Patents by Inventor Micheal Shackelford
Micheal Shackelford 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).
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Patent number: 9336962Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Karl Wudtke, Bryan Kelly, Micheal Shackelford, Vernon Bernard, Michael Stacey, John Garofalo
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Patent number: 9129472Abstract: A video gaming device having a plurality of indicia-bearing spinning reels in a first set of reels and a second set of reels is disclosed. A determination is made as to whether the display of the indicia of the plurality of spinning reels in the first and second sets of reels are winning outcomes. Award-multiplier indicia of a first shared spinning base game award-multiplier reel is positioned between the first and second set of reels. The base game award-multiplier indicia modifies the winning outcome on the first set of reels, modifies the winning outcome on the second set of reels, includes a secondary game trigger symbol, forms a contiguous set of reels having a common axis of rotation with the first and second set of reels, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: David B. Schultz, Nathaniel A. Hammond, Dominic Tiberio, Micheal Shackelford
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Publication number: 20140370965Abstract: A video gaming device having a plurality of indicia-bearing spinning reels in a first set of reels and a second set of reels is disclosed. A determination is made as to whether the display of the indicia of the plurality of spinning reels in the first and second sets of reels are winning outcomes. Award-multiplier indicia of a first shared spinning base game award-multiplier reel is positioned between the first and second set of reels. The base game award-multiplier indicia modifies the winning outcome on the first set of reels, modifies the winning outcome on the second set of reels, includes a secondary game trigger symbol, forms a contiguous set of reels having a common axis of rotation with the first and second set of reels, or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: David B. Schultz, Nathaniel A. Hammond, Dominic Tiberio, Micheal Shackelford
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Patent number: 8858319Abstract: A method for enhancing the outcome of a reel spinning game having one or more shared award-modifier reels is disclosed. The method includes: providing a game including a first set of reels, a second set of reels, and a shared base award-multiplier reel positioned adjacent to a first and second set of reels, and the shared base award-multiplier reel enhances any winning outcomes in the first and/or second set of reels; determining whether the game outcome of one set of reels is a winning outcome; and enhancing the winning outcome of at least one set of reels when an award-multiplier symbol is present on the shared base award-multiplier reel, initiating a secondary game when a secondary game trigger symbol is presented on the shared base award-multiplier reel, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: David B. Schultz, Nathanial A. Hammond, Dominic Tiberio, Micheal Shackelford
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Patent number: 8657666Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Karl Wudtke, Bryan Kelly, Micheal Shackelford, Vernon Bernard, Michael Stacey, John Garofalo
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Patent number: 8613656Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Karl Wudtke, Bryan Kelly, Micheal Shackelford, Vernon Bernard, Michael Stacey, John Garofalo
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Patent number: 8517821Abstract: A multiple bonus modifier game includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers. The multiple bonus modifier game comprises a single spin game that includes a plurality of spinning reels in a base game, a first base award modifier that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game defines a base game award. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier defines a first modifier award, which potentially adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier defines a second modifier award, which potentially adjusts the base game award.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Micheal Shackelford, Nathaniel Hammond, Dom Tiberio
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Publication number: 20120231872Abstract: A multiple bonus modifier game includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers. The multiple bonus modifier game comprises a single spin game that includes a plurality of spinning reels in a base game, a first base award modifier that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game defines a base game award. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier defines a first modifier award, which potentially adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier defines a second modifier award, which potentially adjusts the base game award.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Micheal Shackelford, Nathanial Hammond, Dom Tiberio
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Publication number: 20090325684Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Karl Wudtke, Bryan Kelly, Micheal Shackelford, Vernon Bernard, Michael Stacey, John Garofalo
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Publication number: 20080214281Abstract: A multiple bonus modifier game 10 includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or simultaneously of each other (i.e., the two or more base award modifiers operate independently of each other or in conjunction with each other to modify a base game award). The multiple bonus modifier game 10 comprises a base game 20 that includes a plurality of spinning reels, a first base award modifier 30 that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier 40 that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game 20 defines a base game award 25. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier 30 defines a first modifier award 35, which adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier 40 defines a second modifier award 45, which potentially adjusts the combined base game award 25 and first modifier award 35, if both awards are given.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Micheal Shackelford, Nathanial Hammond, Dom Tiberio
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Patent number: 7377850Abstract: A multiple bonus modifier game 10 includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or simultaneously of each other (i.e., the two or more base award modifiers operate independently of each other or in conjunction with each other to modify a base game award). The multiple bonus modifier game 10 comprises a base game 20 that includes a plurality of spinning reels, a first base award modifier 30 that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier 40 that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game 20 defines a base game award 25. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier 30 defines a first modifier award 35, which adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier 40 defines a second modifier award 45, which potentially adjusts the combined base game award 25 and first modifier award 35, if both awards are given.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Micheal Shackelford, Nathanial Hammond, Dom Tiberio
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Publication number: 20080113736Abstract: Disclosed are a gaming machine and method for operating a gaming machine including a first light emitter, the first emitter enabled to emit visible light that illuminates at least one of the indicia associated with a game played on the gaming machine. In certain circumstances, a second light emitter emits light that further illuminates the same indicia such that the appearance of the indicia is altered from its original appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Micheal Shackelford, John Vallejo
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Publication number: 20070069460Abstract: A system and method for remapping a game wheel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for remapping a wheel comprises providing a wagering game having a wheel divided into a plurality of wheel segments. A map is selected from a library before producing a game outcome. Each map defines particular weights for the wheel segments on the wheel. Once the map is selected, particular weights are assigned to the wheel segments as defined by the selected map, wherein the particular weights are assigned to the wheel segments before a game outcome is produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Marvin Hein, Micheal Shackelford
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Publication number: 20060073878Abstract: A multiple bonus modifier game 10 includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or simultaneously of each other (i.e., the two or more base award modifiers operate independently of each other or in conjunction with each other to modify a base game award). The multiple bonus modifier game 10 comprises a base game 20 that includes a plurality of spinning reels, a first base award modifier 30 that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier 40 that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game 20 defines a base game award 25. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier 30 defines a first modifier award 35, which adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier 40 defines a second modifier award 45, which potentially adjusts the combined base game award 25 and first modifier award 35, if both awards are given.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2004Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Micheal Shackelford, Nathanial Hammond, Dom Tiberio