Patents by Inventor Liam Sanders

Liam Sanders 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: 20240273968
    Abstract: A gaming system randomly selects a trigger value for a feature, which starts when the current value of a symbol counter reaches the trigger value. In some examples, a gaming system includes memory that stores data defining reel strips. When a symbol counter is initialized, an initial value of the symbol counter is randomly selected from a range of allowable initial values having an upper limit. A trigger value is randomly selected from a range between the initial value and a ceiling value, which is greater than the upper limit. For each of one or more instances, symbols are selected from the reel strips for display, and the current value of the symbol counter is incremented based on the count of designated symbols, if any, among the selected symbols. Responsive to the current value of the symbol counter reaching the trigger value, the feature is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Scott Olive, Matthew Deitz, Liam Sanders
  • Patent number: 12056980
    Abstract: An gaming system includes a display device, an input device, and a game controller. When the game controller determines that a condition is met, the game controller modifies a plurality of symbols selected for display to include a prize awarding symbol. When the game controller determines that a designated condition is met, the game controller modifies the prize awarding symbol to reveal an award. The game controller evaluates the plurality of symbols to determine an award amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Billy Tam, Liam Sanders, Alessandro Sidoti
  • Publication number: 20240177571
    Abstract: An electronic method of operating a gaming system. The method includes selecting a plurality of symbols, displaying the selected symbols, and upon the displayed symbols including one or more designated symbols, retaining each displayed designated symbol for a subsequent game round at a respective symbol display position at which the designated symbol is displayed. The method also includes, in the subsequent game round, selecting, a plurality of symbols from the symbol data, upon a further designated symbol being selected for display at a symbol display position at which the retained designated symbol is displayed, modifying the retained designated symbol to indicate that a win containing the retained designated symbol will be increased, and upon the selected symbols in the subsequent game round corresponding to a winning outcome incorporating the modified retained designated symbol, making an award of an award value corresponding to the winning outcome modifier by the increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Liam Sanders, Matthew Chan
  • Patent number: 11961358
    Abstract: A gaming system randomly selects a trigger value for a feature, which starts when the current value of a symbol counter reaches the trigger value. In some examples, a gaming system includes memory that stores data defining reel strips. When a symbol counter is initialized, an initial value of the symbol counter is randomly selected from a range of allowable initial values having an upper limit. A trigger value is randomly selected from a range between the initial value and a ceiling value, which is greater than the upper limit. For each of one or more instances, symbols are selected from the reel strips for display, and the current value of the symbol counter is incremented based on the count of designated symbols, if any, among the selected symbols. Responsive to the current value of the symbol counter reaching the trigger value, the feature is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited
    Inventors: Scott Olive, Matthew Deitz, Liam Sanders
  • Patent number: 11922775
    Abstract: An electronic method of operating a gaming system. The method includes selecting a plurality of symbols, displaying the selected symbols, and upon the displayed symbols including one or more designated symbols, retaining each displayed designated symbol for a subsequent game round at a respective symbol display position at which the designated symbol is displayed. The method also includes, in the subsequent game round, selecting, a plurality of symbols from the symbol data, upon a further designated symbol being selected for display at a symbol display position at which the retained designated symbol is displayed, modifying the retained designated symbol to indicate that a win containing the retained designated symbol will be increased, and upon the selected symbols in the subsequent game round corresponding to a winning outcome incorporating the modified retained designated symbol, making an award of an award value corresponding to the winning outcome modifier by the increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Liam Sanders, Matthew Chan
  • Publication number: 20230351854
    Abstract: A gaming device that initiates a series of game instances, and controls a display to display a multiplier meter that a) has a plurality of multiplier levels corresponding to respective ones of a sequence of multipliers applying to outcomes of the game instances and b) when a multiplier applies, indicates a current multiplier level. A processor initializes a designated symbol counter, the processor selects symbols for display for a game instance, evaluates the symbols displayed to identify any winning combinations of symbols, and for each winning combination determines an award amount, adds any awards to the win meter, increments the designated symbol counter by a number of designated symbols, changes the current multiplier level upon the designated symbol counter exceeding a defined threshold applying to a respective multiplier level, and updates the multiplier meter to indicate the current multiplier level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Satterlie, Chantrelle Pryor, Paul Lombardo, Liam Sanders, Jason Meyer, Gary Penacho, Patrick Finch
  • Patent number: 11735009
    Abstract: A gaming device that initiates a series of game instances, and controls a display to display a multiplier meter that a) has a plurality of multiplier levels corresponding to respective ones of a sequence of multipliers applying to outcomes of the game instances and b) when a multiplier applies, indicates a current multiplier level. A processor initializes a designated symbol counter, the processor selects symbols for display for a game instance, evaluates the symbols displayed to identify any winning combinations of symbols, and for each winning combination determines an award amount, adds any awards to the win meter, increments the designated symbol counter by a number of designated symbols, changes the current multiplier level upon the designated symbol counter exceeding a defined threshold applying to a respective multiplier level, and updates the multiplier meter to indicate the current multiplier level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Eric Satterlie, Chantrelle Pryor, Paul Lombardo, Liam Sanders, Jason Meyer, Gary Penacho, Patrick Finch
  • Publication number: 20230237865
    Abstract: A gaming system randomly selects a trigger value for a feature, which starts when the current value of a symbol counter reaches the trigger value. In some examples, a gaming system includes memory that stores data defining reel strips. When a symbol counter is initialized, an initial value of the symbol counter is randomly selected from a range of allowable initial values having an upper limit. A trigger value is randomly selected from a range between the initial value and a ceiling value, which is greater than the upper limit. For each of one or more instances, symbols are selected from the reel strips for display, and the current value of the symbol counter is incremented based on the count of designated symbols, if any, among the selected symbols. Responsive to the current value of the symbol counter reaching the trigger value, the feature is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Olive, Matthew Deitz, Liam Sanders
  • Patent number: 11640744
    Abstract: A gaming system randomly selects a trigger value for a feature, which starts when the current value of a symbol counter reaches the trigger value. In some examples, a gaming system includes memory that stores data defining reel strips. When a symbol counter is initialized, an initial value of the symbol counter is randomly selected from a range of allowable initial values having an upper limit. A trigger value is randomly selected from a range between the initial value and a ceiling value, which is greater than the upper limit. For each of one or more instances, symbols are selected from the reel strips for display, and the current value of the symbol counter is incremented based on the count of designated symbols, if any, among the selected symbols. Responsive to the current value of the symbol counter reaching the trigger value, the feature is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Scott Olive, Matthew Deitz, Liam Sanders
  • Publication number: 20230096839
    Abstract: A gaming machine having a display to display symbols at a plurality of display positions and a plurality of prize identifiers. The gaming machine also includes a game controller to cause a display to display a plurality of symbols at the display positions and visually moves a number of a plurality of prize identifiers at a first speed. If a trigger condition occurs with the displayed symbols, the game controller selects a prize identifier of the prize identifiers to be upgraded while visually moving the selected prize identifier being upgraded at a second speed onto the display. The game controller completes the upgrading on the display while the selected prize identifier is being displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Liam Sanders, Matthew Chan, Amy Batsiokis
  • Publication number: 20230037346
    Abstract: A gaming system randomly selects a trigger value for a feature, which starts when the current value of a symbol counter reaches the trigger value. In some examples, a gaming system includes memory that stores data defining reel strips. When a symbol counter is initialized, an initial value of the symbol counter is randomly selected from a range of allowable initial values having an upper limit. A trigger value is randomly selected from a range between the initial value and a ceiling value, which is greater than the upper limit. For each of one or more instances, symbols are selected from the reel strips for display, and the current value of the symbol counter is incremented based on the count of designated symbols, if any, among the selected symbols. Responsive to the current value of the symbol counter reaching the trigger value, the feature is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Olive, Matthew Deitz, Liam Sanders
  • Publication number: 20230020479
    Abstract: An electronic method of operating a gaming system. The method includes selecting a plurality of symbols, displaying the selected symbols, and upon the displayed symbols including one or more designated symbols, retaining each displayed designated symbol for a subsequent game round at a respective symbol display position at which the designated symbol is displayed. The method also includes, in the subsequent game round, selecting, a plurality of symbols from the symbol data, upon a further designated symbol being selected for display at a symbol display position at which the retained designated symbol is displayed, modifying the retained designated symbol to indicate that a win containing the retained designated symbol will be increased, and upon the selected symbols in the subsequent game round corresponding to a winning outcome incorporating the modified retained designated symbol, making an award of an award value corresponding to the winning outcome modifier by the increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Liam Sanders, Matthew Chan
  • Patent number: 11532200
    Abstract: A gaming machine having a display to display symbols at a plurality of display positions and a plurality of prize identifiers. The gaming machine also includes a game controller to cause a display to display a plurality of symbols at the display positions and visually moves a number of a plurality of prize identifiers at a first speed. If a trigger condition occurs with the displayed symbols, the game controller selects a prize identifier of the prize identifiers to be upgraded while visually moving the selected prize identifier being upgraded at a second speed onto the display. The game controller completes the upgrading on the display while the selected prize identifier is being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Liam Sanders, Matthew Chan, Amy Batsiokis
  • Patent number: 11482070
    Abstract: A gaming system randomly selects a trigger value for a feature, which starts when the current value of a symbol counter reaches the trigger value. In some examples, a gaming system includes memory that stores data defining reel strips. When a symbol counter is initialized, an initial value of the symbol counter is randomly selected from a range of allowable initial values having an upper limit. A trigger value is randomly selected from a range between the initial value and a ceiling value, which is greater than the upper limit. For each of one or more instances, symbols are selected from the reel strips for display, and the current value of the symbol counter is incremented based on the count of designated symbols, if any, among the selected symbols. Responsive to the current value of the symbol counter reaching the trigger value, the feature is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited
    Inventors: Scott Olive, Matthew Deitz, Liam Sanders
  • Patent number: 11455867
    Abstract: An electronic method of operating a gaming system. The method includes selecting a plurality of symbols, displaying the selected symbols, and upon the displayed symbols including one or more designated symbols, retaining each displayed designated symbol for a subsequent game round at a respective symbol display position at which the designated symbol is displayed. The method also includes, in the subsequent game round, selecting, a plurality of symbols from the symbol data, upon a further designated symbol being selected for display at a symbol display position at which the retained designated symbol is displayed, modifying the retained designated symbol to indicate that a win containing the retained designated symbol will be increased, and upon the selected symbols in the subsequent game round corresponding to a winning outcome incorporating the modified retained designated symbol, making an award of an award value corresponding to the winning outcome modifier by the increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Liam Sanders, Matthew Chan
  • Publication number: 20220301389
    Abstract: An gaming system includes a display device, an input device, and a game controller. When the game controller determines that a condition is met, the game controller modifies a plurality of symbols selected for display to include a prize awarding symbol. When the game controller determines that a designated condition is met, the game controller modifies the prize awarding symbol to reveal an award. The game controller evaluates the plurality of symbols to determine an award amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Billy Tam, Liam Sanders, Alessandro Sidoti
  • Patent number: 11354971
    Abstract: An gaming system includes a display device, an input device, and a game controller. When the game controller determines that a condition is met, the game controller modifies a plurality of symbols selected for display to include a prize awarding symbol. When the game controller determines that a designated condition is met, the game controller modifies the prize awarding symbol to reveal an award. The game controller evaluates the plurality of symbols to determine an award amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Billy Tam, Liam Sanders, Alessandro Sidoti
  • Publication number: 20220101692
    Abstract: A gaming device that initiates a series of game instances, and controls a display to display a multiplier meter that a) has a plurality of multiplier levels corresponding to respective ones of a sequence of multipliers applying to outcomes of the game instances and b) when a multiplier applies, indicates a current multiplier level. A processor initializes a designated symbol counter, the processor selects symbols for display for a game instance, evaluates the symbols displayed to identify any winning combinations of symbols, and for each winning combination determines an award amount, adds any awards to the win meter, increments the designated symbol counter by a number of designated symbols, changes the current multiplier level upon the designated symbol counter exceeding a defined threshold applying to a respective multiplier level, and updates the multiplier meter to indicate the current multiplier level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Satterlie, Chantrelle Pryor, Paul Lombardo, Liam Sanders, Jason Meyer, Gary Penacho, Patrick Finch
  • Patent number: 11200782
    Abstract: A gaming device that initiates a series of game instances, and controls a display to display a multiplier meter that a) has a plurality of multiplier levels corresponding to respective ones of a sequence of multipliers applying to outcomes of the game instances and b) when a multiplier applies, indicates a current multiplier level. A processor initializes a designated symbol counter, the processor selects symbols for display for a game instance, evaluates the symbols displayed to identify any winning combinations of symbols, and for each winning combination determines an award amount, adds any awards to the win meter, increments the designated symbol counter by a number of designated symbols, changes the current multiplier level upon the designated symbol counter exceeding a defined threshold applying to a respective multiplier level, and updates the multiplier meter to indicate the current multiplier level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Eric Satterlie, Chantrelle Pryor, Paul Lombardo, Liam Sanders, Jason Meyer, Gary Penacho, Patrick Finch
  • Publication number: 20210248874
    Abstract: An electronic method of operating a gaming system. The method includes selecting a plurality of symbols, displaying the selected symbols, and upon the displayed symbols including one or more designated symbols, retaining each displayed designated symbol for a subsequent game round at a respective symbol display position at which the designated symbol is displayed. The method also includes, in the subsequent game round, selecting, a plurality of symbols from the symbol data, upon a further designated symbol being selected for display at a symbol display position at which the retained designated symbol is displayed, modifying the retained designated symbol to indicate that a win containing the retained designated symbol will be increased, and upon the selected symbols in the subsequent game round corresponding to a winning outcome incorporating the modified retained designated symbol, making an award of an award value corresponding to the winning outcome modifier by the increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Liam Sanders, Matthew Chan