Patents by Inventor William A. Gwiasda

William A. Gwiasda 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).

  • Gaming machine coin handling system with dedicated local microcontroller
    Patent number: 6827647
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a central processing unit and a local microcontroller. The CPU operates a gaming machine in response to a wager. The local microcontroller is distinct from and coupled to the central processing unit. The local microcontroller performs the low-level coin handling operations independent from the central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, William A. Gwiasda
  • Reel-type slot machine with supplemental payoff
    Patent number: 5449173
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a wildcard symbol is provided at a stop position of one of the reels in a typical reel-type slot machine. In addition to the usual spin and payoff cycle of such a machine, the appearance of the wildcard on the pay line is used to trigger a supplemental pay off under certain circumstances. During the supplemental pay off sequence, the reel on which the wild symbol appears is caused to shake or jitter while coins fall into the trough as if money were being shaken off a tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, William A. Gwiasda