Patents by Inventor Michael A. Kuhlmann
Michael A. Kuhlmann 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).
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Publication number: 20230386287Abstract: A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a control unit operably coupled to the control panel and the display device. The control unit including a processor programmed to execute an algorithm to display an animated sequence of computer-generated images on the display device including the steps of displaying a game screen on the display device including a plurality of reels, establishing a plurality of predefined subsets of cells, displaying a plurality of player selectable feature area buttons on a touchscreen with each player selectable feature area associated with a corresponding subset of cells, receiving a player's selection of a selected player selectable feature area button and highlighting a feature area including the corresponding subset of cells, animating the plurality of reels to spin and stop and displaying a game feature upon detecting the occurrence of a predetermined symbol appearing in the highlighted feature area.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Benjamin Merkel, John Pariseau, Satoshi Suda
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Publication number: 20230290222Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine includes a controller programmed to display the skill-based wagering game on a display device, receive a signal indicating a wager being received from the player, and initiate the skill-based wagering game. The controller determines a player skill level value associated with the player based on player skill operations received during game play and accesses RTP value data to determine an RTP value based on the determined player skill level value and the received wager amount. The controller generates a plurality of primary awards as a function of the determined RTP value, displays a primary award selection screen to select a primary award from the plurality of primary awards, and adjust the credit balance based on the player selected primary award.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Scott Delekta, Michael Kuhlmann, Satoshi Suda
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Patent number: 11688230Abstract: A gaming machine provides an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit is an operation of the player. The display unit displays a display area with a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The control unit allows a player to establish a wager, to establish one of a plurality of predefined subsets of the cells as a feature area as a function of the wager and to provide a game in response to player operation. The control unit randomly selects a plurality of symbols associated with the display area. Each symbol in the plurality of symbols is associated with one of the plurality of cells in the grid. The plurality of symbols forming an outcome of the game; detect an occurrence of a predetermined symbol in the feature area; and provide a game feature as a function of the occurrence of the predetermined symbol.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Benjamin Merkel, John Pariseau, Satoshi Suda
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Patent number: 11640749Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine includes a controller programmed to display the skill-based wagering game on a display device, receive a signal indicating a wager being received from the player, and initiate the skill-based wagering game. The controller determines a player skill level value associated with the player based on player skill operations received during game play and accesses RTP value data to determine an RTP value based on the determined player skill level value and the received wager amount. The controller generates a plurality of primary awards as a function of the determined RTP value, displays a primary award selection screen to select a primary award from the plurality of primary awards, and adjust the credit balance based on the player selected primary award.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Scott Delekta, Michael Kuhlmann, Satoshi Suda
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Publication number: 20220254223Abstract: A gaming machine provides an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit is an operation of the player. The display unit displays a display area with a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The control unit allows a player to establish a wager, to establish one of a plurality of predefined subsets of the cells as a feature area as a function of the wager and to provide a game in response to player operation. The control unit randomly selects a plurality of symbols associated with the display area. Each symbol in the plurality of symbols is associated with one of the plurality of cells in the grid. The plurality of symbols forming an outcome of the game; detect an occurrence of a predetermined symbol in the feature area; and provide a game feature as a function of the occurrence of the predetermined symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Benjamin Merkel, John Pariseau, Satoshi Suda
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Patent number: 11205317Abstract: A gaming machine provides an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit is an operation of the player. The display unit displays a display area with a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The control unit allows a player to establish a wager, to establish one of a plurality of predefined subsets of the cells as a feature area as a function of the wager and to provide a game in response to player operation. The control unit randomly selects a plurality of symbols associated with the display area. Each symbol in the plurality of symbols is associated with one of the plurality of cells in the grid. The plurality of symbols forming an outcome of the game; detect an occurrence of a predetermined symbol in the feature area; and provide a game feature as a function of the occurrence of the predetermined symbol.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Benjamin Merkel, John Pariseau, Satoshi Suda
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Publication number: 20210150859Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine includes a controller programmed to display the skill-based wagering game on a display device, receive a signal indicating a wager being received from the player, and initiate the skill-based wagering game. The controller determines a player skill level value associated with the player based on player skill operations received during game play and accesses RTP value data to determine an RTP value based on the determined player skill level value and the received wager amount. The controller generates a plurality of primary awards as a function of the determined RTP value, displays a primary award selection screen to select a primary award from the plurality of primary awards, and adjust the credit balance based on the player selected primary award.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Scott Delekta, Michael Kuhlmann, Satoshi Suda
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Publication number: 20200353853Abstract: A locking device for a component rotatably mounted on a bearing block, includes a lock mechanism for locking the component in different angular positions, and a switching mechanism for switching the lock mechanism between locking and release positions, the lock mechanism being a clamping lock mechanism including inner and outer rings, one held stationary on the bearing block and the other rotatably connected to the rotatable component with an annular gap therebetween, pairs of clamping bodies in the annular gap, a clamping contour on one ring and delimiting the gap, the clamping bodies and clamping contour being mirror-symmetrical, elastic spreading members between clamping bodies of each pair and prestress the clamping bodies into a clamping position, and a release element including release fingers which, in the release position, engage into intermediate spaces between pairs of clamping bodies and is rotatable together with the ring with the clamping contour.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Michael Geis
