Patents by Inventor Robert F. Lester

Robert F. Lester 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: 10121325
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Robert F. Lester
  • Publication number: 20180130311
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Robert F. Lester
  • Patent number: 9865134
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Robert F. Lester
  • Patent number: 9129481
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Robert F. Lester
  • Publication number: 20150206393
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Robert F. Lester
  • Patent number: 8777724
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein employs a symbol accumulation sequence and a symbol evaluation sequence. The symbol accumulation sequence includes an accumulation of a designated quantity of symbols in association with a persistence game. The symbol accumulation sequence also includes the maintenance of a persistence game arrangement that displays a designated quantity of currently accumulated symbols (which in certain instances, includes some, but not all of the total number of symbols accumulated). In one embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on the accumulated symbols of the persistence game. In another embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on at least one of the accumulated symbols of the persistence game and at least one symbol generated for a current play of a wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy L. Kennedy, Cullen P. O'Day, Paulina Rodgers, Robert F. Lester
  • Patent number: 8425303
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein employs a symbol accumulation sequence and a symbol evaluation sequence. The symbol accumulation sequence includes an accumulation of a designated quantity of symbols in association with a persistence game. The symbol accumulation sequence also includes the maintenance of a persistence game arrangement that displays a designated quantity of currently accumulated symbols (which in certain instances, includes some, but not all of the total number of symbols accumulated). In one embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on the accumulated symbols of the persistence game. In another embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on at least one of the accumulated symbols of the persistence game and at least one symbol generated for a current play of a wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy L. Kennedy, Cullen P. O'Day, Paulina Rodgers, Robert F. Lester
  • Publication number: 20110117989
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein employs a symbol accumulation sequence and a symbol evaluation sequence. The symbol accumulation sequence includes an accumulation of a designated quantity of symbols in association with a persistence game. The symbol accumulation sequence also includes the maintenance of a persistence game arrangement that displays a designated quantity of currently accumulated symbols (which in certain instances, includes some, but not all of the total number of symbols accumulated). In one embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on the accumulated symbols of the persistence game. In another embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on at least one of the accumulated symbols of the persistence game and at least one symbol generated for a current play of a wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy L. Kennedy, Cullen P. O'Day, Paulina Rodgers, Robert F. Lester
  • Publication number: 20100137056
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Paulina Rodgers, Christmas C. Parker, Robert F. Lester