Lot-to-lot Combination (e.g., Slot Machine, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/20)
  • Patent number: 12293640
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes one or more game displays, a user interface, at least one processor running executable instructions related to a game of chance and memory in communication with said at least one processor. The game of chance including one or more random number generators in communication with the at least one processor, wherein a player may selectively delay the processor from utilizing results from the at least one RNG to change a future game outcome by interacting with the gaming machine and preventing game play for a delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Inventors: David Colvin, Eric Colvin
  • Patent number: 12288441
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display device, a processor, and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the display device to display an initial array of symbol positions, where the initial array of symbol positions include a plurality of rows of symbol positions. The instructions also cause the processor to populate each symbol position with a first plurality of symbols, and evaluate the first plurality of symbols to determine whether to provide a first game award. The instructions also cause the processor to add a new row of symbol positions to the initial array of symbol positions, and populate each symbol position of the new row of symbol positions with a second plurality of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Colin Fong
  • Patent number: 12283160
    Abstract: A secondary progressive award is provided for a wide-area progressive wagering game as a celebration or participation award. A processor circuit determines that a winning condition for a wide-area progressive wagering game has been satisfied for a gaming device of a plurality of eligible gaming devices. For each gaming device of the plurality of eligible gaming devices, it is determined whether the gaming device meets a predetermined activity condition, and a subset of active gaming devices of the plurality of eligible gaming devices is determined based on the active gaming devices meeting the predetermined activity condition. A primary progressive award is provided to a user of the a gaming device associated with the winning condition, and a secondary progressive award is provided to each gaming device of the determined subset of active gaming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joe Moore, Christian Theumer, Timothy Shortall
  • Patent number: 12283163
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine may include a plurality of mechanical reels, each of which may include a plurality of symbols, and a processor configured execute instructions stored on a memory. When the processor executes the instructions, the processor may control a first mechanical reel of the plurality of mechanical reels to spin and stop on a first stop position relative to a centerline, such that the first mechanical reel displays a first plurality of active symbols. The processor may execute the instructions to control a second mechanical reel of the plurality of mechanical reels to spin and stop on a second stop position relative to the centerline. The second stop position may be vertically offset from the first stop position, such that the second mechanical reel displays a second plurality of active symbols greater than the first plurality of active symbols displayed by the first mechanical reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Cuddy, Lyndsay Nelson Berger
  • Patent number: 12283151
    Abstract: A video gaming machine provides partial symbols that match other partial symbols across adjacent horizontal frames. Matches of two melding frames provides absolute payouts, multipliers, bonus events and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: DK Crown Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Sahl
  • Patent number: 12263412
    Abstract: A centralized gaming system is provided. The centralized gaming system includes a thin gaming device providing game play in a communal game and a central gaming server configured to: store a ball call for the communal game on behalf of the thin gaming device and at least one legacy gaming device; receive an outcome request message from the thin gaming device; allocate a bingo card to the game instance associated with the outcome request message from a card pool of predetermined bingo cards; evaluate the allocated bingo card based on a current state of the ball call of the communal game; determine a reward value based on the evaluation of the allocated bingo card; and transmit an outcome results message to the thin gaming device in response to the outcome request message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donovan Meyer, Jeremiah O'Hara, Thomas Rizos, Jennifer Pinder, James Urbaniak
  • Patent number: 12266241
    Abstract: A communal gaming system provides a communal game to players of electronic gaming devices. The system includes a plurality of EGMs, each EGM includes a trigger condition identifying when the player is awarded participation in the communal game. The system also includes a communal game display configured to display a communal game play area. The system (a) begins a game cycle for a game instance of the communal game; (b) receives, from a first device and in response to detecting the trigger condition, a communal participation trigger message; (c) awards a participation entry in the game cycle to the player; (d) transmits, to the first device, a participation award message indicating successfully entry of the player in the game cycle; (e) conducts the communal game, thereby generating an award outcome of the communal game for the player; and (f) awards the player based on the generated award outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Larry Pacey, Joseph Masinter, II, John Daley, Michele Rousseau, Daniel Marks
  • Patent number: 12260714
    Abstract: A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a processor programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of displaying a game screen including a plurality reels, a bonus wheel including a plurality of wheel wedges displaying prize symbols and a prize selector, and a bonus wheel meter including a number of bonus wheel symbols. The processor is programmed to spin and stop the reels to display an instance of the game, detect an appearance of a bonus wheel symbol appearing in the reels with the reels stopped, and increase the number of bonus wheel symbols included in the bonus wheel meter based on the detected bonus wheel symbol. The processor initiates a bonus wheel feature including a spin of the bonus wheel upon determining the increased number of bonus wheel symbols included in the bonus wheel meter is equal to a predefined number of bonus wheel symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Wei, Scott Dorsch, Sam Ellis
  • Patent number: 12260708
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display, a credit input mechanism, and a processor programmed to perform operations comprising: (i) determining, during a wagering game initiated in response to receiving a credit wager, that a replay trigger condition is satisfied, the wagering game including a plurality of reels; (ii) initiating, in response to the replay trigger condition, a replay bonus game; (iii) determining a number of replays for use in the replay bonus game; (iv) generating a set of symbols for the plurality of reels for each of the number of replays including an award amount associated with the set of symbols; (v) serially displaying, on the display each of the sets of symbols for each of the number of replays; and (vi) awarding a total award amount including the sum of each award amount for each of the sets of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Jayme Dale Sevigny, David Robert Marsh
  • Patent number: 12260707
    Abstract: An electronic gaming device that includes a display device, a memory device, and a game controller including a processor is described. The processor is configured to apply a game tier to a base game, wherein the game tier corresponds to a credit award range, and cause a base game outcome including symbols displayed on reels to be displayed. The processor is also configured to determine that the base game outcome includes a prize symbol including a first credit award within the credit award range of the game tier. The processor is further configured to apply the game tier to a feature game and cause a feature game outcome including symbols displayed on reels to be displayed. The processor is further configured to determine that the feature game outcome includes the prize symbol including a second credit award within the credit award range of the game tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Honeycutt, Adam Bland
  • Patent number: 12254736
    Abstract: Described herein are gaming systems and methods for providing a navigation-based game. A data processing system can receive a wager and present a graphical user interface with a plurality of rows or columns, each of which can include a respective set of spaces. Each space can correspond to a respective space condition that can cause the game state to be updated. The respective space condition of a subset of the respective set of spaces can include a termination condition that can cause a play of the game to terminate. The data processing system can receive input to initiate navigation of an icon to a target space of the respective set of spaces of a first row or a first column. The data processing system can determine an updated game state for the play of the game based on the respective space condition of the target space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: DK Crown Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Morris, Ashford Kneitel, Charles Raymond Mousseau
  • Patent number: 12251632
    Abstract: Gaming systems that provide a tile selection and award determination sequence for a gaming environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Twomey, Raymond Latham
  • Patent number: 12249216
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display device and a game controller configured to initiate a feature game that uses a plurality of mechanical reels and the display device, identify a number of feature game symbols initially available for use during the feature game, display a plurality of symbol columns, each symbol column of the plurality of symbol columns is associated with a reel, perform a spin of the reels, in response to the player initiating the play, distribute the number of feature game symbols into the plurality of symbol columns based on an output of a random number generator, each feature game symbol being displayed in a determined symbol column of the plurality of symbol columns, evaluate an outcome of the feature game based on attributing the feature game symbols to associated reels, and award credit to the player based on the evaluating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Allon Englman, Gary Penacho, Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 12249206
    Abstract: A gaming machine having a first reel, and a set of second reels. The first reel has a plurality of prizes displayed at respective first display positions, and spins in a first direction. Each of the second reels is aligned with one of the first display positions, and spins in a second direction to identify one of the prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Meyer
  • Patent number: 12249207
    Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming system is described. The electronic gaming system includes a display device, a random number generator (RNG), a player input interface, and a game controller configured to execute instructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium. When executed by the game controller, the instructions cause the game controller to at least determine, during play of a base game, that an enhancement trigger condition is satisfied and convert the symbol displayed on each position having one of the first frame and the second frame displayed thereon into a wild symbol. The instructions further cause the game controller to determine that a bonus game trigger condition is satisfied and convert a plurality of positions on each reel with at least one position having the second frame displayed thereon, into a bonus reel. The instructions also cause the game controller to generate a bonus game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rogelio Decasa, Jr., Hanna Sanborn, Jeffrey Uss, Jennifer Mizzi, Erick Ching
  • Patent number: 12249205
    Abstract: A method of playing a feature game on a gaming machine. A display displays a first game and a second game. A game controller determines if a merging condition occurs, and if a merging condition occurs, animates a merging of the first game and the second game into a merged game at the display. The merged game has a plurality of display positions from the first game, the second game, and a set of additional display positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Joseph Penacho, Thomas Tuomey
  • Patent number: 12249217
