Patents by Inventor Loren T. Nelson

Loren T. Nelson 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: 8257180
    Abstract: A gaming system having one or more reconfigurable gaming machines and reconfigurable gaming displays is disclosed herein. Each gaming machine includes three reconfigurable video screens, wherein the reconfigurable first video screen displays a first game located on the gaming machine, and wherein the second reconfigurable video screen and the third reconfigurable video screen display pay tables associated with the first game, artwork associated with the first game, or combinations thereof. The one or more gaming machines are reconfigurable to display a second game on the three reconfigurable video screens in response to receiving a reconfiguration command and downloading the second game from a server via a network so that the second game is displayed on the first reconfigurable video screen, and wherein the second reconfigurable video screen and the third reconfigurable video screen display pay tables associated with the second game, artwork associated with the second game, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Hill, Shawn G. Quick, Loren T. Nelson, James W. Morrow, Robert L. Miodunski
  • Patent number: 8246452
    Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120202582
    Abstract: A gaming system having one or more reconfigurable gaming machines and reconfigurable gaming displays is disclosed herein. Each gaming machine includes three reconfigurable video screens, wherein the reconfigurable first video screen displays a first game located on the gaming machine, and wherein the second reconfigurable video screen and the third reconfigurable video screen display pay tables associated with the first game, artwork associated with the first game, or combinations thereof. The one or more gaming machines are reconfigurable to display a second game on the three reconfigurable video screens in response to receiving a reconfiguration command and downloading the second game from a server via a network so that the second game is displayed on the first reconfigurable video screen, and wherein the second reconfigurable video screen and the third reconfigurable video screen display pay tables associated with the second game, artwork associated with the second game, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Hill, Shawn G. Quick, Loren T. Nelson, James W. Morrow, Robert L. Miodunski
  • Publication number: 20120157188
    Abstract: A gaming system that uses centrally determined game outcomes to generate both a simulated primary game and a multiplicity of bonus games are revealed. The predetermined outcome bonus games are designed to mimic actual Nevada-style bonus games using novel methods to both create the look-and-feel of the actual bonus games as well as being able to use existing central determination game system protocols, which have severe limitations in their message fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Delaney, Loren T. Nelson, Warren R. White, Robert A. Luciano, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120108313
    Abstract: A system and method of increasing player interest in gaming machines is disclosed by the use of lottery entries as prizes. Lottery entries are funded from either coin-in (wagers), coin-out (winnings), or in networked gaming systems from player tracking funding (promotional funding).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, JR., Loren T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8167723
    Abstract: A gaming system having a reconfigurable gaming machines and reconfigurable gaming displays is disclosed herein. The gaming system comprises one or more gaming machines including one or more reconfigurable video displays where at least one display presents video content for a game of chance and one display presents game information. The gaming machines are capable of receiving and presenting downloadable information on the reconfigurable video displays. The gaming system also includes a configurable display sign associated with the gaming machines. The configurable display sign includes one or more video displays, and the configurable display sign is capable of receiving and presenting downloadable information on the video displays. The gaming system also includes a processor that is in communication with the gaming machines and the configurable display sign. The processor is capable of altering the content displayed on one or more of the reconfigurable video displays and the configurable display sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Hill, Shawn G. Quick, Loren T. Nelson, James W. Morrow, Robert L. Miodunski
  • Patent number: 7967675
    Abstract: A gaming system that uses centrally determined game outcomes to generate both a simulated primary game and a multiplicity of bonus games are revealed. The predetermined outcome bonus games are designed to mimic actual Nevada-style bonus games using novel methods to both create the look-and-feel of the actual bonus games as well as being able to use existing central determination game system protocols, which have severe limitations in their message fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Delaney, Loren T. Nelson, Warren R. White, Robert A. Luciano, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110117992
    Abstract: Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods having an accumulation bonus feature game including randomly generated icons which may pay an award each time an accumulation threshold is reached, at which time as associated accumulator is reset to allow further accumulation and awards. In some embodiments, termination icons gradually end the feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Loren T. Nelson, Joseph Kisenwether
  • Patent number: 7942732
    Abstract: Wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and associated methods are disclosed that include a simultaneous multi-play feature. One disclosed aspect provides for multiple sets of reels which spin simultaneously, each reel set corresponding to a particular objective. Another disclosed aspect provides that an award be paid based on the number of achieved objectives at the end of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7874903
    Abstract: A system and method for adding a bonus round to any poker-style card game on a Nevada-style gaming machine. The bonus round is characterized by the existence of a match card. The match card is not part of the traditional poker hand (the “in-hand” cards) of the player, and only comes into play during a bonus round. The suit and value of the match card may be generated by the game machine or a remote game controller or backend server. The match card is then displayed in a manner visually associating the match card with one of the player's “in-hand” cards. A bonus is determined by evaluating the associated pair. Alternatively a bonus may be determined first, in which case the game machine determines a match card and associated card from the player's in-hand cards that is the equivalent of the predetermined bonus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren R. White, Loren T. Nelson, Dimo D. Ditchev, Russ F. Marsden
  • Patent number: 7798898
    Abstract: A game usable by a player to make use of either residual game credits or partial game credits is disclosed. New aspects of the game include a fixed wager amount that is convertible with valid voucher from other games in a casino, a fixed win amount per game win event per session (a game session is a plurality of individual game plays), and the game's ability to repeat game play without player intervention. These qualities allow a player to present otherwise unusable or uninteresting game credits to the game of the present invention and then watch as the game first determines the number of individual game plays and then plays an entire game session without any player interaction required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Loren T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100144418
    Abstract: A system of increasing player interest in gaming machines is disclosed by the use of lottery tickets as prizes. Lottery ticket purchasing pools are funded from either coin-in (wagers), coin-out (winnings), or in networked gaming systems from player tracking funding (promotional funding). The lottery ticket funding pools build value to a predetermined level, and then individual game machine printers are issued instructions to print lottery tickets (or vouchers redeemable for lottery tickets) to players. This enables an alternative to traditional progressives while providing similar player interest and excitement while using fewer casino resources than traditional progressives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, JR., Loren T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100130284
    Abstract: A method of increasing player interest in gaming machines is disclosed by the use of lottery tickets as prizes. Lottery ticket purchasing pools are funded from either coin-in (wagers), coin-out (winnings), or in networked gaming systems from player tracking funding (promotional funding). The lottery ticket funding pools build value to a predetermined level, and then individual game machine printers are issued instructions to print lottery tickets (or vouchers redeemable for lottery tickets) to players. This enables an alternative to traditional progressives while providing similar player interest and excitement while using fewer casino resources than traditional progressives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, JR., Loren T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090176554
    Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090124389
    Abstract: Wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and associated methods are disclosed that include a randomly selected feature game. One disclosed aspect provides for a wagering game including a primary game and a plurality of feature games. One or more of the plurality of feature games is selected for play upon a triggering event associated with the primary game. In another disclosed aspect, the wagering game may also include at least two types of progressives including wide-area progressives, casino-wide progressives, bank progressives and stand-alone progressives. Another disclosed aspect provides a pay table, wherein the pay table changes dynamically according to the size of a wager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Loren T. Nelson, Michael DePalma, Charles Ryan Leach, Dougal William Austin
  • Publication number: 20090124322
    Abstract: Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a multi-progressive feature. During play of a feature game, tallies are kept of the appearance of various symbols. One or more progressive awards may be paid based on the tallies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren T. Nelson, Jeffrey Mincey, Michael Delaney
  • Publication number: 20090124343
    Abstract: Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a multi-progressive feature. During play of a feature game, tallies are kept of the appearance of various symbols. One or more progressive awards may be paid based on the tallies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren T. Nelson, Jeffrey Mincey, Michael Delaney
  • Publication number: 20090124391
    Abstract: Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a multi-progressive feature. During play of a feature game, tallies are kept of the appearance of various symbols. One or more progressive awards may be paid based on the tallies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren T. Nelson, Jeffrey Mincey, Michael Delaney
  • Patent number: D601637
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon H. Myers, Loren T. Nelson
  • Patent number: D625368
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Loren T. Nelson, Alexander H. White