Erick Todd Ching

US Patent:

7074127, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Sep 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/661443

Inventors:

Ryan W. Cuddy - Reno NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US
Jasonlee Kissee Hohman - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a wild symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the wild symbol for a predetermined number of free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a wild symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a predetermined number of wild symbols are displayed on designated reels, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.

US Patent:

7090580, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Jul 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/633391

Inventors:

Paulina Rodgers - Reno NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US
Jasonlee Kissee Hohman - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

A gaming device including a plurality of reels having several symbols with at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device spins the reels for at one spin. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the payline, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol, stationary. The gaming device then re-spins the other reels for a designated number of spins, not including the reel having the wild symbol, in the game. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations on the payline. In another embodiment, the gaming device holds one of the reels stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels the award amounts associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than a designated award value.

US Patent:

7331862, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

Aug 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/463815

Inventors:

Paulina Rodgers - Reno NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US
Jasonlee Kissee Hohman - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 16

Abstract:

A gaming device including a plurality of reels having several symbols with at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device spins the reels for at one spin. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the payline, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol, stationary. The gaming device then re-spins the other reels for a designated number of spins, not including the reel having the wild symbol, in the game. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations on the payline. In another embodiment, the gaming device holds one of the reels stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels the award amounts associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than a designated award value.

US Patent:

7331866, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

Aug 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/463818

Inventors:

Paulina Rodgers - Reno NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US
Jasonlee Kissee Hohman - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 13/00

US Classification:

463 20

Abstract:

A gaming device including a plurality of reels having several symbols with at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device spins the reels for at one spin. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the payline, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol, stationary. The gaming device then re-spins the other reels for a designated number of spins, not including the reel having the wild symbol, in the game. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations on the payline. In another embodiment, the gaming device holds one of the reels stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels the award amounts associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than a designated award value.

US Patent:

7591723, Sep 22, 2009

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/956222

Inventors:

Karen M. Cregan - Reno NV, US
Tonja M. Peterson - Reno NV, US
Matthew E. Belger - N. Las Vegas NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 13/00
A63F 13/02

US Classification:

463 16, 463 20, 463 30, 463 31

Abstract:

A gaming device includes a symbol generator having a plurality of adjacently arranged sections. A plurality of the sections are each associated with or display one or a plurality of characteristics. The sections associated with the characteristics are each associated with or display a symbol or an award. At least one of the sections is a designated section and is not initially associated with a characteristic. The designated section is operable to sequentially display one, more or each of the characteristics associated with the other non-designated sections. When the symbol generator indicates one of the sections that displays an award and is associated with a characteristic, the gaming device provides the player with the award associated with the section. When the symbol generator indicates the designated section, the gaming device sequentially associates or displays a plurality of the characteristics associated with the other sections with the designated section. That is, when the symbol generator indicates the designated section, the gaming device causes the designated section to display one, some or all of the different characteristics associated with the other sections.

US Patent:

7607976, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Aug 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/204147

Inventors:

Anthony J. Baerlocher - Reno NV, US
James A. Vasquez - Carson City NV, US
Tonja M. Peterson - Reno NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

463 16, 463 42

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.

US Patent:

7607977, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Aug 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/204148

Inventors:

Anthony J. Baerlocher - Reno NV, US
James A. Vasquez - Carson City NV, US
Tonja M. Peterson - Reno NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

463 16

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.

US Patent:

7621809, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Aug 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/204135

Inventors:

Anthony J. Baerlocher - Reno NV, US
James A. Vasquez - Carson City NV, US
Tonja M. Peterson - Reno NV, US
Erick T. Ching - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

463 16, 463 27

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.