Patents by Inventor Mark Woodard

Mark Woodard 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: 8506412
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a main door coupled to a main cabinet and a controller positioned within the main cabinet, wherein the controller includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit wireless control signals. The gaming machine also includes a display board coupled to the main door, wherein the display board includes a plurality of light devices and a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless transmitter, and wherein the wireless signals are representative of control commands for the plurality of light devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Gene Elvin Powell, Mark Woodard
  • Patent number: 8480474
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a reel assembly and a processor operatively coupled to the reel assembly. The reel assembly includes at least one slot reel including a reel strip having a plurality of symbols positioned thereon. At least a portion of the plurality of symbols includes a plurality of frames. The at least one slot reel is configured to rotate about an axis. The reel assembly also includes at least one light device positioned with respect to the slot reel to selectively illuminate the plurality of symbols. The processor is configured to control the light device to progressively illuminate at least a portion of the plurality of frames to facilitate an appearance of animation within the plurality of frames during rotation of said at least one slot reel about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Julia Janeen Randall, Brian Keith Baker, Jean Pierre Legras, Gene Elvin Powell, Stewart Thoeni, Mark Woodard
  • Publication number: 20110070939
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a reel assembly and a processor operatively coupled to the reel assembly. The reel assembly includes at least one slot reel including a reel strip having a plurality of symbols positioned thereon. At least a portion of the plurality of symbols includes a plurality of frames. The at least one slot reel is configured to rotate about an axis. The reel assembly also includes at least one light device positioned with respect to the slot reel to selectively illuminate the plurality of symbols. The processor is configured to control the light device to progressively illuminate at least a portion of the plurality of frames to facilitate an appearance of animation within the plurality of frames during rotation of said at least one slot reel about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Julia Janeen Randall, Brian Keith Baker, Jean Pierre Legras, Gene Elvin Powell, Stewart Thoeni, Mark Woodard
  • Publication number: 20100117544
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a main door coupled to a main cabinet and a controller positioned within the main cabinet, wherein the controller includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit wireless control signals. The gaming machine also includes a display board coupled to the main door, wherein the display board includes a plurality of light devices and a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless transmitter, and wherein the wireless signals are representative of control commands for the plurality of light devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Gene Elvin Powell, Mark Woodard
  • Publication number: 20090149242
    Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a configurable reel lighting apparatus for gaming devices. In one embodiment, a gaming device having a plurality of spinnable reels includes a molded frame visually separating the reels and having a plurality of openings. The gaming device also includes a plurality of individual light sources corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of openings, where each light source is associated with one of the plurality of spinnable reels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: IGT, A NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Woodard, Gene Powell, Steve McGahn