Patents by Inventor Michael VIZZO

Michael VIZZO 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: 20260030947
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating synchronized environmental effects in a gaming environment are disclosed. A system includes an electronic game controller communicatively coupled to a plurality of shuffler devices and distributed environmental output devices. The controller detects a payout proximity trigger for a progressive jackpot game. In response, it analyzes shuffle-state image data from the shufflers to determine the card order of undealt portions of card decks. Based on the card order and game rules, the controller determines an anticipated timing for when a mystery card will be dealt. The controller uses this anticipated timing to synchronize an anticipatory notification across the environmental output devices, generating a coordinated, area-wide atmospheric effect that builds excitement for the upcoming jackpot win.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN
  • Patent number: 12430979
    Abstract: In one example, a system configured to detect a payout proximity trigger for a progressive jackpot game. The system analyzes, in response to the trigger, shuffle-state image data of a shuffler device and determines a card order of an undealt portion for a deck of cards shuffled by the shuffler device. The system further determines, based on the card order and based on card distribution rules, an anticipated timing for when a mystery card will be dealt from the shuffler device for a subsequent game play round during which the payout threshold value is reached. The system further determines a physical location of a closest gaming table relative to the shuffler device. The system further electronically provides, using the anticipated timing (e.g., transmits to an output device at the physical location), an anticipatory notification related to an upcoming appearance of the mystery card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Ryan Yee, Michael Vizzo, Colin Helsen
  • Publication number: 20250292648
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for autonomous gaming table management. A table controller associated with a stationary gaming table receives operational data indicative of card distribution from a moveable game device. The table controller analyzes this data to determine player participation levels. Based on the determined participation, the table controller autonomously initiates real-time game adjustments at its table or generates real-time alerts. This allows for dynamic responses to player activity to optimize gaming operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2025
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew J. LUCCHETTI, Michael VIZZO
  • Publication number: 20250273046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic collusion score adjustment in gaming environments are disclosed. A processor detects a first anomaly on a first card used by a first player and a second anomaly on a second card used by a second player using shuffler sensors. These anomalies vary from previously taken images. A relationship between these anomalies is detected. Identifiers for the players are determined using machine learning analysis of table image data. An initial collusion-confidence score is calculated based on the anomaly relationship. The system then monitors interactions between the players via ongoing table image analysis. Upon detecting a predefined interaction type, such as physical contact or non-verbal communication, between the players, the processor adjusts the collusion-confidence score associated with the players. This provides a more robust and dynamic assessment of potential collusion by correlating card data with observed player behaviors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN, Robert McPEAK
  • Publication number: 20250273044
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for tracking the physical condition of individual playing cards in a casino. Sensors within card-handling devices on a casino network collect data on a unique physical playing card across multiple game rounds. This sensor data, reflecting the card's physical state including observable characteristics, is recorded in a map for the card within a data store. This map allows changes in the card's condition, based on its unique physical features and any developing anomalies, to be tracked over time. By analyzing this map, anomalies representing deviations from the card's previously recorded condition are detected. Upon detection, the map is updated with details of the anomaly and its detection context. This enables ongoing monitoring and identification of changes to specific playing cards during their use in a gaming environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN, Robert McPEAK
  • Publication number: 20250273045
    Abstract: A method and system detect and link anomalous gaming events. A processor, using shuffler sensors, detects a first anomaly on a first card from a first game instance, the anomaly varying from prior card images. In response, a machine learning model analyzes image data from a first gaming table's image sensors to determine unique biometric facial features of a first participant. A first anonymous identifier is generated from these features and stored, linked to first anomaly data. Subsequently, a second anomaly on a second card in a second game instance is detected by shuffler sensors. Image data from a second gaming table is analyzed by the machine learning model to extract unique biometric facial features of a second participant. It is then determined that the second participant's facial features mathematically correspond to the stored first anonymous identifier. A counter associated with the first anonymous identifier is incremented, indicating multiple linked anomaly events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN, Robert McPEAK
  • Patent number: 12387559
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of stationary gaming tables positioned at a plurality of respective locations, a moveable table game device, one or more processors, and a server. Each gaming table includes a table transceiver and a table controller. The table game device includes a device transceiver that sends and receives data signals including operational data from the table transceivers via a first communication network. The server collects the operational data via a second communication network and stores the operational data for analysis, in particular, to obtain player participation data. The system, via the device transceiver and the table transceiver, may configure the moveable table game device according to configuration data stored in the memories of the table controller or the server by a configured moveable table game device previously located at the gaming table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lucchetti, Michael Vizzo
  • Patent number: 12300064
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system comprises a processor configured to execute instructions that cause operations to detect, using sensors of one or more card-handling devices (“card-handling device(s)”) in a network, one or more anomalies (“anomaly (ies)”) on one or more cards (“card(s)”) used during play of one or more games (“game(s)”). The game(s) are played at one or more gaming tables (“table(s)”) associated with the card-handling device(s). The anomaly (ies) vary from one or more previously taken images of the card(s). The operations further include, in response to detecting the anomaly (ies), determining, via analysis by a machine learning model of image data captured by one or more image sensors at the table(s), identifiers for participants that played at the table(s) for the game(s) when the anomaly (ies) was/were detected. The operations further include relating, in a memory store associated with one or more collusion-confidence scores, the identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Ryan Yee, Michael Vizzo, Colin Helsen, Robert McPeak
  • Publication number: 20240339000
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system comprises a processor configured to execute instructions that cause operations to detect, using sensors of one or more card-handling devices (“card-handling device(s)”) in a network, one or more anomalies (“anomaly (ies)”) on one or more cards (“card(s)”) used during play of one or more games (“game(s)”). The game(s) are played at one or more gaming tables (“table(s)”) associated with the card-handling device(s). The anomaly (ies) vary from one or more previously taken images of the card(s). The operations further include, in response to detecting the anomaly (ies), determining, via analysis by a machine learning model of image data captured by one or more image sensors at the table(s), identifiers for participants that played at the table(s) for the game(s) when the anomaly (ies) was/were detected. The operations further include relating, in a memory store associated with one or more collusion-confidence scores, the identifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN, Robert McPEAK
  • Publication number: 20240233473
    Abstract: In one example, a system configured to detect a payout proximity trigger for a progressive jackpot game. The system analyzes, in response to the trigger, shuffle-state image data of a shuffler device and determines a card order of an undealt portion for a deck of cards shuffled by the shuffler device. The system further determines, based on the card order and based on card distribution rules, an anticipated timing for when a mystery card will be dealt from the shuffler device for a subsequent game play round during which the payout threshold value is reached. The system further determines a physical location of a closest gaming table relative to the shuffler device. The system further electronically provides, using the anticipated timing (e.g., transmits to an output device at the physical location), an anticipatory notification related to an upcoming appearance of the mystery card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN
  • Patent number: 11990000
    Abstract: A method or system to, in response to automatic shuffling of a set of cards by a shuffler, detect a first anomaly of a first card of high value that was used during a round of play for a first card game in which a first player participated at a gaming table. The method or system is further to, in response to analysis of shuffler data, detect a relationship between the first anomaly and a second anomaly. The second anomaly is associated with a second card of high value that was used during a round of play for a second card game in which a second player participated. The system or method is further to, in response to detection of the relationship between the first anomaly and the second anomaly, relate via a collusion-confidence score a first identifier for the first player with a second identifier for the second player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Ryan Yee, Michael Vizzo, Colin Helsen, Robert McPeak
  • Publication number: 20240144776
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of stationary gaming tables positioned at a plurality of respective locations, a moveable table game device, one or more processors, and a server. Each gaming table includes a table transceiver and a table controller. The table game device includes a device transceiver that sends and receives data signals including operational data from the table transceivers via a first communication network. The server collects the operational data via a second communication network and stores the operational data for analysis, in particular, to obtain player participation data. The system, via the device transceiver and the table transceiver, may configure the moveable table game device according to configuration data stored in the memories of the table controller or the server by a configured moveable table game device previously located at the gaming table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew J. LUCCHETTI, Michael VIZZO
  • Patent number: 11961355
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for controlling a network game. In some instances, a processor of the system selects a winning card value of an undealt playing card for the network game. The network game spans a plurality of gaming tables having a deck of cards used for individual card games separate from the network game. A shuffler at each table shuffles the deck of cards for the individual card games. The system further detects, in response to analyzing image data at each of the gaming tables by a machine learning model, that a playing card, having the winning card value, is dealt. The system further determines, by a machine learning model, a participant to whom the playing card was dealt. The system further electronically validates a win for the network game with an electronic account for the participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Ryan Yee, Michael Vizzo, Colin Helsen
  • Publication number: 20240115930
    Abstract: A system includes one or more elements (e.g., a processor) configured to determine, via a smart card-handling device in response to an initial deal for a playing round of a blackjack game, that an upward-facing card of a dealer's initial hand indicates a first required rank value of a natural hand. The system further automatically detects, based on electronic analysis of card-draw timestamp data, card-draw image data, and game settings, whether a rank value of a downward-facing card of the dealer's initial hand indicates a second required rank value of the natural hand. The automatic detection occurs without exposing the downward-facing card and prior to another card being drawn, for the playing round, after the initial deal. Furthermore, the system indicates, via one or more electronic indicators, whether the dealer's initial hand either equates to the natural hand or does not equate to the natural hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew J. LUCCHETTI, Michael VIZZO, Paul SCHEPER
  • Patent number: 11883738
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Christopher J. Hannigan, Jamal Kotifani, Matthew J. Lucchetti, Paul K. Scheper, Michael Vizzo
  • Publication number: 20220383698
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system comprises a processor configured to execute instructions that cause operations to, in response to automatic shuffling of a set of cards by a shuffler, detect a first anomaly associated with a first card of high value that was used during a round of play for a first card game in which a first player participated at a gaming table. The processor is further configured to execute instructions that cause operations to, in response to analysis by the processor of shuffler data, detect a relationship between the first anomaly and a second anomaly. The second anomaly is associated with a second card of high value that was used during a round of play for a second card game in which a second player participated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN, Robert McPEAK
  • Publication number: 20220383692
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for controlling a network game. In some instances, a processor of the system selects a winning card value of an undealt playing card for the network game. The network game spans a plurality of gaming tables having a deck of cards used for individual card games separate from the network game. A shuffler at each table shuffles the deck of cards for the individual card games. The system further detects, in response to analyzing image data at each of the gaming tables by a machine learning model, that a playing card, having the winning card value, is dealt. The system further determines, by a machine learning model, a participant to whom the playing card was dealt. The system further electronically validates a win for the network game with an electronic account for the participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Ryan YEE, Michael VIZZO, Colin HELSEN
  • Publication number: 20220219070
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Haven A. MERCER, Christopher J. HANNIGAN, Jamal KOTIFANI, Matthew J. LUCCHETTI, Paul K. SCHEPER, Michael VIZZO
  • Patent number: 11318367
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Christopher J. Hannigan, Jamal Kotifani, Matthew J. Lucchetti, Paul K. Scheper, Michael Vizzo
  • Publication number: 20200353345
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Haven A. MERCER, Christopher J. HANNIGAN, Jamal KOTIFANI, Matthew J. LUCCHETTI, Paul K. SCHEPER, Michael VIZZO