Patents by Inventor Michael C. Lightman
Michael C. Lightman 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).
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Patent number: 9324213Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
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Patent number: 8821295Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr., Matthew S. Ross
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Patent number: 8784185Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140087811Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
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Patent number: 8597109Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Jr., Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
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Publication number: 20130244746Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr., Matthew S. Ross
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Publication number: 20130225283Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, JR.
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Patent number: 8435119Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K Hardy, Mark E Herrmann, Francis J Lichtenberger, Scott N Weller, Michael C Lightman, John E Taylor, Jr., Matthew S Ross
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Patent number: 8398479Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110092267Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, JR., Matthew S. Ross
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Publication number: 20110081958Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
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Publication number: 20110053673Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, JR.
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Publication number: 20100311496Abstract: According to one aspect, provided are systems and methods for generating unrestricted games (e.g. promotional games) that preserve predetermination and/or do not introduce chance elements into the games while at the same time reduce the overhead associated with generating and maintaining entries (i.e. tickets) into the games. As part of systems and methods for creating ticketed entries, values can be assigned to any of one or more of players, game machines, or games. These values can used as unique identifiers. Additionally, information already associated with any one or more of the players, game machines, or games can also be used to generate these values. The values can have static components and can be combined with dynamic components, that can be used individually, separately, or in combination. In one example a predetermined numeric value is used, stored as part of a record. In another, static information can be used to generate the numeric value, or a component of the value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: John E. Taylor, Dow K. Hardy, Michael C. Lightman, Peter D. Kovacs, Nathan Short