Patents by Inventor John Vallejo
John 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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Patent number: 8747211Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
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Publication number: 20140018164Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
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Patent number: 8616972Abstract: Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Keith Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, Jr.
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Patent number: 8535148Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
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Publication number: 20130045787Abstract: A feature game in a gaming machine includes a first portion during which a set of bonus slots is accumulated. A second portion includes selecting at least one set of a predetermined number of target symbols, associated with a bonus award, from among a pool of bonus symbols during which selected bonus symbols are not removed from the pool, and selecting a set of match symbols, equal in number to the accumulated number of bonus slots, from among the pool of bonus symbol during which selected bonus symbols are removed from the pool. The match symbols are compared to the at least one set of target symbols. If all the symbols in the at least one set of target symbols correspond to match symbols, the bonus award associated with the at least one set of target symbols is awarded to the player.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Ricco Novero
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Patent number: 8371935Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
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Publication number: 20120302305Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
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Patent number: 8246452Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
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Publication number: 20120165089Abstract: Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Keith Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, JR.
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Patent number: 8137185Abstract: 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: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, Jr., John Vallejo R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
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Patent number: 8128495Abstract: Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Keith Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, Jr.
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Patent number: 8123605Abstract: A method of operating a game controlled by a gaming machine includes accepting a wager from a player, presenting a primary game, awarding any primary game awards to the player, and upon a triggering event, presenting a feature game. The feature game includes performing a first portion of the feature game during which a set of bonus slots is accumulated and performing a second portion of the feature game. The second portion of the feature game includes selecting at least one set of a predetermined number of target symbols, associated with a bonus award, from among a pool of bonus symbols during which selected bonus symbols are not removed from the pool, and selecting a set of match symbols, equal in number to the accumulated number of bonus slots, from among the pool of bonus symbol during which selected bonus symbols are removed from the pool. The match symbols are compared to the at least one set of target symbols.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Ricco Novero
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Publication number: 20110117995Abstract: A method of operating a game controlled by a gaming machine includes accepting a wager from a player, presenting a primary game, awarding any primary game awards to the player, and upon a triggering event, presenting a feature game. The feature game includes performing a first portion of the feature game during which a set of bonus slots is accumulated and performing a second portion of the feature game. The second portion of the feature game includes selecting at least one set of a predetermined number of target symbols, associated with a bonus award, from among a pool of bonus symbols during which selected bonus symbols are not removed from the pool, and selecting a set of match symbols, equal in number to the accumulated number of bonus slots, from among the pool of bonus symbol during which selected bonus symbols are removed from the pool. The match symbols are compared to the at least one set of target symbols.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael J. Mitchell, Ricco Novero
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Publication number: 20090275386Abstract: Methods for enhancing a mechanical reel game are disclosed. According to one method, a game is initiated by spinning a plurality of mechanical reels in response to a player wager, wherein each mechanical reel has a plurality of game symbols. The gaming machine ascertains whether a triggering event is established during the game. In response to a triggering event, one or more video images are presented and overlay one or more the mechanical reels to obscure the game symbols on the mechanical reels in response to the triggering event. In one embodiment, the video images include one or more video depictions of game symbols. The mechanical reels obscured by the video images are fixed, and the mechanical reels not obscured by the video images are spun. One or more paylines are evaluated for winning outcomes based on the combination of the video depictions of game symbols and the game symbols presented on the mechanical reels on the one or more paylines.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Kolth Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, JR.
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Publication number: 20090275383Abstract: Systems for enhancing a mechanical reel game are disclosed. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a video screen having a touch screen, and a set of mechanical reels positioned behind the video screen. A user interface is displayed on the video screen and is configured to receive user input to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels. The video screen then displays the mechanical reels in the rearranged order.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Keith Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, JR.
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Publication number: 20090275382Abstract: Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Keith Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, JR.
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Publication number: 20090176554Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell, Loren T. Nelson
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Publication number: 20090069065Abstract: Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a point-based award. In accordance with one aspect, a game provides a feature game played for points. Upon conclusion of the feature game, a player is paid a prize according to the number of points accumulated during feature game play.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventor: John Vallejo
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Publication number: 20090048012Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for group play gaming including multiple variations of awards. Upon a triggering event, gaming machines operate in a group play mode which includes multiple award opportunities for each player which may include a grand prize award, one or more mystery prize awards, and one or more progressive awards.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Pravinkumar Patel, Josh Larsen, John Vallejo, David Schultz, Keith Kruczynski, Alexander Villagran, Harlan J. Darrah
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Publication number: 20080261684Abstract: Disclosed are a networked gaming system and associated method including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win more than one wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game on the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: John Vallejo, Michael Mitchell