Patents by Inventor William J. Bussick
William J. Bussick 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: 11501600Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for overlappingly providing each of a first game utilizing a set of mechanical reels and a second game utilizing a video display device. In these embodiments, upon a displayed event associated with one or more of the mechanical reels of the first game, the gaming system triggers one or more features of the second game.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: IGTInventors: Thomas Humphrey, William J. Bussick
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Publication number: 20210110639Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for overlappingly providing each of a first game utilizing a set of mechanical reels and a second game utilizing a video display device. In these embodiments, upon a displayed event associated with one or more of the mechanical reels of the first game, the gaming system triggers one or more features of the second game.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Thomas Humphrey, William J. Bussick
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Publication number: 20190392675Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for overlappingly providing each of a first game utilizing a set of mechanical reels and a second game utilizing a video display device. In these embodiments, upon a displayed event associated with one or more of the mechanical reels of the first game, the gaming system triggers one or more features of the second game.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Thomas J. Humphrey, William J. Bussick
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Patent number: 7601062Abstract: A gaming device and methods of operating a gaming device including paylines that transition in relation to symbol display areas are disclosed. Paylines transition from one position to another position in which the payline is associated with a different combination of symbol display areas than the symbol display areas associated with the payline in the position prior to the transition. The gaming device evaluates symbols displayed in symbol display areas associated with the payline in each of the positions to determine if the generated symbols displayed in the associated symbol display areas include a winning symbol or combination of symbols. The transition of the paylines may be displayed as a movement of the paylines, or portions thereof, individually or as a group, across the viewing area of a display in a scrolling, shifting or rotating manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: James M. Cole, William J. Bussick
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Patent number: 7591722Abstract: In the game, instead of filling up an entire board as is done in the known Othello® game, a certain amount of moves are made by the game, such as two moves, while the player makes a same amount of moves. The game moves first, followed by the player. The moves flank or bound and convert at least one of the opposing chips to a chip belonging to the entity making the move. For example, upon a game move, at least one player chip is bounded or flanked by game chips and converted to a game chip. Likewise, upon a player move, at least one game chip is converted to a player chip. The game and player go back and forth in that manner until each of the game moves and player moves is exhausted. The player's remaining chips are assigned values that total to an award for the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, William J. Bussick, Michael MacVittie
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Patent number: 7488250Abstract: A gaming device that has an award modification function for player selectable awards that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. More specifically, a processor controlled gaming device randomly generates a plurality of positions or digits 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 ultimate award. A plurality of modification methods can be employed to individually modify the digits of the award.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, William J. Bussick
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Patent number: 7481709Abstract: A method for evaluating a player's award in a game wherein one symbol of the gaming device changes into another. In one embodiment, all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof, including winning combinations produced by a wild symbol are provided to the player. In a second step, the game awards all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof produced after the wild symbol has changed one or more non-wild symbols to a wild symbol. This step includes awarding the player for combinations previously awarded in the first step, which may or may not have been the result of the wild symbol.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: IGTInventors: William J. Bussick, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Publication number: 20080108409Abstract: A gaming device and methods of operating a gaming device including paylines that transition in relation to symbol display areas are disclosed. Paylines transition from one position to another position in which the payline is associated with a different combination of symbol display areas than the symbol display areas associated with the payline in the position prior to the transition. The gaming device evaluates symbols displayed in symbol display areas associated with the payline in each of the positions to determine if the generated symbols displayed in the associated symbol display areas include a winning symbol or combination of symbols. The transition of the paylines may be displayed as a movement of the paylines, or portions thereof, individually or as a group, across the viewing area of a display in a scrolling, shifting or rotating manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: IGTInventors: James M. Cole, William J. Bussick
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Patent number: 7294055Abstract: A gaming device having a game with a plurality of selections, where each selection has at least two characteristics. The gaming device is controlled by at least one processor to display a plurality of the selections; display an indication of one of the selections functioning as a base; determine at least one optimal selection from the displayed selections for providing a highest obtainable award for the game; display an indication of the optimal selection; and enable a player to input a pick of one of the plurality of displayed selections, other than the selection functioning as the base, where the picked selection has at least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the selection functioning as the base.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, William J. Bussick, James R. Chance
