Patents by Inventor Victor Mercado
Victor Mercado 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).
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Patent number: 8251795Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Patent number: 8182347Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a front door, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rear wall. The rear wall is adjacent to at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. The gaming machine further comprises at least one structural member located between the rear wall and at least one of the first side wall and the second wall within the gaming cabinet for providing structural reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Jacob C. Greenberg, Victor Mercado, James M. L. Shird, Yolanda D. Whisenton
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Publication number: 20120115564Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game machines having a cabinet memory mounted or affixed to a cabinet or cabinet component. The cabinet memory provides configuration data and manufacturing data for the cabinet and cabinet components. The configuration data may be used during operation of the wagering game machine to properly configure the components and operation of the wagering game machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Charles R. Bleich, Timothy C. Loose, Jorge Luis Shimabukuro
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Patent number: 8128477Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Patent number: 8115115Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a first member and a second member. The first member is located physically separate from the second member. The gaming machine further comprises a plurality of high-voltage wires generally located within the first member. The gaming machine additionally includes a plurality of low-voltage wires generally located within the second member. The first member and the second member shielding the respective plurality of high-voltage wires and low-voltage wires to reduce electrical interference between the plurality of high-voltage wires and the plurality of low-voltage wires.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Victor Mercado, James M. Shird
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Patent number: 8096878Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Publication number: 20110053679Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive an indication that a wagering game machine is to enter into a service power mode while the game machine is fully operational, and then to enter into the service power mode to disable game play while providing substantially uninterrupted power to a subset of game machine components. These powered components include one or more processors and memory. The service power mode may operate to leave the remainder of the game machine components unpowered, so that later transitioning from the service power mode to full operation does not result in resetting the processors. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado
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Publication number: 20100323774Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a processor for executing gameplay on the gaming machine. The processor has a plurality of power consumption levels. A power regulator is operative to alter the power consumption level of the processor amongst the plurality of power consumption levels. In an embodiment, the power regulator comprises application software stored on a memory device in communication with the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado
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Patent number: 7785192Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a processor for executing gameplay on the gaming machine. The processor has a plurality of power consumption levels. A power regulator is operative to alter the power consumption level of the processor amongst the plurality of power consumption levels. In an embodiment, the power regulator comprises application software stored on a memory device in communication with the processor.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado
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Publication number: 20100099487Abstract: 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 includes a cooling module comprising two or more fans and a fan controller operable to control the speed of the two or more fans.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado
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Publication number: 20100048288Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine different objects and/or portions within a wagering game video image and split the wagering game video image into multiple video streams containing different parts of the wagering game video image. The operations can then present the multiple video streams on multiple displays. The multiple displays can show the different parts of the wagering game video image appearing as separate and distinct video images. In some embodiments, some of the multiple displays can be placed in front of other displays. The operations can generate transparent masks that allow images to be seen through a display.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Timothy C. Loose, Victor Mercado, James M. Rasmussen
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Publication number: 20100029377Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a centralized physics engine operable to model motion physics for multiple wagering game machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2007Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Mark B. Gagner, Victor Mercado, Craig J. Sylla
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Patent number: 7654899Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a controller for conducting the wagering game, and a video projector coupled to the controller. The display region includes a plurality of projection surfaces secured to floating screen assemblies. The video projector simulates mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region. The video projector displays images of a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game. The images are projected onto the projection surfaces within the display region.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Publication number: 20100016084Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a front door, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rear wall. The rear wall is adjacent to at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. The gaming machine further comprises at least one structural member located between the rear wall and at least one of the first side wall and the second wall within the gaming cabinet for providing structural reinforcement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Jacob C. Greenberg, Victor Mercado, James M.L. Shird, Yolanda D. Whisenton
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Patent number: 7637816Abstract: A gaming control board having low-power circuitry and high-power circuitry for controlling the operation of a gaming machine. The low-power circuitry includes logic components including a CPU that executes instructions for randomly selecting a plurality of game outcomes in response to wagers inputted by a player. The high-power circuitry includes high-power components such as lamp drivers for interfacing high-power signals between the gaming control board and a game interface board. Two connectors are provided on the gaming control board, one to interface low-power signals and another to interface high-power signals. The high-power circuitry is located near the connector interfacing the high-power signals for optimal EMI suppression.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Timothy C. Loose, Victor Mercado, Mark V. Page
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Publication number: 20090318237Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a first member and a second member. The first member is located physically separate from the second member. The gaming machine further comprises a plurality of high-voltage wires generally located within the first member. The gaming machine additionally includes a plurality of low-voltage wires generally located within the second member. The first member and the second member shielding the respective. plurality of high-voltage wires and low-voltage wires to reduce electrical interference between the plurality of high-voltage wires and the plurality of low-voltage wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Victor Mercado, James M.L. Shird
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Publication number: 20090312095Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Caterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Publication number: 20090280888Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
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Publication number: 20090181755Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Timothy J. Durham, Samuel D. Ralston, Fitzsimons Matthew R.
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Publication number: 20090075721Abstract: A method and system of operating a wagering game having simulated mechanical reels includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A first set of video images are displayed on a curved surface approximately a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The first set of video images simulates movement of a first set of reel symbols. In response to a triggering event, a second set of video images are displayed on the curved surface. The second set of video images simulate a transitioning from the first set of reel symbols to a second set of reel symbols.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Larry J. Pacey, James M. Rasmussen, Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons