Patents by Inventor Nathan Warms

Nathan Warms 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: 20250104521
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display device for an electronic game that includes first and second reel areas, and a game controller configured to cause display of symbols including feature symbols in the first and second reel areas as part of a base game mode, determine that the first reel area includes a triggering number of the feature symbols for triggering a feature game mode and that the second reel area does not include the triggering number of the feature symbols, cause display of a visual indication that the second reel area is inactive for a feature game initiated in the first reel area, and upon conclusion of the feature game, cause the feature symbols to be removed from the first reel area, and cause display of a visual indication that the second reel area is reactivated while maintaining the feature symbols in the second reel area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Erick Ching, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Jennifer Mizzi, Hanna Sanborn, Nathan Warms
  • Publication number: 20250104526
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions and a persistence counter. The instructions cause the processor to cause display of an initial game outcome by displaying symbols from a plurality of reels in a plurality of columns, the plurality of reels including a plurality of symbol types and increment the persistence counter based on the initial game outcome. The instructions further cause the processor to determine, based on a value of the persistence counter, at least one symbol type of the plurality of symbol types, change the at least one symbol type in the initial game outcome to a second symbol type, and determine, based on changing the at least one symbol type, an upgraded game outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Kelly Lockheed, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Erick Ching, Scott Hopkins, Hanna Sanborn, Carlyn Albright, Zachary Cohen
  • Publication number: 20250095443
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system including a memory and a processor is described. The processor is configured to cause display of a first display area including a plurality of symbol positions for an electronic game, determine a respective symbol for each symbol position of the plurality of symbol positions, and cause at least one bonus symbol to advance at least one symbol position of the plurality of symbol positions toward an edge of the plurality of symbol positions. The processor is also configured to cause display of at least a portion of the at least one bonus symbol in a second display area wherein display of at least the portion of the at least one bonus symbol indicates that an output amount will be provided and cause the output amount associated with the at least one bonus symbol to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Deanna Hickox, Hanna Sanborn, Scott Hopkins, Erick Ching, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Steven Richardson, Kelly Lockheed, Carlyn Albright, Ginette McKay, Nicholas Farina
  • Patent number: 12249220
    Abstract: Electronic gaming machines and systems are disclosed that provide for a symbol-based main game that features an array of symbol positions that may if an array growth condition is met, increase in size. Determining whether the array growth condition is met may involve determining how many array growth symbols are shown in association with a game play. A further determination may be made as to whether a feature game trigger condition is met and, if so, a feature game may be presented that utilizes the same array of symbol positions that were present in the main game when the feature game was triggered. Additional array growth may occur in the feature game if the array growth condition is met again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi, Jeffrey Uss, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Erick T. Ching
  • Publication number: 20250046144
    Abstract: A graphical user interface for providing a game of chance with upgradeable feature symbols and meters reflecting progress towards satisfaction of goals that cause such a feature symbol upgrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Carlyn Albright, Erick Ching, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Nicholas Farina, Deanna Hickox, Scott Hopkins, Kelly Lockheed, Ginette McKay, Jennifer Mizzi, Steve Richardson, Hanna Sanborn, Zachary Smith, Nathan Warms
  • Publication number: 20250029443
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing games of chance with multiple levels of persistent features are disclosed. Some example systems include scatter prize indicators that are each associated with different symbol positions of a game of chance. When a scatter symbol is selected for a given symbol position, the scatter prize indicator associated therewith may be upgraded; selection of a sufficient number of symbol positions may result in a feature game mode being activated. During feature game mode play, scatter symbols are retained after each play of the game until either sufficient consecutive plays occur without any scatter symbols being obtained or until all symbol positions have scatter symbols. In the latter case, the scatter prize indicators are upgraded and play continues. In the former case, the feature game mode concludes. Various enhancements may be triggered based on the number of times that the feature game mode has been activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Nathan Warms, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Zachary Smith, Erick Ching, Jeffrey Uss, Hanna Sanborn
  • Patent number: 12136312
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing games of chance with multiple levels of persistent features are disclosed. Some example systems include scatter prize indicators that are each associated with different symbol positions of a game of chance. When a scatter symbol is selected for a given symbol position, the scatter prize indicator associated therewith may be upgraded; selection of a sufficient number of symbol positions may result in a feature game mode being activated. During feature game mode play, scatter symbols are retained after each play of the game until either sufficient consecutive plays occur without any scatter symbols being obtained or until all symbol positions have scatter symbols. In the latter case, the scatter prize indicators are upgraded and play continues. In the former case, the feature game mode concludes. Various enhancements may be triggered based on the number of times that the feature game mode has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Warms, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Zachary Smith, Erick Ching, Jeffrey Uss, Hanna Sanborn
  • Publication number: 20240257614
    Abstract: Electronic gaming machines and systems are disclosed that provide for a symbol-based main game that features an array of symbol positions that may if an array growth condition is met, increase in size. Determining whether the array growth condition is met may involve determining how many array growth symbols are shown in association with a game play. A further determination may be made as to whether a feature game trigger condition is met and, if so, a feature game may be presented that utilizes the same array of symbol positions that were present in the main game when the feature game was triggered. Additional array growth may occur in the feature game if the array growth condition is met again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi, Jeffrey Uss, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 11983995
    Abstract: Electronic gaming machines and systems are disclosed that provide for a symbol-based main game that features an array of symbol positions that may, if an array growth condition is met, increase in size. Determining whether the array growth condition is met may involve determining how many array growth symbols are shown in association with a game play. A further determination may be made as to whether a feature game trigger condition is met and, if so, a feature game may be presented that utilizes the same array of symbol positions that were present in the main game when the feature game was triggered. Additional array growth may occur in the feature game if the array growth condition is met again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi, Jeffrey Uss, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Erick Ching
  • Publication number: 20240112544
    Abstract: An electronic gaming device that includes a display device, an input device, a memory device, and a processor is described. The processor causes to be displayed a dual symbol configured as a wild symbol and as a credit on reel (or cash-on-reel) symbol that indicates a prize to be awarded if a trigger symbol also lands in the same row as the dual symbol. The processor causes a base game to be initiated that includes causing symbols to be displayed on reels within a display matrix on a display device wherein each reel is configured to spin. During game play of the base game, the dual symbol, if displayed, persists between different reel spins and moves up one row each reel spin from a previous symbol position to a new symbol position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Kelly Lockheed, Jeffrey Uss, Hanna Sanborn, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Jennifer Mizzi, Scott Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20240112539
    Abstract: A gaming system is provided. The gaming system may include a game display configured to display a game interface including a matrix having a plurality of rows including a plurality of matrix positions and a processor configured to determine a number of wild symbols currently displayed in the matrix, in response to determining the number of wild symbols currently displayed in the matrix exceeds a threshold number, determine a number of spin credits, in response to the number of spin credits being greater than zero, determine a weighting factor defining a probability for displaying a symbol in a respective matrix position, apply the determined weighting factors to respective lookup tables for each matrix position not currently displaying a wild symbol, and determine, for each matrix position not currently displaying a wild symbol, a symbol to display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Erick Ching, Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi, Nathan Warms, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Zachary Smith, Jeffrey Uss, Kelly Lockheed
  • Publication number: 20240105017
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a processor and a memory storing a plurality of stage game rule sets. Each rule set of the stage game rule sets corresponding with a stage of a game. The processor is programmed to cause display of columns each including symbol positions based on a first game configuration for a first instance of a first stage of the game and determine a first game outcome for the first instance based on the first game configuration and a first rule set. The processor is further programmed to change the first game configuration to a second game configuration based on a first trigger symbol occurring in the first game outcome and determine a second game outcome for a first game instance of a second stage of the game based on the second game configuration and a second rule set associated with the second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Zachary Cohen, Nathan Warms, Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching, Rogelio Decasa, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240105016
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system is provided. The electronic gaming system may include a game display configured to display a game interface including a first matrix having a first plurality of matrix positions and a second matrix having a second plurality of matrix positions, a memory, and a processor in communication with the game display and the memory. The processor may be configured to identify a user profile associated with a current session, retrieve, from the memory in association with the identified user profile, a record of a first persistent symbol displayed in a first matrix position of the second plurality of matrix positions, generate, in the first matrix, a base game outcome, determine, based on the base game outcome, to increment the value associated with the first persistent symbol in the first matrix position, and increment the value associated with the first persistent symbol in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Warms, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Erick Ching, Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi
  • Publication number: 20240071169
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing games of chance with multiple levels of persistent features are disclosed. Some example systems include scatter prize indicators that are each associated with different symbol positions of a game of chance. When a scatter symbol is selected for a given symbol position, the scatter prize indicator associated therewith may be upgraded; selection of a sufficient number of symbol positions may result in a feature game mode being activated. During feature game mode play, scatter symbols are retained after each play of the game until either sufficient consecutive plays occur without any scatter symbols being obtained or until all symbol positions have scatter symbols. In the latter case, the scatter prize indicators are upgraded and play continues. In the former case, the feature game mode concludes. Various enhancements may be triggered based on the number of times that the feature game mode has been activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Warms, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Zachary Smith, Erick Ching, Jeffrey Uss, Hanna Sanborn
  • Publication number: 20240038025
    Abstract: Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are provided for presenting games of chance in which a symbol or symbols displayed in a designated proper subset of symbol positions in a reel display area are treated as feature game trigger symbols for a given play of a base game of the game of chance. In some instances, the appearance of a symbol of a particular symbol type in a symbol position in the proper subset of symbol positions may cause the number of symbol positions in the proper subset of symbol positions to be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Erick Ching, Amit Sharma, Jennifer Mizzi, Nathan Warms, Shayer Waseem Shaik
  • Patent number: 11887428
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing games of chance with multiple levels of persistent features are disclosed. Some example systems include scatter prize indicators that are each associated with different symbol positions of a game of chance. When a scatter symbol is selected for a given symbol position, the scatter prize indicator associated therewith may be upgraded; selection of a sufficient number of symbol positions may result in a feature game mode being activated. During feature game mode play, scatter symbols are retained after each play of the game until either sufficient consecutive plays occur without any scatter symbols being obtained or until all symbol positions have scatter symbols. In the latter case, the scatter prize indicators are upgraded and play continues. In the former case, the feature game mode concludes. Various enhancements may be triggered based on the number of times that the feature game mode has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Warms, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Zachary Smith, Erick Ching, Jeffrey Uss, Hanna Sanborn
  • Publication number: 20240021052
    Abstract: Electronic gaming machines and systems are disclosed that provide for a symbol-based main game that features an array of symbol positions that may, if an array growth condition is met, increase in size. Determining whether the array growth condition is met may involve determining how many array growth symbols are shown in association with a game play. A further determination may be made as to whether a feature game trigger condition is met and, if so, a feature game may be presented that utilizes the same array of symbol positions that were present in the main game when the feature game was triggered. Additional array growth may occur in the feature game if the array growth condition is met again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi, Jeffrey Uss, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Erick Ching
  • Patent number: 11847892
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Erick Ching, Chad La Guardia, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Scott Hopkins, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11816960
    Abstract: Nested frenzy modes for games of chance are disclosed. When a first frenzy mode is activated, opportunities are provided to obtain first frenzy item symbols as part of game outcomes. Each first frenzy item symbol that is obtained in an outcome may cause a number of obtained frenzy items of a featured set of frenzy items to be incremented by a first value. When all frenzy items in the featured set of frenzy items are obtained, a featured set prize is awarded and a new set of frenzy items presented. Additionally, there are opportunities within the first frenzy mode to trigger a second frenzy mode in which second frenzy item symbols are potentially obtainable. Should a second frenzy item symbol be obtained, then the number of obtained frenzy items of the featured set of frenzy items may be incremented by a second value that is greater than the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Hanna Sanborn, Jeffrey Uss, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith
  • Publication number: 20230237877
    Abstract: Electronic gaming machines and systems are disclosed that provide for a symbol-based main game that features an array of symbol positions that may, if an array growth condition is met, increase in size. Determining whether the array growth condition is met may involve determining how many array growth symbols are shown in association with a game play. A further determination may be made as to whether a feature game trigger condition is met and, if so, a feature game may be presented that utilizes the same array of symbol positions that were present in the main game when the feature game was triggered. Additional array growth may occur in the feature game if the array growth condition is met again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Jennifer Mizzi, Jeffrey Uss, Rogelio Decasa, JR., Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Erick Ching, Zachary Cohen, Kelly Lockheed, Scott Hopkins, Carlyn Albright