Patents by Inventor Dennis Nordman
Dennis Nordman 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).
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Patent number: 8651939Abstract: A gaming system comprised of a plurality of adjacently arranged gaming machines and a mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator operable to individually indicate the gaming machines. The gaming machine indicator is mounted or positioned near the adjacently arranged gaming machines. A controller actuates the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to rotate or move. The mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator may also include lighting effects. The controller is operable to select a gaming machine and actuate the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to indicate the selected gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Patent number: 7488253Abstract: A gaming device including a mechanical display device including a main housing and a plurality of movable symbol displays mounted in the main housing, wherein each of the symbol displays includes at least one symbol. The main housing includes a substantially horizontal first axis which extends from the rear of the housing to the front of the housing. Each of the symbol displays are positioned on a separate second axis, which each intersect and are transverse to the first axis. Upon a triggering event in a game, each of the symbol displays move about its second axis and then stop and display at least one symbol to a player. The gaming device indicates one of the displays symbols and provides the indicated symbol to the player.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Dennis Nordman, James M. Gray
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Patent number: 7390261Abstract: A mechanical display and a mechanical indicator for gaming devices includes various embodiments, each of which have a number of elements in common. First, the embodiments each include a rotating set of symbols or indicia. Second, each of the embodiments includes an oscillating indicator, such as an arrow. The symbols rotate, appear and disappear from the player's view. In this manner, the player sees each of the symbols and hopes that the gaming device awards the symbol having the highest or best value. The one or more indicators move in a sequence to point out or indicate one of the symbols or one of the groups of symbols. The indicators provide a second random, visual element to the outcome, wherein the player's attention must account for both the changing symbols and the moving indicators. The symbol eventually indicated produces, at least in part, a game outcome.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20080146331Abstract: A gaming device including a mechanical display device including a main housing and a plurality of movable symbol displays mounted in the main housing, wherein each of the symbol displays includes at least one symbol. The main housing includes a substantially horizontal first axis which extends from the rear of the housing to the front of the housing. Each of the symbol displays are positioned on a separate second axis, which each intersect and are transverse to the first axis. Upon a triggering event in a game, each of the symbol displays move about its second axis and then stop and display at least one symbol to a player. The gaming device indicates one of the displays symbols and provides the indicated symbol to the player.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: IGTInventors: Dennis Nordman, James M. Gray
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Patent number: 7331861Abstract: A display device for a gaming device which includes concentric rotating displays, wherein an outer one of the displays is also operable to translate with respect to an inner one of the displays. The inner display includes multiple rows of symbols. The outer display includes multiple indicating viewing areas. Each of the viewing areas is also associated with a symbol. When the displays eventually stop, one of the viewing areas that is positioned furthest most towards the front of the machine enables one of the symbols of the first display to be seen by the player. That symbol is made part of an outcome from the sequence in combination with the symbol of the second display associated with the viewing area that indicates the symbol of the first display.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Patent number: 7326112Abstract: A gaming device which includes a display having multiple rotating members and at least one rotating indicator. The members each include at least one symbol. The symbols represent various types of awards that the player can win. The members move or spin. At the same time or at a different time, the one or more indicator moves or spins. At varying times, each of the symbols of the members will be closer to the indicator than the other symbols, i.e., in an indicating position. At varying times, the moving indicator indicates, or points, to each of the members and thus one of the symbols of the members. Ultimately, the members and the indicators stop moving, and the indicator indicates one of the symbols from one of the members. An outcome such as an award is provided to the player that is based on the indicated symbol.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Patent number: 7309285Abstract: A gaming device including a mechanical display device including a main housing and a plurality of movable symbol displays mounted in the main housing, wherein each of the symbol displays includes at least one symbol. The main housing includes a substantially horizontal first axis which extends from the rear of the housing to the front of the housing. Each of the symbol displays are positioned on a separate second axis, which each intersect and are transverse to the first axis. Upon a triggering event in a game, each of the symbol displays move about its second axis and then stop and display at least one symbol to a player. The gaming device indicates one of the displays symbols and provides the indicated symbol to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Dennis Nordman, James M. Gray
