Patents by Inventor Benjamin Gomez

Benjamin Gomez 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: 9666031
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a three-dimensional wagering game segment on a wagering game machine. The systems and methods provide three-dimensional representations and movement through a scene. The scene may include target objects, and input may be received indicating actions to be taken with respect to the target objects. The scene may be defined as parts of a tile, and the tile may be part of a track of tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Benjamin Gomez
  • Patent number: 9147320
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting game elements in a gaming machine are described herein. In an embodiment, the method includes displaying a plurality of player-selectable elements. Responsive to player input via at least one input device, a first element of the plurality of player-selectable elements is selected. The selected first element is animated with a first animation to commence revealing an outcome associated with the selected first element. After the first element has been selected and while the selected first element is still animating, responsive to player input via the at least one input device, a second element of the plurality of player-selectable elements is selected. The selected second element is animated with a second animation to commence revealing an outcome associated with the selected second element. The method then reveals the outcome associated with the selected first element and the outcome associated with the selected second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. McInerny, Alfred Thomas, Benjamin Gomez
  • Publication number: 20120149460
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting game elements in a gaming machine are described herein. In an embodiment, the method includes displaying a plurality of player-selectable elements. Responsive to player input via at least one input device, a first element of the plurality of player-selectable elements is selected. The selected first element is animated with a first animation to commence revealing an outcome associated with the selected first element. After the first element has been selected and while the selected first element is still animating, responsive to player input via the at least one input device, a second element of the plurality of player-selectable elements is selected. The selected second element is animated with a second animation to commence revealing an outcome associated with the selected second element. The method then reveals the outcome associated with the selected first element and the outcome associated with the selected second element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Paul A. McInerny, Alfred Thomas, Benjamin Gomez
  • Patent number: 8157640
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to present a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered; to present an initial image including a subset of a swarm in space representing a portion of the wagering game; and to determine the actual outcome of the wagering game based on player input indications, swarm behavior modeling, and a selected statistical game outcome. An updated image may then be generated and presented, derived from the initial image and the actual outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Marwan Ansari, Benjamin Gomez, Jeremy Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8142284
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting game elements in a gaming machine are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes presenting a bonus event setting that includes a plurality of game elements and receiving a plurality of game element selections. In the method, each game element selection indicates that one of the game elements has been selected. Additionally, the method also includes presenting an animation sequence for each of the game element selections, wherein portions of the animation sequences are presented simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. McInerny, Alfred Thomas, Benjamin Gomez
  • Publication number: 20100173689
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to present a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered; to present an initial image including a subset of a swarm in space representing a portion of the wagering game; and to determine the actual outcome of the wagering game based on player input indications, swarm behavior modeling, and a selected statistical game outcome. An updated image may then be generated and presented, derived from the initial image and the actual outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Marwan Ansari, Benjamin Gomez, Jeremy Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Publication number: 20090291731
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a three-dimensional wagering game segment on a wagering game machine. The systems and methods provide three-dimensional representations and movement through a scene. The scene may include target objects, and input may be received indicating actions to be taken with respect to the target objects. The scene may be defined as parts of a tile, and the tile may be part of a track of tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Benjamin Gomez
  • Publication number: 20070265062
    Abstract: A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Benjamin Gomez, Robert Wilson, Roger Delott
  • Publication number: 20070232378
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game comprises a video screen for displaying a dynamic video image and a structure for displaying non-video artwork. The video and non-video artworks are visually linked to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game. The structure covers a portion, but not all, of the video screen. Thus, video images on conventional video screens may effectively be blended with non-video artwork to create entertaining and attractive displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Benjamin Gomez, Joel Jaffe, Larry Pacey, Alfred Thomas, Tony Prohl
  • Publication number: 20070060243
    Abstract: A gaming machine and a method for conducting a wagering game at the gaming machine includes a bonus payout based on a similarity of objects that are accumulated by a player. The accumulated objects are compared with a final object and a player is awarded a first bonus payout based on identical matching of objects and a second bonus payout based on the similarity of objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Benjamin Gomez, Michael Casey, Bradley Rose
  • Publication number: 20070060261
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes an expandable bonus-game symbol that expands to cover additional paylines and trigger a bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventor: Benjamin Gomez
  • Publication number: 20070060249
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided that has a wager-input device for receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game. The wagering game includes a basic game and a bonus game. A display initially displays first indicia of the basic game. The first indicia indicate a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. Second indicia of the bonus game are incrementally superimposed on the first indicia on the display in response to the randomly selected outcome including a bonus-game-triggering event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Benjamin Gomez, Dave Pryor
  • Publication number: 20060281526
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a bonus game triggered by a start-bonus outcome and for presenting a plurality of player-selectable elements. Each of the player-selectable elements has a predetermined random outcome associated therewith. A game feature associated with the bonus game is configured to introduce a computer-generated player on the display. The computer-generated player randomly selects at least one player-selectable element from the plurality of player-selectable elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Jeremy Hornik, Benjamin Gomez, Allon Englman
  • Publication number: 20060205473
    Abstract: A game, gaming machine apparatus and game method wherein game elements are assigned to a matrix of game element locations. Play is initiated by evaluating the game elements for predetermined transformative conditions, such as a match of game elements. If a transformative condition is found, the game element(s) are transformed with at least one being removed from the matrix. The remaining game elements are moved, if permitted, according to a movement methodology. The steps of evaluating, transforming, removing, and moving the remaining game elements are repeated so long as a transformation is subsequently available for continued gameplay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Benjamin Gomez, Duncan Brown, Scott Slomiany, Lawrence DeMar
  • Publication number: 20060189377
    Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. A wager-input device receives a wager from a player. A display displays symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. The plurality of outcomes include at least one special-event outcome that awards additional game play at a time selectable by the player. The additional game play provides a guaranteed winning outcome. A special-event input device initiates the additional game play in response to the player activating the special-event input device. The additional game play is implemented with a game-enhancement parameter such that the guaranteed winning outcome has an enhanced payout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Gomez, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20060094495
    Abstract: A method and gaming system for playing a wagering game at a plurality of gaming terminals. The method includes conducting the wagering game at each of the plurality of gaming terminals. The plurality of gaming terminals are divided into a plurality of teams. A plurality of game elements are displayed and arranged into tiers. At least one turn-ending element is included. A first gaming terminal in a first team selects at least one of the plurality of game elements in each of the tiers until encountering the at least one turn-ending element or until one of the plurality of elements has been selected in each of the plurality of tiers. The selecting continues until a predetermined event occurs and a winning team is determined among the plurality of teams based upon the selecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Philip Gelber, Benjamin Gomez, Lisa Helfer, James Motyl
  • Publication number: 20060089194
    Abstract: A gaming terminal and method of playing a wagering game. The terminal including a wagering game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The wagering game provides the player with an option to accept an invitation immediately redeemable for playing the wagering game or an invitation to a wagering game opportunity redeemable at a subsequent gaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Shridhar Joshi, Peter Flemming, Benjamin Gomez, Richard Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20060079316
    Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game includes receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game. In response to receiving the wager inputs, at least one randomly-selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes. An array of player-selectable elements is presented during a first gaming session of the wagering game, and a selection of at least one element of the array is received from the player. A data set is stored to represent a status of the array after at least one element of the array has been selected. The array is presented, based on the status defined by the data set, during a second gaming session of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Flemming, Benjamin Gomez, Philip Gelber
  • Publication number: 20060079317
    Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game includes receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game, which includes a basic game and a bonus game, and selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving the wager inputs. The player is awarded a bonus-game asset in a first gaming session of the wagering game. A data set representing the bonus-game asset is stored, and, based on the data set, the player is allowed to use the bonus-game asset in a second gaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Flemming, Benjamin Gomez, Larry Pacey
  • Publication number: 20060068892
    Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine. The method includes receiving a wager from a player and displaying a first winning combination of symbols in an array. The first winning combination is associated with a first award. In response to a predetermined event, the first winning combination is upgraded to a second winning combination of symbols, and the second winning combination is associated with a second award that is higher than the first award. The second winning combination of symbols is displayed and the player is provided with the second award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Benjamin Gomez, Alfred Thomas