Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
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Patent number: 8845387Abstract: A playset is provided herein the playset having: a structure having a first level and a second level, the second level being located above the first level; a mechanism secured to the structure for moving an object from the first level to the second level; and a collapsible third level located below the first level, the collapsible third level being configured for movement between a contracted position and an expanded position with respect to the first level, wherein a portion of the first level is configured to support the structure on an edge of an elevated surface such that collapsible third level is capable of being moved into the expanded position.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Grafton, Glenn Yu
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Patent number: 8845388Abstract: A mass of memory foam or similar elastic material is sized and shaped to fit within a cleavage area to space breasts away from the cleavage area and lift the breasts somewhat. The spacer includes a front surface opposite a rear surface and with a base portion opposite a top portion. The base portion is larger than the top portion. Side portions extend from the base portion to the top portion on opposite sides of the spacer. These side portions act upon the breasts to lift and separate the breasts from each other. A band can optionally be provided girding the spacer. The band can be provided as camouflage or decorations can be placed on the band to decorate the spacer. The bands can be replaceable to switch between appearance options.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Darlene S. Dempsey
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Patent number: 8845389Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a garment is provided having specific supportive panels for providing adequate back and belly support; in a preferred embodiment the garment is an exercise garment. The supportive panels of the garment are made of composites of expandable materials giving structural support to the garment such that the wearer's back is stabilized and the belly is supported to prevent drastic pitch, roll or yaw movements during exercise. The expandable materials are designed to yield such that excessive pressure against the belly is not caused as such pressure, found in garments of the prior art, can inflict pain to the musculature and skin surface of the wearer. The expandable materials provide support and allow for the natural growth of the body during pregnancy, providing a desirable combination of a supportive exercise garment that can be used throughout the gestation period.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Sarah M. Abrams
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Patent number: 8845390Abstract: A predictive calculation method for calculating the shape of a cross-section of an engagement ridge of an ophthalmic lens obtained by beveling the lens with a beveling grindwheel driven in accordance with an initial path setting. The method includes the following steps: acquiring the initial path setting for the beveling grindwheel relative to the lens; determining at least two approximations (Sii, Sij) of the shape of the cross-section under consideration of the engagement ridge, the approximations being deduced from the intersection between the beveling grindwheel and the ophthalmic lens when the beveling grindwheel is situated at two distinct positions of the initial path setting; determining the intersection between these two approximations; and deducing therefrom the shape (Si) of the cross-section under consideration of the engagement ridge.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)Inventors: Frédéric Dubois, Eric Belloni, David Freson, Richard Kot
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Patent number: 8845391Abstract: An apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a rotatable polishing table supporting a polishing pad, a substrate holder configured to hold the substrate and press the substrate against a polishing surface of the polishing pad on the rotating polishing table so as to polish the substrate, and a pad-temperature detector configured to measure a temperature of the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus also includes a pad-temperature regulator configured to contact the polishing surface to regulate the temperature of the polishing surface, and a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the polishing surface by controlling the pad-temperature regulator based on information on the temperature of the polishing surface detected by the pad-temperature detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Tadakazu Sone, Yasuyuki Motoshima, Toru Maruyama, Katsutoshi Ono, Yoichi Shiokawa
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Patent number: 8845392Abstract: An improved grinding arrangement for grinding a required profile in a body is provided. The arrangement includes a body having at least one channel extending into the body and a grinding wheel adapted to grind the required profile in the side of the channel. In the setup the grinding wheel is arranged so that an axis of rotation of the grinding wheel forms an angle greater than 0° with a radial axis of the channel. A method of grinding a required profile in a body is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Shane Butler, Gordon Lanes
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Patent number: 8845393Abstract: A cutting method by sandblasting in which cutting through of a workpiece and/or formation of a through-hole in the workpiece are/is performed by forming a resist on a plate-shaped workpiece and projecting abrasive against the workpiece to cut a portion of the workpiece where no resist is formed, comprises the steps of: forming the resist in a predetermined pattern on a front surface and a back surface of the workpiece symmetrically between the front and back by inkjet printing, and projecting the abrasive against each of the front and back surfaces of the workpiece to make a cut from the front surface side communicate with a cut from a back side at an approximately intermediate position of a thickness of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Fuji Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiji Mase, Shozo Ishibashi
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Patent number: 8845394Abstract: Flat-surfaced workpieces such as semiconductor wafers are attached to a rotatable floating workpiece holder carrier rotor that is supported by and rotationally driven by a bellows. The wafer carrier rotor is contained by a set of idlers that are attached to a stationary rotor housing to provide support against abrading forces that are imposed on the wafer by the moving abrasive coating on a rotary platen. The idlers allow low-friction operation of the abrading system to be provided at the very high abrading speeds used in high speed flat lapping with raised-island abrasive disks. The system is also well suited for lapping optical devices and rotary seals and for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing of wafers using resilient pads. Pressurized air is injected into the bellows device to provide uniform abrading pressure across the full surface of the wafer. Wafers can be attached to the workpiece carrier with vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Wayne O. Duescher
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Patent number: 8845395Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for injecting slurry onto the polishing pad surface of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) tool. The disclosed apparatus includes a rectilinear shaped injector bottom, where multiple slots are created in the top surface of the injector bottom, allowing the injector bottom to flex and to conform to the polishing pad profile. CMP slurry or components thereof are introduced through one or more top surface openings, travel through the injector body, and exit through a slit or bottom surface opening. The slurry is spread into a thin film by the injector, and is introduced at the gap between the surface of the polishing pad and the wafer, along the leading edge of the wafer, in quantities small enough that all or most of the slurry is introduced between the wafer and the polishing pad.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Araca Inc.Inventors: Leonard John Borucki, Yasa Adi Sampurno, Ara Philipossian
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Patent number: 8845396Abstract: A polishing apparatus has a polishing pad, a top ring for holding a semiconductor wafer, and a vertical movement mechanism operable to move the top ring in a vertical direction. The polishing apparatus also has a distance measuring sensor operable to detect a position of the top ring when a lower surface of the top ring is brought into contact with the polishing pad, and a controller operable to calculate an optimal position of the top ring to polish the semiconductor wafer based on the position detected by the distance measuring sensor. The vertical movement mechanism includes a ball screw mechanism operable to move the top ring to the optimal position.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Osamu Nabeya, Tetsuji Togawa, Makoto Fukushima, Hozumi Yasuda
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Patent number: 8845397Abstract: A surface abrasion tool (12) has a first drive shaft (42) connect a motor (14) to a power transfer assembly (20). The power transfer assembly (20) transfers rotary power from the first drive shaft (42) to a second drive shaft (46) which is spaced apart from and parallel to the first drive shaft (42). A sanding disc (26) is secured to the second drive shaft (46). A linear drive means (16) is mounted in fixed relation to the motor (14) and selectively moves a pressure plate (22) relative to the sanding disc (26). A locating pin (28) extends from the pressure plate (22) in opposed relation to the sanding disc (26) and fits within a hole in a work piece. The linear drive means (16) is actuated to push the sanding disc (26) into a side of the work piece opposite the locating pin (28).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: AR Tips and Tools, Inc.Inventors: Jason O. LeFever, Dave A. Schultz, Richard D. Ferguson, Al Paez
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Patent number: 8845398Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a chemical mechanical polisher and a polishing pad component thereof. The chemical mechanical polisher comprises a polishing platen having a flat surface, and the polishing platen comprises: an electromagnet disposed under the flat surface and configured to fix a polishing pad base on the flat surface; and a switch configured to control the power-on and power-off of the electromagnet. The polishing pad component comprises a polishing pad base, and the polishing pad base is formed of a ferromagnetic material. The chemical mechanical polisher of this disclosure and the polishing pad component thereof can make polishing pad replacement easy, and can also save polishing pads and thus reduce the consumable cost of the chemical mechanical polishing.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) CorporationInventor: Feng Chen
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Patent number: 8845400Abstract: An inexpensive rotary grinding tool with reduced noise level of the grinding is provided. The rotary grinding tool comprises a metal disk having a grinding surface on at least a part of its surface and a holder for supporting the metal disk. The grinding surface has hard grains having a Mohs hardness in excess of 9 brazed thereon at a surface density of at least 20 grains/cm2. The holder has at its center a securing means for securing the holder on rotary shaft of a rotary drive unit. The holder and the metal disk are joined together to constitute the rotary grinding tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: Nippon Steel & Sumikin Anti-Corrosion Co., Ltd., Dai Nippon Toryo Co., LtdInventors: Atsumi Imai, Takehide Aiga, Masanori Nagai, Takayuki Sato, Kenji Fujimoto, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto, Hiroshi Kihira
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Patent number: 8845401Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing poultry or a part thereof in a processing line, including the step of detaching and/or collecting a cartilage of the poultry's keel bone, whereby during transport of the poultry's carcass in the processing line, a cut is made in the cartilage of the keel bone, which cut is made initially transverse to the transport direction of the poultry and towards the poultry's backbone, and which cut develops from said transverse direction to eventually a direction opposed to the transport direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Meyn Food Processing Technology B.V.Inventors: Ferdinand Allard De Vos, Pieter Willem Vonk, Martinus Casper Melchior Balthasar Waasdijk
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Patent number: 8845402Abstract: A device for removing a breast gristle from a poultry breast carcass includes a transport apparatus for moving the breast carcass along a straight motion path in a fixed orientation. A median plane of the breast carcass is oriented perpendicularly to the motion path. A stationary cutting apparatus has a transversal blade, for making a transversal cut passing through the breast gristle, the transversal cut extending in a transversal cut plane arranged perpendicularly to the median plane. The transversal cut plane and a transversal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and include an angle up to 30°. A frontal blade is provided for making a frontal cut passing through the breast gristle. The frontal cut plane and a frontal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and perpendicularly to the transversal plane include an angle up to 30°.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Marel Stork Poultry Processing B.V.Inventor: Jörg Janssen
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Patent number: 8845403Abstract: Individually cooling one or more computers in a rack of computers in a data center including an air intake chamber, the air intake chamber having a first opening at a bottom end for receiving air from beneath the data center through perforated tiles in the floor of the data center and a plurality of openings at a top end for providing air into a plurality of flexible air channels; and a plurality of flexible air channels, each air channel having a first end opening into the air intake chamber and having an opening at a second end and having a connector to connect the second end of the flexible air chamber to a particular position in the rack corresponding to the location of a particular computer in the rack.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Matthew R. Archibald, Jerrod K. Buterbaugh
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Patent number: 8845404Abstract: A ventilation system includes a ventilation tile. The ventilation tile has a substantially circular opening to allow air to flow through the ventilation tile and a collapsible damper operable to collapse and expand to alter the size of the substantially circular opening in the ventilation tile and thereby variably restrict air flow through the substantially circular opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, David Allen Moore
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Patent number: 8845405Abstract: An external guard for placement over a vent, having front, lateral and bottom sides each formed by a plurality of generally parallel bars or rods spaced apart to block passage of a bird between bars. The bars are shaped and positioned to define a frusto-pyramidal shape for the guard. The rear side of the guard opens toward the vent. The top side of the guard has a cover. There are no cross bars across the bars along the lateral sides, the side front and the bottom side of the guard and none at the intersection of the front and bottom sides of the guard.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Nathan Greenberg
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Patent number: 8845406Abstract: A vent sealing device includes an elongated tubular member having an inner tube with a collar at the upper end of the inner tube, and a cap having an upper interior surface configured to receive the inner tube assembly, a lower interior surface configured to receive said outer tube, and a screen configured to remove debris positioned along the top of the assembly. A vent sealing system includes a roof attachment unit that includes an elongated base structure having an opening that includes a flexible sleeve protruding outward therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Andrew McIver
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Patent number: 8845407Abstract: One object is to provide a game that continuously attracts players. In accordance with one aspect, a server device according to an embodiment provides a game wherein a first entity and a second entity battle with each other, and includes: an identification unit configured to identify first game contents on standby and second game contents on standby; a battle processing unit configured to compare, in an individual battle between first game contents selected from the first game contents on standby and second game contents selected from the second game contents on standby, a first estimation value regarding the selected first game contents with a second estimation value regarding the selected second game contents, thereby to determine an outcome of the individual battle; a point providing unit configured to provide the entities with points; and an exclusion unit configured to exclude a defeated game contents from the game contents on standby.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taku Kojo, Kazuyoshi Shiobara
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Patent number: 8845408Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a gaming system. In one such gaming system, a plurality of real world engine modules are provided for a hybrid game, each real world engine module having a gambling game that is triggered by an element of an entertainment game of the hybrid game. A selection is received, from a player of the hybrid game, of a selected real world engine module of the plurality of real world engine modules, and triggering is enabled of the selected real world engine module's gambling game by the element of the entertainment game of the hybrid game.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLCInventors: Miles Arnone, Caitlyn Ross
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Patent number: 8845409Abstract: A player is permitted to reinvest winnings to play additional instances of an online game. In one specific example, the player may choose, at a point of sale (POS), a reinvestment option that specifies how winnings are used to automatically purchase additional game instances. In one example game format, the player may be permitted to select a reinvestment option at the point of initial purchase of the game. The player may be permitted, for example, to limit his/her reinvestment as a function of their initial investment. In another example, the primary game result is driven by the result of a secondary game, such as a lottery or casino-based drawing (e.g., a Keno drawing). The secondary game is then played, and any additional plays as a result of the reinvestment are also played. Results of the secondary game and the additional games are sent to an online gaming system.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Steven N. Kane, Mark E. Herrmann, Bijan Sabet, Dow Hardy
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Patent number: 8845410Abstract: A multi-station game machine, including at least two stations that are configured to accept player inputs, a wheel having a plurality of sections including symbols, the wheel being configured to rotate, the wheel being disposed so that a front surface of the wheel can be seen from at least two players, and a controller for controlling a first game performed by the wheel and a second game performed on the stations, wherein the wheel is configured to enable at least two players to simultaneously play the first game respectively using the stations, wherein the stations are configured such that the players bet a game value on the symbols via a bet area displayed on a display provided on each of the stations, and wherein the controller triggers the second game based on a win of the first game.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Tomonobu Ikeya, Keiri Yoshioka
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Patent number: 8845411Abstract: A wager gaming machine having software and components allowing for automatic powering on and off (also referred to as remote out-of-band power control) bypassing the need for human operator intervention is described. The gaming machine has a master gaming controller and a network interface. The interface includes an input port supporting a TCP/IP connection which can be used by another network component having the gaming machine's IP address. The gaming machine may also include a Web server operating on the input port. The Web server may receive HTTP messages on the input port even when the gaming machine is powered off. Thus, the machine is capable of receiving an HTTP message at the input port instructing the machine to power on. The gaming machine may also contain a manageability engine processor for executing an active management system software component. This component implements the Web server on the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Xuedong Chen, Binh Nguyen, Brian Underdahl
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Patent number: 8845412Abstract: A mystery-bingo jackpot having increased payout opportunities provides a dynamic bonus game where achievement of a secondary winning outcome initiates an award payout without resetting the jackpot's amount. The secondary winning outcome will typically be configured to have a higher likelihood of occurrence as compared to other winning outcomes of the mystery-bingo jackpot. In this way, the mystery-bingo jackpot provides payouts relatively often while preserving the value of the jackpot.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Olsen Gaming Inc.Inventor: Eric B. Olsen
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Patent number: 8845413Abstract: A gaming machine includes a symbol display device, a top box, and a controller. The symbol display device is capable of variably displaying and then rearranging a plurality of symbols. The top box is disposed at an upper part of the symbol display device and has an illumination target disposed on a front face and a plurality of visual recognition targets disposed therein. The controller is programmed to: variably display and then rearrange symbols on the symbol display device to thereby execute a normal game; execute an animation character acquisition game for acquiring a specific animation character from among a plurality of animation characters in accordance with specific symbols being rearranged in the normal game; and move at least one visual recognition target from among the plurality of visual recognition targets, based on a result of the animation character acquisition game. This configuration enables a player to be given notice in a mode of moving a visual recognition target in the top box.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventors: Jun Hirato, Takeshi Iso, Megumi Shimohata, Kou Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8845414Abstract: A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed providing game players an exciting chance to win any of multiple progressive prizes within a free spin bonus round by accumulating different prize segment symbols which are displayed in a meter zone for each possible progressive prize. Various ways are described to add free spins to the bonus round, making it more exciting by giving the player increased chance to fill all the segments associated with a particular progressive prize, thereby winning the prize.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.Inventors: Brian Watkins, Michael Conway
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Patent number: 8845415Abstract: In various embodiments, players around the casino may predict cards to be dealt in a game of blackjack.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: CFPH, LLCInventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Dean P. Alderucci, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Kevin Burman
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Patent number: 8845416Abstract: A method and system for administering and managing promotional gaming vouchers and segregating promotional credits from normal play credit includes a plurality of gaming machines coupled to a back-end controller for monitoring play on the gaming machines and segregating cash and promotional credits of a plurality of promotional gaming vouchers. The vouchers may have only one embedded value (total value) and may be treated as any other cashless gaming voucher, thereby allowing use in older gaming machines that may be unable to read vouchers having more than one embedded value (i.e., cash and promotional values). Accordingly, the back-end controller may keep track of promotional plays and update a voucher database that logs total values and promotional values of the vouchers. Upon cashing out, the database may be interrogated and only a cash value of the voucher disbursed, where any remaining promotional value may be printed on a new voucher.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Automated Currency Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Andrew J. Schwartz
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Patent number: 8845417Abstract: Systems and methods for determining bad beats in wagering games are disclosed. If the bad beat is determined to be compensable, some form of compensation is provided to the player. The compensation can include providing a free entry into a second wagering game. The second wagering game can be a site-wide wagering game in which a plurality of player may be simultaneously participating.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Travis N. Nelson, James Palermo, Richard B. Robbins
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Patent number: 8845418Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee, receiving the fee from the player, and enabling entry of the player into the bonus round. The method further includes receiving an indication of at least one player selection during the bonus round, and determining an outcome based on the at least one player selection. In other embodiments, the method includes providing a prize to the player based on the outcome.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon
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Patent number: 8845419Abstract: Systems and methods for a providing a jackpot bonus in a gaming system A jackpot bonus element is generated in an entertainment game portion of a hybrid game and a gambling game in a gambling game portion of the hybrid game is triggered when a player initiates an encounter in the entertainment game with the bonus element. It is then determined if the player wins the gambling game triggered by the player's encounter with the bonus element in the entertainment game a payout is provided to the player when it is determined that the player has won the gambling game.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLCInventors: Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
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Patent number: 8845420Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate an autonomous agent hybrid game including a gambling game providing a game of chance and an entertainment game providing a game of skill, where the autonomous agent hybrid game utilizes an agency module constructed to: configure an agent player profile based upon player instructions, where an agent player action during entertainment game gameplay is determined by the configuration of the agent player profile; communicate an agent gameplay gambling event occurrence based upon an agent player action to the gambling game, where the gameplay gambling event occurrence triggers an agent wager in the gambling game; and allocate a payout from the agent wager to a player profile associated with the player instructions based upon the agent player profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLCInventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Eric Meyerhofer
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Patent number: 8845421Abstract: A method of awarding a bonus for a play session of a user of an amusement device is disclosed. The amusement device has a display, a memory and a controller. The method includes receiving, by the amusement device, an input of currency from the user. A game of chance sequence for determining the bonus is automatically initiated in response to receiving the input of currency. The game of chance sequence and the determined bonus are displayed and the bonus is applied to the play session.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: AMI Entertainment Network, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey D. Karn
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Patent number: 8845422Abstract: A method includes receiving a login request to an account at a wagering game machine. In response to the login request, the method includes displaying a security token on a display of the wagering game machine. Also in response to the login request, the method includes transmitting the security token to a server, wherein the server is communicatively coupled to the wagering game machine and a mobile device. Also in response to the login request, the method includes receiving, back from the server and at the wagering game machine, authorization for login to the account at the wagering machine, wherein the authorization is based on an earlier login to the account from the mobile device using the login credentials. After receiving the authorization, the method includes logging into the account at the wagering game machine, wherein the logging occurs without inputting of the login credentials at the wagering game machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Justin C. Weber
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Patent number: 8845423Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for entering a viewable location on a gameboard having a virtual media object capable of presenting a media item within a media are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a game state of a player using a virtual gameboard. A graphical user interface displaying an exterior of one or more virtual buildings associated with the game instance is provided. A request to view an interior of a virtual structure is received via a device of the player. In response to the request, the interior of the virtual structure is displayed, including displaying a virtual media object in the interior of the virtual structure. The virtual media object is associated with a media playable to the player upon request.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Jay Monahan, Matthew Adam Ocko
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Patent number: 8845424Abstract: A game controller with a communications interface includes a touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry enacts touch pad configuration settings that correlate subsets of the plurality of touch sensitive elements to produce distinct user input locations. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input from the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry processes the touch pad input to determine user input directions based upon the touch pad configuration settings, and then transmits the touch pad input directions via the communications interface for use as gaming input.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: David A. Sobel, Monika Gupta, Sumant Ranganathan, Pieter Vorenkamp, Jeyhan Karaoguz
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Patent number: 8845425Abstract: A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Nogami, Tomoaki Tsuji
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Patent number: 8845426Abstract: An example input processing system includes a controller device and an information processing device. The controller device transmits data representing an input position on a predetermined input surface and a detection result of an inertia sensor unit to the information processing device. The information processing device calculates an attitude of the controller device based on the detection result of the inertia sensor unit, and sets a predetermined surface in a virtual space so that an attitude of the predetermined surface changes in accordance with the attitude of the controller device. A first image representing an area in the virtual space including a position of the surface is displayed on a predetermined display device. The information processing device calculates, as a position in the virtual space, a position on the surface determined by the input position.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keizo Ohta, Kazuhiro Musa
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Patent number: 8845427Abstract: A gaming system comprising: a game controller; and a housing having a display and an enclosure containing a plurality of physical objects capable of movement with or within the enclosure; and a reader that identifies an object from the plurality of objects and communicates data regarding that object to the game controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventor: David Keith Timperley
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Patent number: 8845428Abstract: Coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method including: encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants; promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering. Keywords include socializing in the real world, community building and bridging the gap between the game world and the real world.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Sony Computer Entertianment America LLCInventor: Mohammed Khan
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Patent number: 8845429Abstract: An interaction hint is presented with a video segment. Upon receiving a user response to the interaction hint, a message is automatically sent to update information associated with a user profile without interrupting presentation of the video segment.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Enrique de la Garza, Alexei Pineda, Karen Woessner Smith, Mike Lucero, Shawn Prutsman