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Publication number: 20200113336Abstract: An inclination-adjustable armrest (10) includes a pivot bearing (12) formed at one end of the armrest, the pivot bearing defining a pivotal axis (A) for the armrest, a clamping-type locking mechanism (16) arranged on the pivotal axis and being adapted to be unlocked by a release member (20) that is rotatable about the pivotal axis, and an actuating mechanism for actuating the release member, wherein the actuating mechanism has a release lever (22) that is connected to the release member (20) and is rotatable about the pivotal axis (A) and which extends through the interior of the armrest (10) to the end of the armrest opposite to the pivot bearing (12) and exits the armrest at that opposite end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Dmitry Friesen, Michael Kuhlmann
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Patent number: 10611285Abstract: A seat adjuster having a fixed part (12), a drive element (26), an output element (22, 24), a clamping body coupling arrangement (16) by means of which a back and forth movement of the drive element (22, 24) out of a neutral position and back into the neutral position is converted into a continued movement of the output element (22, 24) in a uniform direction of rotation, and a releasable locking device for locking the output element (22) in a form-fitting manner on the fixed part (12), characterized in that the locking device is formed by a locking ring (74) which is axially displaceable between a locking position, in which it is non-rotatably coupled to the output element (22), and a release position, and cam surfaces (82, 84) are formed on the locking ring (74) and the drive element (26), which cam surfaces are complementary to one another and translate a rotation of the drive element (26) away from the neutral position into an axial movement of the locking ring (74) into the released position.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Rollax GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Jörg Franke
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Publication number: 20190001847Abstract: A seat adjuster having a fixed part (12), a drive element (26), an output element (22, 24), a clamping body coupling arrangement (16) by means of which a back and forth movement of the drive element (22, 24) out of a neutral position and back into the neutral position is converted into a continued movement of the output element (22, 24) in a uniform direction of rotation, and a releasable locking device for locking the output element (22) in a form-fitting manner on the fixed part (12), characterized in that the locking device is formed by a locking ring (74) which is axially displaceable between a locking position, in which it is non-rotatably coupled to the output element (22), and a release position, and cam surfaces (82, 84) are formed on the locking ring (74) and the drive element (26), which cam surfaces are complementary to one another and translate a rotation of the drive element (26) away from the neutral position into an axial movement of the locking ring (74) into the released position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Jörg Franke
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Publication number: 20180286175Abstract: A gaming machine provides an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit is an operation of the player. The display unit displays a display area with a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The control unit allows a player to establish a wager, to establish one of a plurality of predefined subsets of the cells as a feature area as a function of the wager and to provide a game in response to player operation. The control unit randomly selects a plurality of symbols associated with the display area. Each symbol in the plurality of symbols is associated with one of the plurality of cells in the grid. The plurality of symbols forming an outcome of the game; detect an occurrence of a predetermined symbol in the feature area; and provide a game feature as a function of the occurrence of the predetermined symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Michael Kuhlmann, Benjamin Merkel, John Pariseau, Satoshi Suda
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Publication number: 20180068529Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine includes a controller programmed to display the skill-based wagering game on a display device, receive a signal indicating a wager being received from the player, and initiate the skill-based wagering game. The controller determines a player skill level value associated with the player based on player skill operations received during game play and accesses RTP value data to determine an RTP value based on the determined player skill level value and the received wager amount. The controller generates a plurality of primary awards as a function of the determined RTP value, displays a primary award selection screen to select a primary award from the plurality of primary awards, and adjust the credit balance based on the player selected primary award.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Scott Delekta, Michael Kuhlmann, Satoshi Suda
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Patent number: 8978863Abstract: A silent ratchet including at least one clamping element (16) and an outer ring (12) and an inner ring (14) arranged coaxially in the outer ring, the inner and outer rings together forming a raceway (18) and a clamping contour (20?) for the clamping element (16), wherein the outer ring (12) and the inner ring (14) are each formed by a plurality of lamella (12a-12d; 14a-14c) stacked one over the other and rigidly held together.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Rollax GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Milto Benjamin, Michael Kuhlmann
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Publication number: 20130119212Abstract: A silent ratchet including at least one clamping element (16) and an outer ring (12) and an inner ring (14) arranged coaxially in the outer ring, the inner and outer rings together forming a raceway (18) and a clamping contour (20?) for the clamping element (16), wherein the outer ring (12) and the inner ring (14) are each formed by a plurality of lamella (12a-12d; 14a-14c) stacked one over the other and rigidly held together.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: ROLLAX GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Milto Benjamin, Michael Kuhlmann
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Patent number: 5096156Abstract: Motorized damper apparatus including a conduit, a damper blade movably mounted within the conduit between an open position and a closed position, and mechanism including a motor for moving the damper blade between the open and closed positions. The damper blade is decoupled from the motor after movement of the damper blade from the closed position to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1991Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: Beutler Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.Inventors: Calvin R. Wylie, Michael A. Kuhlmann, Patrick H. Crites