Patents by Inventor Scott B. Pfennighausen

Scott B. Pfennighausen 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: 9685031
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wagering environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment comprises a wagering terminal including a processor, a memory, a primary display, and a secondary display. The primary display is configured for displaying visual messages. These visual messages are displayed as part of a graphical user interface and include at least one wagering transaction message. The secondary display is configured for displaying additional visual messages associated with the visual messages of the primary display. These additional visual messages are displayed as part of an additional graphical user interface. The wagering terminal may further include a proximity detector configured for detecting the presence of a gaming patron, a user identification unit configured for sampling a unique physical attribute of a user, and an image capture unit configured for capturing at least one image in a vicinity of the wagering terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Scott B. Pfennighausen, Jim Baker, Brendan Burgess, Kenneth A. Vlazny
  • Patent number: 9384622
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons or tellers select a graphic area on a display element to place runners in a position of a pari-mutuel wager. In another method, a patron or teller selects a graphic area of a display element to copy a runner of a position to another position of a pari-mutuel wager. Another method provides a patron or teller with an opportunity to sort a list of runners of a pari-mutuel gaming activity by selecting an icon of a display element. In a further method, a patron or teller places a multi-position pari-mutuel wager by selecting an area of a display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8814700
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable an organization to set rules to display the gaming activity. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable players to make subscription as well as programmed bets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20140155150
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wagering environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment comprises a wagering terminal including a processor, a memory, a primary display, and a secondary display. The primary display is configured for displaying visual messages. These visual messages are displayed as part of a graphical user interface and include at least one wagering transaction message. The secondary display is configured for displaying additional visual messages associated with the visual messages of the primary display. These additional visual messages are displayed as part of an additional graphical user interface. The wagering terminal may further include a proximity detector configured for detecting the presence of a gaming patron, a user identification unit configured for sampling a unique physical attribute of a user, and an image capture unit configured for capturing at least one image in a vicinity of the wagering terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Scott B. Pfennighausen, Jim Baker, Brendan Burgess, Kenneth A. Vlazny
  • Patent number: 8591318
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wagering environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment comprises a wagering terminal including a processor, a memory, a primary display, and a secondary display. The primary display is configured for displaying visual messages. These visual messages are displayed as part of a graphical user interface and include at least one wagering transaction message. The secondary display is configured for displaying additional visual messages associated with the visual messages of the primary display. These additional visual messages are displayed as part of an additional graphical user interface. The wagering terminal may further include a proximity detector configured for detecting the presence of a gaming patron, a user identification unit configured for sampling a unique physical attribute of a user, and an image capture unit configured for capturing at least one image in a vicinity of the wagering terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Scott B. Pfennighausen, Jim Baker, Brendan Burgess, Kenneth A. Vlazny
  • Patent number: 8292729
    Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons select runners, and betting options of selected runners are presented. In another method, a first wager is placed and other wagers are presented, wherein the additional wagers may include a runner of the first wager. Another method allows patrons to wager on a runner, wherein an area representing the runner is marked to indicate that this runner was selected on a previous wager or in the current wager. In another method, a portion of a wager is patron selected and a portion of the wager is suggested by the betting interface. In another method, patrons may construct wager(s) for single or future races, or specify criteria for those wagers. In another method, runners are displayed in a table and patrons may select or deselect runner combinations by selecting cells within the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Scott B. Pfennighausen, Stephen M. Smith, Joseph J. Tracy, Victor I. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7922585
    Abstract: Methods and systems of conducting parimutuel wagering activities are disclosed. A method of sending a message to a patron of a parimutuel gaming system includes providing the patron an opportunity to establish an identity on the parimutuel gaming system. Responsive to the patron establishing the identity, the patron is provided an opportunity to associate a virtual address with the identity, and a message may be sent to the virtual address. A method of communicating a result of a parimutuel gaming activity to a player includes providing the player with an opportunity to place a parimutuel wager and to associate a virtual address with the parimutuel wager. A message is sent to the virtual address, wherein the message includes a result of the parimutuel wager. A parimutuel gaming system including a computer is operatively configured with software operatively configured to enable the computer to conduct the parimutuel gaming activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Vlazny, Brendan Burgess, Scott B. Pfennighausen
  • Publication number: 20100279763
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wagering environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a wagering terminal including a processor, a memory, a primary display, and a secondary display. The primary display is configured for displaying visual messages. These visual messages are displayed as part of a graphical user interface and include at least one wagering transaction message. The secondary display is configured for displaying additional visual messages associated with the visual messages of the primary display. These additional visual messages are displayed as part of an additional graphical user interface. The wagering terminal may further include a proximity detector configured for detecting the presence of a gaming patron, a user identification unit configured for sampling a unique physical attribute of a user, and an image capture unit configured for capturing at least one image in a vicinity of the wagering terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TOTE COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott B. Pfennighausen, Jim Baker, Brendan Burgess, Kenneth A. Vlazny
  • Patent number: 7762886
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wagering environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a wagering terminal including a processor, a memory, a primary display, and a secondary display. The primary display is configured for displaying visual messages. These visual messages are displayed as part of a graphical user interface and include at least one wagering transaction message. The secondary display is configured for displaying additional visual messages associated with the visual messages of the primary display. These additional visual messages are displayed as part of an additional graphical user interface. The wagering terminal may further include a proximity detector configured for detecting the presence of a gaming patron, a user identification unit configured for sampling a unique physical attribute of a user, and an image capture unit configured for capturing at least one image in a vicinity of the wagering terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Scott B. Pfennighausen, Jim Baker, Brendan Burgess, Kenneth A. Vlazny