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR., Michael Jeffrey Brandsma
  • Publication number: 20140141861
    Abstract: An internet gaming system includes a core platform, and a vertical extension functionality configured with the core platform and having a first application programming interface. A plurality of game specific modules are provided with a hardware and software configuration to conduct different respective Internet-based games with players via an Internet lottery site, with each game specific module including a dedicated second application programming interface. Input/output data between the core platform and the game specific modules occurs only through the first and second application programming interfaces. A secure game outcome generator has a hardware and software configuration to determine a game outcome for each game played via the system and is linked to the core platform via a secure interface with the vertical extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Allan Szendel, Steven Wayne Beason, Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR., Kirt William Pulaski, John Patrick Toohey
  • Publication number: 20140106840
    Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for conducting play of Internet-based lottery games includes providing players with a plurality of different Internet-based lottery games playable on an Internet enabled device in communication with an Internet game site, wherein the games have different game themes and mechanics of play by the player. A selection is accepted from a player for play of a particular one of the Internet-based lottery games. The plurality of different Internet-based games are linked to a common predetermined prize structure associated with a defined set of data files loaded in a secure game outcome generator such that the data files determine the outcome and prize structure of a defined number of game plays regardless of the particular game selected for play by the player from the plurality of different games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, JR., Steven Wayne Beason, Michael Jeffrey Brandsma, Andrew Jonathan Mound, James Allan Szendel
  • Patent number: 8613652
    Abstract: A method is provided for implementing a ticket-based Internet lottery game wherein winning plays of the Internet games are validated and redeemed through a lottery authority's existing validation and redemption system for on-line lottery tickets. Lottery tickets are provided for players, with the lottery tickets having a code that enables a player to access a designated web site and play an Internet game having a prize structure. The code is validated against a database and, for winning plays of the Internet game, a virtual bet is generated and transferred to the on-line lottery ticket validation system. Virtual drawings are periodically conducted within the on-line lottery ticket validation system in order to load win files corresponding to winning plays of the Internet game into the on-line lottery ticket winners database. The winning players are instructed as to a time after the virtual drawing when they can redeem their prize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Stanek, Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Amy Hill