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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Illinois (Jan. 21)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Illinois. *** Hamilton Sundstrand Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Hamilton Sundstrand, Windsor Locks, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,353,203) developed by Gregory T. Wallen, Roscoe, Ill., Mark D. Miller, Rockford, Ill., and James M. Regan, Rockford, Ill., for a "brake position sensor unit." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A brake position sensor unit includes a unitary brake shaft that transmits braking torque to a article to be slowed, connects directly to a brake unit, connects to a resolver and has a plurality of planetary gears rotating thereabout to activate a sensor when the brake unit is set." The patent application was filed on Aug. 7, 2009 (12/537,302). 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=83,53,203.PN.&OS=PN/83,53,203&RS=PN/83,53,203 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Paperchine Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Paperchine, Wilmington, Del., has been assigned a patent (8,353,219) developed by Timothy J. Brackett, Rockton, Ill., and Thomas A. Grunder, Beloit, Wis., for a "dryer felt tension indicator apparatus." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A dryer felt tension indicator apparatus is disclosed for indicating a value which is proportional to a tension applied between a frame and a stretcher roll for guiding a dryer felt. The value is proportional to a tension of the dryer felt. The apparatus includes a carriage for rotatably supporting the stretcher roll. A wheel is rotatably secured to the carriage and a tensioner having a first and a second extremity cooperates with and extends around the wheel such that the wheel is disposed between the first and the second extremity of the tensioner. A tension indicator has a first and a second end. The first end of the tension indicator is anchored to the frame. The second end of the tension indicator is secured to the first extremity of the tensioner such that in use of the apparatus, when the tension is applied to the tensioner between the wheel and the second extremity of the tensioner, the carriage and the stretcher roll rotatably supported thereon is moved relative to the frame for tensioning the dryer felt. The tension indicator indicates the value which is proportional to the tension of the dryer felt." The patent application was filed on July 31, 2009 (12/462,402). 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=83,53,219.PN.&OS=PN/83,53,219&RS=PN/83,53,219 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Phoenix Closures Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Phoenix Closures, Naperville, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,413) developed by Len Ekkert, Naperville, Ill., for a "tamper-evident closure and container combination." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A tamper-evident closure and container combination identifies a compromised seal when a severable ring has been detached from a closure upon a first opening of the container. Successful detachment of the severable ring is improved whereby a lower neck portion of a container is angled or arced downwardly and outwardly from a point immediately adjacent an annular ring." The patent application was filed on Jan. 5, 2007 (11/620,410). 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=8,353,413&OS=8,353,413&RS=8,353,413 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** UOP Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- UOP, Des Plaines, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,354,018) developed by Laura E. Leonard, Western Springs, Ill., Jibreel A. Qafisheh, Prospect Heights, Ill., and Robert L. Mehlberg, Wheaton, Ill., for a "process for recovering products from two reactors." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A process is disclosed for catalytically converting two feed streams. The feed to a first catalytic reactor may be contacted with product from a second catalytic reactor to effect heat exchange between the two streams and to transfer catalyst from the product stream to the feed stream. The feed to the second catalytic reactor may be a portion of the product from the first catalytic reactor." The patent application was filed on Nov. 9, 2009 (12/614,938). 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=8,354,018&OS=8,354,018&RS=8,354,018 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Chicago Tag & Label Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Chicago Tag & Label, Libertyville, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,998) developed by F. Paul Valenti Jr., Barrington, Ill., Carl Opel, Carol Stream, Ill., and Daniel Hedger, Grayslake, Ill., for an auto-applied labeling methods. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Auto-applied packing list and upper label methods. A carrier material with an upper label and a lower label removably adhered thereto is provided. The lower label and upper label are dispensed in sequence onto a label applicator apparatus. The label applicator apparatus applies the upper label and the lower label to a surface simultaneously, whereby after application the underside of the lower label is in contact with the surface and the undersurface of the upper label is in contact with the top side of the lower label." The patent application was filed on Nov. 14, 2011 (13/295,127). 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=8,353,998&OS=8,353,998&RS=8,353,998 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Marathon Petroleum Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Marathon Petroleum, Findlay, Ohio, has been assigned a patent (8,354,065) developed by Jeff Sexton, Findlay, Ohio, and David A. Lomas, Barrington, Ill., for a catalyst charge heater. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This device is an FCC Catalyst Charge Heater. The device uses a catalyst cooler to preheat FCC feedstocks. It can be used with or without an FCC Catalyst Heater in the regenerator to satisfy the FCC unit heat balance while maximizing liquid volume yield and reducing FCC emissions." The patent application was filed on Jan. 20, 2010 (12/657,411). 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=8,354,065&OS=8,354,065&RS=8,354,065 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** USDA Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been assigned a patent (8,354,040) developed by James A. Kenar, East Peoria, Ill., for a "carbonate phase change materials." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Phase change materials that include oleochemical carbonates absorb and release latent heat upon changing phases from solid to liquid (melting) or from liquid to solid (solidifying). The oleochemical carbonates are prepared from oleochemical alcohols derived from animal fats and vegetable oils or other bio-based substances. These oleochemical carbonates have melting temperatures with a relatively high heat of fusion and are non-corrosive. Oleochemical carbonates can be mixed together in various proportions to adjust melting/solidification temperature ranges as required by a particular application." The patent application was filed on May 14, 2010 (12/780,434). 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=8,354,040&OS=8,354,040&RS=8,354,040 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Ocenco Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Ocenco, Pleasant Prairei, Wis., has been assigned a patent (8,353,706) developed by Michael B. Kay, Round Lake Beach, Ill., for a breathing apparatus simulator. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A breathing apparatus simulator unit (BASU) comprises a mouthpiece/noseclip subassembly and a cartridge subassembly. The mouthpiece/noseclip subassembly includes the same mouthpiece/noseclip subassembly that is utilized in an actual self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) device. The cartridge subassembly comprises a container containing a reactionary material. The reactionary material reacts with at least one product of a user's exhalation to generate heat and resistance, thereby providing sensations to simulate the use of an actual SCSR." The patent application was filed on Jan. 18, 2008 (12/016,604). 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=8,353,706&OS=8,353,706&RS=8,353,706 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** HSI Fire & Safety Group Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- HSI Fire & Safety Group, Elk Grove Village, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,625) developed by four co-inventors for a heat detector tester. The co-inventors are Margaret A. Feiter, Schaumburg, Ill., Scott J. Rote, New Lenox, Ill., Aaron B. Eiger, Chicago, and Dan Casey Johnson, Chicago. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This invention relates to a device for testing a heat detector. The device has a housing that is shaped to surround a heat detector and includes a heating element. A fan is located near the heating element and is adapted to activate the heat detector by increasing the temperature around the heat detector. The housing also includes a temperature device that measures the temperature near the heat detector. Furthermore, a display is attached to the housing to show the temperature around the heat detector during testing." The patent application was filed on Oct. 3, 2011 (13/251,919). 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=8,353,625.PN.&OS=PN/8,353,625&RS=PN/8,353,625 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** UChicago Argonne Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- UChicago Argonne, Argonne, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,354,290) developed by Anirudha V. Sumant, Argonne, Ill., Orlando H. Auciello, Lemont, Ill., and Derrick C. Mancini, Argonne, Ill., for an "ultrananocrystalline diamond films with optimized dielectric properties for advanced RF MEMS capacitive switches." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An efficient deposition process is provided for fabricating reliable RF MEMS capacitive switches with multilayer ultrananocrystalline (UNCD) films for more rapid recovery, charging and discharging that is effective for more than a billion cycles of operation. Significantly, the deposition process is compatible for integration with CMOS electronics and thereby can provide monolithically integrated RF MEMS capacitive switches for use with CMOS electronic devices, such as for insertion into phase array antennas for radars and other RF communication systems." The patent application was filed on April 5, 2011 (13/080,255). 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=8,354,290.PN.&OS=PN/8,354,290&RS=PN/8,354,290 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** California Institute of Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,354,231) developed by four co-inventors for "methods and systems for detecting and/or sorting targets." The co-inventors are Gabriel A. Kwong, Alhambra, Calif., Ryan C. Bailey, Urbana, Ill., Rong Fan, Pasadena, Calif., and James R. Heath, South Pasadena, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Provided herein are methods and systems for detecting and/or sorting targets in a sample based on the combined use of polynucleotide-encoded protein and substrate polynucleotides. The polynucleotide-encoded protein is comprised of a protein that specifically binds to a predetermined target and of an encoding polynucleotide that specifically binds to a substrate polynucleotide, wherein the substrate polynucleotide is attached to a substrate." The patent application was filed on Jan. 4, 2010 (12/652,000). 