Patents by Inventor Vernon W. Hamlin

Vernon W. Hamlin 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).

  • Publication number: 20120208619
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wagering game machine includes: a carrier board comprising a first network port and a second network port, the first network port having a first network address and the second network port having a second network address; a processor located on the carrier board; a first nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board and communicatively coupled to the first network port, the first nonvolatile memory configured to store the first network address; and a second nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board, wherein the second nonvolatile memory is configured to store Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) code that includes a system BIOS code and an application BIOS code, wherein the BIOS code is hardware write-protected, wherein the processor is configured to derive the second network address from the first network address during execution of boot-up operations of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Vernon W. Hamlin, Scot W. Salzman, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8241115
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a security module operable to check the authenticity of a wagering game component using at least one of two or more available encryption keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Mark J. Saletnik, Jorge Luis Shimabukuro, Anussorn Andy Veradej, Jun Wang
  • Publication number: 20120202588
    Abstract: A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro, Kathleen J. McJohn, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120202601
    Abstract: A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro, Kathleen J. McJohn, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8172687
    Abstract: A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro, Kathleen J. McJohn, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8167703
    Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises permitting a first configuration of the wagering game to be played via a gaming terminal, detecting a loss of communication between the gaming terminal and a server, and in response to detecting the loss of communication, permitting a second configuration of the wagering game to be played via the gaming terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8152634
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and wager gaming devices that can enter different operation modes based on different network connections. In one embodiment, a method includes connecting to a content provider via a first network connection, wherein connecting to the content provider via the first network connection enables a first mode of operation and prohibits a second mode of operation. The method can also include operating in the first mode of operation. The method can also include connecting to the content provider via a second network connection, wherein connecting to the content provider via the second network connection enables the second mode of operation. The method can also include operating in the second mode of operation, wherein the operating includes, presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20110223990
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for reserving wagering game themes in a network of wagering games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Mary M. Burke, Jeff Allen, Vernon W. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20110183732
    Abstract: This describes generating casino floor maps. In some embodiments, the casino monitoring system can analyze captured data of casino floor objects. The system can determine meta-data related to any of the casino floor objects and generate one or more overlay objects for each of the casino floor objects. The system can create a casino floor map by superimposing the overlay objects over the captured data (e.g., superimpose the overlay objects onto a live video stream). The system can present the floor map on any suitable device. The system can detect a selection of the overlay objects on the casino floor map and present metadata for a casino floor object associated with the selected overlay object. The system can also determine details of people on a casino floor via close-range biometric scans and measurements. The system can use the scans and measurements to assist people in the casino.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: WSM Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Rory L. Block, Jacob C. Greenberg, Vernon W. Hamlin, Laurie E. Lasseter, Craig J. Sylla, Mark K. Trego
  • Publication number: 20110081961
    Abstract: A patron flow system aggregates wagering game data from a plurality of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment. The wagering game data indicates a plurality of patrons and times. Patron flow data is generated from the aggregated wagering game data. The patron flow data indicate flows of the plurality of patrons among the plurality of wagering game machines in the wagering game establishment with respect to the times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Larry J. Pacey, Scott H. Schulhof, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20100317442
    Abstract: A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro, Kathleen J. McJohn, Larry J. Pacey
  • Publication number: 20100311500
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes retrieving a value associated with a nonvolatile machine-readable medium from the nonvolatile machine-readable medium of a wagering game machine. The method also includes retrieving an authentication value from the nonvolatile machine-readable medium. The authentication value is derived from the value. The method includes enabling execution of a wagering game application stored in the nonvolatile machine-readable medium, in response to determining that the authentication value authenticates the wagering game application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Vernon W. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20100267437
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to acquire an original player input value associated with a wagering game. One or more simulations may be run in reverse from a randomly selected statistical outcome to determine at least one of a modified starting game parameter value, a modified intermediate-time game parameter value, and a modified player input value. Original starting game parameter values, intermediate-time game parameter values, and/or player input values may be modified to provide the modified starting game parameter values, intermediate-time game parameter values, and player input values, respectively. At least a portion of the simulation running forward based on the modified values may be displayed. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Marwan Ansari, Allon Englman, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Publication number: 20100217992
    Abstract: Exposure of a security mechanism, over time and/or in particular markets, increases the likelihood that the security mechanism will be compromised. A security dongle, however, can resist/delay being comprised by compounding one or more security techniques with the security dongle security mechanism (e.g., a unique identifier of the dongle stored in a secure area of the dongle, a cryptographic token with a private key that cannot be retrieved from the memory of the security dongle, etc.). A dynamic element (e.g., a changing key) and/or an unexposed element (e.g., a private key secured by an owner) can be used in conjunction with a security dongle to buttress against being compromised. Using the dynamic element and/or the unexposed element, the security dongle can be cryptographically bound to at least an identifier of a piece of software enabled by the security dongle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Craig J. Sylla, Anussorn Veradej, Gerardus A. Weijers
  • Publication number: 20100216544
    Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, receiving an activation input from a player, and in response thereto, activating an auto-cycle feature. The auto-cycle feature is associated with a plurality of supplemental features. The method further comprises activating a first period of eligibility for a first one of the plurality of supplemental features during a display of a first outcome of a primary wagering game, and activating a second period of eligibility for a second one of the plurality of supplemental features during a display of a second outcome of the primary wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon W. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20100137058
    Abstract: Systems and methods include determining a hardware configuration in accordance with the detection of the presence or absence of hardware modules on a wagering game machine. Various services are selected base on the hardware configuration, where the service selected provides an interface to a wagering game. The services provide an abstraction of various functions provided by various hardware platforms upon which the wagering game may execute, and take into account differences in the platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Ranjan Dasgupta, Vernon W. Hamlin, Mark J. Saletnik
  • Publication number: 20100041471
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a security module operable to check the authenticity of a wagering game component using at least one of two or more available encryption keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Mark J. Saletnik, Jorge Luis Shimabukuro, Anussorn Andy Veradej, Jun Wang
  • Publication number: 20090253487
    Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises permitting a first configuration of the wagering game to be played via a gaming terminal, detecting a loss of communication between the gaming terminal and a server, and in response to detecting the loss of communication, permitting a second configuration of the wagering game to be played via the gaming terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20090176559
    Abstract: Systems and methods manage the presentation of wagering games on a portable wagering game machine. The systems and methods determine if an authorized user is in possession of the portable wagering game machine, and further determine if the portable wagering game machine is in a location where wagering games are authorized to be presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Robert A. Grom, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090170596
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and wager gaming devices that can enter different operation modes based on different network connections. In one embodiment, a method includes connecting to a content provider via a first network connection, wherein connecting to the content provider via the first network connection enables a first mode of operation and prohibits a second mode of operation. The method can also include operating in the first mode of operation. The method can also include connecting to the content provider via a second network connection, wherein connecting to the content provider via the second network connection enables the second mode of operation. The method can also include operating in the second mode of operation, wherein the operating includes, presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla