Patents by Inventor Paulina Rodgers

Paulina Rodgers 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).

  • Publication number: 20110212760
    Abstract: A gaming device having multiple interacting independently operated symbol generators, such as wheels. In one embodiment, each wheel includes a plurality of sections that are associated with a plurality of different outcomes which are displayed to a player. One or more of the wheels are activated, either sequentially or simultaneously and the results of the wheel activations influence one or more subsequent wheel activations. Upon a terminating event, an outcome based on the results from one or more spins of one or more of the wheels is provided to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Bayard S. Webb, Hans Elias, Zeke Brill
  • Publication number: 20110183750
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive game increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive game increment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7967676
    Abstract: A gaming device having an award generator and a plurality of tracking meters. In one embodiment, each tracking meter is associated with one of a plurality of indicators. The gaming device increments at least one of the plurality of tracking meters based on one or more events which occur in association with a play of a game. The gaming device then determines if at least one of the tracking meters has been incremented a predetermined number of times. If at least one of the tracking meters has been incremented the predetermined number of times, the gaming device activates the award generator, indicates a plurality of the sections of the award generator with a plurality of indicators, determines the award indicated by the indicator associated with the tracking meter which has been incremented the predetermined number of times, and provides the determined award to a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Bayard S. Webb, Hans Elias, Zeke Brill
  • Publication number: 20110117989
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein employs a symbol accumulation sequence and a symbol evaluation sequence. The symbol accumulation sequence includes an accumulation of a designated quantity of symbols in association with a persistence game. The symbol accumulation sequence also includes the maintenance of a persistence game arrangement that displays a designated quantity of currently accumulated symbols (which in certain instances, includes some, but not all of the total number of symbols accumulated). In one embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on the accumulated symbols of the persistence game. In another embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on at least one of the accumulated symbols of the persistence game and at least one symbol generated for a current play of a wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy L. Kennedy, Cullen P. O'Day, Paulina Rodgers, Robert F. Lester
  • Patent number: 7942737
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive game increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive game increment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20110111852
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems implementing techniques for providing input for playing a game of chance. A gaming machine includes a touch screen display. The touch screen display is configured to display input selections, auxiliary input selections, and auxiliary data. The touch screen display is further configured to receive game input corresponding to the input selections and auxiliary input corresponding to the auxiliary input selections. The received game input and auxiliary input are transmitted to a controller of the gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Alexander C. Cohen, Paulina Rodgers, Janna B-Jensen, Chauncey Griswold, Leagh Beadell, Kirk Tedsen, Daniel Waller, James Stockdale, John Goodman, Mike Garamendi
  • Publication number: 20110111835
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) is configured to run a persistence game having one or more recordable persistence states transferable to another EGM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Alexander C. Cohen, Bryan D. Wolf, Paulina Rodgers, James A. Vasquez, Garrett Olson, Ty Cornell Jones
  • Publication number: 20110111828
    Abstract: Gaming systems, gaming devices and methods that provide games that control volatility. In one embodiment, the gaming system disclosed herein enables a player to select values, or cells associated with values, that are displayed in a particular arrangement. The player selected values are distributed to other values or cells according to one or more predefined rules. In one embodiment, one or more of the player selectable values are progressive award values. At some point during the game, the gaming system randomly picks one of the remaining values that have not been selected and provides an award to the player based at least in part on the selected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Ernie M. Lafky, Bryan D. Wolf, Paulina Rodgers, Cameron A. Filipour, Adam M. Meyer, Adam M. Singer
  • Patent number: 7922573
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reel sets connected where at least one of the reel sets includes concentric reels having an inner reel and an outer reel. The inner reel includes a plurality of symbols and a plurality of symbol positions where at least two of the symbols are displayed by one of the symbol positions. The outer reel defines a plurality of different viewable areas where one of the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to view at least one of the symbols through a first viewable area and a different number of the symbols through a second viewable area. A processor causes the inner reel and the outer reel to move and provides any outcome to the player based on the number of winning symbol combinations which are displayed on the reels (i.e., not based on any paylines that would have passed through such displayed winning symbol combinations).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Ryan W. Cuddy, Paulina Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7896734
    Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Zeke Brill, Hans Elias, Paulina Rodgers, Kehl T. LeSourd, Eric L. Wagner, Christopher D. Carlisle, Kirk A. Tedsen, Michael MacVittie
  • Patent number: 7874912
    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, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Karen M. Cregan, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7857695
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having several symbols with at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device spins the reels for at one spin. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the payline, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol, stationary. The gaming device then re-spins the other reels for a designated number of spins, not including the reel having the wild symbol, in the game. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations on the payline. In another embodiment, the gaming device holds one of the reels stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels the award amounts associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than a designated award value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Erick T. Ching, Jasonlee Kissee Hohman
  • Patent number: 7850521
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having several symbols with at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device spins the reels for at one spin. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the payline, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol, stationary. The gaming device then re-spins the other reels for a designated number of spins, not including the reel having the wild symbol, in the game. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations on the payline. In another embodiment, the gaming device holds one of the reels stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels the award amounts associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than a designated award value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Erick T. Ching, Jansonlee Kissee Hohman
  • Patent number: 7771270
    Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Zeke Brill, Hans Elias, Paulina Rodgers, Kehl T. LeSourd, Eric L. Wagner, Christopher D. Carlisle, Kirk A. Tedsen, Michael MacVittie
  • Publication number: 20100137056
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Robert F. Lester
  • Publication number: 20100124968
    Abstract: The gaming device includes a plurality of mechanical reels which have a plurality of symbols including a plurality of trace symbols. The gaming device includes at least one light source configured to illuminate portions of the mechanical reels when the mechanical reels generate the trace symbols so that for at least one subsequent spin of the mechanical reels, the gaming device can indicate that the mechanical reels generated the trace symbols during a previous spin of the mechanical reels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker
  • Publication number: 20100124972
    Abstract: A gaming system displays a plurality of independent reels, wherein each independent reel generates a symbol from a plurality of symbol positions of that independent reel in accordance with a plurality of probabilities. At least two adjacent independent reels generate symbols according to relatively high probabilities of generating a designated symbol. For a play of the game, the gaming system generates and displays a symbol for each independent reel and provides an award for any displayed winning symbol combinations. In one embodiment, for at least one symbol position of at least one winning symbol combination, the gaming system re-generates a symbol for one or more independent, such as by displaying a symbol from an adjacent symbol position of that independent reel. The gaming system provides an award for any winning symbol combinations and repeats until no winning symbol combinations are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Benjamin C. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20100120496
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming system and method include determining whether to initiate a win evaluation sequence for determining awards for a play of a wagering game based on the symbols generated in that play of the wagering game. In various such embodiments, the gaming system determines whether to initiate a win evaluation sequence for determining awards for a play of a wagering game based on whether a designated number of evaluation triggering symbols are randomly generated in the play of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker
  • Publication number: 20100120501
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming system and method include the gaming system randomly generating a plurality of symbols, displaying the generated symbols and prior to determining any awards for a play of a game, determining whether an expanding symbol is displayed at one or more points of symbol expansion. If the expanding symbol is displayed at the point of symbol expansion, the gaming system causes the expanding symbol to “expand,” replacing at least another one of the displayed symbols. After the gaming system causes the symbol expansions, the gaming system evaluates the symbols for winning symbol combinations, determines any awards associated with the winning symbol combinations, and provides the player with any determined awards. In various embodiments, the point of symbol expansion is a symbol position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker
  • Publication number: 20100120524
    Abstract: A gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method including a symbol generator, where a number of awards available to the player in a single activation of the symbol generator and/or which awards are available to a player in a single activation of the symbol generator are based on an occurrence of one or more triggering events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Benjamin C. Hoffman, Benjamin M. Fuller