Patents by Inventor Robert J. Bridgeman

Robert J. Bridgeman 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: 6634946
    Abstract: This present pari-mutuel invention provides for a network of table games and real time electronic devices operating slots, poker, keno, bingo and other games. Players compete against other players for non-banked prizes which are paid only from player pools. Player pools start with a balance of zero. The player pool receives one hundred percent (100%) of player bets, less appropriate rental fees. Posted prizes cannot exceed the player pool. The player receives dynamic displays of the pool balance and corresponding posted prizes. A top prize feature prevents the pool from dropping back to zero. The house receives a fee from players who rent a pari-mutuel device. The house does not seed the pool with money, nor take any money from it. The devices can operate in a stand-alone-mode with local player pools under local control. However, they have linked access to a network controlled by a central management system to receive the benefit of centralized Player pools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: James L. Bridgeman, Nancy L. Bridgeman, Lance F. Bridgeman, Jerry K. Bridgeman, Stephanie A. Bridgeman, Robert J. Bridgeman
  • Patent number: 5308065
    Abstract: A game of chance and skill where a player, after making a wager, is dealt, face-up, a hand of five cards which is placed in a player-hand area (122). The player also receives a solitary card, which is dealt face down in a single-card area (124). The player then has a chance to improve the ranking of the five-card hand by discarding up to five cards and replacing them with an equal number of new cards. After the player rearranges the five-card hand, the solitary card is turned face-up and all the cards in the player's hand which have the same face value as the solitary card are designated wild. The ranking winnings are calculated according to a statistical pay table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventors: James L. Bridgeman, Nancy L. Bridgeman, Lance F. Bridgeman, Jerry K. Bridgeman, Stephanie A. Bridgeman, Robert J. Bridgeman
  • Patent number: 5224706
    Abstract: A game of chance which can be played as a table game or as a computer video game where a player, after making a wager, is dealt a hand of seven cards, which he or she then arranged into a two-card "Tiger" hand and a five-card "Pay" hand. The dealer receives a three-card "Dragon" hand, which remains face down until the player's cards are arranged such that the "Pat" hand is of higher order that the "Tiger" hand. To win the round, the player's "Tiger" hand must have a higher ranking than the dealer's "Dragon" hand. The priority of the winning hand is determined by conventional rules of poker. If the player's "Tiger" hand beats the dealer's "Dragon" hand, the player receives a jackpot which is determined according to the rank of the "Pay" hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventors: James L. Bridgeman, Nancy L. Bridgeman, Stephanie A. Bridgeman, Lance F. Bridgeman, Jerry K. Bridgeman, Robert J. Bridgeman
  • Patent number: 5046736
    Abstract: A gambling game which combines the rudiments of poker with imitative opponents (FIG. 3) leading to the creation of new video poker games (FIGS. 4 and 5). Opponents are simulated to imitate each action of the player (FIGS. 3 and 4) so that when the player bets, each opponent matches the bet; when the player folds, the opponents fold. The video poker games are played on a game device including a video screen (FIG. 1A). There are multiple computer opponents (FIG. 5) with one or more bets (FIGS. 4 and 6). Displays show cards being dealt (FIG. 4) with the pot increasing for each bet (FIGS. 4 and 7). Summary hand information (FIG. 11) is displayed and automatic advancement of the ante (FIG. 6) and the bet (FIG. 7) speeds up play. The winner is visually announced after each round (FIGS. 4 and 5). The housetake is determined (FIG. 14), a payoff is calculated (FIG. 15), and the winnings are distributed (FIG. 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventors: James L. Bridgeman, Nancy L. Bridgeman, Robert J. Bridgeman
  • Patent number: 5033744
    Abstract: Invention is a video draw poker game machine (FIG. 1) that includes a microprocessor (FIG. 2). It also has RAM and ROM memory for storage of programs and data (FIG. 3). The player zaps (removes and replaces) one card before the next action (FIGS. 4 and 6). To insure fast play, guiding symbols (FIGS. 5 and 7) lead a player through the game. Our invention lets the player see the new replacement card resulting from the last zap before player takes another action. Thus, the player meets more of a challenge. Casinos require fast and easy play. To speed play, displayed data packages such as guiding symbols and summary hand information aid the player. Also, play ends when winnings cannot improve (instant end), and certain hands lead to instant wins (FIG. 8). This leads to fast play and the player enjoys the game more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventors: James L. Bridgeman, Nancy L. Bridgeman, Robert J. Bridgeman