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Patent number: 8845430Abstract: On the basis of data based on an attitude and/or a motion of a portable display apparatus body, an action of a player object placed in a virtual world is controlled, and on the basis of a position and/or an attitude of the player object, it is determined whether or not the player object has received an attack. Further, when the player object has received a predetermined attack, an attack effect image representing an effect of the predetermined attack is generated, and a first image is generated by superimposing the attack effect image on an image of the virtual world and displayed on the portable display apparatus. Then, the effect of the predetermined attack in an area in the attack effect image is repaired, the area overlapping a predetermined range whose center is a touch position on a touch panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yugo Hayashi, Kazuya Sumaki
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Patent number: 8845431Abstract: Gestures of a computer user are observed with a depth camera. A trace gesture of the computer user is identified and an action performable within an interactive interface is selected based on the shape of the trace gesture.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Adam Jethro Langridge, Gary Carr
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Patent number: 8845432Abstract: Disclosed is game technology, and more particularly to a method, an apparatus, and a recording medium for a game using touch input, which can more variously control the display, etc. of elements of a game screen, thereby providing games capable of employing various game schemes.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Neowiz Games Co., Ltd.Inventor: Min Hwan O
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Patent number: 8845433Abstract: The present invention provides novel method and devices for configuring gaming machines. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide a portable computing device, e.g., a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), that may be used to configure gaming machines. Some such portable computing devices include software and hardware for displaying graphical user interfaces with which an operator can interact to indicate a desired gaming machine configuration. Some preferred embodiments provide a standardized format for menus and/or GUIs that can be used to configure various types of gaming machines. The portable computing device may have one or more convenient interfaces, such as a uniform serial bus (“USB”) interface, an infrared interface, etc., configured for communication with a gaming machine. For example, the interface can allow desired gaming machine configuration parameters to be transmitted to the gaming machine and actual gaming machine configuration parameters to be received from the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Dwayne Nelson, Jamal Benbrahim
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Patent number: 8845434Abstract: A system comprises: an application/game server comprising a central processing unit to process application/video game program code and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process graphics commands and generate a series of video frames for the application/video game; one or more back buffers to store video frames as the video frames are being created in response to the execution of the graphics commands; a front buffer to receive a video frame for rendering on a display after the video frame has been completed in one of the one or more back buffers, the front buffer outputting the video frame for display one scan line at a time at a designated scan out frequency, a subset of scan lines stored in the front buffer being associated with a vertical blanking interval (VBI); and a frame processing module.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: OL2, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Sim Dietrich, Jr., Nico Benitez, Timothy Cotter
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Patent number: 8845435Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of distributing toy objects is provided. The method includes: providing a toy object and a task identifier, the task identifier identifying a task; receiving, via a website, task-completion input from a user; associating the user with a profile, the profile being associated with the toy object; updating the profile to indicate that the task had been performed; identifying reward criteria; determining whether the reward criteria was met; and, upon determining that the reward criteria was met, initializing distribution of a physical reward.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventors: Michael Bogan, Erin Bogan
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Patent number: 8845436Abstract: A location-based game is provided in which users with mobile devices leave footprints associated with locations they physically occupy, allowing the users to control and interact with physical locations on computerized maps.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Kenneth S. Norton, Charles Mendis, Taj Jay Campbell
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Patent number: 8845437Abstract: Disclosed herein are technologies that allow users to create, issue, accept and participate in gaming challenges. A gaming challenge involves participants playing a gaming application to improve their rank on a leaderboard associated with the application until challenge conditions are met or the challenge expires. Challenges can be time-based, objective-based, a tournament or of other type. A challenger can create a challenge by specifying a gaming application to be played, the leaderboard to be used in the challenge, challenge type, challenge duration, and additional challenge criteria. A gaming service can maintain the leaderboard and pass challenge-related notifications between participants. Participants' computing devices can send notices indicating when a challenge has been met or when a participant's relative ranking has changed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Shirlene Lim, Timothy Lee Bui, Andrew C. Haon, J. Spencer King, Jeremiah Whitaker, Michael B. Goulding