Patents by Inventor Steven N. Kane

Steven N. Kane 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: 9792765
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Jr., John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
  • Publication number: 20160232750
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
  • Patent number: 9317993
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
  • Patent number: 9129476
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
  • Patent number: 9087436
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a poker game, such as, for example, a pai gow poker game. In a version of this embodiment, the poker game provides for a player to arrange a plurality of cards dealt to the player into a first hand and a second hand. In another example, the poker game is coupled with a second level game in which the result is revealed. In a specific example, the second level game is a slot machine game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 9082263
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game is a bingo game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 8992309
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for rewarding players of games of chance, including, for example, a lottery-type game or a casino game. Individuals are provided the opportunity to earn extra rewards by forming teams or special groups of individuals; the team or special group must perform a particular task to obtain the extra reward. Such methods may help to maintain or increase the interest of a frequent lottery or game player, may provide a new or different incentive to attract new players, and may offer a means for a game operator to differentiate its player's club or rewards program from those of other operators. These organizations may include bingo hall operators (such as churches, senior centers, and charitable organizations), lottery agencies (such as those of United States of America state governments, or multi-state agencies), and on-line and/or land-based casinos.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Paul LaRocca, Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8968070
    Abstract: The field of the invention relates generally to lotteries and gaming, and more particularly, to systems for conducting casino-based gaming. After a player subscribes to play multiple games on a video gaming machine, the player may choose to finish playing the games elsewhere. The video gaming machine may then determine the outcomes for the games yet to be played and then may issue a ticket to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane
  • Patent number: 8886565
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and systems for providing conditional access to electronic content. Electronic content is provided to a user along with authorization information. The electronic content may be transmitted to the user, and the user may use the authorization information to access the electronic content. An authorization code may be provided to the user such that the user may be granted access to the content based on a comparison of the provided authorization code and a second authorization code transmitted with the electronic content, and transmission of the second authorization code may be controlled by a content provider to control access by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 8845409
    Abstract: A player is permitted to reinvest winnings to play additional instances of an online game. In one specific example, the player may choose, at a point of sale (POS), a reinvestment option that specifies how winnings are used to automatically purchase additional game instances. In one example game format, the player may be permitted to select a reinvestment option at the point of initial purchase of the game. The player may be permitted, for example, to limit his/her reinvestment as a function of their initial investment. In another example, the primary game result is driven by the result of a secondary game, such as a lottery or casino-based drawing (e.g., a Keno drawing). The secondary game is then played, and any additional plays as a result of the reinvestment are also played. Results of the secondary game and the additional games are sent to an online gaming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Mark E. Herrmann, Bijan Sabet, Dow Hardy
  • Patent number: 8727867
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a maze-based game similar to the well-known game of PAC-MAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 8708814
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type or casino-based game. A partial result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in an offline portion of the game. The remaining portion of the result is revealed to the player in an online portion of the game. In one example, the online/offline game includes a slot machine game. In one example, the online/offline game includes a bingo game. In yet another example, the online/offline game includes a game of roulette. In one example, particular game features are associated with either the online or offline portions of the game. In this way, players are motivated to participate in both portions of the game, enhancing and prolonging the game experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
  • Publication number: 20140106866
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
  • Patent number: 8696432
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game is a game in which elements are selected, and in response to the selection, a prize is revealed (or not) to the player. In another example, the player is permitted to predict the outcome of a characteristic of the online game, a game-playing computer determines an outcome to be displayed to the player that reflects a result of the game of chance. In one example game format, the player is permitted to predict the most frequently-occurring element in a group of drawn game elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8641496
    Abstract: A game system is provided that conducts a game having one or more players. In the game, players compete in a number of gaming sessions to achieve an ultimate goal. In one example, the ultimate goal is to win a race, with the players' progress in the race being influenced by each players' success within individual game sessions. In one example, at least one of the game sessions is a guts poker game played among a number of players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Steven N. Kane
  • Publication number: 20130310131
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a poker game, such as, for example, a pai gow poker game. In a version of this embodiment, the poker game provides for a player to arrange a plurality of cards dealt to the player into a first hand and a second hand. In another example, the poker game is coupled with a second level game in which the result is revealed. In a specific example, the second level game is a slot machine game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 8579696
    Abstract: A game of chance is provided in which a predetermined fixed number of winning cell content drawn from a predetermined set of cell content. The drawn content is matched to the content on game cards and if the matched game card content covers a predetermined winning pattern then the game card is a winner. In one example, numerous winners may occur per game session because the game continues until the predetermined fixed number of winning cell content is drawn and not until a win occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Publication number: 20130252696
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game is a bingo game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 8529351
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing role-playing game is provided that involves wagering. In one example game, players subscribe to multiple game sessions and eliminate other players to become the sole survivor of the game. The players may accrue points by eliminating other players. Further, players may eliminate other players in a combat environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Steven N. Kane
  • Patent number: 8512133
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. One aspect relates to accumulating outcomes. Another relates to incentives provided to player program member(s). In some embodiments, the person does not need to be qualified. In one embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location, in another at a redemption location. In one embodiment, a player is required to take an action in order to redeem an outcome. In some embodiments, a game play and/or redemption and/or any action must occur in a specified time, respectively. In one embodiment the electronic game is not located at a gambling location, in another it is not located at a redemption location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K Hardy, Mark E Herrmann, John E Taylor, Jr., John F Acres, Steven N Kane