Benjamin S Gomez

US Patent:

6645074, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Oct 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/981203

Inventors:

Alfred Thomas - Chicago IL
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL
Roger A. Delott - Chicago IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63F 1300

US Classification:

463 20, 463 25

Abstract:

A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.

US Patent:

6905412, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Mar 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/813099

Inventors:

Alfred Thomas - Chicago IL, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Roger A. Delott - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F013/00

US Classification:

463 25, 463 20, 463 29

Abstract:

A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.

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:

7056206, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

May 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/436002

Inventors:

Dion K. Aoki - Henderson NV, US
Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Cullen P. O'Day - Las Vegas NV, US
Alfred Thomas - Las Vegas NV, US

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 13

Abstract:

A method of conducting a video poker game is disclosed. After a player makes a wager, a plurality of face-up cards are dealt from a deck into a card hand. If any of the face-up cards is a predefined special card, the game proceeds with a special feature that allows the player to draw a replacement card to replace the special card. The replacement card may be drawn from a plurality of possible face-up or face-down cards. The game may include a standard draw option that allows a player to select and replace none or more of the face-up cards. The special card may trigger the special feature at any time, whether it appears before or after the draw. The game determines a poker hand ranking of the final card hand and provides an award based on that ranking.

US Patent:

7077745, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

May 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/447765

Inventors:

Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Joel R. Jaffe - Evanston IL, US
Alfred Thomas - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The wagering game may, for example, be a video reel slot game that includes a plurality of symbols displayed in an array. The plurality of symbols are evaluated to determine a change to one of the symbols that will yield one of a plurality of predefined winning combinations of symbols. The one of the symbols is changed to another of the symbols to form the winning combination, and an award is awarded for the winning combination.

US Patent:

7137887, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Sep 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/660041

Inventors:

Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Peter W. Flemming - Chicago IL, US
Alfred Thomas - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for conducting a wagering game are disclosed. A value input device receives a wager from a player to play the wagering game. A processor is operative to initially associate one or more of a plurality of incomplete offers with the player. A display is adapted to display the plurality of incomplete offers. The processor, in turn, is operative to allow the player to change which of the incomplete offers is associated with the player, and after the player changes which of the incomplete offers is associated with the player, complete the plurality of offers and award the associated offers to the player.

US Patent:

7144322, Dec 5, 2006

Filed:

Aug 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/231550

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Case Venture Management, LLC - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 20, 463 16

Abstract:

A game, gaming machine apparatus and game method wherein game elements are assigned to a matrix of game element locations. Play is initiated by evaluating the game elements for predetermined transformative conditions, such as a match of game elements. If a transformative condition is found, the game element(s) are transformed with at least one being removed from the matrix. The remaining game elements are moved, if permitted, according to a movement methodology. The steps of evaluating, transforming, removing, and moving the remaining game elements are repeated so long as a transformation is subsequently available for continued gameplay.

US Patent:

7297058, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Jul 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/619935

Inventors:

Benjamin T. Gomez - Chicago IL, US
Joel R. Jaffe - Evanston IL, US
Larry J. Pacey - Northbrook IL, US
Alfred Thomas - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

463 16, 463 20

Abstract:

A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game comprises a video screen for displaying a dynamic video image and a structure for displaying non-video artwork. The video and non-video artworks are visually linked to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game. The structure covers a portion, but not all, of the video screen. Thus, video images on conventional video screens may effectively be blended with non-video artwork to create entertaining and attractive displays.