Patents by Inventor Andrea C. Hughs-Baird

Andrea C. Hughs-Baird 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).

  • Publication number: 20110092274
    Abstract: A gaming device operable upon a wager by at least one player includes: (i) a display device; (ii) first and second entities displayed on the display device, the first entity representing the player; (iii) at least one input device configured to enable the player to choose an offensive play and a defensive play fore the first entity; (iv) wherein the display device is countered to display the offensive and defensive plays being countered by a defensive and offensive play, respectively, for the second entity; and (v) a processor configured to determine an outcome for the player based on at least one of (a) a comparison of the offensive play for the first entity to the defensive play for the second player, and (b) a comparison of the defensive play for the first entity to the offensive play for the second entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Michael N. Low, Michael P. Khamis, Dwayne A. Davis, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7883403
    Abstract: A gaming device operable upon a wager by at least one player includes: (i) a display device; (ii) first and second entities displayed on the display device, the first entity representing the player; (iii) at least one input device configured to enable the player to choose an offensive play and a defensive play fore the first entity; (iv) wherein the display device is countered to display the offensive and defensive plays being countered by a defensive and offensive play, respectively, for the second entity; and (v) a processor configured to determine an outcome for the player based on at least one of (a) a comparison of the offensive play for the first entity to the defensive play for the second player, and (b) a comparison of the defensive play for the first entity to the offensive play for the second entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael N. Low, Michael P. Khamis, Dwayne A. Davis, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7846015
    Abstract: A gaming device, wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines the player's success or failure in the round. The game is readily adaptable to becoming a pseudo-skill game that would be required in most gaming jurisdictions. In one pseudo-skill embodiment, the skill game is converted to a game employing skill, but which is controlled by a set number of successful outcomes. That is, the player keeps playing until the player's skill produces the set number of successful outcomes. In another pseudo-skill embodiment, the game only appears to the player as involving skill. Instead, the gaming device randomly determines when and how many times to produce a successful outcome and increase the player's award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7819744
    Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes at least one input value; a plurality of selections and at least one modifier associated with a selection. The gaming device enables a player to apply input values to desired selections and depending upon which modifiers are associated with the selections, the player can gain a relatively high or low output value. This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20100105469
    Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes at least one input value; a plurality of selections and at least one modifier associated with a selection. The gaming device enables a player to apply input values to desired selections and depending upon which modifiers are associated with the selections, the player can gain a relatively high or low output value. This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7686303
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that presents a plurality of masked value choices to the player, provides a time period in which the player can elect to accept a masked choice and reveals and provides a value associated with the choice to the player if the player accepts in time. If the player does not accept in time or decides not to accept the choice, the gaming device, in one preferred embodiment, reveals the value the player could have accepted when the time period lapses or times out. When the player has successfully accepted a predefined number of masked choices, the game adds or multiplies the values yielded by the choices to form an award for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7666087
    Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes at least one input value; a plurality of selections and at least one modifier associated with a selection. The gaming device enables a player to apply input values to desired selections and depending upon which modifiers are associated with the selections, the player can gain a relatively high or low output value. This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7614947
    Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device and a method for operating the gaming device. The gaming device of the present invention includes: (i) a central game in which a player picks at least one masked central game outcome, including a transfer; (ii) at least one peripheral game that begins after the player's pick of the transfer, wherein the player picks at least one masked peripheral game outcome, including a return; (iii) whereby the game enables the player to return to the central game and pick at least one more masked central game outcome after the player picks the return in the peripheral game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Chester E. Stites, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7588494
    Abstract: A gaming device wherein the game generates a masked target number or symbol that is formed from a plurality of component numbers or symbols. As the game is played, the gaming device generates and displays a first prediction number that relates to a first component number of the target number. If the generated first prediction number matches (i.e., is the same number as) the first component number of the target number, the first component number of the target number is revealed to the player and the player is provided an award based on the displayed first component number of the target number and at least one modifier. If the generated first prediction number does not match the first component number of the target number, the gaming device enables the player to input a prediction regarding the first component number wherein the prediction is based on the generated first prediction number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7566269
    Abstract: A gaming device having selectable awards on a moving mechanical display, such as a symbol display mechanism or an award display mechanism. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes an electromechanical secondary display device that is operable to rotate about an axis. The electromechanical secondary display device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of individual symbol display members. Each individual symbol display member is adapted to display at least one symbol or award. In operation, after determining the symbol, award or outcome displayed by each of the individual symbol display members, the electromechanical secondary display device rotates about an axis to indicate one of the individual symbol display members. The symbol or award displayed on the indicated symbol display member is provided to the player and the game ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Janna D. B-Jensen, Cari L. Blomquist, Randall D. Mead, Megan N. Schlegel, Melvin J. Hawes, Jamie J. Goins, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7488248
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7488247
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7488249
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7448948
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of award values and a plurality of modifier values. A characteristic is associated with at least one award value position and at least one modifier value position. The gaming device provides an award to a player associated with at least one award value position and at least one modifier value position, wherein the award includes an additional award when the award value position and the modifier value position contain the same or related characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Megan N. Schlegel
  • Patent number: 7306518
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7210997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device which includes an award indicator which includes rotating objects. At least one award value and preferably other symbols are displayed on the faces of the objects. The gaming device provides players with certain award values displayed by the objects after the objects have stopped rotating. This type of gaming device provides players with increased entertainment and enjoyment when playing gaming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, James M. Gray, Michael S. Hoy, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Daniel J. Waller
  • Patent number: 7182689
    Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus round with multiple selection groups. The bonus round does not end upon an “end-bonus” selection; rather, the bonus round ends upon the selection of a predetermined number of selections from the last or final selection group. In one embodiment, the number of selections is determined from a selection group preceding the final selection group. Prior to determining the number of final selection group picks, the game provides the player with at least one selection group in which the player selects award indicators until selecting an indicator that advances the player to the next selection group. Player excitement and enjoyment is enhanced because the present invention provides the player with multiple opportunities to achieve game credits and because the player is guaranteed to have at least one opportunity to select from the final selection group. In one embodiment, the final selection group has larger values than the previous selection groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Paulina Glavich, Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7175524
    Abstract: A gaming device, wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines the player's success or failure in the round. The game is readily adaptable to becoming a pseudo-skill game that would be required in most gaming jurisdictions. In one pseudo-skill embodiment, the skill game is converted to a game employing skill, but which is controlled by a set number of successful outcomes. That is, the player keeps playing until the player's skill produces the set number of successful outcomes. In another pseudo-skill embodiment, the game only appears to the player as involving skill. Instead, the gaming device randomly determines when and how many times to produce a successful outcome and increase the player's award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 6986709
    Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device which includes a plurality of game functions for a single game and a probability associated with each game function. After a predetermined event occurs, the processor uses the probabilities to generate a particular game function for a player to use. Preferably, the predetermined event is a game triggering event. The processor can generate different game functions for a single game from predetermined event to predetermined event. This type of gaming device increases the interest and entertainment of gaming device players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Ryan William Cuddy, Brian Daniel Swift
  • Patent number: 6981635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method which includes interacting symbols. Wherein the game exhibits the interaction between the two symbols using a display device and awards the player with a credit or bonus value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird, Jason D. Kremer, Brian D. Swift