Patents by Inventor Marvin A. Hein

Marvin A. Hein 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: 10467846
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrating system functions with gaming functions via a display screen of a gaming device. The system includes a gaming interface in communication with at least a first processor and a systems interface in communication with at least a second processor. The gaming interface is incorporated within the display screen of the gaming device, displays wagering game content received from the first processor, and receives first inputs delivered to the first processor to perform the gaming functions associated with the wagering game content. The systems interface is incorporated within the display screen of the gaming device, displays non-gaming system content received from a system network via the second processor, and receives second inputs delivered to the system network via the second processor to perform the system functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Morrow, Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 10347071
    Abstract: A method is set forth for providing for the integration of gaming functions and system functions into a gaming device of the type having a video touch screen display. The method includes configuring a platform for the gaming device to have at least a first processor for real time processing of hardware tasks and game logic processes and a second processor for processing system logic and game and system information display processes. At least one first processor and second processor are arranged to control said display to display a gaming interface for viewing a wagering game for play by a player and the second processor is configured to display a systems interface into said gaming interface to display non-game system information from said system-based information signals. The systems logic processes are kept separate from said game logic processes. In various embodiments the method includes displaying a system interface when a player or employee inserts a card into a card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: James Morrow, Marvin Hein
  • Publication number: 20170300116
    Abstract: A gaming system and method for integrating tactile feedback into a virtual reality environment as viewed by a virtual reality viewer is disclosed. A physical object, which may be a physical button panel, such as a button panel printed on paper, dice, playing cards, coins or chips, a floor or any other tangible object, has a view thereof incorporated into the virtual reality environment. When the user touches the physical object, the touch gesture is captured and processed by the system to interpret the touch gesture as an input. The physical object may include a printed, projected or touch screen panel, a hand-held object, a portion of a gaming machine cabinet, a table tops, a floor and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Martin LYONS, Rolland STEIL, Marvin A. HEIN, JR., Jeremy Michael HORNIK, Bryan M. KELLY, Gabriel BARON
  • Publication number: 20160035179
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrating system functions with gaming functions via a display screen of a gaming device. The system includes a gaming interface in communication with at least a first processor and a systems interface in communication with at least a second processor. The gaming interface is incorporated within the display screen of the gaming device, displays wagering game content received from the first processor, and receives first inputs delivered to the first processor to perform the gaming functions associated with the wagering game content. The systems interface is incorporated within the display screen of the gaming device, displays non-gaming system content received from a system network via the second processor, and receives second inputs delivered to the system network via the second processor to perform the system functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: James W. Morrow, Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 9235955
    Abstract: An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming device, the gaming device including a gaming presentation of a base game and a gaming processor for controlling the base game. The embedded user interface includes: a player tracking interface and an embedded processor. The player tracking interface includes (or is associated with) a display screen and enables display of a system game to a user, presentation of information to the user, and reception of information from the user. The embedded processor employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, enables control of the system game, control of player tracking information, and control of non-gaming information. In one embodiment, the embedded user interface enables control of a system game of which at least a portion of the system game is presented physically external to the embedded user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Morrow, Lawrence McAllister, Marvin A. Hein, Warren R. White, Robert A. Luciano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8888588
    Abstract: Gaming machines and gaming systems having a game rating system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of games where each game has a distinct game style that is based in part on game volatility. The gaming device also includes a game controller for managing and operating the plurality of games, and a game rating system in communication with the game controller. The game rating system includes a player interface for selecting a game, and an icon presented on the display of the gaming device where the icon represents the distinct game style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K. Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
  • Publication number: 20140148241
    Abstract: Gaming machines and gaming systems having a game rating system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of games where each game has a distinct game style that is based in part on game volatility. The gaming device also includes a game controller for managing and operating the plurality of games, and a game rating system in communication with the game controller. The game rating system includes a player interface for selecting a game, and an icon presented on the display of the gaming device where the icon represents the distinct game style.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K. Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 8708812
    Abstract: Game rating systems and related methods for using game ratings are disclosed herein. According to one method, the game rating system is used to assist a player in selecting a game for play on a gaming machine having one or more games. In this method, a game rating icon is presented on the gaming machine. The game rating icon corresponds to and represents a unique game style of each game on the gaming machine. The gaming machine receives player input select a game style, and a game having the selected game style is presented to the player for game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K. Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 8696427
    Abstract: A gaming device adjusts the payout percentage of the gaming device once a player initiates game play. In one embodiment, the payout percentage of the gaming device increases the longer a player plays on the gaming device. In other embodiments, the payout percentage increases as a result of a player-triggered event. Accordingly, player excitement is heightened by the opportunity to obtain a greater payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin A. Hein
  • Publication number: 20140073426
