Patents by Inventor Brian T. Riffel

Brian T. Riffel 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 device having a game with a functional refractive light display
    Patent number: 7048631
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device having a refractive light display. The gaming device includes a housing, a refractive light display including at least one refractive surface, and a processor for controlling the refractive light display to indicate a game function. Light is directed into the refractive light display and directed from the refractive surfaces to a player. In one embodiment, the refractive light display and an award display are adjacent to each other on a gaming device and co-act to indicate a symbol on the award display in a game. In another embodiment, the refractive light display includes at least one refractive surface that functions as a payline where the payline refracts light and indicates one or more symbols on the reels. In a further embodiment, a reflective layer is formed on one or more of the refractive surfaces to illuminate specific sections in a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jamie J. Goins, Gene E. Powell, Brian T. Riffel, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Gaming device having a game with a functional refractive light display
    Publication number: 20030064799
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device having a refractive light display. The gaming device includes a housing, a refractive light display including at least one refractive surface, and a processor for controlling the refractive light display to indicate a game function. Light is directed into the refractive light display and directed from the refractive surfaces to a player. In one embodiment, the refractive light display and an award display are adjacent to each other on a gaming device and co-act to indicate a symbol on the award display in a game. In another embodiment, the refractive light display includes at least one refractive surface that functions as a payline where the payline refracts light and indicates one or more symbols on the reels. In a further embodiment, a reflective layer is formed on one or more of the refractive surfaces to illuminate specific sections in a game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Jamie J. Goins, Gene E. Powell, Brian T. Riffel, Anthony J. Baerlocher