| IGT Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120034976 | WIDE SCREEN GAMING APPARATUS - A gaming apparatus includes a display unit and has a display support structure that extends substantially vertically from a horizontal support base. The display unit includes a flat-panel display screen having a width (W) and a height (H) wherein W/His at least 16/10 The display unit is rotatable about a horizontal axis located in a plane substantially parallel to the display screen wherein, a player's angle of viewing the display unit may be adjusted by vertical translation of the display unit on the display support structure, over a vertical range of motion, and by rotation of the display unit about the horizontal axis. A front face of the display structure presents, in a region proximate to the vertical range of motion, a concave side of a curved surface. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034975 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING PLAY OF A BONUS GAME ON A GAMING MACHINE AND IMPROVING SECURITY WITHIN A GAMING ESTABLISHMENT - Methods and Systems for improving play of a bonus game on a gaming machine and improving security within a gaming establishment are described. The systems include a gaming machine, which includes an input device that receives an input from a user. The gaming machine further includes a first display device that displays a primary game upon receiving the input, and a second display device including a multilayer display that displays a secondary game. The multilayer display includes a foreground screen and a background screen, with at least a portion of the foreground screen or the background screen being curved and the foreground screen or the background screen displays an image of a wheel. The gaming machine further includes a controller configured to execute the primary and secondary games. The secondary game is played after playing the primary game. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034973 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A CASCADING SYMBOL GAME INCLUDING SHIFTING DIFFERENT DETERMINED SYMBOLS - During a play of a game, the disclosed gaming system determines that an ending condition has occurred. For example, the gaming system determines that an ending condition has occurred when no winning symbol combinations are displayed for the play of the game. Following determination that the ending condition has occurred, the gaming system determines whether to provide access to an additional win opportunity for the play of the game. If the additional win opportunity is to be provided, the gaming system removes one or more symbols from a plurality of symbol positions even though such symbols do not form a winning symbol combination. The gaming system fills any resulting empty symbol positions by shifting symbols and/or displaying generated symbols, and provides awards for any then-generated winning symbol combinations. The additional win opportunity may be accessed because of a player wager or because other additional win opportunity criteria are satisfied. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034969 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A PLURALITY OF WILDCARD SYMBOL PATTERNS - A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120028698 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYING FLAT RATE PLAY - Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device based on the outcomes. The player can continue playing regardless of whether the balance is less than zero. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028696 | DRAW BINGO - The present invention provides methods and devices for providing a bingo game having aspects of a poker game on a network of gaming machines. Some implementations include a bingo card display in which areas of a bingo card correspond with playing cards. Some such implementations provide first phase of a bingo game that is concluded when a player daubs a game-ending pattern of a bingo card and a second phase wherein players may establish interim wins by daubing other patterns that correspond to poker hands. In some implementations, only the highest-ranking interim win results in a payout. Preferred implementations provide games with easily recognizable bingo play and payout probabilities similar to existing bingo games. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028695 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PAPER-BASED OUTCOMES - Gaming devices may generate outcomes to be sold in printed form. Representations of the outcomes, corresponding payouts, and other information are printed on sheets of paper. Multiple printed outcomes are assembled into books, wrapped, and sold to consumers. Consumers may purchase the books and browse through the printed outcomes at their leisure. When finished with a book, a consumer may submit a portion of the book to the casino that sold the outcomes. The casino may then pay the player based on the payouts associated with the outcomes in the book. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120021839 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COPYING GAMING MACHINE CONFIGURATION SETTINGS - Disclosed is an apparatus and method for use in a casino gaming system where data concerning set-up configuration of gaming units may be copied from one gaming unit to another gaming unit. The data concerning gaming unit configuration may be copied via an external device, such as a smart storage device or a dumb storage device, copied directly between gaming units or copied via a network storage device of a network that interconnects gaming units. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021824 | MODULAR GAMING MACHINE AND SECURITY SYSTEM - A modularized gaming machine operable to receive wagers on a play of a game of chance is described. The modularized gaming machine may include a base gaming module that can operate independently or can be coupled to additional gaming modules. In one embodiment, the base gaming module may include a security monitoring system operable to determine a security configuration including error conditions that depends on features of gaming modules coupled to the base gaming module. In another embodiment, the security monitoring system may be operable to monitor a fixed security configuration that is independent of the configuration of the modularized gaming machine. The fixed security configuration may anticipate input from security devices that are unconnected in a particular configuration of the modularized gaming machine. In these instances, a signal mechanism may provide information to the security monitoring system to ensure a non-error condition for unconnected security devices. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120015719 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR NEGOTIATING COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN A GAMING NETWORK - A gaming system may include a gaming security arbiter, and first and second network gaming devices, each including a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The arbiter controller may be configured to receive a request from the first network gaming device for a communication session between the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, to provide a first encryption key to the first network gaming device and to provide a second encryption key to a second network gaming device. The first controller may transmit the request to the gaming security arbiter, receive the first encryption key, encrypt a message using the first encryption key and transmit the encrypted message to the second network gaming device. The second controller may be configured to receive the second encryption key, receive the encrypted message and decrypt the encrypted message using the second encryption key. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015713 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPETITIVE BONUS GAMES BASED UPON STRATEGY OR SKILL - The present invention relates to gaming systems and methods where enablement for play of a bonus game is linked to play of a primary game. A player may qualify for the bonus game by preselected criteria associated with play of the primary game. The qualified players may participate in the bonus game and compete against one another in one or more rounds to achieve a final winning outcome based on the individual player's skill, strategy, or knowledge. The player who achieves the final winning outcome at the end of a plurality of rounds of the bonus game is awarded a bonus pool funded by a portion of wagers accumulated during play of the primary game. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015712 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING PROGRESSIVE FREE GAMES - A gaming system and method providing a plurality of games, including a first type of game and a second type of game. The gaming system includes a progressive award which includes or is in the form of a progressive number or quantity of plays of the second type of game. The gaming system enables the player to play the first type of game. The gaming system increases the progressive award based on an occurrence of one or more incrementing conditions. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system determines the progressive award to provide to the player and provides the determined award to the player. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120009994 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GAMING MACHINES WITH A TOURNAMENT PLAY BONUS FEATURE - A gaming method and device includes a game, at least one non-qualifying outcome in the game, and at least one qualifying outcome in the game, wherein a player qualifies for a multi-player tournament to be held in the future when the player achieves the at least one qualifying outcome. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120009992 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPETITIVE BONUS GAMES BASED UPON STRATEGY OR SKILL - The present invention relates to gaming systems and methods where enablement for play of a bonus game is linked to play of a primary game. A player may qualify for the bonus game by preselected criteria associated with play of the primary game. The qualified players may participate in the bonus game and compete against one another in one or more rounds to achieve a final winning outcome based on the individual player's skill, strategy, or knowledge. The player who achieves the final winning outcome at the end of a plurality of rounds of the bonus game is awarded a bonus pool funded by a portion of wagers accumulated during play of the primary game. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120009990 | PRINTER INTERPRETER FOR A GAMING MACHINE - Methods and systems for issuing cashless instruments and providing a printer interpreter for a gaming machine are disclosed. A printer and specialized printer interpreter (controller) are provided to facilitate the conversion of a specific credit amount to a currency amount in differing units (first form of currency), and the subsequent issuance of a cashless instrument reflecting that currency amount. Where the printer interpreter is reconfigurable, a second currency amount in different units (second form of currency) could also be selected. Multiple different currencies and their corresponding languages can be available to the printer interpreter, such that a given credit amount can be issued to a cashless instrument in one of many different currencies. Game execution operations of the MGC are isolated from the printer interpreter, such that recertification of the gaming machine or system is not necessary when reconfiguring the printer interpreter from one form of currency to another. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110319151 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BINGO WINS - A gaming system includes a plurality of gaming machines and a continual game sequence including a plurality of symbols and a plurality of sessions. Each session includes a number of games. At the beginning of a game sequence, the gaming system draws all of the symbols. When the number of games of the current session has been played without a winner, the game sequence proceeds to the next session. For each session, the gaming system activates a number of the drawn symbols based on the session number. Upon player activation, a gaming machine generates a symbol subset, marking each symbol in the subset which matches the activated symbols. If the marked symbols match a predetermined pattern, the gaming system provides an award for a player, basing the award on an award pool amount and the session number. As the session number increases, the award provided to the player decreases. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110312413 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD EMPLOYING AUDIO/VIDEO PROGRAMMING OUTCOME PRESENTATIONS - The present disclosure generally includes a gaming system which: (a) for a first play of a game of a gaming session: determines one of a plurality of different outcomes, displays the determined outcome, determines any award associated with the determined outcome, displays any determined award, and outputs a first audio/video programming clip, the first audio/video programming clip including content associated with a first point in time of an event, and (b) for a second, subsequent play of the game of the gaming session: determines one of the plurality of different outcomes, displays the determined outcome, determines any award associated with the determined outcome, displays any determined award, and outputs a second, different audio/video programming clip, the second audio/video programming clip including content associated with a second, subsequent point in time of the event. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110312412 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMINE DEVICE AND METHOD EMPLOYING AUDIO/VIDEO PROGRAMMING OUTCOME PRESENTATIONS - The present disclosure generally includes a gaming system which receives a wager amount on a play of a primary game, outputs an audio/video programming clip in association with the wagered on play of the primary game, tracks occurrences of at least one designated event outputted in association with the audio/video programming clip, determines if a quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event outputted is at least equal to a designated quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event, the designated quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event being at least two, and when the quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event is at least equal to the designated quantity, causes an occurrence of one selected from the group consisting of: a trigger of a secondary game and a generation of a negative outcome. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110312411 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMINE DEVICE AND METHOD EMPLOYING AUDIO/VIDEO PROGRAMMING OUTCOME PRESENTATIONS - The present disclosure generally includes a gaming system which: receives a wager, upon receiving the wager, randomly generates one of a plurality of different numbers, after the random generation of the number, accesses a database that includes each of the plurality of different numbers, each different number being preassociated with one of a plurality of different audio/video segments and one of a plurality of different game results, the audio/video segments produced for a purpose other than for inclusion on the gaming device, determines which audio/video segment and game result are preassociated with the randomly generated number regardless of any player input, displays the determined audio/video output segment and the determined game result, and determines an outcome value based on the determined game result. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110312406 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING FREE GAME BONUS WITH A CHANGING MULTIPLIER - The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a bonus game, and particularly a free spin bonus with an incrementing multiplier. The bonus game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols and multipliers. The gaming device provides a number of free spins to the player at the beginning of the bonus game. The multiplier preferably starts at “1×” and increases by one after each free spin. Initially, the player spins the reels attempting to obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels. If the player obtains a winning combination, the gaming device provides an award. The award is multiplied by the multiplier and the player receives the multiplied award for that free spin. The player continues to spin the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the bonus game. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110306407 | GAME BASED ON SPEED OF PLAY - In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. In some embodiments, a count is adjusted throughout a multiple play session based on point values associated with symbols on the reels of a slot machine, and payouts are awarded in accordance with (i) a finishing count, and/or (ii) a “virtual average speed”. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110300928 | REMOTE GAMING ELIGIBILITY SYSTEM AND METHOD USING RFID TAGS - Systems and methods for verifying the eligibility of players attempting to participate in gaming events are disclosed. Communication objects having RFID tags and closed electrical circuits are individually assigned to and worn by players within a gaming player verification system, which can be administered by a casino desk, hotel concierge, or other operating entity. These RFID tags are adapted to communicate with associated player tracking units attached to gaming machines and other devices via radio frequency waves, and each communication object is adapted to alter its communication pattern in response to any break of its closed electrical circuit. Bracelets, wristwatches or collars can be used as communication objects, such that the removal of such an object from a player cannot be accomplished without breaking the closed electrical circuit contained therein, thereby disabling or de-authenticating the device. A computer server having a player verification program and database may also be used. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110300927 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING CONFIGURABLE BONUS GAME TRIGGERING OUTCOMES - A gaming system and method which provides for one or more gaming device triggered bonus games to be skipped or otherwise not provided to the players at the gaming devices which triggered such bonus games. The average expected payouts of skipped gaming device triggered bonus games are contributed to a bonus accumulation pool or fund. The accumulation pool is subsequently utilized to provide one or more gaming system triggered bonuses to one or more players at one or more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110294562 | REEL BLUR FOR GAMING MACHINES HAVING SIMULATED ROTATING REELS - Methods for emulating rotating physical reels on a display screen are disclosed. Graphics for “static” reel symbols are intentionally blurred for those reel symbols “in motion.” Gaming machines include an exterior housing, master gaming controller, display device and virtual reels. Virtual reels include reel stops, static reel symbols and corresponding dynamic blurred reel symbols. A blurred reel symbol generator provides corresponding blurred reel symbols for existing static reel symbols, and can be located at a remote host and/or within the gaming machine. A remote host can provide downloadable virtual reel strips, reel symbols and blurred reel symbols to gaming machines. The blurred reel symbol generator can accept manually entered blurred reel symbol images, and/or can also generate blurred reel symbol images itself in automated fashion. Blurred reel symbols can be generated on the fly at runtime, or can be taken from a stored location. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110287833 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A GAME SERIES COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUALLY SELECTABLE WAGERING GAMES - A wagering method is provided that allows players or gaming establishments to specify conditions which when satisfied, reconfigure the gaming device to change game play from a first game to a second game. The condition may depend upon the value of a parameter—generally related to game play—to determine if the condition is valid and triggers the reconfiguration. The second game may be selected from a game on the same gaming device, from a game on a different gaming device, or a game played by a specific player. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287832 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING AWARDS PROVIDED BASED ON RATE OF PLAY - Gaming systems and methods for operating a gaming system are provided. The gaming system includes a controller operable with a plurality of gaming devices. Based at least in part on wagering activity, the controller determines a ranking for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system. The controller determines a plurality of the ranked gaming devices that are eligible for a designated award and, for each of the plurality of eligible gaming devices, determines a probability of being selected to win the designated award. The controller selects at least one of the eligible gaming devices based part on the determined probability for said at least one eligible gaming device, and causes the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287831 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING CHANGED OR GENERATED PLAYER STIMULI - A gaming system which maintains a count of the consecutive plays of a game. The system produces a same player stimuli for a designated quantity of the consecutive plays, and the system produces a different player stimuli for one or more of the plays which occur after the designated quantity is reached. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287830 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OFFERING A GUARANTEED WIN - A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287827 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OFFERING A GUARANTEED WIN - A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287822 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OFFERING A GUARANTEED WIN - A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287821 | SERVER BASED GAMING SYSTEM HAVING SYSTEM TRIGGERED LOYALTY AWARD SEQUENCES - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming tables. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming table at which that the player is currently playing. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110281655 | VIRTUAL PLAYER TRACKING AND RELATED SERVICES - Various gaming-related services are provided, including but not limited to security services, harm minimization services, player identification services, bonusing/progressive services, accounting services, financial/banking services, network tunneling services, cheating detection services, etc. Such services may be provided, at least in part, by software agents that can be configured for different platforms and/or operating systems. Some software-based player tracking methods of the invention can aggregate data from multiple devices used by a player for gaming. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281646 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GAMING AND BRAND ASSOCIATION - A gaming system includes: (i) a base wagering game requiring a wager to made by a player; (ii) at least one winning outcome for the base wagering game; (iii) a paytable for the at least one winning outcome; a secondary award provided randomly to the player, the secondary party award provided by a secondary award provider and kept separate and apart from the paytable; and (iv) advertising for secondary award provider, the advertising provided in exchange for the provision of the secondary award. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281636 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DESIGNATED SYMBOL DISPLAY AREAS THAT MODIFY AWARDS - Gaming devices and methods of operating gaming devices are provided that include indicator or designator symbols. When an indicator or designator symbol is generated and displayed, the indicator or designator symbol indicates at least one symbol display area as a modification symbol display area. Upon at least one subsequent generation of symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, awards associated with symbols displayed in the modification symbol display areas are modified. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281634 | VIDEO AND MECHANICAL SPINNING BONUS WHEEL - A gaming machine includes a combination inner video display and rotatable object. The inner video display and the rotatable object may be correlated together to form a reconfigurable object. Both the inner video display and the rotatable object can have segments wherein each segment may have an indicia associated with the segment, wherein the indicia can be a prize, a bonus multiplier, a progressive jackpot, a negative value, a bonus spin character, a loss of spin character, a blank space or a null character. The player will be rewarded with the corresponding prize(s) based upon the outcome of the combination inner video display and rotatable object. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281631 | GAMING SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD INVOLVING A PLURALITY OF ROTORS INTERCHANGEABLY OPERABLE IN A DECOUPLED MODE AND A COUPLED MODE - A gaming table, method and device including a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode. The system includes a rotor coupler and a coupler actuator. The system provides an award associated with an indication of a combination of symbols of the rotors. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110275430 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING AN EVALUATION OF A PARTIAL SYMBOL COMBINATION - A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110275427 | Gaming Systems, Gaming Devices and Methods Providing Time Based Game Sessions With Changing Values - Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to gaming systems, gaming devices and methods that provide time based game sessions that each include a plurality of wagering events, wherein if one of the plurality of wagering events results in or is associated with a designated change outcome, a value associated with an element or function in the game session (such as a value associated with an outcome, a time value, or a wager amount) changes (such as by increasing) for a remaining portion of the game session (such as the rest of the gaming session). | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110269553 | ROTATING QUICK RELEASE BUTTON PANEL - A gaming machine having a support bracket coupled to a cabinet front of the gaming machine, and a modular user interface hingedly coupled to the support bracket with at least one connector, the modular user interface having a button panel and a wrist support, wherein the modular user interface is configured to rotate along an axis of the at least one connector to expose an interior portion of the gaming machine. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269543 | Projection Button - The disclosure relates generally to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for a gaming machine that includes a projection button panel. The projection button panel may include one or more projection buttons configured to receive user input. Each projection button may include a projection surface disposed within the button capable of being viewed by a player of the gaming machine. Each projection button may also include a button projector proximate to the projection surface. Further, each projection button may be configured to receive button image information and to project, based on the received button image information, a button image onto the projection surface. Each projection button may also include one or more sensors capable of being activated responsive to activation of the button. The gaming machine may also include one or more controllers in communication with the main display and the button assembly. The one or more controllers may be configured to transmit the image information for display at one or more of the buttons, receive the signal from the button assembly indicating that one or more of the sensors have been activated, and/or process the received signal. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269538 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE RANDOMLY SELECTED PAYTABLES - An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269537 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE RANDOMLY SELECTED PAYTABLES - An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269536 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE RANDOMLY SELECTED PAYTABLES - An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269529 | Systems, Apparatus and Methods for Providing Gaming Applications - A player may directly license wager gaming software from a game provider, such as a gaming manufacturer. The player may, for example, be able to directly license a software application and/or a game theme at a specified gaming manufacturer's website. The player may be required to be a member of the gaming manufacturer's player loyalty account in order to directly license such software. The gaming manufacturer may enable access to the game of chance at one or more regulated locations, such as participating casinos that use a server-based gaming system provided by the gaming manufacturer. The casino and/or the player may receive financial credits, rebates, etc., if the player uses the licensed gaming software at the casino. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269526 | MOVING REEL SYMBOLS ON REEL-BASED GAMING MACHINES - Gaming machines, systems and methods that present reel-based games are disclosed. Reel symbols can move or appear to move from one gaming reel to another gaming reel. Such reel symbols may include lenticular images, such as those that are implemented onto a medium via a lenticular process, whereby the medium is then applied to various gaming machine reels so that a viewer can perceive effects such as motion and depth. The medium can be a multi-image sheet containing regions of overlapping images where different images are visually predominant at different viewing angles, and the movable base can comprise a gaming reel. Multiple gaming reels can be used, and can be adapted to rotate in any direction. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269523 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN AWARD BASED ON AN OUTCOME COUNTER - Methods and apparatus for providing an award based on a multiplicity of game outcomes. In one implementation the invention provides a method for providing a game. The method includes placing a bet by a player, playing of a game to produce a game outcome, evaluating a primary game outcome, paying a direct award if the primary outcome merits it, advancing a bonus accumulator if the primary outcome merits it, and if the bonus accumulator has advanced sufficiently, paying a bonus award to the player and clearing the bonus accumulator. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269522 | GAMING DEVICE PROVIDING AN AWARD BASED ON A COUNT OF OUTCOMES WHICH MEETS A CONDITION - Methods and apparatus for providing an award based on a multiplicity of game outcomes. In one implementation the invention provides a method for providing a game. The method includes placing a bet by a player, playing of a game to produce a game outcome, evaluating a primary game outcome, paying a direct award if the primary outcome merits it, advancing a bonus accumulator if the primary outcome merits it, and if the bonus accumulator has advanced sufficiently, paying a bonus award to the player and clearing the bonus accumulator. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110263317 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PROGRESSIVE AWARD INCLUDING A QUANTITY OF FREE SPINS - A slot machine issues a percentage of one or more progressive awards based upon any wager level (“Percentage Progressive”). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Percentage Progressive concept operates as follows: The game displays the total progressive award amount; The player sets the wager; The game displays a Percentage Progressive value based upon the wager level; The player presses the spin button; The reels to spin and stop; The player collects credits for any winning combinations appearing on the reels, including pay table and progressive awards. In the event of a progressive award, the player receives the Percentage Progressive value*total progressive award amount. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, allows players to participate in progressive awards at any wager level. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110263315 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING SEQUENTIAL ACTIVATIONS OF A GAME AND REPLAY OF PREVIOUS ACTIVATIONS OF THE GAME - A gaming device including a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols on each of the reels. At least one and preferably a plurality of the symbols on the primary reels are designated as tracking or back symbols. A tracking symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to flag the outcome of the current and all tracking spins in a memory storage device. A back symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to retrieve the flagged outcomes of each flagged spin and to re-display the outcomes in a sequential manner and to provide the awards associated with the outcomes to the player. An additional embodiment of the invention automatically flags all spins of the gaming device for retrieval and display upon the generation of a back or bonus symbol. The gaming device determines if an award is associated with one or more of the symbols generated on the reels and provides any determined award to the player. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110263312 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING A FIRST GAME AND A PLURALITY SECOND WAGERING GAMES EACH ASSOCIATED WITH A SEPARATE ACTIVATABLE COMPONENT OF THE FIRST GAME - A gaming system having a first skill, partial skill, or pseudo skill based game having a plurality of individually activatable designated components and a plurality of second chance based games each respectively associated with a different one of the individually activatable components of the skill based game. When each designated component of the first game is activated through one or player inputs, a corresponding chance based game associated with that designated component is activated. Each chance based game randomly determines whether the player wins an award. In one embodiment, the likelihood of activating each designated component is different and the chance based game associated with each different designated component is different. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110263309 | RUNTIME DOWNLOADABLE MOTION CONTROL PROFILES - Methods and apparatus for controlling motion-generating devices in gaming machines are disclosed. A gaming apparatus includes a main processor board, a CPU operable to execute a game of chance, a motion generating device, a first memory configured to store at least one first motion control profile that describes movement of the motion generating device, a motion control board coupled to the main processor board by an interface bus, the motion control board including a second memory configured to store at least one second motion control profile, and transfer logic configured to: receive the at least one first motion control profile via the bus in response to a gaming event, generate the at least one second motion control profile based upon the at least one first motion control profile, and store the at least one second motion control profile in the second memory; and motion control logic configured to cause the motion generating device to move in accordance with the at least one second motion control profile. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110263308 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DRAW POKER GAME - A gaming system having a five card draw poker game is provided. An initial five card hand is dealt and a first draw card is revealed. The player may keep or discard the first draw card. After the player decides whether to keep or discard the first draw card, the player may replace cards in the initial hand. If the player selects to discard the first draw card, this card is not used as a replacement card to form a final hand. In certain implementations, the player first selects cards in the initial hand to replace. If the player elects to keep the first draw card, the gaming system displays a second draw card and the player may keep or discard the second draw card. This process continues until all discarded cards in the initial hand have been replaced or the player elects to discard one of the draw cards. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110263307 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DRAW POKER GAME - A gaming system having a five card draw poker game is provided. An initial five card hand is dealt and a first draw card is revealed. The player may keep or discard the first draw card. After the player decides whether to keep or discard the first draw card, the player may replace cards in the initial hand. If the player selects to discard the first draw card, this card is not used as a replacement card to form a final hand. In certain implementations, the player first selects cards in the initial hand to replace. If the player elects to keep the first draw card, the gaming system displays a second draw card and the player may keep or discard the second draw card. This process continues until all discarded cards in the initial hand have been replaced or the player elects to discard one of the draw cards. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110256923 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING A NEGATIVE CREDIT BALANCE OF A GAMING DEVICE - Apparatus, systems and methods for a gaming device operable to support a negative credit balance. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device may be configured to: (i) determine a current credit balance, (ii) determine a wager amount, (iii) determine whether the wager amount would result in a negative balance of credits, (iv) determine if it is permissible to allow a negative balance of credits, and if so (v) adjust a current balance such that is equal to the negative balance, and (vi) display an indication of the negative credit balance. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256920 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING SEQUENTIAL ACTIVATIONS OF A GAME AND REPLAY OF PREVIOUS ACTIVATIONS OF THE GAME - A gaming device including a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols on each of the reels. At least one and preferably a plurality of the symbols on the primary reels are designated as tracking or back symbols. A tracking symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to flag the outcome of the current and all tracking spins in a memory storage device. A back symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to retrieve the flagged outcomes of each flagged spin and to re-display the outcomes in a sequential manner and to provide the awards associated with the outcomes to the player. An additional embodiment of the invention automatically flags all spins of the gaming device for retrieval and display upon the generation of a back or bonus symbol. The gaming device determines if an award is associated with one or more of the symbols generated on the reels and provides any determined award to the player. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110251703 | TOURNAMENT GAME SYSTEM AND TOURNAMENT METHOD - In an embodiment of a gaming method, an identifier may be received from a first gaming unit, wherein the identifier is associated with a tournament game card, wherein the tournament game card is provided to a player in response to paying a fee. Whether the identifier received from the first gaming unit is authentic may be determined. A duration the player may play in a tournament may be determined based on the identifier, and the first gaming unit may be enabled for play in the tournament for the duration if the identifier is authentic. A tournament score of the player may be received, and a winning player of the tournament, if any, may be determined. Data indicative of a value payout to be awarded to the winning player may be generated if the winning player of the tournament is determined. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250952 | SERVER BASED METER MODEL SOFTCOUNT AND AUDIT PROCESSING FOR GAMING MACHINES - Systems and methods for metering accounting activities on gaming machines are disclosed. Remote metering can be had for a gaming machine having a master gaming controller, an external cabinet housing a display device and one or more acceptors, dedicated meters, and communication paths between the master gaming controller and display device, and between meters and acceptors. Dedicated meters are located outside and remote from the external cabinet, and are adapted to track continuously at least one item of accounting information associated with the gaming machine. Such meters can be recognized by a gaming regulator as the official meters for the gaming machine, and can be located at a central location in close proximity to other dedicated meters associated with other gaming machines. Such meters can be individual discrete physical devices secured along dedicated communication lines, or can be electronic meters residing on a single server. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110244950 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING GAMING DEVICE PLAY AND DETERMINING COMPLIANCE STATUS - After a player purchases a contract providing insurance against gambling losses, a server or other device in communication with a gaming device (e.g., a “player tracking” server, “slot accounting” server and/or other computer device) may operate to (i) receive game play data in association with one or more plays of the gaming device, (ii) determine a compliance status based on the received game play data and one or more play requirements associated with the contract, and (iii) provide a refund amount due to the player based on the compliance status. Before providing any refund, the server or other device may store a status indicator relating to the one or more plays indicating whether the play was compliant with the contract. Furthermore, an alert may be provided to the player if a particular play is not compliant with the contract. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244944 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING CONFIGURABLE BONUS GAME TRIGGERING OUTCOMES - A gaming system and method which provides for one or more gaming device triggered bonus games to be skipped or otherwise not provided to the players at the gaming devices which triggered such bonus games. The average expected payouts of skipped gaming device triggered bonus games are contributed to a bonus accumulation pool or fund. The accumulation pool is subsequently utilized to provide one or more gaming system triggered bonuses to one or more players at one or more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. A player's accumulated triggering symbols determine, at least in part, the player's probability of winning part of the bonus accumulation pool and/or the player's portion of the bonus accumulation pool. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243631 | MACHINE HAVING A CARD PROCESSING ASSEMBLY - A machine having a card processing assembly. The card processing assembly has a card drive and a heating device. The heating device is operable to cause a human-readable symbol to be viewable on a data card. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110237327 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE PLAYER SIMULTANEOUS DISPLAY/INPUT DEVICE - A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110233273 | MACHINE HAVING A CARD PROCESSING ASSEMBLY - A machine having a card processing assembly. The card processing assembly has a card drive and a heating device. The heating device is operable to cause a human-readable symbol to be viewable on a data card. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110230251 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING A MULTI-PLAYER BONUS GAME - One embodiment provides a gaming system having a plurality of gaming devices. Each of the gaming devices enables a player to make wagers on plays of a primary game. For each gaming device, for each occurrence of a designated accumulation outcome, the player of that gaming device accumulates one or more positions on a bonus game display matrix. When a bonus game trigger occurs, the triggering gaming device is identified. In the bonus game, a plurality of symbols are displayed in the plurality of positions of the bonus game display matrix. The player of the triggering gaming device is provided with any awards associated with any winning symbol combinations formed by the displayed symbols. Additionally, for each assigned position of the bonus game display matrix that displays a symbol which is part of a winning symbol combination, a participation award is provided to the player assigned to that position. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230248 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE PLAYER SIMULTANEOUS DISPLAY/INPUT DEVICE - A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230247 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE PLAYER SIMULTANEOUS DISPLAY/INPUT DEVICE - A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110223991 | MULTI-PLAY CENTRAL DETERMINATION SYSTEM - Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems implementing techniques for using a central determination system with multi-play gaming machines having sub-games and with gaming machines having a base game and a bonus game. A seed value is provided for each of the games (i.e., each of the sub-games or the base game and the bonus game). This ensures that all possible game outcomes may be displayed for each of the games. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110223987 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE INTERACTING INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE WHEELS - A gaming device having multiple interacting independently operated symbol generators, such as wheels. In one embodiment, each wheel includes a plurality of sections that are associated with a plurality of different outcomes which are displayed to a player. One or more of the wheels are activated, either sequentially or simultaneously and the results of the wheel activations influence one or more subsequent wheel activations. Upon a terminating event, an outcome based on the results from one or more spins of one or more of the wheels is provided to the player. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110218038 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DOWNLOADING GAMES OF CHANCE - The present invention provides methods, devices and systems for downloading gaming software. According to some implementations of the invention, gaming software is continuously transmitted on a plurality of channels, e.g., by one or more servers. In some such implementations, each channel is dedicated to software for a different wagering game. In other implementations, gaming software components are transmitted on a plurality of channels, with each channel dedicated to a particular gaming software component. Some implementations provide gaming software in response to a request from a gaming machine. Implementations over dedicated and/or public networks are provided. Preferred implementations of the invention allow gaming software to be downloaded to gaming machines in a secure manner that automatically ensures that licensing and regulatory requirements are satisfied. Some such implementations determine whether payment is required for gaming software and provide for automated payment, if so required. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110218032 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL DRAWINGS - A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110218029 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE INTERACTING INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE WHEELS - A gaming device having multiple interacting independently operated symbol generators, such as wheels. In one embodiment, each wheel includes a plurality of sections that are associated with a plurality of different outcomes which are displayed to a player. One or more of the wheels are activated, either sequentially or simultaneously and the results of the wheel activations influence one or more subsequent wheel activations. Upon a terminating event, an outcome based on the results from one or more spins of one or more of the wheels is provided to the player. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110218024 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING A FIRST INTERACTIVE GAME WHICH DETERMINES A FUNCTION OF A SECOND WAGERING GAME - A gaming device including a first player interactive game requiring one or more player inputs which result in an outcome. The outcome does not result in an award provided to the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device determines a paytable employed in the wagering game based on an outcome of the interactive game. In another embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of different wagering games. The gaming device determines which wagering game to provide to the player based, at least in part, on the outcome of the interactive game. Other suitable functions can be employed in the wagering game based on the outcome of the interactive game in accordance with the present invention. In any embodiment, the gaming device provides an outcome to the player for the wagering game which can result in an award. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110212778 | VIRTUAL INPUT SYSTEM - For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110212768 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH MULTIPLE PROGRESSIVE AWARD LEVELS AND A SKILL BASED DETERMINATION OF PROVIDING ONE OF THE PROGRESSIVE AWARD LEVELS - A gaming system which includes a plurality of progressive awards in an MLP configuration. In a triggered bonus event, a player begins at the lowest progressive award level of the MLP and attempts to reach a higher progressive award level based on their decisions in the bonus event. If as a result of their play in the bonus event, a player is provided a progressive award other than the lowest level progressive award, one or more of the remaining lower level progressive awards (i.e., a progressive award associated with a lower level of the MLP than the provided progressive award) are shifted to account for the provided progressive award. The lowest level progressive award (which is temporality left vacant by the shifting of the remaining progressive awards) is reset to a set value, thus providing that the progressive award hierarchy is preserved regardless of which progressive award is provided to the player. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110212765 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYER COMMUNICATION - Systems and methods are provided for monitoring gaming activities of a player at a gaming device. It is determined, based on the gaming activities, whether to initiate communication between the player and an individual. Communication is enabled between the player and the individual. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110212764 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL GAMING CURRENCY - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a point or count based system to provide one or more awards to one or more players. Such points are accumulated by a player based on one or more events associated with the player's gaming experience. The points or counts utilized in the gaming system are selectively redeemed by the player in exchange for one or more opportunities to win an award. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the equalizing units disclosed herein are different, separate and independent from any monetary based points or credits, any promotional based points or credits, or any player tracking points. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110212760 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE INTERACTING INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE WHEELS - A gaming device having multiple interacting independently operated symbol generators, such as wheels. In one embodiment, each wheel includes a plurality of sections that are associated with a plurality of different outcomes which are displayed to a player. One or more of the wheels are activated, either sequentially or simultaneously and the results of the wheel activations influence one or more subsequent wheel activations. Upon a terminating event, an outcome based on the results from one or more spins of one or more of the wheels is provided to the player. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110212759 | PROVIDING NON-BINGO OUTCOMES FOR A BINGO GAME - The present invention provides methods and devices for providing a first wagering game (such as a bingo game) that presents a changing pool of displayed game outcomes for a second wagering game (such as a Class III game), preferably on a network of gaming machines. Some implementations of the invention provide a bingo game that presents a changing pool of displayed game outcomes for a slot game or a poker game. In some preferred implementations, game outcomes are generated, e.g., by individual gaming machines, on an ongoing basis and stored in memory. Each of the game outcomes corresponds with a bingo outcome. Preferably, the game outcomes are sorted and stored according to payout amounts for various bingo outcomes. In some implementations, the game outcomes are stored in the form of random number generating (“RNG”) seeds, but in other implementations the game outcomes are stored in a variety of other forms. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110207523 | GAMING SYSTEMS, GAMING DEVICES AND METHODS WITH NON-COMPETITIVE PLAY AND OPTIONAL COMPETITIVE PLAY - In an embodiment, a gaming system includes a plurality of gaming devices and a controller configured to communicate with the gaming devices. The gaming system enables a plurality of players to play an interactive game in a non-competitive mode and in a competitive mode. If at least two players play the interactive game in the competitive mode, for a competitive wagering event, which includes a competition between two players, the gaming system determines a winning player and a losing player. The gaming system causes the winning player to contribute a winning player portion toward a wager associated with the competitive wagering event and causes the losing player to contribute a losing player portion toward the wager associated with the competitive wagering event. The losing player portion is less than the winning player portion. The gaming system randomly determines and provides any awards to the winning player based on the wager. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110201417 | MULTI-PLAYER BINGO GAME WITH PROGRESSIVE JACKPOTS - Methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units are described. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201413 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING AN INTERACTIVE GAME WITH AUTOMATIC WAGERS - A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines or devices. The gaming machines include an interactive game and a wager triggering event. Upon the occurrence of the wager triggering event during play of the interactive game, the gaming machine causes the placement of a wager component and randomly determines a wagering outcome. Upon completion of the interactive game, the gaming machine provides the player with an interactive game outcome and provides the player with any awards based on any determined wagering outcomes. The players are ranked in the interactive game. Upon a triggering event, the gaming system provides one or more ranked players of the interactive game an award from funds derived from a marketing or advertising account. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201409 | INTEGRATED GAMING SECURITY MONITOR AND ETHERNET SWITCH - Some wager gaming machines described herein include a switch that has an internet protocol (IP) address mapping function. The switch may have its own memory for maintaining gaming information, such as security information, state information, configuration parameters, etc. The switch may have embedded security functions that can operate even if a motherboard of the gaming machine is powered off or is otherwise inoperative. The function of the switch may change according to the function of the gaming machine. For example, when the motherboard is operational, the switch may route messages passively. When the motherboard is inoperative, the switch may take control of predetermined functionality. Even when the motherboard is fully operational, the switch may allow remote access to a peripheral device. In some implementations a logic device, such as a programmable logic device, may provide remote access and/or monitoring functions when the motherboard is inoperative. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201405 | ENTERTAINMENT MACHINE HAVING A SIGNAL-GENERATING DEVICE COUPLED TO A MOVABLE SYMBOL-BEARING SUPPORT - An entertainment machine having a display device including a rotatable reel with symbols around its periphery. The symbols are defined digitally on a support, such as a curved LCD strip, by feed of signals from a signal generating device. The support may rotate with the reel. Alternatively the support may be fixed so that the reel rotates but the support is static. In this case, the support extends round part only of the periphery of the reel and the feed of signals is such as to define symbols which move with the rotation of the reel. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201404 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A THREE DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY DEVICE - A wagering gaming device having a three-dimensional display device which includes a plurality display screens. The display screens display three dimensional images having an height, actual width and depth. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110195791 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DIRECTIVES FOR PERSONNEL - A system and method include determining a recipient of an offer; and determining an offer which includes an activity and a benefit. The system and method further include transmitting, to a representative, instructions to provide the offer to the recipient. The system and method further include determining whether the recipient has performed the activity, and if so providing the benefit to the recipient. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110195773 | FLEXIBLE DETERMINATION OF PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - The present invention provides novel method and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines and associated network devices. Some preferred implementations of the invention allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some such implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the current progressive pool size payable to players of a wagering game on the networked gaming machines. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size. The function may cause relatively higher percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool amount is greater than a target progressive pool size and relatively lower percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool size is less than or equal to a target progressive pool size. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110190044 | REPLACEMENT REEL GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD - Apparatuses and methods for facilitating participation in a gaming activity. A reel configuration of a plurality of reels is presented, where each of the reels includes one or more associated gaming symbols. The presentation of the gaming symbols is modified on the plurality of reels, such as by spinning the reels or otherwise changing which symbols are presented on the reels. A replacement reel is presented, to supersede or otherwise supplant at least one of the gaming symbols of the reel configuration. Results of the gaming activity are established using the gaming symbols of the plurality of reels and the replacement reel. The result is thereby based on a resulting presentation of symbols that includes both the symbols of the primary reel configuration and the symbol(s) of the replacement reel(s). | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110183758 | GAMING APPARATUS HAVING A CONFIGURABLE CONTROL PANEL - A gaming apparatus for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110183750 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A GAME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTIONS AND PROGRESSIVE GAME INCREMENTATION - A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive game increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive game increment. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110179409 | COMPUTERIZED GAMING SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention in various embodiments provides a computerized wagering game method and apparatus that features an operating system kernel, a system handler application that loads and executes gaming program shared objects and features nonvolatile storage that facilitates sharing of information between gaming program objects. The system handler of some embodiments further provides an API library of functions callable from the gaming program objects, and facilitates the use of callback functions on change of data stored in nonvolatile storage. The nonvolatile storage also provides a nonvolatile record of the state of the computerized wagering game, providing protection against loss of the game state due to power loss. The system handler application in various embodiments includes a plurality of device handlers, providing an interface to selected hardware and the ability to monitor hardware-related events. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110177868 | REPOSITIONABLE HANDLE ASSEMBLIES FOR DROP-IN-BAR GAMING MACHINES - A “drop-in” style bar top gaming machine that includes a support frame having at least two opposed support walls, and a top panel assembly supporting a display device. The top panel assembly is further configured to cooperate with the support frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, enabling access to the support frame. An illumination assembly is provided for interior illumination of the gaming machine. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110177867 | COMPUTERIZED GAMING SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention in various embodiments provides a computerized wagering game method and apparatus that features an operating system kernel, a system handler application that loads and executes gaming program shared objects and features nonvolatile storage that facilitates sharing of information between gaming program objects The system handler of some embodiments further provides an API library of functions callable from the gaming program objects, and facilitates the use of callback functions on change of data stored in nonvolatile storage. The nonvolatile storage also provides a nonvolatile record of the state of the computerized wagering game, providing protection against loss of the game state due to power loss. The system handler application in various embodiments includes a plurality of device handlers, providing an interface to selected hardware and the ability to monitor hardware-related events. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110165937 | UNIVERSAL OPERATING SYSTEM TO HARDWARE PLATFORM INTERFACE FOR GAMING MACHINES - Gaming machines and systems having a universal interface layer linking a gaming platform to a hardware platform are disclosed. In particular, the universal interface layer is configured such that the gaming platform is hardware platform independent and such that the hardware platform is gaming platform independent. Platform independence can facilitate the interchangeability of one platform without a corresponding need to modify the other platform. The gaming platform can include various gaming modules and an operating system, while the universal interface layer can include firmware, various additional gaming modules, hardware specific drivers and various APIs to facilitate communication between the gaming platform and other universal interface layer components. A safe storage manager can be included to utilize a non-volatile storage component to store data regarding a gaming machine state, with the state being recoverable after a substantial interruption to the machine. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110165931 | TRAJECTORY-BASED 3-D GAMES OF CHANCE FOR VIDEO GAMING MACHINES - Trajectory-based games of chance are described that may be implemented on a video gaming machine. In a trajectory-based game of chance, a trajectory of a game object may be generated in a 3-D gaming environment. A wager may be made on an aspect of the game object's trajectory in the gaming environment such as a termination location for the trajectory of the game object. The aspect of the game object's trajectory may occur according to a known probability. Hence, an award for the trajectory-based game of chance may be proportional to the probability of the aspect of the game object's trajectory occurring. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110165930 | TRAJECTORY-BASED 3-D GAMES OF CHANCE FOR VIDEO GAMING MACHINES - Trajectory-based games of chance are described that may be implemented on a video gaming machine. In a trajectory-based game of chance, a trajectory of a game object may be generated in a 3-D gaming environment. A wager may be made on an aspect of the game object's trajectory in the gaming environment such as a termination location for the trajectory of the game object. The aspect of the game object's trajectory may occur according to a known probability. Hence, an award for the trajectory-based game of chance may be proportional to the probability of the aspect of the game object's trajectory occurring. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110165929 | TRAJECTORY-BASED 3-D GAMES OF CHANCE FOR VIDEO GAMING MACHINES - Trajectory-based games of chance are described that may be implemented on a video gaming machine. In a trajectory-based game of chance, a trajectory of a game object may be generated in a 3-D gaming environment. A wager may be made on an aspect of the game object's trajectory in the gaming environment such as a termination location for the trajectory of the game object. The aspect of the game object's trajectory may occur according to a known probability. Hence, an award for the trajectory-based game of chance may be proportional to the probability of the aspect of the game object's trajectory occurring. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110159944 | WAGERING GAMING DEVICE HAVING SIMULATED CONTROL OF MOVEMENT OF GAME FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS - A wagering gaming device that enables a player to affect the movement of a functional element of a game by use of a user input device. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled wagering gaming device that receives input from a user input device. The user manipulates the input device in the manner in which he wishes the functional element or to move. The processor receives the information from the input device and calculates parameters. The processor moves the functional element. This sequence or feature may be employed in a primary game, bonus game or in any stand alone game. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110143832 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING CONDITIONAL PARAMETERS TO ALTERNATE BETWEEN WAGERING GAMES - A wagering method is provided that allows players or gaming establishments to specify conditions which when satisfied, reconfigure the gaming device to change game play from a first game to a second game. The condition may depend upon the value of a parameter—generally related to game play—to determine if the condition is valid and triggers the reconfiguration. The second game may be selected from a game on the same gaming device, from a game on a different gaming device, or a game played by a specific player. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110138181 | MULTI-PARTY ENCRYPTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A cryptographic communication system and method having a first plurality of stations, each of the first plurality of stations having at least one encryption key K | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110136565 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING CALCULATED REEL SYMBOL EVALUATION - A gaming device having at least one target reel having target values, a plurality of value reels each having accumulative values, and a processor programmed to cause a spin of the target reel and value reels, accumulate the accumulative values generated on the value reels to form a cumulative value, compare the cumulative value to a designated one of the generated target values on the target reel, and provide an award to a player if the cumulative value meets a predefined mathematical threshold with respect to the designated one of the target values. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110136564 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING CALCULATED REEL SYMBOL EVALUATION - A gaming device having at least one target reel having target values, a plurality of value reels each having accumulative values, and a processor programmed to cause a spin of the target reel and value reels, accumulate the accumulative values generated on the value reels to form a cumulative value, compare the cumulative value to a designated one of the generated target values on the target reel, and provide an award to a player if the cumulative value meets a predefined mathematical threshold with respect to the designated one of the target values. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110130193 | Gaming Device Having Free Spin Mode with Symbol Elimination - A bonus game that operates in combination with a slot machine base game is provided. The bonus game includes a series of free spins or free evaluations in which symbols of a set of symbols are generated. The free spins also generate executor symbols that alone or in accumulation cause one of the symbols of the set to be eliminated or replaced. In either case the symbols remaining in the set have a higher probability of being generated and a higher probability exists that a larger award paying combination of the remaining symbols will be generated. The elimination sequence can be repeated a number of times further increasing the probability of generating a higher paying award for the player. The present invention is operable with different types of base games such as slot and poker. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130188 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING PLAY AT A GAMING DEVICE BY MEANS OF THIRD PARTY OFFERS - In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an offer is presented to a player (e.g., at a gaming device or a table game in a casino). The offer defines a benefit to be provided in exchange for the player's commitment to an obligation defined by the offer. The offer may be provided once it is determined that a condition of a gaming device satisfies a predetermined criterion. The benefit defined by the offer may be provided to the player and/or to one or more associated persons designated by the player. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130185 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARD SHOE SECURITY AT A TABLE GAME - Embodiments include electronic and mechanical improvements to a card shoe adapted to prevent a cheating player from gaining knowledge of the cards within the shoe. In some embodiments, a variety of electronic security solutions are contemplated. In one example, cards may be shuffled at a remote location where the sequence of the cards may be hashed or encrypted and deleted from an external electronic memory. These cards may be sealed with various physical and electronic seals, associated with the hashed value of the card sequence and are shipped to a casino table where they may be inserted into an intelligent card shoe. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110124404 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUCTIONING AN ITEM VIA A GAMING DEVICE - Methods and apparatus for auctioning an item via a gaming device are disclosed. The methods and apparatus enable a gaming device player (e.g., a slot machine player) to select one or more auction items the player is interested in bidding on. As the player plays the gaming device, a portion of each bet and/or a portion of each win is allocated to an accumulating bid on the selected auction item(s). In one embodiment, other players, connected via a network, also bid on the auction item(s) in a similar fashion. At the end of an auction, the highest bidder is awarded with the auction item. In one embodiment, the auction item is a physical auction item physically displayed at the gaming device. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124402 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BENEFIT IN A FUTURE PLAY OF A WAGERING GAME - On embodiment of the gaming system: receives a base wager from a player for a play of a wagering game; enables the player to select to cause a modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game or the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game; displays an outcome of the play of the wagering game; if the outcome is a losing outcome and if the player caused the modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game, reset the modifier; if the outcome is the losing outcome and if the player caused the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game, increase the modifier; if the outcome is a winning outcome and the player caused the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game, provide a first award to player based on the winning outcome and the base wager, and reset the modifier; and if the outcome is a winning outcome and the player caused the modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game provide a second different award to the player based on the winning outcome, the base wager, and the modifier, and reset the modifier. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124396 | APPARATUS PROVIDING PAYOUTS PROPORTIONAL TO WAGERS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING SAME - A gaming device such as a slot machine is provided having a payout proportional to a wager value. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the gaming machine provides a player with the ability to flexibly and automatically increase and decrease wagers, thereby allowing the player to press his bets when he feels lucky, and to decrease his bets when he feels unlucky. Different proportional payout tables are provided for different levels of wagers. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110118013 | MOVABLE MECHANICAL DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS - A gaming machine includes a rotating object that has at least one configurable surface that may be configured electronically. The rotating object may be synchronized with a video display. Configurable surfaces can use bistable materials, electroluminescent materials, LCDs, LEDs, OLEDs, projection, or other techniques. The appearance of the rotating object is changed without physically changing the rotating object. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118011 | GAMING SYSTEMS, GAMING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - The gaming system, gaming device and method disclosed herein determines whether to provide at least one of the plurality of progressive awards to the player based on that player's measured level of skill in: (i) a plurality of plays of a partial skill-based game, (ii) a skill-based progressive award sequence, or (iii) a plurality of plays of a partial skill-based game and a skill-based progressive award sequence. The determination is based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player which tend to measure that player's level of skill in at least one of a partial skill-based game and a skill-based progressive award sequence. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118010 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING BALANCED PAYBACKS WITH VARYING WAGER AMOUNTS - Various embodiments of the gaming system of the present disclosure enable a player to play a secondary or bonus game, in which the player has the chance to play for a designated award in the triggered secondary or bonus game. The probability of triggering the secondary or bonus game varies based on the player's primary game wager. Additionally, the probability of winning a designated award in the triggered secondary or bonus game varies based on the player's primary game wager. In one embodiment, as the primary game wager increases, the odds of triggering the secondary or bonus game increase, but not in direct proportion to the wager. Similarly, the odds of winning the designated award in the triggered secondary or bonus game increases, but not in direct proportion to the wager. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110117989 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PERSISTENCE GAME WITH MULTIPLE SYMBOL EVALUATIONS - In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein employs a symbol accumulation sequence and a symbol evaluation sequence. The symbol accumulation sequence includes an accumulation of a designated quantity of symbols in association with a persistence game. The symbol accumulation sequence also includes the maintenance of a persistence game arrangement that displays a designated quantity of currently accumulated symbols (which in certain instances, includes some, but not all of the total number of symbols accumulated). In one embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on the accumulated symbols of the persistence game. In another embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an award based on at least one of the accumulated symbols of the persistence game and at least one symbol generated for a current play of a wagering game. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110117981 | Gaming System, Gaming Device and Method for Determining an Outcome of a Secondary Game Based on One or More Events Which Occur in Association with a Primary Game - In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points. For the subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system further determines the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110111852 | TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAYS WITH PHYSICAL BUTTONS FOR GAMING DEVICES - Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems implementing techniques for providing input for playing a game of chance. A gaming machine includes a touch screen display. The touch screen display is configured to display input selections, auxiliary input selections, and auxiliary data. The touch screen display is further configured to receive game input corresponding to the input selections and auxiliary input corresponding to the auxiliary input selections. The received game input and auxiliary input are transmitted to a controller of the gaming machine. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111843 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY GROUPING GAMING DEVICES TO PROVIDE PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - A gaming system enables players of a group of gaming devices to wager on progressive or other awards for that group and tracks an amount of player activity at the group. If player activity of the group exceeds an upper reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system disassociates one or more gaming devices from the group to reduce the amount of player activity. If the player activity of the group falls below a lower reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system associates one or more additional gaming devices with that group to increase player activity. Reallocation of gaming devices can occur following a player winning the award for the group. The system can incrementally increase an award reset amount, while reducing the odds of winning the award, to maintain a desired range of gaming experiences. The system can also enable a player to select an initial groups based on a characteristic of that player. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111842 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A PLAYER TO SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTROL GAME PLAY WITH MULTIPLE GAMING DEVICES - In accordance with at least one embodiment, a gaming system is operable to determine a first gaming device being operated by a player and select a second gaming device to be controlled, via the first gaming device, by the player. In some embodiments, the gaming system is further operable to configure the second gaming device to be controlled via an interface of the first gaming device. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111841 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN ADVANTAGE TO A PLAYER IN A BONUS GAME - A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player, displaying an image representative of a primary game, determining if a bonus event trigger has occurred, displaying an image representative of a bonus game, the bonus game including a representation associated with the player and a representation associated with an opponent, the representations each having at least one attribute associated with the bonus game, if the bonus event trigger occurs, and determining a payout associated with an outcome of the bonus game. The method also includes offering the player at least one advantage option, the at least one advantage option affecting at least one of the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the player and the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the opponent. A gaming machines and system may be provided to carry out such a method. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111835 | RECONCILING PAYBACK PERCENTAGE OF A GAMING DEVICE WITH TRANSFERABLE RETURN - An electronic gaming machine (EGM) is configured to run a persistence game having one or more recordable persistence states transferable to another EGM. The EGM includes a logic system, a computer readable memory including instructions executable by the logic system for running on the EGM a persistence game having persistence states leading to a persistence award redeemable when persistence criteria are satisfied, each persistence state having a persistence value representing a portion of the persistence award, a verification interface configured for determining whether to initiate play of the persistence game at a previously recorded persistence state, a coin-in meter, a coin-out meter, and a theoretical coin-out meter storing in the memory unawarded persistence values accumulated by the machine from advancing the persistence game during game play among the one or more persistence states, and calculating a value for theoretical coin-out as a sum of the accumulated coin-out value and a difference between the persistence value of a current persistence state and the persistence value of a previous persistence state. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111828 | GAMING SYSTEMS, GAMING DEVICES AND METHODS WITH VOLATILITY CONTROL GAMES - Gaming systems, gaming devices and methods that provide games that control volatility. In one embodiment, the gaming system disclosed herein enables a player to select values, or cells associated with values, that are displayed in a particular arrangement. The player selected values are distributed to other values or cells according to one or more predefined rules. In one embodiment, one or more of the player selectable values are progressive award values. At some point during the game, the gaming system randomly picks one of the remaining values that have not been selected and provides an award to the player based at least in part on the selected value. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111827 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A GAME IN WHICH PLAYERS POSITION SELECTORS WITHIN A FIELD OF SELECTIONS BASED ON VALUES MASKED BY THE SELECTIONS - A gaming system displays a plurality of spaced-apart selections each associated with a masked award. One or more selectors are each associated with one or more players, and are visible to each player. The selectors are moveable amongst the spaced-apart selections based on a plurality of player inputs. For a play of the game, the players provide inputs to move the selectors amongst the spaced-apart selections. During such movement, the gaming system temporarily reveals the award associated with any spaced-apart selection in the vicinity of any selector to at least one player, such as the player whose selector is near the selection. After the play of the game has ended (e.g., based on an amount of elapsed time), the gaming system provides awards to the players based on the ending positions of the one or more selectors with respect to the plurality of spaced-apart selections. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111826 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SYMBOL COMBINATIONS WITH DYNAMIC AWARDS - The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a plurality of symbol combinations that are each associated with a dynamic award. Such dynamic awards increase based, at least in part, on one or more random events which occur in association with one or more plays of a game. In one embodiment, the gaming system increases the dynamic award of a designated symbol combination based on the random generation of another, different symbol combination. In this embodiment, if the gaming system randomly generates the other symbol combination, the gaming system: (i) provides any award associated with this other symbol combination, and (ii) increases the dynamic award of the designated symbol combination. Additionally, if the gaming system randomly generates the designated symbol combination, the gaming system provides to a player the dynamic award of the designated symbol combination. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111825 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A CASCADING SYMBOL GAME INCLUDING SHIFTING SYMBOLS ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONAL INDICATORS - The disclosed gaming system displays an arrangement of symbols including a plurality of symbol positions. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a randomly generated symbol in each symbol position. One or more of the symbols are displayed as associated with a directional indicator indicating a shift direction for that symbol. If any winning symbol combination is displayed, the gaming system shifts at least one symbol within the symbol matrix according to the directional indicator associated with that symbol, such as by shifting the symbol as designated distance in the shift direction indicated by the symbol's directional indicator. In one embodiment, the gaming system removes one or more symbols in the shift path of a shifting symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming system generates and displays new symbols in the then-empty symbol positions of the symbol matrix and repeats the determination, shifting, and generation. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111824 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INCREMENTAL WAGERING GAME - Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming device which enables a player to purchase the game in stages or increments. The gaming device enables the player to place a first wager for a play of the game. After receiving the first wager, the gaming device randomly generates and displays a first outcome. The gaming device evaluates the displayed first outcome to determine whether the displayed outcome includes any winning symbol combinations. The gaming device provides the player with any awards associated with any determined winning symbol combinations. After providing the player with any awards based on the displayed first outcome, the gaming device offers the player the opportunity to make a second wager for the play of the game. If the second wager is placed, the gaming device generates and displays the second outcome, while the first outcome remains displayed. The gaming device evaluates the displayed second outcome in combination with the displayed first outcome to determine whether any winning symbol combinations are displayed. The gaming device provides the player with any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations. If the player chooses not to make the second wager for the play of the game, the play of the game terminates. In this manner, the present disclosure enables a player to decide when to continue building on an outcome that is good and when to stop the play of the game. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111820 | GAMING SYSTEMS, GAMING DEVICES AND METHODS HAVING TIME BASED GAMES AND MAGNITUDES ASSOCIATED WITH WAGERING EVENTS IN THE TIME BASED GAMES - A gaming system receives a total wager for a game session which occurs over a designated period of time. The game session includes a plurality of different wagering events. Each of the wagering events is associated with one of a plurality of different magnitudes. For each of the plurality of different wagering events, the gaming system determines: a portion of the total wager amount, and a wager by modifying the determined portion by the magnitude associated with that wagering event. The gaming system causes the wagering event to occur, determines at least one outcome for the wagering event, determines any awards based on the determined wager and the at least one determined outcome, and provides any of the determined awards to the player. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111818 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A GAME HAVING A DYNAMIC AWARD SCHEME - Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide gaming systems, gaming devices and methods which have casual games with dynamic award schemes. Each game has a designated number of elements such as positions, moveable elements, or the combination of positions and moveable elements. For each play of the wagering game, the gaming system: receives a wager from a player; determines a number of the designated number of elements which will function as or be designated as payout elements; determines which of the designated number of elements to make the payout elements; for each payout element, determines the payout value associated with that payout element; and (e) determines a game ending condition. The gaming system enables the player to play the wagering game in accordance with the predetermined rules of the wagering game. This includes enabling the player to employ the elements until the game ending condition occurs. For each payout element, if the payout element is employed in that play of the wagering game in a designated manner in accordance with the predetermined rules of the wagering game, the gaming system provides the player the payout value associated with that payout element. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110105234 | Method and System for Instant-On Game Dowload - Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110105216 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NORMALIZING AVERAGE EXPECTED PAYOUTS TO PLAYERS - The gaming system disclosed herein accounts for game play over a gaming session in determining a bonus game attribute for a triggered bonus game. The gaming system maintains a plurality of different bonus game attributes. Each different bonus game attribute is associated with a different bonus game attribute modification event and an initial probability of that bonus game attribute being selected for a play of a bonus game. For each bonus game attribute modification event that occurs, the gaming system modifies the probability that the associated bonus game attribute will be selected for a play of a bonus game. Upon an occurrence of a bonus game triggering event, the gaming system randomly selects one of the maintained bonus game attributes. The gaming system then displays a bonus game and determines a bonus game award utilizing the selected bonus game attribute. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110105208 | Managed On-Line Poker Tournaments - A gaming system is described that is configured to provide on-line poker games with only live participants. The gaming system may link gaming devices located in a casino or across a gaming enterprise. The gaming system may comprise a number of secure transaction terminals that are distributed throughout the gaming venue or gaming enterprise. The secure transaction terminals may be designed for operation only by a human operator. The secure transaction terminals may include one or more of mobile devices that may be moved throughout the gaming venue or the gaming enterprise, thin-client gaming devices with fixed locations and wager-based video gaming machines with fixed locations. The gaming system may include one or more servers configured to provide head-to-head poker games involving live players, monitor the locations of the secure transaction terminals within the gaming venue or gaming enterprise and limit game participation based upon the locations of the secure transaction terminals being utilized in the gaming venue. The game participation based upon location may be performed to prevent collusion among players. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110098118 | ADVENTURE SEQUENCE ACTIVITIES - A gaming system includes a communication network, a portable data storage device having information associated with a player stored therein and a plurality of gaming units communicatively coupled to the communication network. Each of the gaming units includes an interface for reading and for storing information within the portable data storage device. The gaming system also includes a network computer communicatively coupled to the communication network and the plurality of gaming units. The network computer is programmed to enable the player to play a group of the plurality of gaming units in a particular sequence based on the information associated with the player stored within the portable data storage device. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110092278 | METHOD OF AWARDING PRIZES FOR JACKPOT AND GAMING MACHINES BASED ON AMOUNT WAGERED DURING A TIME PERIOD - Periodic prize draws are conducted by a jackpot controller in a gaming system having one or more electronic gaming devices. The probability of each electronic gaming device winning a particular prize draw is dependent upon the amount wagered on that gaming machine during a period preceding that prize draw. The prize may be a progressive jackpot which comprises an initial starting value and a contribution from the amounts wagered on the electronic gaming devices. If an electronic gaming device wins a prize draw, its player may be granted a feature game to determine the actual prize. Jackpots are suspended pending the completion of the feature game. The probability that a gaming device will win the prize draw, or the relative win probabilities of the gaming devices, may be displayed graphically. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110092274 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING COMPETITION CONFIGURATION, ATTACK AND COUNTERMEASURE GAME - A gaming device operable upon a wager by at least one player includes: (i) a display device; (ii) first and second entities displayed on the display device, the first entity representing the player; (iii) at least one input device configured to enable the player to choose an offensive play and a defensive play fore the first entity; (iv) wherein the display device is countered to display the offensive and defensive plays being countered by a defensive and offensive play, respectively, for the second entity; and (v) a processor configured to determine an outcome for the player based on at least one of (a) a comparison of the offensive play for the first entity to the defensive play for the second player, and (b) a comparison of the defensive play for the first entity to the offensive play for the second entity. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110092270 | MULTIPLE REEL ROULETTE GAME - A gaming system which is operable to receive an input associated with at least one betting option specified by a roulette betting layout. A plurality of roulette reels are rotatable about a common axis, and each one of the roulette reels has a side display surface or side wall. Each one of the side display surfaces or side walls displays a plurality of numerals which are spaced apart along the side display surface or side wall. The numerals are associated with the roulette betting layout. An outcome occurs based upon one or more indicated numerals. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110086695 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A CASCADING STYLE MATCHING GAME - A gaming system selects and displays one of a plurality of symbol blocks in each of a plurality of block positions, wherein each of the selected blocks includes at least one partial symbol. Each partial symbol has at least one complementary partial symbol which, when arranged in a designated spatial relationship with one another, form a complete matching symbol. If any of the partial symbols on the selected blocks create a complete matching symbol, the gaming system provides at least one award to the player. Each matching block which includes any portion of a complete matching symbol is then removed, creating an empty block position. The gaming system then fills the empty block position by either shifting a displayed block into the empty block position or by selecting a new block. The gaming system repeats this process until no complete matching symbols are formed. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110077071 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY PROVIDING AN ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT THAT FUNDS AN AWARD THROUGH EXPECTED VALUES OF UNPLAYED TOURNAMENT GAMES OF ELIMINATED PLAYERS - A gaming system including a central server operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming devices to provide non-tournament game play and provide an elimination tournament. The gaming system contributes an average expected payout value of tournament games that were determined to be subsequently played by tournament players but were then not played because the players were eliminated before the end of the tournament to a tournament award. The tournament award is provided to a winner of the tournament. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110070951 | GAMING METHOD AND APPARATUS UTILIZING SECONDARY SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS - In a gaming method for facilitating game play via a gaming apparatus, the gaming apparatus comprising a controller and a first display unit, the controller communicatively coupled to the first display unit, a game software application may be executed, and value input data may be received. The first display unit may be caused to display a game image representative of one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno, or bingo. A secondary software application may be executed, and an icon associated with the secondary software application may be displayed simultaneous with the display of the game image, wherein a foreground of the game image is substantially unobstructed by the icon, and wherein the icon is substantially unobstructed by the foreground of the game image. Information may be conveyed using the secondary software application upon detecting an event, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110070946 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING BONUS GAME DEPENDENT UPON VARIABLE WAGER COMPONENT SELECTION - A primary and secondary game for a wagering gaming machine. In one embodiment, the number of lines wagered or a slot machine makes the player eligible for a bonus game, and a wager made per payline effects how many moves or positions on a meter the player advances upon achieving the bonus triggering symbol or combination of symbols. When the player advances the meter to the end, the gaming device displays a payout event. The payout event can be any type of bonus gaming event that potentially provides an award to the player. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110053676 | Gaming System, Gaming Device and Method for Providing a Player an Opportunity to Win a Designated Award Based on One or More Aspects of the Player's Skill - In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and method disclosed herein maintains a designated award which is associated with a variable score for a skill-based game. In one such embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to play a game, wherein the gaming system forms a score for the player. The player's formed score is based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based game (i.e., which tends to measure one or more aspects of that player's skills). If the player's score does not reach the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system modifies the variable score associated with the designated award of that skill-based game. If the player's score reaches or exceeds the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system provides the player a designated quantity of opportunities to win the maintained designated award. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110045902 | EXTENSION COMPONENT FOR AUTHENTICATING GAME DATA - Disclosed are methods, apparatus and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for authenticating data for playing a game of chance on a gaming machine. A motherboard is provided in the gaming machine. A peripheral component is in communication with the motherboard over a bus. The peripheral component has access to authentication code in a memory. An authentication instruction message is received over the bus. Responsive to receiving the authentication instruction message, the authentication code is executed on a processor to perform an authentication process on the data. A signal is output, indicating whether the authentication process is successful in authenticating the data. In one implementation, the signal enables play of the game of chance on the gaming machine when the authentication process is successful, and disables play of the game of chance when the authentication process is unsuccessful. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110039614 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A CASUAL WAGERING GAME - Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a casual wagering game which includes a matrix having a plurality of positions. A plurality of path endpoints are positioned along a perimeter of the matrix. In various embodiments, each of the path endpoints are associated with one of an award, a symbol indicating advancement to a subsequent level or a terminator symbol. Each position of the matrix, except a starting position, is configured to accommodate one of a plurality of tiles. Each tile includes one or a plurality of path segments. When the tiles are placed in certain configurations, path segments of bordering tiles form a complete path between the starting position and one or more of the path endpoints. The general objective of the game is for a player to place tiles at positions in the matrix such that connecting path segments form a complete path between the start position and one or more path endpoints in order to win the path endpoint awards. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110039613 | GAMING SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD INVOLVING A PLURALITY OF ROTORS INTERCHANGEABLY OPERABLE IN A DECOUPLED MODE AND A COUPLED MODE - A gaming table, method and device including a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode. The system includes a rotor coupler and a coupler actuator. The system provides an award associated with an indication of a combination of symbols of the rotors. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110039610 | GAMING APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ONE OR MORE GAMING SESSIONS - A gaming system tracks the outcomes of a plurality of plays of a primary game. For example, for each of a plurality of blackjack hands, the gaming system tracks the sum of the cards of that hand. The plurality of tracked primary game outcomes form a gaming session. During the gaming session, the gaming system aggregates (such as by adding) the outcomes of the plurality of plays of the primary game, and determines a corresponding gaming session outcome. The gaming system provides a primary award is provided for any winning primary game outcomes, and a secondary award based on the gaming session outcome. In one embodiment, the gaming system tracks the outcomes of a plurality of simultaneous gaming sessions. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables a plurality of players to participate in at least one of the gaming sessions. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110034236 | SINGLE OUTCOME GAME OF CHANCE WITH DIFFERING WAGERS VARYING AMONG MULTIPLE PAYTABLES - A method of playing a wagering game that comprises the player making multiple wagers to play a single-outcome game, the multiple wagers being made on multiple predetermined paytables for said game. One single-outcome game and at least two differing paytables for said game are offered to the player. The paytables may be for different game versions or for a single game version with differing risk levels. The payback percentage of each of the said differing paytables may vary according to the amount of the wager. The player makes one wager for each predetermined paytable to be utilized in the resolve of the wagers. Multiple same paytables, multiple differing paytables or combinations thereof may be wagered for the play of a single game having a single outcome. The said single outcome is then compared to each wagered predetermined paytable, and each wager is resolved according to that same wagered predetermined paytable. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110028201 | BINGO GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE OUTCOMES FROM SINGLE BINGO PATTERN - The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a bingo game wherein a single bingo pattern is associated with a plurality of outcomes. In one such embodiment, a first bingo pattern is associated with a static outcome, such as an award of a designated value, and a second bingo pattern is associated with an open-ended outcome, such as a progressive award. If a bingo pattern associated with a progressive award is covered, the disclosed gaming system and method causes the bingo game to display a symbol combination associated with the progressive award. In one embodiment, the disclosed gaming system and method selects the symbol combination from a plurality of symbol combinations associated with the progressive award. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110018194 | SELF-CONTAINED DICE SHAKER SYSTEM - The disclosure relates generally to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for a self-contained dice shaker assembly. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include a container device defining an opening into an interior configured for receipt of one or more dice and a sensor assembly in communication with the container interior. The sensor assembly may be configured to monitor, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters, the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of a shaking event. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110014969 | AWARD FREQUENCY ANALYSIS (AFA) SECURITY AUDITOR - An award frequency analysis auditor is employed in wager based gaming systems and reduces the time necessary to detect award frequency and return to player that is out of a desired range. User configurable thresholds may be set with the auditor and user configurable actions may also be configured to be performed when the thresholds are reached. Increased accuracy and reduction of false positives are achieved. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110014963 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING BLACKJACK FLAT RATE PLAY SESSIONS - In accordance with one embodiment, a video roulette flat rate play session is facilitated. The flat rate play session may be associated with at least one of a wagering restriction applied to one or more bets during the flat rate play session and a net maximum payout per spin applicable to one or more bets during the flat rate play session. In one embodiment, a player is provided with a plurality of wagering units at the beginning of the session. A monetary value of the plurality of wagering units may be greater than a monetary value of a flat rate price paid for the flat rate play session. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110003642 | PLAYER SPECIFIC NETWORK - Embodiments of the invention allow a player to have a unique gaming experience, different than other players, even when playing on the same network. A game may span several gaming sessions. States of a game, for example a bonus game, may be stored when the player decides to stop playing the game. When the player initiates a next gaming session, at the same or another location, the previous state of the game is re-loaded onto the gaming machine and the player returns to the previous state. Further, additional bonuses can be implemented because the network knows the identity and other information about the player. The additional bonuses may be unique to that player. Messages particular to a player are exchanged between a gaming device and a gaming network. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110003637 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF AWARDS AND A CUMULATIVE AWARD - Various embodiments of the gaming system of the present disclosure provide a plurality of source awards and a cumulative award maintained by the gaming system. The cumulative award increments or accumulates over multiple plays of one or more primary games based on amounts won in connection with the source awards. Each time one of the source awards is triggered, the value of the cumulative award is incremented or increased by an amount based on the triggered source award. When a designated number of source awards have been triggered, the gaming system provides the cumulative award to one or more players. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110003627 | CENTRAL DETERMINATION GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PERSISTENCE GAME WITH PREDETERMINED GAME OUTCOMES - A gaming system which provides a persistence game which utilizes predetermined game outcomes. One or more predetermined game outcomes include a persistence game award value. If a predetermined game outcome including such a persistence game award value is selected to be provided to the player in association with a current play of a primary game, the gaming system determines whether to provide this persistence game award value to a player in association with the current play of the primary game, or to store this persistence game award value to be subsequently provided to a player in association with a subsequent play of the primary game. The determination of whether to provide or store the persistence game award value is based on the then current progress of the persistence game (i.e., the current state of an accumulation meter). | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110003625 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A PREDETERMINED RESULT POKER GAME - An interactive poker game which provides a predetermined outcome to a player. The gaming device initially displays a plurality of individual sets or hands of face down playing cards. The gaming device determines, based on the obtained predetermined game outcome, one or more playing cards to display to the player for one or more of the individual hands of playing cards. The gaming device then enables the player to select one of the individual poker hands to play as the player's active poker hand. The gaming device determines which playing cards must be provided to the actively played poker hand to provide the player the selected predetermined game outcome. The active poker hand is provided any determined cards which when combined with any previously revealed playing cards in the player selected poker hands results in a poker hand with an associated payout equal to the payout associated with the predetermined game outcome. The gaming device determines, preferably randomly, and displays one or more playing cards for each of the non-selected hands of playing cards and provides the predetermined game outcome to the player. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100331068 | GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE BLACKJACK GAME PLAY SESSION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. During the play, payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins or indirectly in the form of credits to the player's credit account. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100304855 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING PLAYER TRACKING INFORMATION ON AN ELECTRONIC GAMING MACHINE DISPLAY - A gaming machine includes gaming electronics for projecting a game image onto a gaming machine display associated with the gaming machine. The gaming machine is coupled over a network to a host computer that keeps track of data corresponding to a casino patron such as loyalty bonus information, player ID, and so forth (“player tracking data”). The player tracking data is transmitted from the host computer to a gaming machine responsive to identification of the casino patron operating the machine via an electronic card reader. The player tracking data is received by a machine communication interface within the gaming machine and further processed for display by a video overlay device that combines the game image with the player account display information. Accordingly, both the game (e.g. slot machine) and the player account information can appear on the same display monitor. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304825 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING COMPETITIVE WAGERING GAMES - The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a player with an opportunity to compete against an opponent (either a virtual opponent or a human opponent). In one embodiment, the gaming system and method provide a competition game that operates concurrently with a wagering game. In one embodiment, the competition game includes a turn-based video game which enables a player to compete against an opponent. Different generated symbol combinations for the wagering game represent different game actions or sequences for the competition game. That is, the symbols or symbol combinations generated in the wager game determine which game actions or sequences the gaming system causes to occur for the competition game. Based on such displayed game actions and sequences, the disclosed gaming system and method determines whether the player or the opponent wins that competition for the competition game. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100291991 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE GAMING MACHINES WHICH PROVIDE BONUS AWARDS - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100289220 | DRAW VS. STUD 3-CARD CASINO POKER GAME - A method of playing a wagering card game for a single player or a number of players using standard playing cards having a standard rank and involving standard poker hand rankings or modified rankings for Three Card Poker® games. The players play a draw poker game against a dealer's stud poker hand. Each player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, but the game is resolved with final hands of equal amount of cards. After an Ante wager, a plurality of cards is dealt to each player, and a plurality of cards is dealt to the dealer. Following predetermined house rules, each player then may decide to execute one or more of the following options: Surrender, Fold, make a Play bet, make a Double Down bet, or make a Draw bet. The player may or may not discard a card to make the Draw bet. After all of the players' hands have been fully executed, the dealer then adds one or more additional face-up cards to his hand. Outcomes of a comparison of hands are determined by traditional poker rules and standard poker rankings. Wagers are then resolved according to a predetermined paytable. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100285864 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A SELECTIVELY ACCESSIBLE BONUS SCHEME - A gaming device having a bonus scheme, wherein the player may choose when to play a bonus scheme, so long as the player is qualified to do so. The method of qualifying the player to enter the bonus round connects or links the base game operation of the gaming device with the bonus scheme. The reels of the base game contain symbols which alone or in combination with other symbols yield one or more bonus awards to a player. The bonus awards are escrowed and displayed a bonus award escrow display. Once the player obtains a single bonus award, the player becomes eligible or qualified to play the bonus round and the player may choose to do so at any time. The player can accumulate bonus awards and use multiple bonus awards at one time. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100285861 | GAMING MACHINE REEL ALIGNMENT - An electromechanical wager-based gaming machine includes a plurality of reels that are aligned as they are spun so that the reels can be rapidly stopped in response to a player's input. One reel is selected as a reference reel and other reels are brought into alignment using feedback from reel position sensors. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100273550 | GAMING DEVICE INCLUDING PLAYER SELECTABLE WILD SYMBOLS - A gaming system including at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with at least one input device and at least one display device, for a play of a game, to display a plurality of reels, each reel associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For each reel, the gaming system randomly generates and causes the reel to display one of a plurality of different symbols on the reel at each of the plurality of symbol display areas associated with the reel. If a triggering event occurs, for one of the symbol display areas, the gaming system displays at the symbol display area two of the same symbol which is displayed at said symbol display area, evaluates the symbols displayed at each of the symbol display areas, including the symbol display area at which two of the same symbol are displayed, to determine if any winning symbol combinations are displayed and provide the player any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100267444 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A LEVEL OF REWARD - In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method comprises associating, with a casino patron, a benefit of a first value. The benefit of the first value is determined based on a first algorithm and based on the patron's activity during a first portion of a period of time. The method further comprises associating, with the patron, a benefit of a second value. The benefit of the second value is determined based on a second algorithm and based on the patron's activity during a second portion of the period of time, the second portion occurring after the first portion. Associating the benefit of the second value is only performed if the associating the benefit of the first value is first performed. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100267441 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE ENHANCED PAYTABLES - An apparatus and method for a game having a paytable selection feature which may be implemented with a primary or base game, a secondary or bonus game, or both. In one embodiment, the gaming device employs an initial paytable and enables a player pay a fee to purchase a different paytable for a plurality of plays of the game. If the player chooses to purchase a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for a plurality of plays of the game and provides any awards based on the different paytable. If the player does not choose to select a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for each of those plays and provides any awards based on the initial paytable. In one embodiment, the player has the opportunity to see the different paytable prior to paying the fee to purchase it. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100267440 | GAMES OF CHANCE WITH PLAYER-SPECIFIED ELEMENTS - A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100261524 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PROGRESSIVE AWARD MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE RESETTING THE DISPLAYED VALUE OF THE PROVIDED PROGRESSIVE AWARD - In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein maintains a progressive award that is associated with a plurality of different progressive award trigger values or progressive award hit values. In such embodiments, the displayed value of the progressive award does not reset to a reset value or reset amount until the displayed value of that progressive award has incremented to each of the plurality of progressive award hit values associated with that progressive award. In these embodiments, the gaming system provides a plurality of displayed incremented values of a progressive award a plurality of times before the displayed value of that progressive award is reset to the reset value. Such a configuration provides that after the gaming system provides a currently displayed value of a progressive award to a player at least a first time, the displayed value of that progressive award continues incrementing from the provided value. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100261518 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING A PLURALITY OF SIMULTANEOUSLY PLAYED WAGERING GAMES THAT MAY TRIGGER A PLURALITY OF FREE GAMES WHICH MAY BE PLAYED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE WAGERING GAMES - The present disclosure provides a gaming machine or gaming system having a plurality of games which each can be provided as a wagering game or as a free game. The gaming machine or gaming system enables the player to wager on and simultaneously play the plurality of the games. If any free games are won by the player during the played games, the gaming machine or gaming system enables the player to wager on one or more of the games and to play one or more of the games as a wagering game, while simultaneously playing one or more of the games as a free game. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100252997 | MULTIPLE POSITION SINGLE ROUND GAMING SLOT MACHINE AND METHOD - A gaming device presents multiple hands of the game played on the gaming device as part of a single round of game play. The player wagers on whether the composite set of the multiple hands has certain attributes. If the attributes are present in the composite set, the player receives a winning outcome and receives a benefit. In a particularly contemplated implementation, the game is blackjack, and the attributes are based on the number and type of cards as well as the manner in which individual hands beat the dealer and by how many points. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100248821 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING PLAY OF A GAMING DEVICE WITH A PLURALITY OF BALANCES - In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for receiving an indication of a wager, determining at least one balance of a gaming device having a plurality of balances, the at least one balance being associated with the wager, and determining an outcome of a play of the gaming device based on the at least one balance. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248814 | GAMING MACHINE SECURITY INTERFACE MODULE - A gaming machine includes an electronic gaming module which includes a game controller, and also includes a separate security interface module which monitors door switches and various devices. The security interface module has a separate unswitched power supply and also has a separate communication connection with a backend system so that it can continue to communicate with a backend system even when the electronic gaming module is powered down. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100240443 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLAYER REWARDS - Players in a player loyalty scheme are awarded points based on their point-generating activity and are then ranked in order of generated points. Rank-based points are then associated with each rank according to a predefined mapping scheme. The rank-based point totals may be updated periodically. Rank-based points may also be used in tournament play. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100234095 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MAIN GAME ACTIVATING A BONUS EVENT - A game and gaming apparatus include a main game and a bonus game. A player is entitled to participate in the bonus game without an additional wager beyond that required to play the main game. Winning outcomes of the main game determine the indicia used to play the bonus game. In one embodiment upon a winning outcome of the main game, an indicia, such as an image of a winning amount, is transferred to the bonus game. In another embodiment, the bonus event includes categories associated with winning outcomes of the main game, the categories activated based upon wins of the main game. In one embodiment, the main game is a game of video poker. Winning hands are associated with or activate positions of the bonus game. Play of the bonus game comprises selection of at least one of the indicia or positions/categories which have been activated. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100234091 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING SLOT GAME HAVING VIRTUAL MAP DRIVEN REEL STOP POSITION DETERMINATIONS - Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming device include a housing which supports a plurality of mechanical reels and a plurality of stop input devices which are configured to provide a Pachisuro-style slot game. Each of the plurality of reels is associated with a different one of the plurality of stop input devices. Each stop input device enables a player to stop the respective reel when the reel is spinning by activating the stop input device. Each reel includes a plurality of stop positions and each stop position includes a symbol. The gaming device also includes a processor and a memory device. For each reel, the processor randomly determines the stop position at which the reel ultimately stops based on a virtual map stored in the memory device for an initiating stop position of that reel which is selected by the player's activation of the stop input device for that reel. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100234089 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING SLOT GAME HAVING VIRTUAL MAP DRIVEN REEL STOP POSITION DETERMINATIONS - Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming device include a housing which supports a plurality of mechanical reels and a plurality of stop input devices which are configured to provide a Pachisuro-style slot game. Each of the plurality of reels is associated with a different one of the plurality of stop input devices. Each stop input device enables a player to stop the respective reel when the reel is spinning by activating the stop input device. Each reel includes a plurality of stop positions and each stop position includes a symbol. The gaming device also includes a processor and a memory device. For each reel, the processor randomly determines the stop position at which the reel ultimately stops based on a virtual map stored in the memory device for an initiating stop position of that reel which is selected by the player's activation of the stop input device for that reel. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100234086 | GAMING WITH FEE-TYPE WAGERING - A gaming method may include receiving a value amount to initially define a value total, and causing video images to be generated, the video images representing a game including at least one value-generating event. The method also may include deducting a fee at intervals from the value total independent of play of the game represented by the video images, determining based on the fee a value payout associated with the at least one value-generating events, and adding the value payout to the value total. A gaming system or gaming apparatus may include a controller programmed to operate according to the gaming method. Further, a memory may have a computer program in accordance with the gaming method stored thereon. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100228606 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLANNING AND CUSTOMIZING A GAMING EXPERIENCE - The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100228526 | 3-D CASINO GAMING FLOOR VISUALIZATION UTILIZING REAL-TIME AND BATCH DATA - An integrated computing device (tool) and method for creating a floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of a layout in real time or with historical data. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227692 | DISPLAYING CONTENT FOR VARIOUS ASPECT RATIOS - A resource manager can vary content for various display aspect ratios used to display information in a computing environment. This allows providing content that is more suitable and/or especially designed for display on a particular aspect ratio. It will be appreciated that resource manager can facilitate execution of the same computer program code for various aspect ratio as content displayed can be effectively adjusted by the resource manager. In order to support multiple aspect ratios, the resource manager can use an Aspect Ratio Adaptable Data Set (ARADS) that effectively supports displaying graphical content for various aspect ratios. The (ARADS) can include “base data” and “aspect-ratio-specific data” that can complement and/or replace the base data. The base data can be used as an initial basis for displaying graphics on any one of a plurality of different aspect ratios while the aspect-ratio-specific data can be specifically designed for and/or accommodate a particular aspect ratio. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227690 | METHODS AND REGULATED GAMING MACHINES CONFIGURED FOR SERVICE ORIENTED SMART DISPLAY BUTTONS - A regulated gaming system includes a plurality of computer nodes communicating over a network. At least one of the computer nodes includes a gaming machine, which may include a game controller and an interactivity apparatus to accept wagers from a player and to provide random outcomes while playing a game. The interactivity apparatus may include one or more video displays; a menu of available player-selectable games and one or more option buttons, the function of which changes depending upon which of the player-selectable games is selected by the player. A non-video display is associated with each option button, and is configured to indicate the status and/or the function thereof. The gaming machine includes a non-video services subscriber configured to receive, over the network, selected non-video display services to which the non-video services subscriber has subscribed from a non-video display services provider executing in one or more of the computer nodes. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227689 | METHODS AND REGULATED GAMING MACHINES INCLUDING GAME GADGETS CONFIGURED FOR PLAYER INTERACTION USING SERVICE ORIENTED SUBSCRIBERS AND PROVIDERS - A regulated gaining machine including a touch-screen display is provided in a gaining system that includes a plurality of distributed computer nodes communicating over a network using a service oriented communication protocol. A plurality of game gadgets are provided, each enabling player interaction via respective predetermined interaction zones of the touch-screen display, and at least one of which is associated with a game that is selectable and playable on the gaming machine. A service oriented subscriber executes in a predetermined one of the plurality of computer nodes and a service oriented provider is associated with each of the plurality of game gadgets, each being configured to control its associated game gadget. Each of the provided game gadgets is configured to allow interaction between the player and the service oriented subscriber. At least some of the game gadgets are displayed on the touch-screen display, and a player selection of one of the game gadgets is detected on the touch-screen. Responsive to detecting the player selection, a selected interaction is carried out between the player and the service oriented subscriber with respect to the selected game gadget. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227686 | METHODS AND REGULATED GAMING MACHINES INCLUDING SERVICE ORIENTED BLADES CONFIGURED TO ENABLE PLAYER INTERACTION VIA A TOUCH-SCREEN DISPLAY - In a regulated gaming system including a plurality of computer nodes communicating over a network, a gaming machine includes a game controller and interactivity apparatus that accepts wagers from a player and provides random outcomes while playing a game. The interactivity apparatus may include a touch-screen display. A service oriented blade provider may execute in the gaming machine and is configured to provide services to a service oriented blade subscriber executing in one of the computer nodes. The service oriented blade subscriber may consume the services provided by the service oriented blade provider. A service oriented blade, controlled by the service oriented blade provider, is configured to interact with the player via a predetermined portion of the first touch-screen display. The service oriented blade is further configured to enable the player and the service oriented blade subscriber to interact with one another. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227684 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLANNING AND CUSTOMIZING A GAMING EXPERIENCE - The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227683 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLANNING AND CUSTOMIZING A GAMING EXPERIENCE - The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227677 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a plurality of different types of progressive awards adapted to be provided to one or more players of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a progressive hit value, wherein when each progressive award increments to its respective progressive hit value, a triggering event occurs and such progressive award is provided to a player. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a secondary game, wherein if the secondary game is triggered, a player is provided either a fixed award or one of the progressive awards associated with the secondary game based on a play of the secondary game. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with an outcome of a primary game, such as a designated symbol combination, wherein if the associated primary game outcome is generated, such progressive award is provided to a player. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227665 | ROTOR-BASED GAMING DEVICE HAVING A SYSTEM FOR CHANGING THE QUANTITY OF POTENTIAL GAME OUTCOMES FOR SUBSEQUENT PLAYS - A gaming device including a game operable upon one or more wagers. The game is operable for a first play and a second play. Each one of the plays involves a spin of a rotor. The rotor has a plurality of symbols and a plurality of ball landings adjacent to the symbols. A first quantity of the ball landings is available for the first play, and a lower, second quantity of the ball landings is available for the second play. The gaming device also includes an indicator that is operable to indicate information relating to the availability of the second quantity of ball landings. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227664 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLANNING AND CUSTOMIZING A GAMING EXPERIENCE - The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227661 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VIDEO POKER - One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method including steps of populating a primary set of card positions with a first set of initial cards, determining at least one discarded card from the first set of initial cards, replacing the at least one discarded card from the first set of initial cards with replacement cards to form a final set of cards, and determining whether to include the at least one discarded card in at least one secondary set of card positions. If the at least one discarded card is to be included in the at least one secondary set of card positions, the method further provides for populating the at least one secondary set of card positions with the at least one discarded card. Some embodiments of the present invention also provide for determining a payout based on at least the final set of cards. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100222140 | GAME VALIDATION USING GAME PLAY EVENTS AND VIDEO - Validation of gaming operations is described. One method includes receiving a video signal depicting a game from at least one video device, receiving game play events from a gaming apparatus, combining a graphical representation of the game play events with the video signal into a combined video signal, and storing the combined video signal such that one may search for game play events and receive, with each search result, a corresponding portion of the combined video signal. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100216541 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING BONUSES IN GAMING MACHINE NETWORKS USING WEIGHTED PAY TABLES - Disclosed is a gaming system for awarding a bonus to a player of a wager-based game of chance. The gaming system includes one or more gaming devices configured to play games of chance and one or more host devices in communication with the gaming devices over a network. The host device(s) are configured to: i) receive an indication of a bonus award to be provided to a player of the gaming device, ii) receive or retrieve a selection parameter, and iii) select one of a plurality of weighted pay tables stored in a storage medium using the selection parameter. Each weighted pay table includes a plurality of awards and a plurality of probabilities, where each award has an associated one of the probabilities. The host device(s) are further configured to: iv) randomly determine one of the plurality of awards in the selected weighted pay table in accordance with the plurality of probabilities, and v) provide the randomly determined award as the bonus award for the player. Generally, each weighted pay table has an expected value (EV), which can be determined and adjusted by an operator of the gaming establishment. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100210348 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING A COMMON DISPLAY, A FIRST BONUS GAME OR A FIRST BONUS GAME PAYTABLE AND AN OPTION TO PURCHASE A SECOND BONUS GAME OR A SECOND BONUS GAME PAYTABLE WITH RELATIVELY EXPECTED HIGHER VALUES - A gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices and a shared or a common secondary display associated with the gaming devices. In one embodiment, the shared display is adjacent to one or more of the gaming devices of the gaming system. The gaming system includes at least one primary game and at least one secondary or bonus game. The bonus game is associated with a plurality of average expected payouts or values. In one embodiment, the bonus game that is played on the secondary display is associated with a higher average expected payout or higher values than the average expected payouts or values of the bonus game played on the individual gaming devices. When the player places a designated wager, they qualify to play the game on the secondary display and thus qualify for a chance to win the higher awards. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100210339 | MULTI-PLAYER BINGO GAME WITH MULTIPLE ALTERNATE OUTCOME DISPLAYS - The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game, such as a Bingo game, in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. The outcome of the multi-player wagering game may be displayed to the player at the gaming unit, along with an alternate outcome display at two or more alternate outcome display devices at the gaming unit. In one embodiment, an outcome of a Bingo game may be mapped to an outcome of a slot machine having a bonus feature such as a wheel. Outcomes of the Bingo game may then be displayed on the plurality of alternate display devices as outcomes of the slot game and accompanying bonus feature. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100210338 | METHOD FOR PLAYING A VIDEO GAMING MACHINE - A method for playing video gambling games whereby pay tables vary from play to play, or, alternatively, whereby a plurality of pay tables are possible within a game. For example, in a video poker game a player wagers against a first pay table. If a winner occurs, the next game offers a new pay table with a greater expected value. This process continues until the player loses, whereupon the player is returned to play against the first pay table. Pay tables increment and decrement in expected value based on achieving predetermined events within the current game, within a previous game or games or randomly. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100203947 | ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A GAME OFFERING CONTINUOUS REELS - A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100197386 | GAMING METHOD AND DEVICE INVOLVING PROGRESSIVE WAGERS - A method of gaming is disclosed wherein progressive award values may be increased in response to certain pre-established game outcomes, wager amounts or random events. The increased progressive award values may be based on a primary game or secondary game outcome. Another innovation is the resetting of progressive awards upon completion of a bonus event whether or not award actually won in said bonus event. Player tracking systems permit progressive award values to be linked to a particular player such that the progressive award values remain personal to the player. Re-setting increased progressive award values is also disclosed. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100197383 | Secure Smart Card Operations - Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating cashless digital transactions (e.g., in a casino environment). A wager-based gaming machine may include a memory device capable of storing a first credit balance representing an amount of credit available for wagering. The wager-based gaming machine may include a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable electronic device capable of storing a second credit balance representing a second amount of credit available on the portable electronic device. The wager-based gaming machine may include a secure transaction device. The secure transaction device may be operable to transmit to the portable electronic device a request to update the second credit balance, the request including security authorization information. The secure transaction device may also be operable to receive from the portable electronic device an indication that the second amount of credit has been updated in accordance with the request, when it is determined that the security authorization information complies with one or more security authorization requirements. The secure transaction device may also be operable to update the first credit balance stored in the first memory device in accordance with the request. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100197379 | CLASS OF FEATURE EVENT GAMES SUITABLE FOR LINKING TO MULTIPLE GAMING MACHINES - A gaming method, apparatus and system for playing a game of chance is disclosed in which a plurality of gaming machines may be linked together for mutually competitive play. According to one embodiment, two or more gaming machines are linked to a centrally located display exhibiting a game board comprising one or more groups of earmarkable cells in one or more groups. Players on the gaming machines wager and attempt to achieve winning outcomes which earmark cells in the group with designators of their respective gaming machines. When a predetermined number or configuration of cells of a group are earmarked, an award may be distributed to those gaming machines having earmarked cells according to the number of designators within that group associated with each gaming machine. The game of chance may be configured for play on an individual gaming machine. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100190546 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A PLAYER TO SELECT PROGRESSIVE AWARDS TO TRY FOR AND CHANCES OF WINNING PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100178986 | GAMING INVOLVING DEVICES IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS - Techniques for managing games by a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) are disclosed. Various entities (e.g., persons, groups, organizations) can effectively be invited and participate in a game managed by a gaming entity. A gaming apparatus (e.g., a gaming server) can be operable to send one or more indications (e.g., invitations) to one or more devices associated with one or more entities to indicate that the one or more entities may be eligible to participate in a game managed by a gaming entity. It will be appreciated that devices may not be owned and/or operated by the gaming entity and may be operating outside of a domain where the gaming entity is located and/or operates. It will also be appreciated that mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, smartphones) can be operable to allow participation in games managed by a gaming entity. Mobile devices that are owned and operated by private parties can be used outside the primarily domain of a gaming entities, thereby allowing individuals who are not in a casino to participate in a game using their own devices without being physically present at the casino. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100178977 | EGM AUTHENTICATION MECHANISM USING MULTIPLE KEY PAIRS AT THE BIOS WITH PKI - Executable applications on a gaming machine are verified before they can be executed, for security purposes and to comply with jurisdictional requirements. Unlike in prior systems for authenticating the executable applications, embodiments allow for new executable applications to be provided and verified over time with different private and public key pairs, even after the operating code of the gaming machine is certified by the jurisdiction and deployed in the field. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100167822 | MULTI-SYSTEM GAMING TERMINAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A gaming machine with a communication multiplexer device that allows communications between the gaming machine and one or more game service servers all within a single network interface is described. The single network interface may be a wireless or wired network interface. The communication multiplexer device converts messages in native communication protocols used by the gaming machine to a network communication protocol such as transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) for transmission over the single wired or wireless network interface. The communication multiplexer is designed such that the gaming machine may receive messages that have been transmitted using the native communication protocols without modifying regulated gaming software on the gaming machine. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100160031 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE SELECTABLE DISPLAY INTERFACES BASED ON PLAYER'S WAGERS - An apparatus and method for displaying multiple gaming device interfaces for the same wagering game is provided. The game can be a slot game although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exact same game is played using one of a plurality of different display interfaces, wherein the gaming device enables the player to select which interface to play. The player can play the game using one interface and then switch interfaces to provide a fresh display or to change the player's luck. The player can then switch back to the original interface or select a brand new interface depending upon how many interfaces overall are provided. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100144419 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A WHEEL-BASED GAME - A gaming device including at least one wagering station and a rotor. The rotor supports a series of symbols arranged about a center. The rotor also supports a series of landings arranged adjacent to the series of symbols. In operation, at least one ball travels along the rotor and eventually reaches a landing. One or more of the elements of the gaming device has a designated shape, construction or function to enable designated operations of a primary game, a secondary outcome determiner or a combination thereof. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100144416 | "BUY A PEEK" GAMING METHODS AND DEVICES - The present invention provides methods and devices for providing wagering games. A player pays an initial price to play a wagering game according to normal game rules. Game information that would normally be concealed from the player is offered for an additional price. In some implementations, the wagering game is a poker game and the game information is draw card information. The additional price may increase according to the amount of game information provided. In some implementations, a paytable percentage for the wagering game decreases according to the amount of game information provided. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100144415 | MULTI-PLAY POKER GAMING SYSTEM WITH PREDETERMINED GAME OUTCOMES - A gaming system which provides the player a plurality of playing cards to form an initial primary poker hand and also displays one or more other poker hands. The player selects one or more of the initially dealt cards in the primary poker hand to hold or to discard. The held cards are also held in one, more or each of the other simultaneously displayed hands. The gaming device evaluates the held cards and determines which poker game outcomes are possible based on the held cards and the remaining cards in the deck. The gaming device utilizes a stored table of different distributions of poker game outcomes which would result in each payout amount and a table regarding which poker game outcomes are possible based on the player's held cards to determine a distribution of outcomes that provides a total payout equal to the payout of the predetermined game outcome. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100137056 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING ADJUSTABLE ODDS FOR TRIGGERING A GROUP BONUS EVENT - The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides that the probability that a group bonus event will be triggered for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system is independent of the number of players that are currently playing such gaming devices. The gaming system and method disclosed herein further provides that different players that are wagering different amounts at different rates are provided different quantities of evaluation points such that if a group bonus event is triggered, different players are provided different group bonus event awards proportional to each individual player's wagering activity. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100130283 | System for Electronic Game Promotion - A printer on a networked gaming device can be controlled by the network to generate awards. The printer can operate as both a typical printer in a gaming device and as a printer for the gaming network, or separate printers can be installed in the gaming device. If the particular player has identified himself or herself to the gaming network, then the gaming system has a very high probability that it is communicating to a known player. Therefore, the printer operates as a direct communication conduit to a player. Additionally, previously issued awards can be redeemed by a validator coupled to the gaming network. | 05-27-2010 |
