Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Napolitano

Thomas J. Napolitano 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: 10043418
    Abstract: A game card incorporates a marking system having one or more layers of varnish or rubber-based material that is removable when applied to a substrate and one or more overlying screens having a pattern of opaque ink elements printed on the removable layer or layers such that the ink elements are blended into smooth tones when viewed by the human eye. An optional underlying screen provides another pattern of opaque ink elements underneath the removable layer. The marking system and method of the present invention permit a wide range of combinations of designs and security measures, while ensuring that indicia printed on the game card are visible so that players can scratch or otherwise remove the removable layer and at least a portion of the overlying screen as a way of marking the underlying indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: IGT Global Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Napolitano, William John Miller, Dinah Ann George, John Louis Capone, Ross Dalton
  • Publication number: 20160035185
    Abstract: An electronic syndicated lottery platform, system and method provides for syndicated lottery activities for groups. In aspects, with a first software module, a request is received to establish a primary syndicate wager, wherein the request includes a designation of a specific number of players or a range of a number of players to be included in a wagering group, and further includes at least one type of wagering game to be played, and further receives a designation of one or more players to be invited to join the wagering group, wherein each of the one or more players has a player transaction account. With a second software module, payment is collected for the primary syndicate wager, the wagering game to be played is registered with a game operator, and a determination is made as to whether a win has occurred. Upon a win occurring, embodiments of the system can automatically and electronically credit the player transaction accounts in the wagering group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jason A. Barrs, Jasmin Gladys Blackmar, Stefano Monterosso, Thomas J. Napolitano, Daniel Xavier
  • Publication number: 20140364188
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating one or more base wagering games in an extended format are provided. Outcomes for the base wagering game may be determined, and based on the outcomes, player rankings in the extended play wagering game may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20140235313
    Abstract: Versatile and comprehensive systems and methods are provided for developing, testing, housing and distributing lottery game offerings, in embodiments of the present invention, a lottery developer network, a game market and a production engine are provided. The lottery developer network supplies a complete development and testing environment to game developers, and the game market provides lottery operators such as government lotteries with access to a vast interactive game library for selection and customization. A game production engine in accordance with the present invention facilitates the rapid selection and implementation of interactive lottery games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GTECH Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20140175788
    Abstract: Systems and methods for administering an instant win lottery game where one prize may be entered into a future draw raffle game are disclosed. The holder of an instant win ticket with a future draw raffle indicator may redeem the ticket and receive a future draw raffle entry that is eligible for a prize awarded in a raffle drawing. In one alternative, a redeemed ticket with a symbol indicating the instant ticket is eligible for an entry in a bonus raffle game may be entered into a bonus raffle game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas J. Napolitano, Stephen Lazar
  • Patent number: 8708795
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating one or more base wagering games in an extended format are provided. Outcomes for the base wagering game may be determined, and based on the outcomes, player rankings in the extended play wagering game may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Patent number: 8480470
    Abstract: Systems and methods for administering an instant win lottery game where one prize may be entry into a future draw raffle game are disclosed. The holder of an instant win ticket with a future draw raffle indicator may redeem the ticket and receive a future draw raffle entry that is eligible for a prize awarded in a raffle drawing. In one alternative, a redeemed ticket with a symbol indicating the instant ticket is eligible for an entry in a bonus raffle game may be entered into a bonus raffle game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Napolitano, Stephen Lazar
  • Publication number: 20130045784
    Abstract: A lottery game includes one or more player symbols, one or more matching symbols and a large number of potentially winnable prizes. Each of the potentially winnable prizes is capable of being won by matching one of the one or more winning symbols with one of the one or more player symbols. In one embodiment of the present invention, a total number of potentially winnable prizes is provided, with a first subset of the potentially winnable prizes associated with each of the one or more player symbols, and with a second subset of potentially winnable prizes associated with each of the one or more winning symbols. Further, each of the first and second subsets can be greater than one while being less than the total number of potentially winnable prizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Patent number: 8115634
    Abstract: A system for detecting access to an article, including an RFID tag, a reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication, and a container including conductive material. The container encloses the article, the conductive material surrounding the RFID tag and substantially preventing wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless the container is opened. Detection of the RFID tag indicates that the container has been opened and the article has been accessed. A host computer may be notified of the detection and may receive from the RFID tag information associated with the article for inventory and accounting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Gtech Rhode Island Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20110042896
    Abstract: The present invention provides a combination instant and extended play game with at least two games playable in separate areas and having associated prizes, wherein indicia from a first game are used to determine whether the player is a winner of the first game and the second game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas J. Napolitano, David J. Rahmer
  • Publication number: 20100164689
    Abstract: A system for detecting access to an article, including an RFID tag, a reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication, and a container including conductive material. The container encloses the article, the conductive material surrounding the RFID tag and substantially preventing wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless the container is opened. Detection of the RFID tag indicates that the container has been opened and the article has been accessed. A host computer may be notified of the detection and may receive from the RFID tag information associated with the article for inventory and accounting purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: GTECH RHODE ISLAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. NAPOLITANO
  • Publication number: 20100045026
    Abstract: A game card incorporates a marking system having one or more layers of varnish or rubber-based material that is removable when applied to a substrate and one or more overlying screens comprising a pattern of opaque ink elements printed on the removable layer or layers such that the ink elements are blended into smooth tones when viewed by the human eye. An optional underlying screen provides another pattern of opaque ink elements underneath the removable layer. The marking system and method of the present invention permit a wide range of combinations of designs and security measures, while ensuring that indicia printed on the game card are visible so that players can scratch or otherwise remove the removable layer and at least a portion of the overlying screen as a way of marking the underlying indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Napolitano, William John Miller, Dinah Ann George, John Louis Capone, Ross Dalton
  • Patent number: 7598871
    Abstract: A system for detecting access to an article, including an RFID tag, a reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication, and a container including conductive material is described. The container encloses the article. The conductive material surrounds the RFID tag and substantially prevents wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless the container is opened. Detection of the RFID tag may indicate that the container has been opened or the article has been accessed. A host computer may be notified of the detection and may receive from the RFID tag information associated with the article for inventory and accounting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Gtech Rhode Island Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20090247259
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating one or more base wagering games in an extended format are provided. Outcomes for the base wagering game may be determined, and based on the outcomes, player rankings in the extended play wagering game may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20090247256
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating a multi-player and inter-player competitive wagering game in conjunction with a base game, such as a traditional wagering game such as Keno or other online lottery games. A group of players may all participate in the traditional wager game as a group, and the player in the group who has the best result in the base game may be awarded all or part of the total group winnings from the base lottery game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Cornelius BARNES II, Felicia J. Germani, Thomas J. Napolitano, Mark Truman
  • Publication number: 20090186680
    Abstract: Systems and methods for administering an instant win lottery game where one prize may be entry into a future draw raffle game are disclosed. The holder of an instant win ticket with a future draw raffle indicator may redeem the ticket and receive a future draw raffle entry that is eligible for a prize awarded in a raffle drawing. In one alternative, a redeemed ticket with a symbol indicating the instant ticket is eligible for an entry in a bonus raffle game may be entered into a bonus raffle game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. Napolitano, Stephen Lazar
  • Patent number: 7183920
    Abstract: A system for detecting access to an article, including an RFID tag, a reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication, and a container including conductive material is described. The container encloses the article. The conductive material surrounds the RFID tag and substantially prevents wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless the container is opened. Detection of the RFID tag may indicate that the container has been opened or the article has been accessed. A host computer may be notified of the detection and may receive from the RFID tag information associated with the article for inventory and accounting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Gtech Rhode Island Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano