Patents by Inventor Karen M. Cregan

Karen M. Cregan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7578737
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating a gaming device which increases the possibility of obtaining a winning combination of symbols on reels. In one embodiment, the gaming device rearranges at least two sets of indicated symbols on the reels to potentially generate additional combinations of symbols on a payline. The rearranged symbols may move to different reels and different paylines in the rearrangement. The gaming device, in one embodiment performs an evaluation of the rearranged symbols after each rearrangement to give each rearrangement a chance to generate a winning combination of symbols on the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Robert N. Silva, III
  • Patent number: 7578738
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating a gaming device which increases the possibility of obtaining a winning combination of symbols on reels. In one embodiment, the gaming device rearranges one or more sets of indicated symbols on the reels to potentially generate additional combinations of symbols on a payline. The rearranged symbols may move to different reels and different paylines in the rearrangement. The gaming device, in one embodiment performs an evaluation of the rearranged symbols after each rearrangement to give each rearrangement a chance to generate a winning combination of symbols on the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Robert N. Silva, III
  • Patent number: 7442123
    Abstract: A gaming device includes a symbol generator which includes a plurality of sections. Each of the sections is associated with a symbol. Upon a triggering event, the gaming device determines which symbol to indicate. The gaming device rotates or moves the symbol generator and stops rotating the symbol generator to indicate a first point on the symbol generator. The first point is located between the section associated with the determined symbol and another section adjacent to this section. The gaming device indicates the adjacent section at least once and indicates the section associated with the determined symbol at least once. In one embodiment, the gaming device oscillates the symbol generator back and forth to indicate one section and then the other section to tease the player. The gaming device stops moving or rotating the symbol generator to indicate the section associated with the determined symbol. The gaming device provides an outcome to a player based on the determined symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Zeke Brill, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Karen M. Cregan, Michael MacVittie, Hans Elias
  • Publication number: 20080214283
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating a gaming device which increases the possibility of obtaining a winning combination of symbols on reels. In one embodiment, the gaming device rearranges at least two sets of indicated symbols on the reels to potentially generate additional combinations of symbols on a payline. The rearranged symbols may move to different reels and different paylines in the rearrangement. The gaming device, in one embodiment performs an evaluation of the rearranged symbols after each rearrangement to give each rearrangement a chance to generate a winning combination of symbols on the reels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Robert N. Silva
  • Publication number: 20080207305
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating a gaming device which increases the possibility of obtaining a winning combination of symbols on reels. In one embodiment, the gaming device rearranges one or more sets of indicated symbols on the reels to potentially generate additional combinations of symbols on a payline. The rearranged symbols may move to different reels and different paylines in the rearrangement. The gaming device, in one embodiment performs an evaluation of the rearranged symbols after each rearrangement to give each rearrangement a chance to generate a winning combination of symbols on the reels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Robert N. Silva
  • Publication number: 20080182650
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a plurality of different predefined wager packages. Each predefined wager package is associated with a wager amount or value and includes one or more of a plurality of different game play features. In operation, the gaming device enables players to wager an amount equal to one of the plurality of predefined wager packages available to the player. The game play features associated with the wagered on predefined wager package are activated for one or more plays of a game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Dov L. Randall, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Adrian Wotton, Karen M. Cregan, Peter Gerrard, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 7371170
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating a gaming device which increases the possibility of obtaining a winning combination of symbols on reels. In one embodiment, the gaming device rearranges one or more sets of indicated symbols on the reels to potentially generate additional combinations of symbols on a payline. The rearranged symbols may move to different reels and different paylines in the rearrangement. The gaming device, in one embodiment performs an evaluation of the rearranged symbols after each rearrangement to give each rearrangement a chance to generate a winning combination of symbols on the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Robert N. Silva, III
  • Patent number: 7351141
    Abstract: The gaming device provides a number of selections. When the player chooses a selection, the gaming device randomly generates a value and randomly places the value into one of a number of adjacent slots. When the bottom of each slot is covered with values, the game removes the values and provides an award to the player. In one embodiment, the award includes a value from each slot and in a preferred embodiment the award includes the smallest value from the slots. The gaming device subtracts the lowest value from the remaining values and the player chooses another selection. The process continues until one of a plurality of possible endings occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen M. Cregan
  • Patent number: 7338369
    Abstract: A gaming device and method which includes a plurality of reels having multiple symbols on the reels. The symbols include at least one activator symbol. In one embodiment, if the player obtains an activator symbol on the reels, the activator symbol activates the symbols that are adjacent to the activator symbol. Activating the adjacent symbols reveals the awards associated with the adjacent symbols. The player receives an award that equals the activator symbol award plus the awards associated with each symbol that is adjacent to the activator symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Marc Mierau, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7322887
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols on each of the reels. At least one and preferably a plurality of the symbols on the primary reels are designated as tracking or back symbols. A tracking symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to flag the outcome of the current and all tracking spins in a memory storage device. A back symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to retrieve the flagged outcomes of each flagged spin and to redisplay the outcomes in a sequential manner and to provide the awards associated with the outcomes to the player. An additional embodiment of the invention automatically flags all spins of the gaming device for retrieval and display upon the generation of a back or bonus symbol. The gaming device determines if an award is associated with one or more of the symbols generated on the reels and provides any determined award to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Matthew E. Belger, Darren Maya, Anisur R. Chowdhury, Hans Elias, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7273415
    Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus round with multiple selection groups is provided. The gaming device provides a plurality of selection groups including a final selection group. Each non-final selection group includes selections that yield awards and at least one selection that yields an advance indicator. The advance indicator signals the end of a player's picking from one selection group and the start of the player's picking from a subsequent selection group. The gaming device provides the player with a total number of picks. The player uses the picks to advance through as many selection groups as possible, wherein the awards increase as the player advances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7241220
    Abstract: A gaming device including a mechanical display which includes a housing, a symbol display mechanism rotatably connected to the housing, a plurality of independent symbol display members including at least one symbol rotatably connected to the symbol display mechanism and a pivoting symbol indicator connected to the center of the symbol display mechanism. Upon a triggering event in a game, the symbol display mechanism rotates relative to the housing and each of the symbol display members rotate relative to the symbol display mechanism. The pivoting symbol indicator pivots downward towards one of the symbol display members to indicate the symbol on the symbol display member. The mechanical display may be used in a primary game, a secondary game or any suitable type of game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Markus Rothkranz, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Steve P. McGahn, Gene E. Powell, Randall D. Mead, Joseph R. Hedrick, Karen M. Cregan
  • Patent number: 7238110
    Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein an accumulator accumulates bonus re-triggering symbols until a pre-determined number of bonus re-triggering symbols are obtained by the player in the bonus game. The accumulated bonus re-triggering symbols are preferably the same symbol. In one embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are the same symbol as the bonus triggering symbols in the primary game. In another embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are different symbols than the bonus trigger symbols in the primary game. The bonus scheme of the present invention is preferably employed in conjunction with one or more other re-trigger bonus schemes. In another embodiment, the accumulator is employed as a bonus re-triggering event in the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Glavich, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7104888
    Abstract: A gaming device and method which includes a plurality of reels having multiple symbols on the reels. The symbols include at least one activator symbol. In one embodiment, if the player obtains an activator symbol on the reels, the activator symbol activates the symbols that are adjacent to the activator symbol. Activating the adjacent symbols reveals the awards associated with the adjacent symbols. The player receives an award that equals the activator symbol award plus the awards associated with each symbol that is adjacent to the activator symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Marc Miereau, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7056214
    Abstract: A gaming device and method which includes a plurality of reels having multiple symbols on the reels. The symbols include at least one activator symbol. In one embodiment, if the player obtains an activator symbol on the reels, the activator symbol activates the symbols that are adjacent to the activator symbol. Activating the adjacent symbols reveals the awards associated with the adjacent symbols. The player receives an award that equals the activator symbol award plus the awards associated with each symbol that is adjacent to the activator symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Marc Miereau, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7037191
    Abstract: The gaming device provides a number of selections. When the player chooses a selection, the gaming device randomly generates a value and randomly places the value into one of a number of adjacent slots. When the bottom of each slot is covered with values, the game removes the values and provides an award to the player. In one embodiment, the award includes a value from each slot and in a preferred embodiment the award includes the smallest value from the slots. The gaming device subtracts the lowest value from the remaining values and the player chooses another selection. The process continues until one of a plurality of possible endings occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen M. Cregan
  • Patent number: 6958013
    Abstract: A gaming device and method which includes a plurality of reels having multiple symbols on the reels. The symbols include at least one activator symbol. In one embodiment, if the player obtains an activator symbol on the reels, the activator symbol activates the symbols that are adjacent to the activator symbol. Activating the adjacent symbols reveals the awards associated with the adjacent symbols. The player receives an award that equals the activator symbol award plus the awards associated with each symbol that is adjacent to the activator symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Marc Miereau, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6955600
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein an accumulator accumulates bonus re-triggering symbols until a pre-determined number of bonus re-triggering symbols are obtained by the player in the bonus game. The accumulated bonus re-triggering symbols are preferably the same symbol. In one embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are the same symbol as the bonus triggering symbols in the primary game. In another embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are different symbols than the bonus trigger symbols in the primary game. The bonus scheme of the present invention is preferably employed in conjunction with one or more other re-trigger bonus schemes. In another embodiment, the accumulator is employed as a bonus re-triggering event in the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Glavich, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20040063492
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a wagering gaming device that enables a player to accept a discounted game element when a triggering event occurs during a primary wagering game. The discounted game element includes may be a discounted reinitiation of the primary wagering game or a discounted component or function of the primary wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Karen M. Cregan, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20030207710
    Abstract: The gaming device provides a number of selections. When the player chooses a selection, the gaming device randomly generates a value and randomly places the value into one of a number of adjacent slots. When the bottom of each slot is covered with values, the game removes the values and provides an award to the player. In one embodiment, the award includes a value from each slot and in a preferred embodiment the award includes the smallest value from the slots. The gaming device subtracts the lowest value from the remaining values and the player chooses another selection. The process continues until one of a plurality of possible endings occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen M. Cregan