Patents by Inventor James G. Nolz

James G. Nolz 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: 7846015
    Abstract: A gaming device, wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines the player's success or failure in the round. The game is readily adaptable to becoming a pseudo-skill game that would be required in most gaming jurisdictions. In one pseudo-skill embodiment, the skill game is converted to a game employing skill, but which is controlled by a set number of successful outcomes. That is, the player keeps playing until the player's skill produces the set number of successful outcomes. In another pseudo-skill embodiment, the game only appears to the player as involving skill. Instead, the gaming device randomly determines when and how many times to produce a successful outcome and increase the player's award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7789749
    Abstract: A gaming device wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines or appears to determine the player's success or failure. In reality, a database of information stores a number of successful results, and the game selects an award for each successful result. The action or event involves skill in real life, which requires the player to estimate the time an action will require and/or requires the player to aim at an object or estimate the direction necessary to successfully produce a result. The game can employ software adapted to determine if a player's aim or timing is successful. The game can alternatively randomly determine the player's success. The game displays the player's attempt or action on the screen depicting success or failure and awards gaming device credits or multipliers for successful results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz
  • Patent number: 7175524
    Abstract: A gaming device, wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines the player's success or failure in the round. The game is readily adaptable to becoming a pseudo-skill game that would be required in most gaming jurisdictions. In one pseudo-skill embodiment, the skill game is converted to a game employing skill, but which is controlled by a set number of successful outcomes. That is, the player keeps playing until the player's skill produces the set number of successful outcomes. In another pseudo-skill embodiment, the game only appears to the player as involving skill. Instead, the gaming device randomly determines when and how many times to produce a successful outcome and increase the player's award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7056210
    Abstract: A gaming device wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines or appears to determine the player's success or failure. In reality, a database of information stores a number of successful results, and the game selects an award for each successful result. The action or event involves skill in real life, which requires the player to estimate the time an action will require and/or requires the player to aim at an object or estimate the direction necessary to successfully produce a result. The game can employ software adapted to determine if a player's aim or timing is successful. The game can alternatively randomly determine the player's success. The game displays the player's attempt or action on the screen depicting success or failure and awards gaming device credits or multipliers for successful results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz
  • Publication number: 20040198490
    Abstract: A gaming device wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines or appears to determine the player's success or failure. In reality, a database of information stores a number of successful results, and the game selects an award for each successful result. The action or event involves skill in real life, which requires the player to estimate the time an action will require and/or requires the player to aim at an object or estimate the direction necessary to successfully produce a result. The game can employ software adapted to determine if a player's aim or timing is successful. The game can alternatively randomly determine the player's success. The game displays the player's attempt or action on the screen depicting success or failure and awards gaming device credits or multipliers for successful results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz
  • Patent number: 6780103
    Abstract: The present provides a gaming device, wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines the player's success or failure in the round. The game is readily adaptable to becoming a pseudo-skill game that would be required in most gaming jurisdictions. In one pseudo-skill embodiment, the skill game is converted to a game employing skill, but which is controlled by a set number of successful outcomes. That is, the player keeps playing until the player's skill produces the set number of successful outcomes. In another pseudo-skill embodiment, the game only appears to the player as involving skill. Instead, the gaming device randomly determines when and how many times to produce a successful outcome and increase the player's award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 6761632
    Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines or appears to determine the player's success or failure. In reality, a database of information stores a number of successful results, and the game selects an award for each successful result. The action or event involves skill in real life, which requires the player to estimate the time an action will require and/or requires the player to aim at an object or estimate the direction necessary to successfully produce a result. The game can employ software adapted to determine if a player's aim or timing is successful. The game can alternatively randomly determine the player's success. The game displays the player's attempt or action on the screen depicting success or failure and awards gaming device credits or multipliers for successful results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz
  • Publication number: 20020077165
    Abstract: The present provides a gaming device, wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines the player's success or failure in the round. The game is readily adaptable to becoming a pseudo-skill game that would be required in most gaming jurisdictions. In one pseudo-skill embodiment, the skill game is converted to a game employing skill, but which is controlled by a set number of successful outcomes. That is, the player keeps playing until the player's skill produces the set number of successful outcomes. In another pseudo-skill embodiment, the game only appears to the player as involving skill. Instead, the gaming device randomly determines when and how many times to produce a successful outcome and increase the player's award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20020049082
    Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines or appears to determine the player's success or failure. In reality, a database of information stores a number of successful results, and the game selects an award for each successful result. The action or event involves skill in real life, which requires the player to estimate the time an action will require and/or requires the player to aim at an object or estimate the direction necessary to successfully produce a result. The game can employ software adapted to determine if a player's aim or timing is successful. The game can alternatively randomly determine the player's success. The game displays the player's attempt or action on the screen depicting success or failure and awards gaming device credits or multipliers for successful results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz