Patents by Inventor Michael D. Downs

Michael D. Downs 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: 7643902
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method comprising determining sales data associated with a sales device (e.g., a vending machine) and adjusting a level of sensitivity of a currency validator based on the sales data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Tedesco, Dean P. Alderucci, James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20090108538
    Abstract: A rotary seal is provided. The rotary seal includes an annular seal element having a sealing surface. The seal element further includes a surface opposite of the sealing surface including a first coupling portion. The rotary seal also includes an annular energizer including a second coupling portion complementary to the first coupling portion. The first and second coupling portions engage so as to inhibit relative rotation between the seal element and the energizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Michael D. Downes, Jason Brooks Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 7494416
    Abstract: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7485040
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method provides for determining data associated with a player of a gaming device; determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and providing an offer to the player if the data meets the at least one established criterion, the offer including a condition and a description of a product to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7484172
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method may include providing a periodical index customized for a subscriber. The method may comprise, for example, determining first data corresponding to content of at least one issue of a periodical, determining customized index data, in which the customized index data is based on the first data and at least one preference associated with a subscriber to the periodical, and outputting a customized index for the subscriber, the customized index including the customized index data, in which the customized index is separate from the content of the at least one issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20090024484
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the transaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20090011836
    Abstract: A customer may be permitted to use a gaming device such as a slot machine to manage various transactions related to a hotel, such as checking in and/or checking out of the customer's room at the hotel. A customer may receive a benefit in exchange for using a gaming device for a transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Scott T. Friesen, Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7430521
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the transaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7416486
    Abstract: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20080153585
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for determining a first gaming session; determining a rank of the first gaming session; determining at least one gaming session, each at least one gaming session of the first set having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session, determining data corresponding to the at least one gaming session; determining at least one bonus based on the data; and applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: John M. Packes, James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20080146325
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for receiving a wager for a secondary game at a gaming device that offers a primary game, in which the wager indicates at least one parameter corresponding to a potential outcome of the secondary game; determining an outcome of the secondary game; and providing a payout for the secondary game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Jay S. WALKER, Geoffrey M. GELMAN, Stephen C. TULLEY, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20080096644
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method provides for determining data associated with a player of a gaming device; determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and providing an offer to the player if the data meets the at least one established criterion, the offer including a condition and a description of a product to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7361085
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for determining a first gaming session; determining a rank of the first gaming session; determining at least one gaming session, each at least one gaming session of the first set having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session, determining data corresponding to the at least one gaming session; determining at least one bonus based on the data; and applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Packes, Jr., James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7231035
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides for receiving a call from a caller, the call being associated with a first merchant; placing the call in a queue; determining a second merchant; and establishing a connection, the connection enabling communication between the caller and the second merchant while the call is in the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7216754
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method comprising determining sales data associated with a sales device (e.g., a vending machine) and adjusting a level of sensitivity of a currency validator based on the sales data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Tedesco, Dean P. Alderucci, James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7111845
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a game provides a player with at least one option for playing at least one round of the game in accordance with at least one advantage and/or disadvantage. For example, a player may agree to play a current round of play and/or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Peter Kim, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Peter J. Vogel, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 7090123
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for detecting a physical change at a transaction card, and, in response to detecting the physical change outputting content to attract the attention of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier, Magdalena M. Fincham, James A. Jorasch, Michael D. Downs, Robert C. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 6997285
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for use with a reciprocating or rotating shaft includes a shaft seal, a lubricant-storing ring, and a retainer. The retainer and ring can be formed as a subassembly and then combined with a shaft seal. The assembly provides a lubricated shaft and seal that improves the effective life of the shaft seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Michael D. Downes, Robert P. LaPlante
  • Patent number: 6890256
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method provides for determining data associated with a gaming device; determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and providing an offer to a player if the data meets the at least one established criterion, the offer including a condition and an amount of credit to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 6869362
    Abstract: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs