Patents by Inventor Russell P. Sammon

Russell P. Sammon 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: 20160351015
    Abstract: Portable wagering media may be utilized to alter play of wagering games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Gregory J. Scribner, James A. Jorasch, Carson C.K. Fincham, Zachary T. Smith, Russell P. Sammon, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida
  • Patent number: 9508226
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee, receiving the fee from the player, and enabling entry of the player into the bonus round. The method further includes receiving an indication of at least one player selection during the bonus round, and determining an outcome based on the at least one player selection. In other embodiments, the method includes providing a prize to the player based on the outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon
  • Patent number: 9457269
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving an indication of a triggering event at a gaming device, determining a gaming content associated with the gaming device, identifying a public display on which is displayed non-gaming media content, and outputting the gaming content on the public display wherein the gaming content supersedes at least a portion of the non-gaming media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon, Stephen Tulley, Daniel E. Tedesco, Robert C. Tedesco, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida
  • Patent number: 9424713
    Abstract: Portable wagering media may be utilized to alter play of wagering games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Gregory J. Scribner, James A. Jorasch, Carson C. K. Fincham, Zachary T. Smith, Russell P. Sammon, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida
  • Publication number: 20160189481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow a value of a credit balance on a gaming device to be determined. If the value is not less than a predetermined threshold, a benefit is provided to the player of the gaming device. In various embodiments, the benefit may be, e.g., an increase in the player's credit balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Stephen C. Tulley, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Publication number: 20160117886
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow a value of a credit balance on a gaming device to be determined. If the value is not less than a predetermined threshold, a benefit is provided to the player of the gaming device. In various embodiments, the benefit may be, e.g., an increase in the player's credit balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Stephen C. Tulley, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Publication number: 20160117882
    Abstract: Methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. One example method includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome. The partial game outcome was previously provided to the player, who used a first device that is different than the gaming device. This example method includes determining that the player is entitled to a complete game outcome, displaying the partial game outcome on the gaming device, determining the complete game outcome, and then displaying the complete game outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Russell P. Sammon, Stephen C. Tulley
  • Publication number: 20160104340
    Abstract: A gaming device incentivizes additional game play by combining payouts with conditional payouts. During game play, players are informed of the conditions, which must be satisfied so as to vest the conditional payouts. Subsequent game play is monitored to see if the player has satisfied the conditions. If the player has satisfied the conditions, then the conditional payout vests. If the condition is not met, then the conditional payout terminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Daniel E. Tedesco, Robert C. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 9288376
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a camera determines whether to acquire an image (e.g., automatically), determines whether to store the acquired image, and determines how to store the acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Inventor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon
  • Patent number: 9288375
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a camera determines whether to acquire an image (e.g., automatically), determines whether to store the acquired image, and determines how to store the acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Inventor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon
  • Patent number: 9235959
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow a value of a credit balance on a gaming device to be determined. If the value is not less than a predetermined threshold, a benefit is provided to the player of the gaming device. In various embodiments, the benefit may be, e.g., an increase in the player's credit balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Stephen C. Tulley, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 9235958
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow a value of a credit balance on a gaming device to be determined. If the value is not less than a predetermined threshold, a benefit is provided to the player of the gaming device. In various embodiments, the benefit may be, e.g., an increase in the player's credit balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Stephen C. Tulley, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 9235954
    Abstract: Methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. One example method includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome. The partial game outcome was previously provided to the player, who used a first device that is different than the gaming device. This example method includes determining that the player is entitled to a complete game outcome, displaying the partial game outcome on the gaming device, determining the complete game outcome, and then displaying the complete game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Russell P. Sammon, Stephen C. Tulley
  • Patent number: 9235960
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow a value of a credit balance on a gaming device to be determined. If the value is not less than a predetermined threshold, a benefit is provided to the player of the gaming device. In various embodiments, the benefit may be, e.g., an increase in the player's credit balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Stephen C. Tulley, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 9224261
    Abstract: A gaming device incentivizes additional game play by combining payouts with conditional payouts. During game play, players are informed of the conditions, which must be satisfied so as to vest the conditional payouts. Subsequent game play is monitored to see if the player has satisfied the conditions. If the player has satisfied the conditions, then the conditional payout vests. If the condition is not met, then the conditional payout terminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Daniel E. Tedesco, Robert C. Tedesco
  • Publication number: 20150371494
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a service to a player using a player device. A indication of a player identifier which corresponds to a player of a gaming device is received. A player device is provided to the player. A service to provide the player is determined based on a gaming activity of the player, and the service is then provided to the player using the player device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Thomas M. Sparico
  • Patent number: 9196121
    Abstract: Portable wagering media may be utilized to alter play of wagering games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Gregory J. Scribner, James A. Jorasch, Carson C. K. Fincham, Zachary T. Smith, Russell P. Sammon, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida
  • Publication number: 20150332548
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon
  • Publication number: 20150294532
    Abstract: Portable wagering media may be utilized to alter play of wagering games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Gregory J. Scribner, James A. Jorasch, Carson C.K. Fincham, Zachary T. Smith, Russell P. Sammon, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida
  • Patent number: 9159186
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a service to a player using a player device. A indication of a player identifier which corresponds to a player of a gaming device is received. A player device is provided to the player. A service to provide the player is determined based on a gaming activity of the player, and the service is then provided to the player using the player device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Thomas M. Sparico