Patents by Inventor Richard Vermaak
Richard Vermaak 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).
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Patent number: 10019866Abstract: Machines and methods are described for displaying a predetermined symbol and a set of symbols selected from a global symbol set. A first symbol position can be randomly selected for displaying the predetermined symbol, which can include a multiplier meter to display a multiplier value randomly selectable from multiple multiplier values. A second symbol position can be randomly selected for displaying the predetermined symbol after moving along a path from the first symbol position. The predetermined symbol can be displayed as part of a predetermined number of outcome events earned upon determination that a trigger event occurred. A server machine can select symbol positions, multiplier values and symbol sets and provide data indicating the symbol positions, multiplier values and symbol sets to a client machine. The client machine can include a display to display the symbol sets, and multiplier values within a predetermined symbol.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Pridefield LimitedInventors: Richard Vermaak, Jonathan Bruce Wortmann
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Publication number: 20160203671Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes: selecting a first symbol-set from a global symbol-group, wherein the first symbol-set includes at least two symbols; displaying on the display the selected first symbol-set; making a determination that a second symbol-set, satisfies a trigger condition; after making the determination, (i) selecting a first supplementary-symbol from a first supplementary symbol-group different from the global symbol-group and (ii) selecting a second supplementary-symbol from a second supplementary symbol-group different from the global symbol-group; displaying on the display the selected first supplementary-symbol; displaying on the display the selected second supplementary-symbol; determining a first amount based on the selected first symbol-set; determining a second amount based on the selected first supplementary-symbol and the selected second supplementary-symbol; determining a payout amount based on a function of the determined first amount and the determined second amount; and displayingType: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Richard VERMAAK, Rory Angus HARPUR
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Patent number: 9355517Abstract: Machines and methods are described for displaying a particular symbol at a corresponding symbol position for multiple consecutive outcome events, such as outcome events including a wager game played on a stand-alone machine located within a casino or a machine within a client-server architecture. After displaying the particular symbol for a first outcome event, the particular symbol can be displayed at the same symbol position within a symbol-display-portion for one or more successive outcome events without the particular symbol being selected to be displayed at the same symbol position. Other symbols displayed within the symbol-display-portion for the first and successive outcome events can be determined or selected by a processor using a random selection process. The particular symbol can be a Wild symbol. A data structure can include data for tracking whether the particular symbol is locked down for an outcome event after the first outcome event.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Pridefield LimitedInventors: Jonathan Bruce Wortmann, Richard Vermaak, Terence Igesund
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Patent number: 9196124Abstract: Methods, machines, and systems for additional movement of one or more symbols of a reel-type game after the reels are spun for a turn of the reel-type game, but before a next turn of the game, are described. The symbol(s) moved after the reels are spun may comprise a scatter symbol or a symbol other than a scatter symbol. A tip of an off-reel-display symbol positioned outside of a reel-display area may be visible within the reel-display area to notify a player of the reel-type game that additional movement of the off-reel-display symbol is imminent. The off-reel-display symbol may be moved, onto a symbol that is being displayed within the reel-display area, after payment of any award(s) earned for certain combinations of symbols occurring on paylines with the reel-display area and/or after payment of any awards earned for a prescribed number of scatter symbols being displayed within the reel-display area.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Cork Group Trading Ltd.Inventors: Richard Vermaak, Theo Naicker, Brendan Clyde Walton, Terence Igesund
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Publication number: 20150248810Abstract: Machines and methods are described for displaying a particular symbol at a corresponding symbol position for multiple consecutive outcome events, such as outcome events including a wager game played on a stand-alone machine located within a casino or a machine within a client-server architecture. After displaying the particular symbol for a first outcome event, the particular symbol can be displayed at the same symbol position within a symbol-display-portion for one or more successive outcome events without the particular symbol being selected to be displayed at the same symbol position. Other symbols displayed within the symbol-display-portion for the first and successive outcome events can be determined or selected by a processor using a random selection process. The particular symbol can be a Wild symbol. A data structure can include data for tracking whether the particular symbol is locked down for an outcome event after the first outcome event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Jonathan Bruce Wortmann, Richard Vermaak, Terence Igesund
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Publication number: 20150248811Abstract: An example method includes determining, for a first outcome event, a first symbol set to display within a symbol-display-portion of a display of the machine; displaying, by the display for the first outcome event, the first symbol set; determining, by the machine for a second outcome event occurring after the first outcome event, a second symbol set to display within the symbol-display-portion of the display; determining, by the machine for the second outcome event, for each instance of the particular symbol in the first symbol set, a corresponding second symbol position in the symbol-display-portion of the display; and displaying, by the display for the second outcome event, each instance of the particular symbol in the first symbol set randomly selected for the first outcome event at the corresponding second symbol position and each symbol of the second symbol set within the symbol-display-portion of the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Jonathan Bruce Wortmann, Richard Vermaak, Terence Igesund
