Patents by Inventor Stephen E. Patton
Stephen E. Patton 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).
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Patent number: 9589414Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming machine touch screen system incorporating a flat transparent or nearly transparent layer that contains a series of active elements/actuators/chambers that enable a vertical displacement of the touch screen top surface. These active elements displace the top surface of the touch screen upon command of the gaming machine to provide features perceptible to the player's touch.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Julia M. Childs, Sean C. Martin, Martin S. Lyons, Michael J. Mitchell, William R. Wadleigh, David B. Schultz, Kimberly J. Cohn, John R. Vallejo, Joanna Musick, Scott T. Hilbert, Dougal Austin, Amy Lynn Monette
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Patent number: 9415307Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a gesture enhanced game play system that includes a display system, a sensor system, a feedback system, and one or more computing systems. The sensor system is configured to detect at least one touch gesture when the touch gesture is at least proximate the virtual game layout. During play of the game, a player's touch gestures are evaluated as either a functional gameplay touch gesture or non-functional gameplay touch gestures. Each functional gameplay touch gesture relates directly to reaching an outcome of a current game. Each non-functional gameplay touch gesture may be associated with a feedback system that responds to the non-functional gameplay touch gestures by the player with visual, audio, tactile feedback or the altering of certain game parameters and displays, giving at least the impression that the non-functional gestures affect game outcomes.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Martin S. Lyons, Stephen E. Patton, Daniel Savage
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Patent number: 9384633Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems and methods including a bonus game that can be decoupled from base games and/or are player selectable. Bonus features can be added to existing games and player selection of progressive play can be provided. The method and system can further provide switching among possible links without dynamic reconfiguration.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING INC.Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
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Publication number: 20160086450Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems and methods including a bonus game that can be decoupled from base games and/or are player selectable. Bonus features can be added to existing games and player selection of progressive play can be provided. The method and system can further provide switching among possible links without dynamic reconfiguration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
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Patent number: 9208649Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems and methods including a bonus game that can be decoupled from base games and/or are player selectable. Bonus features can be added to existing games and player selection of progressive play can be provided. The method and system can further provide switching among possible links without dynamic reconfiguration.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
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Patent number: 9076284Abstract: A method is described for presenting video signals from a first video source and one or more second video sources on a single touch screen display. The method includes: enabling display of primary content from a first video signal and secondary content from a second video signal on the touch screen display, using a display manager, in an adjacent or overlapping condition by scaling or shifting one of the first video signal(s) or the second video signal(s) to alter the size and to render the first video signal with the second video signal(s); and calculating a coordinate transformation, using a touch router device, on coordinates received from the touch screen display that correspond to the presentation at the touch screen display of the video signals and to accommodate any scaling or shifting performed on the first video signal(s) or the second video signal(s).Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Vijay K. Kompella, Jeffrey L. Allen
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Publication number: 20150065250Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a gesture enhanced game play system that includes a display system, a sensor system, a feedback system, and one or more computing systems. The sensor system is configured to detect at least one touch gesture when the touch gesture is at least proximate the virtual game layout. During play of the game, a player's touch gestures are evaluated as either a functional gameplay touch gesture or non-functional gameplay touch gestures. Each functional gameplay touch gesture relates directly to reaching an outcome of a current game. Each non-functional gameplay touch gesture may be associated with a feedback system that responds to the non-functional gameplay touch gestures by the player with visual, audio, tactile feedback or the altering of certain game parameters and displays, giving at least the impression that the non-functional gestures affect game outcomes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Martin S. Lyons, Stephen E. Patton, Daniel Savage
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Publication number: 20150065233Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems and methods including a bonus game that can be decoupled from base games and/or are player selectable. Bonus features can be added to existing games and player selection of progressive play can be provided. The method and system can further provide switching among possible links without dynamic reconfiguration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
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Patent number: 8956215Abstract: A method for dynamically changing the graphical content on mechanical slot machine reels is disclosed herein. The system includes mechanical slot reels, display panels, and data transmission techniques which provide for dynamically updating or changing the graphics on the spinning mechanical reels in a slot machine. In one method for dynamically changing graphical reel content, new image content is placed on the reels at any time, even while the reels are spinning. The method may even be used to give the appearance of rotation to a stationary reel.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
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Patent number: 8888596Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a gesture enhanced game play system that includes a display system, a sensor system, a feedback system, and one or more computing systems. The sensor system is configured to detect at least one touch gesture when the touch gesture is at least proximate the virtual game layout. During play of the base game, when a player makes a touch gesture the touch gesture is evaluated as either a direct gameplay touch gesture or an indirect gameplay touch gesture. Each direct gameplay touch gesture relates directly to reaching an outcome of a current game. Each indirect gameplay touch gesture may be associated with a feedback system that responds to the indirect gameplay touch gestures by the player with visual, audio, and/or tactile feedback.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Martin S. Lyons, Stephen E. Patton, Daniel Savage
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Patent number: 8876605Abstract: A system for dynamically changing the graphical content on video reel displays of video gaming machines is disclosed herein. The system includes video reel displays and data transmission techniques which provide for dynamically updating or changing the graphics on the video reel displays. In one system for dynamically changing graphical video reel content, new image content is placed on the video reel displays at any time, even while the video reel displays are spinning The system may even be used to give the appearance of rotation to a stationary video reel display.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
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Publication number: 20140235320Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming machine touch screen system incorporating a flat transparent or nearly transparent layer that contains a series of active elements/actuators/chambers that enable a vertical displacement of the touch screen top surface. These active elements displace the top surface of the touch screen upon command of the gaming machine to provide features perceptible to the player's touch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Julia M. Childs, Sean C. Martin, Martin S. Lyons, Michael J. Mitchell, William R. Wadleigh, David B. Schultz, Kimberly J. Cohn, John R. Vallejo, Joanna Musick, Scott T. Hilbert, Dougal Austin, Amy Lynn Monette
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Publication number: 20140155167Abstract: A method is described for presenting video signals from a first video source and one or more second video sources on a single touch screen display. The method includes: enabling display of primary content from a first video signal and secondary content from a second video signal on the touch screen display, using a display manager, in an adjacent or overlapping condition by scaling or shifting one of the first video signal(s) or the second video signal(s) to alter the size and to render the first video signal with the second video signal(s); and calculating a coordinate transformation, using a touch router device, on coordinates received from the touch screen display that correspond to the presentation at the touch screen display of the video signals and to accommodate any scaling or shifting performed on the first video signal(s) or the second video signal(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Vijay K. Kompella, Jeffrey L. Allen
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Patent number: 8597119Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
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Patent number: 8591330Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
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Patent number: 8371929Abstract: A method for dynamically changing the graphical content on mechanical slot machine reels is disclosed herein. The system includes mechanical slot reels, flexible display panels, and data transmission techniques which provide for dynamically updating or changing the graphics on the spinning mechanical reels in a slot machine. In one method for dynamically changing graphical reel content, new image content is placed on the reels at any time, even while the reels are spinning. The method may even be used to give the appearance of rotation to a stationary reel.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
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Publication number: 20130029747Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
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Publication number: 20130029748Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
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Patent number: 8292739Abstract: A system for dynamically changing the graphical content on slot machine reels is disclosed herein. The system includes reel displays and data transmission techniques which provide for dynamically updating or changing the graphics on the reel displays in a slot machine. In one system for dynamically changing graphical reel content, new image content is placed on the reel displays at any time, even while the reel displays are spinning. The system may even be used to give the appearance of rotation to a stationary reel display.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
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Publication number: 20120046092Abstract: A system for dynamically changing the graphical content on slot machine reels is disclosed herein. The system includes reel displays and data transmission techniques which provide for dynamically updating or changing the graphics on the reel displays in a slot machine. In one system for dynamically changing graphical reel content, new image content is placed on the reel displays at any time, even while the reel displays are spinning. The system may even be used to give the appearance of rotation to a stationary reel display.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey