Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8616930
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus includes a deposition source emitting a deposition material and an angle control member disposed on both sides of the deposition source and controlling an emission direction angle of the deposition material. The angle control member includes a housing having an internal space opened in an emission direction of the deposition material and a sliding member having a first end which is inserted into the internal space and a second end disposed on an emission path of the deposition material. The sliding member is movable forward and backward in the emission direction of the deposition material along the internal space. A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display which uses the deposition apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja-Hyun Im, Byung-Hoon Chun
  • Patent number: 8616931
    Abstract: An electron emitting element of the present invention includes an electron acceleration layer between an electrode substrate and a thin-film electrode. The electron acceleration layer includes a binder component in which insulating fine particles and conductive fine particles are dispersed. Therefore, the electron emitting element of the present invention is capable of preventing degradation of the electron acceleration layer and can efficiently and steadily emit electrons not only in vacuum but also under the atmospheric pressure. Further, the electron emitting element of the present invention can be formed so as to have an improved mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ayae Nagaoka, Tadashi Iwamatsu, Hiroyuki Hirakawa, Yasuo Imura
  • Patent number: 8616932
    Abstract: A collapsible umbrella gym for an infant or toddler which is highly portable, and combines the desirable attributes of an activity arch and support mat such as an activity mat. The gym comprises a frame assembly which is selectively movable between collapsed and uncollapsed states. When in its fully deployed, uncollapsed state, the frame assembly assumes a configuration which provides the functional attributes of an activity gym or activity arch, with multiple toys or mobiles being suspended from the frame assembly at locations which are easily accessible to an infant or toddler lying underneath the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Infantino, LLC
    Inventors: Lisa Ellen Gelfond, Maureen Anne O'Connor, Eric Christopher Sugalski
  • Patent number: 8616933
    Abstract: A toy is provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge for the dynamo located within a housing. A miniature vehicle is induced to locomote through receipt of the electrical charge. A dock is provided for selectively creating an electrical coupling of the vehicle to the dynamo to transfer the electrical charge and decoupling to allow the vehicle to locomote. A charge storage device and an electrical motor in the vehicle allow for prolonged vehicle locomotion separate from the charge transfer by the dynamo. A toy is also provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge, the dynamo located within a housing. The dynamo transfers an electrical charge to a wheeled miniature vehicle through an electrically conductive circuit about which the vehicle travels. Additional amusement functions of LED light output or speaker auditory output are optionally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Sun Yu, David Perrin
  • Patent number: 8616934
    Abstract: An alternative dart tip device comprising first and second impact plates, the impact plates being positioned parallel to each other and the second impact plate being attached to a dart; a connecting means for connecting the impact plates and allowing the impact plates to be moved between a contact position and a non-contact position; a cap attachable to a top surface of the bottom impact plate; and a shaft having a first end attached to a bottom surface of the first impact plate and a second end extending downwardly toward the cap; wherein when the dart is thrown and impacts an object, the shaft penetrates the cap which causes the cap to explode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Steven Lee Kern
  • Patent number: 8616935
    Abstract: A polishing method includes simultaneously polishing two substrates, a first substrate and a second substrate, on the same polishing pad. A default overpolishing time is stored and an in-situ monitoring system monitors the two substrates. The in-situ monitoring system further determines a first polishing endpoint time and a second polishing endpoint time of the first and second substrates, respectively. The polishing method further includes calculating an overpolishing stop time where the overpolishing stop time is between the first polishing endpoint time plus the default overpolishing time and the second polishing endpoint time plus the default overpolishing time. Polishing of the first substrate is continued past the first polishing endpoint time and polishing of the second substrate is continued past the second polishing endpoint time. Polishing of both the first substrate and the second substrate is halted simultaneously at the overpolishing stop time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimin Zhang, Ingemar Carlsson, Stephen Jew, Boguslaw A Swedek
  • Patent number: 8616936
    Abstract: To polish polishing target surfaces of SiO2 insulating films or the like at a high rate without scratching the surface, the present invention provides an abrasive comprising a slurry comprising a medium and dispersed therein at least one of i) cerium oxide particles constituted of at least two crystallites and having crystal grain boundaries or having a bulk density of not higher than 6.5 g/cm3 and ii) abrasive grains having pores. Also provided are a method of polishing a target member and a process for producing a semiconductor which make use of this abrasive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yoshida, Toranosuke Ashizawa, Hiroki Terazaki, Yuuto Ootuki, Yasushi Kurata, Jun Matsuzawa, Kiyohito Tanno
  • Patent number: 8616937
    Abstract: The invention relates to running bases with improved speed and gliding characteristics when they run over water, snow or ice surfaces or artificial materials that mimic these surfaces. In particular the invention relates to a method comprising sequentially treating at least a portion of the running base with one or more abrasive materials having a progressively smaller particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Histed
  • Patent number: 8616938
    Abstract: A battery-powered, hand-held blade sharpener features a self-adjusting set of guide rollers which widen to accommodate the thickness of the blade being sharpened. First and second semi-circular face plates mount sets of guide rollers, one of the face plates is mounted for pivotal movement and sprig-biased to a “closed jaw” position which the thickness of the blade opens as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Mark S. Mills
  • Patent number: 8616939
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a constructive disposal in hand sander, more specifically, a hand sander with refill system for exchange of sandpaper sheet suitable for finishing operations and removal of excess material, for thinning of wall surfaces, wood, metal, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Roberto Kazuo Toyama
  • Patent number: 8616940
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning the peeling section of a roller-type peeling machine. The apparatus includes an x-y robot disposed above the peeling section of the peeling machine. The robot has a cleaning tool, such as a liquid spray nozzle, as an end effector. A controller commands the robot to control the movement of the cleaning tool along a predetermined cleaning path to clean the peeling section. One such cleaning path follows each of the insert rollers in the peeling section of a peeling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lars Vedsted, Søren Vedsted, Brent A. Ledet
  • Patent number: 8616941
    Abstract: A pin bone removing apparatus for removing pin bones from fish fillets includes a drive train and a rotatable cylinder head coupled to the drive train. The apparatus includes a torque limiter, which for a preset torque value will uncouple the rotatable cylinder head from the drive train. A method is also provided for removing pin bones from fish fillets, by pinching the pin bone in question between a rotating cylinder with recesses and a resilient tongue in contact with the cylinder. During the pinching, the pulling force is applied to the fish pin bone until the force reaches a preset level, at which the pulling is interrupted for a short period of time, unless the pin bone immediately comes loose, and if it does not come loose the pulling force is applied again until it reaches the preset level, and this process is repeated until the bone comes loose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Trio FTC Sweden AB
    Inventor: Ali Vahab
  • Patent number: 8616942
    Abstract: A bulk coin dispenser bin holds nonaligned coin inventory even when removed from a base containing drive mechanisms and control electronics. A rotor assembly at the bin outlet retains coin inventory during separation, with a rotating disk dispensing coins through a discharge slot in a controlled manner. Optional adjustment of the rotor assembly's angular positioning changes the coin size/denomination dispensed by the bin. Uniqueness required to dispense coins of a given size/denomination is embodied in the bin, such that any base may operate with the bin without adjustment other than update of bin denomination in the dispensing system controller. Bin location and the combination of coin denominations dispensed may thus be readily altered within the dispensing system. Optional bin memory and optical level sensing improve inventory management functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Telequip Corporation
    Inventors: Paul O. Stump, Jeffrey M. Janway, Michael Thibedeau, Victor A. Quattrini
  • Patent number: 8616943
    Abstract: A passenger air vent is provided for a cockpit of a motor vehicle. The passenger air vent includes, but is not limited to a nozzle which has adjustable blades on the air outlet side, a control element for adjusting the blades, a separate bezel for the control element, and the bezel and nozzle are formed as two pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter Arndt, Bernd Trinkwalter
  • Patent number: 8616944
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve for relieving air pressure from an automotive vehicle interior. The pressure relief valve mounts on a valve mounting location that surrounds a body opening and includes flexible interleaved flaps and a securing mechanism. The flaps cover the body opening, with each of the flaps being generally triangular in shape and having an outer end adjacent to the valve mounting location and a pair of sides extending from the outer end inward to an inner corner, with the inner corners meeting to form a peak. The interleaved flaps form a generally pyramidal-shape that angles away from the automotive vehicle interior as the interleaved flaps extend inward from the outer ends toward the peak. The securing mechanism is secured to the radially outer ends of the flaps and to the valve mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Chambo, Marc J. Tahnoose
  • Patent number: 8616945
    Abstract: A corn MOG separator for an agricultural combine having a chopper for chopping MOG, the corn MOG separator being located after the chopper in the MOG flow stream and having a separating chamber for receiving the MOG and separating the lighter from the heavier components, the chamber having a mechanical decelerator for mechanically decelerating the corn MOG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Aaron Scott Ritter, Daniel Stephen Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8616946
    Abstract: A game situation information storage section (71) stores game situation information. A moving destination acquiring section (72) acquires one of a plurality of positions and a plurality of regions in a game space as a plurality of moving destinations to which a game character should be headed. A priority information acquiring section (74) acquires priority information about priorities of the plurality of moving destinations. A determining section (76) determines, while selecting in turn one of the plurality of moving destinations in an order determined based on the priority information, a game character to be moved to the selected one of the plurality of moving destinations from among the plurality of game characters based on a content stored in the game situation information storage section (71). A game character control section (78) controls movements of the plurality of game characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yanagisawa, Zenta Ishida
  • Patent number: 8616947
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting concurrent multi-venue multi-race, multi-outcome, progressive pari-mutuel wagering allows players to pick the favorite in a prespecified number of races to win, place, and/or show. Players can pick manually, pick specific rows or columns, or utilize quick picks. Pools are seeded, wagers are pooled, and pool winners split pools. When pools aren't won, the amount in the pools transfer to the next pool. An operator interface allows specification of pool and pick types, pool size, ticket price, and pool distribution, including allocation of pool seed, progressive, and operator take.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Anthony deLisle Fontaine, Michael Jay Staw
  • Patent number: 8616948
    Abstract: A system for generating an electronic puzzle for a user that includes a user interface; a processor in communication with the user interface; and a memory in communication with the processor. The processor is effective to receive a first image and a second set of images; break the first image into a plurality of first pieces; create a plurality of partitions corresponding to the first image and the second set of images, each partition defining an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: John M. Sherin, Jeremy Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8616949
    Abstract: In the gaming machine according to the present invention, an attribute of a card to be compared with an attribute of a player additional card is determined. In a case where a side bet is placed, a result of the side game is determined by determining whether or not the attribute of the player additional card is same as the determined attribute. The additional payout is offered based on the determined result of the side game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8616950
    Abstract: In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Spielo International Canada ULC
    Inventor: Samuel N. Robichaud
  • Patent number: 8616951
    Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a game implementer arranged to implement a game and to produce a game outcome, an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether the game outcome corresponds to a winning outcome, and a win modification selector. The win modification selector is arranged to select a win modification identifier when a winning outcome exists from a plurality of win modification identifiers including a plurality of win multiply identifiers and at least one win reduce identifier. The gaming system also comprises a prize allocator arranged to allocate a prize to a player when a winning outcome exists and to modify the allocated prize using the selected win modification identifier. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Stevens
  • Patent number: 8616952
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may utilize bingo mapping gaming options. The systems and methods may include bingo mapping functionality in a Class II environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack
    Inventors: Brendan Mullins, Donald Rollo, Ray Bornert
  • Patent number: 8616953
    Abstract: Gaming machines, systems and methods for sizing or resizing visible reel symbols are disclosed. Gaming machines include an exterior housing, master gaming controller, display device and mechanical or virtual reels. Reels include a plurality of reel stops, each containing a visible reel symbols or a blank or ghost region. Visible reel symbols are expanded into adjacent reel stops, which can be ghosts or blank reel stops, such that blank areas are reduced. A reel configurator sizes or resizes the visible reel symbols, which reel configurator can be located at a remote host or within the gaming machine itself. A remote host can provide downloadable virtual reel strips and visible reel symbols to gaming machines within a system including processor-based machines. Resizing of visible reel symbols can involve stretching the symbols in a direction that extends into one or both reel stops adjacent to the reel stop containing the stretched reel symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Jae Man Yi
  • Patent number: 8616954
    Abstract: A gaming system, game controller and method of gaming implementing a game wherein one or more symbols are selected to be retained from a previous game outcome based on symbols which contribute to a winning symbol combination in the game outcome. One or more subsequent game outcomes can be generated including the retained symbols. The retained symbols from a previous game outcome can be selected from symbols which contribute to a winning symbols combination in the previous game outcome. In the subsequent game outcome, the retained symbols can contribute to further winning symbol combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: David C. Little
  • Patent number: 8616955
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a processor configured to execute a game displaying a matrix of symbol containing elements having a plurality of rows and a plurality columns; at least one column of said matrix comprising a portion of a simulated rotatable reel of a plurality of said symbol containing elements; said simulated rotatable reel comprising sections of symbol containing elements displaying a plurality of symbols; said simulated rotatable reel including at least one section in which a consecutive run of two or more of said symbol containing elements is populated by a first identical symbol so that, said first identical symbol being used for a first play of said game, a second identical symbol being randomly selected, the first identical symbol being replaced by the second identical symbol in said consecutive run of two or more of said symbol containing elements, said second identical symbol being used for a second play of said game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Games, Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8616956
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a wagering game having a plurality of reels comprised of a plurality of symbols. A controller operates to (i) detect receipt of the wager; (ii) activate a play of the wagering game by spinning the reels on the display; (iii) display at least one play enhancement icon on the display; (iv) cause the spinning reels to stop and the display to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game; and (v) enhance the randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to the at least one play enhancement icon on the display at any time including at least one of before spinning the reels on the display, during spinning the reels on the display, and after spinning the reels on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Daniel P. Louie
  • Patent number: 8616957
    Abstract: Disclosed are two-player games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including one or more shared feature games. Each player has a respective base game, game board and a token movable on his game board in response to his base game outcomes. Certain combinations of token positions on the two game boards may trigger play of one or more feature games shared by the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David Schultz, Keith Kruczynski
  • Patent number: 8616958
    Abstract: A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities. A services discovery system and method is provided for providing dynamic access to gaming resources, services, and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dale Hermansen, David L Salls, Peter D Miles
  • Patent number: 8616959
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming tables. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming table at which that the player is currently playing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Cara L. Iddings, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Richard J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8616960
    Abstract: A gaming system in which a prize value for a current game is determined. A minimum prize value is determined based on a previous game outcome. A provisional prize value is determined based on a current game outcome. An award is made based on a comparison of the minimum prize value and the provisional prize value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Austrailia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Francis Prendergast, Chi We Chim
  • Patent number: 8616961
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system for awarding a bonus to a player of a wager-based game of chance. The gaming system includes one or more gaming devices in communication with one or more host devices over a network. The host device(s) are configured to: i) receive an indication of a bonus award to be provided to a player of the gaming device, ii) receive a selection parameter, and iii) select one of a plurality of weighted pay tables stored in a storage medium using the selection parameter. Each weighted pay table includes a plurality of awards and a plurality of probabilities. The host device(s) are further configured to: iv) randomly determine one of the plurality of awards in the selected weighted pay table in accordance with the plurality of probabilities, and v) provide the randomly determined award as the bonus award for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyd, Vincent S. Manfredi, Jay Roper
  • Patent number: 8616962
    Abstract: A method of funding features of a wagering game, comprises receiving a first sum of money generated from extra-casino activity associated with at least one person and depositing the first sum into a feature fund. The method further comprises allocating the first sum to at least one account of the feature fund in accordance with a first rule set. The method further comprises, in response to a triggering event, withdrawing a second sum of money from the at least one account. The method further comprises funding at least one feature associated with the wagering game from the second sum of money and activating the funded feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Larry J. Pacey
  • Patent number: 8616963
