Patents by Inventor Brian Keith Baker

Brian Keith Baker 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).

  • Gaming machines and methods of displaying animated symbols on mechanical reels
    Patent number: 8480474
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a reel assembly and a processor operatively coupled to the reel assembly. The reel assembly includes at least one slot reel including a reel strip having a plurality of symbols positioned thereon. At least a portion of the plurality of symbols includes a plurality of frames. The at least one slot reel is configured to rotate about an axis. The reel assembly also includes at least one light device positioned with respect to the slot reel to selectively illuminate the plurality of symbols. The processor is configured to control the light device to progressively illuminate at least a portion of the plurality of frames to facilitate an appearance of animation within the plurality of frames during rotation of said at least one slot reel about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Julia Janeen Randall, Brian Keith Baker, Jean Pierre Legras, Gene Elvin Powell, Stewart Thoeni, Mark Woodard
  • GAMING MACHINES AND METHODS OF DISPLAYING ANIMATED SYMBOLS ON MECHANICAL REELS
    Publication number: 20110070939
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a reel assembly and a processor operatively coupled to the reel assembly. The reel assembly includes at least one slot reel including a reel strip having a plurality of symbols positioned thereon. At least a portion of the plurality of symbols includes a plurality of frames. The at least one slot reel is configured to rotate about an axis. The reel assembly also includes at least one light device positioned with respect to the slot reel to selectively illuminate the plurality of symbols. The processor is configured to control the light device to progressively illuminate at least a portion of the plurality of frames to facilitate an appearance of animation within the plurality of frames during rotation of said at least one slot reel about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Julia Janeen Randall, Brian Keith Baker, Jean Pierre Legras, Gene Elvin Powell, Stewart Thoeni, Mark Woodard