Patents by Inventor Erick Ching
Erick Ching 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: 20220044526Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Erick Ching, Chad La Guardia, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Scott Hopkins, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, JR.
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Publication number: 20220028214Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Erick Ching, Hanna Sanborn, Jeffrey Uss, Chad La Guardia, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Jennifer Mizzi, Peter Wasielewski, Daniel Marks, Hua Xu
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Patent number: 11232672Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching
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Publication number: 20220005313Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming system is described. The electronic gaming system includes a display device, a random number generator (RNG), a player input interface, and a game controller configured to execute instructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium. When executed by the game controller, the instructions cause the game controller to at least determine, during play of a base game, that an enhancement trigger condition is satisfied and convert the symbol displayed on each position having one of the first frame and the second frame displayed thereon into a wild symbol. The instructions further cause the game controller to determine that a bonus game trigger condition is satisfied and convert a plurality of positions on each reel with at least one position having the second frame displayed thereon, into a bonus reel. The instructions also cause the game controller to generate a bonus game outcome.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Rogelio Decasa, JR., Hanna Sanborn, Jeffrey Uss, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching
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Patent number: 11195377Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Erick Ching, Chad La Guardia, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Scott Hopkins, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210350678Abstract: A method for providing a persistent feature in an electronic game includes: (A) simulates spinning of a plurality of reels; (B) generating a first spin result; (C) triggering a value feature based on the occurrence of at least one feature symbol appearing on the first reel and at least one feature symbol appearing on the second reel in first spin result, causing the electronic game to award value feature symbols that appear on the other reels; (D) during a second spin, displaying an animation of moving the first and second feature symbols one or more positions of the reel upon; (E) overlaying the moved feature symbols during the second spin of the plurality of reels; and (F) triggering the value feature for the second spin when at least one feature symbol appears on both the first reel and on the second reel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Nathan Warms, Jennifer Mizzi, Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Jeffrey Uss, Erick Ching, Zachary Smith
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Patent number: 11138825Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming system is described. The electronic gaming system includes a display device, a random number generator (RNG), a player input interface, and a game controller configured to execute instructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium. When executed by the game controller, the instructions cause the game controller to at least determine, during play of a base game, that an enhancement trigger condition is satisfied and convert the symbol displayed on each position having one of the first frame and the second frame displayed thereon into a wild symbol. The instructions further cause the game controller to determine that a bonus game trigger condition is satisfied and convert a plurality of positions on each reel with at least one position having the second frame displayed thereon, into a bonus reel. The instructions also cause the game controller to generate a bonus game outcome.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Hanna Sanborn, Jeffrey Uss, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching
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Publication number: 20210280012Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Jeffrey Uss, Chad La Guardia, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching
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Publication number: 20210264724Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming system is described. The electronic gaming system includes a display device, a random number generator (RNG), a player input interface, and a game controller configured to execute instructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium. When executed by the game controller, the instructions cause the game controller to at least determine, during play of a base game, that an enhancement trigger condition is satisfied and convert the symbol displayed on each position having one of the first frame and the second frame displayed thereon into a wild symbol. The instructions further cause the game controller to determine that a bonus game trigger condition is satisfied and convert a plurality of positions on each reel with at least one position having the second frame displayed thereon, into a bonus reel. The instructions also cause the game controller to generate a bonus game outcome.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Rogelio Decasa, JR., Hanna Sanborn, Jeffrey Uss, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching
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Publication number: 20210217272Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching
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Patent number: 11055966Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 9, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210142622Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2019Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, JR.
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Publication number: 20210134120Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching, Rogelio Decasa, JR.
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Publication number: 20210118259Abstract: Some methods involve receiving user input for initiation of an instance of a slot game, determining a game outcome that includes corresponding display symbols and an award determination, controlling a display system to display the display symbols at a plurality of display symbol positions and controlling the display system to present award effects corresponding to the award determination. The display symbol positions may be arranged in display symbol rows and display symbol columns. At least one of the display symbols may be a metamorphic display symbol that includes a metamorphic image. A state of the first metamorphic image may correspond to a level of progress towards attaining a goal. Progress towards the goal may be based, at least in part, in the number of occurrences of the metamorphic display symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching, Peter Wasielewski, Tsung-Cheng Lin
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Patent number: 10902702Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Chad La Guardia, Erick Ching, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
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Publication number: 20200380827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Erick Ching, Chad La Guardia, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Scott Hopkins, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, JR.
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Patent number: 10706689Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of concurrent or overlapping game plays. Each concurrent or overlapping game play is associated with or otherwise configured to activate one or more symbol generators, such as one or more wheels. Following a determination of which of the games to concurrently or overlappingly play, the gaming system activates each symbol generator associated with each concurrent or overlapping game play.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: IGTInventors: John H. Zielinski, Erick Ching, Stephanie A. Sur, Lin Fengxing, Boris Hallerbach
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Publication number: 20160093139Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of concurrent or overlapping game plays. Each concurrent or overlapping game play is associated with or otherwise configured to activate one or more symbol generators, such as one or more wheels. Following a determination of which of the games to concurrently or overlappingly play, the gaming system activates each symbol generator associated with each concurrent or overlapping game play.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: John H. Zielinski, Erick Ching, Stephanie A. Sur, Lin Fengxing, Boris Hallerbach
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Publication number: 20080081690Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: IGTInventors: Anthony Baerlocher, James Vasquez, Tonja Peterson, Erick Ching
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Patent number: D780201Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: John H. Zielinski, Erick Ching, Stephanie A. Sur, Lin Fengxing, Boris Hallerbach