Patents by Inventor Mark Nicely

Mark 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: 20090305779
    Abstract: A gaming system and method involving a dice game. The gaming system displays a plurality of wager areas. Each wager area is associated with a wager area value. The gaming system indicates a plurality of different reward ratios associated with the wager areas. One or more of the wager areas are selectable by the player for wagering. A plurality of dice are simulated as rolled. If the sum of the stopped dice is equal to the value of any of the wagered upon areas, the gaming system provides an award. If a bonus condition is satisfied, the gaming system provides a bonus outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Mark Nicely, Paul Miltenberger
  • Patent number: 7533885
    Abstract: A standard underlying multi-outcome/multi-bet game is played, whereby a bonus mechanism can reward the player relative to their underlying game bets. Such a bonus may be triggered by a underlying game outcome (which may or may not be an outcome which a bet can be placed) or by an event independent of the underlying game. A bonus reward can be the playing of one or more plays of the underlying game, optionally with different play rules and/or pay schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark Nicely, Paul Miltenberger
  • Patent number: 7338371
    Abstract: A game method includes a player placing a wager. A sub-game includes the selection of N challenge indicia from a set of ranked indicia. After each challenge indicia is displayed, a player predicts the relative ranking of the next challenge indicia. If a player qualifies based on his performance during the sub-game, the player is issued a reward and moves to another sub-game. A device for executing a game method includes a data processor communicating with a display, a wager device, a reward dispenser, and a input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Theodore Cheng, Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20070135194
    Abstract: A modified version of a Blackjack game includes a plurality of Blackjack rules including at least one player rule and at least one dealer rule. The modified Blackjack game includes at least one deck of cards, a plurality of participant hands formable from the deck, and a plurality of game administrator hands formable from the deck. A game outcome can be produced by applying the player rule to at least one of the game administrator hands, and by applying the dealer rule to at least one of the participant hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Mark Nicely, Paul Miltenberger, Scott Caputo
  • Publication number: 20070135204
    Abstract: A game system including a plurality of symbols, a rotor and an award amount. The plurality of symbols include at least one secondary award group of the symbols. A wager is placeable on the secondary award group. The rotor displays the symbols and a plurality of ball landings adjacent to the symbols. A plurality of the symbols are indicatable after multiple spins of the rotor. The game system is operable to provide a secondary award based on the indication of one or more symbols within the secondary award group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20070135203
    Abstract: A gaming device including a game operable upon one or more wagers. The game is operable for a first play and a second play. Each one of the plays involves a spin of a rotor. The rotor has a plurality of symbols and a plurality of ball landings adjacent to the symbols. A first quantity of the ball landings is available for the first play, and a lower, second quantity of the ball landings is available for the second play. The gaming device also includes an indicator that is operable to indicate information relating to the availability of the second quantity of ball landings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20070135193
    Abstract: A card game includes a plurality of rounds playable upon at least one base wager and at least one supplemental wager. Each one of the rounds results in an outcome, where a base award is associated with at least one of the outcomes. A pattern condition is fulfillable when a pattern of the outcomes corresponds to one of a plurality of designated patterns. Different supplemental awards are provided based on the fulfillment of the pattern condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20070120320
    Abstract: A gaming device including at least one wagering station and a rotor. The rotor supports a series of symbols arranged about a center. The rotor also supports a series of landings arranged adjacent to the series of symbols. In operation, at least one ball travels along the rotor and eventually reaches a landing. One or more of the elements of the gaming device has a designated shape, construction or function to enable designated operations of a primary game, a secondary outcome determiner or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Paul Miltenberger, Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20060252542
    Abstract: The device and method of the present invention configures a gaming device so that an input device receiving input in one game state to be interpreted and applied according to one input state is reconfigured so that input received in a different game state is interpreted and applied according to a different input state. In an optional embodiment, multiple different input devices may be reconfigured to provide the same input in one or more game states. Also in optional embodiment, a set of input devices of a cardinality in one game state may be reconfigured into a set of input devices of different cardinality in another game state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20060237905
    Abstract: A standard underlying multi-outcome/multi-bet game is played, whereby a bonus mechanism can reward the player relative to their underlying game bets. Such a bonus may be triggered by a underlying game outcome (which may or may not be an outcome which a bet can be placed) or by an event independent of the underlying game. A bonus reward can be the playing of one or more plays of the underlying game, optionally with different play rules and/or pay schedules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Mark Nicely, Paul Miltenberger
  • Publication number: 20060131810
    Abstract: A card game and method of playing the card game is disclosed. The card game is premised on the game of Texas Hold'em and pits a player against one or more virtual players. Initially, the player places a blind wager and then the player and multiple virtual players are provided two hole cards. The player's two hole cards are provided face-up and each virtual player receives the hole cards face down. In one version, at least one virtual hand is eliminated from play during the game. Elimination criteria can be based on a ranking of the virtual player's hand or other suitable criteria. At the end of the game the player's hand is compared to each remaining virtual player's hand. If the player's hand outranks each virtual player's hand, the player wins a payout. A hand swap or exchange, “All In” wager and a side wager are other features of the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20060066051
    Abstract: A card game and method of playing the card game is disclosed. The card game involves placing cards into pre-defined card positions in the form of grids or matrices. For example, a 3×3 grid is filled with nine cards. Game outcome combinations are defined by three horizontal, three vertical and two diagonal pay lines. Another grid arrangement includes a 3×3 grid with each row and column having an extra card position at each end thereof. Accordingly, after the 3×3 grid is filled with random cards, a player may select one or more pay lines after which the two extra card positions are filled. The player is paid for any winning hands formed of the five card defined by the selected pay lines. Countless grid arrangements and pay lines are conceivable. In other versions, the player may replace one or more initially dealt, displayed or otherwise provided cards. The card game and method disclosed herein may be played through an electronic gaming device, over the Internet or at a live gaming table with a dealer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20060030403
    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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Ernie Lafky, Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20060017225
    Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game using dice is disclosed. The method is ideally suited for video-based machines or Internet-based applications. However, it may be conducted in a live environment. Dice comprising multiple characteristics (e.g., values and colors) are used to generate random outcomes. Players may place wagers on value outcomes and color outcomes. Multiple groups of distinct dice may be used to create a game matrix having multiple pay lines which afford players multiple wager options. In one electronic version five dice are used. A player places a wager and then four of the five dice values are generated and revealed. With four of the five values known, possible winning outcomes are highlighted from a pay table listing all winning outcomes. In this version, there are always possible winning outcomes after four of the five dice have been revealed. Bonus trigger outcomes are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20050282625
    Abstract: The disclosed device and method comprise configuring a gaming device to offer one or more “As Is” prizes when a bet at a threshold limit less than a maximum bet is placed without apparently or actually reducing the expected return to player (“ERTP”) on bets larger than the threshold limit. In one version, one or more standard awards are sweetened for bets less than the maximum amount. In an alternative version, multiple “As Is” prizes are provided. Players are eligible for each “As Is” prize based on an amount of their wager. Consequently, to be eligible for a first “As Is” prize the player may need to place a first wager amount and to be eligible for a second “As Is” prize the player may need to place a second wager amount greater than the first amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20050159200
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an award based on a multiplicity of game outcomes. In one implementation the invention provides a method for providing a game. The method includes placing a bet by a player, playing of a game to produce a game outcome, evaluating a primary game outcome, paying a direct award if the primary outcome merits it, advancing a bonus accumulator if the primary outcome merits it, and if the bonus accumulator has advanced sufficiently, paying a bonus award to the player and clearing the bonus accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Nicely, Kathleen Bolich
  • Publication number: 20050124404
    Abstract: A method and device for conducting a wagering game includes defining a schedule of awards correlated to a schedule of holdings. At least one of said awards is associated with an activation criterion which includes a threshold wager amount such that the award is only activated when a wager is greater than, or equal to, the threshold wager amount. In this manner, increased wagers may result in increased holdings eligible for awards, increased likelihood that an award may be obtained, or increased awards eligible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20050032565
    Abstract: A game method includes a player placing a wager. A sub-game includes the selection of N challenge indicia from a set of ranked indicia. After each challenge indicia is displayed, a player predicts the relative ranking of the next challenge indicia. If a player qualifies based on his performance during the sub-game, the player is issued a reward and moves to another sub-game. A device for executing a game method includes a data processor communicating with a display, a wager device, a reward dispenser, and a input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Theodore Cheng, Mark Nicely
  • Publication number: 20040242300
    Abstract: At least one selection set of indicia representing a winning outcome and one selection set of indicia representing a non-winning outcome are provided. A plurality of unrevealed indicia are displayed. A player selects indicia, and the selected indicia are revealed, until a predetermined number of indicia of one of said selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed. If a winning outcome is revealed, an award may be issued. The present invention also includes a device having a data processor communicating with a data structure, a wager device, a display, a selection device, and an award device to carry out the present method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Nicely, Ernie Lafky
  • Publication number: 20040185933
    Abstract: The device and method of the present invention configures a gaming device to have an improved data input key set to facilitate the players wagering activity according to one or more wagering systems such as Martingale, Anti-Martingale and others. The device and method can also configure a processor to detect wagering according a system and thereafter display the suggested next wager according to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Nicely