Patents by Inventor David R. Lark

David R. Lark 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: 10540852
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing a gaming tournament having a variable average expected point payout. Generally, during the gaming tournament, the gaming system enables each tournament player to play a tournament game at an EGM. The gaming system accumulates one or more tournament points for the tournament player when a play of the tournament game results in a winning outcome. At various points during the tournament, the gaming system increases or decreases an average expected point payout of the tournament game to change the tournament players' gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Bradford Brown, Ronald P. Papson, Robert W. Ruymann
  • Patent number: 10198912
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multi-hand poker game having a persistent moving modifier. Generally, when a modifier triggering event occurs in association with a play of the multi-hand poker game, the gaming system activates a corresponding modifier, associates the active modifier with one of the hands of the multi-hand poker game, and uses the active modifier to modify any award for that hand. In one embodiment, after completing that play, the gaming system moves the active modifier to another hand for the next play. In another embodiment, after completing that play, the gaming system enables the player to determine whether to move the active modifier to another hand for the next play. When the modifier expiration event occurs for an active modifier, the gaming system deactivates the modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Bradford Brown, David R. Lark, Jonathan Leeds
  • Publication number: 20180336764
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing a gaming tournament having a variable average expected point payout. Generally, during the gaming tournament, the gaming system enables each tournament player to play a tournament game at an EGM. The gaming system accumulates one or more tournament points for the tournament player when a play of the tournament game results in a winning outcome. At various points during the tournament, the gaming system increases or decreases an average expected point payout of the tournament game to change the tournament players' gaming experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Bradford Brown, Ronald P. Papson, Robert W. Ruymann
  • Patent number: 10032338
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing a gaming tournament having a variable average expected point payout. Generally, during the gaming tournament, the gaming system enables each tournament player to play a tournament game at an EGM. The gaming system accumulates one or more tournament points for the tournament player when a play of the tournament game results in a winning outcome. At various points during the tournament, the gaming system increases or decreases an average expected point payout of the tournament game to change the tournament players' gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Bradford Brown, Ronald P. Papson, Robert W. Ruymann
  • Patent number: 9898897
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments directed to a gaming system and method providing an enhanced winning hand display feature. In one embodiment, the gaming system displays a plurality of initial hands of cards, receives a hand formation input, and forms and displays a complete hand for each initial hand. For each complete hand, the gaming system determines whether that complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of a plurality of different winning hand categories. If at least one complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of the winning hand categories, for each complete hand that forms one such winning hand, the gaming system displays the winning hand category associated with that winning hand, receives a selection of a displayed winning hand category, and adds an enhancement to the display of any complete hand that forms a winning hand associated with the selected winning hand category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: David R. Lark
  • Publication number: 20170316655
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multi-hand poker game having a persistent moving modifier. Generally, when a modifier triggering event occurs in association with a play of the multi-hand poker game, the gaming system activates a corresponding modifier, associates the active modifier with one of the hands of the multi-hand poker game, and uses the active modifier to modify any award for that hand. In one embodiment, after completing that play, the gaming system moves the active modifier to another hand for the next play. In another embodiment, after completing that play, the gaming system enables the player to determine whether to move the active modifier to another hand for the next play. When the modifier expiration event occurs for an active modifier, the gaming system deactivates the modifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Bradford Brown, David R. Lark, Jonathan Leeds
  • Patent number: 9704347
    Abstract: A method of providing a keno game for plays with duplicate draws is provided. A keno game including a keno game board having a first predetermined number of keno board spots is displayed. A player selection of a second predetermined number of keno board spots is received. Drawn balls for a plurality of ball sets are determined. The determined drawn balls are displayed with one or more paylines overlaying at least some of the drawn balls in the plurality of ball sets. A player award based at least in part on evaluation of each payline is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Bradford D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20170084127
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing a gaming tournament having a variable average expected point payout. Generally, during the gaming tournament, the gaming system enables each tournament player to play a tournament game at an EGM. The gaming system accumulates one or more tournament points for the tournament player when a play of the tournament game results in a winning outcome. At various points during the tournament, the gaming system increases or decreases an average expected point payout of the tournament game to change the tournament players' gaming experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Bradford Brown, Ronald P. Papson, Robert W. Ruymann
  • Patent number: 9600975
    Abstract: Gaming systems and methods for providing a keno game during which matches from a previous keno game are carried over to the keno game are described herein. A keno board is displayed having a set of available numbers and a first set of one or more matches identified between player selected numbers and drawn numbers from a previous keno game. A first set of drawn numbers from the set of available numbers is selected. The number of the first set of drawn numbers is modified by number of matches in the first set of matches. The payout to the player is calculated based on the first set of matches and a second set of matches between the first set of drawn numbers and the player selected numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Thomas J. Humphrey, David R. Lark, Ronald P. Papson
  • Publication number: 20160267749
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments directed to a gaming system and method providing an enhanced winning hand display feature. In one embodiment, the gaming system displays a plurality of initial hands of cards, receives a hand formation input, and forms and displays a complete hand for each initial hand. For each complete hand, the gaming system determines whether that complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of a plurality of different winning hand categories. If at least one complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of the winning hand categories, for each complete hand that forms one such winning hand, the gaming system displays the winning hand category associated with that winning hand, receives a selection of a displayed winning hand category, and adds an enhancement to the display of any complete hand that forms a winning hand associated with the selected winning hand category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: David R. Lark
