Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Kopera

Thomas M. Kopera 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: 9830775
    Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip B. Gelber, Thomas M. Kopera, Michael W. Mastropietro, Richard T. Schwartz, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9814966
    Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Stern Pinball, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Thomas M. Kopera
  • Publication number: 20170294077
    Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality s of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Philip B. Gelber, Thomas M. Kopera, Michael W. Mastropietro, Richard T. Schwartz, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9721435
    Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip B. Gelber, Thomas M. Kopera, Michael W. Mastropietro, Richard T. Schwartz, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20170095730
    Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Thomas M. Kopera
  • Patent number: 9561430
    Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Stern Pinball, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Thomas M. Kopera
  • Publication number: 20160121202
    Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Thomas M. Kopera
  • Patent number: 9011251
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jason C. Gilmore, Thomas M. Kopera, Christy Juinsuk Olson
  • Patent number: 8858332
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game on a handheld gaming machine includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play the wagering game and an external system configured to regulate wagering game play on the handheld gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Thomas M. Kopera, Larry J. Pacey, David Pryor, Richard T. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20140094289
    Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Philip B. Gelber, Thomas M. Kopera, Michael W. Mastropietro, Richard T. Schwartz, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8628405
    Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Philip B. Gelber, Thomas M. Kopera, Michael W. Mastropietro, Richard T. Schwartz, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20130337897
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jason C. Gilmore, Thomas M. Kopera, Christy Juinsuk Olson
  • Patent number: 8545304
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game, whereby a player at one gaming terminal is allowed to link to other gaming terminals via a player-selectable option. The wagering game may include a basic game and a bonus game. Once linked, the player can enter a bonus game that is triggered by an outcome at a linked terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jason C. Gilmore, Thomas M. Kopera, Christy Juinsuk Olsen
  • Patent number: 8512147
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jason C. Gilmore, Thomas M. Kopera, Christy Juinsuk Olson
  • Patent number: 8235813
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a pendant lighting assembly coupled to the gaming machine cabinet. The pendant lighting assembly includes a light source mounted to the gaming machine cabinet and at least one light conduit mounted to the gaming machine cabinet. The at least one light conduit is adjustable to direct and redirect light from the light source to one or more locations external to the gaming machine cabinet. The color and/or timing of the light directed at each location may be synchronized with events occurring in the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Cornell, Thomas M. Kopera, David J. Link
  • Patent number: 8162751
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming machine cabinet having one or more colorable or color-changeable exterior sections. The color-changeable exterior sections comprise a translucent material that glows or shines when light is diffused through the material. Sections that are color-changeable include those sections that are visually dominant or affect the overall appearance of the gaming machine. A multi-color lighting assembly having one or more multi-color light sources is present. The multi-color lighting assembly may be operated to direct light having a predetermined color or sequence of colors. The light causes the color-changeable exterior sections to project the predetermined color or sequence of colors, thereby changing the overall appearance of the gaming machine. The predetermined color or sequence of colors may be selected randomly, or they may be based on the outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Kopera, Walter E. Smolucha
  • Patent number: 7927218
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display and a top box display. The game display is for displaying the wagering game. The top box display includes a standard substructure for attaching subassemblies. The substructure contains fixed connection points allowing subassemblies to be developed in a fashion consistent with the substructure, thus simplifying the ability to swap components and reducing the dependence on unique internal part designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Kopera, Bradley D. Cornell, Wayne H. Rothschild, Scott M. Irving
  • Publication number: 20110053683
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jason C. Gilmore, Thomas M. Kopera, Christy Juinsuk Olsen
  • Patent number: 7775873
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jason C. Gilmore, Thomas M. Kopera, Christy Juinsuk Olsen
  • Publication number: 20100004059
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming machine cabinet having one or more colorable or color-changeable exterior sections. The color-changeable exterior sections comprise a translucent material that glows or shines when light is diffused through the material. Sections that are color-changeable include those sections that are visually dominant or affect the overall appearance of the gaming machine. A multi-color lighting assembly having one or more multi-color light sources is present. The multi-color lighting assembly may be operated to direct light having a predetermined color or sequence of colors. The light causes the color-changeable exterior sections to project the predetermined color or sequence of colors, thereby changing the overall appearance of the gaming machine. The predetermined color or sequence of colors may be selected randomly, or they may be based on the outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Kopera, Walter E. Smolucha