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Patent number: 7278638Abstract: A display device for a gaming device which includes a symbol display operable to simultaneously display a plurality of symbols. A symbol indicator is positioned adjacent to the symbol display and is operable to translate substantially parallel with respect to the symbol display. The indicator includes a plurality of pointers or arrows operable to spin about an axis that translates with the symbol indicator. In operation, the symbol display simultaneously displays a plurality of symbols from a larger group of symbols, the symbol indicator spins and translates and eventually points to one of the symbols, yielding an outcome that is based on the indicated symbol and a second symbol associated with the pointer that indicates the symbol.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Patent number: 7258609Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical display and indication for gaming devices. The display includes a set of symbols or indicia. The displays also cooperate with a plurality of radially spaced apart translating indicators, such as arrows. The indicators translate radially and sequentially, each pointing at one point towards a respective, associated symbol. The player can see each symbol and thus is able to know which symbols are relatively better than others. The radially translating indicators provide a random, visual element to the outcome, wherein the player watches the indicators sequentially point to different symbols until the motion stops, leaving a single or multiple indicated symbol(s), which is(are) provided in some fashion to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Dennis Nordman, Bradley A. Hemerick, Daniel J. Waller, Russell Chudd
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Patent number: 7169045Abstract: A mechanical display and a mechanical indicator for gaming devices includes various embodiments, each of which have a number of elements in common. First, the embodiments each include a rotating set of symbols or indicia. Second, each of the embodiments includes an oscillating indicator, such as an arrow. The symbols rotate, appear and disappear from the player's view. In this manner, the player sees each of the symbols and hopes that the gaming device awards the symbol having the highest or best value. The one or more indicators move in a sequence to point out or indicate one of the symbols or one of the groups of symbols. The indicators provide a second random, visual element to the outcome, wherein the player's attention must account for both the changing symbols and the moving indicators. The symbol eventually indicated produces, at least in part, a game outcome.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20060073868Abstract: A gaming system comprised of a plurality of adjacently arranged gaming machines and a mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator operable to individually indicate the gaming machines. The gaming machine indicator is mounted or positioned near the adjacently arranged gaming machines. A controller actuates the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to rotate or move. The mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator may also include lighting effects. The controller is operable to select a gaming machine and actuate the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to indicate the selected gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventor: Dennis Nordman
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Patent number: 6974129Abstract: A display device for a gaming device which includes concentric rotating displays, wherein an outer one of the displays is also operable to translate with respect to an inner one of the displays. The inner display includes multiple rows of symbols. The outer display includes multiple indicating viewing areas. Each of the viewing areas is also associated with a symbol. When the displays eventually stop, one of the viewing areas that is positioned furthest most towards the front of the machine enables one of the symbols of the first display to be seen by the player. That symbol is made part of an outcome from the sequence in combination with the symbol of the second display associated with the viewing area that indicates the symbol of the first display.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20050266913Abstract: A display device for a gaming device which includes concentric rotating displays, wherein an outer one of the displays is also operable to translate with respect to an inner one of the displays. The inner display includes multiple rows of symbols. The outer display includes multiple indicating viewing areas. Each of the viewing areas is also associated with a symbol. When the displays eventually stop, one of the viewing areas that is positioned furthest most towards the front of the machine enables one of the symbols of the first display to be seen by the player. That symbol is made part of an outcome from the sequence in combination with the symbol of the second display associated with the viewing area that indicates the symbol of the first display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20050227755Abstract: A gaming device which includes a display having multiple rotating members and at least one rotating indicator. The members each include at least one symbol. The symbols represent various types of awards that the player can win. The members move or spin. At the same time or at a different time, the one or more indicator moves or spins. At varying times, each of the symbols of the members will be closer to the indicator than the other symbols, i.e., in an indicating position. At varying times, the moving indicator indicates, or points, to each of the members and thus one of the symbols of the members. Ultimately, the members and the indicators stop moving, and the indicator indicates one of the symbols from one of the members. An outcome such as an award is provided to the player that is based on the indicated symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventor: Dennis Nordman
