U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
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Method apparatus for promoting play on a network of gaming devices

Patent 6319125 Issued on November 20, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject April 15, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Patent References

3598964

Monitoring system for use with amusement game devices
Patent #: 4072930
Issued on: 02/07/1978
Inventor: Lucero ,   et al.

Adaptive threshold optical reader
Patent #: 4230265
Issued on: 10/28/1980
Inventor: Casaly

Automatic phonograph bonus award system
Patent #: 4258838
Issued on: 03/31/1981
Inventor: Rockola ,   et al.

Cash accounting and surveillance system for games
Patent #: 4283709
Issued on: 08/11/1981
Inventor: Lucero ,   et al.

Entertainment machines
Patent #: 4335809
Issued on: 06/22/1982
Inventor: Wain

Remote gaming system
Patent #: 4467424
Issued on: 08/21/1984
Inventor: Hedges ,   et al.

Electronic access control system for coin-operated games and like selectively accessible devices
Patent #: 4575622
Issued on: 03/11/1986
Inventor: Pellegrini

Gaming device having random multiple payouts
Patent #: 4624459
Issued on: 11/25/1986
Inventor: Kaufman

Poker machine communication system
Patent #: 4636951
Issued on: 01/13/1987
Inventor: Harlick

More ...

Inventor

Application

No. 843411 filed on 04/15/1997

US Classes:

463/25, Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation (e.g., game entry, betting, prize level, etc.)463/42Network type (e.g., computer network, etc.)

Examiners

Primary: O'Neill, Michael
Assistant: Hotaling, II, John M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • AUX AU. 11/09/1984
  • 53370/89 AU. 08/09/1986
  • 589158 AU. 10/09/1989
  • 71194/91 AU. 08/09/1991
  • 10488/92 AU. 07/09/1992
  • 20209/86 AU. 01/09/1993
  • 633469 AU. 01/09/1993
  • 20986/92 AU. 01/09/1993
  • 649009 AU. 05/09/1994
  • 21618/95 AU. 01/09/1996
  • 48323/97 AU. 06/09/1998
  • 2211975 GB. 07/09/1993
  • WO 94/12256 WO. 06/09/1994
  • WO 95/22811 WO. 08/09/1995
  • WO 98/35309 WO. 08/09/1998
  • WO 98/40140 WO. 09/09/1998

International Class

A63F 009/22

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a bonusing promotion system using a bonus server interconnected to a plurality of gaming devices is described. A percentage of a wager played on each gaming device is accumulated into a bonus pool stored on the bonus server. The bonus pool is compared to a threshold value stored on the bonus server each time the bonus pool changes. One of the gaming devices is selected when the threshold value is substantially met. A bonus prize funded by the bonus pool is awarded to the selected gaming device.

Other References

  • Report & Recommendation (Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law Re. Claim Construction), May 2000
  • Expert Report of Michael J. Bennett Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. p. 26(A(2), (sic), February 1999
  • Expert Report of Michael J. Bennett Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. p. 26(A)(2), July 1999
  • Expert Witness Report of Leroy A. Prohofsky, February 1999
  • Expert Witness Report of Leroy A. Prohofsky, June 1999
  • Supplement to Expert Witness Reports of Leroy A. Prohofsky, June 1999
  • Second Supplement to Expert Witness Reports of Leroy A. Prohofsky, September 1999
  • Rebuttal Statement by Expert Witness William K. Bertram, Ph.D., March 1999
  • Rebuttal Statement by Expert Witness John F. Acres, July 1999
  • Rebuttal Statement by Expert Witness William K. Bertram, Ph.D., July 1999
  • Expert Witness Report of R. Franklin Burnett, June 1999
  • Rebuttal Statement by Expert Witness Thomas F. Smegal, Jr., July 199
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