Patents Examined by Scott Jones
  • Patent number: 7025678
    Abstract: A system for implementing a gaming network includes a game console configured to generate game program signals corresponding to a gaming event, and a base unit coupled to the game console for processing the game program signals to produce a game program bitstream. The base unit may then wirelessly transmit the game program bitstream to various remote units which responsively process the game program bitstream to retrieve the foregoing game program signals. The remote units then each perform a pixel identification procedure to individually identify different assigned windows from the game program signals. The remote units also each perform a window zooming procedure to generate remote display video signals corresponding to the assigned windows. The remote units then each advantageously display one of the remote display video signals in a substantially full-screen manner upon respective remote displays coupled to the remote units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Oakes, Ted M. Dunn
  • Patent number: 7022014
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a baseball game in an environment that is difficult to achieve with game-dedicated devices and the joystick used in such devices. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region A, the position (height) of the bat character is raised from the current position. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region B, the position (height) of the bat character is lowered from the current position. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region C, the direction of the bunt is moved toward the left side from the current direction. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region D, the direction of the bunt is moved toward the right side from the current direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Konami Computer Entertainment Osaka, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Namba, Tatsuya Ishikawa, Hidehisa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7001274
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having unisymbol display reels, wherein each symbol on a display of the gaming device represents or is included on a different reel. The present invention structures the paylines of the gaming device in such that the gaming device can include different reel strips having different winning symbols or different proportions of winning symbols, while still maintaining payout symbols and payout combinations that have uniform odds and uniform payouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6997808
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes symbols having a transformation probability. The gaming device in one embodiment includes an activator symbol. When the activator symbol is displayed, a processor of the gaming device determines the transformation probability of each of the displayed symbols and randomly determines which, if any, symbols are to be transformed into wild symbols or other functional symbols based on the transformation probability of the symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Shawn Van Asdale
  • Patent number: 6979263
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bonus round of gaming device in which the player either wins that which the player does not select or the player selectively replaces one award with another award with the hopes of maximizing an ultimate award. In the embodiment wherein the player wins that which the player does not select, one or more selections are made from the plurality of symbols, and the game provides awards assigned to the unselected choices or symbols. In the replacement embodiment, the game replaces the award of a selected symbol with an alternative type of award. In one example, the awards assigned to the unselected symbols are gaming device credits, while the converted or replaced awards assigned to selected symbols are multipliers. After replacement, the game sums the credits, sums the multipliers and multiplies the credits by the multipliers to produce an ultimate award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Lance R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6971955
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bonus round of gaming device in which the player either wins that which the player does not select or the player selectively replaces one award with another award with the hopes of maximizing an ultimate award. In the embodiment wherein the player wins that which the player does not select, one or more selections are made from the plurality of symbols, and the game provides awards assigned to the unselected choices or symbols. In the replacement embodiment, the game replaces the award of a selected symbol with an alternative type of award. In one example, the awards assigned to the unselected symbols are gaming device credits, while the converted or replaced awards assigned to selected symbols are multipliers. After replacement, the game sums the credits, sums the multipliers and multiplies the credits by the multipliers to produce an ultimate award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Lance R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6971954
    Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive, ongoing bonus game that operates at the same time as a base game of a gaming device and thereby enhances a player's award. The present invention provides one or more graduating multiplier or modifier displays, wherein the displays designate a position of value for each modifier. When certain symbols or combinations of symbols appear on the reels of the gaming device, the present invention modifies either the player's base game wager or a base game payout by the designated value of one of the modifiers. When certain other symbols or combinations of symbols appear on the reels of the gaming device, the present invention increases the designated value position for one or more of the modifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dov L. Randall, Peter Gerrard
  • Patent number: 6962531
    Abstract: An automated system uses a decisioning system to schedule service attendants to service events at patron locations. The decisioning system schedules the events for servicing using various factors to establish the priority of different events. Service attendants are paged by the system to inform them of a service to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Harrah's Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Pace, Thomas W. Cook
  • Patent number: 6932698
    Abstract: A treasure hunt type game that utilizes location positioning technology equipped wireless communications devices. Players are given clues or directions to proceed along one of many predetermined treasure hunt routes based on their location. Based on these clues or directions, players change their locations. Based on these changed locations, as determined by the location positioning devices, additional clues or directions are given to the players until one of the players completes the treasure hunt route and arrives at the treasure to win the game. The game also incorporates other variables in determining the clues to provide to players, such as the location of other players, the previous locations of the player and other players and whether the player has correctly solved certain clues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Sprogis
  • Patent number: 6931290
    Abstract: A computerized system for instructing a player in an athletic sport includes a screen listing a plurality of discrete physical factors describing a real or hypothetical situation in the sport. A player enters a plurality of personal discrete actions that may be taken in response to the situation. The system selects from memory a corresponding plurality of discrete actions defining an expert response to the situation. The system compares the personal discrete actions and the expert discrete actions and provides expert comments when there are differences. The actual discrete actions taken by the player and the actual results are stored, and this information as well as personal data entered by the player is used by the system in subsequently selecting an expert response adjusted to the particular player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Carl A. Forest
  • Patent number: 6811494
    Abstract: A shooting game machine includes a target unit in which targets are arranged at four stages. A token discharge device faces the target unit and is operable by a game player to discharge a token while selectively aiming at any of the plurality of targets. Display units are provided in correspondence with the respective targets for displaying scores corresponding to the targets, and a target processor sets the scores to be displayed on the display units. A jackpot appearing position/time determining processor sets a special high score on one of the display units which is selectively changed over time. Impact sensor units detect when the token hits the corresponding target, and a dispenser pays tickets out to the game player corresponding to the score on the display unit corresponding to the hit target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Tamura, Hirofumi Nagao, Satoshi Ueda, Nozomu Nonomura