Patents by Inventor Karen Michelle Cregan

Karen Michelle Cregan 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: 10304279
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method provides a reel game that includes stacks of symbols configured on the reels to provide a large number of winning symbol combinations. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels wherein each reel includes a reel-strip and a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of reels is configured to include one or more stacks of symbols wherein a stack of symbols is formed by placing a plurality of identical symbols adjacent to each other on a single reel. If two non-adjacent reels each generated a stack of identical symbols and at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels generated symbols different from the symbols used to form the stack of identical symbols, at least one symbol on the at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels is modified into the symbol that forms the stacks of identical symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen Michelle Cregan, Benjamin C. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20170046914
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method provides a reel game that includes stacks of symbols configured on the reels to provide a large number of winning symbol combinations. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels wherein each reel includes a reel-strip and a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of reels is configured to include one or more stacks of symbols wherein a stack of symbols is formed by placing a plurality of identical symbols adjacent to each other on a single reel. If two non-adjacent reels each generated a stack of identical symbols and at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels generated symbols different from the symbols used to form the stack of identical symbols, at least one symbol on the at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels is modified into the symbol that forms the stacks of identical symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen Michelle Cregan, Benjamin C. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9483916
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method provides a reel game that includes stacks of symbols configured on the reels to provide a large number of winning symbol combinations. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels wherein each reel includes a reel-strip and a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of reels is configured to include one or more stacks of symbols wherein a stack of symbols is formed by placing a plurality of identical symbols adjacent to each other on a single reel. If two non-adjacent reels each generated a stack of identical symbols and at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels generated symbols different from the symbols used to form the stack of identical symbols, at least one symbol on the at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels is modified into the symbol that forms the stacks of identical symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen Michelle Cregan, Benjamin C. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140066174
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method provides a reel game that includes stacks of symbols configured on the reels to provide a large number of winning symbol combinations. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels wherein each reel includes a reel-strip and a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of reels is configured to include one or more stacks of symbols wherein a stack of symbols is formed by placing a plurality of identical symbols adjacent to each other on a single reel. If two non-adjacent reels each generated a stack of identical symbols and at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels generated symbols different from the symbols used to form the stack of identical symbols, at least one symbol on the at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels is modified into the symbol that forms the stacks of identical symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen Michelle Cregan, Benjamin C. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8585487
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method provides a reel game that includes stacks of symbols configured on the reels to provide a large number of winning symbol combinations. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels wherein each reel includes a reel-strip and a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of reels is configured to include one or more stacks of symbols wherein a stack of symbols is formed by placing a plurality of identical symbols adjacent to each other on a single reel. If two non-adjacent reels each generated a stack of identical symbols and at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels generated symbols different from the symbols used to form the stack of identical symbols, at least one symbol on the at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels is modified into the symbol that forms the stacks of identical symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen Michelle Cregan, Benjamin C. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8491390
    Abstract: A gaming system and method providing a plurality of games, including a first type of game and a second type of game. The gaming system includes a progressive award which includes or is in the form of a progressive number or quantity of plays of the second type of game. The gaming system enables the player to play the first type of game. The gaming system increases the progressive award based on an occurrence of one or more incrementing conditions. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system determines the progressive award to provide to the player and provides the determined award to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Karen Michelle Cregan
  • Publication number: 20120015712
    Abstract: A gaming system and method providing a plurality of games, including a first type of game and a second type of game. The gaming system includes a progressive award which includes or is in the form of a progressive number or quantity of plays of the second type of game. The gaming system enables the player to play the first type of game. The gaming system increases the progressive award based on an occurrence of one or more incrementing conditions. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system determines the progressive award to provide to the player and provides the determined award to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Karen Michelle Cregan
  • Patent number: 8033903
    Abstract: A gaming system and method providing a plurality of games, including a first type of game and a second type of game. The gaming system includes a progressive award which includes or is in the form of a progressive number or quantity of plays of the second type of game. The gaming system enables the player to play the first type of game. The gaming system increases the progressive award based on an occurrence of one or more incrementing conditions. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system determines the progressive award to provide to the player and provides the determined award to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Karen Michelle Cregan
  • Publication number: 20090131147
    Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Karen Michelle Cregan, Michael MacVittie, Ryan W. Cuddy
  • Publication number: 20090124347
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method provides a reel game that includes stacks of symbols configured on the reels to provide a large number of winning symbol combinations. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels wherein each reel includes a reel-strip and a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of reels is configured to include one or more stacks of symbols wherein a stack of symbols is formed by placing a plurality of identical symbols adjacent to each other on a single reel. If two non-adjacent reels each generated a stack of identical symbols and at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels generated symbols different from the symbols used to form the stack of identical symbols, at least one symbol on the at least one reel positioned between the two non-adjacent reels is modified into the symbol that forms the stacks of identical symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Karen Michelle Cregan, Benjamin C. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7481708
    Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Karen Michelle Cregan, Michael MacVittie, Ryan W. Cuddy
  • Publication number: 20080200232
    Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Karen Michelle Cregan, Michael MacVittie, Ryan W. Cuddy
  • Publication number: 20080113779
    Abstract: A gaming system and method providing a plurality of games, including a first type of game and a second type of game. The gaming system includes a progressive award which includes or is in the form of a progressive number or quantity of plays of the second type of game. The gaming system enables the player to play the first type of game. The gaming system increases the progressive award based on an occurrence of one or more incrementing conditions. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system determines the progressive award to provide to the player and provides the determined award to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Karen Michelle Cregan
  • Patent number: 7094148
    Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Karen Michelle Cregan, Michael MacVittie, Ryan W. Cuddy