Patents by Inventor Robert F. Bigelow

Robert F. Bigelow 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: 9792776
    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: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 9495842
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Patent number: 9235966
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Publication number: 20140113703
    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: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8702489
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20140106839
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Publication number: 20140066161
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Patent number: 8647194
    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: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8636583
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Patent number: 8597103
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a gaming system includes a multi-player wheel game. The game includes a wheel having a plurality of sections. Each of the sections is associated with an award symbol. Each of the sections is also associated with a characteristic independent of the award symbol, such as a color. The gaming system enables each of a plurality of active players to select at least one of the characteristics associated with the wheel. The gaming system activates the wheel and indicates at least one section of the wheel. The gaming system and at the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide an award associated with the award symbol of the indicated section. For each active player that selected the characteristic associated with the indicated section, the gaming system and the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide a modified award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Christiaan R. Champagne, Dwayne A. Davis, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis, Marcos Mello, David N. Myers, Michael M. Oberberger, David M. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8579699
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Publication number: 20130267300
    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: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8460094
    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 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20130005430
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Robert F. Bigelow, JR., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20120309483
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Publication number: 20120309499
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Patent number: 8272946
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anothony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8257164
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Publication number: 20120094741
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a gaming system includes a multi-player wheel game. The game includes a wheel having a plurality of sections. Each of the sections is associated with an award symbol. Each of the sections is also associated with a characteristic independent of the award symbol, such as a color. The gaming system enables each of a plurality of active players to select at least one of the characteristics associated with the wheel. The gaming system activates the wheel and indicates at least one section of the wheel. The gaming system and at the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide an award associated with the award symbol of the indicated section. For each active player that selected the characteristic associated with the indicated section, the gaming system and the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide a modified award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., Christiaan R. Champagne, Dwayne A. Davis, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis, Marcos A. Mello, David N. Myers, Michael M. Oberberger, David M. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8100754
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a gaming system includes a multi-player wheel game. The game includes a wheel having a plurality of sections. Each of the sections is associated with an award symbol. Each of the sections is also associated with a characteristic independent of the award symbol, such as a color. The gaming system enables each of a plurality of active players to select at least one of the characteristics associated with the wheel. The gaming system activates the wheel and indicates at least one section of the wheel. The gaming system and at the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide an award associated with the award symbol of the indicated section. For each active player that selected the characteristic associated with the indicated section, the gaming system and the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide a modified award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Christiaan R. Champagne, Dwayne A. Davis, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis, Marcos A. Mello, David N. Myers, Michael M. Oberberger, David M. Palmer