Patents by Inventor Howard M. Marks

Howard M. Marks 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).

  • Publication number: 20140342806
    Abstract: A gaming system configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of symbols. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of the symbols and being associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For an activation of the reels, the gaming system randomly generates and causes each of the reels to display one of the symbols on that reel at each of the symbol display areas associated with that reel. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system: adds one or more wild symbols to one or more of the reels and provides a plurality of additional activations of the reels. If a removal condition is satisfied prior to a final one of the additional activations of the reels, the gaming system removes a remaining wild symbol from one of the reels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8814658
    Abstract: A gaming system configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of symbols. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of the symbols and being associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For an activation of the reels, the gaming system randomly generates and causes each of the reels to display one of the symbols on that reel at each of the symbol display areas associated with that reel. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system: adds one or more wild symbols to one or more of the reels and provides a plurality of additional activations of the reels. If a removal condition is satisfied prior to a final one of the additional activations of the reels, the gaming system removes a remaining wild symbol from one of the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8727866
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony M. Singer, Daniel M. Marks, Howard M. Marks
  • Publication number: 20140106851
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols including at least one replicator symbol. The replicator symbol includes at least two of the same symbols in a single symbol position on the reels. The replicator symbol may include any suitable number of the same symbols. The replicator symbol thereby increases the likelihood that a player will obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels and also an award in a game. In one embodiment, a winning symbol combination includes at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol positions on a payline associated with the reels. In another embodiment, the winning symbol combination at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol position in at least one symbol position on a plurality of paylines associated with the reels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Howard M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Daniel M. Marks
  • Publication number: 20140051494
    Abstract: A gaming system configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of symbols. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of the symbols and being associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For an activation of the reels, the gaming system randomly generates and causes each of the reels to display one of the symbols on that reel at each of the symbol display areas associated with that reel. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system: adds one or more wild symbols to one or more of the reels and provides a plurality of additional activations of the reels. If a removal condition is satisfied prior to a final one of the additional activations of the reels, the gaming system removes a remaining wild symbol from one of the reels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8632390
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols including at least one replicator symbol. The replicator symbol includes at least two of the same symbols in a single symbol position on the reels. The replicator symbol may include any suitable number of the same symbols. The replicator symbol thereby increases the likelihood that a player will obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels and also an award in a game. In one embodiment, a winning symbol combination includes at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol positions on a payline associated with the reels. In another embodiment, the winning symbol combination at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol position in at least one symbol position on a plurality of paylines associated with the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Howard M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Daniel M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8574061
    Abstract: A gaming system configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of symbols. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of the symbols and being associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For an activation of the reels, the gaming system randomly generates and causes each of the reels to display one of the symbols on that reel at each of the symbol display areas associated with that reel. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system: adds one or more wild symbols to one or more of the reels and provides a plurality of additional activations of the reels. If a removal condition is satisfied prior to a final one of the additional activations of the reels, the gaming system removes a remaining wild symbol from one of the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8419524
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony M. Singer, Daniel M. Marks, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8382574
    Abstract: A gaming system including at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with at least one input device and at least one display device, for a play of a game, to display a plurality of reels, each reel associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For each reel, the gaming system randomly generates and causes the reel to display one of a plurality of different symbols on the reel at each of the plurality of symbol display areas associated with the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8333649
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols including at least one replicator symbol. The replicator symbol includes at least two of the same symbols in a single symbol position on the reels. The replicator symbol may include any suitable number of the same symbols. The replicator symbol thereby increases the likelihood that a player will obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels and also an award in a game. In one embodiment, a winning symbol combination includes at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol positions on a payline associated with the reels. In another embodiment, the winning symbol combination at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol position in at least one symbol position on a plurality of paylines associated with the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Howard M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Daniel Marks
  • Publication number: 20120270634
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of symbol generators adapted to generate a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol positions. In one embodiment, a player selects a first symbol position, the selected symbol position is activated and the gaming device reveals whether a terminator is associated with the selected symbol position. In this embodiment, the player continues selecting symbol positions (and the gaming device continues activating the selected symbol positions) until a terminator is revealed to be associated with a selected symbol position. After a terminator is revealed, the gaming device randomly generating a symbol at each of the activated symbol positions. The gaming device determines an outcome based on the symbols or combinations of symbols generated at the activated symbol positions and provides the player the determined outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8221206
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of symbol generators adapted to generate a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol positions. In one embodiment, a player selects a first symbol position, the selected symbol position is activated and the gaming device reveals whether a terminator is associated with the selected symbol position. In this embodiment, the player continues selecting symbol positions (and the gaming device continues activating the selected symbol positions) until a terminator is revealed to be associated with a selected symbol position. After a terminator is revealed, the gaming device randomly generating a symbol at each of the activated symbol positions. The gaming device determines an outcome based on the symbols or combinations of symbols generated at the activated symbol positions and provides the player the determined outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Publication number: 20120034969
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony M. Singer, Daniel M. Marks, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8083581
    Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Publication number: 20110263317
    Abstract: A slot machine issues a percentage of one or more progressive awards based upon any wager level (“Percentage Progressive”). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Percentage Progressive concept operates as follows: The game displays the total progressive award amount; The player sets the wager; The game displays a Percentage Progressive value based upon the wager level; The player presses the spin button; The reels to spin and stop; The player collects credits for any winning combinations appearing on the reels, including pay table and progressive awards. In the event of a progressive award, the player receives the Percentage Progressive value*total progressive award amount. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, allows players to participate in progressive awards at any wager level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8043155
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony M. Singer, Daniel M. Marks, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 7997983
    Abstract: A slot machine issues a percentage of one or more progressive awards based upon any wager level (“Percentage Progressive”). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Percentage Progressive concept operates as follows: The game displays the total progressive award amount; The player sets the wager; The game displays a Percentage Progressive value based upon the wager level; The player presses the spin button; The reels to spin and stop; The player collects credits for any winning combinations appearing on the reels, including pay table and progressive awards. In the event of a progressive award, the player receives the Percentage Progressive value * total progressive award amount. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, allows players to participate in progressive awards at any wager level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 7931528
    Abstract: Methods to provide an enhanced likelihood of winning an award and to provide enhanced awards based upon the appearance of symbols on free paylines or free hands of cards. In one embodiment base paylines and the free payline are defined using the same symbol matrix and same reel strips. The free payline is an additional payline with same frequencies of wins and losses as the base paylines. The player wagers upon any number of base paylines. The player receives a free payline if a designated number of base paylines are wagered upon. A multiplier enhances the award for winning symbol combinations appearing on the free payline, with the multiplier value equal to the total wager. In another embodiment, a player wagers upon any number of displayed poker hands. The player also receives at least one free hand if a designated number of hands are wagered upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks, Daniel M. Marks, Joseph D. Masci
  • Patent number: 7862421
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to enhance payline awards by increasing one or more payline wager amounts. In one embodiment, a predetermined symbol appearing on a payline increases the wager amount of that payline by a random amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks
  • Publication number: 20100273550
    Abstract: A gaming system including at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with at least one input device and at least one display device, for a play of a game, to display a plurality of reels, each reel associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For each reel, the gaming system randomly generates and causes the reel to display one of a plurality of different symbols on the reel at each of the plurality of symbol display areas associated with the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel M. Marks, Anthony M. Singer, Howard M. Marks