Patents by Inventor Robert Honeycutt

Robert Honeycutt 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: 11043063
    Abstract: A gaming machine having a display and a user interface. At least one symbol is spun up on each of a plurality of spinning reels and displayed on the display to form outcomes. If a particular outcome occurs, the gaming machine awards an award. Each reel has an associated set of symbols. The display also displays a plurality of game options, each game option designating a respective number of free games that are each associated with a designated multiplier. A game controller (a) receives an input choosing one of the options; and (b) sequentially plays each of the number of free games according to the chosen game option. If an award is payable as a result of playing the number of free games, that award is modified by the designated multiplier associated with the respective number of free games for the chosen game option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Ryan Paul Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 10977900
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes an electronic gaming machine configured to execute a wagering game, an overhead display, and a progressive system server. The progressive system server is configured to: (i) receive, from the electronic gaming machine, a message including at least one of a) a progressive jackpot value, b) a progressive jackpot level, and c) a progressive jackpot multiplier, the progressive jackpot value, the progressive jackpot level, and the progressive jackpot multiplier awarded by the electronic gaming machine during the wagering game; (ii) calculate a multiplied progressive jackpot value by multiplying the received progressive jackpot value by the received progressive jackpot multiplier; and (iii) transmit the multiplied progressive jackpot value to the electronic gaming machine, wherein the electronic gaming machine is configured to increase a credit balance associated with the wagering game based on the multiplied progressive jackpot value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 10964173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to gaming machines, systems and methods of gaming. There are a number of different ways available for determining an award by current gaming machines and systems. In this embodiment, a game controller is arranged to determine an award depending on the number of columns spanned by a cluster of symbols and the number of symbol positions in the cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryan Paul Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Stephanie Johns, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20210090396
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes an electronic gaming machine configured to execute a wagering game, an overhead display, and a progressive system server. The progressive system server is configured to: (i) receive, from the electronic gaming machine, a message including at least one of a) a progressive jackpot value, b) a progressive jackpot level, and c) a progressive jackpot multiplier, the progressive jackpot value, the progressive jackpot level, and the progressive jackpot multiplier awarded by the electronic gaming machine during the wagering game; (ii) calculate a multiplied progressive jackpot value by multiplying the received progressive jackpot value by the received progressive jackpot multiplier; and (iii) transmit the multiplied progressive jackpot value to the electronic gaming machine, wherein the electronic gaming machine is configured to increase a credit balance associated with the wagering game based on the multiplied progressive jackpot value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20210082252
    Abstract: According to some implementations, when a triggering symbol lands in a defined area of a slot game display during an instance of a base game, there is a chance that the triggering symbol may change to a new symbol. If so, the new symbol may be held in the defined area and may persist during one or more additional purchased base game instances. The new symbol may persist if at least one additional triggering symbol lands in the defined area in subsequent bought games. Each additional triggering symbol may automatically change to a new symbol as the additional triggering symbol lands in the defined area of the slot game display. Whether the triggering symbol will change to a new symbol may involve a random component. In some examples, the greater the number of triggering symbols, the greater the probability the triggering symbol will change to the new symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Ryan Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Emily Ross
  • Publication number: 20210056807
    Abstract: The disclosed technology describes various embodiments for providing a non-standard progressive jackpot mechanic, which can be used to control an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”). Certain embodiments, for example, comprise inputting wager data identifying a wager selected by a player of a reel game offered by the EGM, wherein the reel game includes one or more progressive jackpot awards; and in response to the inputting, computing updated values of the one or more progressive jackpot awards, wherein the updated values are computed based at least in part on a multiplier value that alters a first set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards into a second set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards different than the first set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20210043034
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine is provided, including a player interface, a meter, a game display, and a game controller. The player interface is configured to receive a wager for a round of the wagering game. The meter is configured to record a wager amount for the round. The game display is configured to display a matrix of symbols. The game controller is coupled to the meter and the game display. The game controller is configured to conduct the round of the wagering game, including selecting the matrix of symbols. The game controller is further configured to detect a trigger symbol among the matrix of symbols. The trigger symbol corresponds to a multiplier feature. The game controller is further configured to award a multiple of the wager amount according to the multiplier feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Stephanie Johns
  • Publication number: 20210019983
    Abstract: After determining that a player has won a base game, an electronic gaming machine may award one or more free instances of a game as a bonus game or a round of bonus games. If the EGM determines that a player has won a bonus game, the EGM may present a bonus wheel. The bonus wheel may be partitioned into segments, one of which corresponds to a top-level progressive award. Other segments may correspond to multipliers of an amount won in the bonus game. A player may have a chance to win the top-level progressive award during each spin of the bonus wheel, even if the player has already won the top-level progressive award during a prior spin of the bonus wheel during the same round of bonus games. The bonus wheel may be a “weighted” wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20200364972
    Abstract: A gaming machine may be configured for supporting games that include use of pay modalities, which are overlaid on selected symbols. The gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism configured for establishing a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activities, a display having a plurality of display positions, and a game controller to select a plurality of symbols, to cause the display to display the selected symbols, to determine if the selected symbols associated with at least one of one or more predetermined reels of the plurality of reels include a special symbol, and if so, to determine one or more special values associated with the special symbol, and to overlay a particular one of the one or more special values on each displayed instance of the special symbol. The game controller determines a payout based on assigned special values associated with the displayed special symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 10839638
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine is provided, including a player interface, a meter, a game display, and a game controller. The player interface is configured to receive a wager for a round of the wagering game. The meter is configured to record a wager amount for the round. The game display is configured to display a matrix of symbols. The game controller is coupled to the meter and the game display. The game controller is configured to conduct the round of the wagering game, including selecting the matrix of symbols. The game controller is further configured to detect a trigger symbol among the matrix of symbols. The trigger symbol corresponds to a multiplier feature. The game controller is further configured to award a multiple of the wager amount according to the multiplier feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Stephanie Johns
  • Patent number: 10832524
    Abstract: The disclosed technology describes various embodiments for providing a non-standard progressive jackpot mechanic, which can be used to control an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”). Certain embodiments, for example, comprise inputting wager data identifying a wager selected by a player of a reel game offered by the EGM, wherein the reel game includes one or more progressive jackpot awards; and in response to the inputting, computing updated values of the one or more progressive jackpot awards, wherein the updated values are computed based at least in part on a multiplier value that alters a first set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards into a second set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards different than the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 10818128
    Abstract: After determining that a player has won a base game, an electronic gaming machine may award one or more free instances of a game as a bonus game or a round of bonus games. If the EGM determines that a player has won a bonus game, the EGM may present a bonus wheel. The bonus wheel may be partitioned into segments, one of which corresponds to a top-level progressive award. Other segments may correspond to multipliers of an amount won in the bonus game. A player may have a chance to win the top-level progressive award during each spin of the bonus wheel, even if the player has already won the top-level progressive award during a prior spin of the bonus wheel during the same round of bonus games. The bonus wheel may be a “weighted” wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 10720007
    Abstract: A gaming machine may be configured for supporting games that include use of pay modalities, which are overlaid on selected symbols. The gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism configured for establishing a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activities, a display having a plurality of display positions, and a game controller to select a plurality of symbols, to cause the display to display the selected symbols, to determine if the selected symbols associated with at least one of one or more predetermined reels of the plurality of reels include a special symbol, and if so, to determine one or more special values associated with the special symbol, and to overlay a particular one of the one or more special values on each displayed instance of the special symbol. The game controller determines a payout based on assigned special values associated with the displayed special symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LImited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20200211331
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of reel strips that each include a column of symbol display positions, where each symbol display position includes a symbol, and evaluating each of the symbols in the symbol display positions. The method also includes determining that at least one of the symbols corresponds to a first in-game event, where the first in-game event is associated with a first value, and adding the first value associated with the first in-game event to a first progressive jackpot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Christopher Barney, Theodore Hase, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 10629032
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of reel strips that each include a column of symbol display positions, where each symbol display position includes a symbol, and evaluating each of the symbols in the symbol display positions. The method also includes determining that at least one of the symbols corresponds to a first in-game event, where the first in-game event is associated with a first value, and adding the first value associated with the first in-game event to a first progressive jackpot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Christopher Barney, Theodore Hase, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Publication number: 20200090460
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, a method of electronic gaming includes selecting a plurality of primary game symbols, displaying the plurality of primary game symbols, initiating, based upon the plurality of primary game symbols, a secondary game, displaying a trigger symbol in association with the secondary game, displaying a trigger symbol action associated with the trigger symbol, selecting a plurality of secondary game symbols in association with the secondary game (where one of the secondary game symbols comprising the trigger symbol), displaying the plurality of secondary game symbols, and performing the trigger symbol action based upon the trigger symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Stephanie Johns
  • Publication number: 20200043281
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, a method of electronic gaming includes initiating, in response to an initial wager, a primary game, selecting, in response to the initiating the primary game, a plurality of primary game symbols, and displaying the plurality of primary game symbols in a plurality of symbol display positions associated with a plurality of reel strips. The method may further include initiating, in response to the initial wager, a jackpot game, selecting, in response to initiating the jackpot game, a jackpot game symbol from a plurality of jackpot game symbols, displaying the jackpot game symbol in a symbol display position associated with a single reel strip, and determining a jackpot award based upon the jackpot game symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Theodore Hase, Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Publication number: 20190392674
    Abstract: After determining that a player has won a base game, an electronic gaming machine may award one or more free instances of a game as a bonus game or a round of bonus games. If the EGM determines that a player has won a bonus game, the EGM may present a bonus wheel. The bonus wheel may be partitioned into segments, one of which corresponds to a top-level progressive award. Other segments may correspond to multipliers of an amount won in the bonus game. A player may have a chance to win the top-level progressive award during each spin of the bonus wheel, even if the player has already won the top-level progressive award during a prior spin of the bonus wheel during the same round of bonus games. The bonus wheel may be a “weighted” wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20190371121
    Abstract: Described herein is a gaming machine and, a method of gaming thereon, comprising: a symbol selector for selecting a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols during play of a game, the set of symbols including a plurality of function symbols; a display having at least a game area, the selected symbols being displayed in said game area; an outcome evaluator for determining that at least one predefined triggering criterion is satisfied; and a game area expander for expanding said game area in response to said at least one predefined triggering criterion being satisfied, such that at least one additional symbol of the set of symbols is displayed in an expanded game area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Paul Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Stephanie Johns, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 10490020
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, a method of electronic gaming includes selecting a plurality of primary game symbols, displaying the plurality of primary game symbols, initiating, based upon the plurality of primary game symbols, a secondary game, displaying a trigger symbol in association with the secondary game, displaying a trigger symbol action associated with the trigger symbol, selecting a plurality of secondary game symbols in association with the secondary game (where one of the secondary game symbols comprising the trigger symbol), displaying the plurality of secondary game symbols, and performing the trigger symbol action based upon the trigger symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Stephanie Johns