Patents by Inventor Mark C. Nicely

Mark C. Nicely 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: 20160098890
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a slot game employing a set of randomly selected reels. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a slot game associated with a plurality of adjacently arranged reels including a plurality of symbols. Each of a plurality of the reels is associated with one of a plurality of different features and an indicator representing that feature. The gaming system begins sequentially displaying the reels and any corresponding indicators. The gaming system selects a set of two or more of the reels and stops sequentially displaying the reels such that the selected reels are displayed. The gaming system generates and displays a plurality of the symbols on the selected reels, determines whether any winning symbol combinations are displayed, determines any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations, and displays any determined awards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Leandro Basallo, Timothy L. Isaacson, Jon M. Leupp, Brian F. Saunders, Mark C. Nicely, Nguyen T. Louie
  • Publication number: 20160093170
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a gaming system having a plurality of gaming devices. Each of the gaming devices enables a player to make wagers on plays of a primary game. For each gaming device, for each occurrence of a designated accumulation outcome, the player of that gaming device accumulates one or more positions on a bonus game display matrix. When a bonus game trigger occurs, the triggering gaming device is identified. In the bonus game, a plurality of symbols are displayed in the plurality of positions of the bonus game display matrix. The player of the triggering gaming device is provided with any awards associated with any winning symbol combinations formed by the displayed symbols. Additionally, for each assigned position of the bonus game display matrix that displays a symbol which is part of a winning symbol combination, a participation award is provided to the player assigned to that position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Mark C. Nicely, Scott A. Caputo, Bryan D. Wolf, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20160086443
    Abstract: A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively large. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wagers after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Mark C. Nicely
  • Publication number: 20160086432
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein provides streaming symbols game which utilizes a single continuous series or chain of symbols and a plurality of symbol display positions which form a path. Specifically, in various embodiments, the gaming system displays the chain of symbols continuously moving through the path of symbol display positions wherein which symbols are evaluated for any awards corresponds to when the chain of symbols stops moving along the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Leandro Basallo, Rachael A. Bristol, Scott A. Caputo, Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9286755
    Abstract: For facilitating re-experience of an event of a gaming device with a player, upon verification, access is granted to the player to a data processing device. The data processing device is in communication with, yet external to, the gaming device, and the data processing device has been provided a sampling of data from the gaming device through a gaming system, the sampling of data associated with the event to be re-experienced by the player. Responsive to an input received from at least one of the player and an operator, at least one of construction, presentation, and delivery of a facsimile animation re-creation of the event is customized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Rogelio S. Decasa, Mark C. Nicely, Kari L. O'Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20160071362
    Abstract: A gaming system and method including a plurality of gaming devices that may participate in a shared secondary or bonus game and a controller operable to communicate with said plurality of gaming devices. At least one of the plurality of gaming devices is programmed to generate and accumulate collectors upon an occurrence of a first triggering event. Upon an occurrence of a second triggering event at one of the gaming devices, the controller enables a player of said gaming device to redeem a quantity of accumulated collectors in a bonus event. The controller also enables the player to invite other gaming devices from the plurality of gaming devices to redeem accumulated collectors and participate in said bonus event. The odds of each player earning a higher-valued total award in the bonus event increases with the total number of accumulated collectors redeemed in the bonus event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Mark C. Nicely, Gregory H. Parrott
  • Publication number: 20160071361
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure generally relates to gaming systems and methods which utilize a symbol matrix or symbol field in conjunction with a movable symbol display window to randomly select different subsets of symbols from the symbol matrix and provide different awards to players based on such selected symbol subsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Zoltewicz, Mark C. Nicely, Ernest M. Lafky
  • Patent number: 9275524
    Abstract: A gaming system including a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which utilizes zero, one or more multiple symbol display position elements. Each multiple symbol display position element is configured to occupy or span a plurality of symbol display positions of a symbol display position matrix. For a generated multiple symbol display position element to be removed from the symbol display matrix, each of the individual symbols of the multiple symbol display position element must individually qualify to be removed from the symbol display matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9257013
    Abstract: For facilitating re-experience of an event of a gaming device with a player, data is sampled from the gaming device by a gaming system having supervisory hierarchical control over the gaming device, the data provided by the gaming system to a data processing device in communication with the gaming system, that is external to the gaming device. The sampled data is processed to create a facsimile animation recreation of the event at a subsequent time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9257005
    Abstract: For facilitating re-experience of an event of a gaming device with a player, upon a triggering mechanism associated with an event, an input/output (I/O) mechanism is overlaid on the gaming device using a system device in communication with the gaming device. Through use of the I/O mechanism, input is received from the player and output is returned to the player. The I/O mechanism overlaying the gaming device is then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9230405
    Abstract: A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively large. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wagers after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9218710
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a slot game employing a set of randomly selected reels. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a slot game associated with a plurality of adjacently arranged reels including a plurality of symbols. Each of a plurality of the reels is associated with one of a plurality of different features and an indicator representing that feature. The gaming system begins sequentially displaying the reels and any corresponding indicators. The gaming system selects a set of two or more of the reels and stops sequentially displaying the reels such that the selected reels are displayed. The gaming system generates and displays a plurality of the symbols on the selected reels, determines whether any winning symbol combinations are displayed, determines any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations, and displays any determined awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Leandro Basallo, Timothy L. Isaacson, Jon M. Leupp, Brian F. Saunders, Mark C. Nicely, Nguyen T. Louie
  • Publication number: 20150363994
    Abstract: Intelligent gaming tables and methods of providing game play through the gaming tables are described herein. The gaming table includes a table having a table surface, a plurality of player stations, and a common display configured to display gaming content to a plurality of players. The gaming table further includes an interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user input devices. The gaming table includes a gaming controller. The gaming controller is configured to communicate with the plurality of user input devices through the interface, receive location information relating to touches or contacts detected on the table surface, analyze the information relating to the touches or contacts, identify a user performing each of the touches or contacts with the table surface, and implement player input instructions contained within the information relating to the touches or contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Richard E. Rowe, Mark C. Nicely, Bryan D. Wolf, Brian Underdahl
  • Patent number: 9214068
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a gaming system having a plurality of gaming devices. Each of the gaming devices enables a player to make wagers on plays of a primary game. For each gaming device, for each occurrence of a designated accumulation outcome, the player of that gaming device accumulates one or more positions on a bonus game display matrix. When a bonus game trigger occurs, the triggering gaming device is identified. In the bonus game, a plurality of symbols are displayed in the plurality of positions of the bonus game display matrix. The player of the triggering gaming device is provided with any awards associated with any winning symbol combinations formed by the displayed symbols. Additionally, for each assigned position of the bonus game display matrix that displays a symbol which is part of a winning symbol combination, a participation award is provided to the player assigned to that position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark C. Nicely, Scott A. Caputo, Bryan D. Wolf, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 9214067
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein provides streaming symbols game which utilizes a single continuous series or chain of symbols and a plurality of symbol display positions which form a path. Specifically, in various embodiments, the gaming system displays the chain of symbols continuously moving through the path of symbol display positions wherein which symbols are evaluated for any awards corresponds to when the chain of symbols stops moving along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Leandro Basallo, Rachael A. Bristol, Scott A. Caputo, Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9202338
    Abstract: A method of gaming is disclosed wherein progressive award values may be increased in response to certain pre-established game outcomes, wager amounts or random events. The increased progressive award values may be based on a primary game or secondary game outcome. Another innovation is the resetting of progressive awards upon completion of a bonus event whether or not award actually won in said bonus event. Player tracking systems permit progressive award values to be linked to a particular player such that the progressive award values remain personal to the player. Re-setting increased progressive award values is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ernie M. Lafky, Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9202345
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure generally relates to gaming systems and methods which utilize a symbol matrix or symbol field in conjunction with a movable symbol display window to randomly select different subsets of symbols from the symbol matrix and provide different awards to players based on such selected symbol subsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Zoltewicz, Mark C. Nicely, Ernest M. Lafky
  • Patent number: 9196129
    Abstract: The disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a game including a plurality of awards, each of the awards associated with a plurality of award characteristics, including an award value and a level of difficulty. Based at least in part on the award characteristics associated with the awards, a player strategically chooses which award or awards to play for (i.e., which award or awards to attempt to collect) in the game. In certain multiplayer embodiments, two or more players can work together to obtain awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark C. Nicely, Binh T. Nguyen, Scott A. Caputo, Ernie M. Lafky
  • Patent number: 9189919
    Abstract: A gaming system and method including a plurality of gaming devices that may participate in a shared secondary or bonus game and a controller operable to communicate with said plurality of gaming devices. At least one of the plurality of gaming devices is programmed to generate and accumulate collectors upon an occurrence of a first triggering event. Upon an occurrence of a second triggering event at one of the gaming devices, the controller enables a player of said gaming device to redeem a quantity of accumulated collectors in a bonus event. The controller also enables the player to invite other gaming devices from the plurality of gaming devices to redeem accumulated collectors and participate in said bonus event. The odds of each player earning a higher-valued total award in the bonus event increases with the total number of accumulated collectors redeemed in the bonus event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Mark C. Nicely, Gregory H. Parrott
  • Patent number: 9177447
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure generally relates to gaming systems and methods which utilize a symbol matrix or symbol field in conjunction with a movable symbol display window to randomly select different subsets of symbols from the symbol matrix and provide different awards to players based on such selected symbol subsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Zoltewicz, Mark C. Nicely, Ernest M. Lafky