Lot-to-lot Combination (e.g., Slot Machine, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/20)
  • Patent number: 11295580
    Abstract: Apparatuses such as an information processor, with which the winning probability of a specific payout at a predetermined timing is easily increased when there are many types of payouts. A server which executes a slot game in which a payout is awarded based on a randomly determined symbol combination includes a controller which is programmed to execute the processes of: a) accepting the use of a GIGA WIN confirmation item with which the probability of rearrangement of a symbol combination corresponding to a payout of “GIGA WIN” among plural symbol combinations is increased; and b) when the GIGA WIN confirmation item is used, displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the payout of “GIGA WIN” and awarding the payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Oyama, Toshikazu Jinnouchi
  • Patent number: 11288508
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for gaining monitoring. In particular, embodiments relate to systems and methods for gaining monitoring based on machine learning processes configured to analyse captured images to identify or detect game objects and game events to monitor games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SENSEN NETWORKS GROUP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Nhat Vo, Subhash Challa, Louis Quinn
  • Patent number: 11285386
    Abstract: Methods and systems to identify options of secondary client devices for a device handover of game play include establishing a session of game play of a game for a primary client device by executing the game on a server for streaming video frames to the primary client device. A request is received to generate a profile of one or more secondary client devices that are identified to be local to the primary client device. The profile is configured to identify device attributes for the secondary client devices. A handover option is provided to the primary client device during game play, identifying one or more of the secondary client devices, based on the profile. A selection of a secondary client device identified by the handover option received from the primary client device causes pausing of the streaming of video frames to the primary client device, saving a game state for the game and providing an option to resume play of the game on the secondary client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventor: Roelof Roderick Colenbrander
  • Patent number: 11287697
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may be mounted in a housing. Electronic components may be mounted in an interior region of the device. The display may have an array of pixels configured to display an image. A border region such as a ring-shaped border may run along the outermost peripheral edge of the array of pixels. The display may be covered by a transparent display cover layer. The transparent display cover layer may have opposing inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface may face the interior region of the device. A laser-marked light-scattering structure may be embedded within an interior portion of the display cover layer between the inner and outer surfaces. The light-scattering structure may be located in the border region and may be illuminated by a light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Richard A. Davis, Christopher M. Werner
  • Patent number: 11282331
    Abstract: A mixed reality system includes a video capture device, a display, a processing device, and a memory coupled to the processing device. The memory includes machine readable instructions for causing the processing device to generate, via the video capture device, a live video signal of a scene associated with a field of view of a user, wherein the scene includes a gaming device displaying a plurality of first gaming elements as part of a wagering game. The memory further includes machine readable instructions for causing the processing device to determine, based on the live video signal, virtual element in real time. The memory further includes machine readable instructions for causing the processing device to display the virtual element to the user, via the display, as part of the scene so that the virtual element is associated with the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne Nelson, Patrick Danielson
  • Patent number: 11282340
    Abstract: Gaming systems and methods that maintain a progressive award associated with a guaranteed minimum quantity of generations of a designated symbol in a sequence of one or more plays of a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy Kennedy, Robin Heenan
  • Patent number: 11276272
    Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming machine is described. The electronic gaming machine includes at least one display device, a player input interface, a credit input mechanism, and a game controller configured to execute instructions. When executed by the game controller, the instructions cause the game controller to select a set of historical events from a plurality of sets of historical events for use in a wagering game, select a plurality of arrangements of historical event data, and determine a plurality of sub-wagers from a received credit wager. The instructions further cause the game controller to assign each sub-wager of the plurality of sub-wagers to a different arrangement of the historical event data and determine an outcome of the wagering game by applying the historical event data for the set of historical events to each of the different arrangements of the historical event data having a sub-wager assigned thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Casey, Rex R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11263862
    Abstract: During play of a feature game, a gaming machine holds each feature trigger symbol at its respective display position, and if a column has spins remaining, spins/respins reels of the respective feature game column to obtain replacement symbols for each non-feature trigger symbol in the feature game column. For each of the feature game columns, the gaming machine determines, based on the symbols in the feature game column, whether to award a prize associated with the respective feature game column. Aspects of the feature game may be implemented in a base or primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Boese