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for providing a secondary game with player selected persistent elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Adam Narducci
  • Patent number: 12243392
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a method of operating a gaming device to determine game outcomes by using a range of game numbers for winning game outcomes. That is, the gaming device includes a range of numbers associated with a generic winning outcome or each winning outcome to ensure that a winning outcome or specific winning outcome will hit within the specified range. This method may be used a variety of game types including slot machines, video poker, keno, video pachinko, etc. These gaming machines may additionally include one or more proximity indicators or meters associated with the various outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Acres Technology
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 12236742
    Abstract: A method of dynamically forming a dynamic reel strip to be used to generate a game outcome in an electronic gaming system. The method includes defining a dynamic reel strip. A plurality of reel strip positions of each reel includes a group of dynamically determined symbol positions, and fixed symbol positions. The method includes initiating a play of the game then updating each dynamic reel strip by selecting, at random, a fixed symbol position from a subset of the fixed symbol positions of the respective reel strip. The method further includes determining a symbol of the set of game symbols to occupy each dynamically determined symbol position of the group of dynamically determined symbol positions based on the selected fixed symbol position of the respective reel strip. Displaying, via a game controller, symbols in symbol display positions on a display of the gaming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited
    Inventor: Colin Fong
  • Patent number: 12230103
    Abstract: Various embodiments include game configurations that are specific to a location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: INTERACTIVE GAMES LLC
    Inventors: Dean P. Alderucci, Lee Amaitis, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 12230106
    Abstract: Gaming systems and methods that for a play of a game randomly determine an award set associated with each specific triggering symbol and displays the award set in association with that triggering symbol. In various embodiments, the different triggering symbols are associated with different types of awards and different sets of awards. In various embodiments, the different triggering symbols include a first triggering symbol associated only with a plurality of different static awards, a second triggering symbol associated only with a plurality of different variable awards, and a third triggering symbol associated with the plurality of different static awards and the plurality of different variable awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ginese Weyant, Robin Hare
  • Patent number: 12217575
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display device, a player input interface configured to receive player input from a player; and a game controller configured to execute instructions. The instructions cause the processor to display a plurality of game reels including a first game reel type having a plurality of symbol positions and a second game reel type including a grouped symbol position. The instructions also cause the processor to display a bonus symbol in the grouped system position and, in response to displaying the bonus symbol, to display an expanded display area comprising at least one additional symbol position located above the reels of the first game reel type. The instructions further cause the processor to determine a game outcome based upon a combination of the at least one additional symbol position and the plurality of symbol positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Gary Penacho, Thomas Tuomey, Allon Englman
  • Patent number: 12201902
    Abstract: A screen switching method includes obtaining, by a first client, a switching instruction, the switching instruction being generated by a second client, the first client and the second client being different clients, and the switching instruction instructing screen switching, and obtaining, by the first client, a first screen according to the switching instruction, the first screen being a preset screen. The method further includes switching, by the first client, a second screen displayed on a display interface of the first client, to the first screen according to the switching instruction, and the first screen and the second screen being different screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
    Inventor: Chao Liang
  • Patent number: 12198503
    Abstract: A gaming machine, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium are disclosed, which permit a player to play a base game and a feature game that may be triggered or initiated through play of the base game. During play of the feature game, the gaming machine holds each instance of a feature trigger symbol in its respective feature game display position and, if a feature game has remaining spins, spins/respins reels to obtain replacement symbols for each feature game display position without the feature trigger symbol. If a newly-presented feature trigger symbol includes one or more directional components, the gaming machine propagates the new-presented feature trigger symbol in a direction or directions indicated by the one or more directional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Sahil Malik, Shivangi Handa
  • Patent number: 12198501
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable a player to place a wager on a historical horse race, wherein if the wager is determined to be a winning wager, a win amount for the winning wager is randomly selected from a pool of win amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Kevin Higgins, Dwayne Nelson
  • Patent number: 12198500
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing durational promotions to players in an online game. The system may adjust the outcome probabilities of winning in a slot machine type of game once the player's content drops below a predetermined threshold so that the player will experience some substantial winning in the initial period. The system may adjust the outcome probabilities of winning in the slot machine type of game for a period of time once a player has purchased content to continue to play the game. This may temporarily adjusting outcome probabilities within the game in favor of a player that has recently made a purchase. This may facilitate positive player experiences subsequent to making purchases, thereby increasing further purchases and/or the likelihood thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventor: Harmanpal Dhaliwal
  • Patent number: 12198494
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are direct to a game that includes a combination of an entertainment game and a gambling game. This game combination provides an entertainment game that retains the playability and fun of a skill game or other non-traditional gambling game while allowing for wagers to still be placed and awards won. In some embodiments, the wager-based gambling game is tied directly into the entertainment game, which provides additional entertainment and excitement. Other embodiments separate some of the aspects of the gambling game from the entertainment game to retain the feel of well known gaming devices while still providing an entertainment game to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Acres Technology
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 12198508
    Abstract: A gaming machine produces boosted feature areas of different sizes and/or shapes and/or locations based on chance and alerts players and bystanders of such changes when they happen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: AGS LLC
    Inventor: Paul Luke Lombardo
  • Patent number: 12190455
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for multi-realm, computer-generated reality systems are disclosed. In an aspect, a multi-realm, computer-generated reality system may admit a plurality of participants to a session conducted in a managed multi-realm reality system, wherein each of the plurality of participants is admitted through a virtual reality context, extended reality context or an augmented reality context. The system may receive information generated by one or more sensors associated with a first participant of the plurality of participants. The system may collect performance data for each of the plurality of participants within the computer generated multi-realm reality, wherein each of the plurality of participants have performance measurements associated with one or more performance data groupings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: THE COMMONS XR LLC
    Inventor: Raphael Freiwirth
  • Patent number: 12190097
    Abstract: Systems and methods support updates peripheral devices that may be coupled to an Information Handling System (IHS), such as provided at shared-use workstations. The IHS reports, to a remote orchestrator, an inventory of peripheral devices that are coupled to the IHS. In response, the remote orchestrator provides the IHS with files for updates to some or all of the coupled peripheral devices. As part of the updates, the remote orchestrator also designates a specific peripheral device as a proxy for making updates to other peripherals of the shared-use workstation. The IHS transmits the files to the proxy peripheral device, where the files are stored in a memory of the proxy peripheral device. The proxy peripheral device uses the files to update the other peripherals of the shared-use workstation, such as when the peripherals are not in use by the IHS, or after the IHS has been disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Carlton A. Andrews, Nicholas D. Grobelny, Girish S. Dhoble, Joseph Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 12175836
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for movement of hand counts between gaming devices. A gaming device can generate a plurality of outcomes of a wagering game. The gaming device can increment a hand count value for each of the plurality of outcomes. The gaming device can decrease the hand count value based on a payout of the wagering game and the multiple of the hand count value. The gaming device can print a ticket for the hand count value including an identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Primero Games, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Mayo Macke, Gregory S. Gronau, Jeremy M. Meister-Gronau, Mark C. Nizdil
  • Patent number: 12165465
    Abstract: Systems and methods which employ one or more triggering events that occur in association with an expansion of a displayed portion of a symbol display position matrix and an activation of one or more features associated with one or more elements of the expanded symbol display position matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Franz Pierer
  • Patent number: 12165474
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing bonus games based on positive and negative bonus accumulators are disclosed. The gaming system can generate, responsive to receiving an indication to begin a play of a game, a grid of symbols. Each symbol can have an attribute corresponding to one or more of a positive bonus value, a negative bonus value, and a credit value. The gaming system can calculate a positive accumulator value, a negative accumulator value, and a credit accumulator value based on the attribute. The gaming system can detect a condition to initiate a bonus game, and execute the bonus game based on the positive accumulator value and the negative accumulator value. The gaming system can adjust, responsive to executing the bonus game, a credit balance based on an outcome of the bonus game and the credit accumulator value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: DK Crown Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Morris
  • Patent number: 12159514
    Abstract: A gaming system configured to create electronic player sports wagering profiles for un-identified players, track each sports related wager made by each un-identified player, determine if any un-identified player has reached a sports related wager limit for a designated time period, and responsive to determining that an un-identified player has reached the sports related wager limit for the designated time period, initiate a sports wager limit resolution process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Steven Lemay, Kevin Higgins
  • Patent number: 12159510
    Abstract: Gaming devices, and methods for operating them, are provided that may display an attract mode display that includes one or more bonus markers and a plurality of denomination markers. One of the denomination markers may be highlighted, and a bonus prize associated with a bonus marker and the currently highlighted denomination marker may be determined and displayed in a region of the display associated with that bonus marker. The display may be controlled to display a denomination transition in which the highlighted denomination marker reverts to a non-highlighted representation and the next denomination marker is highlighted. In conjunction therewith, a bonus transition may be displayed in which the bonus prize displayed in association with at least one bonus marker is changed to a bonus prize associated with both that bonus marker and the newly highlighted denomination marker. Such operations may be repeated one or more times, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Marc Mayo, Claire Mileto, Lauren Chapple, Geoffrey Richardson
  • Patent number: 12154407
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a multi-reel skill-based redemption game. An indication of a user desire to participate in the skill-based redemption game is received. The user's account balance is decreased, and simulated reels are spun. Adjustment arrows are displayed for a subset of the plurality of simulated reels. The player selects a simulated reel and a direction of adjustment for the simulated reel. If the player's adjustment creates a winning pattern, the user is rewarded with an increased account balance. The user may also be provided a bonus amount for achieving a number of consecutive wins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Epic Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Weatherby, Steven Wesley Davis, Troy Jungmann
  • Patent number: 12136318
    Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) a current symbol position state defining, for each of a plurality of columns of symbol positions, a number of symbol positions for which symbols are to be selected; (b) a pay table; and (c) instructions. The instructions cause the processor to control the display to display a plurality of columns of symbol positions corresponding to the current symbol position state, select symbols for the displayed symbol positions by selecting stopping positions of a plurality of reel strips, wherein at least one of the reel strips comprises at least one designated symbol, evaluate the symbols for winning combinations based on the pay table, and responsive to the selected symbols of a column including a designated symbol, modify the symbol position state for the respective column to include at least one additional symbol position for a next symbol selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Chan, Paul Lombardo, Claire Mileto, James Kroon
  • Patent number: 12128302
    Abstract: A player who is interrupted during play of a computer simulation such as a computer game and must attend to other matters (colloquially referred to herein as being “away from keyboard” or “AFK”) is assisted in three phases. A first type of assistance is rendered when entering AFK, as in, at the start of the interruption. A second type of assistance is rendered during AFK, while the player is away. A third type of assistance is rendered when the player returns from AFK to the computer simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Osman, Olga Rudi, Mahdi Azmandian, Jorge Arroyo Palacios
  • Patent number: 12121819
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a quest from a probability item bundle in an online game. The system and method include executing an instance of an online game. The system and method include maintaining inventories of virtual items, and presenting offers to sell probability item bundles. The system and method include associating potential awards in sets of potential awards with different award distribution probabilities. The system and method include receiving activation requests from users for purchased probability item bundles. The system and method include stochastically selecting one of the potential awards in accordance with the award distribution probabilities and providing access to a first quest in an online game in accordance with the selected award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Jason Kawaguchi, Hannah Won Lee, Peter Im
  • Patent number: 12125350
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing an enhanced return to player (RTP) mode is provided. During play of a base game, certain tracking elements are collected over a number of plays. After a predetermined quantity of elements are collected, play of the enhanced RTP mode begins. For the play of the enhanced RTP mode, a wager is required. A quantity of plays of the enhanced RTP mode is provided that matches the quantity of tracking elements accumulated to trigger the mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Boese
  • Patent number: 12125349
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control display of a plurality of columns of symbol positions, where each column of symbol positions includes a plurality of symbols. The processor is also configured to select the symbols for each column and simulate display of the first reel strip stopping prior to simulating display of the second reel strip stopping, whereby a sub-category of prize associated with a prize sub-category symbol is indicated to a player of the electronic gaming machine prior to indicating a category of prize associated with a prize category symbol. The processor is also configured to determine whether a first column includes the prize sub-category symbol as well as whether a second column includes the prize category symbol. If the prize sub-category and prize category symbols are included, the processor is also configured to provide an award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Billy Tam, Lipi Gupta, Matthew Chan, Hiram Yu
  • Patent number: 12118853
    Abstract: A movable box, indicator, or other area-based selector may determine whether a game instance 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. 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, move (e.g., change its position) in a random or semi-random fashion, 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, or be used to control either or both of a gaming device's RTP or volatility. 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: January 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Klepzig, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 12106631
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods relate to directing cashout funds, for example in a casino environment, and in particular to providing incentives for directing cashout funds to a cashless wallet account. An instruction is received by a kiosk device, such as a gaming device, to dispense a first cashout amount. Based on the instruction, a display device of the kiosk device displays a message indicating a request to choose an option of a plurality of options. The options include a first option to receive the first cashout amount at the electronic kiosk device and a second option to receive a second cashout amount different from the first cashout amount in a cashless format. In response to receiving a selection, the respective cashout amount is dispensed in the chosen format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jeffery Shepherd, Kevin Higgins