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=8,354,231.PN.&OS=PN/8,354,231&RS=PN/8,354,231 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Illinois Tool Works Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Illinois Tool Works, Glenview, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,657) developed by eight co-inventors for a "partially coated fastener assembly and method for coating." The co-inventors are Geronimo E. Lat, Ivanhoe, Ill., Daniel P. McDonald, Palatine, Ill., Henry W. Schniedermeier, Glenview, Ill., Paul L. Hicks, Judsonia, Alaska, Harold D. Gray, Augusta, Alaska, Donald E. Bergstrom, Lake Villa, Ill., Guenther Kram, Bartlett, Ill., and Garry F. Tupek, Naperville, Ill. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fastener assembly includes a row of fasteners having a head, a tip, and a portion of a shank coated with a polymer composition. The polymer composition includes a polymer material such as polyurethane and metal particles. The polymer composition is used to provide improved corrosion and ultraviolet radiation resistance when used with naturally corrosive or pressure preservative treated wood. The fastener assembly is coated with the polymer composition by vacuum coating a dispersion of the polymer composition in a solvent such as water and removing the solvent." The patent application was filed on Aug. 25, 2011 (13/217,677). 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=8,353,657.PN.&OS=PN/8,353,657&RS=PN/8,353,657 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** WMS Gaming Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- WMS Gaming, Waukegan, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,774) developed by four co-inventors for "sharing resources in wagering game systems." The co-inventors are Nevin J. Liber, Libertyville, Ill., Jason A. Smith, Vernon Hills, Ill., Scott H. Schulhof, Chicago, and Craig J. Sylla, Round Lake, Ill. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Techniques for sharing resources in wagering game systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes determining that remote resources are needed for processing video content associated with a wagering game, and locating the remote resources by wirelessly communicating with one or more wagering game machines in the wagering game network, wherein the wireless communications include queries about whether the wagering game machines can provide the needed processing resources. The method can also include receiving processed video content via wireless communications with certain of the one or more wagering game machines, and presenting the wagering game using the processed video content." The patent application was filed on Jan. 3, 2009 (12/811,652). 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=8,353,774&OS=8,353,774&RS=8,353,774 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Coskata Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Coskata, Warrenville, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,354,257) developed by Rathin Datta, Warrenville, Ill., and Ralph Corley, Pensacola Beach, Fla., for an "integrated process for production of alcohol from syngas and removal of CO.sub.2." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A process for producing alcohol from syngas integrates the alcohol recovery with the removal of CO.sub.2 from syngas. A syngas feed containing CO, H.sub.2, and CO.sub.2 contacts an aqueous alcohol stream to remove CO.sub.2 from the syngas that then passes to bioreactor containing microorganisms for conversion to alcohol and other liquid products. Flashing of the scrubbing liquid releases the CO.sub.2 and simultaneously concentrates alcohol in the overhead flash vapor. Condensation of the flash vapor provides an enriched alcohol stream for enhanced recovery of the ethanol product in a product separation zone. The remainder of the scrubbing liquid along with make-up alcohol and water from the process gets returned for continued contact with the syngas feed." The patent application was filed on Jan. 8, 2010 (12/684,695). 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=8,354,257.PN.&OS=PN/8,354,257&RS=PN/8,354,257 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Nordson Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Nordson, Westlake, Ohio, has been assigned a patent (8,353,469) developed by five co-inventors for a "spray gun and coating system with filter in spray gun nozzle." The co-inventors are Terrence M. Fulkerson, Brunswick, Ohio, Michael R. Sanner, Amherst, Ohio, Brian D. Mather, North Olmsted, Ohio, Joseph G. Schroeder, North Royalton, Ohio, and Jeffery Edward Dailidas, Barrington, Ill. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A nozzle for a powder spray gun optionally includes an internal filter that allows air to be added to the powder flow within the nozzle shell. The nozzle may optionally include an off-axis outlet slot relative to a main flow axis of the powder into the nozzle shell so that powder encounters an obstruction before exiting through the outlet slot." The patent application was filed on Jan. 31, 2012 (13/362,229). 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=8,353,469.PN.