Patents by Inventor Sarah W. Simpkins

Sarah W. Simpkins 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: 10475291
    Abstract: A lottery host, ticket generator, retailer terminal(s) and specially adapted draw-based lottery game tickets provide embodiments of a wagering event integrity control system, method and apparatus as disclosed. In various embodiments, purchased but unactivated tickets for a lottery drawing are activated based upon key codes associated with unsold tickets received by the lottery host at the end of a game. The lottery host and ticket generator can store different sets of information about the draw-based lottery game tickets, which can be pre-printed with game indicia and activated when desired by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: IGT Global Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Edwards, Bradford Heathcote, Aaron Michael Koll, Sarah W. Simpkins
  • Patent number: 10417872
    Abstract: Embodiments of a game system and method employ the outcomes of external real-life events in determining winners. Generally, in various embodiments, the game system selects a group of performers for presenting in a game play area of an issued ticket, determines a performance score for each performer based on each performer's real-life performance in an upcoming event, and compares the performance score with the scores other performers in order to determine whether the ticket has zero, one or more winners. In embodiments, the game system can monitor performer status between the time of ticket issuance and the time of performance, and can replace any originally selected performers who become unavailable with a replacement performer. The game system and method of the present disclosure thus ensure that issued tickets maintain a full complement of chances based on external event outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradford Heathcote, Aaron Michael Koll, Francesco Parola, Sarah W. Simpkins
  • Patent number: 10373427
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method provide game operators with effective deployment of word-based games that removes and/or manages much of the volatility associated therewith. In various embodiments, the system includes a remote central host that processes stored game details according to a method, wherein the method includes identifying potential game tickets for generation, evaluating possible ticket outcomes associated with the potential tickets, and establishing a group of acceptable wagers and a group of represented letter combinations, wherein letter combinations can be filtered out based on repeated occurrences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Koll, Sarah W. Simpkins, Bradford Heathcote
  • Patent number: 10275980
    Abstract: A lottery host, retailer terminal(s) and specially adapted tickets and ticket packs provide embodiments of a wagering event integrity control system, method and apparatus as disclosed. In various embodiments, purchased but unactivated tickets for a lottery drawing are activated based upon a code and/or signal received by the lottery host, wherein the received code and/or signal is associated with different tickets in the ticket pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: IGT Global Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford Heathcote, Aaron Michael Koll, Sarah W. Simpkins
  • Publication number: 20170236364
    Abstract: Embodiments of a game system and method employ the outcomes of external real-life events in determining winners. Generally, in various embodiments, the game system selects a group of performers for presenting in a game play area of an issued ticket, determines a performance score for each performer based on each performer's real-life performance in an upcoming event, and compares the performance score with the scores other performers in order to determine whether the ticket has zero, one or more winners. In embodiments, the game system can monitor performer status between the time of ticket issuance and the time of performance, and can replace any originally selected performers who become unavailable with a replacement performer. The game system and method of the present disclosure thus ensure that issued tickets maintain a full complement of chances based on external event outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Bradford Heathcote, Aaron Michael Koll, Francesco Parola, Sarah W. Simpkins
  • Publication number: 20160307405
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method provide game operators with effective deployment of word-based games that removes and/or manages much of the volatility associated therewith. In various embodiments, the system includes a remote central host that processes stored game details according to a method, wherein the method includes identifying potential game tickets for generation, evaluating possible ticket outcomes associated with the potential tickets, and establishing a group of acceptable wagers and a group of represented letter combinations, wherein letter combinations can be filtered out based on repeated occurrences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Koll, Sarah W. Simpkins, Bradford Heathcote
  • Publication number: 20160042585
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for providing a game allows the player greater control in selecting options that affect odds and payouts. In embodiments, the system, method and apparatus permit a player to select the number of free spaces on a game board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Koll, Sarah W. Simpkins