Patents Examined by Binh-An D. Nguyen
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Patent number: 7806767Abstract: Game system in which an object is arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space including a display device, an input device for outputting signals according to player operations and a game control device for executing a game according to a program while checking the output of the input device and displaying a visual field image including the object on the display device. The visual field image is viewed from a predetermined view point position in the virtual three-dimensional space. The game control device includes a position determining device for determining whether to view the object from a first view point position which is a back and slightly inclined position toward a moving direction of the object to view an observation position set forward the object, or from a second view point position from which the observation point is viewed in a fixed direction regardless of the movement of the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Kitao
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Patent number: 7771280Abstract: A portable game system includes two display screens, at least one of which is touch-sensitive. A memory card or other device is selectively connectable to the portable game system via in insertable connection port.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshino, Keizo Ohta, Yoshitaka Yasumoto, Kenji Nishida, Kenichi Sugino, Masato Ibuki, Ryuji Umezu, Yutaka Iijima
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Patent number: 7744453Abstract: A gaming system comprises a history display and a controller. The history display tracks a plurality of past outcomes of a wagering game. The controller awards a bonus if a current outcome of the wagering game has a predetermined association with at least one of the displayed plurality of past outcomes.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 7704141Abstract: A slot machine enables the selection of one or more symbol positions in a symbol matrix to provide additional and/or enhanced awards (“Lucky Spot”). The preferred embodiment of the present invention offers a new “wandering” wild symbol with an associated multiplier value, as follows: During each spin, the slot game randomly selects one of fifteen symbol positions as the Lucky Spot; A multiplier value is associated with the Lucky Spot from within a range of 2 to 5; The Lucky Spot and associated multiplier value are then displayed in the symbol matrix in the selected symbol position; After each spin, the slot game issues Lucky Spot awards based on the winning combinations using the Lucky Spot; and Alternatively, the Lucky Spot concept can also be implemented in various alternative methods.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
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Patent number: 7524245Abstract: A game server is provided, the game server comprising a processor and a storage device coupled to the processor. The storage device stores instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to perform a method comprising: generating a first signal; transmitting an encoded first signal; receiving a second signal; and transmitting a decoding key after receiving the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Bruce Schneier, Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman
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Patent number: 7524243Abstract: An poker game which provides a predetermined outcome to a player. In one embodiment, a plurality of playing cards are provided to a player wherein one or more of the provided playing cards are based on the predetermined game outcome. The player is enabled to select one or more of the initially dealt playing cards to hold or to discard. If a poker hand with an associated payout equal to the value associated with the predetermined game outcome may be obtained based on the held cards, the gaming device utilizes one or more backfill algorithms, to determine which card or cards, if any, need to be dealt to the player. The determined cards are provided to the player to replace the playing cards designated by the player to discard and the selected predetermined game outcome which is associated with a value equal to the payout of the player's poker hand is provided to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Mark W. Bansemer, Bryan D. Wolf, Christopher T. Brune, Anthony J. Baerlocher, John M. Montross
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Patent number: 7510398Abstract: A simulation apparatus and teaching system utilizing the apparatus are disclosed which includes a computer with input and output devices and a simulation apparatus including a housing, where the housing includes a tactile output subsystem for simulating pressure pulses corresponding to a pulse, an audio output subsystem for simulating heart sounds or other bodily sounds and a visual output subsystem for simulating visual attributes associated with a given condition. The output subsystem are under computer control and via interaction with a user, the computer will instruct the output subsystem to generate the symptoms associated with a given condition in a temporally correlated or simultaneous manner so that a user will be able to experience the visual, audio and tactile attributes associated with a given condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemInventor: William E. Thornton
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Patent number: 7510478Abstract: In a gaming method, a wager may be received from a player via a value input device of a gaming apparatus, and an image representative of a game may be generated for display on a display unit of the gaming apparatus. Compiled code associated with play of the game may be executed using a processor of the apparatus, and the compiled code may include code to read data from a file stored in a memory of the gaming apparatus, wherein the file is separate from the compiled code. First uncompiled instruction data may be read from the file using the compiled code, the first uncompiled instruction data indicative of a request to create a first software object associated with play of the game. The first software object may be created using the compiled code in response to the uncompiled first instruction data. Second uncompiled instruction data may be from the file using the compiled code, the second uncompiled instruction data indicative of a request to create a second software object associated with play of the game.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Jamal Benbrahim, Robert E. Breckner, Steven G. LeMay, Alexey Kryuchkov, Gregory A. Schlottmann
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Patent number: 7488250Abstract: A gaming device that has an award modification function for player selectable awards that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. More specifically, a processor controlled gaming device randomly generates a plurality of positions or digits of an award and enables the player to pick which position or digit receives a first randomly generated number, which digit receives a second randomly generated number, etc., until each of the positions have a number, whereby the gaming device determines the player's ultimate award. A plurality of modification methods can be employed to individually modify the digits of the award.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, William J. Bussick
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Patent number: 7488252Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying multiple visual images from a single source at a gaming machine are disclosed. A reversible display device at the gaming machine presents multiple visual images from an LCD cell or other core display component. Virtual curtains alternate between blocking and permitting the display of visual images at various surfaces of the reversible display device. For an LCD cell or similar component needing a separate illumination source, illumination components alternate on and off in coordinated fashion with the virtual curtains, and are arranged to reflect light through the LCD cell in one direction to display one visual image at one surface and then in an opposite direction to display another visual image at the opposite surface. Lenses, mirrors and other optical devices redirect or alter a visual image from a surface such that it is not viewed directly from the display device itself.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Chauncey W. Griswold, Harold E. Mattice, Richard L. Wilder
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Patent number: 7488245Abstract: A game, and in particular an electronic game that simulates trading securities on an exchange. The game is preferably played as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. A computing device is provided having, among other things, a video screen display on which a line chart is displayed. The computing device also includes a selection device, which provides a means by which the player interacts with the computing device to “buy” or “sell”. The line chart includes a vertical axis that corresponds to the value or price of one or more securities, and a horizontal axis that corresponds to time. A segmented line is plotted on the line chart during a round of play. A random number generator randomly determines the vertical axis value for each point plotted along the segmented line.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Eugene Jarvis, Andrew Eloff
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Patent number: 7488251Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for operating a gaming device that enables or activates one or more poker hands upon the receipt or wager of a single credit from the player. 3 The gaming device of the present invention maintains and displays a plurality of poker hands and an input device that enables a player to bet one or more credits. When the player wagers a credit, the processor of the gaming device activates a number of the poker hands, the number pre-selected or player selected to be one or more and preferably each of the poker hands maintained by the gaming device.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: IGTInventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
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Patent number: 7485038Abstract: A gaming device having a display with multiple rotating award reels and an award indicator that moves in multiple directions to indicate one of the awards on one of the award reels is provided. In one embodiment, the reels rotate horizontally and in different directions. The indicator resides at the distal end of a member. The member is attached to a base. The base moves at least vertically so that the indicator covers or reaches each rotating award reel. The base can also move horizontally or rotate to change in both X and Y directions. When the indicator and reels stop moving, the indicator points to or indicates an award that is provided to a player as either a primary or bonus award of the gaming device.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Markus Rothkranz, Kirk A. Tedsen, Kehl T. LeSourd
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Patent number: 7485037Abstract: The present invention relates to a sporting event based lottery game wherein the lottery game result depends on the performance of competitors in the sporting event and the prize determination process does not involve any comparison among the game tickets. The lottery game authority or player selects a sporting event and determines the rules of the lottery game. The rules and the list of competitors in the sporting event are made available to players. The player may be randomly assigned a plurality of competitors that may perform well under the rules of the lottery game and a ticket with the randomly assigned competitors is issued to the player. As the sporting event progresses, a score is assigned to each competitor according to their performance. At the end of the sporting event, the player computes a score for his ticket and if the score is higher than a predetermined score, the player wins a prize.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventor: Stephen G. Penrice
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Patent number: 7480988Abstract: A method and apparatus suitable for forming hermetic electrical feedthroughs in a ceramic sheet having a thickness of ?40 mils. More particularly, the method yields an apparatus including a hermetic electrical feedthrough which is both biocompatible and electrochemically stable and suitable for implantation in a patient's body. The method involves: (a) providing an unfired, ceramic sheet having a thickness of ?40 mils and preferably comprising >99% aluminum oxide; (b) forming multiple blind holes in said sheet; (c) inserting solid wires, preferably of platinum, in said holes; (d) firing the assembly of sheet and wires to a temperature sufficient to sinter the sheet material but insufficient to melt the wires; and (e) removing sufficient material from the sheet lower surface so that the lower ends of said wires are flush with the finished sheet lower surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Ok, Robert J. Greenberg
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Patent number: 7481705Abstract: A game and particularly an electronic game that simulates trading securities on an exchange. The game is preferably played as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. A computing device is provided having, among other things, a video screen display on which a line chart is displayed. The computing device also includes a selection device, which provides a means by which the player interacts with the computing device to “buy” or “sell”. The line chart includes a vertical axis that corresponds to the value or price of one or more securities, and a horizontal axis that corresponds to time. A segmented line is plotted on the line chart during a round of play. A random number generator randomly determines the vertical axis value for each point plotted along the segmented line.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Eugene Jarvis, Andrew Eloff
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Patent number: 7473173Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reel sets connected where at least one of the reel sets includes concentric reels having an inner reel and an outer reel. The inner reel includes a plurality of symbols and a plurality of symbol positions where at least two of the symbols are displayed by one of the symbol positions. The outer reel defines a plurality of different viewable areas where one of the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to view at least one of the symbols through a first viewable area and a different number of the symbols through a second viewable area. A processor causes the inner reel and the outer reel to move and provides any outcome to the player based on any symbols displayed by the first viewable area or the second viewable area when the first or second viewable area is indicated on the outer reel.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Tonja M. Peterson, William L. Hecht, Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 7374484Abstract: In a method for manufacturing instant lottery tickets where book numbers and ticket numbers are printed on the tickets utilizing a dual security process such that the book numbers are shuffled in each pool before the tickets are printed to break the link between the book numbers the ticket numbers or validation numbers, a reversing process can be used under certain predefined conditions to relate the original book numbers to the ticket numbers or validation numbers. In one example, where a shuffling algorithm utilizing seeds is used to shuffle the book numbers, the seeds used in the algorithm are maintained in an encrypted file. A decryption key for the encrypted seed file can be used by a lottery administration or trusted third party to reconstruct game play indicia for game adjustment purposes and manufacturing adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Scientific Games Inc.Inventor: Joseph W. Bennett, III
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Patent number: 7364505Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a value input device, a display unit that is capable of generating video images, a light array, an audio output device, and a controller operatively coupled to said value input device, said display unit, said light array and said audio output device, said controller including a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager, to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit, to determine a game event mode, to selectively perform one of: (i) to cause a sound segment to be generated on said audio output device and synchronize a light pattern to be generated on said light array with the sound segment and (ii) to control said light array directly to cause a light pattern to be generated on said light array according to the game event mode, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Richard L. Wilder, Joseph R. Hedrick, William Wells
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Patent number: 7354344Abstract: A gaming device which includes a plurality of interactive player-selectable symbols which is offered to a player during a game played upon the gaming device. The player may select one or more of the player-selectable symbols to be added to one or more plurality of symbols which were initially provided to the player.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Craig A. Paulsen, Binh T. Nguyen