Patents by Inventor Benjamin James Ellis
Benjamin James Ellis 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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Publication number: 20190005776Abstract: A method of gaming comprises displaying play of a wager game having a plurality of stages with progression through the stages being dependent on a predefined gameplay criterion. Each of the stages is associated with a feature event that is awardable to the player in response to a trigger event being detected. In response to determining that a trigger for a particular stage has occurred, the feature event associated with the particular stage as well as the feature event(s) associated with any preceding stages are awarded to the player.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20180089951Abstract: A method of gaming comprises displaying play of a game having a feature event which is triggerable through play of the game. The feature event has a base award value, which may be either a potential award value or an actual award value. Responsive to determining a trigger for the feature event, the player is provided with an opportunity to reject the feature event prior to initiating play of the feature event, such that following said rejection by the player one or more award parameters of the feature event are configured so as to increase the award value of the feature event for a subsequent triggering thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20160189485Abstract: A method of gaming comprises displaying play of a wager game having a plurality of stages with progression through the stages being dependent on a predefined gameplay criterion. Each of the stages is associated with a feature event that is awardable to the player in response to a trigger event being detected. In response to determining that a trigger for a particular stage has occurred, the feature event associated with the particular stage as well as the feature event(s) associated with any preceding stages are awarded to the player.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 9293006Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a gaming process that is a feature event. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a gaming process is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a gaming process win value. At Step S7 the gaming process win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, a bonus prize is awarded to the player at Step S9.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Dynamite Services Pty LimitedInventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20150379822Abstract: A gaming apparatus comprises a display module operable to display play of a wager game comprising a main game having a plurality of stages. A controller of the gaming apparatus evaluates game play to determine whether a stage progression condition has been met and responsive thereto progress play to a subsequent stage. The controller is further operable to set parameters of the main game such that a theoretical Return To Player (RTP) increases for each stage thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20150379819Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a gaming process that is a feature event. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a gaming process is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a gaming process win value. At Step S7 the gaming process win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, a bonus prize is awarded to the player at Step S9.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: Dynamite Games Pty, Ltd.Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20150050989Abstract: A method of gaming comprises displaying play of a game having a feature event which is triggerable through play of the game. The feature event has a base award value, which may be either a potential award value or an actual award value. Responsive to determining a trigger for the feature event, the player is provided with an opportunity to reject the feature event prior to initiating play of the feature event, such that following said rejection by the player one or more award parameters of the feature event are configured so as to increase the award value of the feature event for a subsequent triggering thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 8747218Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a feature event, or part thereof, which provides a plurality of feature games. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a first feature event is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a feature event win value. At Step S7 the feature event win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, the player becomes eligible to trigger a second feature event at Step S9.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Dynamite Services Pty LimitedInventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20140080582Abstract: A method of gaming comprises: displaying play of a wager game; triggering a first feature of the wager game in which one or more feature enhancing elements are awardable to a player; randomly triggering a second feature of the wager game during play of the wager game and/or first feature; and utilising awarded feature enhancing elements in the second feature to improve a prize potential for the second feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Dynamite Services Pty LtdInventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 8628398Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. slot-machine games, casino-type games or other betting game. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (6), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (7), e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a means for playing a number of games simultaneously and for receiving bets, and means for monitoring game events over a number of concurrent plays of the game. It also includes means for placing one or more series bets on the occurrence of game events over a series of concurrent game plays, and series win means for determining that a player has won a series bet based on the bet placed and the monitored events. The monitored game events may be prize events, e.g. the winning of a cash amount, or feature events, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like. The series bet win may be a prize, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Dynamite Service Pty, LimitedInventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 8608551Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a guarantee feature in which an event is guaranteed to trigger if a monitored event (e.g. of the same type as the guaranteed event) does not occur within a set amount of gameplay. A guarantee indicator (9), e.g. a numerical countdown or gauge, indicates the remaining amount of gameplay required before the guarantee feature triggers. The monitored and/or guaranteed event may be a win event or a feature event, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Desert IP Holdings B.V.Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20130274019Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a guarantee feature in which an event is guaranteed to trigger if a monitored event (e.g. of the same type as the guaranteed event) does not occur within a set amount of gameplay. A guarantee indicator (9), e.g. a numerical countdown or gauge, indicates the remaining amount of gameplay required before the guarantee feature triggers. The monitored and/or guaranteed event may be a win event or a feature event, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 8465361Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a guarantee feature in which an event is guaranteed to trigger if a monitored event (e.g. of the same type as the guaranteed event) does not occur within a set amount of gameplay. A guarantee indicator (9), e.g. a numerical countdown or gauge, indicates the remaining amount of gameplay required before the guarantee feature triggers. The monitored and/or guaranteed event may be a win event or a feature event, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Desert IP Holdings B.V.Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20130116027Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a guarantee feature in which an event is guaranteed to trigger if a monitored event (e.g. of the same type as the guaranteed event) does not occur within a set amount of gameplay. A guarantee indicator (9), e.g. a numerical countdown or gauge, indicates the remaining amount of gameplay required before the guarantee feature triggers. The monitored and/or guaranteed event may be a win event or a feature event, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2006Publication date: May 9, 2013Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20130005441Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a display module for displaying play of a main game having one or more default play parameters is capable of being triggered. A trigger means implemented by the apparatus triggers the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game. A purchasing means is operable to allow the player to purchase a modifier using an instrument of value after the feature game has been triggered. A modifier means modifies at least one default parameter of the feature game associated with the purchased modifier prior to play thereof, whereby the modification has the effect of improving a prize award potential for the feature game.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: Dynamite Games Pty LtdInventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20120252581Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a guarantee feature in which an event is guaranteed to trigger if a monitored event (e.g. of the same type as the guaranteed event) does not occur within a set amount of gameplay. A guarantee indicator (9), e.g. a numerical countdown or gauge, indicates the remaining amount of gameplay required before the guarantee feature triggers. The monitored and/or guaranteed event may be a win event or a feature event, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20120220367Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a feature event, or part thereof, which provides a plurality of feature games. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a first feature event is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a feature event win value. At Step S7 the feature event win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, the player becomes eligible to trigger a second feature event at Step S9.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Dynamite Games Pty LtdInventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 8210933Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a guarantee feature in which an event is guaranteed to trigger if a monitored event (e.g. of the same type as the guaranteed event) does not occur within a set amount of gameplay. A guarantee indicator (9), e.g. a numerical countdown or gauge, indicates the remaining amount of gameplay required before the guarantee feature triggers. The monitored and/or guaranteed event may be a win event or a feature event, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Dynamite Games PTY, Ltd.Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 8197336Abstract: Gaming apparatus (1), e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, casino game or the like. The controller (2) displays a suitable gaming image on a screen (6), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and a player interacts with the EGM 1 through buttons (8) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or deal cards. The apparatus includes award means for awarding a player event points during the course of play, accumulator means for accumulating the awarded event points, and purchasing/selection means for allowing a player to purchase a game event using the accumulated event points. These game events may provide the player with the chance of higher returns or the like, and may include free plays, high return games, a jackpot game and the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Dynamite Games Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Publication number: 20110077067Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an option by which a feature event may be triggered in response to a specific player input. This advantageously provides the game designer with additional options to ensure that the game provides a suitable return-to-player performance. An embodiment of the method is as shown in FIG. 4.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: Dynamite Games Pty LtdInventor: Benjamin James Ellis