  • Patent number: 9406193
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a video poker card game having community cards. Upon receiving a wager, the gaming system provides the player with a quantity of player hands. The gaming system enables the player to discard one or more of the player hands. The gaming system then displays an initial quantity of community cards to the player. The gaming system further enables the player to discard one or more player hands, prior to displaying the remaining community cards. The remaining player hands are each evaluated by combining with the community card against a paytable, to determine an award, if any, won by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Ronald P. Papson, David R. Lark, Nicholas B. Mayne, Thomas W. Allen, II
  • Publication number: 20160203668
    Abstract: A method of providing a keno game for plays with duplicate draws is provided. A keno game including a keno game board having a first predetermined number of keno board spots is displayed. A player selection of a second predetermined number of keno board spots is received. Drawn balls for a plurality of ball sets are determined. The determined drawn balls are displayed with one or more paylines overlaying at least some of the drawn balls in the plurality of ball sets. A player award based at least in part on evaluation of each payline is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Bradford D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20160155291
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a video poker card game having community cards. Upon receiving a wager, the gaming system provides the player with a quantity of player hands. The gaming system enables the player to discard one or more of the player hands. The gaming system then displays an initial quantity of community cards to the player. The gaming system further enables the player to discard one or more player hands, prior to displaying the remaining community cards. The remaining player hands are each evaluated by combining with the community card against a paytable, to determine an award, if any, won by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Ronald P. Papson, David R. Lark, Nicholas B. Mayne, Thomas W. Allen, II
  • Patent number: 9345960
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments directed to a gaming system and method providing an enhanced winning hand display feature. In one embodiment, the gaming system displays a plurality of initial hands of cards, receives a hand formation input, and forms and displays a complete hand for each initial hand. For each complete hand, the gaming system determines whether that complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of a plurality of different winning hand categories. If at least one complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of the winning hand categories, for each complete hand that forms one such winning hand, the gaming system displays the winning hand category associated with that winning hand, receives a selection of a displayed winning hand category, and adds an enhancement to the display of any complete hand that forms a winning hand associated with the selected winning hand category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: David R. Lark
  • Patent number: 9293012
    Abstract: A method of providing a keno game includes, but is not limited to any of the combination of: displaying a keno board having a first predetermined number of keno board spots; receiving a player selection of a second predetermined number of keno board spots; selecting a first plurality of drawn balls; and calculating a player award in part based on data associated with the first plurality of drawn balls, wherein at least two of the drawn balls in the first plurality of drawn balls are duplicates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: David R. Lark
  • Patent number: 9293013
    Abstract: A method of providing a keno game for plays with duplicate draws is provided. A keno game including a keno game board having a first predetermined number of keno board spots is displayed. A player selection of a second predetermined number of keno board spots is received. Drawn balls for a plurality of ball sets are determined. The determined drawn balls are displayed with one or more paylines overlaying at least some of the drawn balls in the plurality of ball sets. A player award based at least in part on evaluation of each payline is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David R. Lark, Bradford D. Brown
  • Patent number: 9269235
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a video poker card game having community cards. Upon receiving a wager, the gaming system provides the player with a quantity of player hands. The gaming system enables the player to discard one or more of the player hands. The gaming system then displays an initial quantity of community cards to the player. The gaming system further enables the player to discard one or more player hands, prior to displaying the remaining community cards. The remaining player hands are each evaluated by combining with the community card against a paytable, to determine an award, if any, won by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Ronald P. Papson, David R. Lark, Nicholas B. Mayne, Thomas W. Allen, II
  • Publication number: 20150199880
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a video poker card game having community cards. Upon receiving a wager, the gaming system provides the player with a quantity of player hands. The gaming system enables the player to discard one or more of the player hands. The gaming system then displays an initial quantity of community cards to the player. The gaming system further enables the player to discard one or more player hands, prior to displaying the remaining community cards. The remaining player hands are each evaluated by combining with the community card against a paytable, to determine an award, if any, won by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Ronald P. Papson, David R. Lark, Nicholas B. Mayne, Thomas W. Allen, II
  • Patent number: 9011225
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a video poker card game having community cards. Upon receiving a wager, the gaming system provides the player with a quantity of player hands. The gaming system enables the player to discard one or more of the player hands. The gaming system then displays an initial quantity of community cards to the player. The gaming system further enables the player to discard one or more player hands, prior to displaying the remaining community cards. The remaining player hands are each evaluated by combining with the community card against a paytable, to determine an award, if any, won by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Ronald P. Papson, David R. Lark, Nicholas B. Mayne, Thomas W. Allen, II
  • Publication number: 20150087380
    Abstract: Gaming systems and methods for providing a keno game during which matches from a previous keno game are carried over to the keno game are described herein. A keno board is displayed having a set of available numbers and a first set of one or more matches identified between player selected numbers and drawn numbers from a previous keno game. A first set of drawn numbers from the set of available numbers is selected. The number of the first set of drawn numbers is modified by number of matches in the first set of matches. The payout to the player is calculated based on the first set of matches and a second set of matches between the first set of drawn numbers and the player selected numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Thomas J. Humphrey, David R. Lark, Ronald P. Papson