  • Patent number: 12087125
    Abstract: A lift frame is mounted on a gaming machine compartment so as to be moveable between a lift frame latched position and a lift frame raised position along a lift axis defined within the compartment. A lift frame latch is operable to selectively retain the lift frame in the lift frame latched position. A pivot frame is pivotally mounted on the lift frame so as to be pivotable between a pivot frame latched position and a pivot frame raised position about a pivot axis defined at an upper end of the lift frame. A pivot frame latch operates between the pivot frame and lift frame to selectively retain the pivot frame in the pivot frame latched position but allow the pivot frame and a gaming machine panel mounted thereon to be pivoted so as to expose a compartment front opening and provide access to the compartment interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Everi Games Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Phillips, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12080121
    Abstract: A system that analyzes an image of a gaming area, identifies an object depicted in the image and generates a virtual mask that conforms to a shape of the object. The system further maps the virtual mask to locations in a virtual scene that correspond to pixels in the image that correspond to the outer shape of the object. The system renders content in the virtual scene relative to a boundary of the mask based on the relevance of the physical object to the game state. The system instructs a projector to project the rendered image in relation to the physical object according to the content rendered relative to the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Kelly, Martin S. Lyons
  • Patent number: 12080128
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control a display device to display a matrix of game positions, initiate a plurality of games, and control the display device to display each game of the plurality of games in an associated game position of the matrix of game positions. The processor is also configured to determine an outcome of each game, where each outcome is a qualifying outcome or a non-qualifying outcome, as well as to evaluate the matrix of game positions to determine whether a qualifying pattern is formed in the matrix by at least two qualifying outcomes. In response to the qualifying pattern being formed, the processor is also configured to provide an award to a player of the electronic gaming machine. Each outcome may be individually evaluated to provide one or more additional awards to the player as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Michael Schreiber
  • Patent number: 12072870
    Abstract: A non-monetary incentive model defines a Distributed Consensus Protocol (DCP) for a blockchain based on a proof-of-play mining approach. The non-monetary incentive model employs a gamification approach where mining efforts are recorded responsive to achievement in a gaming environment, rather than the proof-of-work or proof-of-stake approaches commonly used for blockchain valuation. The incentive model draws on a participant volition in attaining or improving a gaming achievement. The approach records gaming moves or actions undertaken by a participant playing the game, based on a seed used to instantiate the game. Upon attaining a predetermined minimum score, and at a predefined difficulty, the gaming effort is deemed to warrant a new block in the blockchain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Two Six Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Jacobson, Scott D. Tenaglia, Sean Al-Gattas, Kelly Weeks
  • Patent number: 12067846
    Abstract: Gaming systems and methods that track quantities of one or more tracked symbols that are part of winning symbol combinations in one or more plays of a game, and trigger one or more additional symbol evaluations responsive to one or more of the tracked quantities of such tracked symbols reaching one or more threshold quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Chris Peterson
  • Patent number: 12067843
    Abstract: A multi-game package environment for a gaming device includes at least a first and second game. The first game is eligible to trigger a payout of one or more first progressive feature prizes associated with the first game and ineligible to trigger a payout of one or more second progressive feature prizes associated with the second game. A first set of random-based game outcomes are generated for a round of play of the first game to randomly determine a bulk progressive feature prize update operation across at least one progressive feature prize of each of the games in the multi-game package. A second set of random-based game outcomes is generated to randomly determine whether one of the one or more first progressive feature prizes in the first game is triggered. Concurrently, an amount by which to update a visual meter associated with each updated progressive feature prize may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Inventors: Blake Davis, Allon Englman
  • Patent number: 12062263
    Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that presents a set of persistent enhancers as well as a plurality of symbols in an array corresponding to a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The plurality of symbol-bearing reels bear game symbols. Each of the persistent enhancers is paired respectively with a separate one of a subset of the game symbols. The persistent enhancers persist across a plurality of game cycles of the game. Game-logic circuitry uses a random number generator to spin and stop the reels for a first game cycle, to populate the array with a portion of the game symbols. The game-logic circuitry detects, in response to the spinning and stopping, occurrence of one or more win events associated with one or more of the subset of the game symbols. In response to detecting a win event, the game-logic circuitry enhances an award for the win event using one of the persistent enhancers that is paired with a subset symbol displayed for the win event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: George Bouvier, Kenneth Shawn Soong