Patents by Inventor Bayard S. Webb

Bayard S. Webb has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6981917
    Abstract: A gaming device including a primary game having one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games associated with the symbol generators. The gaming device activates the symbol generators for a number of activations. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more of the secondary games associated with the symbol generators. In one embodiment, the gaming device continues to activate the symbol generators until at least one of the symbol generators generates one or more termination symbols, or until there are no activations remaining in the primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6960132
    Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of player selectable selections, steps towards termination associated with each selection, a termination limit and an offer associated with each number of steps. The steps are associated with or determine the offers provided to the player. The game provides no further offers when the maximum number of offers have been awarded, the player accepts an offer, or the player's accumulated steps meet or exceed the termination limit. The game preferably provides a consolation award to the player when the player's steps meet or exceed the termination limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6942567
    Abstract: A gaming device having an offer and acceptance bonus game which enables the player to determine all of the offers made to the player prior to any of them being displayed to the player. An alternative embodiment enables the player to obtain modified offers during the play of the bonus game by providing the player with additional picks which correspond to additional or combined offers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb, Anna Sheila C. Parrucho
  • Patent number: 6942566
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that enables a player to initiate a randomly generated number, wherein said number determines the number of positions that a position marker will move along an enclosed path. Each time the marker lands upon a previously unmarked position, the game provides an award associated with that position to the player. When the marker lands upon a previously marked position, the game ends. The present invention also contemplates updating or changing the values of unmarked or unselected positions along the enclosed path by preferably adding to each unmarked or unselected position the value of the award of a previously selected position. That is, when the game randomly selects an unmarked position, the game provides the player with an award, wherein the game preferably replaces a previously achieved award with the award of the newly selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6939224
    Abstract: The present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device having a display device in communication with the processor. When the display device receives an input from the player, gaming device 10 randomly generates an outcome, the display device displays an event having the outcome and gaming device 10 provides the player with a payout in association with the outcome and the selected input. The inputs have paytables that vary in range. One input has a large, risky payout range with big and small payouts. One input has a small, conservative payout range with intermediate payouts. Other inputs have ranges that fall in between the risky and conservative ranges. Each of the ranges has the same overall expected value, so that gaming device 10 does not favor the player's choice of a risky or conservative input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Gregg J. Palmer, Lance R. Peterson, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6918832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device feature which involves one or more symbols which travel from location to location on one or more reels. The travel can occur at any time during a primary game or bonus round, however it preferably occurs to accompany an outcome such as a value award. This travel feature provides players with engaging entertainment and increases player enjoyment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Lance R. Peterson, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6852030
    Abstract: A gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that provides an offer/acceptance game, wherein the player preferably knows all the necessary information to make an informed decision whether to risk a currently held award and attempt to obtain a higher value award. The game determines the success or failure of a game event regardless of whether the player risks the offer award. If the player keeps an offer award, the game still displays a success or failure outcome, so that the player can see what the player missed, good or bad. The game also includes a plurality of levels or offers, wherein the player can sequentially trade up a currently held offer award a plurality of preferably predetermined times. The game is preferably embodied in a plurality of sequentially more difficult motorcycle jumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6843722
    Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus game wherein a mechanical device activates immediately after a player picking a selection having a terminator which ends a selection portion of the bonus game. The bonus game provides a player with a number of masked selections displayed on a display device. Each selection has an associated award and at least one selection has an associated terminator. The game enables the player to pick selections and accumulate a preliminary bonus award until picking a selection having a terminator. When the player picks a selection revealing a terminator, the processor immediately thereafter activates the mechanical device and after a period of time causes the mechanical device to display a modifier to the player which modifies the preliminary bonus award, thus determining the player's final bonus award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6814664
    Abstract: A method of operating gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 6811483
