Patents by Inventor Kenneth Shawn Soong
Kenneth Shawn Soong 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: 11961368Abstract: A gaming machine includes an electronic display device configured to display an array of symbol positions and registers. The registers are associated with respective subsets of the symbol positions of the array. Game-logic circuitry directs the display device to animate a plurality of spins of symbol-bearing reels wherein, in each spin, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in the array. For each landed value-bearing symbol, the symbol value is added to the applicable register, and the landing position is tagged. In response to tagging all the symbol positions in a subset, that subset's register value is awarded and that subset's tags are cleared. In response to no value-bearing symbols landing in a subset during a reel spin, that subset's register and tags are cleared.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Richard Milosevich, George Bouvier, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Patent number: 11961369Abstract: A gaming system comprises a gaming machine and game-logic circuitry. The gaming machine comprises a display device that presents a symbol array. The game-logic circuitry presents a first outcome by populating the symbol array with a plurality of symbols, locks, in response to the first outcome including at least one value-bearing symbol in a subset of the array, the value-bearing symbol in the subset, initiates a subset counter associated with the subset in response to the first outcome, presents at least one subsequent outcome by populating the array with another plurality of randomly selected symbols, locks any additional value-bearing symbols populating the subset, provides, in response to a number of value-bearing symbols meeting a trigger amount, an award as a function of values indicated by the locked value-bearing symbols, and, in response to the subset counter meeting a termination count, removes any locked value-bearing symbols from the subset.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: George Bouvier, Richard Milosevich, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Publication number: 20240105020Abstract: A gaming system comprises a display device configured to present a plurality of symbol positions and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry generates a game cycle counter for a game feature at an initial value, for each game cycle outcome of a plurality of game cycle outcomes, updates the current count of the game cycle counter and causes the display device to: (i) populate the symbol positions with randomly selected symbols and (ii) in response to the randomly selected symbols including an award symbol, present an award sequence for a set of award values associated with the award symbol, wherein the number of award values within the set of award values is at least partially a function of the current count of the game cycle counter. The game-logic circuitry further causes, in response to the current count reaching a termination value, the display device to conclude the game feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: George BOUVIER, Mario McGREGOR, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Publication number: 20240075392Abstract: A gaming system comprises player gaming devices presenting digital table games, a blockchain access system, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive, via a first player gaming device, a player initiation request for a first player to participate in the digital table games, generate, in response to the request, a first player avatar by assigning an avatar identifier to a blockchain address associated with the first player as a non-fungible token (NFT), generate a set of player characteristic parameters for the first player avatar and link the set of parameters to the NFT, collect game data representing player actions of the first player, update the set of parameters for the first player avatar based on the game data, and generate automatic player actions for the first player avatar without direct player intervention based on the updated set of parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Joel R. JAFFE, Sarah LEGGETT, Roger M. SNOW, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Patent number: 11875645Abstract: A gaming system comprises a display device configured to present a plurality of symbol positions and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry generates a game cycle counter for a game feature at an initial value, for each game cycle outcome of a plurality of game cycle outcomes, updates the current count of the game cycle counter and causes the display device to: (i) populate the symbol positions with randomly selected symbols and (ii) in response to the randomly selected symbols including an award symbol, present an award sequence for a set of award values associated with the award symbol, wherein the number of award values within the set of award values is at least partially a function of the current count of the game cycle counter. The game-logic circuitry further causes, in response to the current count reaching a termination value, the display device to conclude the game feature.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: George Bouvier, Mario McGregor, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Publication number: 20240005743Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Jack CHESWORTH, George Napoleon BOUVIER, Kimberly COHN, Daniel P. LOUIE, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Publication number: 20230419771Abstract: There is provided a gaming system and methods that utilize a presentation assembly configured to present a series of spins of a plurality of symbol-bearing reels including value-bearing symbols. Upon a triggering event, all value-bearing symbols contributing to the triggering event and any value-bearing symbols adjacent to them are added to a list of linked symbols. All value-bearing symbols are held in their positions in the array and the plurality of reels is spun again to land new symbols in unheld positions of the array. Any newly landed value-bearing symbols adjacent to a symbol in the set of linked symbols is added to the set of linked symbols and the process repeats for a certain number of spins. At the conclusion of the spins, an award based on the values borne by all symbols in the set of linked symbols is paid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Richard MILOSEVICH, Kenneth Shawn SOONG, George BOUVIER
