Patents by Inventor Randall D. Mead

Randall D. Mead 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: 8727861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a bonus game, where the bonus game displays a target set including a plurality of player selectable symbols. At least one of the symbols is designated as a target symbol in a target set. The gaming device provides a predetermined number of picks to begin a bonus game and enables a player to use the picks to pick symbols from the target set. If the player picks a symbol that is not a target symbol, a relationship indicator indicates the relationship between the target symbol and the picked symbol. The player continues to pick symbols in the target set until the player picks the target symbol. If the player picks a target symbol, the gaming device enables the player to pick symbols from a new target set. The player continues to pick symbols in target sets until the player has no picks remaining. Preferably, the gaming device provides an award for each picked target symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Megan N. Schlegel, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 7837554
    Abstract: A gaming device having a multiple selection and award distribution bonus scheme. A selection is chosen from a group of selections. The game determines awards for distribution to the selection. Once determined, the awards are distributed to the selection and a player is provided with the awards. The game preferably utilizes a number of award pools in order to determine the award distribution. This award pool determination is based on, for example, a number of probability tables associated with the award pools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Randall D. Mead, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7614953
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating the gaming device including interrelating bonus games in a bonus round by providing outcomes which transfer the player to one of the other interrelated bonus games. Each bonus game includes a different set of outcomes depending on what order the bonus game is selected by the gaming device or the player. Once an initial bonus game is selected, the player is presented with a plurality of selections which can include awards, award digits, modifiers, terminators, and other outcomes in addition to transfers to other bonus games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Roman A. Souza, Randall D. Mead, William E. Vorias
  • Patent number: 7585218
    Abstract: A gaming device include a game having a plurality of selection groups and a final jackpot award. The game provides the player with a number of picks with which the player uses to attempt to pick selections in the groups. The number of picks in one preferred embodiment is not enough to allow the player to pick once from every group. The game requires that one advance symbol must yield another advance symbol for the player to reach a jackpot award. That is, the player has to pick an advance symbol from a first group that yields automatically an advance symbol from a second group. The player then advances through the second group without consuming a second pick to a third group or to the jackpot award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Randall D. Mead, Wing Yee Ngan
  • Patent number: 7572184
    Abstract: A gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that enables a player to initiate a randomly generated number, wherein said number determines the number of positions that a position marker will move along an enclosed path. Each time the marker lands upon a previously unmarked position, the game provides an award associated with that position to the player. When the marker lands upon a previously marked position, the game ends. The present invention also contemplates updating or changing the values of unmarked or unselected positions along the enclosed path by preferably adding to each unmarked or unselected position the value of the award of a previously selected position. That is, when the game randomly selects an unmarked position, the game provides the player with an award, wherein the game preferably replaces a previously achieved award with the award of the newly selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 7566271
    Abstract: A gaming device with a selection game that enables a player to pick one of a plurality of selections. An award, terminator or modifier associated with the picked selection is revealed to the player. If the picked selection is associated with a terminator, the selection game ends. If the picked selection is associated with an award or value, the revealed award or value is modified by each activated modifier to form at least one modified award. The modified award is then provided to the player. If the picked selection is associated with a modifier, then the revealed modifier is activated. Once activated, the modifier will modify each of the awards that are subsequently revealed during the selection game. Moreover, once a modifier is activated, the gaming device retroactively applies the activated modifier to each of the previously revealed awards or values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: John D. Hostetler, Randall D. Mead, Wing Yee Ngan
  • Patent number: 7566269
    Abstract: A gaming device having selectable awards on a moving mechanical display, such as a symbol display mechanism or an award display mechanism. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes an electromechanical secondary display device that is operable to rotate about an axis. The electromechanical secondary display device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of individual symbol display members. Each individual symbol display member is adapted to display at least one symbol or award. In operation, after determining the symbol, award or outcome displayed by each of the individual symbol display members, the electromechanical secondary display device rotates about an axis to indicate one of the individual symbol display members. The symbol or award displayed on the indicated symbol display member is provided to the player and the game ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Janna D. B-Jensen, Cari L. Blomquist, Randall D. Mead, Megan N. Schlegel, Melvin J. Hawes, Jamie J. Goins, Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Patent number: 7547252
    Abstract: A gaming device that incorporates mechanical display devices to provide a player-selectable award feature that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. The gaming device randomly generates a plurality of digit positions or places of an award and enables the player to pick which position or digit receives a first randomly generated number, which digit receives a second randomly generated number, etc., until each of the positions have a number, whereby the gaming device determines the player's original award. The player can elect to modify the original award using a plurality of methods to create an ultimate award. The gaming device display the digits, digit positions, and modification methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Lance R. Peterson, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, III, Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 7507155
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables a player to pick at least one of a plurality of selections, wherein at least one of the selections is associated with a terminator. The gaming device determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. If the picked selection is not associated with a terminator, the gaming device places the picked selection to occupy a position of a selection group. The gaming device enables the player to pick another one of the selections and again determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. If the picked selection is associated with a terminator, the gaming device modifies the position of at least one of the picked selections. After modifying the positions of one or more of the picked selections, the gaming device determines the modified award based on the awards or values associated with the modified positions of the picked selections. The gaming device provides the determined modified award to the player and ends the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Randall D. Mead, Amy J. Hale, Eric S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7435174
    Abstract: A gaming device and method having a pick reduction game. Initially, a plurality of first selections are displayed to the player. A number of picks is displayed to the player where the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections. The player uses the number of picks to pick first selections until the player picks a trigger selection. The number of picks are reduced after each pick by the player. When the player picks the trigger selection, the gaming device displays a plurality of second selections to the player. Each of the second selections is associated with an award. The player picks second selections and receives awards for each picked second selection until there are no picks remaining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Megan N. Schlegel, Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 7413510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a bonus game, where the bonus game displays a target set including a plurality of player selectable symbols. At least one of the symbols is designated as a target symbol in a target set. The gaming device provides a predetermined number of picks to begin a bonus game and enables a player to use the picks to pick symbols from the target set. If the player picks a symbol that is not a target symbol, a relationship indicator indicates the relationship between the target symbol and the picked symbol. The player continues to pick symbols in the target set until the player picks the target symbol. If the player picks a target symbol, the gaming device enables the player to pick symbols from a new target set. The player continues to pick symbols in target sets until the player has no picks remaining. Preferably, the gaming device provides an award for each picked target symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Megan N. Schlegel, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead
  • Publication number: 20080188287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a bonus game, where the bonus game displays a target set including a plurality of player selectable symbols. At least one of the symbols is designated as a target symbol in a target set. The gaming device provides a predetermined number of picks to begin a bonus game and enables a player to use the picks to pick symbols from the target set. If the player picks a symbol that is not a target symbol, a relationship indicator indicates the relationship between the target symbol and the picked symbol. The player continues to pick symbols in the target set until the player picks the target symbol. If the player picks a target symbol, the gaming device enables the player to pick symbols from a new target set. The player continues to pick symbols in target sets until the player has no picks remaining. Preferably, the gaming device provides an award for each picked target symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Megan N. Schlegel, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 7407435
    Abstract: A gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that enables a player to initiate a randomly generated number, wherein said number determines the number of positions that a position marker will move along an enclosed path. Each time the marker lands upon a previously unmarked position, the game provides an award associated with that position to the player. When the marker lands upon a previously marked position, the game ends. The present invention also contemplates updating or changing the values of unmarked or unselected positions along the enclosed path by preferably adding to each unmarked or unselected position the value of the award of a previously selected position. That is, when the game randomly selects an unmarked position, the game provides the player with an award, wherein the game preferably replaces a previously achieved award with the award of the newly selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 7364507
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that enables a player to initiate a randomly generated number, wherein said number determines the number of positions that a position marker will move along an enclosed path. Each time the marker lands upon a previously unmarked position, the game provides an award associated with that position to the player. When the marker lands upon a previously marked position, the game ends. The present invention also contemplates updating or changing the values of unmarked or unselected positions along the enclosed path by preferably adding to each unmarked or unselected position the value of the award of a previously selected position. That is, when the game randomly selects an unmarked position, the game provides the player with an award, wherein the game preferably replaces a previously achieved award with the award of the newly selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 7357712
    Abstract: A method of controlling a gaming device is provided in which a set of a plurality of selections is displayed. The player is enabled to pick one of the selections. After one of the selections is picked by the player, an award is generated and provided from an award pool. One of the selections is eliminated from the set. The above steps are repeated until the player's picked selection is the same as the eliminated selection, wherein the set in each repeated step is reduced to include non-eliminated selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, Ryan W. Cuddy, John H. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 7341512
    Abstract: A computer system operable to communicate with one or more gaming devices. The computer system has a processor and a data storage device. The data storage device stores instructions associated with a multi-round game. The instructions are executable to cause the gaming device to display a base, selections and characteristics associated therewith. The instructions are executable to enable one or more selections to be picked in multiple rounds to match characteristics of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jan K. Dolloff, Randall D. Mead, John D. Hostetler, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7338366
    Abstract: A gaming device having a mechanical display device for indicating selected symbols to a player. The mechanical display has a plurality of display plates which each display a symbol. In one embodiment, a first set of the display plates and a second set of the display plates are in opposing relation to each other and connected to a housing. The first and second display plates are each independently rotatably connected to the housing and rotate toward and away from each other. The gaming device selects at least one of the symbols on one of the display plates of the first and second set of display plates and displays the selected symbols to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Tai Rosander, Randall D. Mead, Markus Rothkranz
  • Patent number: 7316613
    Abstract: A gaming device having a primary game with a bonus triggering event that affects the outcome of a secondary or bonus game. The number of symbols in the bonus game is dependant on the number of bonus triggering symbols in the bonus triggering event. After generating a number of bonus triggering symbols in the base or primary game, the gaming device animates the bonus triggering symbols and generates a related number of bonus symbols. The gaming device provides an award based on the combination of the bonus symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Matthew Luccesi, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland, Randall D. Mead, Johnny L. Palchetti, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7278919
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating the gaming device including interrelating bonus games in a bonus round by providing outcomes which transfer the player to one of the other interrelated bonus games. Each bonus game includes a different set of outcomes depending on what order the bonus game is selected by the gaming device or the player. Once an initial bonus game is selected, the player is presented with a plurality of selections which can include awards, award digits, modifiers, terminators, and other outcomes in addition to transfers to other bonus games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Roman A. Souza, Randall D. Mead, William E. Vorias
  • Patent number: 7241220
    Abstract: A gaming device including a mechanical display which includes a housing, a symbol display mechanism rotatably connected to the housing, a plurality of independent symbol display members including at least one symbol rotatably connected to the symbol display mechanism and a pivoting symbol indicator connected to the center of the symbol display mechanism. Upon a triggering event in a game, the symbol display mechanism rotates relative to the housing and each of the symbol display members rotate relative to the symbol display mechanism. The pivoting symbol indicator pivots downward towards one of the symbol display members to indicate the symbol on the symbol display member. The mechanical display may be used in a primary game, a secondary game or any suitable type of game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Markus Rothkranz, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Steve P. McGahn, Gene E. Powell, Randall D. Mead, Joseph R. Hedrick, Karen M. Cregan