Patents by Inventor Jeffry L. Nauman

Jeffry L. Nauman 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: 11200780
    Abstract: A gaming system includes game-logic circuitry that is configured to direct the display of a graphical-user interface including selectable elements, each of which being associated with a respective outcome. The circuitry is configured to detect an initial selection of a first selectable elements and designate it as an active selection. The circuitry concurrently provides the abilities to elect to: (1) exchange the first selectable element with a another one of the selectable elements, the another one being designated—and the first losing the designation of—the active selection upon exchange, (2) eliminate one or more of the remaining selectable elements that are not the active selection by revealing a game outcome associated with the eliminated selectable element, the game outcome associated with the eliminated selectable being unavailable thereafter, and (3) reveal and accept the game outcome associated with the selectable element that is currently designated as the active selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Publication number: 20210110658
    Abstract: A gaming system includes game-logic circuitry that is configured to direct the display of a graphical-user interface including selectable elements, each of which being associated with a respective outcome. The circuitry is configured to detect an initial selection of a first selectable elements and designate it as an active selection. The circuitry concurrently provides the abilities to elect to: (1) exchange the first selectable element with a another one of the selectable elements, the another one being designated—and the first losing the designation of—the active selection upon exchange, (2) eliminate one or more of the remaining selectable elements that are not the active selection by revealing a game outcome associated with the eliminated selectable element, the game outcome associated with the eliminated selectable being unavailable thereafter, and (3) reveal and accept the game outcome associated with the selectable element that is currently designated as the active selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffry L. NAUMAN
  • Patent number: 10262497
    Abstract: A gaming system is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game providing eligibility to a plurality of progressive jackpots. The gaming system comprises a secure gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, an electronic input device, a random element generator, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to allocate a portion of the wager to at least one of a first group of progressive jackpots, direct the electronic display device to increment the value of the first group of progressive jackpots, and direct the electronic display device to increment the values of a second group progressive jackpots based on the values of the first group of progressive jackpots. And, in response to a progressive-triggering outcome, the game-logic circuitry directs the electronic display device to display a reset value for the awarded progressive jackpot and an altered reduced value for another one of the progressive jackpots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Patent number: 10204485
    Abstract: Presented herein are gaming systems, gaming machines, and methods for conducting wagering games. Gaming machines are disclosed which include a gaming cabinet, display device(s) and input device(s) coupled to the cabinet, and game-logic circuitry disposed within the cabinet. Game-logic circuitry is configured to: display on the display device a jackpot value of a progressive jackpot in a progressive jackpot meter; determine a meter speed for the progressive jackpot meter to incrementally display the jackpot value increase to a second jackpot value within a set time; determine a controlled meter position from the meter speed; determine a scroll speed for the controlled meter position; determine a respective scroll speed for each meter position to the right of the controlled meter position; display on the display device the progressive jackpot meter increasing to the second jackpot value as restricted by the first speed of scroll and any respective speeds of scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Korthauer, Jeffry L. Nauman, Yashpal Y. Patel
  • Publication number: 20180253942
    Abstract: A gaming system is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game providing eligibility to a plurality of progressive jackpots. The gaming system comprises a secure gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, an electronic input device, a random element generator, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to allocate a portion of the wager to at least one of a first group of progressive jackpots, direct the electronic display device to increment the value of the first group of progressive jackpots, and direct the electronic display device to increment the values of a second group progressive jackpots based on the values of the first group of progressive jackpots. And, in response to a progressive-triggering outcome, the game-logic circuitry directs the electronic display device to display a reset value for the awarded progressive jackpot and an altered reduced value for another one of the progressive jackpots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Dion K. AOKI, Michael W. MASTROPIETRO, Jeffry L. NAUMAN
  • Patent number: 9990804
    Abstract: A gaming system is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game providing eligibility to a plurality of progressive jackpots. The gaming system comprises a secure gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, an electronic input device, a random element generator, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to allocate a portion of the wager to at least one of a first group of progressive jackpots, direct the electronic display device to increment the value of the first group of progressive jackpots, and direct the electronic display device to increment the values of a second group progressive jackpots based on the values of the first group of progressive jackpots. And, in response to a progressive-triggering outcome, the game-logic circuitry directs the electronic display device to display a reset value for the awarded progressive jackpot and an altered reduced value for another one of the progressive jackpots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Publication number: 20180033253
    Abstract: A gaming system for performing at least one wagering game includes a regulated electronic wagering game machine comprising one or more input devices and one or more display devices. An initial set of active array elements is determined on a playfield for the wagering game and a symbol is randomly determined for each of the active array elements. As symbols create or expand predetermined symbol combinations in the playfield, the symbols of the predetermined symbol combination are fixed and an expansion set of additional array elements are activated adjacent to new symbols that expand the symbol combination. A random symbol is determined for each expansion set array element. A repeated process of symbol combination expansion and array element activation occurs until the symbol combination expansion stops and a playfield outcome is determined. An evaluation is performed to determine a corresponding award for the playfield outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: James W. VANN, Anthony J. BAERLOCHER, CHRISTOPHER K. GUERRERO, Jeremy M. HORNIK, JEFFRY L. NAUMAN, KENNETH SHAWN SOONG
  • Patent number: 9773384
    Abstract: A method in a gaming system includes receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. The array positions are populated by symbols located on symbol-bearing reels, including an oversized symbol occupying a plurality of reel-symbol positions on one of the reels and having an image extending over those reel-symbol positions. The method also includes determining whether the oversized symbol will be only partially displayed in the array based on a rest location determined for the oversized symbol. If the oversized symbol will be only partially displayed in the array, the image of the oversized symbol is graphically reconfigured. The method includes spinning and stopping the reels to place the symbols in the determined rest locations. The first portion of the oversized symbol is displayed in the array with the graphically reconfigured image. The method also includes awarding a payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Patent number: 9767650
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes input device(s), display device(s), processor(s), and memory device(s). The memory devices store instructions that, when executed, cause the gaming system to receive a wager to initiate each instance of the wagering game, randomly select a game outcome for each instance of the wagering game, display the randomly selected game outcome for each instance, and initiate a special event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during an instance of the wagering game. At least two of the randomly selected outcomes include a first special symbol that has a dynamic secondary element. The dynamic secondary element represents a first enhancement in a first instance and a second enhancement in a second instance of the wagering game. The triggering event and special event are associated with at least one special symbol. The special event is modified by the dynamic secondary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jeffry L. Nauman, Keith Burza
  • Publication number: 20170148254
    Abstract: A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Daniel P. Louie, Jeremie D. Moll, Jeffry L. Nauman, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9607476
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of simulated reels. Each reel has a plurality of symbol positions, including first symbol positions with reel symbols thereon and second symbol positions with initially transparent regions. The gaming system selects one of the reel symbols to serve as a background symbol, displays a game outcome region through which the simulated reels move, and while the simulated reels are moving, reveals the background symbol through the initially transparent regions of the second symbol positions that move through the game outcome region. For each simulated reel that has stopped moving, each of the second symbol positions located within the game outcome region are filled with the reel symbol corresponding to the background symbol. An award is provided based on the symbols in the game outcome region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry L. Nauman, Dion K. Aoki
  • Publication number: 20170084129
    Abstract: Presented herein are electronic gaming machines, gaming systems, and logic circuitry for executing wagering game applications. A gaming system is disclosed which includes game-logic circuitry and a regulated gaming machine. The gaming machine includes one or more electronic display devices and one or more electronic input devices coupled to a gaming cabinet. The wagering game includes a skill-based game element and a non-skill based game element. The game-logic circuitry: detects, via an electronic input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance; initiates the wagering game in response to a wager input covered by the credit balance; directs an electronic display device to display an outcome of the casino wagering game, the outcome being influenced by the skill-based game element and/or the non-skill based game element; and receives, via an electronic input device, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Elizabeth A. Carter, Jeremy M. Hornik, Keith M. Kruczynski, Jeffry L. Nauman, Kenneth Shawn Soong, James W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9600979
    Abstract: A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Daniel P. Louie, Jeremie D. Moll, Jeffry L. Nauman, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9430906
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system includes receiving a wager in response to an input via at least one input device. The method also includes displaying, on at least one display device, a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in a display area. The display area includes a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols forming an array. The plurality of symbols includes at least one special symbol. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a special symbol on adjacent ones of the plurality of reels, the method includes changing the functionality of the special symbols on the adjacent ones of the plurality of reels to create a modified array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeffry L. Nauman, Pamela S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160232752
    Abstract: Presented herein are gaming systems, gaming machines, and methods for conducting wagering games. Gaming machines are disclosed which include a gaming cabinet, display device(s) and input device(s) coupled to the cabinet, and game-logic circuitry disposed within the cabinet. Game-logic circuitry is configured to: display on the display device a jackpot value of a progressive jackpot in a progressive jackpot meter; determine a meter speed for the progressive jackpot meter to incrementally display the jackpot value increase to a second jackpot value within a set time; determine a controlled meter position from the meter speed; determine a scroll speed for the controlled meter position; determine a respective scroll speed for each meter position to the right of the controlled meter position; display on the display device the progressive jackpot meter increasing to the second jackpot value as restricted by the first speed of scroll and any respective speeds of scroll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Korthauer, Jeffry L. Nauman, Yashpal Y. Patel
  • Publication number: 20160086448
    Abstract: A gaming system is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game providing eligibility to a plurality of progressive jackpots. The gaming system comprises a secure gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, an electronic input device, a random element generator, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to allocate a portion of the wager to at least one of a first group of progressive jackpots, direct the electronic display device to increment the value of the first group of progressive jackpots, and direct the electronic display device to increment the values of a second group progressive jackpots based on the values of the first group of progressive jackpots. And, in response to a progressive-triggering outcome, the game-logic circuitry directs the electronic display device to display a reset value for the awarded progressive jackpot and an altered reduced value for another one of the progressive jackpots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Publication number: 20160027258
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes input device(s), display device(s), processor(s), and memory device(s). The memory devices store instructions that, when executed, cause the gaming system to receive a wager to initiate each instance of the wagering game, randomly select a game outcome for each instance of the wagering game, display the randomly selected game outcome for each instance, and initiate a special event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during an instance of the wagering game. At least two of the randomly selected outcomes include a first special symbol that has a dynamic secondary element. The dynamic secondary element represents a first enhancement in a first instance and a second enhancement in a second instance of the wagering game. The triggering event and special event are associated with at least one special symbol. The special event is modified by the dynamic secondary element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jeffry L. Nauman, Keith Burza
  • Patent number: 9183704
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes input device(s), display device(s), processor(s), and memory device(s). The memory devices store instructions that, when executed, cause the gaming system to receive a wager to initiate each instance of the wagering game, randomly select a game outcome for each instance of the wagering game, display the randomly selected game outcome for each instance, and initiate a special event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during an instance of the wagering game. At least two of the randomly selected outcomes include a first special symbol that has a dynamic secondary element. The dynamic secondary element represents a first enhancement in a first instance and a second enhancement in a second instance of the wagering game. The triggering event and special event are associated with at least one special symbol. The special event is modified by the dynamic secondary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jeffry L. Nauman, Keith Burza
  • Patent number: 9093307
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a memory device storing instructions for receiving a wager and displaying a first array of randomly selected reel symbols at respective first positions. A second array of selectable elements is displayed at respective second positions, each second position being associated with at least one respective first position. In response to the first array of randomly selected reel symbols including a triggering symbol at one of the first positions, the element at the second position associated with the one of the first positions is selected independent of player choice. An award is awarded based on the selected element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jeremy M. Hornik, Jeffry L. Nauman, Nicholas Poole, Allon G. Englman
  • Publication number: 20150080106
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of simulated reels. Each reel has a plurality of symbol positions, including first symbol positions with reel symbols thereon and second symbol positions with initially transparent regions. The gaming system selects one of the reel symbols to serve as a background symbol, displays a game outcome region through which the simulated reels move, and while the simulated reels are moving, reveals the background symbol through the initially transparent regions of the second symbol positions that move through the game outcome region. For each simulated reel that has stopped moving, each of the second symbol positions located within the game outcome region are filled with the reel symbol corresponding to the background symbol. An award is provided based on the symbols in the game outcome region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffry L. Nauman, Dion K. Aoki