Patents by Inventor John Ludwick

John Ludwick 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).

  • Publication number: 20240161584
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control a display device to display a matrix of symbol positions and a bonus meter, where the bonus meter displays a bonus prize. In response to a bonus game trigger condition being satisfied, the processor is configured to control the display device to display a plurality of volatility options, each being player selectable and associated with a number of free spins and a multiple or another percentage of the bonus prize. A player selection of one volatility option is received, and a plurality of free spins are initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventor: John Ludwick
  • Publication number: 20240087417
    Abstract: An electronic gaming device that includes a display device, an input device, a memory device, and a processor is described. The processor is programmed to cause: display of a base game outcome, determine a trigger symbol is displayed in the base game outcome, display of a feature game including a plurality of user selectable pick icons and a plurality of collection areas, display of a plurality of award icons each of which includes an award value wherein each of the plurality of award icons is assigned to one of the plurality of collection areas, receive a selection of a pick icon, based on the received selection transform one of the plurality of collection areas into an activated collection area, and award each award value included on the plurality of award icons assigned to the activated collection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: John Ludwick, Christmas Uberuaga
  • Patent number: 11922769
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control a display device to display a matrix of symbol positions and a bonus meter, where the bonus meter displays a bonus prize. In response to a bonus game trigger condition being satisfied, the processor is configured to control the display device to display a plurality of volatility options, each being player selectable and associated with a number of free spins and a multiple or another percentage of the bonus prize. A player selection of one volatility option is received, and a plurality of free spins are initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Ludwick
  • Publication number: 20240029502
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) that uses a feature symbol set and plurality of reel sets, where each feature symbol defines an inactive feature symbol and an activated feature symbol, and where each reel set includes reels that use an activated feature symbol. The EGM identifies a selected reel set that includes an activated feature symbol and initiates a spin. The EGM cause first and second reels to stop spinning and, in response to determining that at least one first activated symbol appears on each of the first and second reels, triggers a feature causing one or more overlay symbols with prize identifiers to be overlaid onto a play area. The EGM stop the spinning of the other reels, evaluates an outcome of the spin that includes at least one overlay symbol with an associated prize identifier, and awards a prize indicated by the prize identifier based on the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: John Ludwick, Allon Englman
  • Patent number: 11823523
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) that uses a feature symbol set and plurality of reel sets, where each feature symbol defines an inactive feature symbol and an activated feature symbol, and where each reel set includes reels that use an activated feature symbol. The EGM identifies a selected reel set that includes an activated feature symbol and initiates a spin. The EGM cause first and second reels to stop spinning and, in response to determining that at least one first activated symbol appears on each of the first and second reels, triggers a feature causing one or more overlay symbols with prize identifiers to be overlaid onto a play area. The EGM stop the spinning of the other reels, evaluates an outcome of the spin that includes at least one overlay symbol with an associated prize identifier, and awards a prize indicated by the prize identifier based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ludwick, Allon Englman
  • Publication number: 20230101859
    Abstract: An electronic gaming device is described. The device is configured to receive an input requesting play of a feature game, initiate the feature game wherein the feature game includes a plurality of reels, and randomly determine, based upon a first output from a random number generator (RNG), at least one instant feature. The device is also configured to determine a table of symbols associated with the at least one instant feature and populate at least one reel position of at least one reel with at least one symbol from the table of symbols wherein the at least one symbol is associated with the at least one instant feature. The device is further configured to, based upon a second output from the RNG, determine an outcome for the feature game and control display of the feature game including presentation of the at least one instant feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: John Ludwick, Christmas Uberuaga, Blake Davis, Allon Englman, Jose Uberuaga
  • Publication number: 20220084352
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) that uses a feature symbol set and plurality of reel sets, where each feature symbol defines an inactive feature symbol and an activated feature symbol, and where each reel set includes reels that use an activated feature symbol. The EGM identifies a selected reel set that includes an activated feature symbol and initiates a spin. The EGM cause first and second reels to stop spinning and, in response to determining that at least one first activated symbol appears on each of the first and second reels, triggers a feature causing one or more overlay symbols with prize identifiers to be overlaid onto a play area. The EGM stop the spinning of the other reels, evaluates an outcome of the spin that includes at least one overlay symbol with an associated prize identifier, and awards a prize indicated by the prize identifier based on the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: John Ludwick, Allon Englman
  • Publication number: 20210065513
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control a display device to display a matrix of symbol positions and a bonus meter, where the bonus meter displays a bonus prize. In response to a bonus game trigger condition being satisfied, the processor is configured to control the display device to display a plurality of volatility options, each being player selectable and associated with a number of free spins and a multiple or another percentage of the bonus prize. A player selection of one volatility option is received, and a plurality of free spins are initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventor: John Ludwick
  • Patent number: 10922923
    Abstract: An EGM is provided including a display and a game controller coupled to the display. The display selectively displays a primary and secondary game in primary and secondary matrices. The primary matrix includes a trigger column and a plurality of combinable columns corresponding to a first plurality of virtual reels. The secondary matrix includes the trigger column and a combined column corresponding to a second plurality of virtual reels. Symbols appearing in the combined column are oversized. The primary matrix is displayed and the first plurality of virtual reels are spun and stopped to conduct the primary game, where a trigger symbol appears in the trigger column. The secondary game is selected and the secondary matrix is displayed in response to the appearance of the trigger symbol. The second plurality of virtual reels are spun and stopped to conduct the secondary game in which a secondary game award is awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: John Ludwick
  • Publication number: 20190295376
    Abstract: An EGM is provided including a display and a game controller coupled to the display. The display selectively displays a primary and secondary game in primary and secondary matrices. The primary matrix includes a trigger column and a plurality of combinable columns corresponding to a first plurality of virtual reels. The secondary matrix includes the trigger column and a combined column corresponding to a second plurality of virtual reels. Symbols appearing in the combined column are oversized. The primary matrix is displayed and the first plurality of virtual reels are spun and stopped to conduct the primary game, where a trigger symbol appears in the trigger column. The secondary game is selected and the secondary matrix is displayed in response to the appearance of the trigger symbol. The second plurality of virtual reels are spun and stopped to conduct the secondary game in which a secondary game award is awarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: John Ludwick
  • Patent number: 10115273
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a game including a plurality of concentric objects, such as wheels, having segments that can switch from an activated state to a deactivated state. In various embodiments, the plurality of concentric objects includes a plurality of wheels. Generally, for a play of the concentric wheel game in various embodiments, the gaming system spins the wheels a plurality of times and, for each spin, selects a selectable activated segment of one of the wheels, provides an award associated with the selected segment, and deactivates the selected segment such that the selected segment is not selectable for the remainder of the play of the concentric game. Deactivating a segment can, in certain instances, make another previously un-selectable activated segment selectable and/or increase the probability of selecting another activated segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jeffrey Uss, John Ludwick
  • Publication number: 20160300454
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a game including a plurality of concentric objects, such as wheels, having segments that can switch from an activated state to a deactivated state. In various embodiments, the plurality of concentric objects includes a plurality of wheels. Generally, for a play of the concentric wheel game in various embodiments, the gaming system spins the wheels a plurality of times and, for each spin, selects a selectable activated segment of one of the wheels, provides an award associated with the selected segment, and deactivates the selected segment such that the selected segment is not selectable for the remainder of the play of the concentric game. Deactivating a segment can, in certain instances, make another previously un-selectable activated segment selectable and/or increase the probability of selecting another activated segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Uss, John Ludwick
  • Patent number: D952646
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: John Ludwick
  • Patent number: D956789
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alex Gansert, Stephen Webster, John Ludwick, Michael Aidikonis, JuliaMarie Nepomuceno, Prasanth Prabhu, Yanina Kazankova, Roberto DeLaTorre
  • Patent number: D973696
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: John Ludwick
  • Patent number: D1008303
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alex Gansert, Stephen Webster, John Ludwick, Michael Aidikonis, JuliaMarie Nepomuceno, Prasanth Prabhu, Yanina Kazankova, Roberto DeLaTorre
  • Patent number: D1008304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alex Gansert, Stephen Webster, John Ludwick, Michael Aidikonis, JuliaMarie Nepomuceno, Prasanth Prabhu, Yanina Kazankova, Roberto DeLaTorre
  • Patent number: D1009076
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Britta Nauta-Larsen, John Ludwick
  • Patent number: D1021936
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Britta Nauta-Larsen, John Ludwick