Patents by Inventor Joseph E. Kaminkow

Joseph E. Kaminkow 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: 8864579
    Abstract: A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 8747214
    Abstract: A gaming device having a transformable wild symbol or card on a set of reels or a transformable wild card in a set of cards, wherein the transformable wild symbol or card provides a signal to a player through a wild indicator or a non-wild indicator. The wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a wild state. The non-wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a non-wild state. In a wild state, the transformable wild symbol or card acts as a wild symbol or card on a set of reels, or a wild card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 8727861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a bonus game, where the bonus game displays a target set including a plurality of player selectable symbols. At least one of the symbols is designated as a target symbol in a target set. The gaming device provides a predetermined number of picks to begin a bonus game and enables a player to use the picks to pick symbols from the target set. If the player picks a symbol that is not a target symbol, a relationship indicator indicates the relationship between the target symbol and the picked symbol. The player continues to pick symbols in the target set until the player picks the target symbol. If the player picks a target symbol, the gaming device enables the player to pick symbols from a new target set. The player continues to pick symbols in target sets until the player has no picks remaining. Preferably, the gaming device provides an award for each picked target symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Megan N. Schlegel, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead
  • Publication number: 20140073406
    Abstract: A gaming device having a wild activation symbol is displayed on a set of reels or set of cards within a display device. The processor causes other symbols or cards to become wild within the display device when the wild termination symbol is displayed. When the wild activation symbol is displayed, the present invention may also provide a wild termination symbol on the set of reels or the set of cards within a display device. The processor may then stop symbols or cards from becoming wild based on the position of the wild termination symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 8668571
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming apparatus for allowing a player to participate in a multi-player wagering game. The outcome of the multi-player wagering game may be displayed to the player, along with an alternate outcome display at an alternate outcome display device. The alternate outcome display device may include a rotatable reel and a cover variably disposed in front of the rotatable reel. The gaming apparatus controller may receive a display request where the alternate outcome display device disposes a cover to visibly obscure the reel if the request is to obscure the reel, and disposes the cover to visibly display the reel if the request is to observe the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 8591310
    Abstract: A gaming device having a wild activation symbol is displayed on a set of reels or set of cards within a display device. The processor causes other symbols or cards to become wild within the display device when the wild termination symbol is displayed. When the wild activation symbol is displayed, the present invention may also provide a wild termination symbol on the set of reels or the set of cards within a display device. The processor may then stop symbols or cards from becoming wild based on the position of the wild termination symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20130260870
    Abstract: A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20130260865
    Abstract: A gaming device including a first and second indicator plate which are adjacent to each other and on the same axis where the second plate overlaps at least a portion of the first plate and the first and second plates are in different planes. In one embodiment, the first plate includes at least one symbol where one or more awards are associated with the symbol. The second plate is composed at least in part of a substantially transparent material, which enables a player to see through at least a portion of the second plate to view one or more symbols on the first plate. The second plate also includes a plurality of sections, which indicate one or more symbols on the first plate. In one embodiment, the second plate includes at least one transparent section and at least one non-transparent section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Jamie J. Goins
  • Patent number: 8512121
    Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of adjacently arranged gaming machines which are linked by a multi-component game. Each of the gaming machines includes a base or primary game which is operable upon a wager by a player. Upon the occurrence of a component triggering event at one of the gaming machines, that gaming machine generates one or more components of the multi-component game. Upon an evaluation triggering event at one of the gaming machines, that gaming machine determines a multi-component game outcome to provide to the player based on that generated components of other gaming machines. The gaming system determines an award, if any, for that player based on the multi-component game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael MacVittie, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8460084
    Abstract: A gaming device including a first and second indicator plate which are adjacent to each other and on the same axis where the second plate overlaps at least a portion of the first plate and the first and second plates are in different planes. In one embodiment, the first plate includes at least one symbol where one or more awards are associated with the symbol. The second plate is composed at least in part of a substantially transparent material, which enables a player to see through at least a portion of the second plate to view one or more symbols on the first plate. The second plate also includes a plurality of sections, which indicate one or more symbols on the first plate. In one embodiment, the second plate includes at least one transparent section and at least one non-transparent section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Jamie J. Goins
  • Patent number: 8449390
    Abstract: A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 8449389
    Abstract: A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 8419549
    Abstract: A linked gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and having a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates an individual outcome associated with each gaming device. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. However, each gaming device receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Zeke Brill, Hans Elias, Paulina Rodgers, Kehl T. LeSourd, Eric L. Wagner, Christopher D. Carlisle, Kirk A. Tedsen, Michael MacVittie
  • Patent number: 8408987
    Abstract: A gaming device having a transformable wild symbol or card on a set of reels or a transformable wild card in a set of cards, wherein the transformable wild symbol or card provides a signal to a player through a wild indicator or a non-wild indicator. The wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a wild state. The non-wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a non-wild state. In a wild state, the transformable wild symbol or card acts as a wild symbol or card on a set of reels, or a wild card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20120309514
    Abstract: A linked gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and having a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates an individual outcome associated with each gaming device. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. However, each gaming device receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Zeke Brill, Hans Elias, Paulina Rodgers, Kehl T. LeSourd, Eric L. Wagner, Christopher D. Carlisle, Kirk A. Tedsen, Michael MacVittie
  • Patent number: 8323113
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display panel with permanent indicia and optionally also adapted for display of transient indicia which act with the permanent indicia as part of the gaming played on the machine. At least a portion of the permanent indicia may comprise an ink or other iridescent coating that glows in the presence of activating light, typically ultraviolet radiation. A source of the activating light is positioned to irradiate the permanent indicia portions. A controller is typically present for activating the activating light source in a predetermined manner which correlates with one or more events taking place in the particular game being played on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Neil D. Falconer, Jamie J. Goins
  • Publication number: 20120270627
    Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of adjacently arranged gaming machines which are linked by a multi-component game. Each of the gaming machines includes a base or primary game which is operable upon a wager by a player. Upon the occurrence of a component triggering event at one of the gaming machines, that gaming machine generates one or more components of the multi-component game. Upon an evaluation triggering event at one of the gaming machines, that gaming machine determines a multi-component game outcome to provide to the player based on that generated components of other gaming machines. The gaming system determines an award, if any, for that player based on the multi-component game outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Michael MacVittie, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8246472
    Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Zeke Brill, Hans Elias, Paulina Rodgers, Kehl T. LeSourd, Eric L. Wagner, Christopher D. Carlisle, Kirk A. Tedsen, Michael MacVittie
  • Publication number: 20120184357
    Abstract: A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20120184356
    Abstract: A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow