Patents by Inventor Joseph E. Kaminkow

Joseph E. Kaminkow 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).

  • Publication number: 20040198488
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that enables the player to build a number of awards by selecting choices from one or more sets of choices and further enables the player to select a final award choice that randomly provides one of the awards when the player finishes building the awards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Paulina Glavich
  • Patent number: 6796905
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Gregg J. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20040185927
    Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes a plurality of value sets and a plurality of inputs which a player can make. After a player makes particular inputs, the gaming device stores in memory or designates certain values in certain value sets which are associated with the input outcomes. After a terminating condition occurs, the gaming device awards the player with certain stored or designated values. This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 6793579
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Gregg J. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20040180710
    Abstract: A gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Gregg J. Palmer, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6780105
    Abstract: The present invention includes a bonus round of a gaming device wherein a video display contains multiple or split screens displayed at one time. Each of the screens preferably displays indicia relating to a single event employed by the game, and thus each of the screens preferably displays indicia relating to the other screens of the display. The screens preferably present the event a chronological or otherwise sequential manner. The screens can show different views of the event occurring at one time of the event and can show the same view of different times of the event in one display. At some point, in accordance with the event or theme of the bonus round, the game provides an award to the player in such a way that is exciting to the player. The game can employ one or more of the screens in awarding the player, wherein one or more screens displays the award, and wherein other screens celebrate the award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 6780109
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a transformable wild symbol or card on a set of reels or a transformable wild card in a set of cards. The transformable wild symbol or card provides a signal to a player through a wild indicator or a non-wild indicator. The wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a wild state. The non-wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a non-wild state. In a wild state, the transformable wild symbol or card acts as a wild symbol or card on a set of reels, or a wild card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 6780107
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a pick reduction game. Initially, a plurality of first selections are displayed to the player. Also, a number of picks is displayed to the player where the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections. The player uses the number of picks to pick first selections until the player picks a trigger selection. The number of picks are reduced after each pick by the player. When the player picks the trigger selection, the gaming device displays a plurality of second selections to the player. Each of the second selections is associated with an award. The player picks second selections and receives awards for each picked second selection until there are no picks remaining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Megan N. Schlegel, Randall D. Mead
  • Publication number: 20040152498
    Abstract: A gaming device having a die or dice directly associated with the reels in the primary game. One embodiment of the present invention includes a mechanical die shaker mounted directly adjacent to the reels of the gaming device. The die shaker includes a suitable container that houses at least one die. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device activates the mechanical die shaker to shake or actuate the die simultaneously with the spinning of the reels. If the player obtains one or more predetermined symbols or combinations of symbols on one or more paylines of the reels, the player obtains an award associated with the position of the shaken die. In this embodiment, if the player does not obtain one or more predetermined symbols or combinations of symbols on one or more paylines of the reels, the player will not obtain any award based on the shaken die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Michael MacVittie
  • Patent number: 6769985
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device and method for enhancing an award or a transfer of a plurality of credits. The gaming device and method initially displays one or more audio and visual signals as the device begins to transfer gaming device credits. At certain points, preferably in accordance with the gaming device theme, the device selectively adds one or more visual and audio signals to the original display, as the device transfers more and more credits. The method of adding consecutive layers of sound and visual displays creates denser, richer and more complex displays that associates with larger amounts of accumulated credits. The method contemplates basing the set points on a predetermined amount of time, or a percentage of total credits transferred or on a number of credits transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Laakso, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20040121838
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20040102241
    Abstract: A gaming device that provides a second or replicating display that is an enlarged, preferably simulated replica of the actual display of the reels, paylines and indicia of the paystops of the gaming device. The second or replicating display can exactly recreate the actual rotation or random generation of the reels, represent the random generation of the reels, and do so by providing a slight delay. The present invention also contains a method by which the replicating display presents each of a plurality of award generating or winning paylines individually and sequentially for a predetermined amount of time before culminating in a display of the accumulated winning paylines. The method enables the player to easily see the source of an award, which would otherwise be difficult to discern from a multitude of paylines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 6733386
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Cari L. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 6731313
    Abstract: The present invention enables a player to choose or alter certain symbols displayed on the reels of the gaming device. The player can change or select the changeable symbol at any time as long as the reels are not in motion. The gaming device maintains the change until the player changes the symbol again. The gaming device preferably supplies a touch screen along with a video monitor in which the reels and associated stops are simulated. The touch screen enables the player to simply touch the symbol that the player wishes to change. Pressing a single symbol may change the selected symbol or others linked to the symbol. A stop on the reels having a selectable symbol can provide the player with any number of possible symbols from which to choose. The changeable symbols preferably have a direct effect upon whether the player obtains a gaming device award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20040082374
    Abstract: A gaming device including a game having a plurality of matingly interconnected indicators which are in the form of puzzle pieces that form a puzzle, and a plurality of masked selections associated with the puzzle pieces. The gaming device enables a player picks the selections to reveal one or more of the puzzle pieces in the puzzle. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides an award for each puzzle piece revealed in the puzzle. The player continues to pick selections until the player obtains a designated combination or section of puzzle pieces. After completing the designated combination, the gaming device provides the player with any awards associated with the puzzle pieces in the designated combination. In one embodiment, the gaming device also provides the player with the awards associated with any matingly interconnected puzzle pieces previously selected by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Darren Maya, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20040082378
    Abstract: A gaming device that incorporates mechanical display devices to provide a player-selectable award feature that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. The gaming device randomly generates a plurality of digit positions or places 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 original award. The player can elect to modify the original award using a plurality of methods to create an ultimate award. The gaming device display the digits, digit positions, and modification methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Lance R. Peterson, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, Randall D. Mead
  • Publication number: 20040077396
    Abstract: A game for a gaming device which involves using reels for more than one purpose. The gaming device uses reels to display and determine outcomes, such as awards and penalties. The game also uses the same reels to perform exhibitions for the player. As exhibitions, the reels can be animated, used to form a background screen for exhibitions or used for any combination thereof. This type of game increases player entertainment and excitement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Richard W. Poole, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20040077403
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which involves the disclosure of various values to a player in increments. The player selects one or more symbols, and the game incrementally discloses values associated with such symbols. The gaming device determines an amount based on the disclosed values. In addition, the gaming device enables the player to affect the award based on this amount by making one or more inputs. This type of gaming device increases player excitement and enjoyment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Darren Maya, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 6722982
    Abstract: A gaming device that provides a player with an opportunity to maximize a gaming device award. The gaming device presents the player with a display having a plurality of symbols and enables the player to choose one or more of the symbols. The game reveals the award(s) associated with the selected symbols but does not reveal which awards are associated with which symbols. The game then provides the player with one or more opportunities to upgrade the total award by deselecting one or more of the selected symbols and re-selecting another symbol for each deselected symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Jean M. Brossard, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph R. Hedrick, Lance R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6722983
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that enables the player to build a number of awards by selecting choices from one or more sets of choices and further enables the player to select a final award choice that randomly provides one of the awards when the player finishes building the awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Paulina Glavich