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for operation a gaming device and preferably a bonus round of said device, whereby the game provides the player an initial sequence which results in a successful or unsuccessful outcome. If the player obtains a successful outcome, the player may use an award provided by obtaining said successful outcome. In a subsequent sequence wherein the player can selectively keep an award or attempt to sequentially exchange or trade up to a point or award total that enables the player to obtain a final and desirable ultimate award. The player preferably knows the existence of the ultimate award, and the present invention preferably discloses or reveals the value of the player's currently held or currently obtained award. The game can also reveal the value of the intermediate award steps as the player decides to go for the ultimate award or settle for the currently held award. The game preferably provides a consolation award to a player upon an unsuccessful exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 6808452
    Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of player selectable selections, steps towards termination associated with each selection, a termination limit and an offer associated with each number of steps. The steps are associated with or determine the offers provided to the player. The game provides no further offers when the maximum number of offers have been awarded, the player accepts an offer, or the player's accumulated steps meet or exceed the termination limit. The game preferably provides a consolation award to the player when the player's steps meet or exceed the termination limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Publication number: 20040209663
    Abstract: A gaming device with a primary game scheme which includes one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more secondary games. If the player reaches a win condition in one or more secondary games, the gaming device provides the player with an award. This type of game scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6802775
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of a gaming device having an element and element group selection and elimination bonus scheme for randomly determining an award. The gaming device provides a selection and elimination sequence of an element from a group. The bonus scheme continually selects and eliminates a next element from a successive group at least containing the previously selected element. The bonus scheme awards a player when the game ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6796900
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a gaming device having a processor and a display device connected to the processor. The display device displays a plurality of choices to a player, whereby each choice has an associated number of points. The processor provides an initial number of picks to the player. The processor also maintains a regeneration amount, whereby the player receives a new number of picks if the points associated with the player's choices accumulate at least to the regeneration amount, within the provided number of picks. In one embodiment accumulating points includes accumulating awards. If the player accumulates a predetermined goal amount of points, the player also wins a goal award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Ryan William Cuddy, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6793578
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device having a primary game with a bonus triggering event that affects the outcome of a secondary or bonus game. The number of symbols in the bonus game is dependant on the number of bonus triggering symbols in the bonus triggering event. After generating a number of bonus triggering symbols in the base or primary game, the gaming device animates the bonus triggering symbols and generates a related number of bonus symbols. The gaming device provides an award based on the combination of the bonus symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Matthew Luccesi, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland, Randall D. Mead, Johnny L. Palchetti, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20040171415
    Abstract: A gaming device including a primary game having one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games associated with the symbol generators. The gaming device activates the symbol generators for a number of activations. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more of the secondary games associated with the symbol generators. In one embodiment, the gaming device continues to activate the symbol generators until at least one of the symbol generators generates one or more termination symbols, or until there are no activations remaining in the primary game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6783458
    Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game is provided. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, Ryan W. Cuddy, John H. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 6780110
    Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein the success or failure of a current selection directly affects the player's chances for success in a later selection and the player's chances for obtaining the highest bonus award possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20040162128
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that enables a player to initiate a randomly generated number, wherein said number determines the number of positions that a position marker will move along an enclosed path. Each time the marker lands upon a previously unmarked position, the game provides an award associated with that position to the player. When the marker lands upon a previously marked position, the game ends. The present invention also contemplates updating or changing the values of unmarked or unselected positions along the enclosed path by preferably adding to each unmarked or unselected position the value of the award of a previously selected position. That is, when the game randomly selects an unmarked position, the game provides the player with an award, wherein the game preferably replaces a previously achieved award with the award of the newly selected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6758750
    Abstract: A gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that provides an offer/acceptance game, wherein the player preferably knows all the necessary information to make an informed decision whether to risk a currently held award and attempt to obtain a higher value award. The game determines the success or failure of a game event regardless of whether the player risks the offer award. If the player keeps an offer award, the game still displays a success or failure outcome, so that the player can see what the player missed, good or bad. The game also includes a plurality of levels or offers, wherein the player can sequentially trade up a currently held offer award a plurality of preferably predetermined times. The game is preferably embodied in a plurality of sequentially more difficult motorcycle jumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb