Patents by Inventor John R. Vallejo
John R. Vallejo 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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Publication number: 20230334935Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and a base game array. The base game array has a first configuration. The reels are spun and stopped to populate the base game array with symbols from the stopped reels. In response to the symbols including a combination of bonus-triggering symbols, the display device is configured to display a bonus game array having a second configuration different than the first configuration. The bonus-triggering symbols are randomly redistributed from the base game array to the bonus game array for use in a bonus game.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: George BOUVIER, Richard MILOSEVICH, John R. VALLEJO
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Patent number: 11721165Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and a base game array. The base game array has a first configuration. The reels are spun and stopped to populate the base game array with symbols from the stopped reels. In response to the symbols including a combination of bonus-triggering symbols, the display device is configured to display a bonus game array having a second configuration different than the first configuration. The bonus-triggering symbols are randomly redistributed from the base game array to the bonus game array for use in a bonus game.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Richard Milosevich, John R. Vallejo, George Bouvier
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Publication number: 20230154273Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and a base game array. The base game array has a first configuration. The reels are spun and stopped to populate the base game array with symbols from the stopped reels. In response to the symbols including a combination of bonus-triggering symbols, the display device is configured to display a bonus game array having a second configuration different than the first configuration. The bonus-triggering symbols are randomly redistributed from the base game array to the bonus game array for use in a bonus game.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: George BOUVIER, Richard MILOSEVICH, John R. VALLEJO
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Patent number: 9589414Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming machine touch screen system incorporating a flat transparent or nearly transparent layer that contains a series of active elements/actuators/chambers that enable a vertical displacement of the touch screen top surface. These active elements displace the top surface of the touch screen upon command of the gaming machine to provide features perceptible to the player's touch.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Julia M. Childs, Sean C. Martin, Martin S. Lyons, Michael J. Mitchell, William R. Wadleigh, David B. Schultz, Kimberly J. Cohn, John R. Vallejo, Joanna Musick, Scott T. Hilbert, Dougal Austin, Amy Lynn Monette
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Patent number: 9117335Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels on a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, Jr., John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Patent number: 8888588Abstract: Gaming machines and gaming systems having a game rating system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of games where each game has a distinct game style that is based in part on game volatility. The gaming device also includes a game controller for managing and operating the plurality of games, and a game rating system in communication with the game controller. The game rating system includes a player interface for selecting a game, and an icon presented on the display of the gaming device where the icon represents the distinct game style.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K. Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
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Patent number: 8821282Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels projected onto a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a curved transparent material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The gaming machine also includes a projector for projecting video images of one or more reels onto the inner surface of the curved transparent material. The gaming machine also has a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, Jr., John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Publication number: 20140243070Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels on a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Publication number: 20140235320Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming machine touch screen system incorporating a flat transparent or nearly transparent layer that contains a series of active elements/actuators/chambers that enable a vertical displacement of the touch screen top surface. These active elements displace the top surface of the touch screen upon command of the gaming machine to provide features perceptible to the player's touch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Julia M. Childs, Sean C. Martin, Martin S. Lyons, Michael J. Mitchell, William R. Wadleigh, David B. Schultz, Kimberly J. Cohn, John R. Vallejo, Joanna Musick, Scott T. Hilbert, Dougal Austin, Amy Lynn Monette
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Publication number: 20140148241Abstract: Gaming machines and gaming systems having a game rating system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of games where each game has a distinct game style that is based in part on game volatility. The gaming device also includes a game controller for managing and operating the plurality of games, and a game rating system in communication with the game controller. The game rating system includes a player interface for selecting a game, and an icon presented on the display of the gaming device where the icon represents the distinct game style.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K. Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
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Patent number: 8708812Abstract: Game rating systems and related methods for using game ratings are disclosed herein. According to one method, the game rating system is used to assist a player in selecting a game for play on a gaming machine having one or more games. In this method, a game rating icon is presented on the gaming machine. The game rating icon corresponds to and represents a unique game style of each game on the gaming machine. The gaming machine receives player input select a game style, and a game having the selected game style is presented to the player for game play.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K. Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
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Patent number: 8613660Abstract: Gaming machines and gaming systems having a game rating system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of games where each game has a distinct game style that is based in part on game volatility. The gaming device also includes a game controller for managing and operating the plurality of games, and a game rating system in communication with the game controller. The game rating system includes a player interface for selecting a game, and an icon presented on the display of the gaming device where the icon represents the distinct game style.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John R. Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Brian K Lanning, Marvin A. Hein
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Patent number: 8550913Abstract: Gaming machines projecting video images onto a curved display are disclosed herein. A display manager receives one or more video signals from a controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on the curved display. The display manager sends the multiple video signals to a projector which projects the multiple video signals on the curved display. The curved display may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. The display manager the video signals regarding how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Vijay Kompella, Jeffrey Lee Allen, John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Patent number: 8272957Abstract: Gaming systems having touch panels as user control devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes a curved display system for displaying a game. The curved display system has a curved material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The curved display system also includes a digital light projection device for projecting images of one or more reels onto the curved material. The gaming system also includes a touch screen system positioned in front of the curved material. The touch screen system has a touch sensor assembly having a substantially transparent touch panel that produces touch data when activated, a touch panel controller for controlling and interpreting the touch data, and touch panel software for controlling and interpreting touch data.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, Jr., John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, III, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Publication number: 20120220360Abstract: Gaming machines projecting video images onto a curved display are disclosed herein. A display manager receives one or more video signals from a controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on the curved display. The display manager sends the multiple video signals to a projector which projects the multiple video signals on the curved display. The curved display may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. The display manager the video signals regarding how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, JR., Vijay Kompella, Jeffrey Lee Allen, John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Patent number: 8241124Abstract: Gaming machines projecting video images onto a curved display are disclosed herein. A Display Manager receives one or more video signals from a Master Gaming Controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on the curved display. The Display Manager sends the multiple video signals to a digital light emitting projector which projects the multiple video signals simultaneously on the curved display. The curved display may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. The Display Manager receives commands from a device, directing it how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Vijay Kompella, Jeffrey Lee Allen, John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Patent number: 8177638Abstract: Gaming machines projecting video images onto a curved display are disclosed herein. A Display Manager receives one or more video signals from a Master Gaming Controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on the curved display. The Display Manager sends the multiple video signals to a digital light emitting projector which projects the multiple video signals simultaneously on the curved display. The curved display may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. The Display Manager receives commands from a device, directing it how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Vijay Kompella, Jeffrey Lee Allen, John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Publication number: 20110300937Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels projected onto a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a curved transparent material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The gaming machine also includes a projector for projecting video images of one or more reels onto the inner surface of the curved transparent material. The gaming machine also has a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, JR., John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Patent number: 8012021Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels projected onto a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a curved transparent material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The curved transparent material further includes a glossy finish on the outer surface of the curved transparent material to provide a reflective surface. The gaming machine also includes a light emitting diode projector for projecting video images of one or more reels onto the inner surface of the curved transparent material. The gaming machine also has a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, Jr., John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Patent number: 7938723Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple, primary games in a gaming device are disclosed. In one embodiment a gaming machine comprises a memory means for storing two or more primary games. A central processing unit is operatively connected to a player input mechanism, wherein the central processing unit receives a trigger to select one of the primary games for game play. A primary game selection means selects one of the primary games from the memory means, and the selected primary game is displayed on a game display.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Marvin A. Hein, Michael J. Mitchell, John R. Vallejo, David B. Schultz