Peter R Anderson

US Patent:

6364766, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Aug 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/631322

Inventors:

Peter Anderson - Chicago IL
Michael P. Casey - Chicago IL
Erica A. Frohm - Evanston IL
Jason C. Gilmore - Bartlett IL
Damon E. Gura - Chicago IL
Darryl W. Hughes - Oak Park IL
Joel R. Jaffe - Evanston IL
Ian M. Simmons - Lisle IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63F 1300

US Classification:

463 16, 463 20, 2731381, 273139, 273143 R, 273272

Abstract:

A gaming machine comprises at least one visual display (mechanical or video) and a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game of chance includes a primary game and a sorting feature. The sorting feature is triggered by certain start-feature outcomes of the primary game. The sorting feature includes a collection of scrambled objects, such as letters, symbols, pictures, or puzzle pieces, that are at least partially sorted during operation of the sorting feature. The sorting feature generates an award, such as a payoff, a payoff multiplier, or extended play, if the sorted objects match predetermined criteria.

US Patent:

6428412, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Sep 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/663095

Inventors:

Peter Anderson - Chicago IL
Taron A. Bell - Round Lake IL
Michael P. Casey - Chicago IL
Joel R. Jaffe - Evanston IL
Laura R. Ledesma - Chicago IL
Michael W. Mastropietro - Chicago IL
Eric Michael Pryzby - Skokie IL
Shawn A. Smith - Westmont IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63F 924

US Classification:

463 9, 463 16, 463 20

Abstract:

A gaming machine is controlled by a processor in response to a wager and comprises a puzzle feature optionally triggered by a start-feature outcome of a basic game. The puzzle feature includes a plurality of arrangements of randomly-selected puzzle elements for generating respective payouts. At least one of the puzzle elements of each arrangement being shared by another one of the arrangements and contributing to the payouts generated by the respective arrangements that share the one of the puzzle elements. The puzzle elements may, for example, be letters, symbols, pictures, shaped puzzle pieces, or playing cards.

US Patent:

6554704, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Jul 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/911215

Inventors:

John P. Nicastro - Chicago IL
Peter R. Anderson - Chicago IL
Michael P. Casey - Chicago IL
John J. Giobbi - Northbrook IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 1300

US Classification:

463 20, 463 38, 273143 R

Abstract:

A maze-based game of chance for a gaming machine is controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The maze-based game includes an award-generating indicator movable along a plurality of different intersecting paths. The plurality of paths contain a plurality of consumable elements. The award-generating indicator generates an award based on a randomly selected outcome as the award-generating indicator visually consumes the elements.

US Patent:

6685561, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Oct 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/978755

Inventors:

Peter Anderson - Chicago IL
Michael P. Casey - Chicago IL
Erica A. Frohm - Evanston IL
Jason C. Gilmore - Bartlett IL
Damon E. Gura - Chicago IL
Darryl W. Hughes - Oak Park IL
Joel R. Jaffe - Evanston IL
Ian M. Simmons - Lisle IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63F 1300

US Classification:

463 16, 2731381, 273139, 273272, 463 10

Abstract:

A gaming machine comprises at least one visual display (mechanical or video) and a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game of chance includes a primary game and a sorting feature. The sorting feature is triggered by certain start-feature outcomes of the primary game. The sorting feature includes a collection of scrambled objects, such as letters, symbols, pictures, or puzzle pieces, that are at least partially sorted during operation of the sorting feature. The sorting feature generates an award, such as a payoff, a payoff multiplier, or extended play, if the sorted objects match predetermined criteria.

US Patent:

6881146, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Aug 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/928116

Inventors:

Peter R. Anderson - Chicago IL, US
John D. Flint - Chicago IL, US
John J. Giobbi - Northbrook IL, US
Shridhar P. Joshi - Skokie IL, US
Erica A. Frohm - Evanston IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F009/24

US Classification:

463 16, 463 25

Abstract:

A game of chance is played on a gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game includes an array of locations displayed on a video display and individually selectable by a player and the processor. The player and the processor make alternating selections of unoccupied ones of the locations in the array for placement of respective first and second symbol types. The probability of using a winning strategy for the selections by the processor increases with successive ones of the selections by the processor so that the processor appears to become more intelligent as the game progresses. A payout is awarded to the player based on an outcome of the game.

US Patent:

7112135, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Dec 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/748770

Inventors:

Peter Anderson - Chicago IL, US
Michael P. Casey - Chicago IL, US
Erica A. Frohm - Evanston IL, US
Jason C. Gilmore - Bartlett IL, US
Damon E. Gura - Chicago IL, US
Darryl W. Hughes - Oak Park IL, US
Joel R. Jaffe - Evanston IL, US
Ian M. Simmons - Lisle IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 16

Abstract:

A gaming machine comprises at least one visual display (mechanical or video) and a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game of chance includes a primary game and a sorting feature. The sorting feature is triggered by certain start-feature outcomes of the primary game. The sorting feature includes a collection of scrambled objects, such as letters, symbols, pictures, or puzzle pieces, that are at least partially sorted during operation of the sorting feature. The sorting feature generates an award, such as a payoff, a payoff multiplier, or extended play, if the sorted objects match predetermined criteria.

US Patent:

7112136, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Jun 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/160896

Inventors:

Peter Anderson - Chicago IL, US
John Flint - Chicago IL, US
Philip B. Gelber - Glen Ellyn IL, US
Joel Jaffe - Evanston IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24
A63F 13/00
G06F 17/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

A slot machine conducts a wagering game including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. In response to the displayed symbols including a plurality of symbols selectable by the player, the player is prompted to select one of the selectable symbols. The machine provides an award based on the selected symbol and any other of the displayed symbols associated with the selected symbol.

US Patent:

7311601, Dec 25, 2007

Filed:

Aug 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/650423

Inventors:

Peter R. Anderson - Chicago IL, US
Brandon C. Estes - Chicago IL, US
Christian P. Gyrling - Chicago IL, US
William A. Hoefferle - Crystal Lake IL, US
Shridhar P. Joshi - Skokie IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20, 463 23, 463 25, 463 29

Abstract:

The invention provides a gaming machine having manufacturer-limited parameter values or parameter value combinations selectable by an operator during gaming machine set-up. The parameter values preferably include different maximum pay lines associated with different denominations and are limited to those which have been determined by the manufacturer to provide optimum game play. The different maximum pay lines may be associated with different math models having substantially the same payback percentage values. Subsequent operator selection of the parameter values during gaming machine therefore setup allows the gaming machine having a single game theme or a gaming machine having multiple game themes to be configured with different maximum pay lines for each single game theme. As a result, the player can play a single theme wagering game with a first maximum pay line value and with a second maximum pay line value where the second maximum pay line value differs from the first maximum pay line value.