Patents by Inventor T. Grant Bolling

T. Grant Bolling 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: 11238700
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a player interface, a memory, a display device, and a game controller. The memory stores data that defines initial symbol arrangements. Each initial symbol arrangement provides a respective, predetermined minimum return-to-player. The game controller randomly selects an initial symbol arrangement from the initial symbol arrangements and displays, with the display device, symbols per the selected initial symbol arrangement. The game controller further updates the symbols displayed on the display device to an updated symbol arrangement by moving a symbol per input signals from the player interface. The game controller also presents, on the display device, an award for the updated symbol arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210390822
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display, an indicator display device, a symbol selector, a function allocator, and an award allocator. The display includes display positions. The indicator display device is configured to visually display the indicator symbol for visually identifying a single display position. The symbol selector is configured to randomly select symbols from a set of symbols and, after display of the indicator symbol, place the selected symbols on the display with at least one of the selected symbols placed in each of the display positions including the single display position. The function allocator is configured to determine which symbol is placed in the single display positon and perform a game function in response to the identity of the selected symbol in the single display position. The award allocator may be configured to allocate an award based on at least one of the placed symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, JR.
  • Patent number: 11183033
    Abstract: A processor of a gaming machine displays a game outcome on a display device and accumulates, among symbol meters displayed by the display device, bonus symbols awarded based on the game outcome. After accumulating the bonus symbols, the processor creates, based on input from a player interface, a request to substitute a first set of bonus symbols accumulated among the symbol meters for a second set of bonus symbols accumulated by another gaming machine, and sends the request to the another gaming machine. In response to receiving an acceptance of the request from the another gaming machine, the processor removes the first set of bonus symbols from the symbol meters of the gaming machine, and adds the second set of bonus symbols to the symbol meters of the gaming machine. The processor triggers an event in response to the symbol meters accumulating a winning set of bonus symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11120660
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display, an indicator display device, a symbol selector, a function allocator, and an award allocator. The display includes display positions. The indicator display device is configured to visually display the indicator symbol for visually identifying a single display position. The symbol selector is configured to randomly select symbols from a set of symbols and, after display of the indicator symbol, place the selected symbols on the display with at least one of the selected symbols placed in each of the display positions including the single display position. The function allocator is configured to determine which symbol is placed in the single display position and perform a game function in response to the identity of the selected symbol in the single display position. The award allocator may be configured to allocate an award based on at least one of the placed symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210280019
    Abstract: A gaming machine having an electronic display which displays a plurality of empty drinking cups. A game controller causes the display of a ball and its movement toward and into one of the empty cups. A game play mechanism allows the player to direct the movement of the ball. If the player is successful in movement of a ball into a cup, the cup and the ball is then removed from the display. During play of the game, an amount of sobriety is determined in accord with the number of cups removed by the player. In accordance with the amount of sobriety determined, the cups are displayed in wobbling movement in order to give amusement to the game as well as difficulty in the play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: T. Grant Bolling, JR., Kurt Larsen, C'era Oliveira, Joseph Masinter
  • Patent number: 11049368
    Abstract: A gaming machine having an electronic display which displays a plurality of empty drinking cups. A game controller causes the display of a ball and its movement toward and into one of the empty cups. A game play mechanism allows the player to direct the movement of the ball. If the player is successful in movement of a ball into a cup, the cup and the ball is then removed from the display. During play of the game, an amount of sobriety is determined in accord with the number of cups removed by the player. In accordance with the amount of sobriety determined, the cups are displayed in wobbling movement in order to give amusement to the game as well as difficulty in the play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: T. Grant Bolling, Jr., Kurt Larsen, C′era Oliveira, Joseph Masinter
  • Publication number: 20210019985
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system conducts a reel-based electronic wagering game, in which jackpot upgrade symbols are added to one or more reel strips based on the occurrence of one or more reel upgrade symbols in the wagering game. In the exemplary embodiment, jackpot upgrade symbols are added to a third reel strip based on the occurrence of one or more reel upgrade symbols on a first reel strip, and to a fifth reel strip based on the occurrence of one or more reel upgrade symbols on the third reel strip. In addition, jackpot upgrade symbols are added to the first and third reel strips to replace the one or more reel upgrade symbols occurring thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: T. Grant Bolling, JR., Michael P. Casey
  • Publication number: 20200402364
    Abstract: A reel-based electronic gaming system, electronic gaming device, and electronic wagering game in which a player is provided one or more player actions during the course of play. The player actions allow the player to alter an active play area in a variety of ways. The system controls the return to player based on potential user actions and their associated potential outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, JR.
  • Patent number: 10796529
    Abstract: A reel-based electronic gaming system, electronic gaming device, and electronic wagering game in which a player is provided one or more player actions during the course of play. The player actions allow the player to alter an active play area in a variety of ways. The system controls the return to player based on potential user actions and their associated potential outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10796521
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system conducts a reel-based electronic wagering game, in which jackpot upgrade symbols are added to one or more reel strips based on the occurrence of one or more reel upgrade symbols in the wagering game. In the exemplary embodiment, jackpot upgrade symbols are added to a third reel strip based on the occurrence of one or more reel upgrade symbols on a first reel strip, and to a fifth reel strip based on the occurrence of one or more reel upgrade symbols on the third reel strip. In addition, jackpot upgrade symbols are added to the first and third reel strips to replace the one or more reel upgrade symbols occurring thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: T. Grant Bolling, Jr., Michael P. Casey
  • Patent number: 10769883
    Abstract: An electronic method of operating a gaming system includes a game controller. The method includes forming, using the game controller, at least one dynamically generated reel strip by a) conducting a random determination to select one of a plurality of different arrangements of a defined number of stacked symbols, each arrangement dividing the defined number of stacked symbols into a different number of stacks of the symbol, and b) adding the selected arrangement to symbols predefined for the respective reel strip; selecting symbols, using the game controller, from a set of reel strips including the at least one dynamically generated reel strip; displaying the selected symbols on the display; and making, using the game controller, an award if the selected symbols include one or more winning outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: T. Grant Bolling, Jr., Kurt Larsen
  • Publication number: 20200234540
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and game machine are presented, that provide a skill-based game of a wagering machine with a predetermined return-to-player. The method includes constructing, for each initial game state of a plurality of initial game states, a decision tree that includes a root node, intermediary nodes, leaf nodes, and collective leaf nodes that each represents a class of game states and its expected minimum payout. The method further includes determining, based on the decision tree for each initial game state, an expected minimum payout for the respective initial game state; and generating, for the wagering machine, a table that weights each initial game state of the plurality of initial games states based on its respective expected minimum payout to achieve a desired minimum return-to-player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200234538
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a player interface, a memory, a display device, and a game controller. The memory stores data that defines initial symbol arrangements. Each initial symbol arrangement provides a respective, predetermined minimum return-to-player. The game controller randomly selects an initial symbol arrangement from the initial symbol arrangements and displays, with the display device, symbols per the selected initial symbol arrangement. The game controller further updates the symbols displayed on the display device to an updated symbol arrangement by moving a symbol per input signals from the player interface. The game controller also presents, on the display device, an award for the updated symbol arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200168055
    Abstract: A processor of a gaming machine displays a game outcome on a display device and accumulates, among symbol meters displayed by the display device, bonus symbols awarded based on the game outcome. After accumulating the bonus symbols, the processor creates, based on input from a player interface, a request to substitute a first set of bonus symbols accumulated among the symbol meters for a second set of bonus symbols accumulated by another gaming machine, and sends the request to the another gaming machine. In response to receiving an acceptance of the request from the another gaming machine, the processor removes the first set of bonus symbols from the symbol meters of the gaming machine, and adds the second set of bonus symbols to the symbol meters of the gaming machine. The processor triggers an event in response to the symbol meters accumulating a winning set of bonus symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, JR.
  • Patent number: 10636250
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and game machine are presented, which provide a predetermined return-to-player for a skill-based wagering game. The method includes determining, for each initial game state of a plurality of initial game states, a predetermined expected minimum payout that accounts for skill-based moves of a player. The method further includes weighting each initial game state of the plurality of initial game states based on its respective predetermined expected minimum payout and a desired minimum return-to-player for the predetermined return-to-player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRAILIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10621827
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism, a player interface, a display device, and a game controller. The game controller increases a credit balance of a credit meter based on monetary value of a physical item received by the credit input mechanism, and decreases the credit balance based on a wager. The game controller further randomly selects an initial game screen from a plurality of initial game screens in a manner that ensures a predetermined minimum return-to-player. The game controller also displays symbols in display positions of the display device per an initial symbol arrangement specified by the selected initial game screen, and updates symbols in the display positions per the move represented by the input signals to obtain updated symbols. The game controller increase the credit balance based on an award associated with the updated symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10565831
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism, a display device, symbol meters, a player interface, and a game controller. The player interface generates input signals representative of a trade offer. The trade offer specifies a first set of bonus symbols accumulated by the first symbol meters to be traded for a second set of bonus symbols accumulated by another gaming machine. The game controller randomly generates a game outcome displayed by the display device, and accumulates respective bonus symbols of the game outcome among the first symbol meters. In response to an acceptance of the trade offer, the game controller removes the first set of bonus symbols from the first symbol meters and adds the second set of bonus symbols to the first symbol meters. The game controller further triggers an event in response to the first symbol meters accumulating a winning set of bonus symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190378375
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism, a player interface, a display device, and a game controller. The game controller increases a credit balance of a credit meter based on monetary value of a physical item received by the credit input mechanism, and decreases the credit balance based on a wager. The game controller further randomly selects an initial game screen from a plurality of initial game screens in a manner that ensures a predetermined minimum return-to-player. The game controller also displays symbols in display positions of the display device per an initial symbol arrangement specified by the selected initial game screen, and updates symbols in the display positions per the move represented by the input signals to obtain updated symbols. The game controller increase the credit balance based on an award associated with the updated symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190378376
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and game machine are presented, which provide a predetermined return-to-player for a skill-based wagering game. The method includes determining, for each initial game state of a plurality of initial game states, a predetermined expected minimum payout that accounts for skill-based moves of a player. The method further includes weighting each initial game state of the plurality of initial game states based on its respective predetermined expected minimum payout and a desired minimum return-to-player for the predetermined return-to-player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190378378
    Abstract: A reel-based electronic gaming system, electronic gaming device, and electronic wagering game in which a player is provided one or more player actions during the course of play. The player actions allow the player to alter an active play area in a variety of ways. The system controls the return to player based on potential user actions and their associated potential outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventor: T. Grant Bolling, JR.