Christopher Wayne Blackburn

US Patent:

7771276, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Jun 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/143874

Inventors:

John A. Beatty - Reno NV, US
Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Rory L. Block - Carson City NV, US
Chih-Hui Jan - Sparks NV, US
Terry D. Warkentin - Carson City NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 27, 463 42

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to wagering games and, more particularly, to a gaming network linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming network has a plurality of servers dedicated to providing a shared game to a plurality of gaming terminals. The shared game may be either competitive or collaborative between players and may be a combination of both competitive and collaborative game play. The dedicated game servers are connected to a core support network that has commonly used computer resources. The communication link between the gaming terminals and servers are supported by a communication server with message directing software that allows events that occur at individual gaming terminals to be broadcast to all other gaming terminals and servers associated with that shared gaming events.

US Patent:

7927210, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Mar 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/802699

Inventors:

Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Rory L. Block - Carson City NV, US
Chih-Hui Jan - Reno NV, US
James P. Simmermon - Reno NV, US
Thomas A. Gentles - Algonquin IL, US
Vikram Swamy - Chicago IL, US
Terry D. Warkentin - Carson City NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 29, 463 25, 463 42

Abstract:

An accounting service for a gaming network including gaming machines provides systems and methods for retrieving accounting information such as gaming machine meter information from gaming machines on the gaming network. The gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes gaming machines and servers. The systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts.

US Patent:

8177632, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Aug 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

12/084598

Inventors:

Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Robert T. Davis - Carson City NV, US
Christopher J. Frattinger - Sparks NV, US
Suzanne J. Ruebusch - Cincinnati OH, US
Terry D. Warkentin - Carson City NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 25, 463 29, 463 42

Abstract:

A computing apparatus operating as a gaming machine permits wagering on games. A browser generates a request for information contained on a remote server. An intermediate client-side processing, ICSP, engine coupled with the browser receives the request and generates a corresponding request that is transmitted to the remote server. The browser, following the transmission of the first message, being released to process other actions without having yet received a reply to the first message.

US Patent:

8231471, Jul 31, 2012

Filed:

Jul 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/054994

Inventors:

Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Robert T. Davis - Reno NV, US
Christopher J. Frattinger - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming, Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 42, 463 24, 463 29

Abstract:

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining one or more casino events that request a configuration for one or more wagering game machines, generating one or more automated configuration tasks, assigning one or more properties to the tasks, and storing the one or more automated configuration tasks and the one or more properties so that the one or more properties are persisted on the gaming network. The operations can also include recovering a wagering game machines operational state if the automated configuration tasks encounter problems during execution that affect the wagering game machines playability.

US Patent:

8308567, Nov 13, 2012

Filed:

Mar 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/794423

Inventors:

Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Rory L. Block - Carson City NV, US
Thomas A. Gentles - Algonquin IL, US
Vikram Swamy - Chicago IL, US
Terry D. Warkentin - Carson City NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 42, 434118, 709203, 709204, 709206, 709207, 709212, 709216, 709217, 709230

Abstract:

A gaming network includes a discovery service, gaming machines and services providers. The discovery service receives service information from the service providers and publishes the service information to gaming machines and other entities on the gaming network. The discovery service and service providers may be implemented as web services with a gaming services framework. The gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes gaming machines and servers. Systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts.

US Patent:

8317596, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Nov 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/742376

Inventors:

Jeff Allen - Naperville IL, US
Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Matthew J. Ward - Northbrook IL, US
Larry Pacey - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 20, 463 16, 463 25, 463 27, 463 29

Abstract:

Wagering game systems and methods are disclosed in which the occurrence of a triggering event causes a community game to begin. Further, the occurrence of an event may cause a wagering game or wagering game service such as a progressive game to be reconfigured.

US Patent:

8393960, Mar 12, 2013

Filed:

Aug 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/991393

Inventors:

Peter R. Anderson - Chicago IL, US
Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Robert T. Davis - Carson City NV, US
Christopher J. Frattinger - Sparks NV, US
Timothy J. Holman - Chicago IL, US
Suzanne J. Ruebusch - Cincinnati OH, US
Terry D. Warkentin - Carson City NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24
A63F 13/00
G06F 17/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

463 31, 463 20, 463 25, 463 30, 463 40, 463 42, 705 14, 902 23

Abstract:

A controller of gaming machines includes an input/output module adapted to receive signals that represent a current status of a parameter of the gaming machines. A microprocessing unit generates for each gaming machine(s) an icon having variable visual indicia indicative of a value of the parameter being monitored. The microprocessing unit automatically changes in substantially real-time the visual indicia associated with the icon to reflect a change in the status of the parameter of an associated first gaming machine in accordance with a first received signal.

US Patent:

8414397, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Jul 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/629110

Inventors:

Rory L. Block - Carson City NV, US
Christopher W. Blackburn - Reno NV, US
Chih-Hui Jan - Reno NV, US
James P. Simmermon - Reno NV, US
Terry D. Warkentin - Carson City NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 42, 463 25, 705 39

Abstract:

A method and apparatus in a gaming network for transmitting event messages from gaming terminals to a central server and, consequently, routing each event message to an appropriate application. The system may include multiple gaming function specific servers with multiple applications on each server using a dedicated central server for message routing. In addition, this system can route secondary event messages generated by primary event messages. These secondary messages may be routed to other applications, other servers, or the gaming terminals. The system utilizes an association data structure in the central server to route messages without the need for embedded routing software code in each application, minimizing the need to rewrite software code that may result from any changes in gaming function or the applications that provide that functionality.