Bruce Behrooz Merati

US Patent:

6811488, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Dec 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/321186

Inventors:

Joseph R. Paravia - San Diego CA
Bruce Merati - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Virtgame Corp. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A63F 1312

US Classification:

463 42, 709227

Abstract:

A system and method for providing an automated gaming service to one or more players can be implemented in a computer-based environment allowing automated computation of wagers, payouts, and other gaming parameters. The automated gaming system can be implemented in an Internet or other network-type environment such that various players can access the automated gaming system from remote locations, thus establishing a virtual gaming environment. Player accounts can be established and players can be granted access to the system and to their accounts. The accounts can be set up as debit-type accounts, whereby a player funds or replenishes his or her account in advance of wagering, using a credit card or other payment technique. Various gaming environments or formats can be established to provide flexibility in implementing the system and handling various games or other events. The system can use a pari-mutuel or guaranteed-payout gaming formats, among others.

US Patent:

8162760, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Sep 26, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/245682

Inventors:

Bruce Merati - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 42

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing gaming services to remote game players. In one embodiment, a method of providing gaming services comprises providing one or more player game values to a first remote game player and a second remote game player, and receiving one or more mechanically-generated contingent game values by a processor, the one or more mechanically-generated contingent game values representing a number of game values needed to ensure game completion for each of the two or more remote game players. The method further comprises revealing one or more of the one or more mechanically-generated contingent game values to the first remote game player and the second remote game player over a communication network, and determining a final game result for the first and second remote game players based on at least the one or more mechanically-generated contingent game values revealed to the players and the player game values.

US Patent:

8298089, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

Jul 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/779326

Inventors:

Bruce Merati - San Diego CA, US
Robert J. Piechowiak - Las Vegas NV, US
Roger H. Goeb - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

Next Gaming LLC - Las Vegas NV

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 43, 463 16, 463 17, 463 18, 463 19, 463 20, 463 25, 463 26, 463 41, 463 42

Abstract:

In one aspect a switch can be placed on any existing video gaming machine. A player can be informed that they have the option to play other games on the video gaming machine. The switch can be either an icon on the video gaming machine's video or a physical switch. Once the player touches the icon or presses the physical switch as an indication of his or her interest to play other games a server can take control of the video display and its touch screen. Similarly, when the player is playing any of the additional games available on video gaming machine, there will be an icon or a switch button to offer the option to go back to the slot's original game.

US Patent:

8414401, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Mar 20, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/424893

Inventors:

Bruce Merati - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 42

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for providing a hybrid gaming service are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of providing hybrid gaming services to one or more remote game players by a gaming server comprises receiving an electronic representation of a mechanically-generated game value by the gaming server, excluding the electronic representation of the mechanically-generated game value from a first set of possible game values, generating one or more electronically-generated game values from the first set of possible game values, the one or more electronically-generated game values excluding the electronic representation of the mechanically-generated game value, and sending the one or more electronically-generated game values to a first remote game player.

US Patent:

20060019749, Jan 26, 2006

Filed:

Jun 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/165389

Inventors:

Bruce Merati - San Diego CA, US
Roberto Edwards - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

463042000

Abstract:

A secure gaming system or platform. Client monitors accept user input and displaying game status and outcomes. No game processing or decisions occur at the client monitors. A game server is coupled to and remote from the client monitors, and comprises a processor for executing game programs based on user input supplied by the client monitor. The game server returns game outcomes to the client monitor for display. All game processing and intelligence takes place at the game server. A database logs all game outcomes, events and user input as provided by the game server. An audit server replays all games executed by the game server based on the events and user input provided by the game server, and compares the results with the database logs and game outcomes independently supplied to the audit server by the client monitor to verify and ensure the integrity of gaming activity.

US Patent:

20060020648, Jan 26, 2006

Filed:

Jun 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/159661

Inventors:

Bruce Merati - San Diego CA, US
Robert Nance - Solana Beach CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 1/02

US Classification:

708250000

Abstract:

A method for secure generation of a random number. An RNG sequence is generated using an RNG algorithm and an RNG seed. The current position within the RNG sequence is advanced every specified time interval. At intermittent intervals, the current position within the RNG sequence is advanced by a random amount.

US Patent:

20080096630, Apr 24, 2008

Filed:

Sep 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/531566

Inventors:

Bruce Merati - San Diego CA, US
Robert J. Piechowiak - Las Vegas NV, US
Roger H. Goeb - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

NEXT GAMING LLC - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20, 463 40, 463 25, 463 17

Abstract:

In one embodiment a switch can be placed on any existing video gaming machine. A player can be informed that they have the option to play other games on the video gaming machine. The switch can be either an icon on the video gaming machine's video or a physical switch. Once the player touches the icon or presses the physical switch as an indication of his or her interest to play other games a server can take control of the video display and its touch screen. Similarly, when the player is playing any of the additional games available on video gaming machine, there will be an icon or a switch button to offer the option to go back to the slot's original game.

US Patent:

20100122320, May 13, 2010

Filed:

Nov 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/267482

Inventors:

Bruce Merati - San Diego CA, US
Roger H. Goeb - Las Vegas NV, US
Darrell Wesley Buck - Long Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Next Gaming, LLC - San Diego CA

International Classification:

H04L 9/32
G06F 11/30
G06F 15/16
G06F 21/00
A63F 9/24

US Classification:

726 3, 713189, 709219, 463 42, 463 20

Abstract:

Among other things, systems and techniques are described for authenticating one or more client devices. A system includes one or more client devices and a server to communicate with the one or more client devices over a network. The server receives a request for network connection from at least one of the client devices. In response to the received request, the server performs authentication of the requesting client device based on at least two factors. The at least two factors includes a transmission control protocol (TCP) header verification to identify a media access control (MAC) address of the requesting client device as an authorized or unauthorized MAC address; and a challenge-reply verification performed based on the TCP header verification. The challenge-reply verification includes sending a challenge message sent to the requesting client device; receiving a reply message from the requesting client device; and identifying the received reply message as a correct or incorrect reply.