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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 20060229126
    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: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, 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
  • Publication number: 20060223879
    Abstract: The efficient regulation of cholesterol synthesis, metabolism, acquisition, and transport is an essential component of lipid homeostasis. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a transcriptional sensor for bile acids, the primary product of cholesterol metabolism. Accordingly, the development of potent, selective, small molecule agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists of FXR would be an important step in further deconvoluting FXR physiology. In accordance with the present invention, the identification of novel potent FXR activators is described. Two derivatives of invention compounds, bearing stilbene or biaryl moieties, contain members that are the most potent FXR agonists reported to date in cell-based assays. These compounds are useful as chemical tools to further define the physiological role of FXR as well as therapeutic leads for the treatment of diseases linked to cholesterol, bile acids and their metabolism and homeostasis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Downes, Ronald Evans, Robert Hughes, Kyriacos Nicolaou, Anthony Roecker
  • Publication number: 20060224258
    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: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Thomas Sparico, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060217191
    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: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jay WALKER, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060217193
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing games for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises determining a measure of performance of a game, and determining a payment due to a provider of the game based on the measure of performance of the game. In one or more embodiments, the measure of performance may be used to determine whether to keep the game enabled on one or more gaming devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Russell Sammon, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060217194
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing games for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises determining a measure of performance of a game, and determining a payment due to a provider of the game based on the measure of performance of the game. In one or more embodiments, the measure of performance may be used to determine whether to keep the game enabled on one or more gaming devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Russell Sammon, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060217195
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing games for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises determining a measure of performance of a game, and determining a payment due to a provider of the game based on the measure of performance of the game. In one or more embodiments, the measure of performance may be used to determine whether to keep the game enabled on one or more gaming devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Russell Sammon, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060217184
    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: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Thomas Sparico, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs
  • Publication number: 20060217192
    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: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Stephen Tulley, Michael Downs