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Patent number: 6905407Abstract: A gaming device which includes a display having multiple rotating members and at least one rotating indicator. The members each include at least one symbol. The symbols represent various types of awards that the player can win. The members move or spin. At the same time or at a different time, the one or more indicator moves or spins. At varying times, each of the symbols of the members will be closer to the indicator than the other symbols, i.e., in an indicating position. At varying times, the moving indicator indicates, or points, to each of the members and thus one of the symbols of the members. Ultimately, the members and the indicators stop moving, and the indicator indicates one of the symbols from one of the members. An outcome such as an award is provided to the player that is based on the indicated symbol.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20050124405Abstract: A mechanical display and a mechanical indicator for gaming devices includes various embodiments, each of which have a number of elements in common. First, the embodiments each include a rotating set of symbols or indicia. Second, each of the embodiments includes an oscillating indicator, such as an arrow. The symbols rotate, appear and disappear from the player's view. In this manner, the player sees each of the symbols and hopes that the gaming device awards the symbol having the highest or best value. The one or more indicators move in a sequence to point out or indicate one of the symbols or one of the groups of symbols. The indicators provide a second random, visual element to the outcome, wherein the player's attention must account for both the changing symbols and the moving indicators. The symbol eventually indicated produces, at least in part, a game outcome.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2005Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20050056996Abstract: A display device for a gaming device which includes a symbol display operable to simultaneously display a plurality of symbols. A symbol indicator is positioned adjacent to the symbol display and is operable to translate substantially parallel with respect to the symbol display. The indicator includes a plurality of pointers or arrows operable to spin about an axis that translates with the symbol indicator. In operation, the symbol display simultaneously displays a plurality of symbols from a larger group of symbols, the symbol indicator spins and translates and eventually points to one of the symbols, yielding an outcome that is based on the indicated symbol and a second symbol associated with the pointer that indicates the symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20050051964Abstract: A display device for a gaming device which includes concentric rotating displays, wherein an outer one of the displays is also operable to translate with respect to an inner one of the displays. The inner display includes multiple rows of symbols. The outer display includes multiple indicating viewing areas. Each of the viewing areas is also associated with a symbol. When the displays eventually stop, one of the viewing areas that is positioned furthest most towards the front of the machine enables one of the symbols of the first display to be seen by the player. That symbol is made part of an outcome from the sequence in combination with the symbol of the second display associated with the viewing area that indicates the symbol of the first display.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventor: Dennis Nordman
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Publication number: 20050054428Abstract: A gaming device including a mechanical display device including a main housing and a plurality of movable symbol displays mounted in the main housing, wherein each of the symbol displays includes at least one symbol. The main housing includes a substantially horizontal first axis which extends from the rear of the housing to the front of the housing. Each of the symbol displays are positioned on a separate second axis, which each intersect and are transverse to the first axis. Upon a triggering event in a game, each of the symbol displays move about its second axis and then stop and display at least one symbol to a player. The gaming device indicates one of the displays symbols and provides the indicated symbol to the player.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Dennis Nordman, James Gray
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Publication number: 20050037835Abstract: A gaming device which includes a display having multiple rotating members and at least one rotating indicator. The members each include at least one symbol. The symbols represent various types of awards that the player can win. The members move or spin. At the same time or at a different time, the one or more indicator moves or spins. At varying times, each of the symbols of the members will be closer to the indicator than the other symbols, i.e., in an indicating position. At varying times, the moving indicator indicates, or points, to each of the members and thus one of the symbols of the members. Ultimately, the members and the indicators stop moving, and the indicator indicates one of the symbols from one of the members. An outcome such as an award is provided to the player that is based on the indicated symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2003Publication date: February 17, 2005Inventor: Dennis Nordman