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Publication number: 20150199867Abstract: Machines and methods are described for displaying a predetermined symbol and a set of symbols selected from a global symbol set. A first symbol position can be randomly selected for displaying the predetermined symbol, which can include a multiplier meter to display a multiplier value randomly selectable from multiple multiplier values. A second symbol position can be randomly selected for displaying the predetermined symbol after moving along a path from the first symbol position. The predetermined symbol can be displayed as part of a predetermined number of outcome events earned upon determination that a trigger event occurred. A server machine can select symbol positions, multiplier values and symbol sets and provide data indicating the symbol positions, multiplier values and symbol sets to a client machine. The client machine can include a display to display the symbol sets, and multiplier values within a predetermined symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Richard Vermaak, Jonathan Bruce Wortmann
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Publication number: 20150141115Abstract: A machine includes a display; a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause a set of functions to be performed that include: making a determination that a trigger event occurred; displaying a selected symbol table; responsive to making the determination, for each symbol cell in the selected symbol table: randomly selecting a multiplier symbol; adding the selected multiplier symbol to a symbol cell, wherein the selected multiplier symbol corresponds to a displayable image component, wherein the displayable image component is from an image component set, and wherein the image component set corresponds to an image; adding the displayable image component to a selected image component set when the image component is not in the selected image component set; displaying the added displayable image component; and determining whether the selected image component set includes each image component of the image component set.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Richard Vermaak, Theo Naicker, Terence Igesund
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Patent number: 8827796Abstract: Machines, servers and reel-type games are disclosed which provide a player with a visible indication of progress being made towards award of a stacked or expanding symbol on a reel, thereby heightening anticipation and increasing excitement of the game. A trigger condition for appearance of the stacked or expanding symbol can be achieved (i.e. accumulated or collected) over multiple turns or spins of the game. Progress towards meeting the trigger condition is displayed to the player directly on the display of the game.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Cork Group Trading Ltd.Inventors: Richard Vermaak, Theo Naicker, Brendan Clyde Walton, Terence Igesund
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Publication number: 20130184045Abstract: Machines, servers and reel-type games are disclosed which provide a player with a visible indication of progress being made towards award of a stacked or expanding symbol on a reel, thereby heightening anticipation and increasing excitement of the game. A trigger condition for appearance of the stacked or expanding symbol can be achieved (i.e. accumulated or collected) over multiple turns or spins of the game. Progress towards meeting the trigger condition is displayed to the player directly on the display of the game.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: Waterleaf LimitedInventors: Richard Vermaak, Theo Naicker, Brendan Clyde Walton, Terence Igesund
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Publication number: 20130184046Abstract: Methods, machines, and systems for additional movement of one or more symbols of a reel-type game after the reels are spun for a turn of the reel-type game, but before a next turn of the game, are described. The symbol(s) moved after the reels are spun may comprise a scatter symbol or a symbol other than a scatter symbol. A tip of an off-reel-display symbol positioned outside of a reel-display area may be visible within the reel-display area to notify a player of the reel-type game that additional movement of the off-reel-display symbol is imminent. The off-reel-display symbol may be moved, onto a symbol that is being displayed within the reel-display area, after payment of any award(s) earned for certain combinations of symbols occurring on paylines with the reel-display area and/or after payment of any awards earned for a prescribed number of scatter symbols being displayed within the reel-display area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: Waterleaf LimitedInventors: Richard Vermaak, Theo Naicker, Brendan Clyde Walton, Terence Igesund
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Patent number: 8192271Abstract: Reel-type games are described in which a player's progress towards an award of a bonus game is displayed to the player. The required triggering event for an award of a bonus game may be accumulated over multiple turns of the game. A bonus indicator (e.g., icon) is provided on the display in association with each reel of the reels. After a spin of the reels, the bonus indicator for a given reel is activated if a symbol associated with an award of a bonus game is presented on the given reel. As the player continues to play, whenever the symbol associated with the bonus game appears for the first time on a given reel, the associated bonus indicator is activated and remains activated. When all the indicators have become activated, a bonus game is awarded to the player.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Waterleaf, Ltd.Inventors: Theo Naicker, Terence Igesund, Richard Vermaak
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Publication number: 20090111566Abstract: Reel-type games are described in which a player's progress towards an award of a bonus game is displayed to the player. The required triggering event for an award of a bonus game may be accumulated over multiple turns of the game. A bonus indicator (e.g., icon) is provided on the display in association with each reel of the reels. After a spin of the reels, the bonus indicator for a given reel is activated if a symbol associated with an award of a bonus game is presented on the given reel. As the player continues to play, whenever the symbol associated with the bonus game appears for the first time on a given reel, the associated bonus indicator is activated and remains activated. When all the indicators have become activated, a bonus game is awarded to the player.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Waterleaf LimitedInventors: Theo Naicker, Terence Igesund, Richard Vermaak