  • Patent number: 11257332
    Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a game controller that includes at least one processor and at least one memory device that are operably connected. The memory device(s) store computer-readable instructions for controlling the at least one processor to cause prize indicia to be displayed, each prize indicium corresponding to a spot prize awardable to a player, and cause a symbol array to be selected and displayed such that the symbol array and the prize indicia move relative to each other. The instructions also control the processor to select at least one spot prize corresponding to at least one prize indicium, determine at least one prize symbol to be added to the symbol array, corresponding to the respective selected at least one spot prize, and allocate a Wild function to the at least one added prize symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Colin Fong
  • Patent number: 11257324
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage to implement an electronic wagering game. The wagering can spin reels of symbols to a random result. A bonus round can be triggered depending on the symbols that result from the spin. If the bonus round is triggered, the player has discretion to take particular actions in the bonus round, and any non-optimal play in the bonus round has an error associated with it which is computed and added to a bonus pool so subsequent players in the bonus round can potentially be awarded the bonus pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jesper Karrbrink, Andy Hieke, Joe Kisenwether
  • Patent number: 11257321
    Abstract: A method of merging a plurality of games into a single game on a gaming machine. A display displays first and second games. A game controller determines if a wager has been placed, and if the wager placed includes a base game wager and a game enhancement wager. Upon determining that the wager placed includes a base game wager and a game enhancement wager, the game controller merges the first and second games and a plurality of display positions into a merged game. The merged game selects symbols from the first game and the second game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Gary Joseph Penacho, Thomas Tuomey, Bradley Hendricks
  • Patent number: 11250670
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gaming systems and methods of operating such gaming systems that provide multi-player elimination tournaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Raymond Dickenson, Daniel Lund
  • Patent number: 11244542
    Abstract: Innovations in user interface (“UI”) features of an electronic gaming device, and in features of backend processing to implement the UI features, are presented. For example, an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) can selectively transfer target symbols between multiple windows. Each of the windows uses a set of reels, which spin in the respective windows. When at least a threshold count of target symbols lands for a reel in a window, a stack of target symbols is transferred to a corresponding reel in each of one or more other windows. After target symbols are transferred, a bonus feature, special mode, or other supplemental feature can be triggered depending on the counts of target symbols in the respective windows. As another example, an EGM can selectively start a supplemental feature (such as a bonus feature or special mode) in multiple windows depending on a count of target symbols in the windows, collectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Christmas Uberuaga, Allon Englman
  • Patent number: 11244534
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure can include methods and apparatus for electronic gaming. The methods and apparatus can include hosting and/or executing a computer game that can include one or more contestants. The methods and apparatus can include displaying the contest to contestants and noncontestants. And the methods and apparatus can include receiving a wager from a wagerer regarding an outcome of the contest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Racing Reels Limited
    Inventor: Wayne K. Stevens
  • Patent number: 11244536
    Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine displays a primary game including a plurality of reels and spins and stops the reels to display the outcome of the primary game. The gaming machine detects a first triggering condition appearing in the outcome of the primary game and responsively initiates a bonus award game upon detecting the first triggering condition, and detects a second triggering condition appearing in the outcome of the primary game and responsively initiates a free game feature upon detecting the second triggering condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11238691
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for providing one or more awards based on the accumulation of symbols over a predefined quantity of plays of a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Andreas Zehetner
  • Patent number: 11238701
    Abstract: A gaming device determines that only when a result of a game played corresponds to a predetermined outcome, a respin option becomes available for a player. This option is rendered as an offer for the player to activate a game enhancement feature for a respin during a subsequent play of the reel-spin game. The game enhancement features include holding or locking a symbol in the reels of the reel-spin game, adding a score multiplier, or adding a modified symbol to a particular position or reel, during the respin of the subsequent play of the reel-spin game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Elisabeth Kiss, Susanne Kiss, Julia-Ines Lerchbaumer, Bruno Rittner, Michael Russ
  • Patent number: 11238692
    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: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Gary Joseph Penacho, Thomas Tuomey
  • Patent number: 11232682
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses, and methods for involve or otherwise facilitate a multiple symbol replacement process. Accordingly, a gaming device includes a display having a first game grid and a second game grid, and can be configured to replace at least two symbols in the second game grid, with each of the replaced symbols being in separate game reels that form columns in the second grid, when a predetermined symbol appears in the first game grid as part of a determined game outcome. Alternatively, the gaming device may be configured to replace symbols in the second game grid when a predetermined symbol appears in the first game grid, and replace symbols in the first game grid when a predetermined symbol appears in the second game grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Bradley Berman
  • Patent number: 11222508
    Abstract: Gaming systems and methods for providing free plays of a game with increasing quantities of paylines, wherein for each of a plurality of free plays of a game of a free game sequence, any awards for the displayed plurality of symbols for that free play of the game are based on a quantity of paylines associated with the symbol display positions for that free play of the game, wherein the quantity of paylines for that free play of the game is greater than a previous quantity of paylines for a previous free play of the game of the sequence by a determined quantity of additional paylines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Craig Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11217065
    Abstract: Certain embodiments involve a system comprising at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to: cause a first symbol array to be selected and displayed on at least one display in a display area, the first symbol array including a plurality of selected symbols from each reel of a plurality of reels at respective symbol locations of the display area; add at least one first Wild symbol to the display; cause a second symbol array to be selected and displayed on the at least one display in the display area, the second symbol array including a plurality of selected symbols from each reel at the respective symbol locations of the display area; add at least one second Wild symbol to the display; and move the at least one first Wild symbol relative to the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Natalie Bryant, Philip Seifert, Nicole Hedley, Ronald Dy, Doanh Dang, Oliver Crispino
  • Patent number: 11205318
    Abstract: Innovations in user interface (“UI”) features of an electronic gaming device, and in features of backend processing to implement the UI features, are presented. For example, control logic selects active reels, which include side reels and main reels. Compared to the main reels, the side reels typically include symbols of greater interest to a user. The control logic also selects a subset of the active reels. The control logic spins at least some of the active reels on a display screen of the device. The control logic shifts some active reels into a reel area while shifting other active reels out of the reel area, before stopping at the subset of the active reels. Reel shifting can increase game volatility while maintaining a designated level of return to player. At the same time, by selecting side reels and reels within the reel area when shifting stops, outcomes can satisfy regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Bradley Hendricks, Damien Burczyk, Joseph Masinter, Amy Bruderer, Andrew Harrington
  • Patent number: 11200782
    Abstract: A gaming device that initiates a series of game instances, and controls a display to display a multiplier meter that a) has a plurality of multiplier levels corresponding to respective ones of a sequence of multipliers applying to outcomes of the game instances and b) when a multiplier applies, indicates a current multiplier level. A processor initializes a designated symbol counter, the processor selects symbols for display for a game instance, evaluates the symbols displayed to identify any winning combinations of symbols, and for each winning combination determines an award amount, adds any awards to the win meter, increments the designated symbol counter by a number of designated symbols, changes the current multiplier level upon the designated symbol counter exceeding a defined threshold applying to a respective multiplier level, and updates the multiplier meter to indicate the current multiplier level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Eric Satterlie, Chantrelle Pryor, Paul Lombardo, Liam Sanders, Jason Meyer, Gary Penacho, Patrick Finch
  • Patent number: 11200780
    Abstract: A gaming system includes game-logic circuitry that is configured to direct the display of a graphical-user interface including selectable elements, each of which being associated with a respective outcome. The circuitry is configured to detect an initial selection of a first selectable elements and designate it as an active selection. The circuitry concurrently provides the abilities to elect to: (1) exchange the first selectable element with a another one of the selectable elements, the another one being designated—and the first losing the designation of—the active selection upon exchange, (2) eliminate one or more of the remaining selectable elements that are not the active selection by revealing a game outcome associated with the eliminated selectable element, the game outcome associated with the eliminated selectable being unavailable thereafter, and (3) reveal and accept the game outcome associated with the selectable element that is currently designated as the active selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Patent number: 11201931
    Abstract: An administrator can use a portal platform to manage social equity for social collaboration features of the web sites. A goal is to encourage users to contribute to an online community's social activities such as its blogs, message boards, and wiki pages. The portal platform supports social equity features, where users can earn points for their participation. The administrator can specify a counter period, where the points accumulated during the last period are reset. This feature can be used to encourage continual participation by the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Liferay, Inc.
    Inventors: Zsolt Berentey, Brian Wing Shun Chan
  • Patent number: 11195367
    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: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Hawkins, Stephanie Johns, Yanis Tsombanidis, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 11195377
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) or another type of gaming device may be configured to provide games that involve “WYSIWYG” (what you see is what you get) symbols or “prize on” symbols. The gaming device may be configured to provide the value of all “prize on” symbols that land during a single instance of a game if a prize on trigger symbol, which also may be referred to herein as a blast symbol, lands during the same instance of the game. In some examples, the game may be a base game. According to some examples, a feature does not need to be triggered during the instance of the base game for the value of all prize on symbols that land during the instance of the base game to be awarded. In other examples, the game may be a feature game, such as a “hold and spin” game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Sanborn, Erick Ching, Chad La Guardia, Nathan Warms, Zachary Smith, Scott Hopkins, Jennifer Mizzi, Rogelio Decasa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11189137
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods that provide a first game sequence including an accumulation of designated symbols during a plurality of sequential plays of one or more of a plurality of different games of the first game sequence. In various embodiments, the gaming system determines which of the plurality of different games are employed for each play of a game of the first game sequence based on the quantity of accumulated symbols for that first game sequence prior to the start of that game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Klaus Hufnagl-Abraham
  • Patent number: 11189127
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage to implement an electronic wagering game. The wagering game presents around which comprises targets which fall from a top of an electronic output device towards a bottom, and if any target passes a horizontal lose line then the round terminates. If the player completes the round without a target reaching the lose line then the player is presented with an optimal award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jesper Karrbrink, Andy Hieke, Joe Kisenwether
  • Patent number: 11185776
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a dynamic obstacle in a computer game may include: altering a display of each of a subset of game assets displayed by a computer system with a visual indication that indicates that the subset of game assets are available for inhibition; displaying associated with a game asset an inhibitor, wherein displaying an inhibitor associated with the game asset indicates that the game asset is inhibited; and periodically removing from display the inhibitor from one game asset of the subset of game assets and displaying the inhibitor associated with another game asset of the subset of game assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Playtika Ltd.
    Inventors: Jenny Raichel, Or Ben Shabat
  • Patent number: 11183016
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a wagering ecosystem are described for allowing punters and other entities to buy and sell already-placed wagers. Allowing purchases and sales of already-placed wagers minimizes risk exposures while increasing the diversity, volume and efficiency of wagering. Generally, systems, apparatus and methods are described for an exchange server to execute buy and sell orders received from licensed entities to manage imbalances in the entities' books and to provide accounting for the executed orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Uplay1
    Inventor: Bruce Merati
  • Patent number: 11183008
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device, a system and a method for providing a remote live wager-based gaming environment through playing on real/physical casino tables and using real casino chips/tokens that the player can touch and feel with his/her hands as well as opening and revealing bendable display devices that stimulates the playing cards to give the feeling of touching and feeling real cards in hand. A computing device is in communication with an online casino and works as an intermediate between the gaming device and the online casino. Gaming devices are in communication with the computing device and configured to enable a player to perform at least one gaming activity at a gaming field. The gaming devices comprises at least one display device, casino chips/tokens. A detector device is configured to detect and identify a gaming data of the at least one gaming activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Bachir Georges El Kai
  • Patent number: 11183002
    Abstract: A gaming device method and apparatus are disclosed, and are accomplished by a slot machine that includes one, or a plurality of primary pay lines, as well as one or a plurality of secondary pay lines, wherein symbols occurring at the primary pay lines during a plurality of independent spins are mapped into the secondary pay lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Nabil N. Ghaly
  • Patent number: 11183003
    Abstract: Systems and method for providing a slot-type game in which an award outcome is determined based on the amount and position of each of a randomly generated first and second symbols in the game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Aimin Cong
  • Patent number: 11176777
    Abstract: A gaming machine provides a game and includes an operation unit, a display unit, a memory device and a game control unit. The operation unit receives an operation input. The display unit is configured to display a game screen including computer generated graphics. The memory device stores a game execution program including computer instructions for generating the game feature. The game control unit executes the game execution program to provide the game and is coupled to the operation unit, the display unit and the memory device. The game control unit includes a processor programmed to display a game structure on the game screen on the display unit. The game includes a feature award and a jackpot feature award. The jackpot feature award is awarded from a jackpot feature award pool. The jackpot feature award pool is funded through wagers and by when the feature award is awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: John Pariseau
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11176775
    Abstract: A system and method for downloading production order specific software and/or firmware to an electronic gaming machine device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Bochsler, Xuedong Chen, Josh Scotto
  • Patent number: 11170610
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a game controller executing instructions stored in a memory. The game controller establishes a credit balance in response to a credit input mechanism receiving a physical item with an associated credit value, causes a display device to display a first jackpot value associated with a first jackpot, and initiates play of a game in response to a first input received via a player interface. In response to initiating play of the game, the game controller spins virtual reels to select and display first symbols at display positions on the display device, and determines that the first jackpot has been won if the first symbols include a first configurable symbol with a first jackpot indicia as its variable component. The game controller increases the credit balance per the first jackpot value after determining that the first jackpot has been won.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Scott Christopher Olive
  • Patent number: 11170609
    Abstract: Provided is a side-bet device, system, and method. The device includes a housing having a surface, at least one sensing device arranged in the housing and configured to generate sensing device data based on at least one input received through the surface, a display device arranged in the housing and configured to display an electronic balance, and a computing device in communication with the at least one sensing device and the display device, the computing device configured to: detect a first input type from the surface based on the sensing device data received from the at least one sensing device, the first input type including a placement of a wagering unit on the surface, participate in a game by initiating a wager based on detecting the wagering unit and participate in the game by initiating the wager based on transferring a value of the wager from the electronic balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Casino Systems Europe BV
    Inventors: Marco G. N. Guldenaar, Lino Thijssen
  • Patent number: 11169660
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing digital assistance. One system includes at least one electronic processor configured to access data representing historical tasks performed by a user through at least one user device, determine, based on the data, a first plurality of tasks associated with a life event of the user, and store an association between the first plurality of tasks and the life event. The electronic processor is also configured to, in response to a current occurrence of the life event experienced by the user, retrieve the association and generate a user interface for display to the user, the user interface including a second plurality of tasks for addressing the current occurrence of the life event based on the first plurality of tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Gupta, Bhavesh Sharma, Justin V. George, Kratu Beri
  • Patent number: 11164424
    Abstract: A gaming system wherein a first reel strip is selected from a set of reel strips for a first game. The first reel strip has a set of first consecutive symbol positions and a set of second consecutive symbol positions, each associated with a plurality of symbols and the second consecutive symbol positions comprise at least two consecutive identical symbols. The first reel strip is then displayed within at least one reel. If the user desires to play one or more additional games, the system selects and displays at least one additional reel strip from a set of reel strips. The additional reel strip has a set of first consecutive symbol positions and a set of second consecutive symbol positions, each associated with a plurality of symbols, and the second consecutive symbol positions comprise fewer consecutive identical symbols than were present in the previous game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Epic Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wesley Davis, Donald James Rollo, III
  • Patent number: 11158170
    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: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Larry Pacey, Joseph Masinter, II, John Daley, Michele Rousseau, Daniel Marks
  • Patent number: 11158163
    Abstract: A gaming machine is disclosed that comprises a selector configured to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display in respective display positions in a display area, and a display position selector configured to select at least one display position. The system also has a function allocator configured to allocate a WILD function to each symbol displayed at a selected display position and to allocate a WILD function to each displayed symbol that is the same as a symbol displayed at a selected display position. An outcome evaluator determines a game outcome based on the displayed symbols and each allocated WILD function, and an award allocator allocates an award based on the game outcome determined by the outcome evaluator. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Chan, Lipi Gupta
  • Patent number: 11158155
    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: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Epic Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Weatherby, Steven Wesley Davis, Troy Jungmann
  • Patent number: 11158171
    Abstract: A multiplayer gaming system for providing a multiplayer game at multiple venues includes a first plurality of EGMs at a first venue and a second plurality of EGMs at a second venue, the EGMs allowing players to wager on outcomes of primary games while participating in an instance of the multiplayer game. The system also includes a host game server hosting game play at the first venue, and a second game server supporting multiplayer game play for the second venue through communication with the host game server. The second game server is configured to receive multiplayer game events from the second plurality of electronic gaming devices and transmit the multiplayer game events to the host game server. The host game server is configured to receive the multiplayer game events from the second game server, and apply the multiplayer game events to the instance of the multiplayer game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Scott Burns, Alfred Thomas, Larry Pacey
  • Patent number: 11148056
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage to implement a skill based video game wagering system. Different video games can be implemented, and within each video game, a player's skill can affect the award model that is initiated when the player takes an action to earn an award (e.g., successfully destroying a target). Upon each award model being initiated, a credit cost is deducted from the player's credit meter, and then award model is activated which can generate an award, or a value of zero which is a loss for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Next Gaming, LLC
    Inventor: Stacy Friedman
  • Patent number: 11151834
    Abstract: Disclosed are gaming systems, methods and machines for a gaming cabinet configuration. In particular, the gaming systems, methods and machines may incorporate gaming cabinets that include one or more curved or arcuate screens, one or more candles integrated into the gaming cabinet, and/or one or more diffuse lighting elements to provide lighting features or effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Urban, Dominic DeMarco, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, James Stair, Joseph Kaminkow, Michael Bristol, Daniel Harden, Ariel Turgel, Cheng-Fu Hsieh, Mark Hearn, Elliot Ortiz, Jon Hanlin
  • Patent number: 11151840
    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: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Paul Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis, Stephanie Johns, Robert Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 11151841
    Abstract: A gaming machine, system, and method for presenting a game may include accepting a wager, randomly selecting k relocatable indicia from a set of N possible indicia, where N>k, positioning the k indicia into j possible locations (j>=k), evaluating the k indicia relative to first paytable with payout rules based solely on the indicia values, evaluating the k indicia relative to a second paytable with payout rules based on at least the location of the indicia, and awarding any prizes earned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas J. Donelan, Mark C. Nicely, Steve Cartwright
  • Patent number: 11153646
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to applying access control to streamed media content. A log-in request to a media streaming service is received. A biometric sample is received from a user. The biometric sample is compared to a biometric template to determine whether the user is an authorized user. In response to determining that the user is an authorized user, the biometric sample is analyzed to determine an age of the user. Access control is then applied to media content accessed through the media streaming service based on the determined age.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rohit Shetty, Ashrith Shetty, Indumathy Gururao, Logeswaran T Rajamanickam