Patents by Inventor Michael J. Irby

Michael J. Irby 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: 9704352
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include providing a wagering game for presentation, wherein the wagering game includes a first symbol set used to indicate one or more wagering game outcomes before initiation of a secondary contest. The operations can further include initiating the secondary contest, wherein the secondary contest is separate from the wagering game, and providing a second symbol set for use during the secondary contest, wherein the second symbol set is configured to indicate a promotional award for the secondary contest. The operations can further include incorporating the second symbol set into the wagering game. The operations can further include ending the secondary contest, and removing the second symbol set from the wagering game after the secondary contest ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Michael J. Irby, II, Jamie W. Vann, Thomas R. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170113511
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek KHAFAGY, Kirk PEBLEY, Eric Michael RADEMACHER, Michael J. IRBY, James C. ROLLINSON
  • Publication number: 20170033717
    Abstract: A vehicle power system includes a controller that reduces a voltage setpoint of an alternator by a predetermined amount in response to a magnitude of electric charge provided by the alternator during a predetermined time period exceeding a first threshold and a rate of change of power output by the alternator exceeding a second threshold during the time period. The controller also regulates an output voltage of the alternator based on the setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Todd Ansbacher, Alan Francis Judge, Jeffrey Raymond Mohr, Frederick Shell, Michael J. Irby, Karen Price, Gabriel Jim, Christopher Semanson
  • Patent number: 9542807
    Abstract: A behavior controller system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining an outcome to present for a wagering game. The wagering game includes a wagering game object configured to present the outcome using a set of possible behavioral responses. The operations can further include, based on the outcome, determining priorities for the set of possible behavioral responses and performing at least a portion of the set of possible behavioral responses according to the priorities. The operations can further include; and causing the wagering game object to present the outcome for the wagering game based on the performing the at least the portion of the set of possible behavioral responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Robby M. Friedman, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Michael J. Irby, II, Victor T. Shi, John L. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9542805
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game displays images having dynamically changing shapes. In one embodiment, a display device displays a screen for a wagering game. The screen presents a first image that follows a first spline. The first spline is defined by one or more curves passing through a first set of control points. A processor determines a second set of control points to define a second spline for the first image. The screen displays the first image transitioning from following the first spline to following the second spline. The screen may present a graphical interaction involving the first image, and the processor is configured to determine the second set of control points in response to the graphical interaction. The graphical interaction may occur between the first image and a second image. Alternatively, an input from a player causes the graphical interaction with the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Vasquez Lerias, III, Jamie W. Vann, Robby M. Friedman, Jason M. Hoffman, Michael J. Irby, Robert W. Morgan, Kazuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 9457805
    Abstract: An electronic control unit may include input channels configured to receive signals indicative of a power to a steering system and signals indicative of an operating mode of the vehicle, and output channels configured to provide a command to redistribute current from an electrical load to the steering system. The electronic control unit may further include control logic configured to, in response to the power falling below a threshold value and the operating mode being of a pre-defined type, generate the command to increase the power to the steering system to meet the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Patrick Brombach, James Michael Weinfurther, David J. Dainelis, Michael J. Irby
  • Patent number: 9378612
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include accessing a wagering game object in a wagering game application running on a wagering game machine, where the wagering game object can include a plurality of degenerate polygons that form a first geometric structure for the wagering game object. The operations can further include determining a second geometric structure that is structurally distinct from the first geometric structure, and morphing the wagering game object from the first geometric structure into the second geometric structure via manipulation of the plurality of degenerate polygons. The operations can further include determining conditions that dictate the shape of the second geometric structure and morphing the wagering game object using a morphing algorithm associated with the conditions. Further, the operations can include providing outcomes and awards in accordance with the second geometric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Marwan Y. Ansari, Michael J. Irby, II, Mark T. Sieka, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9373224
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a primary wagering game and receiving a request to present a secondary game in connection with the primary wagering game. The primary wagering game and the secondary game can be separate applications that require interactivity with each other (e.g., provide required functionality to each other, communicate shared data with each other, etc.). The operations can further include determining that an application programming interface (“API”) provides the required interactivity so that the secondary game can function in conjunction with the primary wagering game without problems (e.g., can successfully plug-in to the primary wagering game). The operations can further determine optional and non-optional requirements and determine compatibilities based on the optional and non-optional requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Michael J. Irby, II, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20160075324
    Abstract: An electronic control unit may include input channels configured to receive signals indicative of a power to a steering system and signals indicative of an operating mode of the vehicle, and output channels configured to provide a command to redistribute current from an electrical load to the steering system. The electronic control unit may further include control logic configured to, in response to the power falling below a threshold value and the operating mode being of a pre-defined type, generate the command to increase the power to the steering system to meet the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald Patrick BROMBACH, James Michael WEINFURTHER, David J. DAINELIS, Michael J. IRBY
  • Patent number: 9189917
    Abstract: Dynamic skinning can be propagated between a base game and a portal game. A base game and a portal game can be unidirectionally or bidirectionally “hooked” into each other to utilize perceivable elements of the other. For instance, a first set of dynamic perceivable elements are defined for a base game and a second set of dynamic perceivable elements are defined for a portal game. These sets of dynamic perceivable elements can change based on various conditions. The base game can rely on the second game (or code or configurations associated with the second game) for dynamic skinning that varies with the portal game while the portal game can rely on the base game (or code or configurations associated with the base game) for dynamic skinning that varies with the base game. Furthermore, a perceivable element can traverse a base game and a portal game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Robby M. Friedman, Michael J. Irby, II
