Patents by Inventor Yanis Tsombanidis

Yanis Tsombanidis 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: 11961370
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Ryan Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Emily Ross
  • Publication number: 20240119794
    Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly configured to present symbol positions and award options including award indicia, and further to present: (i) a game outcome by populating the symbol positions with symbols, and (ii) in response to the symbols including at least one trigger symbol and at least one award symbol, an award sequence comprising a cycle for each trigger symbol, each cycle of the award sequence including: selecting a respective one or more award options for each award symbol, updating award indicia for each award symbol based on the award value associated with the respective selected award options, aggregating award values indicated by the updated award indicia of the award symbols, and, in response to determining the award sequence includes one or more remaining cycles, removing the updated award indicia from the award symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Yanis TSOMBANIDIS, Ted HASE, Zachary SCHMID, Joshua SIEVERDING, Hong WEI
  • Publication number: 20240096167
    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: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 11922768
    Abstract: Many gaming devices use a movable box, indicator, or other area-based selector (collectively, a “selector”) to determine whether a particular instance of a game generates a payout to a player (e.g., the player “wins”). Thus, the selector may be used to control either or both of a return to player (“RTP”) or volatility of the electronic gaming device. The selector may change its position between games or during a game, such as while values for one or more positions on a playing field are undetermined. The selector may move (e.g., change its position) in a random or semi-random fashion. The selector may change its size between games or during a game, such that it encompasses more or fewer positions on the playing field than during the previous game. The selector may be used to control either or both of a gaming device's RTP or volatility, and the selector's position, size, or the like may vary between games to ensure that the gaming device's RTP and/or volatility remain within acceptable ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Klepzig, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Publication number: 20230419787
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided gaming methods and a system that utilize a presentation assembly configured to present a first series of spins of a plurality of reels arranged in an array, the plurality of reels including value-bearing symbols, wherein, when at least a specified number of the value-bearing symbols land in the array, the value-bearing symbols are held in place during a second series of spins of the plurality of reels in which the plurality of reels include advancement symbols. When an advancement symbol lands in the array, an index indicating one of a plurality of modifiers is incremented. At a conclusion of the second series of spins, the values of the held value-bearing symbols are modified according to the currently indexed modifier and a corresponding payout is awarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Yanis TSOMBANIDIS
  • Patent number: 11830314
    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: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20230368615
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a presentation assembly presenting a plurality of symbol positions and game-logic circuitry configured to cause the presentation assembly to associate, in response to an activation event, a first symbol position with an award region and present a subsequent game outcome by populating the symbol positions with randomly selected symbols. The game-logic circuitry detects whether or not a symbol of a linked symbol group including value-bearing symbols with respective positions within the linked symbol group and award indicia visibly indicating corresponding award values occupies the award region in the subsequent game outcome. The game-logic circuitry causes, in response to detecting a first value-bearing symbol occupying the award region, the presentation assembly to provide an award for the award values of at least one value-bearing symbol within the linked symbol group based on the position of the first value-bearing symbol relative to the positions of other value-bearing symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Yanis TSOMBANIDIS, Jack CHESWORTH
  • Publication number: 20230368616
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a presentation assembly of a gaming machine that presents a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of selectable award options including a first subset of selectable award options and a second subset of selectable award options and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry is configured to cause the presentation assembly to activate in response to an activation event, an award region associated with one or more symbol positions and having a region type from a group comprising at least a first region type associated with the first subset and a second region type associated with the second subset based on the activation event, randomly select, in response to a trigger symbol occupying the award region, an award option from the selectable award options based on the region type of the award region, and provide an award based at least partially on the selected award option.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Yanis TSOMBANIDIS, George BOUVIER, Jack CHESWORTH
  • Patent number: 11816949
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Theodore Hase, Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 11798372
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided gaming methods and a system that utilize a presentation assembly configured to present a first series of spins of a plurality of reels arranged in an array, the plurality of reels including value-bearing symbols, wherein, when at least a specified number of the value-bearing symbols land in the array, the value-bearing symbols are held in place during a second series of spins of the plurality of reels in which the plurality of reels include advancement symbols. When an advancement symbol lands in the array, an index indicating one of a plurality of modifiers is incremented. At a conclusion of the second series of spins, the values of the held value-bearing symbols are modified according to the currently indexed modifier and a corresponding payout is awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Publication number: 20230334948
    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: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Christopher Barney, Theodore Hase, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Publication number: 20230316867
    Abstract: A gaming method including conducting a first game at a first gaming device for a first player; conducting a second game at a second gaming device for a second player; modifying play of the first game based on play of the second game; and modifying play of the second game based on play of the first game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, Damien Burczyk, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 11776356
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Paul Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Stephanie Johns, Robert Honeycutt
  • Publication number: 20230274617
    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: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Ryan Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Emily Ross
  • Publication number: 20230267807
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided gaming methods and a system that utilize a presentation assembly configured to present a first series of spins of a plurality of reels arranged in an array, the plurality of reels including value-bearing symbols, wherein, when at least a specified number of the value-bearing symbols land in the array, the value-bearing symbols are held in place during a second series of spins of the plurality of reels in which the plurality of reels include advancement symbols. When an advancement symbol lands in the array, an index indicating one of a plurality of modifiers is incremented. At a conclusion of the second series of spins, the values of the held value-bearing symbols are modified according to the currently indexed modifier and a corresponding payout is awarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventor: Yanis TSOMBANIDIS
  • Publication number: 20230252851
    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: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 11721172
    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: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Robert Honeycutt, Christopher Barney, Theodore Hase, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 11694518
    Abstract: A gaming method including conducting a first game at a first gaming device for a first player; conducting a second game at a second gaming device for a second player; modifying play of the first game based on play of the second game; and modifying play of the second game based on play of the first game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chi We Chim, Damien Burczyk, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: D997182
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Ryan Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Emily Ross
  • Patent number: D1016086
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Ryan Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Emily Ross