Patents by Inventor James Loader
James Loader 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: 20220383706Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a method, system, and device for gaming including the display of a plurality of game symbols, each game symbol associated with one of at least two possible game actions. The game symbols associated with a first game action are displayed including a numerical prize value. Gameplay includes the selection of game symbols. In the event that a game symbol associated with a first game action is selected, its corresponding numerical prize value is award, for example added to a cumulative bonus prize, and the game symbol is then associated with the second game action. Typically, the visual representation of the game symbol is also changed, for example, the numerical prize value is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Matthew Chan, James Loader
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Patent number: 11450179Abstract: Gaming systems, methods, and machines provided herein may be used to provide bonus games that are associated with two different classes of awards, e.g., one or more first awards and one or more second awards. The first award(s) may generally be much more desirable to players than the second award(s), e.g., the first awards may be large-denomination jackpot awards, whereas the second awards may be small-denomination credit awards, e.g., non-jackpot awards. During play of such bonus games, selection of a stop position associated with a second award may cause that stop position to be instead associated with one of the one or more first awards for future play of the bonus game, thereby increasing the opportunities to win a first award in subsequent play of the bonus game.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventors: James Loader, Matthew Chan
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Patent number: 11423739Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a method, system, and device for gaming including the display of a plurality of game symbols, each game symbol associated with one of at least two possible game actions. The game symbols associated with a first game action are displayed including a numerical prize value. Gameplay includes the selection of game symbols. In the event that a game symbol associated with a first game action is selected, its corresponding numerical prize value is award, for example added to a cumulative bonus prize, and the game symbol is then associated with the second game action. Typically, the visual representation of the game symbol is also changed, for example, the numerical prize value is removed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventors: Matthew Chan, James Loader
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Publication number: 20220051519Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) reel strip data defining a set of reel strips, each reel of the set of reel strips comprising prize value symbols and non-prize value symbols, wherein at least one reel strip of the set of reel strips comprises a designated symbol and (b) instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Matthew Chan, Blake Davis, Igor Suslik, Xin Liu, James Loader, Rahul Ahuja, Luke Ireland
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Publication number: 20220051525Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) reel strip data defining a set of reel strips, each reel of the set of reel strips comprising special symbols and regular symbols; and (b) instructions. The reel strips are used to select symbols to populate positions of a playing field shown on the display. When two or more of the same special symbols occupy adjacent positions of the playing field, they may merge into a single position occupied by one of the special symbols in question. If three or more special symbols are adjacent, all merge into a single position and a higher-value special symbol. This merge may be signaled by a graphic such as an animation or image, a sound, a light, a vibration, or other audiovisual or haptic indicator. The higher-value special symbol thus replaces one of the adjacent special symbols while the rest are removed or disappear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Jennifer Mizzi, Blake Davis, Igor Suslik, Xin Liu, James Loader, Rahul Ahuja, Luke Ireland, Matthew Chan
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Publication number: 20220036701Abstract: A gaming device for dynamically configuring a composite feature game based on a first feature game and a second feature game. When the composite feature game is triggered, a game controller determines respective current states of a first feature game and a second feature game. The current state of the first feature game comprises a first unenhanced state that has a first unenhanced play characteristic and a first enhanced state that has a first enhanced play characteristic. The current state of the second feature game comprises a second unenhanced state that has a second unenhanced play characteristic and a second enhanced state that has a second unenhanced play characteristic. The game controller dynamically incorporates one of the first enhanced play characteristic and one of the second unenhanced play characteristic and the second unenhanced play characteristic into a composite play characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: James Loader, Karen Kendall, Luke Ireland, Antoon Visser, Joshua Matos
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Publication number: 20220005318Abstract: An electronic gaming device, including a display, a game controller with a processor, and memory, implements a feature having multiple instances. During the feature, for each instance, multiple symbols are selected from a set of symbols, which includes special symbols having associated values, and the selected symbols are displayed in a symbol array. A current value that is persisted across instances of the feature is also displayed. For an instance, a determination is made as to whether at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value. If at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value, the current value is replaced with the largest value associated with the at least one selected special symbol. A player is awarded an amount for the current value when all instances of the feature have been completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY LimitedInventors: James Loader, Zachary Murphy
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Patent number: 11132868Abstract: An electronic gaming device, including a display, a game controller with a processor, and memory, implements a feature having multiple instances. During the feature, for each instance, multiple symbols are selected from a set of symbols, which includes special symbols having associated values, and the selected symbols are displayed in a symbol array. A current value that is persisted across instances of the feature is also displayed. For an instance, a determination is made as to whether at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value. If at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value, the current value is replaced with the largest value associated with the at least one selected special symbol. A player is awarded an amount for the current value when all instances of the feature have been completed.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventors: James Loader, Zachary Murphy
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Publication number: 20210295639Abstract: A gaming device having a processor that selects symbols from a first set of reel strips for a plurality of columns of symbol positions, and from a second set of reel strips for a plurality of columns of symbol positions, and controls a display to display the symbols selected including displaying, at each symbol position for which a defined symbol is selected, the defined symbol with the symbol selected at a respective symbol position. Upon the symbols selected including a qualifier symbol, the processor randomly selects one of at least two different symbol replacements, and determines, using the symbol replacements, a replacement symbol for the defined symbol selected. The processor updates the plurality of symbols to incorporate the replacement symbol, and evaluates the updated plurality of symbols for winning symbol combinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Joshua Matos, James Loader, Antoon Visser, Karen Kendall
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Publication number: 20210110665Abstract: An electronic gaming device comprising a display that displays a plurality of symbols in a plurality of symbol positions, a game controller that determines if the plurality of symbols include a trigger symbol, in response to determining that the plurality of symbols include the trigger symbol, controls the display to display the trigger symbol being transformed into a prize component symbol, incrementally animates a filling of a prize component of a first prize with the prize component symbol, and awards the first prize when a plurality of first prize components have been completely filled.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Karen Kendall, James Loader, Lauren Paterson, Antoon Visser
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Publication number: 20210035412Abstract: An electronic gaming device, including a display, a game controller with a processor, and memory, implements a feature having multiple instances. During the feature, for each instance, multiple symbols are selected from a set of symbols, which includes special symbols having associated values, and the selected symbols are displayed in a symbol array. A current value that is persisted across instances of the feature is also displayed. For an instance, a determination is made as to whether at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value. If at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value, the current value is replaced with the largest value associated with the at least one selected special symbol. A player is awarded an amount for the current value when all instances of the feature have been completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY LimitedInventors: James Loader, Zachary Murphy
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Patent number: 10872502Abstract: An electronic gaming device comprising a display that displays a plurality of symbols in a plurality of symbol positions, a game controller that determines if the plurality of symbols include a trigger symbol, in response to determining that the plurality of symbols include the trigger symbol, controls the display to display the trigger symbol being transformed into a prize component symbol, incrementally animates a filling of a prize component of a first prize with the prize component symbol, and awards the first prize when a plurality of first prize components have been completely filled.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2020Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Inventors: Karen Kendall, James Loader, Lauren Paterson, Antoon Visser
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Publication number: 20200320827Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a method, system, and device for gaming including the display of a plurality of game symbols, each game symbol associated with one of at least two possible game actions. The game symbols associated with a first game action are displayed including a numerical prize value. Gameplay includes the selection of game symbols. In the event that a game symbol associated with a first game action is selected, its corresponding numerical prize value is award, for example added to a cumulative bonus prize, and the game symbol is then associated with the second game action. Typically, the visual representation of the game symbol is also changed, for example, the numerical prize value is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventors: Matthew Chan, James Loader
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Publication number: 20200312086Abstract: An electronic gaming device comprises a credit input device; a display; an input device operable to receive player input and a processor. The display displays a plurality of symbols selected for display, and one or both of a first trigger symbol and a second trigger symbol as part of the plurality of symbols selected for display. After displaying one or both of the first trigger symbol and the second trigger symbol, the processor animates collecting one or both of the first trigger symbol and the second trigger symbol. After displaying both of the first trigger symbol and the second trigger symbol are collected, the processor initiates a first composite feature game incorporating at least one characteristic of each of a first feature game and a second feature game.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Karen Kendall, James Loader, Lauren Paterson, Antoon Visser
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Publication number: 20200312095Abstract: An electronic gaming device comprising a display that displays a plurality of symbols in a plurality of symbol positions, a game controller that determines if the plurality of symbols include a trigger symbol, in response to determining that the plurality of symbols include the trigger symbol, controls the display to display the trigger symbol being transformed into a prize component symbol, incrementally animates a filling of a prize component of a first prize with the prize component symbol, and awards the first prize when a plurality of first prize components have been completely filled.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Karen Kendall, James Loader, Lauren Paterson, Antoon Visser
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Publication number: 20200312087Abstract: A gaming device that includes a display displaying a plurality of symbols in a plurality of columns of symbol positions, respectively, and a game controller that determines whether the plurality of symbols selected for display include one or both of the first trigger symbol and the second trigger symbol, in response to determining that the symbols include a first trigger symbol but not a second trigger symbol, randomly determines whether to conduct a first feature game, and in response to determining that the symbols selected include both the first trigger symbol and the second trigger symbol, randomly determines whether to conduct a third feature game selected between the first feature game, a second feature game, and a composite game incorporating at least one characteristic of each of the first feature game and the second feature game.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Karen Kendall, James Loader, Lauren Paterson, Antoon Visser
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Publication number: 20200168046Abstract: Gaming systems, methods, and machines provided herein may be used to provide bonus games that are associated with two different classes of awards, e.g., one or more first awards and one or more second awards. The first award(s) may generally be much more desirable to players than the second award(s), e.g., the first awards may be large-denomination jackpot awards, whereas the second awards may be small-denomination credit awards, e.g., non-jackpot awards. During play of such bonus games, selection of a stop position associated with a second award may cause that stop position to be instead associated with one of the one or more first awards for future play of the bonus game, thereby increasing the opportunities to win a first award in subsequent play of the bonus game.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: James Loader, Matthew Chan
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Patent number: 10621829Abstract: Gaming systems, methods, and machines provided herein may be used to provide bonus games that are associated with two different classes of awards, e.g., one or more first awards and one or more second awards. The first award(s) may generally be much more desirable to players than the second award(s), e.g., the first awards may be large-denomination jackpot awards, whereas the second awards may be small-denomination credit awards, e.g., non-jackpot awards. During play of such bonus games, selection of a stop position associated with a second award may cause that stop position to be instead associated with one of the one or more first awards for future play of the bonus game, thereby increasing the opportunities to win a first award in subsequent play of the bonus game.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventors: James Loader, Matthew Chan
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Patent number: 10490026Abstract: A gaming system includes a game implementer arranged to implement a base game, and an item collector arranged, during game play of a base game, by a player to add at least one item from a plurality of available items to an inventory associated with the player, wherein each collected item is usable by the player in a feature game. The system also includes a device arranged to store the item inventory of collected items usable by the player in the feature game. The system implements a feature game and includes an item selector arranged, during the feature game, to enable selection by the player of at least one item from the item inventory to use in the feature game, and an outcome evaluator arranged to determine an outcome of the feature game, based on the selected item. The feature game may be initiated by a player at any time.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITEDInventors: Natalie Bryant, James Loader, Nichelle Nolan, Sam Walker, Adeline Jie
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Publication number: 20190073875Abstract: Gaming systems, methods, and machines provided herein may be used to provide bonus games that are associated with two different classes of awards, e.g., one or more first awards and one or more second awards. The first award(s) may generally be much more desirable to players than the second award(s), e.g., the first awards may be large-denomination jackpot awards, whereas the second awards may be small-denomination credit awards, e.g., non-jackpot awards. During play of such bonus games, selection of a stop position associated with a second award may cause that stop position to be instead associated with one of the one or more first awards for future play of the bonus game, thereby increasing the opportunities to win a first award in subsequent play of the bonus game.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: James Loader, Matthew Chan