Patents by Inventor Aaron J. Schurman

Aaron J. Schurman 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: 10019872
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a gaming machine for redeeming an accrued attribute in subsequent plays of a wagering game. A wagering game instance may include a randomly triggered bonus game. One or more occurrences, events, or conditions are accrued in a tally during the bonus game. The tally grants an attribute for redemption in one or more subsequent randomly generated outcomes (e.g., subsequent plays of the wagering game, spins of the bonus game, etc.). The occurrences, events, or conditions may include any quantifiable measurement, including a number of winning, losing, or performed spins of the bonus game, appearance of specific symbols, wins over a threshold amount, etc. The resulting attribute(s) diminish over time and may include a win amount multiplier, a number of added symbols to one or more reels, a modified math model for a predetermined number of spins, additional game features or eligibility, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Sherrets, Bryan J. Vandaele, Aaron J. Schurman
  • Publication number: 20170046910
    Abstract: A gaming system comprising a regulated gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game. The gaming machine includes an electronic display device and a value input device and game-logic circuitry configured to display, on the electronic display device, a plurality of symbol-bearing reels, each reel having a plurality of reel positions occupied by symbols. The symbols on at least one of the reels includes a symbol clump occupying two or more adjacent reel positions of the plurality of reel positions of the at least one of the reels. The game-logic circuitry is further configured to detect, via the value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, receive an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, spin and stop the plurality of reels to land a subset of the symbols on the reels in visual association with an array of positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: NATHAN D. SHERRETS, AARON J. SCHURMAN, BRYAN J. VANDAELE
  • Publication number: 20170024970
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a gaming machine for redeeming an accrued attribute in subsequent plays of a wagering game. A wagering game instance may include a randomly triggered bonus game. One or more occurrences, events, or conditions are accrued in a tally during the bonus game. The tally grants an attribute for redemption in one or more subsequent randomly generated outcomes (e.g., subsequent plays of the wagering game, spins of the bonus game, etc.). The occurrences, events, or conditions may include any quantifiable measurement, including a number of winning, losing, or performed spins of the bonus game, appearance of specific symbols, wins over a threshold amount, etc. The resulting attribute(s) diminish over time and may include a win amount multiplier, a number of added symbols to one or more reels, a modified math model for a predetermined number of spins, additional game features or eligibility, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: NATHAN D. SHERRETS, BRYAN J. VANDAELE, AARON J. SCHURMAN
  • Patent number: 9286757
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a trigger for a bonus game associated with presentation of a wagering game. The operations can further include, in response to the trigger, providing, for presentation, an option to select either a prize or play of the bonus game. The operations can further include detecting a selection of either the prize or the play of the bonus game, and providing either the prize or the play of the bonus game based on the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Guinn, Michael W. Mastropietro, Aaron J. Schurman, Bryan J. VanDaele
  • Publication number: 20140274308
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a trigger for a bonus game associated with presentation of a wagering game. The operations can further include, in response to the trigger, providing, for presentation, an option to select either a prize or play of the bonus game. The operations can further include detecting a selection of either the prize or the play of the bonus game, and providing either the prize or the play of the bonus game based on the selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Guinn, Michael W. Mastropietro, Aaron J. Schurman, Bryan J. VanDaele