Patents Examined by Corbett Coburn
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Patent number: 7503850Abstract: A bonus scheme for a gaming device which involves multiple award levels for any game scenario having one or more events. Several award levels can be included in a single bonus round. Preferably, various game events are associated with various award levels for a variety of purposes. When an event occurs, the game derives a bonus value from an award level specifically designated for that event. Accordingly, a game can award a player with relatively high or low bonus values, depending upon which event occurs in a game. For example for consolation purposes, the game can award the player with a relatively low bonus value when a bonus round terminates. This type of bonus scheme increases player excitement and enjoyment and generally decreases player frustration.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Paulina Glavich
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Patent number: 7500914Abstract: A gaming device including at least one award generator which is operable to indicate and provide a player one or more awards associated with the award generator. In one embodiment, based on one or more selections picked by a player, the gaming device is operable to indicate one or more activator symbols from one or more sets of activator symbols. Each activator symbol set includes at least one and preferably a plurality of activator symbols. The award generator is activated and based on the indicated activator symbol, the activated award generator generates one or more awards which are provided to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Paulina Rodgers, Hans Elias, Zeke Brill
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Patent number: 7494412Abstract: A computer system operable to communicate with one or more gaming devices. The computer system has a processor and a data storage device. The data storage device stores instructions associated with a game. The instructions are executable to cause the gaming device to display a base, selections and characteristics associated therewith. The instructions are executable to enable one or more selections to be picked to match characteristics of the base.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: IGTInventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 7476153Abstract: A method according to one or more embodiments of the present invention provides for initiating an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of games, and receiving a first signal including a video representation of the automated session. The method also includes transmitting a second signal including the video representation of the automated session to a player communication device.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Jose A. Suarez, Thomas M. Sparico
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Patent number: 7473174Abstract: A gaming device with an accumulator that accumulates re-triggering symbols until a pre-determined number of re-triggering symbols are obtained by the player. A variable amount of free activations as well as a variable threshold amount of re-triggering symbols are necessary to re-trigger a secondary game. The gaming device provides a plurality of player selectable selections. Each selection is associated with a number of activations of the symbol generators as well as a number of re-triggering symbols necessary to re-trigger the secondary game. If the player picked threshold of re-triggering the secondary game is satisfied (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Zeke Brill, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 7470184Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of player selectable selections, steps towards termination associated with each selection, a termination limit and an offer associated with each number of steps. The steps are associated with or determine the offers provided to the player. The game provides no further offers when the maximum number of offers have been awarded, the player accepts an offer, or the player's accumulated steps meet or exceed the termination limit. The game preferably provides a consolation award to the player when the player's steps meet or exceed the termination limit.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
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Patent number: 7465226Abstract: A multi-station game machine, includes a plurality of reels, each reel having a plurality of symbols, and the reels spinning horizontally around a vertical axis. The reels are arranged coaxially in the vertical direction. Each of the reels has a circumferential length which enables at least two players to play a game on the game machine simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2003Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Konami Gaming IncorporatedInventors: Tomonobu Ikeya, Keiri Yoshioka
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Patent number: 7438639Abstract: When stopping all of simulated reels results in magnet symbols belonging to two or more adjacent reels being in a form that the magnet symbols attract each other, the adjacent reels are linked to each other. After that, the reels are variably displayed and stopped with the link of the adjacent reels kept.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Aruze Corp.Inventor: Akira Osawa
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Patent number: 7435173Abstract: A gaming device including an apparatus and method for indicating awards in a game, and specifically to an apparatus and method employing an award indicator disk display. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing mounted on a cabinet of a gaming device, a support mounted in the housing and at least one award disk adapted to slideably engage the support. The disks include one or more symbols. The disks move or slide relative to the support to indicate one or more symbols to a player based on a triggering event in the game.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Markus Rothkranz, Gene E. Powell, Brian K. Baker
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Patent number: 7429214Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic game, including a housing, electronic circuitry positioned within the housing, and a display unit positioned within the housing and electrically coupled to the circuitry. A first sensor is electrically coupled to the circuitry and when activated initiates a first response from the circuitry. A second sensor electrically coupled to the circuitry and when activated prior to activating the first sensor initiates a second response from the circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Brase, Allen Michalik, Ethan Wood, Chi Man Ko, Derek Man, Chris Park
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Patent number: 7419431Abstract: In one embodiment of the game, a matrix of symbols is displayed on a display screen. The matrix may be a 3×3 array of symbols or any other configuration. Each symbol has a selectable direction indicator that points to another symbol or out of the matrix. The direction indicators are randomly selected. An award is based on paths created by the direction indicators. The award may be determined by the path from an entrance into the matrix to an exit out of the matrix, or the award may be based on the patterns formed by the paths. The game may be a main game or a bonus game and can be displayed on a display screen or by motor-driven reels.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Atronic International GmbHInventors: Michael Gauselmann, Stefan Zimmermann
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Patent number: 7407435Abstract: A gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that enables a player to initiate a randomly generated number, wherein said number determines the number of positions that a position marker will move along an enclosed path. Each time the marker lands upon a previously unmarked position, the game provides an award associated with that position to the player. When the marker lands upon a previously marked position, the game ends. The present invention also contemplates updating or changing the values of unmarked or unselected positions along the enclosed path by preferably adding to each unmarked or unselected position the value of the award of a previously selected position. That is, when the game randomly selects an unmarked position, the game provides the player with an award, wherein the game preferably replaces a previously achieved award with the award of the newly selected position.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
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Patent number: 7396280Abstract: There is provided a wireless system for a video game console having at least one of an Infrared (IR) receiver and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver, and further having at least two operation modes including (i) a first game mode capable of playing video games and (ii) a second entertainment mode capable of playing DVD videos. The wireless system includes a dedicated DVD remote control transmitter and a wireless game controller. The dedicated DVD remote control transmitter has DVD player function control buttons and is incapable of controlling all of the game functions of the video game console. The dedicated remote control transmitter wirelessly transmits DVD player control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver for controlling the DVD player functions of the video game console when in the second entertainment mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Arista Enterprises Inc.Inventor: Richard Leifer
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Patent number: 7393291Abstract: A pitching practice apparatus includes a frame unit having a rectangular frame member, X-axis and Y-axis sensor units mounted on the frame member, a control unit connected to the sensor units and to a sound generating device, and a net body provided on the frame unit. The sensor units are operable so as to form sampling regions for sensing entry of a ball into the frame member. The control unit determines position of the ball entering into the frame member, and compares the ball position with preset parameters to determine whether the ball is a good ball or a foul ball. Ball information determined by the control unit is shown on a display device. The sound generating device is used to generate a sound output corresponding to status of the ball that was thrown into the frame member as determined by the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Inventors: Wen-Chih Huang, Jui-Yang Lin
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Patent number: 7392985Abstract: An electronics circuit designed for a matrix array of receivers configured to detect multiple external resistors of close values selected from the 100 ohm to 1 Mohm range, and to provide different responses according to the resistance of a resistor connected to a receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Inventor: Peter Ar-Fu Lam
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Patent number: 7384336Abstract: The specification discloses a progressive gaming system having a central system, at least one prize, a progressive method, and at least one monetary transaction acceptor. The central system is adapted to associate the progressive method with the prize and the monetary transaction acceptor thereby allowing the monetary transaction acceptor to participate for the prize. The progressive method is adapted to determine a participation outcome based at least on the monetary transaction acceptor's contribution percent factor. The specification also discloses a progressive gaming system and methods having the ability to expand the participation base for a progressive prize to include a wide variety of monetary transaction acceptors. The progressive gaming system and methods may have the capability to accept a monetary transaction value in a plurality of currencies or a plurality of denominations of the same currency. The progressive gaming system and methods may support multiple prizes simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Inventor: Lawrence J. Torango
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Patent number: 7363443Abstract: Systems and methods for saving data. A system automatically or manually saves data. The system saves two copies of the data. When a user reaches a point of achievement, the system saves a new copy of data over one of the previous copies. If the new copy of data is unsatisfactory, then the system maintains the other previous copy of the data. If the new copy of the data is satisfactory, then the system copies the new data over the previous data.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.Inventor: Jason Pehr Rubin
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Patent number: 7361089Abstract: A reel spinning gaming device comprises a plurality of selectable reels, where a subset of the selectable reels is the initial active reels. The actuating system is operatively associated with the selectable reels and generates an outcome symbol combination for the active reels. The prize controller determines whether a prize is to be awarded based upon the outcome symbol combination. In one embodiment, the prize controller also initiates a bonus game when a triggering event is present. The reselection system designates a new set of active reels the bonus game(s). The new set of active reels comprises one or more newly active reels and one or more remaining active reels, and the outcome symbols from the one or more newly active reels are used in conjunction with the outcome symbols from the remaining active reels to produce a outcome symbol combination for one or more bonus games.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Terence G. Daly, David B. Schultz, Marvin A. Hein
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Patent number: 7294054Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage, for wagering on a game of chance which includes (a) offering, before a game of chance progression commences, an initial wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, an initial payout for the initial wager based on the pieces having equal chances of winning; and (b) offering, during the progression, a real time wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, a real time payout for the real time wager based on computed chances of a selected piece first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Inventors: David Schugar, Michael Shackleford
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Patent number: 7131907Abstract: An image processing device which places a display object within a virtually-defined three-dimensional space, creates a picture of the display object viewed from a virtual viewpoint with the image processing device, and displays the picture on a display. The image processing device comprises a display body setting element for setting a plurality of display bodies within said three-dimensional space; a display body disposal element for overlappingly disposing one of the plurality of display bodies within the display object, a display body image setting element for setting an image of the display object such that the one of the plurality of display bodies housed within the display object becomes visible, and a display body movement mode reflection element for making at least one movement mode of the one of the plurality of display bodies reflect a movement mode of the display object.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SegaInventors: Toshiaki Miida, Katsuyasu Ando, Mamoru Sugihara, Toshihiro Nagoshi, Jun-ichi Yamada, Hisashi Endo