&OS=PN/8,353,469&RS=PN/8,353,469 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Illinois Tool Works Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Illinois Tool Works, Glenview, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,658) developed by Isaac H. Heskel, Highland Park, Ill., Algis P. Suopys, Lindenhurst, Ill., and Michael Starozhitsky, Long Grove, Ill., for a "debris-free plastic collating strip for nails." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fastener assembly is for use in an associated fastener driving tool. The assembly includes a row of fasteners arranged substantially parallel to each other. Each fastener has a shank and defines an axis. A collation system is formed from a plastic material that is molded onto and adhered to the fasteners. The plastic material defines a collar portion at least substantially encircling the fastener shank and a connecting portion extending between and connecting adjacent collar portions. The connecting portion includes a bridge and a rib. The bridge is a relatively thin, elongate element spanning adjacent collar portions and the rib is a relatively thick, short element that is disposed at about an upper portion of the bridge. When the fastener is driven from the driving tool, the collar portion remains adhered to the fastener such that the collar portion penetrates the substrate with the fastener. The connecting portion can include a weakened region for separating the connecting portion from the collar." The patent application was filed on Nov. 6, 2007 (11/935,541). 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=8,353,658.PN.&OS=PN/8,353,658&RS=PN/8,353,658 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** IDEAL Industries Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- IDEAL Industries, Sycamore, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,716) developed by Sushil N. Keswani, Sycamore, Ill., for a "terminal structures for wiring devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Terminal structures for wiring devices, such as receptacle assemblies, are disclosed having first and second spring assemblies constructed of a first metal and each having at least one spring finger with the first and second spring assemblies being connected to respective first and second conductive contacts that are constructed of a second metal, wherein the terminal structures are configured for push-in termination of conductive stripped ends of respective first and second wires between the at least one spring finger of the respective first and second spring assemblies and the respective first and second conductive contacts, and wherein the first and second conductive contacts are configured to be connected to respective first and second separate conductive elements. Such a terminal structure is shown for example within a receptacle assembly in the form of a grounding duplex plug outlet." The patent application was filed on Dec. 14, 2010 (12/967,493). 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=8,353,716&OS=8,353,716&RS=8,353,716 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Fluid Management Operations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- Fluid Management Operations, Wheeling, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,690) developed by six co-inventors for a "quad chamber mixing pump." The co-inventors are Tim P. Hogan, Bristol, Wis., James R. Cleveland, Wheaton, Ill., John Hsing, Chicago, Jerry Visak, Vancouver, Wash., Stephen Burns, Portland, Ore., and Charles F. Carr, Battle Ground, Wash. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A pair of dual chamber mixing pumps are combined which allow for a constant dispense rate profile using motor speed modulation. Each pump is divided into two chambers, the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The chambers are defined in part by a piston having proximal and distal ends and recessed sections. The pump utilizes one common driving mechanism to axially rotate and laterally reciprocate the piston to provide continuous pumping of fluids with reduced pulsations. Each fluid enters through its own pump inlet and outlet. The pumps are operated 90.degree. out of phase with respect to each other." The patent application was filed on Feb. 12, 2010 (12/704,938). 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=8,353,690.PN.&OS=PN/8,353,690&RS=PN/8,353,690 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** WMS Gaming Assigned Patent for Wagering Game with Game-play Enhancements Having Known Expected Values ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21 -- WMS Gaming, Waukegan, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,353,755) developed by Jamie W. Vann, Chicago, James V. Palermo, Chicago, and Jeremie D. Moll, Chicago, for a "wagering game with game-play enhancements having known expected values." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a powerup feature. A wager input receives a wager from a player to play a single play of a wagering game. At least one display displays a plurality of reels with symbols. A controller is coupled to the wager input and the at least one display. The controller is operative randomly generate an outcome of the wagering game from a plurality of wagering game outcomes. The controller displays the randomly generated wagering game outcome on the plurality of reels. The plurality of outcomes includes the award of a powerup to a player. The powerup allows the player to activate a game enhancement feature on a future play of the wagering game. The plurality of wagering game outcomes can also include a credit award. A player may select the credit award or an offered powerup." The patent application was filed on June 24, 2010 (12/822,655). 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=8,353,755&OS=8,353,755&RS=8,353,755 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. 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