Patents by Inventor Martin Stephen Lyons

Martin Stephen Lyons 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: 8784177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. A gaming system comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels or a video machine displaying “virtual” reels. One or more reels generated in play of a base game may be stored for later use in subsequent games. In a subsequent game or games, the game controller may select the stored reel to substitute for a reel generated by the game, in order to improve the game outcome. For example, the game outcome may become a “win” from a “lose” outcome. Or it may result in an improved win outcome. The one or more reels may be stored depending upon a trigger condition generated in the base game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Patent number: 8758112
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a primary game monitor arranged to monitor outcomes of a sequence of primary games. An outcome generator provided by the gaming system determines an outcome of a secondary game in dependence on the outcomes of the sequence of primary games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20130288771
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. A gaming system comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels or a video machine displaying “virtual” reels. One or more reels generated in play of a base game may be stored for later use in subsequent games. In a subsequent game or games, the game controller may select the stored reel to substitute for a reel generated by the game, in order to improve the game outcome. For example, the game outcome may become a “win” from a “lose” outcome. Or it may result in an improved win outcome. The one or more reels may be stored depending upon a trigger condition generated in the base game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20130184066
    Abstract: A jackpot display system (10) for a gaming system, the jackpot display system comprising a display control device (14) arranged to receive jackpot data indicative of a plurality of current jackpot amounts, each jackpot amount being derived from games played on at least one gaming machine (40, 42), and a plurality of displays (16) in communication with the display control device (14). The display control device (14) is arranged to selectively associate at least some of the displays (16) with respective jackpot amounts so that during use jackpot amounts are shown on the associated displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Patent number: 8425301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. A gaming system comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels or a video machine displaying “virtual” reels. One or more reels generated in play of a base game may be stored for later use in subsequent games. In a subsequent game or games, the game controller may select the stored reel to substitute for a reel generated by the game, in order to improve the game outcome. For example, the game outcome may become a “win” from a “lose” outcome. Or it may result in an improved win outcome. The one or more reels may be stored depending upon a trigger condition generated in the base game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Patent number: 8360875
    Abstract: A jackpot display system (10) for a gaming system, the jackpot display system comprising a display control device (14) arranged to receive jackpot data indicative of a plurality of current jackpot amounts, each jackpot amount being derived from games played on at least one gaming machine (40, 42), and a plurality of displays (16) in communication with the display control device (14). The display control device (14) is arranged to selectively associate at least some of the displays (16) with respective jackpot amounts so that during use jackpot amounts are shown on the associated displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20110212771
    Abstract: A gaming machine, a gaming system and associated methods are described in which a player provides a player identifier (PID) and that identifier is used to configure the gaming machine. The identifier may include biometric data. The configuration information may include information on one or more limits on game play and an award may be provided if the limits are not exceeded. In other embodiments, limits on game play may be enforced, for example by terminating game play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventors: John Francis Cromwell Carr-Gregg, Robert Linley Muir, Martin Stephen Lyons
  • Publication number: 20100113140
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a gesture enhanced game play system that includes a display subsystem, a sensor subsystem, and one or more computing subsystems. The display subsystem is configured to display images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface. The images include a virtual game layout having a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the one or more games. The sensor subsystem is configured to detect at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the virtual game layout. The one or more computing subsystems communicatively coupled to the display subsystem to control the images displayed by the display subsystem. Additionally, one or more computing subsystems are communicatively coupled to the sensor subsystem to receive information indicative of the at least one physical aspect of the game related piece sensed by the sensor subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Julia Childs, Sean Christopher Martin, Martin Stephen Lyons, Michael J. Mitchell, William R. Wadleigh, David B. Schultz, Kimberly Cohn, John R. Vallejo, Joanna Musick
  • Publication number: 20100075736
    Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display in a plurality of first symbol groups, a display arranged to display the first symbol groups, and a symbol group modifier arranged to remove at least one first symbol group from the display and to add a corresponding at least one second symbol group different to the first symbol groups to the display. The system also comprises an outcome generator arranged to determine a game outcome based on the displayed symbols after addition of the at least one second symbol group. The gaming system is arranged to provide a visible indication that the at least one first symbol group is being removed from the display and the at least one second symbol group is being added to the display. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Linley Muir, Martin Stephen Lyons
  • Publication number: 20090209316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming system and method of gaming wherein a base game is played which generates as one of its outcomes a feature game. The gaming system includes a game controller arranged to control random display of several symbols from a pre-determined set of symbols. One outcome of the base game is a feature game which comprises a plurality of individual feature games each having an individual feature game outcome. Before the feature games are played to the player, the outcomes of the feature games are known, and the presentation of the feature games is ordered in order to affect player interest. In one embodiment, the order of the presentation of the feature game outcomes is such that outcomes which award bigger prize wins occur towards the end of the sequence of feature games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090191956
    Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to a gaming system and method for playing a game which is able to achieve a jackpot outcome when a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied. The jackpot trigger condition may be changed on instructions from a jackpot controller. In one embodiment, the jackpot trigger condition of an electronic gaming machine is re-set from time to time by a jackpot controller. The system may be used to play games like Keno or Bingo on EGMs, the jackpot controller downloading jackpot trigger conditions for the Keno or Bingo game (e.g. Keno or Bingo numbers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090163268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. A gaming system comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels or a video machine displaying “virtual” reels. One or more reels generated in play of a base game may be stored for later use in subsequent games. In a subsequent game or games, the game controller may select the stored reel to substitute for a reel generated by the game, in order to improve the game outcome. For example, the game outcome may become a “win” from a “lose” outcome. Or it may result in an improved win outcome. The one or more reels may be stored depending upon a trigger condition generated in the base game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090124336
    Abstract: A jackpot display system (10) for a gaming system, the jackpot display system comprising a display control device (14) arranged to receive jackpot data indicative of a plurality of current jackpot amounts, each jackpot amount being derived from games played on at least one gaming machine (40, 42), and a plurality of displays (16) in communication with the display control device (14). The display control device (14) is arranged to selectively associate at least some of the displays (16) with respective jackpot amounts so that during use jackpot amounts are shown on the associated displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090124337
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a player interface having a touch screen display. The display includes a bet manipulation area, a bet commitment area and a chip stack area. A player may manipulate tokens by touching a displayed token on the screen and dragging their finger across the screen to carry the token to a new position. Different display areas correspond to different functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090124368
    Abstract: A jackpot display system (10) is disclosed for a gaming system, the jackpot display system comprising a display controller (14) arranged to receive jackpot data indicative of a plurality of current jackpot amounts, each jackpot amount being derived from games played on at least one gaming machine (22, 24), and a display (16). The display controller (14) is arranged to process the jackpot data so as to generate display data usable by the display (16) to display information indicative of one or more jackpot amounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090117995
    Abstract: A gaming system for multiple players using horizontal touch screen displays. A credit input/output mechanism receives currency or a trading device, and may include an input amount. A credit record is generated as well as an associated unique credit identifier. Credits specified by the credit record may be allocated relative to a player interface in accordance with input to a touch screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090093294
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a primary game monitor arranged to monitor outcomes of a sequence of primary games. An outcome generator provided by the gaming system determines an outcome of a secondary game in dependence on the outcomes of the sequence of primary games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090093306
    Abstract: A gaming system having multiple player participation via a touch screen display interface. In response to the addition of a new player, an existing player interface is added by adjusting the touch screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert Linley Muir, Martin Stephen Lyons
  • Publication number: 20090082082
    Abstract: A gaming machine, a gaming system and associated methods are described in which a player provides a player identifier (PID) and that identifier is used to configure the gaming machine. The identifier may include biometric data. The configuration information may include information on one or more limits on game play and an award may be provided if the limits are not exceeded. In other embodiments, limits on game play may be enforced, for example by terminating game play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: John Francis Cromwell Carr-Gregg, Robert Linley Muir, Martin Stephen Lyons
  • Publication number: 20080214308
    Abstract: A gaming system comprising at least one gaming machine providing a wagering game; readable and writable computer memory; a monitor in electronic communication with the at least one gaming machine and the computer memory; a user interface through which a player can input identity information; wherein the monitor receives data relating to game play on said at least one gaming machine and compares the received data to at least one benchmark, wherein if the received data indicates that the at least one benchmark has been exceeded, then the monitor records in the computer memory data indicating that the benchmark has been exceeded and associates this with the identity information, and wherein the gaming system makes a feature available to a player who has been recorded in the computer memory as having exceeded the benchmark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Stephen Lyons, Andrew Anthony Lee, Marc Cram, Gareth Phillips, Michael Thomas McNee