    Abstract: Configurable celebration gaming terminals, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the configurable celebration system comprises a first data storage device defining one or more celebration activities and a second data storage device defining more triggering events. A library of celebration bindings associates triggering events with celebration activities, such that upon the occurrence of a particular triggering event, the associated celebration activity is activated. Additionally, a configuration component provides a casino operator interface for configuring at least one of the celebration activities, triggering events, binding parameters, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: Pravinkumar Patel, Anthony E. Green, Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 8613660
    Abstract: Gaming machines and gaming systems having a game rating system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of games where each game has a distinct game style that is based in part on game volatility. The gaming device also includes a game controller for managing and operating the plurality of games, and a game rating system in communication with the game controller. The game rating system includes a player interface for selecting a game, and an icon presented on the display of the gaming device where the icon represents the distinct game style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 8414381
    Abstract: A system and method for remapping a game wheel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for remapping a wheel comprises providing a wagering game having a wheel divided into a plurality of wheel segments. A map is selected from a library before producing a game outcome. Each map defines particular weights for the wheel segments on the wheel. Once the map is selected, particular weights are assigned to the wheel segments as defined by the selected map, wherein the particular weights are assigned to the wheel segments before a game outcome is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin A. Hein, Micheal L. Shackelford
  • Patent number: 8342935
    Abstract: A display and input system 10 provides an enhanced means for displaying service and system information 14 from a system network 18 to a player and to a casino employee. The display and input system 10 enables part or all of a video display screen 40 in a gaming device 50, which had previously been used only as a gaming interface 30, to be utilized as a systems interface 20 for data entry and retrieval of the service and system information 14. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 60 (input/output peripherals) that have been used as in the past to access service and system information 14 from the system network 18, such as 2-line, 20 character VF displays and 12-digit keypads. The display and input system 10, does not control game play itself (e.g., game play betting, game play flow, or game play operation). Rather, the system 10 provides a limited form of game play monitoring, indirectly, with respect to the monitoring player points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James Morrow, Marvin Hein
  • Publication number: 20120208626
    Abstract: A gaming device adjusts the payout percentage of the gaming device once a player initiates game play. In one embodiment, the payout percentage of the gaming device increases the longer a player plays on the gaming device. In other embodiments, the payout percentage increases as a result of a player-triggered event. Accordingly, player excitement is heightened by the opportunity to obtain a greater payout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 8235788
    Abstract: A display and input system 10 provides an enhanced means for displaying service and system information 14 from a system network 18 to a player and to a casino employee. The display and input system 10 enables part or all of a video display screen 40 in a gaming device 50, which had previously been used only as a gaming interface 30, to be utilized as a systems interface 20 for data entry and retrieval of the service and system information 14. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 60 (input/output peripherals) that have been used as in the past to access service and system information 14 from the system network 18, such as 2-line, 20 character VF displays and 12-digit keypads. The display and input system 10, does not control game play itself (e.g., game play betting, game play flow, or game play operation). Rather, the system 10 provides a limited form of game play monitoring, indirectly, with respect to the monitoring player points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James Morrow, Marvin Hein
  • Patent number: 8172661
    Abstract: A gaming device adjusts the payout percentage of the gaming device once a player initiates game play. In one embodiment, the payout percentage of the gaming device increases the longer a player plays on the gaming device. In other embodiments, the payout percentage increases as a result of a player-triggered event. Accordingly, player excitement is heightened by the opportunity to obtain a greater payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 8165294
    Abstract: A rollback attack prevention system 10 for a gaming machine 20 includes a configuration log 30 and a revocation list 40. Preferably, the configuration log 30 includes a protected record of software that has been installed on the gaming machine 20. Further, the revocation list 40 includes an inventory of unauthorized software that the prevention system 10 prevents from being installed and/or used on the gaming machine 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Morrow, Marvin A. Hein, David W. Carman
  • Publication number: 20110230260
    Abstract: An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming device, the gaming device including a gaming presentation of a base game and a gaming processor for controlling the base game. The embedded user interface includes: a player tracking interface and an embedded processor. The player tracking interface includes (or is associated with) a display screen and enables display of a system game to a user, presentation of information to the user, and reception of information from the user. The embedded processor employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, enables control of the system game, control of player tracking information, and control of non-gaming information. In one embodiment, the embedded user interface enables control of a system game of which at least a portion of the system game is presented physically external to the embedded user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: James W. Morrow, Lawrence McAllister, Marvin A. Hein, Warren R. White, Robert A. Luciano, JR.
  • Patent number: 7938723
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple, primary games in a gaming device are disclosed. In one embodiment a gaming machine comprises a memory means for storing two or more primary games. A central processing unit is operatively connected to a player input mechanism, wherein the central processing unit receives a trigger to select one of the primary games for game play. A primary game selection means selects one of the primary games from the memory means, and the selected primary game is displayed on a game display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin A. Hein, Michael J. Mitchell, John R. Vallejo, David B. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7857698
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple randomly selectable primary games in a gaming device are disclosed. In one embodiment a gaming machine comprises a player input means and a central processing unit for receiving a trigger to activate game play. Additionally, the gaming machine comprises a selection means for selecting a primary game for game play. Also included are a first primary game presented on a first primary game display and a second primary game presented on a second primary game display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin A. Hein, Michael J. Mitchell, John R. Vallejo, David B. Schultz