Patents by Inventor Tonja M. Ferry

Tonja M. Ferry 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: 9852580
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 9600968
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 9558630
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Alexander C. Cohen, Tonja M. Ferry, Adam Koby
  • Publication number: 20160098895
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20160055714
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony J. BAERLOCHER, James A. VASQUEZ, Tonja M. FERRY, Erick T. CHING
  • Patent number: 9224266
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20150317879
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Alexander C. Cohen, Tonja M. Ferry, Adam Koby
  • Patent number: 9092941
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Alexander C. Cohen, Tonja M. Ferry, Adam Koby
  • Patent number: 9005015
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 8864575
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 8814648
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20140206431
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 8753197
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 8556710
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20130231178
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 8430747
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20120283006
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20120276986
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 8251791
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 7892093
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching