Patents by Inventor Keith Rucker

Keith Rucker 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: 20230377426
    Abstract: A gaming device for providing an award to a player is described. The gaming device includes a controller that is configured to display a game including a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbol positions that are each being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The controller randomly generates a first outcome and spins and stops the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The controller also detects a triggering condition and responsively selects a reel and replaces the selected reel with a replacement reel. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The controller randomly generates a second outcome, spins and stops the plurality of reels including the replacement reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Patent number: 11651661
    Abstract: A gaming device for providing an award to a player is described. The gaming device includes a controller that is configured to display a game including a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbol positions that are each being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The controller randomly generates a first outcome and spins and stops the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The controller also detects a triggering condition and responsively selects a reel and replaces the selected reel with a replacement reel. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The controller randomly generates a second outcome, spins and stops the plurality of reels including the replacement reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Publication number: 20210264742
    Abstract: A gaming device for providing an award to a player is described. The gaming device includes a controller that is configured to display a game including a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbol positions that are each being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The controller randomly generates a first outcome and spins and stops the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The controller also detects a triggering condition and responsively selects a reel and replaces the selected reel with a replacement reel. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The controller randomly generates a second outcome, spins and stops the plurality of reels including the replacement reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Patent number: 10839654
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns, each column having an associated reel, each reel having an associated reel strip, each reel strip including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of game symbols displayed in each of the symbol cells in a predetermined order defining a reel layout, at least one of the reel strips having a second reel layout, the second reel layout having an identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions. The controller is configured to replace the reel layout with the second reel layout in the at least one of the reel strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 10810844
    Abstract: A gaming device for providing an award to a player is described. The gaming device includes a controller that is configured to display a game including a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbol positions that are each being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The controller randomly generates a first outcome and spins and stops the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The controller also detects a triggering condition and responsively selects a reel and replaces the selected reel with a replacement reel. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The controller randomly generates a second outcome, spins and stops the plurality of reels including the replacement reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Publication number: 20190228613
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns, each column having an associated reel, each reel having an associated reel strip, each reel strip including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of game symbols displayed in each of the symbol cells in a predetermined order defining a reel layout, at least one of the reel strips having a second reel layout, the second reel layout having an identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions. The controller is configured to replace the reel layout with the second reel layout in the at least one of the reel strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 10290188
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns, each column having an associated reel, each reel having an associated reel strip, each reel strip including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of game symbols displayed in each of the symbol cells in a predetermined order defining a reel layout, at least one of the reel strips having a second reel layout, the second reel layout having an identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions. The controller is configured to replace the reel layout with the second reel layout in the at least one of the reel strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 10255767
    Abstract: The game machine comprising a display device and a controller is provided. The display device is configured to display a game. The controller is configured to display a plurality of reels, the reels reach displaying a plurality of symbols. Each reel includes at least one activation zone with each activation zone have at least one symbol. The controller is configured to determine the number of symbols within the activation zone, randomly determine an outcome of the game, and display the outcome of the game including the activation zone. The activation zone includes a determined number of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Publication number: 20180332850
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and combinations of Fluopyram, optionally in combination with at least one insecticide, in particular a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist for improving earliness in cotton, wherein Fluopyram, optionally in combination with at least one insecticide, in particular at least one nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is applied to the cotton plants, plant parts thereof, plant propagation material or the soil which the plants are grown or intended to be grown in an effective amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Heiko RIECK, Lee HALL, Stephen KRUEGER, George MUSSON, Keith RUCKER, Gareth SCHWARZLOSE
  • Patent number: 9911268
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The controller is configured to: establish a first reel layout and a second reel layout, the second reel layout having a blank symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions and at least one identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions; randomly shift the second reel layout by a number of symbol positions in relation to the first reel layout; combine the second reel layout with the first reel layout to create a combined reel layout; and assign the combined reel layout to one of the reel strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Publication number: 20180018857
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns, each column having an associated reel, each reel having an associated reel strip, each reel strip including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of game symbols displayed in each of the symbol cells in a predetermined order defining a reel layout, at least one of the reel strips having a second reel layout, the second reel layout having an identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions. The controller is configured to replace the reel layout with the second reel layout in the at least one of the reel strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 9799172
    Abstract: The game machine comprising a display and a controller is provided. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns, each with an associated reel, an associated reel strip, a plurality of symbol positions, and each symbol position populated by a game symbol. The controller is configured to initiate a game and detect a trigger condition. In response the trigger condition the control then establishes a number of symbols in a set of symbols, selects a set of symbols based on the established number of symbols, with the set of symbols including a plurality of game symbols, and replaces each of the symbols in a plurality of symbol positions on at least one of the reel strips with the selected set of symbols. The controller then establishes a predetermined combination of symbols within the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Patent number: 9792774
    Abstract: A method of allowing a player to play a gaming machine is described herein. The method includes the steps of displaying a game including a plurality of reels including a reel strip having a plurality of normal symbols positions and a plurality of special symbol positions. The method includes randomly generating a first outcome of a game, responsively awarding a first award to the player based on the first game outcome, and determining if a triggering condition occurs in the first game outcome, wherein the triggering condition including a plurality of adjacent special symbol positions being displayed in at least one reel within the display area. The method includes randomly selecting a special symbol and replacing the symbols being displayed in each adjacent special symbol position with the selected special symbol to generate a subsequent second game outcome including the selected special symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 9728049
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns, each column having an associated reel, each reel having an associated reel strip, each reel strip including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of game symbols displayed in each of the symbol cells in a predetermined order defining a reel layout, at least one of the reel strips having a second reel layout, the second reel layout having an identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions. The controller is configured to replace the reel layout with the second reel layout in the at least one of the reel strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Publication number: 20170061729
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The controller is configured to: establish a first reel layout and a second reel layout, the second reel layout having a blank symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions and at least one identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions; randomly shift the second reel layout by a number of symbol positions in relation to the first reel layout; combine the second reel layout with the first reel layout to create a combined reel layout; and assign the combined reel layout to one of the reel strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 9520016
    Abstract: A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The controller is configured to: establish a first reel layout and a second reel layout, the second reel layout having a blank symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions and at least one identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions; randomly shift the second reel layout by a number of symbol positions in relation to the first reel layout; combine the second reel layout with the first reel layout to create a combined reel layout; and assign the combined reel layout to one of the reel strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Delekta, Keith Rucker, Satoshi Suda
  • Publication number: 20160078711
    Abstract: A gaming device for providing an award to a player is described. The gaming device includes a controller that is configured to display a game including a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbol positions that are each being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The controller randomly generates a first outcome and spins and stops the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The controller also detects a triggering condition and responsively selects a reel and replaces the selected reel with a replacement reel. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The controller randomly generates a second outcome, spins and stops the plurality of reels including the replacement reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Publication number: 20160063801
    Abstract: The game machine comprising a display and a controller is provided. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns, each with an associated reel, an associated reel strip, a plurality of symbol positions, and each symbol position populated by a game symbol. The controller is configured to initiate a game and detect a trigger condition. In response the trigger condition the control then establishes a number of symbols in a set of symbols, selects a set of symbols based on the established number of symbols, with the set of symbols including a plurality of game symbols, and replaces each of the symbols in a plurality of symbol positions on at least one of the reel strips with the selected set of symbols. The controller then establishes a predetermined combination of symbols within the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Publication number: 20160063802
    Abstract: The game machine comprising a display device and a controller is provided. The display device is configured to display a game. The controller is configured to display a plurality of reels, the reels reach displaying a plurality of symbols. Each reel includes at least one activation zone with each activation zone have at least one symbol. The controller is configured to determine the number of symbols within the activation zone, randomly determine an outcome of the game, and display the outcome of the game including the activation zone. The activation zone includes a determined number of symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Keith Rucker
  • Patent number: 9214069
    Abstract: A gaming machine and method are provided which provide a plurality of games on a display device to a player. The outcome of the games are randomly selected and displayed on the display device. For each game: if the outcome is a winning outcome an award is awarded to the player as a function of the outcome, the wager made by the player, and a predetermined paytable and if a triggering condition in the outcome of each game, an other award is responsively awarded to the player if the triggering condition is detected in at least two of the plurality of games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Rucker, Jason Gilmore