Thomas E Soukup

US Patent:

7883410, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Feb 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/066753

Inventors:

Thomas E Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US
Jeffrey George - Las Vegas NV, US
Steve Sutherland - Henderson NV, US

Assignee:

Konami Gaming, Inc. - Las Vegas NV

International Classification:

A63F 11/00

US Classification:

463 27, 463 25, 463 26, 705 1411, 705 1412

Abstract:

System and method establish a progressive jackpot award associated with a machine useable by a user. The user has a user account stored in a computer connected to the machine. The computer includes a database for storing user account data including bonus points associated with the user. The progressive jackpot award has an associated payout value. The user uses the bonus points on the machine and an incremental number is added to the payout value of the progressive jackpot award as a function of the number of bonus points used by the user.

US Patent:

8425310, Apr 23, 2013

Filed:

Apr 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/426059

Inventors:

Thomas E. Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US
Jeffrey George - Las Vegas NV, US
Steve Sutherland - Henderson NV, US
Jeffrey Cohn - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

Konami Gaming, Inc. - Las Vegas NV

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 25, 463 42

Abstract:

A system and method for tracking patron events at a plurality of devices is provided. The plurality of devices include electronic gaming machines and non-gaming machines. Each game device has a value associated therewith. The system includes a plurality of player tracking devices and a server or computer. Each player tracking device is associated with one of the electronic gaming machines. The player tracking devices identify patrons interacting with the system, track wagers made by the patrons on the electronic gaming machines and record wager data associated with each wager made by the players and a respective electronic gaming machine in a database. The server receives the wager data and stores the wager data in a database and receives transaction data associated with a transaction associated with the patrons use of the non-gaming devices and stores the transaction data in the database, and establishes a player rating associated with each player as a function of the wager data and the transaction data.

US Patent:

8545322, Oct 1, 2013

Filed:

Dec 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/312791

Inventors:

Jeffrey George - Las Vegas NV, US
Edward Sepich - Henderson NV, US
Thomas E. Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

Konami Gaming, Inc. - Las Vegas NV

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 37, 463 36, 463 38

Abstract:

A device for providing a proximity sensing touchless display to a gaming machine is provided. The device includes a processor, a display coupled to the processor, and a touchless input interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the display for receiving input from the player. The input interface employs proximity sensing technology, such as but not limited to proximity button activation. For example, the display can be operable to sense a player's approaching finger entering an electrical field (e. g. , corresponding to one or more electrodes) such that a particular button or function on the interface can be activated without the player's finger having to ever physically contact a button, push pad, keypad, touch screen, and/or the like.

US Patent:

20040259632, Dec 23, 2004

Filed:

Sep 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/661198

Inventors:

Michael Crittenden - Henderson NV, US
Jeffrey George - North Las Vegas NV, US
Zhiguo Huang - Henderson NV, US
Doug Huber - Louisville KY, US
Charles Miller - Henderson NV, US
John-Paul Pochin - Christchurch, NZ
David Smiley - North Las Vegas NV, US
Thomas Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US

International Classification:

A63F009/24

US Classification:

463/025000

Abstract:

A system and method credits a player of a gaming machine with bonus points. The bonus points may be credits or incentive points convertible to credits for playing the gaming machine. The player has a player account stored in a computer coupled to the gaming machine. The computer including a database for storing vouchers having a parameter. Each voucher having a first number of bonus points and being assignable to the player account.

US Patent:

20050059480, Mar 17, 2005

Filed:

Sep 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/938677

Inventors:

Thomas Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US
Jeffrey George - Las Vegas NV, US
Doug Huber - Louisville KY, US
Zhiguo Huang - Henderson NV, US
Michael Crittenden - Henderson NV, US
Steve Sutherland - Henderson NV, US

Assignee:

Konami Gaming, Inc. - Las Vegas NV

International Classification:

G06F017/00
G06F019/00

US Classification:

463025000

Abstract:

A system and method for awarding predetermined comps awards to a player playing a gaming device. The comp awards are defined by a casino and stored in a player tracking account. In response to the player meeting a predetermined event or criteria, the player is issued the comp award through the gaming device. The player or the casino will select a delivery method for redeeming the award. The player or the casino will forward the award electronically to another station located in the casino where the comp award will be printed from a station as a comp voucher. The comp voucher may be redeemed at a direct point of redemption in the casino. The comp award may be in the form of a drawing ticket. The drawing ticket may be automatically submitted into a raffle or lottery from the gaming device. The player may also select to have the drawing ticket printed from a station and manually submitted into the raffle or lottery.

US Patent:

20050060231, Mar 17, 2005

Filed:

Sep 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/938187

Inventors:

Thomas Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US
Jeffrey George - Las Vegas NV, US
Doug Huber - Louisville KY, US
Zhiguo Huang - Henderson NV, US
Michael Crittenden - Henderson NV, US

Assignee:

Konami Gaming, Inc. - Las Vegas NV

International Classification:

G06F017/60
A63F009/24
A63F013/00
G06F017/00
G06F019/00

US Classification:

705014000, 463025000

Abstract:

A computerized gaming incentive system and method for redeeming bonus points from the system. The system includes a computer with a database for storing a plurality of vouchers. Each voucher includes a number of bonus points representing a monetary value. The system allows a user to select one voucher from the plurality of vouchers. When the voucher selected is a non-cashable voucher, the system produces a scrip wagerable at a table game and valued at the amount to be redeemed.

US Patent:

20060009282, Jan 12, 2006

Filed:

Aug 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/214358

Inventors:

Jeffrey George - Las Vegas NV, US
Martin Dempsey - Las Vegas NV, US
Edward Sepich - Henderson NV, US
Thomas Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463029000, 463042000

Abstract:

A system and method manages an electronic gaming environment. The gaming environment includes at least one gaming device. The system includes a database and a computer coupled to the database. The database stores system and user account data for at least one user and establishes a default language for the system. The computer is networked to the device. A user interface, associated with either the computer or the gaming device identifies a user, interacts with the user, and provides access to the system as a function of the identity of the user. The user interface is displayed in (a) in a preferred language of the identified user or (b) in the default language of the system if no preferred language is specified.

US Patent:

20060052161, Mar 9, 2006

Filed:

Feb 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/066064

Inventors:

Thomas Soukup - Las Vegas NV, US
Jeffrey George - Las Vegas NV, US
Steve Sutherland - Henderson NV, US

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

463027000

Abstract:

System and method establish a progressive jackpot award associated with a machine useable by a user. The machine has an associated theoretical hold percentage. The user has a user account stored in a computer connected to the machine. The progressive jackpot award has an associated payout value. The user establishes an input value and an incremental number is added to the payout value of the progressive jackpot award as a function of the input value and the theoretical hold percentage.