-
Publication number: 20230401931Abstract: There is provided a gaming system and methods that utilize a presentation assembly configured to present a series of spins of a plurality of symbol-bearing reels arranged in multiple arrays. Upon the appearance of a catalyst symbol on one of the reels, at least one additional row of symbols is added between the arrays to join the arrays into a single large array to increase the probability of winning combinations of the symbols and to enable different types of winning combinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Richard MILOSEVICH, Kenneth Shawn SOONG, George BOUVIER
-
Publication number: 20230394927Abstract: A gaming machine comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device that presents a plurality of symbol positions and modifier positions. The game-logic circuitry causes the display device to present (i) a modifier outcome by populating one or more modifier positions with modifier symbols, and (ii) an animation of one or more symbol positions being populated with value-bearing symbols having award indicia in response to the modifier outcome including a first modifier symbol at a first modifier position. The game-logic circuitry increases, for a preexisting value-bearing symbol prior to the modifier outcome, the award value of the preexisting value-bearing symbol, wherein the display device presents an updated award indicia based on the increased award value, removes, in response to a termination condition, any locked value-bearing symbols from the symbol positions, and provides an aggregated award as a function of the award values of the locked value-bearing symbols occupying the symbol positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Richard MILOSEVICH, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Patent number: 11798371Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2023Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Jack Chesworth, George Napoleon Bouvier, Kimberly Cohn, Daniel P. Louie, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Patent number: 11769372Abstract: A gaming machine comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device that presents a plurality of symbol positions and modifier positions. The game-logic circuitry causes the display device to present (i) a modifier outcome by populating one or more modifier positions with modifier symbols, and (ii) an animation of one or more symbol positions being populated with value-bearing symbols having award indicia in response to the modifier outcome including a first modifier symbol at a first modifier position. The game-logic circuitry increases, for a preexisting value-bearing symbol prior to the modifier outcome, the award value of the preexisting value-bearing symbol, wherein the display device presents an updated award indicia based on the increased award value, removes, in response to a termination condition, any locked value-bearing symbols from the symbol positions, and provides an aggregated award as a function of the award values of the locked value-bearing symbols occupying the symbol positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Richard Milosevich, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Publication number: 20230274616Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an indicator bearing a pay multiplier. For each spin outcome, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in an array. In response to the landed symbols including a catalyst symbol, the values on any value-bearing symbols in the array are multiplied by the pay multiplier and awarded, and the pay multiplier is then modified for a subsequent spin outcome(s) based on the type, e.g., color, of the catalyst symbol. In response to the landed symbols not including the catalyst symbol, no awards are provided for any value-bearing symbols in the array, and the pay multiplier stays the same for a subsequent spin outcome(s) until a catalyst symbol lands in the array.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Kimberly COHN, George BOUVIER, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Publication number: 20230267808Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that presents a set of persistent enhancers as well as a plurality of symbols in an array corresponding to a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The plurality of symbol-bearing reels bear game symbols. Each of the persistent enhancers is paired respectively with a separate one of a subset of the game symbols. The persistent enhancers persist across a plurality of game cycles of the game. Game-logic circuitry uses a random number generator to spin and stop the reels for a first game cycle, to populate the array with a portion of the game symbols. The game-logic circuitry detects, in response to the spinning and stopping, occurrence of one or more win events associated with one or more of the subset of the game symbols. In response to detecting a win event, the game-logic circuitry enhances an award for the win event using one of the persistent enhancers that is paired with a subset symbol displayed for the win event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: George BOUVIER, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Publication number: 20230260371Abstract: A gaming system comprises a gaming machine and game-logic circuitry. The gaming machine comprises a display device that presents a symbol array. The game-logic circuitry presents a first outcome by populating the symbol array with a plurality of symbols, locks, in response to the first outcome including at least one value-bearing symbol in a subset of the array, the value-bearing symbol in the subset, initiates a subset counter associated with the subset in response to the first outcome, presents at least one subsequent outcome by populating the array with another plurality of randomly selected symbols, locks any additional value-bearing symbols populating the subset, provides, in response to a number of value-bearing symbols meeting a trigger amount, an award as a function of values indicated by the locked value-bearing symbols, and, in response to the subset counter meeting a termination count, removes any locked value-bearing symbols from the subset.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: George BOUVIER, Richard MILOSEVICH, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Publication number: 20230245528Abstract: A gaming system comprises a display device configured to present a plurality of symbol positions and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry generates a game cycle counter for a game feature at an initial value, for each game cycle outcome of a plurality of game cycle outcomes, updates the current count of the game cycle counter and causes the display device to: (i) populate the symbol positions with randomly selected symbols and (ii) in response to the randomly selected symbols including an award symbol, present an award sequence for a set of award values associated with the award symbol, wherein the number of award values within the set of award values is at least partially a function of the current count of the game cycle counter. The game-logic circuitry further causes, in response to the current count reaching a termination value, the display device to conclude the game feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: George BOUVIER, Mario McGREGOR, Kenneth Shawn SOONG
-
Patent number: 11710378Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Jack Chesworth, George Napoleon Bouvier, Kimberly Cohn, Daniel P. Louie, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Patent number: 11710379Abstract: A gaming system comprises a gaming machine and game-logic circuitry. The gaming machine comprises a display device that presents a symbol array. The game-logic circuitry presents a first outcome by populating the symbol array with a plurality of symbols, locks, in response to the first outcome including at least one value-bearing symbol in a subset of the array, the value-bearing symbol in the subset, initiates a subset counter associated with the subset in response to the first outcome, presents at least one subsequent outcome by populating the array with another plurality of randomly selected symbols, locks any additional value-bearing symbols populating the subset, provides, in response to a number of value-bearing symbols meeting a trigger amount, an award as a function of values indicated by the locked value-bearing symbols, and, in response to the subset counter meeting a termination count, removes any locked value-bearing symbols from the subset.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: George Bouvier, Richard Milosevich, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Publication number: 20230230440Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that presents a plurality of symbols in an array corresponding to a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. Game-logic circuitry positions a persistent symbol at a first symbol position in the array. Using a random number generator, the game logic-circuitry spins and stops the reels. Concurrently with the moving of the reels, the game-logic circuitry moves the persistent symbol from the first symbol position in the array to a second symbol position in the array. The game-logic circuitry moves the persistent symbol in a direction toward a win zone outside of the array. The game-logic circuitry further determines whether a catalyst symbol appears in the win zone. In response to determining that the catalyst symbol appears in the win zone, the game-logic circuitry awards a value associated with the persistent symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Colbee V. Jones, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Patent number: 11699327Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an indicator bearing a pay multiplier. For each spin outcome, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in an array. In response to the landed symbols including a catalyst symbol, the values on any value-bearing symbols in the array are multiplied by the pay multiplier and awarded, and the pay multiplier is then modified for a subsequent spin outcome(s) based on the type, e.g., color, of the catalyst symbol. In response to the landed symbols not including the catalyst symbol, no awards are provided for any value-bearing symbols in the array, and the pay multiplier stays the same for a subsequent spin outcome(s) until a catalyst symbol lands in the array.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Kimberly Cohn, George Bouvier, Kenneth Shawn Soong
-
Publication number: 20230154287Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display device and game-logic circuitry that causes the display device to: present cycle outcomes by populating a symbol array with randomly selected symbols; lock any trigger symbols from the randomly selected symbols in the symbol array; present a subset counter for an array subset with locked trigger symbols; in response to a modifier event associated with a first trigger symbol locked within the subset, present a first award value associated with the first trigger symbol; in response to a number of trigger symbols within the subset meeting a trigger amount, provide an award at least partially as a function of the first award value; and in response to the subset counter meeting a termination count, remove any locked trigger symbols from the subset.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: George BOUVIER, Richard MILOSEVICH, Kenneth Shawn SOONG