Patents by Inventor Andrea Hughs-Baird

Andrea 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).

  • Patent number: 7722451
    Abstract: A gaming device having an improved offer and acceptance bonus scheme wherein the gaming device provides a plurality of masked selections and briefly reveals to the player one or more of the offers which will be associated with one or more of the masked selections. In one embodiment, one offer is revealed and that revealed offer is the maximum potential offer the player may obtain. In one embodiment, if the player selects the revealed offer, the game ends. In one embodiment, if the maximum offer is not selected, the player simply obtains the selected offer and the game ends. In another embodiment, the player may select the offer, or reject the offer and select another masked selection wherein the player may again obtain the previously selected offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea Hughs-Baird, Brian D. Swift
  • Publication number: 20080090646
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea Hughs-Baird, Joseph Kaminkow, Anthony Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20080090635
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea Hughs-Baird, Joseph Kaminkow, Anthony Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20080090661
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Andrea Hughs-Baird, Joseph Kaminkow, Anthony Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7314410
    Abstract: The system and method enables the player to select a choice from a plurality of choices, wherein one or more choices can trump or beat one or more other choices, and wherein one or more choices do not trump or beat but rather tie one or more other choices. The game randomly generates an outcome from a set of possible outcomes including: a win outcome, a draw outcome and a lose outcome. Based on the player's choice and the generated outcome, the game determines and displays a game choice, which when compared to the player's choice, yields the generated outcome. If positive or neutral outcome is generated, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20070129133
    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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Mark Bansemer, James Nolz, Anthony Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20070082725
    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: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Michael Low, Michael Khamis, Dwayne Davis, Anthony Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20060189370
    Abstract: The system and method enables the player to select a choice from a plurality of choices, wherein one or more choices can trump or beat one or more other choices, and wherein one or more choices do not trump or beat but rather tie one or more other choices. The game randomly generates an outcome from a set of possible outcomes including: a win outcome, a draw outcome and a lose outcome. Based on the player's choice and the generated outcome, the game determines and displays a game choice, which when compared to the player's choice, yields the generated outcome. If positive or neutral outcome is generated, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7037192
    Abstract: The present invention enables the player to select a choice from a plurality of choices, wherein one or more choices can trump or beat one or more other choices, and wherein one or more choices do not trump or beat but rather tie one or more other choices. The game randomly generates an outcome from a set of possible outcomes including: a win outcome, a draw outcome and a lose outcome. Based on the player's choice and the generated outcome, the game determines and displays a game choice, which when compared to the player's choice, yields the generated outcome. If positive or neutral outcome is generated, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20060073872
    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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Janna B-Jensen, Cari Blomquist, Randall Mead, Megan Schlegel, Melvin Hawes, Jamie Goins, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20050101378
    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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Kaminkow, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20050054411
    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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Andrea Hughs-Baird, Anthony Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20050054421
    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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Andrea Hughs-Baird, Megan Schlegel
  • Publication number: 20050032566
    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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird, Chester Stites
  • Publication number: 20050026664
    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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Bansemer, James Nolz, Anthony Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 6802778
    Abstract: A gaming terminal and method are provided with which allow casino managers or other game operators to customize paytables, including poker paytables. Preferably, the system can verify or assist in verifying that the paytables comply with one or more various standards such as regulatory standards, e.g., such that the paytables are legal. In one aspect, paytable verification calculations, such as calculations of overall payback or hold percentages, preferably in the manner acceptable to regulatory authorities, are performed in the electronic gaming terminal, e.g., using the gaming terminal microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Steven G Lemay, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 6645073
    Abstract: Gaming terminals or systems with bonus prize or other prize features increasing user interest or entertainment are provided. In one aspect, a plurality of gaming terminals have their displays or other inputs coordinated with one another preferably to provide an impression of linked operation, particularly to provide an impression of increased likelihood of bonus or other prize award. In one embodiment, a bonus prize or feature involves movement among an ordered plurality of positions or stages without needing to forfeit all bonus prizes in the event of a non-bonus-symbol outcome in a main game. In one aspect, a plurality of bonus items are provided with a user being able to select only among a subgroup of the plurality of bonus items at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Steven C. Lemay, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20030162584
    Abstract: A gaming device having an improved offer and acceptance bonus scheme wherein the gaming device provides a plurality of masked selections and briefly reveals to the player one or more of the offers which will be associated with one or more of the masked selections. In one embodiment, one offer is revealed and that revealed offer is the maximum potential offer the player may obtain. In one embodiment, if the player selects the revealed offer, the game ends. In one embodiment, if the maximum offer is not selected, the player simply obtains the selected offer and the game ends. In another embodiment, the player may select the offer, or reject the offer and select another masked selection wherein the player may again obtain the previously selected offer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Andrea Hughs-Baird, Brian D. Swift
  • Publication number: 20020151341
    Abstract: The present invention enables the player to select a choice from a plurality of choices, wherein one or more choices can trump or beat one or more other choices, and wherein one or more choices do not trump or beat but rather tie one or more other choices. The game randomly generates an outcome from a set of possible outcomes including: a win outcome, a draw outcome and a lose outcome. Based on the player's choice and the generated outcome, the game determines and displays a game choice, which when compared to the player's choice, yields the generated outcome. If positive or neutral outcome is generated, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20020103020
    Abstract: The present invention enables the player to make a selection, whereby the game generates a selection, and whereby the game employs a comparator to decide an outcome, i.e., does player's choice beat the game's choice. The outcome can be a positive outcome for the player, a negative outcome for the player or a neutral outcome for the player. If positive or neutral, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award. In an alternative embodiment, the game randomly generates a positive, negative or neutral outcome from a database and the game continues until the game generates a negative outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Andrea Hughs-Baird