Patents by Inventor Robert Linley Muir

Robert Linley Muir 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: 20100273560
    Abstract: A gaming machine electronics enclosure includes a box-shaped structure comprised of a plurality of members enclosing a volume, the structure further defining an access opening. The enclosure includes a lid for closing off the access opening, the lid being lockable with respect to the structure in a position closing off the opening for securing components contained within the volume. At least one of the members is displaceably arranged relative to the remainder of the members at least when the lid is in an open configuration for facilitating access to an interior of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Vladimir Halic, Robert Linley Muir, Roman Seifert
  • 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: 20090191961
    Abstract: A method of protecting game program code of an electronic gaming machine (EGM) comprising: determining prior to execution of the game program code whether there is a dongle in data communication with the EGM that contains a valid game token corresponding to the game program code; and taking at least one protective action if a valid game token is not located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: James Ross McCoull, 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: 20090182995
    Abstract: A boot program held in a BIOS memory device of a processing system is authenticated. At system start-up, a BIOS protection device temporarily prevents execution of the boot program by the central processor of the processing system by control of address and data paths. The BIOS protection device interrogates the contents of the BIOS memory device to establish authentication. If the contents of the BIOS memory device are not authentic, execution of the boot program is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: 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: 20090131154
    Abstract: The invention relates to gaming systems and methods of gaming. A game, which may be implemented in a gaming system (100) with a game controller (101), includes a base game and a feature game wherein during play of the base game, if a feature awarding event occurs, a player is awarded with an amount of feature credits (step 5), the feature credits usable to buy bets in the feature game (steps 6, 7). Use of the feature credits in the feature game is in response to inputs received from a player interface and a balance of feature credits is maintained as the feature credits are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, Jessica Anne Seeto, 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: 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: 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: 20090118022
    Abstract: A system and method for use with a gaming system operating in a casino environment utilizes a plurality of player terminals networked to a game optimisation server. The game optimisation server provides or allows a player to access multiple games on each player terminal and stores in memory a record of the games played on each player terminal 1. A player may access a first terminal and request a map of the casino environment. The first terminal may be a first player terminal or other device connected to the network. The request is sent to the game optimisation server which sends data related to a physical arrangement of the player terminals, and to the games recently played on the player terminals in a local area, to the first terminal. The first terminal displays to the player a map showing the physical arrangement of the player terminals and a game played on each of the player terminals. The map may include an indication of which player terminals 1 are currently being played and which are not being played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090118002
    Abstract: An enhanced method of Casino and hotel probable customer and customer demographic identification, game selection, advertising and customer service based on the identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20090104980
    Abstract: A gaming machine and a gaming system is described. Gaming machines may be reserved by operating a button panel. In certain embodiments the reserved gaming machine or a head system causes the printing of a ticket and when that ticket is read by a bill acceptor, the gaming machine unlocks. In other embodiments, reservation is made by other means, including player cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Louis Yausee Lui, Robert Linley Muir, David Thomas Francis Curry, John Leslie Boesen, David Samuel Jack
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7464256
    Abstract: A processing system including a bios protection device and method of protecting a bios is provided. The system comprises a central processor (11), and a BIOS memory device (18) to which the BIOS protection device (17) is interconnected by address and data paths (16). At start-up, the BIOS protection device (17) takes control of the memory address and data paths (16) and prevents execution of a boot program stored in the BIOS memory device (18) until the BIOS protection device (17) has verified that the boot program stored in the BIOS memory device (18) is authentic. The BIOS protection device (17) is connected to the processing system between a central processor (11) and the BIOS memory device (18), and includes address and data path interface connection means (24, 25), and an authentication processor (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Robert Linley Muir
  • Publication number: 20080261685
    Abstract: A gaming machine arranged to play at least one game in which symbols are selected, presented on a game display, and evaluated for a winning outcome. The gaming machine includes a player tracking module having a controller, and a player tracking module display separate from the game display. The controller operates to control the player tracking module display and to present information relating to a different game. The determination of information to be presented is dependent on a player identifier read from a player tracking card inserted into the player tracking module. The gaming machine is configured to detect a predefined player input and to initiate a process to provide a game relating to the information presented on the secondary display when the predefined player input was detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventor: Robert Linley Muir