Patents by Inventor Dennis K. Mead

Dennis K. Mead 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: 10032339
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided that include an enhanced symbol upgrade feature. In an embodiment, if a triggering event occurs in association with the play of the game, such as a slot game, where the triggering event includes a first special symbol of the plurality of special symbols stopping on a payline at a first symbol position on a first reel of the first reel set, the first special symbol is superimposed at a symbol position on a second reel of the second reel set corresponding to the first symbol position on the first reel, and the second reel continues to rotate during the superimposition of the first special symbol thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dennis K. Mead, Ryan M. Griffin, Dylan B. Selegue
  • Publication number: 20150356813
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided that include an enhanced symbol upgrade feature. In an embodiment, if a triggering event occurs in association with the play of the game, such as a slot game, where the triggering event includes a first special symbol of the plurality of special symbols stopping on a payline at a first symbol position on a first reel of the first reel set, the first special symbol is superimposed at a symbol position on a second reel of the second reel set corresponding to the first symbol position on the first reel, and the second reel continues to rotate during the superimposition of the first special symbol thereover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Dennis K. MEAD, Ryan M. GRIFFIN, Dylan B. SELEGUE
  • Patent number: 8460098
    Abstract: A gaming device having a display device including one or more display screens and a blank physical mechanical rotatable wheel mounted behind the display screen(s). Each display screen is capable of showing one or more images in a coordinated manner with the blank mechanical wheel. The display device is particularly suited for a server based gaming environment as discussed below, where the symbols on the mechanical wheel may need to be different for different games caused to be displayed by a central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Dennis K. Mead
  • Patent number: 8210944
    Abstract: A gaming device having a display device including one or more display screens and a blank physical mechanical rotatable wheel mounted behind the display screen(s). Each display screen is capable of showing one or more images in a coordinated manner with the blank mechanical wheel. The display device is particularly suited for a server based gaming environment as discussed below, where the symbols on the mechanical wheel may need to be different for different games caused to be displayed by a central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Dennis K. Mead
  • Publication number: 20120157183
    Abstract: A gaming device having a display device including one or more display screens and a blank physical mechanical rotatable wheel mounted behind the display screen(s). Each display screen is capable of showing one or more images in a coordinated manner with the blank mechanical wheel. The display device is particularly suited for a server based gaming environment as discussed below, where the symbols on the mechanical wheel may need to be different for different games caused to be displayed by a central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Dennis K. Mead
  • Publication number: 20090111577
    Abstract: A gaming device having a display device including one or more display screens and a blank physical mechanical rotatable wheel mounted behind the display screen(s). Each display screen is capable of showing one or more images in a coordinated manner with the blank mechanical wheel. The display device is particularly suited for a server based gaming environment as discussed below, where the symbols on the mechanical wheel may need to be different for different games caused to be displayed by a central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Dennis K. Mead
  • Patent number: 7470187
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7470189
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7470190
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7470188
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 6814664
    Abstract: A method of operating gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Publication number: 20030199298
    Abstract: A method of operating gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 6607438
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there is no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit. The gaming device includes at least one random generation device, one of which generates awards upon a player input. The gaming device also includes one or more termination variables, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, whereby a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. The gaming device also includes a game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units, whereby a player generates awards until accumulating or losing the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: IGY
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Publication number: 20030064792
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there is no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit. The gaming device includes at least one random generation device, one of which generates awards upon a player input. The gaming device also includes one or more termination variables, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, whereby a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. The gaming device also includes a game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units, whereby a player generates awards until accumulating or losing the termination limit of units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland