Benjamin C Gomez

US Patent:

7018293, Mar 28, 2006

Filed:

Sep 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/967505

Inventors:

Duncan F. Brown - Grayslake IL, US
Alfred Thomas - Las Vegas NV, US
Scott D. Slomiany - Streamwood IL, US
Lawrence E. DeMar - Winnetka IL, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

Case Venture Management, LLC - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 20, 463 25

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for playing a game has in one aspect a plurality of game elements of at least two types, such as game pieces which have two different sides, and are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, for instance. A player may select a number of arrangements of matching game elements (e. g. , lines of contiguous matching game-piece sides) to wager upon in the chance outcome arrangement in play. Aggregation of the number of winning arrangements determines the outcome, most preferably with an increasing non-linear payout in view of that aggregate number. The invention also discloses a related bonus game, which in a preferred embodiment is based upon an Othello-type game particularly for a gaming machine using outflanking game pieces, such that any game pieces with opponent's side or color showing are converted to game pieces with player's side or color, with an award or payoff according to the level of successful advancement in the game.

US Patent:

8388435, Mar 5, 2013

Filed:

May 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/995255

Inventors:

Peter R. Anderson - Glenview IL, US
Allon G. Englman - Chicago IL, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Joel R. Jaffe - Glenview IL, US
Daniel P. Louie - Chicago 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, 436 16, 436 19, 436 25, 436 26, 436 27, 436 28, 436 29, 436 30, 436 31, 436 32, 436 33, 436 34, 436 35, 273143

Abstract:

A method of playing a wagering game comprises receiving a wager, and generating a randomly selected first outcome of a first wagering game, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of symbols arranged in a first matrix. The method further comprises generating a randomly selected second outcome of a second wagering game, the second outcome comprising a second plurality of symbols arranged in a second matrix, and simultaneously displaying the first outcome and the second outcome on at least one display. The method further comprises detecting an occurrence of a triggering event, in response to the triggering event, copying a first special symbol occurring in the first outcome into the second outcome to yield a modified second outcome, and evaluating the first outcome and the modified second outcome for winning combinations of symbols.

US Patent:

20060094495, May 4, 2006

Filed:

Oct 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/260823

Inventors:

Philip Gelber - Glen Ellyn IL, US
Benjamin Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Lisa Helfer - Chicago IL, US
James Motyl - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463020000

Abstract:

A method and gaming system for playing a wagering game at a plurality of gaming terminals. The method includes conducting the wagering game at each of the plurality of gaming terminals. The plurality of gaming terminals are divided into a plurality of teams. A plurality of game elements are displayed and arranged into tiers. At least one turn-ending element is included. A first gaming terminal in a first team selects at least one of the plurality of game elements in each of the tiers until encountering the at least one turn-ending element or until one of the plurality of elements has been selected in each of the plurality of tiers. The selecting continues until a predetermined event occurs and a winning team is determined among the plurality of teams based upon the selecting.

US Patent:

20090291731, Nov 26, 2009

Filed:

Jun 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/304608

Inventors:

Joel R. Jaffe - Glenview IL, US
Benjamin Gomez - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 16, 463 25

Abstract:

Systems and methods provide a three-dimensional wagering game segment on a wagering game machine. The systems and methods provide three-dimensional representations and movement through a scene. The scene may include target objects, and input may be received indicating actions to be taken with respect to the target objects. The scene may be defined as parts of a tile, and the tile may be part of a track of tiles.

US Patent:

20120302323, Nov 29, 2012

Filed:

May 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/477795

Inventors:

Mark B. Gagner - West Chicago IL, US
Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL, US
Paul J. Radek - Naperville IL, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Ralph M. Beerhorst - Evanston IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

463 25

Abstract:

Haptic gaming chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a haptic gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming system is disclosed for playing a wagering game. The gaming system includes an input device for receiving wagers from players to play the wagering game. A display device displays an outcome of the wagering game, which is randomly determined from a plurality of wagering game outcomes. The gaming system also includes a gaming chair, which can include a seat portion and an optional backrest portion that are supported by a base. An array of tactors is at least partially embedded within the seat portion and/or backrest portion. The tactors are configured to generate tactile stimulation. A controller is in operative communication with the array of tactors. The controller synchronizes actuation of the array of tactors to coincide with aspects of the wagering game being displayed via the display device.

US Patent:

20130095905, Apr 18, 2013

Filed:

Oct 10, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/648640

Inventors:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Pamela S. Smith - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are presented herein. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed which includes a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device to: determine an outcome of the wagering game, the wagering-game outcome being randomly determined from a plurality of wagering-game outcomes; display, in an array located at a first position on the display device, a plurality of symbols indicative of the wagering-game outcome; determine a value associated with the wagering-game outcome; move the array from the first position to a second position on the display device; and modify the value of the wagering-game outcome based upon one or more modifiers achieved due to movement of the array to the second position.

US Patent:

20130116028, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Dec 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/692533

Inventors:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Joel R. Jaffe - Glenview IL, US
Daniel P. Louie - Chicago IL, US
Jamie W. Vann - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

WMS GAMING INC. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

G07F 17/32

US Classification:

463 16, 463 42

Abstract:

Multi-player games that foster cooperation or competition between players. A multi-player wagering game system includes a first display to display a first wagering game; a first input device corresponding to the first display to accept input from a first player; a second display to display a second wagering game, the second display being adjacent to the first display; a second input device corresponding to the second display to accept input from a second player; and a bonus display to display a bonus game. The bonus game receiving input from both the first and the second input devices. Computer software causes the first wagering game and the second wagering game to be executed. A multi-person seating device is configured to permit the first player and the second player to sit side-by-side in front of the first display and the second display, respectively.

US Patent:

20130157741, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/714684

Inventors:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL, US
Joel R. Jaffe - Glenview IL, US
Dion K. Aoki - Chicago IL, US
Jamie W. Vann - Chicago IL, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Jeremy M. Hornik - Chicago IL, US
Daniel P. Louie - Chicago IL, US
Jeremie D. Moll - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

WMS GAMING INC. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

G07F 17/34

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

A method for conducting a wagering game via a gaming terminal includes receiving, via an input device, a wager to play the wagering game. An array of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns is displayed, on one or more display devices. At least a portion of a plurality of symbols is visually moved with respect to the array of symbol positions on the one or more display devices. One or more of the plurality of the symbols are special symbols. In response to one or more of the special symbols being visually moved on the one or more display devices, the visually moved special symbols are caused to be visually collected in a symbol collection area adjacent to the array of symbol positions on the one or more display devices.