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).
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Patent number: 9792776Abstract: 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: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 9495842Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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Patent number: 9235966Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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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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Publication number: 20140106839Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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Publication number: 20140066161Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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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: 8636583Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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Patent number: 8597103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8579699Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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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: 8460094Abstract: 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: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Publication number: 20130005430Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: IGTInventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Robert F. Bigelow, JR., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Publication number: 20120309483Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, JR., Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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Publication number: 20120309499Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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Patent number: 8272946Abstract: 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: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anothony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 8257164Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
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Publication number: 20120094741Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8100754Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: 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