Patents Examined by David W Duffy
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 7354342Abstract: A gaming device includes an award distributor having a plurality of sections having first and second coordinates, a symbol group and a plurality of modifier groups including the sections, a plurality of awards associated with the sections in the symbol group and a plurality of award percentages associated with the sections in the modifier groups, an illumination device associated with the sections, a section indicator associated with the award distributor and a processor in communication with the award distributor. The gaming device determines the first coordinate of one of the modifier groups and then spins the award wheel to determine the second coordinate of one of the sections in the indicated modifier group, which indicates the section. The section indicator also indicates a section including an award in the symbol group. The indicated award is multiplied by the indicated award percentage to provide an activation award to the player.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Craig A. Paulsen, Binh T. Nguyen, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 7264545Abstract: A processor controlled gaming device having a display device, wherein the display device shows the player an offer, enables the player to keep the offer and provides a predefined number of chances for the player to change a component of or upgrade the offer. The player may use all the chances, wherein the game awards the final offer or keep any one of the initial or intermediate offers. In a general embodiment, the game displays a plurality of masked values and a plurality of displayed values on the display device. The initial offer is a combination and preferably an addition of each of the displayed values. The game in one preferred general embodiment allows the player to select the displayed value to mask and thus remove from the offer and the masked value to reveal and add to the offer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Darren Maya, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist