The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 06, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 15, 2000
Peter Anderson, Chicago, IL (US);
Taron A. Bell, Round Lake, IL (US);
Michael P. Casey, Chicago, IL (US);
Joel R. Jaffe, Evanston, IL (US);
Laura R. Ledesma, Chicago, IL (US);
Michael W. Mastropietro, Chicago, IL (US);
Eric Michael Pryzby, Skokie, IL (US);
Shawn A. Smith, Westmont, IL (US);
WMS Gaming Inc., Chicago, IL (US);
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.