  • Publication number: 20150213675
    Abstract: This document describes techniques for processing graphics in wagering game systems. Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter use stereoscopic 3-D graphics and 2-D graphics to present composite images including multiple views of a virtual 3-D wagering game environment. Such embodiments present the composite images on stereoscopic 3-D devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Peter J. Aponte, Michael J. Irby, II, Sean P. Kelly, Brian D. Manning, Anthony J.W. Prohl, Craig J. Sylla, John L. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9007367
    Abstract: This document describes techniques for processing graphics in wagering game systems. Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter use stereoscopic 3-D graphics and 2-D graphics to present composite images including multiple views of a virtual 3-D wagering game environment. Such embodiments present the composite images on stereoscopic 3-D devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Aponte, Michael J. Irby, II, Sean P. Kelly, Brian D. Manning, Anthony J. W. Prohl, Craig J. Sylla, John L. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20150087418
    Abstract: A user-interface for a game is separately serviced to game clients based on an identifier of a site providing a selection interface for the game. Multiple user interfaces for a game are stored. A resource server receives a request for a game that includes an identification of a web site issuing the request. The resource servers uses the identification to select a user interface module from the multiple user interface modules associated with the game. The selected user interface is assembled into the game and provided to a source of the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Irby, II, Fredrik Arvidsson, Nisse A. Bergman, Per O. Hjelm, Markus P. Hogberg, Andreas D. Larsson
  • Publication number: 20150087424
    Abstract: Bundled game assets are provided to game clients based on device characteristics of a client device. The game assets can include executable modules, audio data, video data, configuration files etc. A web site, for example, a game lobby, receives a request for a game from a client device. The game lobby receives device characteristics for the client device. The game lobby sends the device characteristics to a server. The server determines if an asset bundle has already been created for the client device based on the device characteristics. If an asset bundle has already been created, the asset bundle is provided to the client device. If an asset bundle does not exist for a client device having the indicated characteristics, the system creates an asset bundle, where at least some of the assets included in the bundle are determined, based at least in part, on the indicated device characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Irby, II, Fredrik Arvidsson, Nisse A. Bergman, Per O. Hjelm, Markus P. Hogberg, Andreas D. Larsson
  • Publication number: 20150087410
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a primary wagering game and receiving a request to present a secondary game in connection with the primary wagering game. The primary wagering game and the secondary game can be separate applications that require interactivity with each other (e.g., provide required functionality to each other, communicate shared data with each other, etc.). The operations can further include determining that an application programming interface (“API”) provides the required interactivity so that the secondary game can function in conjunction with the primary wagering game without problems (e.g., can successfully plug-in to the primary wagering game). The operations can further determine optional and non-optional requirements and determine compatibilities based on the optional and non-optional requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Michael J. Irby, II, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8968080
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computerized method includes: creating a number of frames of images for displaying on a monitor of a wagering game machine; and selecting at least a subset of the number of frames. The method can also include performing pixel encoding in the images of the subset of the number of frames, where the pixel encoding is used to identify at least one of adding third party content to the images. The method can also include replacing the images with the third party content, where the adding of the third party content and replacing with the third party content occurs after creating the frame but prior to the displaying the frame on the monitor of the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the number of frames of images to the monitor of the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Bruce H. Blair, John M. Burica, Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Michael J. Irby, Timothy C. Loose, Scott M. Minch, Mark C. Pace, Eugene M. Rigsby, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150038236
    Abstract: A method for selecting content for delivery to devices is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include registering a plurality of devices of one or more device types. The method can further include receiving usage information indicating usage of the devices and affinity information indicating user affinities associated with the devices. The method can further include detecting that a device of the plurality of devices is in-use. The method can further include determining, based on the usage information and the affinity information, game content for the device currently used. The method can further include transmitting, to the device, the game content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Damon E. Gura, Michael J. Irby, II, Scott A. Massing, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 8926418
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a secondary wagering game application is compatible with a primary wagering game application, wherein compatibility is based in-part on an ability of the primary wagering game application to provide wagering game information to the secondary wagering game application via an application programming interface. The operations can also include enabling the secondary wagering game to present a secondary wagering game in connection with a primary wagering game controlled by the primary wagering game application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Michael J. Irby, II, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20140335933
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include providing a wagering game for presentation, wherein the wagering game includes a first symbol set used to indicate one or more wagering game outcomes before initiation of a secondary contest. The operations can further include initiating the secondary contest, wherein the secondary contest is separate from the wagering game, and providing a second symbol set for use during the secondary contest, wherein the second symbol set is configured to indicate a promotional award for the secondary contest. The operations can further include incorporating the second symbol set into the wagering game. The operations can further include ending the secondary contest, and removing the second symbol set from the wagering game after the secondary contest ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Michael J. Irby, II, Jamie W. Vann, Thomas R. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140248934
    Abstract: A behavior controller system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting one or more events that occur within a wagering game. The wagering game can feature a wagering game object that can automatically (e.g., intelligently) respond to the one or more events. The behavior controller system can use event-driven behavior controllers, such as a behavior tree. The behavior controller system can determine, and activate, tasks on the behavior tree that cause the wagering game object to respond to the one or more events. In some embodiments, the behavior controller system can also prioritize tasks that may be performed by behavior trees to prevent conflicts between wagering game objects during a wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Robby M. Friedman, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Michael J. Irby, II, Victor T. Shi, John L. Walsh