Patents by Inventor Michael Downs

Michael 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).

  • Publication number: 20070156466
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Jay WALKER, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070142111
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a gambling loss insurance policy automatically computes insurance premiums and processes gambling sessions covered by the gambling loss insurance policies. The players may purchase the insurance policies using various means such as coins, earned winnings, or credit cards. The gambling loss insurance system provides a high level of flexibility for the players to define specific parameters of the insurance policy. Additionally, the players may purchase the insurance policies directly from the gaming machine, a custom terminal on casino floor, or cage personnel having access to a centralized network server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070142109
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a gambling loss insurance policy automatically computes insurance premiums and processes gambling sessions covered by the gambling loss insurance policies. The players may purchase the insurance policies using various means such as coins, earned winnings, or credit cards. The gambling loss insurance system provides a high level of flexibility for the players to define specific parameters of the insurance policy. Additionally, the players may purchase the insurance policies directly from the gaming machine, a custom terminal on casino floor, or cage personnel having access to a centralized network server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070142110
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a gambling loss insurance policy automatically computes insurance premiums and processes gambling sessions covered by the gambling loss insurance policies. The players may purchase the insurance policies using various means such as coins, earned winnings, or credit cards. The gambling loss insurance system provides a high level of flexibility for the players to define specific parameters of the insurance policy. Additionally, the players may purchase the insurance policies directly from the gaming machine, a custom terminal on casino floor, or cage personnel having access to a centralized network server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: JAY WALKER, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070135210
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070016535
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Tedesco, Dean Alderucci, James Jorasch, Jay Walker, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070012542
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Tedesco, Dean Alderucci, James Jorasch, Jay Walker, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070001398
    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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Peter Kim, Geoffrey Gelman, Peter Vogel, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070001397
    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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Peter Kim, Geoffrey Gelman, Peter Vogel, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20070004518
    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: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Scott FRIESEN, Jay WALKER, James JORASCH, Geoffrey GELMAN, Daniel TEDESCO, Michael DOWNS
  • Publication number: 20060289632
    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: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, Bruce Schneier, Magdalena Fincham, James Jorasch, Michael Downs, Robert Tedesco
  • Publication number: 20060287041
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Jay WALKER, James Jorasch, Geoffrey Gelman, Scott Friesen, Stephen Tulley, Norman Gilman, Daniel Tedesco, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060281521
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing lottery outcomes and other types of lottery information to a player (e.g., in accordance with one or more preferences of a player). In some embodiments, lottery information may be provided over a network, via postal mail, via CD-ROM, and/or via a set-top device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: JOHN PACKES, Michael Steib, Andrew Golden, James Jorasch, Jay Walker, Thomas Sparico, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060259318
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing features for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises determining a measure of performance of a feature, and determining a payment due to a provider of the feature based on the measure of performance of the feature. In one or more embodiments, the measure of performance may be used to determine whether to keep the feature enabled on one or more gaming devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Russell Sammon, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060252524
    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: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Scott FRIESEN, Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Geoffrey Gelman, Daniel Tedesco, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060247040
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Geoffrey Gelman, Scott Friesen, Stephen Tulley, Norman Gilman, Daniel Tedesco, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060237911
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and apparatus allow for a plurality of options to be displayed to a player for playing at least one round of a game in accordance with at least one advantage and/or disadvantage. The player may accept an option. For example, a player may accept an option to play at least one future round of play in accordance with a rule that is different from a rule used in a current round of play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Jay WALKER, James JORASCH, Peter KIM, Geoffrey GELMAN, Peter VOGEL, Michael DOWNS
  • Publication number: 20060237912
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and apparatus allow for a plurality of options to be displayed to a player for playing at least one round of a game in accordance with at least one advantage and/or disadvantage. The player may accept an option. For example, a player may accept an option to play at least one future round of play in accordance with a rule that is different from a rule used in a current round of play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Jay WALKER, James JORASCH, Peter KIM, Geoffrey GELMAN, Peter VOGEL, Michael DOWNS
  • Publication number: 20060232004
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing features for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises determining a measure of performance of a feature, and determining a payment due to a provider of the feature based on the measure of performance of the feature. In one or more embodiments, the measure of performance may be used to determine whether to keep the feature enabled on one or more gaming devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Jay WALKER, James Jorasch, Russell Sammon, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060229125
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing features for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises determining a measure of performance of a feature, and determining a payment due to a provider of the feature based on the measure of performance of the feature. In one or more embodiments, the measure of performance may be used to determine whether to keep the feature enabled on one or more gaming devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Russell Sammon, Michael Downs