U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Nevada (Feb. 18)

(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Nevada.

*** IGT Assigned Patent for Gaming System, Gaming Device, and Method for Providing a Game Having a First Evaluation Based on Drawn Symbols and a Second Evaluation Based on an Order in Which the Symbols Are Drawn ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- IGT, Reno, Nev., has been assigned a patent (8,371,924) developed by Adam M. Meyer, Reno, Nev., for "gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a game having a first evaluation based on drawn symbols and a second evaluation based on an order in which the symbols are drawn." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A gaming system displays a plurality of bingo cards each containing at least one column, each column having at least one square. Each square includes a random number selected from a range associated with that column. The gaming system displays each bingo card and an initially-empty accumulation area. Balls are drawn from a pool of balls, each ball associated with a number. As the balls are drawn, any square on any of the bingo cards containing the number of the drawn ball is marked with a suitable indicator. A primary award is provided for combinations of marked squares on one or more of the bingo cards. The gaming system displays the balls in the accumulated area in the order in which they are drawn. The gaming system provides a secondary award for combinations of balls displayed in the accumulation area." The patent application was filed on May 27, 2005 (13/359,237). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,924&OS=8,371,924&RS=8,371,924 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Leap Forward Gaming Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Leap Forward Gaming, Reno, Nev., has been assigned a patent (8,371,937) developed by William R. Wells, Carson City, Nev., for "gaming device and method for wireless gaming system providing non-intrusive processes." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered." The patent application was filed on Nov. 18, 2011 (13/300,344). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,937&OS=8,371,937&RS=8,371,937 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** SHFL Entertainment Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- SHFL Entertainment, Las Vegas, has been assigned a patent (8,371,918) developed by Roger M. Snow, Las Vegas, for a "special multiplier bonus game in Pai Gow poker variant." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of playing a Pai Gow poker wagering card game is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a player placing a wager on a Pai Gow poker game; players placing a second wager against a pay table on a separate poker-type game that uses each player's best five-card hands; dealing seven-card hands from a set of cards to six player positions and to one dealer position; resolving the Pai Gow game and awarding bonuses to players who made the second wager and that have a best five-card hand that exceeds a predetermined rank; and awarding an additional bonus to players with hands that exceed the predetermined rank if the dealer's best five-card hand is equal to or less than a predetermined rank. An optional envy hand event may be included with the second wager or a special qualifying second or third wager." The patent application was filed on March 14, 2011 (13/047,563). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,918&OS=8,371,918&RS=8,371,918 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** IGT Assigned Patent for Gaming System and Method for Providing a Bonus Based on Number of Gaming Machines Being Actively Played ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- IGT, Reno, Nev., has been assigned a patent (8,371,931) developed by Rogelio S. Decasa, Sparks, Nev., Kelsy J. Grace, Reno, Nev., and Anthony J. Baerlocher, Reno, Nev., for "gaming system and method for providing a bonus based on number of gaming machines being actively played." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A gaming system includes a controller linked to a plurality of gaming devices. The central server tracks: (i) a quantity of gaming devices being actively played by players, or (ii) a quantity of players actively playing at the gaming devices. The controller determines the players' eligibility for different awards based on the tracked quantity. When the controller tracks a first quantity, the controller provides the active players with an opportunity to win a first award. When the central server tracks a second quantity, the central server provides the active players with an opportunity to win a second award. As the tracked quantity changes, the controller determines or modifies the number of awards available to the players actively playing at the gaming devices." The patent application was filed on Dec. 12, 2011 (13/323,353). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,931&OS=8,371,931&RS=8,371,931 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** WMS Gaming Assigned Patent for Wager Gaming Network with Wireless Hotspots ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- WMS Gaming, Waukegan, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,371,932) developed by four co-inventors for a "wager gaming network with wireless hotspots." The co-inventors are Mark B. Gagner, West Chicago, Ill., Shridhar P. Joshi, Naperville, Ill., James M. Rasmussen, Chicago, Richard T. Schwartz, Chicago, and Joseph Lane Spina, Las Vegas.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of a wager gaming network that includes handheld wager gaming units and hotspots are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, in a handheld wager gaming unit, a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include wirelessly connecting the handheld wager gaming unit to a wireless access point in a wager gaming network. The method can also include transmitting, via the wireless access point, information from the handheld wager gaming unit to a device on the wager gaming network." The patent application was filed on May 27, 2005 (12/278,617). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,932&OS=8,371,932&RS=8,371,932 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Bally Gaming Assigned Patent for Gaming Method Having Dynamically Changing Image Reel Symbols ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Bally Gaming, Las Vegas, has been assigned a patent (8,371,929) developed by Mark N. Iverson, Reno, Nev., Stephen E. Patton, Reno, Nev., and Michael W. Stragey, Corona, Calif., for "gaming method having dynamically changing image reel symbols." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for dynamically changing the graphical content on mechanical slot machine reels is disclosed herein. The system includes mechanical slot reels, flexible display panels, and data transmission techniques which provide for dynamically updating or changing the graphics on the spinning mechanical reels in a slot machine. In one method for dynamically changing graphical reel content, new image content is placed on the reels at any time, even while the reels are spinning. The method may even be used to give the appearance of rotation to a stationary reel." The patent application was filed on July 1, 2011 (13/175,760). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,929&OS=8,371,929&RS=8,371,929 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** IGT Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- IGT, Reno, Nev., has been assigned a patent (8,371,938) developed by Lance R. Peterson, Reno, Nev., for "gaming system having a common display, a first bonus game or a first bonus game paytable and an option to purchase a second bonus game or a second bonus game paytable with relatively expected higher values." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices and a shared or a common secondary display associated with the gaming devices. In one embodiment, the shared display is adjacent to one or more of the gaming devices of the gaming system. The gaming system includes at least one primary game and at least one secondary or bonus game. The bonus game is associated with a plurality of average expected payouts or values. In one embodiment, the bonus game that is played on the secondary display is associated with a higher average expected payout or higher values than the average expected payouts or values of the bonus game played on the individual gaming devices. When the player places a designated wager, they qualify to play the game on the secondary display and thus qualify for a chance to win the higher awards." The patent application was filed on April 28, 2011 (12/769,278). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,938&OS=8,371,938&RS=8,371,938 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Aerion Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Aerion, Reno, Nev., has been assigned a patent (8,371,124) developed by James D. Chase, Reno, Nev., and German Andres Garzon, Reno, Nev., for a "jet nozzle plug with varying, non-circular cross sections." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In a jet engine having a plug nozzle and a plug extending rearwardly from the nozzle exit, the improvement comprising a plug having successive cross sections spaced apart rearwardly of the nozzle exit, the cross sections transitioning from circular or near circular at the exit plane defined at the nozzle exit, to progressively non-circular, rearwardly." The patent application was filed on April 3, 2009 (12/384,248). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,71,124.PN.&OS=PN/83,71,124&RS=PN/83,71,124 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Bally Gaming Assigned Patent for Self Configuring Progressive Jackpot Award Systems ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Bally Gaming, Las Vegas, has been assigned a patent (8,371,934) developed by Joshua D. Larsen, Las Vegas, for "self configuring progressive jackpot award systems." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A self configuring progressive jackpot award system includes a plurality of electronic gaming machines (EGMs). The plurality of EGMs respectively include a plurality of EGM configuration options, and operate in accordance with the EGM configuration options. A subset of the plurality of EGM configuration options relates to participating in a progressive jackpot award game. A progressive controller is coupled to the plurality of EGMs and controls the operation of a progressive jackpot award game. The progressive controller includes a plurality of progressive jackpot award game configuration options. A subset of these progressive jackpot award game configuration options correspond to the subset of EGM configuration options related to participating in the progressive jackpot award game. The progressive controller automatically sends data representing this subset of progressive jackpot award game configuration options to the plurality of EGMs. The plurality of EGMs receives the progressive jackpot award game configuration option representative data from the progressive controller, stores the subset of EGM configuration options related to participating in the progressive jackpot award game represented by the data, and participates in the progressive jackpot award game in accordance with the EGM progressive jackpot award game configuration options." The patent application was filed on June 30, 2010 (12/828,095). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,934&OS=8,371,934&RS=8,371,934 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Bally Gaming Assigned Patent for Wagering Game, Gaming Machine and Networked Gaming System and Method with a Multiple-progressive Wheel Game and Associated Methods ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Bally Gaming, Las Vegas, has been assigned a patent (8,371,935) developed by John Vallejo, Henderson, Nev., Michael Mitchell, Las Vegas, and Loren T. Nelson, Reno, Nev., for "wagering game, gaming machine and networked gaming system and method with a multiple-progressive wheel game and associated methods." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game. Also disclosed are a wagering game, a gaming machine and a networked gaming system and associated methods including a multiple-progressive wheel game. A player may win all of a set of wheel-based progressive award during play of a single game." The patent application was filed on Aug. 7, 2012 (13/568,680). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,935&OS=8,371,935&RS=8,371,935 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Bally Gaming Assigned Patent for Gaming Machine Having a Simulated Musical Interface ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Bally Gaming, Las Vegas, has been assigned a patent (8,371,923) developed by seven co-inventors for "gaming machine having a simulated musical interface." The co-inventors are Barry Iremonger, Reno, Nev., Keshav Pitani, Reno, Nev., Loren T. Nelson, Reno, Nev., Rajaraman Ramachandran, Bangalore, India, Nishant Singh, Bangalore, India, Umashankar Chikkahonnaiah, Bangalore, India, and Sandeep Surendran, Bangalore, India.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A simulated musical interface associated with a gaming machine enhances player excitement and interaction with the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the simulated musical interface is associated with a game in which the player uses the interface to play a simulated instrument on a gaming machine to affect, or apparently affect, the outcome of the game. As the player plays the simulated instrument via the simulated musical interface, indicia or graphical representations may be generated for a game of chance on a display associated with the gaming machine." The patent application was filed on Dec. 14, 2011 (13/326,195). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,923&OS=8,371,923&RS=8,371,923 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Bally Gaming Assigned Patent for System for Managing Gaming Devices ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Bally Gaming, Las Vegas, has been assigned a patent (8,371,942) developed by Ian Finnimore, Sparks, Nev., and Joseph J. Davis Sr., Reno, Nev., for a "system for managing gaming devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An embedded web server is disclosed. In one embodiment, a casino gaming system comprises a back-end system having one or more servers. One or more gaming machines are operatively connected to the back-end system via a network connection, and one or more gaming devices are operatively connected to at least one gaming machine. The gaming device includes an embedded web server and a web browser in communication with the web server, and delivers a management user interface to the web browser for accessing the gaming device." The patent application was filed on Feb. 6, 2012 (13/366,533). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,942&OS=8,371,942&RS=8,371,942 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Tournament One Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- Tournament One, Stamford, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,371,921) developed by four co-inventors for a "keno game with poker hands using deterministic card placements." The co-inventors are Rick Perrone, Darien, Conn., Roger Kidneigh, Henderson, Nev., Kal Patel, Stamford, Conn., and George Stadnick, New York.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a wagering game combining keno and poker. A first payout is made based on a number of matches between player selected numbers and computer generated numbers on a keno grid. Card values are also associated with each number in the keno grid. The card values are determined using a deterministic hashing algorithm. Then, for each matched number, the best five card (or any other predetermined number of cards) poker hand is made using the associated card values, and a payout is made (if earned) based on a rank of the best poker hand." The patent application was filed on May 28, 2010 (12/790,634). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,921&OS=8,371,921&RS=8,371,921 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** WMS Gaming Assigned Patent for Gaming System Having Multizone Selection Feature ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 18 -- WMS Gaming, Waukegan, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,371,920) developed by Benjamin T. Gomez, Chicago, and Alfred Thomas, Las Vegas, for "gaming system having multizone selection feature." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device and a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of possible outcomes. The gaming system further includes a controller operative to display a multi-zone selection feature. The multi-zone selection feature comprises a plurality of zones, each zone having a plurality of selectable elements arranged in an array. Each selectable element is associated with a selection result. The controller is further operative, in response to selection of a first selectable element in a first one of the zones, to provide the selection result associated with a second selectable element in a second one of the zones." The patent application was filed on Oct. 19, 2007 (12/446,266). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,371,920&OS=8,371,920&RS=8,371,920 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; editor@targetednews.com; http://targetednews.com.

-1114784 (c) 2013 Targeted News Service

[ Back To Technology News's Homepage ]