Patents by Inventor Chad La Guardia

Chad La Guardia 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: 20220284773
    Abstract: A method may involve determining which slot symbols will be presented on a display system for an instance of a slot game. The symbols may include one or more mystery symbols and one or more trigger symbols. The method may involve controlling the display system to present first visual effects corresponding to the instance of the game. The first visual effects may include moving symbols and landing of the one or more mystery symbols and the one or more trigger symbols. The method may involve controlling the display system to present second visual effects corresponding to the one or more mystery symbols. The second visual effects may include a first revealed mystery symbol image corresponding to a first mystery symbol. The first revealed mystery symbol image and the trigger symbols, taken together, may correspond to a feature award. The method may involve presenting third visual effects corresponding to the feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Hanna Lee Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20220245999
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a game controller configured to (a) determine, during a base game, that a feature game trigger condition is satisfied; (b) activate a feature game within the base game; (c) display, a feature game play area associated with the feature game, the feature game play area including a plurality of zone patterns overlaid on the symbol display positions; (d) convert the symbol display positions into independent feature game reels; (e) generate a first game outcome by (i) holding a first set of feature game reels displaying the prize symbols while (ii) selecting and displaying a symbol for a second set of feature game reels; (f) determine that at least one zone pattern is complete with prize symbols; (g) apply a zone multiplier associated with the zone pattern to credit values within the zone pattern; and (h) award the incremented credit values to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching, Rogelio Decasa, JR.
  • Patent number: 11361621
    Abstract: Game features for at least a base slot game may be selectable according to player input. According to some examples, game features may be selectable without exiting from a graphical user interface used to present the slot game. A first GUI portion may be presented in a first area of a display system. The first GUI portion may include display symbols for presenting the slot game. A second GUI portion may be presented in a second area of the display system while the first GUI portion is being presented in the first area, e.g., while the slot game is being presented in the first area. The second GUI portion may include multiple game feature images. Each game feature image may correspond with a selectable game feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Jeffrey Uss, Chad La Guardia, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching
  • Patent number: 11361624
    Abstract: A method may involve determining which slot symbols will be presented on a display system for an instance of a slot game. The symbols may include one or more mystery symbols and one or more trigger symbols. The method may involve controlling the display system to present first visual effects corresponding to the instance of the game. The first visual effects may include moving symbols and landing of the one or more mystery symbols and the one or more trigger symbols. The method may involve controlling the display system to present second visual effects corresponding to the one or more mystery symbols. The second visual effects may include a first revealed mystery symbol image corresponding to a first mystery symbol. The first revealed mystery symbol image and the trigger symbols, taken together, may correspond to a feature award. The method may involve presenting third visual effects corresponding to the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Hanna Lee Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20220165121
    Abstract: A method of controlling a gaming device may involve controlling, via a control system of the gaming device that includes one or more processors, a display system of the gaming device to present a plurality of wagering game images. Each of the wagering game images may correspond to a different game theme. The method may involve controlling the display system to present a plurality of metamorphic images. Each metamorphic image may correspond to a wagering game image. Each metamorphic image also may correspond to an award of a game theme corresponding to the wagering game image. The method may involve receiving an indication of a selected game theme and controlling the display system to present first visual effects corresponding to an instance of the selected game theme and to present a metamorphic image corresponding to the selected game theme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Chad La Guardia, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 11328558
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a game controller configured to (a) determine, during a base game, that a feature game trigger condition is satisfied; (b) activate a feature game within the base game; (c) display, a feature game play area associated with the feature game, the feature game play area including a plurality of zone patterns overlaid on the symbol display positions; (d) convert the symbol display positions into independent feature game reels; (e) generate a first game outcome by (i) holding a first set of feature game reels displaying the prize symbols while (ii) selecting and displaying a symbol for a second set of feature game reels; (f) determine that at least one zone pattern is complete with prize symbols; (g) apply a zone multiplier associated with the zone pattern to credit values within the zone pattern; and (h) award the incremented credit values to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220101681
    Abstract: Some implementations may involve providing a slot game in which the game outcome presentation may involve displaying a persistent moving symbol. In some examples, an initial persistent moving symbol position may be based, at least in part, on a first bet level. Determining a game outcome may involve determining whether a persistent moving symbol position is a prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position. If an initial persistent moving symbol position is not a prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position, a persistent moving symbol may be presented in a secondary persistent moving symbol position of a next game outcome. The secondary persistent moving symbol position may be closer to the prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position than the initial persistent moving symbol position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching
  • Publication number: 20220044526
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) or another type of gaming device may be configured to provide games that involve “WYSIWYG” (what you see is what you get) symbols or “prize on” symbols. The gaming device may be configured to provide the value of all “prize on” symbols that land during a single instance of a game if a prize on trigger symbol, which also may be referred to herein as a blast symbol, lands during the same instance of the game. In some examples, the game may be a base game. According to some examples, a feature does not need to be triggered during the instance of the base game for the value of all prize on symbols that land during the instance of the base game to be awarded. In other examples, the game may be a feature game, such as a “hold and spin” game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Erick Ching, Chad La Guardia, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Scott Hopkins, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, JR.
  • Patent number: 11244532
    Abstract: A method of controlling a gaming device may involve controlling, via a control system of the gaming device that includes one or more processors, a display system of the gaming device to present a plurality of wagering game images. Each of the wagering game images may correspond to a different game theme. The method may involve controlling the display system to present a plurality of metamorphic images. Each metamorphic image may correspond to a wagering game image. Each metamorphic image also may correspond to an award of a game theme corresponding to the wagering game image. The method may involve receiving an indication of a selected game theme and controlling the display system to present first visual effects corresponding to an instance of the selected game theme and to present a metamorphic image corresponding to the selected game theme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Chad La Guardia, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20220028214
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system is described including a display device, a random number generator (RNG), a player input interface, a game controller, and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the game controller, cause the game controller to receive a wager amount of a first currency, cause a first electronic game to be displayed, and determine, based on an RNG call, an outcome of the first electronic game. The instructions also cause the game controller to determine, based at least on the outcome of the first electronic game, the wager amount, and a first pay table, whether to display a primary award. The instructions further cause the game controller to determine, based on a second RNG call and a second pay table, that a secondary award is to be displayed on the display device, the secondary award including a secondary currency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Erick Ching, Hanna Sanborn, Jeffrey Uss, Chad La Guardia, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Jennifer Mizzi, Peter Wasielewski, Daniel Marks, Hua Xu
  • Patent number: 11232672
    Abstract: Some implementations may involve providing a slot game in which the game outcome presentation may involve displaying a persistent moving symbol. In some examples, an initial persistent moving symbol position may be based, at least in part, on a first bet level. Determining a game outcome may involve determining whether a persistent moving symbol position is a prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position. If an initial persistent moving symbol position is not a prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position, a persistent moving symbol may be presented in a secondary persistent moving symbol position of a next game outcome. The secondary persistent moving symbol position may be closer to the prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position than the initial persistent moving symbol position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching
  • Patent number: 11195377
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) or another type of gaming device may be configured to provide games that involve “WYSIWYG” (what you see is what you get) symbols or “prize on” symbols. The gaming device may be configured to provide the value of all “prize on” symbols that land during a single instance of a game if a prize on trigger symbol, which also may be referred to herein as a blast symbol, lands during the same instance of the game. In some examples, the game may be a base game. According to some examples, a feature does not need to be triggered during the instance of the base game for the value of all prize on symbols that land during the instance of the base game to be awarded. In other examples, the game may be a feature game, such as a “hold and spin” game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Erick Ching, Chad La Guardia, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Scott Hopkins, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210304553
    Abstract: A local electronic gaming device may include a display system, an interface system and a control system that includes one or more processors. The control system may cause the display system to present visual effects corresponding to a metamorphic image, which may correspond to an award. The visual effects may include changes to the metamorphic image in response to local game event data corresponding to one or more games presented on the local gaming device and in response to networked gaming device game event data corresponding to one or more games presented on one or more other gaming devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Chad La Guardia, Hanna Lee Sanborn, Erick T. Ching, Arlen Avakian, Brittany Nyberg Nelson, Lane Alan Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20210280012
    Abstract: Game features for at least a base slot game may be selectable according to player input. According to some examples, game features may be selectable without exiting from a graphical user interface used to present the slot game. A first GUI portion may be presented in a first area of a display system. The first GUI portion may include display symbols for presenting the slot game. A second GUI portion may be presented in a second area of the display system while the first GUI portion is being presented in the first area, e.g., while the slot game is being presented in the first area. The second GUI portion may include multiple game feature images. Each game feature image may correspond with a selectable game feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Jeffrey Uss, Chad La Guardia, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching
  • Publication number: 20210217272
    Abstract: Some implementations may involve providing a slot game in which the game outcome presentation may involve displaying a persistent moving symbol. In some examples, an initial persistent moving symbol position may be based, at least in part, on a first bet level. Determining a game outcome may involve determining whether a persistent moving symbol position is a prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position. If an initial persistent moving symbol position is not a prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position, a persistent moving symbol may be presented in a secondary persistent moving symbol position of a next game outcome. The secondary persistent moving symbol position may be closer to the prize-triggering persistent moving symbol position than the initial persistent moving symbol position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching
  • Patent number: 11055951
    Abstract: A local electronic gaming device may include a display system, an interface system and a control system that includes one or more processors. The control system may cause the display system to present visual effects corresponding to a metamorphic image, which may correspond to an award. The visual effects may include changes to the metamorphic image in response to local game event data corresponding to one or more games presented on the local gaming device and in response to networked gaming device game event data corresponding to one or more games presented on one or more other gaming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Chad La Guardia, Hanna Lee Sanborn, Erick T. Ching, Arlen Avakian, Brittany Nyberg Nelson, Lane Alan Shapiro
  • Patent number: 11055966
    Abstract: According to some implementations, when an expansion trigger symbol lands in a defined area of a slot game display during an instance of a slot game, at least one additional active display symbol position will be presented in a display symbol row or a display symbol column in which the expansion trigger symbol is displayed. The defined area may correspond to some or all of the active display symbol positions, depending on the particular implementation. In some instances, an award enhancement trigger symbol may be presented in at least one of the active display symbol positions, e.g., in the same display symbol row or display symbol column in which the expansion trigger symbol is or was displayed. One or more enhanced award symbols may be presented in a row or column of active display symbol positions in which the award enhancement trigger symbol is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
  • Patent number: D925569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad La Guardia, Wouter Bruneel, David Bruno, Edmond Ye, Christopher Decker
  • Patent number: D925598
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Hanna Lee Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick T. Ching, Peter Wasielewski
  • Patent number: D963686
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Chad La Guardia, Hanna Lee Sanborn, Erick T. Ching