Patents by Inventor Eric D. Fullenwider

Eric D. Fullenwider 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).

  • Gaming system and method providing additional award opportunity based on a plurality of accumulated designated symbols
    Patent number: 9805553
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing an additional award opportunity based on a plurality of accumulated designated symbols. In one embodiment, for each play of a game associated with a plurality of symbols including a designated symbol, the gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols at a plurality of symbol display areas, determines any awards associated with the displayed symbols, and provides any determined awards. Upon an occurrence of a designated symbol accumulation event, the gaming system displays the designated symbol at a designated symbol accumulation area. The gaming system removes the accumulated designated symbol from the designated symbol accumulation area following an expiration event. Upon an occurrence of an additional award opportunity triggering event associated with any accumulated designated symbols displayed at the designated symbol accumulation area, the gaming system provides an additional award opportunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: John H. Zielinski, Eric D. Fullenwider
  • GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING ADDITIONAL AWARD OPPORTUNITY BASED ON A PLURALITY OF ACCUMULATED DESIGNATED SYMBOLS
    Publication number: 20140018146
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing an additional award opportunity based on a plurality of accumulated designated symbols. In one embodiment, for each play of a game associated with a plurality of symbols including a designated symbol, the gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols at a plurality of symbol display areas, determines any awards associated with the displayed symbols, and provides any determined awards. Upon an occurrence of a designated symbol accumulation event, the gaming system displays the designated symbol at a designated symbol accumulation area. The gaming system removes the accumulated designated symbol from the designated symbol accumulation area following an expiration event. Upon an occurrence of an additional award opportunity triggering event associated with any accumulated designated symbols displayed at the designated symbol accumulation area, the gaming system provides an additional award opportunity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: John H. Zielinski, Eric D. Fullenwider