Patents by Inventor Olaf Vancura

Olaf Vancura 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: 9830773
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 9741206
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 9728034
    Abstract: Games such as reel-type slot games may have various features, including: an attribute accumulate feature which a player attempts to form combinations of collectable special symbols; a geometric pattern feature in which symbols within a geometric pattern or area may take on special attributes or features; a moving trigger feature; a symbol-triggered game transformation feature using logical rules; a player symbol selection in which reel symbols are player selected; and a reel-locking feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: AGS LLC
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20160196714
    Abstract: Games such as reel-type slot games may have various features, including: an attribute accumulate feature which a player attempts to form combinations of collectable special symbols; a geometric pattern feature in which symbols within a geometric pattern or area may take on special attributes or features; a moving trigger feature; a symbol-triggered game transformation feature using logical rules; a player symbol selection in which reel symbols are player selected; and a reel-locking feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20160063814
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 9275522
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AGS, LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Chang, Inna Lifchits, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 9275521
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AGS, LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Chang, Inna Lifchits, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 9183706
    Abstract: Games such as reel-type slot games may have various features, including: an attribute accumulate feature which a player attempts to form combinations of collectable special symbols; a geometric pattern feature in which symbols within a geometric pattern or area may take on special attributes or features; a moving trigger feature; a symbol-triggered game transformation feature using logical rules; a player symbol selection in which reel symbols are player selected; and a reel-locking feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: AGS, LLC
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 9033784
    Abstract: In accordance with a poker game, a player is dealt a first set of cards, such as 5 cards. The player elects which cards to hold and which cards to discard, if any. Upon discarding any cards, a player is dealt a second set of cards, preferably in the same number as the first set of cards. Subsets of the second set of replacement cards are combined with the cards held from the first set of cards to form final hands of cards. Each final hand is evaluated to determine if it is a winning or losing hand, such as against a standard poker paytable. Awards may be varied depending upon the size of the player's wager and/or the number of cards the player holds/discards from the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Robert L. Miodunski
  • Publication number: 20140342807
    Abstract: In a method of conducting a game and a gaming device configured to present a game, a plurality of reels display a base set of symbols. The symbols are used to define a base game outcome. In the event a nudge feature is triggered, such as by receipt of trigger symbols in the base game, reels having associated trigger symbols are locked and individual ones of the reels are nudged to new positions, wherein after a particular reel has been nudged, a new game outcome is evaluated. The reels may be nudged sequentially. Other triggers, such as receipt of additional numbers of trigger symbols, may also trigger a primary bonus game, which bonus game may further trigger one or more secondary bonus games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20140295954
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 8795055
    Abstract: In a method of playing a game and a gaming device configured to present a game, a plurality of reels display a base set of symbols. The symbols are used to define a base game outcome. In the event a nudge feature is triggered, such as by receipt of trigger symbols in the base game, reels having associated trigger symbols are locked and individual ones of the reels are nudged to new positions, wherein after a particular reel has been nudged, a new game outcome is evaluated. The reels may be nudged sequentially. Other triggers, such as receipt of additional numbers of trigger symbols, may also trigger a primary bonus game, which bonus game may further trigger one or more secondary bonus games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20140194175
    Abstract: In accordance with a poker game, a player is dealt a first set of cards, such as 5 cards. The player elects which cards to hold and which cards to discard, if any. Upon discarding any cards, a player is dealt a second set of cards, preferably in the same number as the first set of cards. Subsets of the second set of replacement cards are combined with the cards held from the first set of cards to form final hands of cards. Each final hand is evaluated to determine if it is a winning or losing hand, such as against a standard poker paytable. Awards may be varied depending upon the size of the player's wager and/or the number of cards the player holds/discards from the first set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: AGS, LLC
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Robert L. Miodunski
  • Patent number: 8770585
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Publication number: 20140162764
    Abstract: A plurality of gaming machines is linked, such as via a local bank controller. The gaming machines present base wagering games and, at one or more times, a community bonus event or game involving multiple of the linked gaming machines and their associated players. The community bonus comprises an event or game where awards, information, attributes and/or other features may be exchanged between players, thus fostering interaction/camaraderie between the players. Such features may be exchanged as part of cooperation or competition between players. Player may share in community bonus awards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: AGS, LLC
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20140120998
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: AGS, LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Chang, Inna lifchits, Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20140094248
    Abstract: Games such as reel-type slot games may have various features, including: an attribute accumulate feature which a player attempts to form combinations of collectable special symbols; a geometric pattern feature in which symbols within a geometric pattern or area may take on special attributes or features; a moving trigger feature; a symbol-triggered game transformation feature using logical rules; a player symbol selection in which reel symbols are player selected; and a reel-locking feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20140004933
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Publication number: 20130303255
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Chang, Inna Lifchits, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 8528908
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver