Patents by Inventor William George Cormack

William George Cormack 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: 11715350
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and an electronic controller for playing a first game. The electronic controller is configured to randomly determine whether to display one or more bonus symbols in the first game, each bonus symbol being associated with a bonus value award. Where a trigger event occurs during the first game, such as the appearance of a predetermined order of bonus symbols, electronic controller is configured to display an array of the bonus symbols on the display or optionally on another display. Where bonus symbols appear in further plays of the first game or plays of a second game, the bonus symbols are added to the array and bonus symbols present on the array are sequentially transferred to a win meter, which increments by the amount of the associated bonus value award of each transferred bonus symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Ainsworth Game Technology Limited
    Inventor: William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20220076534
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and an electronic controller for playing a first game. The electronic controller is configured to randomly determine whether to display one or more bonus symbols in the first game, each bonus symbol being associated with a bonus value award. Where a trigger event occurs during the first game, such as the appearance of a predetermined order of bonus symbols, electronic controller is configured to display an array of the bonus symbols on the display or optionally on another display. Where bonus symbols appear in further plays of the first game or plays of a second game, the bonus symbols are added to the array and bonus symbols present on the array are sequentially transferred to a win meter, which increments by the amount of the associated bonus value award of each transferred bonus symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: William George Cormack
  • Patent number: 11176779
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and an electronic controller for playing a first game. The electronic controller is configured to randomly determine whether to display one or more bonus symbols in the first game, each bonus symbol being associated with a bonus value award. Where a trigger event occurs during the first game, such as the appearance of a predetermined order of bonus symbols, electronic controller is configured to display an array of the bonus symbols on the display or optionally on another display. Where bonus symbols appear in further plays of the first game or plays of a second game, the bonus symbols are added to the array and bonus symbols present on the array are sequentially transferred to a win meter, which increments by the amount of the associated bonus value award of each transferred bonus symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ainsworth Game Technology Limited
    Inventor: William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20200273294
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and an electronic controller for playing a first game. The electronic controller is configured to randomly determine whether to display one or more bonus symbols in the first game, each bonus symbol being associated with a bonus value award. Where a trigger event occurs during the first game, such as the appearance of a predetermined order of bonus symbols, electronic controller is configured to display an array of the bonus symbols on the display or optionally on another display. Where bonus symbols appear in further plays of the first game or plays of a second game, the bonus symbols are added to the array and bonus symbols present on the array are sequentially transferred to a win meter, which increments by the amount of the associated bonus value award of each transferred bonus symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: William George Cormack
  • Patent number: 10650639
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and an electronic controller for playing a first game. The electronic controller is configured to randomly determine whether to display one or more bonus symbols in the first game, each bonus symbol being associated with a bonus value award. Where a trigger event occurs during the first game, such as the appearance of a predetermined order of bonus symbols, electronic controller is configured to display an array of the bonus symbols on the display or optionally on another display. Where bonus symbols appear in further plays of the first game or plays of a second game, the bonus symbols are added to the array and bonus symbols present on the array are sequentially transferred to a win meter, which increments by the amount of the associated bonus value award of each transferred bonus symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ainsworth Game Technology Limited
    Inventor: William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20190130704
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and an electronic controller for playing a first game. The electronic controller is configured to randomly determine whether to display one or more bonus symbols in the first game, each bonus symbol being associated with a bonus value award. Where a trigger event occurs during the first game, such as the appearance of a predetermined order of bonus symbols, electronic controller is configured to display an array of the bonus symbols on the display or optionally on another display. Where bonus symbols appear in further plays of the first game or plays of a second game, the bonus symbols are added to the array and bonus symbols present on the array are sequentially transferred to a win meter, which increments by the amount of the associated bonus value award of each transferred bonus symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20180357861
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display, a value input, and an electronic controller. The controller is configured to determine if a wager has been received, and to display a first game on the at least one display including one or more configurations of game symbols in an array of game symbol positions, one or more of the configurations of game symbols being associated with a game outcome, the game outcome being associated with an prize payable to a player. The controller is also configured to determine if a trigger event has occurred during a play of the first game, and if the trigger event has occurred, to randomly determine a number of free plays for a second game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventor: William George Cormack
  • Patent number: 9721422
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, a prize is awarded. A plurality of sub-games constitute the game displayed on the display. As an initial display, fewer than a full set of images of each of the sub-games are displayed to show a partial outcome of the game, the fewer than the full set of images being representative of a determination of an expected value for each of the sub-games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Mitchell, William George Cormack, Chi We Chim
  • Patent number: 9697689
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gaming machine having a plurality of jackpot prizes associated with it, a player's eligibility to win one of the plurality of jackpot prizes being dependent upon an amount wagered. In a one aspect there is provided a gaming machine having a game control means arranged to play a game, a bet selecting arrangement for selecting one of a number of predetermined amounts to wager on the outcome of the game, each of said predetermined amounts to wager having at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with it, a first display means configured to display the outcome of said game, wherein in the event that a predetermined winning event occurs said game includes the award of at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with a respective selected predetermined amount wagered on the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20160140800
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, a prize is awarded. A plurality of sub-games constitute the game displayed on the display. As an initial display, fewer than a full set of images of each of the sub-games are displayed to show a partial outcome of the game, the fewer than the full set of images being representative of a determination of an expected value for each of the sub-games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Mitchell, William George Cormack, Chi We Chim
  • Patent number: 9245418
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, a prize is awarded. A plurality of sub-games constitute the game displayed on the display. As an initial display, fewer than a full set of images of each of the sub-games are displayed to show a partial outcome of the game, the fewer than the full set of images being representative of a determination of an expected value for each of the sub-games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Mitchell, William George Cormack, Chi We Chim
  • Patent number: 9123207
    Abstract: A gaming system (10, 100) implementing a base game and a feature game. A game controller (101) controls play of the game. The gaming system has at least one display (14, 106) and a player interface (107). The feature game comprises at least one series of game events, in which a plurality of symbols from at least one predetermined symbol set that includes at least first and second symbols, are randomly selected and displayed on the at least one display (14, 106). The feature game is a challenge feature and during play of the feature game, the game controller (101) maintains in computer memory (103) counters for said at least first and second symbols, varies the value of said counters on the occurrence of the at least first and second symbols and causes the at least one display to show a value of the counters. The values of the counters are evaluated against predetermined competitive criteria to determine the outcome of the series of game events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20140051504
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gaming machine having a plurality of jackpot prizes associated with it, a player's eligibility to win one of the plurality of jackpot prizes being dependent upon an amount wagered. In a one aspect there is provided a gaming machine having a game control means arranged to play a game, a bet selecting arrangement for selecting one of a number of predetermined amounts to wager on the outcome of the game, each of said predetermined amounts to wager having at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with it, a first display means configured to display the outcome of said game, wherein in the event that a predetermined winning event occurs said game includes the award of at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with a respective selected predetermined amount wagered on the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Patent number: 8585491
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gaming machine having a plurality of jackpot prizes associated with it, a player's eligibility to win one of the plurality of jackpot prizes being dependent upon an amount wagered. In a one aspect there is provided a gaming machine having a game control means arranged to play a game, a bet selecting arrangement for selecting one of a number of predetermined amounts to wager on the outcome of the game, each of said predetermined amounts to wager having at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with it, a first display means configured to display the outcome of said game, wherein in the event that a predetermined winning event occurs said game includes the award of at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with a respective selected predetermined amount wagered on the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20130217470
    Abstract: A gaming system (10, 100) implementing a base game and a feature game. A game controller (101) controls play of the game. The gaming system has at least one display (14, 106) and a player interface (107). The feature game comprises at least one series of game events, in which a plurality of symbols from at least one predetermined symbol set that includes at least first and second symbols, are randomly selected and displayed on the at least one display (14, 106). The feature game is a challenge feature and during play of the feature game, the game controller (101) maintains in computer memory (103) counters for said at least first and second symbols, varies the value of said counters on the occurrence of the at least first and second symbols and causes the at least one display to show a value of the counters. The values of the counters are evaluated against predetermined competitive criteria to determine the outcome of the series of game events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Patent number: 8414376
    Abstract: A gaming system (10, 100) implementing a base game and a feature game. A game controller (101) controls play of the game. The gaming system has at least one display (14, 106) and a player interface (107). The feature game comprises at least one series of game events, in which a plurality of symbols from at least one predetermined symbol set that includes at least first and second symbols, are randomly selected and displayed on the at least one display (14, 106). The feature game is a challenge feature and during play of the feature game, the game controller (101) maintains in computer memory (103) counters for said at least first and second symbols, varies the value of said counters on the occurrence of the at least first and second symbols and causes the at least one display to show a value of the counters. The values of the counters are evaluated against predetermined competitive criteria to determine the outcome of the series of game events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Patent number: 8182325
    Abstract: A gaming system (10, 100) implementing a base game and a feature game. A game controller (101) controls play of the game. The gaming system has at least one display (14, 106) and a player interface (107). The feature game comprises at least one series of game events, in which a plurality of symbols from at least one predetermined symbol set that includes at least first and second symbols, are randomly selected and displayed on the at least one display (14, 106). The feature game is a challenge feature and during play of the feature game, the game controller (101) maintains in computer memory (103) counters for said at least first and second symbols, varies the value of said counters on the occurrence of the at least first and second symbols and causes the at least one display to show a value of the counters. The values of the counters are evaluated against predetermined competitive criteria to determine the outcome of the series of game events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Patent number: 8182332
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, a prize is awarded. A plurality of sub-games constitute the game displayed on the display. As an initial display, fewer than a full set of images of each of the sub-games are displayed to show a partial outcome of the game, the fewer than the full set of images being representative of a determination of an expected value for each of the sub-games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia
    Inventors: Peter Mitchell, William George Cormack, Chi We Chim
  • Publication number: 20110237320
    Abstract: A gaming system (10, 100) implementing a base game and a feature game. A game controller (101) controls play of the game. The gaming system has at least one display (14, 106) and a player interface (107). The feature game comprises at least one series of game events, in which a plurality of symbols from at least one predetermined symbol set that includes at least first and second symbols, are randomly selected and displayed on the at least one display (14, 106). The feature game is a challenge feature and during play of the feature game, the game controller (101) maintains in computer memory (103) counters for said at least first and second symbols, varies the value of said counters on the occurrence of the at least first and second symbols and causes the at least one display to show a value of the counters. The values of the counters are evaluated against predetermined competitive criteria to determine the outcome of the series of game events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack
  • Publication number: 20100120523
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gaming machine having a plurality of jackpot prizes associated with it, a player's eligibility to win one of the plurality of jackpot prizes being dependent upon an amount wagered. In a one aspect there is provided a gaming machine having a game control means arranged to play a game, a bet selecting arrangement for selecting one of a number of predetermined amounts to wager on the outcome of the game, each of said predetermined amounts to wager having at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with it, a first display means configured to display the outcome of said game, wherein in the event that a predetermined winning event occurs said game includes the award of at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with a respective selected predetermined amount wagered on the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, William George Cormack