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).

  • Patent number: 9589414
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9415307
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Martin S. Lyons, Stephen E. Patton, Daniel Savage
  • Patent number: 9384633
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
  • Publication number: 20160086450
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
  • Patent number: 9208649
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
  • Patent number: 9076284
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Vijay K. Kompella, Jeffrey L. Allen
  • Publication number: 20150065250
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Martin S. Lyons, Stephen E. Patton, Daniel Savage
  • Publication number: 20150065233
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, Ray Maras, Stephen E. Patton
  • Patent number: 8956215
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
  • Patent number: 8888596
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Martin S. Lyons, Stephen E. Patton, Daniel Savage
  • Patent number: 8876605
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
  • Publication number: 20140235320
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20140155167
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Vijay K. Kompella, Jeffrey L. Allen
  • Patent number: 8597119
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
  • Patent number: 8591330
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
  • Patent number: 8371929
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
  • Publication number: 20130029747
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20130029748
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
  • Patent number: 8292739
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey
  • Publication number: 20120046092
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark N. Iverson, Stephen E. Patton, Michael W. Stragey