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein provide an opportunity for a player to place a replay wager for a group or set of a plurality of plays of a wagering game. In one embodiment, the replay wager activates a replay feature which the player can use a designated number of times (such as one time) over the plurality of plays of the wagering game. The player's use of the replay feature causes the gaming system to redisplay the previous play of the wagering game, and provide any awards associated with the previous play of the wagering game. After the player uses the replay feature over each of the designated number (such as one) of the plurality of plays of the wagering game, the player cannot use the replay feature for any of the remaining plays of the plurality of plays of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel J. DeWaal, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8616964
    Abstract: Methods and systems for hosting a betting pool are disclosed. The betting pool can be hosted by a lead participant. Pool participants can be maintained through a partner relationship module. The betting pool lead participant manages events associated with the betting pool through an event manager and through a pool manager. Winning participants in the betting pool are determined and payouts can be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cigno (B.V.I.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Amish Patel
  • Patent number: 8616965
    Abstract: A gaming machine executing the processing of (A) accepting an input for placing a normal bet; (B) accepting an input for placing a side bet different from the normal bet, (C) starting a card game and displaying a player initial card on a display; (D) determining a result of a side game based on the player initial card, when a side bet has been placed; and (E) offering a first payout based on the result of the side game, advancing the card game to determine a result of the card game, and offering a second payout based on the result of the card game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corp., Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Kenta Kitamura, Hiroki Munakata
  • Patent number: 8616966
    Abstract: A method of gaming with multiple players comprising: determining a set of eligible multi-player game players; assigning each eligible multi-player game player a number of multi-player game turns depending on a wager amount; and conducting the multi-player game turns with the eligible multi-player game players and determining multi-player game turn outcomes until a multi-player game end condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 8616967
    Abstract: A convenience gaming system is provided. The convenience gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Lee M. Amaitis, Joseph M. Asher, Howard W. Lutnick, Darrin M. Mylet, Alan B. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8616968
    Abstract: A secure slot tower that is configured to be fixedly coupled to a gaming machine is described. The secure tower comprises a top housing component, a hollow tube, a collar, a second window segment, a printed circuit board, and a base. The hollow tube is coupled to the top housing component. Additionally, the secure tower includes pressing the base, the second window segment, the collar, the first window segment, the hollow tube, and the top housing component together. The printed circuit board is disposed between the first window segment and the second window segment and the printed circuit board comprises at least one light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tripp Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren Tripp
  • Patent number: 8616969
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming machine has at least two gaming states; and an LED (light emitting diode) display having at least one of two colors respectively associated with the at least two gaming states. The at least two colors may be esthetic or mood producing colors that increase game play. The LED display may emit a color of the at least two colors that is associated with a current gaming state of the at least two gaming states. The LED display may emit a color of the at least two colors or an animation that may be part of the current game play of the gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8616970
    Abstract: A system and method for providing text of interest to a player from text messages in an online game is provided. A player profile for a player participating in an online game is maintained. Text messages from sources in the online game are received substantially simultaneously within a buffer for a limited text area of a display during an online game session. A main conversation in which the player is involved with one of the sources from the text messages is identified and removed from the buffer. The text messages in the buffer not identified as the main conversation are analyzed for text of interest to the player included in the player profile. The text of interest is provided in the limited text area in the display interspersed with the main conversation concurrent to receipt of each text message within which the text of interest was included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicolas B. Ducheneaut, Eric S. Nickell
  • Patent number: 8616971
    Abstract: Position data is generated. The position data describes a respective current position of each of one or more billiard game objects in relation to a billiard table having a playing surface. A state of a billiards game being played is determined based on the position data. One or more perceptible effects associated with the determined state of the billiards game are selected. The one or more perceptible effects are produced in connection with the billiards game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Obscura Digital, Inc.
    Inventors: Niklas Lundback, Steve Mason, Michael Harville, Travis Threlkel
  • Patent number: 8616972
    Abstract: Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Keith Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8616973
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling a device through air pressure waves, or “sound”. The system and method involve receiving a sound and analyzing the sound to determine whether or not it has one or more predetermined characteristics. If it is determined that the sound does have one or more predetermined characteristics, at least one control signal is generated for the purpose of controlling at least one aspect of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Osman
  • Patent number: 8616974
    Abstract: Separate active and passive controllers each detect a generated magnetic field. The active controller phase corrects the detected magnetic field information transmitted from the passive controller and uses that to calculate the position and orientation of the passive controller. The active controller also phase corrects its own detected magnetic field information and uses that to calculate its position and orientation. The active controller transmits each of these calculated positions and orientations to a video game system directly or indirectly through the source of the generated magnetic field. The video game system is thus informed of the position and orientation of each of the active and passive controllers. Alternatively, the active controller creates a signal matrix using the phase corrected information and the position and orientation of a controller is calculated by either the source of the generated magnetic field or the video game system using the signal matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sixense Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Rubin, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen
  • Patent number: 8616975
    Abstract: A first wireless device including a communication module and a processor. The communication module is configured to detect a wireless signal from a target device. The processor is configured to determine a radial proximity of the first wireless devices to the target device based on a strength of the wireless signal. The processor is configured to execute a program. The program allows a user of the first wireless device to play a game with a second wireless device executing the program. The program is configured to generate a pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The processor is configured to alter the pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on the radial proximity of the first wireless device to the target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: PICO Mobile Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Saran Saund, Paul A. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8616976
    Abstract: Providing a gaming service via an ad hoc peer-to-peer network involves configuring a device to offer a generic peer-to-peer gaming service that facilitates access to a plurality of specific networked games of the device. The device advertises the gaming service using a service discovery protocol of the network. Game play is facilitated via the gaming service. Accessing a gaming service via an ad hoc peer-to-peer network involves coupling a device to the network. The device discovers a generic peer-to-peer gaming service using a service discovery protocol of the network. The generic gaming service is offered by a peer device and facilitates access to a plurality of specific networked games of the peer device. The device selects a networked game from the plurality of specific networked games of the peer device, and play of the networked game occurs at least between the device and a peer device of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Kari Kaarela, Timo Tervo, Kirmo Koistinen, Mikko A. Hyvarinen, Jukka Parkkinen
  • Patent number: 8616977
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of determining the performance of a gaming device by analyzing the incremental revenue generated by the gaming device. This method may include identifying an analysis period, recording game performance data for a set of gaming devices and a test gaming device during the analysis period, and comparing the recorded data to historical gaming data for the set of gaming devices. Some examples of this method may also include developing parameters for the analysis period and using those developed parameters to normalize the recorded game data for the analysis period prior to comparing the recorded data to the historical gaming data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 8616978
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include managing multiple instances of gaming applications associated with a wagering game client device and determining event data from the multiple instances of gaming applications. The operations can further include aggregating the event data into an event repository and determining that a requesting application requests some portion of the event data. The operations can further include opening a communication channel between the event data repository and the requesting application, formatting the requested portion of the event data in a format understandable to the requesting application, and communicating the requested portion of the event data to the requesting application via the communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jacek A. Grabiec, Damon E. Gura, Budyanto Himawan, Jason A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8616979
    Abstract: A system and method comprising of a social networking game system comprising of: a standalone, wearable gaming device configured for activating an application program stored on a mobile displaying device, wherein the application program is configured for activating location determining means to start a monitoring session, and wherein the location determining means is also configured for tracking a game player's moving parameters during the monitoring session; the application program is further configured for converting the game player's moving parameters into game player's statistics; and communication means positioned within the mobile displaying device for transmitting the game player's statistics to at least one remote server, wherein the at least one remote server includes at least one processor and computer executable instructions readable by the at least one processor and operative to conduct a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Isaac S. Daniel