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: 7160188
    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: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Randall D. Mead, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7128646
    Abstract: A gaming device including a game having at least one round and at least one selection in each of the rounds where the number of selections is made by a player. After the player makes a wager in the game, the gaming device displays at least one selection to the player. The gaming device enables the player to pick the selections to match at least one of the characteristics on the selections with one of the characteristics of a base. The player continues to match at least one of the characteristics of the selections with the characteristics of the base until the player cannot match any of the characteristics of the selections with the characteristics of the base or there are no rounds remaining in the game. The gaming device provides an award or awards to the player based on the number of successfully matched selections in each round of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Jan K. Dolloff, Randall D. Mead, John D. Hostetler
  • Patent number: 7040983
    Abstract: A gaming device having a multi-characteristic matching game including a plurality of rounds. In each round, the gaming device displays a base and a plurality of selections including at least two characteristics. The gaming device enables a player to pick one of the selections to match at least one of the characteristics of the selection with one of the characteristics of the base. The player continues to pick selections until there are no selections remaining in the round that include at least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the base. The gaming device then initiates the next round. The player continues to pick selections in each of the rounds until there are no rounds remaining. The gaming device determines a modified award in each round based on a modifier associated with each round. The modified awards are summed to provide a total award for the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jan K. Dolloff, Randall D. Mead, John D. Hostetler, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7040984
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables a player to pick one or more of a plurality of selections. A selection group associated with each of the picked selections is revealed and the picked selections are moved or positioned at the lowest ranking available or unoccupied position in the associated selection group. An offer based on the occupied positions is offered to the player. If the player keeps the offer, the offer is provided to the player and the selection game ends. If the player rejects the offer and the player has at least one remaining offer, then the position of at least one of the picked selections is modified or moved to another position wherein even after the picked selections are modified or moved, the lowest ranking available or unoccupied position of each selection group must be occupied before any other position of that selection group may be occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 6942566
    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 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6899620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and gaming device having a multiple selection and award distribution bonus scheme. A selection is chosen from a group of selections. The present invention 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 present invention 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. In one embodiment, the player's award is increased if the player picks the award associated with the player's selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Randall D. Mead, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6793578
    Abstract: The present invention is 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 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Matthew Luccesi, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland, Randall D. Mead, Johnny L. Palchetti, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6783458
    Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game is provided. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, Ryan W. Cuddy, John H. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 6780107
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a pick reduction game. Initially, a plurality of first selections are displayed to the player. Also, 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: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Megan N. Schlegel, Randall D. Mead
  • Publication number: 20040162128
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb
  • Publication number: 20040121840
    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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Tai Rosander, Randall D. Mead, Markus Rothkranz
  • Publication number: 20040097282
    Abstract: A gaming device including a game having at least one round and at least one selection in each of the rounds where the number of selections is made by a player. After the player makes a wager in the game, the gaming device displays at least one selection to the player. The gaming device enables the player to pick the selections to match at least one of the characteristics on the selections with one of the characteristics of a base. The player continues to match at least one of the characteristics of the selections with the characteristics of the base until the player cannot match any of the characteristics of the selections with the characteristics of the base or there are no rounds remaining in the game. The gaming device provides an award or awards to the player based on the number of successfully matched selections in each round of the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Jan K. Dolloff, Randall D. Mead, John D. Hostetler
  • Publication number: 20040082378
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Lance R. Peterson, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, Randall D. Mead
  • Publication number: 20030216171
    Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game is provided. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, Ryan W. Cuddy, John H. Zielinski
  • Publication number: 20030216163
    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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Randall D. Mead, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20030199300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and gaming device having a multiple selection and award distribution bonus scheme. A selection is chosen from a group of selections. The present invention 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 present invention 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. In one embodiment, the player's award is increased if the player picks the award associated with the player's selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Randall D. Mead, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6609974
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Randall D. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, Ryan W. Cuddy, John H. Zielinski
  • Publication number: 20030153383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a pick reduction game. Initially, a plurality of first selections are displayed to the player. Also, 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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Megan N. Schlegel, Randall D. Mead
  • Publication number: 20030153378
    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: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Megan N. Schlegel, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 6599185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and gaming device having a multiple selection and award distribution bonus scheme. A selection is chosen from a group of selections. The present invention 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 present invention 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: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Randall D. Mead, Anthony J. Baerlocher