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Patent number: 7226359Abstract: A method for evaluating a player's award in a game wherein one symbol of the gaming device changes into another. In one embodiment, all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof, including winning combinations produced by a wild symbol are provided to the player. In a second step, the game awards all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof produced after the wild symbol has changed one or more non-wild symbols to a wild symbol. This step includes awarding the player for combinations previously awarded in the first step, which may or may not have been the result of the wild symbol.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: William J. Bussick, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 7172506Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device that has an award modification function for player selectable awards that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that randomly generates a plurality of positions or digits 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 ultimate award. The present invention further provides a plurality of modification methods for modifying the digits of the award.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, William J. Bussick
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Patent number: 7070502Abstract: The present invention is a method for evaluating a player's award in a game wherein one symbol of the gaming device changes into another. In one embodiment, the present invention provides all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof, including winning combinations produced by a wild symbol. In a second step, the game awards all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof produced after the wild symbol has changed one or more non-wild symbols to a wild symbol. This step includes awarding the player for combinations previously awarded in the first step, which may or may not have been the result of the wild symbol.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: IGTInventors: William J. Bussick, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 7056209Abstract: A multi-characteristic matching game including a gaming device displaying a plurality of selections including at least two characteristics where one of the selections functions as a base. The gaming device determines and indicates the optimal selection based on the characteristics of the selections. The gaming device enables a player to pick the selections and causes each picked selection to function as the base when the picked selection includes at least one matching characteristic with the selection functioning as the base. The gaming device continues to determine and indicate the optimal selections in the unpicked selections until there are no unpicked selections including at least one matching characteristic with the characteristics of the selection functioning as the base or until there are no selections remaining in the game. The gaming device provides an award to the player based on the number of matching selections picked by the player in the game.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, William J. Bussick, James R. Chance
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Publication number: 20030190945Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device that provides a gaming device that displays a plurality of related symbols, wherein each symbol has a different exhibition associated with it. The gaming device includes a display adapted to display the symbols and the exhibitions, whereby when a symbol is selected, the display provides the associated exhibition. In one preferred embodiment, the gaming device includes an exhibition library that stores a plurality of exhibitions. Each time a symbol is selected, the gaming device selects an exhibition from the exhibition library, associates it with that symbol, and displays it.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventors: William J. Bussick, Lance R. Peterson, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Garrett M. Olson, James A. Vasquez, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Aaron T. Jones
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Patent number: 6554703Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device that provides a gaming device that displays a plurality of related symbols, wherein each symbol has a different exhibition associated with it. The gaming device includes a display adapted to display the symbols and the exhibitions, whereby when a symbol is selected, the display provides the associated exhibition. In one preferred embodiment, the gaming device includes an exhibition library that stores a plurality of exhibitions. Each time a symbol is selected, the gaming device selects an exhibition from the exhibition library, associates it with that symbol, and displays it.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: IGTInventors: William J. Bussick, Lance R. Peterson, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Garrett M. Olson, James A. Vasquez, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Aaron T. Jones
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Publication number: 20030036420Abstract: A multi-characteristic matching game including a gaming device displaying a plurality of selections including at least two characteristics where one of the selections functions as a base. The gaming device determines and indicates the optimal selection based on the characteristics of the selections. The gaming device enables a player to pick the selections and causes each picked selection to function as the base when the picked selection includes at least one matching characteristic with the selection functioning as the base. The gaming device continues to determine and indicate the optimal selections in the unpicked selections until there are no unpicked selections including at least one matching characteristic with the characteristics of the selection functioning as the base or until there are no selections remaining in the game. The gaming device provides an award to the player based on the number of matching selections picked by the player in the game.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, William J. Bussick, James R. Chance
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Publication number: 20030036419Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device that has an award modification function for player selectable awards that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that randomly generates a plurality of positions or digits 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 ultimate award. The present invention further provides a plurality of modification methods for modifying the digits of the award.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, William J. Bussick