Patents by Inventor James Vasquez
James Vasquez 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).
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Patent number: 9224266Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
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Patent number: 9159196Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: IGTInventors: James A. Vasquez, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Aaron T. Jones, Mark W. Bansemer
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Patent number: 9005015Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
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Patent number: 8876591Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
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Patent number: 8864575Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
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Patent number: 8814648Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
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Publication number: 20140213348Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: IGTInventors: James A. Vasquez, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Aaron T. Jones, Mark W. Bansemer
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Publication number: 20140206431Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
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Patent number: 8753197Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
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Patent number: 8727871Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
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Publication number: 20140113703Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a bonus game, and particularly a free spin bonus with an incrementing multiplier. The bonus game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols and multipliers. The gaming device provides a number of free spins to the player at the beginning of the bonus game. The multiplier preferably starts at “1×” and increases by one after each free spin. Initially, the player spins the reels attempting to obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels. If the player obtains a winning combination, the gaming device provides an award. The award is multiplied by the multiplier and the player receives the multiplied award for that free spin. The player continues to spin the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the bonus game.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 8702489Abstract: An apparatus and method for a free spins game including a plurality of reels, an outcome and a plurality of sections associated with the outcome. The gaming device or player activates the reels to indicate a designated symbol combination including at least two section indicator symbols. When a designated symbol combination including the section indicator symbols is indicated on the reels, the gaming device obtains the corresponding section. The gaming device or player continues to activate the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the game or until all of the sections are obtained. The gaming device then provides the outcome to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 8702488Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: James A. Vasquez, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Aaron T. Jones, Mark W. Bansemer
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Patent number: 8690663Abstract: Methods and systems for providing low denomination payline and wagering options for “penny” gaming machines and systems are disclosed. A gaming machine or system configurator can provide various operator adjustable settings, including minimum overall wager, maximum overall wager, available denominations for play, minimum number of paylines that must be played, and incremental amount of paylines to be played. The configurator can include manual devices, an interface to a remote server or internal gaming machine logic. Player adjustable game parameters can include a play denomination, an overall wager, the number of paylines played and the number of credits per payline. Parameters not set by the player are automatically calculated by the gaming machine for faster game play. Residual awards or credit balances of less than a whole coin can be squared by payout mechanisms including a ticket printer, a player accounting system, a charity feature or a bonus play feature.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Ali M. Saffari, John W. Chamberlain, Anisur R. Chowdhury, Christopher T. Lundy, James A. Vasquez, Bryan D. Wolf
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Patent number: 8647194Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a bonus game, and particularly a free spin bonus with an incrementing multiplier. The bonus game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols and multipliers. The gaming device provides a number of free spins to the player at the beginning of the bonus game. The multiplier preferably starts at “1×” and increases by one after each free spin. Initially, the player spins the reels attempting to obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels. If the player obtains a winning combination, the gaming device provides an award. The award is multiplied by the multiplier and the player receives the multiplied award for that free spin. The player continues to spin the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the bonus game.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 8591322Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes a server and a plurality of electronic gaming machines, each machine including a logic system configured for communication with the server, a memory and a theoretical coin-out meter. The memory includes instructions executable by the logic system for running on the gaming machine a persistence game having one or more recordable persistence states leading to a redeemable persistence award. Each persistence state has a persistence value representing a portion of the persistence award. The persistence game is interruptible at a first machine and resumable at a second machine at a recorded persistence state. The theoretical coin-out meter stores unawarded persistence values accumulated by the machine from advancing the persistence game during game play among the one or more persistence states. A persistence award redeemed at one of the machines is reconciled with unawarded persistence values accumulated at another one or more of the machines.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Alexander C. Cohen, Bryan D. Wolf, Paulina Rodgers, James A. Vasquez, Garrett Olson, Ty Cornell Jones
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Publication number: 20130310129Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Anthony J. BAERLOCHER, James A. VASQUEZ, Tonja M. PETERSON, Erick T. CHING
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Patent number: 8556710Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
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Publication number: 20130267300Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a bonus game, and particularly a free spin bonus with an incrementing multiplier. The bonus game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols and multipliers. The gaming device provides a number of free spins to the player at the beginning of the bonus game. The multiplier preferably starts at “1×” and increases by one after each free spin. Initially, the player spins the reels attempting to obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels. If the player obtains a winning combination, the gaming device provides an award. The award is multiplied by the multiplier and the player receives the multiplied award for that free spin. The player continues to spin the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the bonus game.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: D723626Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: IGTInventors: James A. Vasquez, Julia J. Angst, John L. Beadell, John W. Chamberlain, Russell Chudd, Matthew D. Cloutier, Matthew A. Franich, Khanh Trang N. Hajek, Mark A. Jaillet, Chun J. Jia, Charles W. Johnson, Patrick J. Nohr, Gene E. Powell, Jacqueline M. Ragnone, Tai Rosander, Kirk A. Tedsen, Stewart Thoeni, James W. Timperley, Randall J. Tognoni, Gregory D. Wright, Jared P. Wulff