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).

  • Patent number: 8128492
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: James A. Vasquez, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Aaron T. Jones, Mark W. Bansemer
  • Publication number: 20110312406
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8029358
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8021230
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20110218032
    Abstract: A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bryan Bullard, Daniel Dewaal, William Little, Christopher D. Reddicks, James A. Vasquez
  • Patent number: 7967677
    Abstract: A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bryan Bullard, Daniel Dewaal, William Little, Christopher D. Reddicks, James A. Vasquez
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7905778
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert E. Breckner, Jamal Benbrahim, James A. Vasquez, Mark W Bansemer, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7892093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 7854654
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20100291991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 7753773
    Abstract: A gaming system with a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different game programs to one, more or each of the gaming devices, wherein each gaming device executes the communicated game program by utilizing one, more or each of the concentric reels. Each game program represents a different setting, configuration or type game which may be played on one, more or each of the gaming devices in the gaming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, James A. Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20100160031
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying multiple gaming device interfaces for the same wagering game is provided. The game can be a slot game although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exact same game is played using one of a plurality of different display interfaces, wherein the gaming device enables the player to select which interface to play. The player can play the game using one interface and then switch interfaces to provide a fresh display or to change the player's luck. The player can then switch back to the original interface or select a brand new interface depending upon how many interfaces overall are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: John G. Gilliland, Jeffrey P. Laakso, Joseph E. Kaminkow, James A. Vasquez
  • Patent number: 7699699
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying multiple gaming device interfaces for the same wagering game is provided. The game can be slot although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exact same game is played using one of a plurality of different display interfaces, wherein the gaming device enables the player to select which interface to play. The player can play the game for a while using one interface and then switch interfaces to provide a fresh display or to change the player's luck. The player can then switch back to the original interface or select a brand new interface depending upon how many interfaces overall are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: John G. Gilliland, Jeffrey P. Laakso, Joseph E. Kaminkow, James A. Vasquez
  • Patent number: 7695363
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying multiple interfaces for a gaming device is provided. The game can be slot although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. The interface which is displayed can depend upon the wager level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: John J. Gilliland, Jeffrey P. Laakso, Joseph E. Kaminkow, James A. Vasquez
  • Patent number: 7666081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 7621809
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 7607976
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 7607977
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Peterson, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20090124334
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of determining suitable paytables for wagering Solitaire games or type games and a gaming system, gaming device and method for providing such wagering games with such paytables. In one embodiment, the paytable includes the outcomes in the form of ranges of the total numbers of cards which are banked at the time play terminates and the awards associated with each range. In various embodiments, the paytable is constructed such that certain of the awards increase non-linearly as the ranges of numbers of banked cards increase. In other words, in various embodiments, certain awards in the paytable have a different upper ratio to the number of cards banked than other awards in the paytable. In various embodiments, the Solitaire game includes one stage or multiple stages. The present disclosure also provides a paytable for multiple related plays of the Solitaire game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Aaron T. Jones, James A. Vasquez, Bryan D. Wolf, Anthony J. Baerlocher