Patents by Inventor Nicholas Luke Bennett

Nicholas Luke Bennett 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: 20160321861
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a plurality of outcomes of a game of chance are provided. In a spinning reel game, for example, a first game event may be provided in which a plurality of symbols are spun up on a plurality of spinning reels to form an array of symbols, each spinning reel spinning up at least three symbols and at least one of the spinning reels being defined so that at least two feature symbols can be simultaneously spun up on that reel. A result of the spin is evaluated to assess whether two or more feature symbols have been spun up on the same reel. If so, a second game event is provided in which the two or more feature symbols and all other symbols spun up on the same reel are converted to special symbols. The special symbols have an enhanced play characteristic in comparison to the other symbols, and the outcome of the game is re-evaluated to establish whether any outcomes exist which define a winning combination. A prize or an award is awarded if one or more winning combinations exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Publication number: 20160292968
    Abstract: A gaming machine (10) has a display (14) and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display (14). The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein one or more random events arc caused to be displayed on the display (14) and, if a predefined winning event results, the machine (10) awards a prize which is credited to a credit meter of the machine (10). The credit meter includes two meter displays, a first meter display (42.1) indicating credit which is available for expenditure in the machine (10) to play at least one game and a second meter display (42.2) indicating credit set aside by at least one of a player and the game controller and which credit is unavailable to the player for wagering on a game but which is only available by termination of a playing session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant, Peter Stathis
  • Publication number: 20160292962
    Abstract: A method of triggering a multi-player game, comprising: determining a current number of eligible gaming machines; communicating current hit rate data based on the current number of eligible gaming machines to at least each eligible gaming machine; determining at each eligible gaming machine whether to trigger the multi-player game at a hit rate based on the current hit rate data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Philippa Alice Graham
  • Patent number: 9390593
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a plurality of outcomes of a game of chance are provided. In a spinning reel game, for example, a first game event may be provided in which a plurality of symbols are spun up on a plurality of spinning reels to form an array of symbols, each spinning reel spinning up at least three symbols and at least one of the spinning reels being defined so that at least two feature symbols can be simultaneously spun up on that reel. A result of the spin is evaluated to assess whether two or more feature symbols have been spun up on the same reel. If so, a second game event is provided in which the two or more feature symbols and all other symbols spun up on the same reel are converted to special symbols. The special symbols have an enhanced play characteristic in comparison to the other symbols, and the outcome of the game is re-evaluated to establish whether any outcomes exist which define a winning combination. A prize or an award is awarded if one or more winning combinations exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty, Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 9367986
    Abstract: A gaming machine (10) has a display (14) and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display (14). The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein one or more random events arc caused to be displayed on the display (14) and, if a predefined winning event results, the machine (10) awards a prize which is credited to a credit meter of the machine (10). The credit meter includes two meter displays, a first meter display (42.1) indicating credit which is available for expenditure in the machine (10) to play at least one game and a second meter display (42.2) indicating credit set aside by at least one of a player and the game controller and which credit is unavailable to the player for wagering on a game but which is only available by termination of a playing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant, Peter Stathis
  • Patent number: 9364753
    Abstract: A method of triggering a multi-player game, comprising: determining a current number of eligible gaming machines; communicating current hit rate data based on the current number of eligible gaming machines to at least each eligible gaming machine; determining at each eligible gaming machine whether to trigger the multi-player game at a hit rate based on the current hit rate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Philippa Alice Graham
  • Patent number: 9324211
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming console. A display is mounted in the gaming console for displaying a wagering game and its result. A controller controls operation of the game, the controller displaying the result of a first game on the display, making payment of a prize if the first game has a prize winning result and, thereafter, irrespective of the result of the first game, varying a result displayed on the display without requiring any additional wager by a player whether before or after completion of the first game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 9317992
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a controller for controlling operation of the machine, a primary display is provided on which a game to be played is displayed. A secondary display is also provided on which a scorecard, indicating prizes to be paid upon a winning game being achieved, is displayed. The game and the scorecard are controlled by the controller and the scorecard is a dynamic scorecard with the relationship between combinations of symbols constituting a winning game and the prizes awarded by the scorecard for that particular game changing from game to game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Philippa Graham, Natalie Bryant
  • Patent number: 9311768
    Abstract: Certain examples provide gaming systems and methods. An example gaming system includes a display and a game controller arranged to: cause the display to display a plurality of game displays in which a plurality of games will be carried out; receive a player selection of a game of the plurality of games; carry out the plurality of games in their respective game displays; and make an award upon a comparison of an outcome of the player selected game with an outcome of a non-selected game or games satisfying an award criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Stevens, Nicholas Luke Bennett, Philippa Alice Graham
  • Publication number: 20160063807
    Abstract: A console is described, having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which one or more symbols are randomly selected as a combination of symbols and displayed on the display means. If a winning combination results, the machine awards a prize. In some circumstances, the console will display an animated character to communicate information to the player. The character is independent of and appears asynchronously with respect to the game being played and is arranged to appear super imposed over any game screen currently displayed at the time the character is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant, Stephen Byng
  • Patent number: 9123210
    Abstract: A console is described, having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which one or more symbols are randomly selected as a combination of symbols and displayed on the display means. If a winning combination results, the machine awards a prize. In some circumstances, the console will display an animated character to communicate information to the player. The character is independent of and appears asynchronously with respect to the game being played and is arranged to appear super imposed over any game screen currently displayed at the time the character is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant, Stephen Byng
  • Patent number: 9111415
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: receiving a bet from a player; awarding to the player an entitlement to a plurality of game outcomes in exchange for the bet; determining that the player has exhausted the entitlement; and determining, subsequent to exhaustion of the entitlement, whether the player is entitled to an award based, at least in part, on at least one of the game outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 9089764
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: providing a table game of the type where a player seeks to sink one or more balls of a set of balls in one or more pockets of the table by striking the balls with a cue ball in accordance with the rules of the table game; receiving a wager from a player additional to any amount required to play the table game, the wager entitling the player to receive at least one bonus associated with an event if the player achieves the event; and electronically monitoring play of the table game to determine whether the player achieves the event and the bonus should be awarded to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 9076309
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: determining at least one game outcome; determining a total award from the at least one game outcome; modifying the total award based on a size of the total award to obtain a modified total award; and awarding the modified total award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 9076302
    Abstract: A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, wherein, when a special symbol is carried by a symbol-carrying element into a display position on the display means, the special symbol substitutes as more than one occurrence of a standard symbol of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Publication number: 20150057070
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: a) displaying a plurality of display positions to a player, at least one of the display positions corresponding to a hidden object to be sought by the player; b) determining a selection of a display position; c) revealing whether or not the selected display position corresponds to the hidden object; e) determining whether to allow a selection by conducting at least one trial, each trial comprising seeking to complete a symbol combination; and f) repeating steps b) to e) until either the symbol combination is completed or a designated number of hidden objects is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: George Roukis, Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 8900049
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming system and a method of gaming that includes a wheel game. A displayed representation of the wheel game is a wheel having a number of segments. Each segment is associated with a particular game outcome and an indicator indicates the segment with the selected game outcome for a particular game. At least one of the segments is associated with a game outcome which requires a further play of the wheel game. Outcomes of the wheel game are adjusted before play of the further game, which is then played including the adjusted available game outcomes. In an embodiment, the game outcomes are adjusted by multiplication factor, which is determined by a further selector, in an embodiment represented as a die at the center of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 8882581
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: a) displaying a plurality of display positions to a player, at least one of the display positions corresponding to a hidden object to be sought by the player; b) determining a selection of a display position; c) revealing whether or not the selected display position corresponds to the hidden object; e) determining whether to allow a selection by conducting at least one trial, each trial comprising seeking to complete a symbol combination; and f) repeating steps b) to e) until either the symbol combination is completed or a designated number of hidden objects is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: George Roukis, Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 8876588
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a spinning reel game wherein one or more random events are caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. When at least one special symbol appears on the display, the special symbol is held in a superimposed representation in that position for at least one further game while at least that reel carrying the special symbol is re-spun for the at least one further game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant
  • Patent number: 8795062
    Abstract: A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming devices; a common physical group game display comprising a an object arranged to travel on a path relative to the plurality of gaming devices; and a group game controller in data communication with the plurality of gaming devices and the group game display, the group game controller configured to: determine a game outcome of a group game; and control movement of the object relative to the plurality of gaming devices based on the game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Pty Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett