| WMS Gaming Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120136465 | WAGERING GAME LEADERBOARDS - Embodiments include a method that aggregates, for each of a plurality of players, data of different wagering games based, at least in part, on criteria for an aggregate leaderboard. Values for each of the plurality of players are computed based, at least in part, on the data aggregated for each of the plurality of players and the criteria for the aggregate leaderboard. Ranks of the plurality of players are determined based, at least in part, on the computed values. A subset of the plurality of players with ranks above a threshold rank is determined. Indications of the subset of the plurality of players are supplied for updating the aggregate leaderboard. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120129601 | CONTROLLING CASINO LIGHTING CONTENT AND AUDIO CONTENT - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting coordinated wagering game light and sound effects across multiple presentation devices in a casino. In some embodiments, the operations can trigger wagering game audio effects from lighting commands produced by network lighting controllers. The triggered audio can match characteristics of the light effects. The operations can include receiving, at a casino content presentation device, lighting data from a network lighting controller. The casino content presentation device associates the lighting data with a light effect and determines a sound effect, coupled with, or tied to, to, the light effect. The operations can further include presenting the sound effect on speakers associated with the casino content presentation device, and across other casino content presentation devices in the casino, as part of a casino-wide, synchronized, multi-media show. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129593 | Wagering Game System With Networked Gaming Devices - A method of operating a plurality of wagering game tournaments on a plurality of gaming machines includes receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game on a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes providing an option, at the gaming machine, to enter the plurality of wagering game tournaments. The method also includes entering at least one of the plurality of wagering game tournaments and playing in any entered tournament when the tournament begins. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120123570 | USING BOTS IN A WAGERING GAME SYSTEM - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include generating game history for each of a plurality of wagering games, associated with a first wagering game title, played by a first player via a wagering game system. The operations can also include randomly selecting, from the game history, a subset of the plurality of wagering games previously played by the first player, and generating a computer bot for the first player, based on the subset of the plurality of wagering games, to be used during a multiplayer wagering game competition to play for the first player. The operations can further include initiating, via the wagering game system, the multiplayer wagering game competition, replaying, during the multiplayer wagering game competition, the subset of the plurality of wagering games using the computer bot, and determining results of the multiplayer wagering game competition. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122591 | Gaming system with event substitution feature - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. A first community event is triggered and two or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines are selected to participate in the first community event. A second community event is triggered—prior to completion of the first community event and at least one gaming machine is selected from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the second community event. The at least one gaming machine being different from the two or more gaming machines selected to participate in the first community event. A substitute-community-event award is provided to the at least one gaming machine without playing the second community event. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122549 | System, Apparatus, and Methods for Universal Transmissive Display - A switchable transmissive display having an underlying display mode and a full video mode. The switchable transmissive display includes an underlying display and a second display disposed to overlay a portion of the underlying display. The second display includes a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a backlight assembly and a switchable diffuser film layer. The backlight assembly includes a transmissive aperture behind which a portion of the first underlying display is positioned and a supplemental backlight directed at the aperture. The switchable diffuser film layer is transparent in the underlying display mode to allow viewing of the underlying display. The switchable diffuser film layer is translucent in the full video mode to obscure the transmissive aperture allowing an image to be displayed on the second display. The switchable diffuser film layer distributes light from the backlights to provide substantially homogeneous light intensity across the back of the transmissive liquid crystal panel. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122547 | WAGERING GAME INCLUDING MULTIPLE ARRAYS OF REEL SYMBOLS - A gaming system displays a first array of symbols and a second array of symbols for a wagering game. The second array of symbols includes at least one second-array reel. The at least one second-array reel includes a predetermined sequence of symbols. The at least one second-array reel rotates the predetermined sequence of symbols to determine at least partially the second array of symbols. The second array is divided into at least two sub-arrays, the at least one second-array reel extending into the at least two sub-arrays. A controller selects at least one symbol from the first array and copies the at least one selected symbol into one or more positions in each of the at least two sub-arrays. The at least two sub-arrays is displayed with combinations of symbols including the at least one selected symbol. The controller evaluates the combinations to determine an outcome to the wagering game. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122531 | Wagering Game with Incremental Unlocking of Content - A gaming system includes a credit detector adapted to detect a wager to play a wagering game, one or more displays adapted to display, in response to the wager, a base game and a secondary game, the base game providing a trigger that provides an opportunity to play the secondary game, the secondary game including a plurality of decision points, each decision point requiring a selection of one of a plurality of paths and a controller operative to respond to the selection of the path at the one decision point and provide a next decision point for a subsequent selection of another path, a state of the secondary game remaining persistent during repeated plays of the base game so that selected paths in the secondary game are combined to provide non-linear unlocking of a bonus award. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120115594 | GAME SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH ADJUSTABLE ELIGIBILITY FOR BONUS FEATURES - A method and a gaming system for adjusting eligibility rules for wager-dependent bonus features in a wagering game, the game including one or more rule-adjusting activities related to randomly generated outcomes of the game. Rule-adjusting activities achieved by a player can be assessed according a qualification scheme, and can qualify the player for the wager-dependent bonus award even though the player made a non-eligible wager. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115593 | WAGERING GAME HAVING GAME ASSETS WITH MULTIPLE LEVELS OF ENHANCEMENT - A gaming system includes an input device, at least one display, and at least one controller. The input device receives a wager input for playing a wagering game. The at least one display displays a basic wagering game and a community bonus game. The at least one controller is operative to provide a player with a bonus-game asset that is usable in at least a first play of the community bonus game. The bonus-game asset is capable of having at least a first level and a second level that provides a higher bonus-game enhancement than the first level. The at least one controller is further operative to determine if that the bonus-game asset is available to the player for use in a second play of the community bonus game and to alter the level of the bonus-game asset from the first level to the second level for use in the second play. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115592 | EXTERNAL EVALUATOR - An external evaluator can evaluate the wagering game outcome data against rules and/or criteria that lead to an exciting and entertaining event separate and/or distinct from the wagering game itself. An external evaluator evaluates game outcome data, received from a wagering gaming machine via a network, against criteria for a plurality of events ( | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115591 | AWARDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN WAGERING GAMES - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining possible wagering game events that can occur for a wagering game. The operations can further include determining a subset of the possible wagering game events and configuring an award ladder game to award prizes in a stair-step fashion based on occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include ordering a plurality of awards, or prizes, on an award ladder in an order of value and configuring the award ladder to award the plurality of awards in a sequential order of value according to an order of occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include configuring the award ladder to reset when the plurality of awards have been awarded. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115581 | WAGERING GAMES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING SKILL-BASED COMPONENTS - A wagering game system configured to conduct a wagering game includes a wagering game that itself includes at least one display device and at least one user input device, as well as one or more processors operatively associated with the wagering game machine. The one or more processors are configured to perform, responsive to instructions stored on one or more physical memory devices, the acts of randomly determining an outcome of a base wagering game, determining if a trigger condition for a skill-based game feature is satisfied by the outcome of the base wagering game, providing an option to accept the skill-based game feature or to decline the skill-based game feature in favor of a non-skill-based game feature, and executing the skill-based game feature responsive to an instruction to accept the skill-based game feature. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115580 | WAGERING GAME WITH PLAYER-DIRECTED PURSUIT OF AWARD OUTCOMES - A method and system for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager. A standard game of the wagering game is initiated via a processor. The standard game has an expected value associated therewith. A player-directed secondary game that is associated with the standard game is initiated via a processor. The player-directed secondary game includes a plurality of player-selectable and player-directed game sequences. Each of the game sequences has a predetermined completion threshold capable of being achieved during play of the standard game. A player selection of one of the game sequences of the player-directed secondary game is received. In response to receiving the player selection of one of the game sequences and achieving the predetermined completion threshold for that game sequence during play of the standard game, a secondary award is awarded that is independent of the expected value of the standard game. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115570 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PLAYING WAGERING GAMES WITH RANDOMIZED CLUMPING OF SYMBOLS - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a controller. The wager input device receives wagers from players to play the wagering game. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Prior to displaying the outcome of the wagering game, the controller determines whether to add at least one symbol clump to at least one of a plurality of reels. A symbol clump comprises one or more identical symbols occupying two or more symbol positions located immediately adjacent one another on one reel. In response to a determination to add at least one symbol clump, the controller instructs the display to visually indicate the addition of the symbol clump to the reel, and to display the outcome of the wagering game. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111706 | Push button assembly - A push-button assembly for a gaming terminal is operative to actuate a switch or other actuator. The push-button assembly includes a plunger extending into a bezel to actuate the switch. The push-button assembly further includes a bifurcated gasket, having a positioning band that bifurcates into two diverging arms, positioned between a plunger sealing perimeter and a bezel rim so that, while the plunger moves between an extended position and a retracted position, the bifurcated gasket continuously contacts the plunger sealing perimeter and the bezel rim. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120108333 | Gaming Machine Chair And Wagering Game Systems And Machines With A Gaming Chair - Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an automated gaming chair for a gaming system that conducts a wagering game. The gaming chair includes a seat portion and a backrest portion that are supported by a base. The seat portion includes one or more sensing devices for detecting the position of the player relative to the seat portion. The backrest portion includes one or more sensing device for detecting the position of the player relative to the backrest portion. The gaming chair also includes at least one actuator for automating movement of the gaming chair. The actuator(s) limits one or more ranges of motion within which the gaming chair is moved based upon the position of the player as detected by the sensing devices of the seat portion and backrest portion. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108325 | Wager Equalized Bonus Trigger Allocation And Redemption - A method of conducting a wagering game includes awarding one or more bonus triggers in a randomly selected outcome of a base wagering game. The player is allowed to play a progressive game having a first expected value and is eligible to receive a progressive award in the progressive game if an X number of bonus triggers is accumulated. If the number of bonus triggers accumulated is less than X, the player is allowed to play a bonus event, which is different than the progressive game and has a second expected value, if a selection is received to indicate player selection of the bonus event. The bonus event has a bonus award that is less than the progressive award. The second expected value is less than or equal to the first expected value. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108309 | MULTI-GAME VIDEO POKER MACHINE AND SYSTEM WITH ASYMMETRICALLY ACCESSIBLE CUSTOMIZATION FEATURES - A gaming system with asymmetric customization capabilities and a method of enabling asymmetric customization of a wagering game are disclosed. A plurality of selectable game-play features are provided for utilization during the wagering game. Players accessing the game-play features are unequally limited as to which features are available for modification, depending on means of access. All features, however, are available for game-play, regardless of means of access. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120094744 | SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR WIDE-AREA WAGERING GAME AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING WIDE-AREA WAGERING GAMES - A wagering game system wide-area central gaming controller (WAGC) determines a threshold trigger (TT) for awarding a wide-area award, divides a condition prerequisite for the TT into a set of discrete threshold units (TU), one of which is associated with the TT, and distributes to each local central gaming controller (LCGC) a block of the TU for evaluation against an outcome or wager from each eligible wagering game machine. The WAGC also subtracts the distributed block of the TU from the set of TU, continues distributing to each LCGC a block of the TU selected from the set of TU for evaluation against an outcome or wager from each eligible wagering game machine and subtracting the distributed block of the TU from the set of TU until one LCGC confirms to the WAGC that a wagering game machine satisfied the TT associated with a TU allocated to the relevant LCGC. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094739 | WAGERING GAME HAVING CONTINUOUS FREE BONUS GAME PLAYS - A method of conducting a wagering game having a basic game and a continuous bonus game includes continually displaying a plurality of free plays of the continuous bonus game. The act of continually displaying the plurality of free plays includes the act of displaying a randomly selected outcome for each of the plurality of free plays of the continuous bonus game. While continually displaying the plurality of free plays of the continuous bonus game, a session of the basic game is conducted on a wagering game machine. The session includes (i) receiving a wager to play the basic game on the wagering game machine and (ii) in response to the receiving of the wager, a randomly selected outcome of the basic game is displayed. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094738 | Wagering Game With Progressive Game Award Values Associated With Reel Symbols - A gaming terminal plays a wagering game having a plurality of reels with symbols including progressive-game symbols. The wagering game provides access to a progressive game having progressive game awards indicated by the progressive-game symbols. The gaming terminal comprises a wager input device, a display, and at least one controller. The wager input device receives a wager input for playing the wagering game. The display is for displaying the plurality of reels with the progressive-game symbols. Each of the progressive-game symbols is displayed with an associated individual value. The controller is coupled to the display and operative to cause the display to display the incrementing of the individual values of the progressive-game symbols based on game play activity. The controller is also operative to provide a progressive game award based on the individual values of the progressive-game symbols on the plurality of reels that triggered the progressive game award. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094737 | INTEGRATING VIDEO FEEDS AND WAGERING-GAME WEB CONTENT - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include receiving a live video feed of a game event such as an image of a slot wagering game, a roulette game, a poker game, a sporting event, etc. The operations can further include compositing the live video feed with an additional image and including the live video feed in a webpage for a wagering game website. The operations can further include determining an event that occurs during the live video feed and causing the additional image to appear react or interact with images depicted in the live video feed. The operations can further include triggering a secondary wagering game and further compositing images from the secondary wagering game with the video feed. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120088567 | Wagering Game With Overlaying Transmissive Display For Providing Enhanced Game Features - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display. A transmissive display is positioned in front of the game display directly in the player's line of sight including game-play regions at which symbols appear and regions above, below, between, and to the sides the game-play regions. The transmissive display is operable to selectively display transparent, translucent and opaque video images over the game display. The transparent, translucent and opaque video images may be used to change, for example, a play mechanic associated with the wagering game and any reel symbols associated with wagering game. The transmissive display may also be used to provide interactive player control and player selection elements for the wagering game and to facilitate player inputs to the gaming machine. The transmissive display may be further used to provide bonus features associated with a bonus game played at the gaming machine. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120077564 | WAGERING GAME WITH MULTIPLE OVERLYING REEL STRIPS FOR TRIGGERING EVENTS OR OUTCOMES - A method for enabling a portal game on a wagering game device includes the acts of using a processor operatively associated with the wagering game device to conducting a wagering game on the wagering game device in accord with a first math model and using a portal game controller, which may be the processor operatively associated with the wagering game device or a separate controller, operatively associated with both the portal game and the wagering game device, to overlay a portal game over the wagering game. The portal game includes a second math model that is mathematically independent from the first math model of the wagering game. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120071226 | Wagering Game System with Community Gaming System - A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system, the method including receiving an indication of a wager and displaying outcomes of wagering games on at least one display device in response to a wager indication being received, the displayed outcomes being randomly generated by at least one processor. The method also including accumulating a bonus-event playing time upon satisfying at least one predetermined condition as the wagering games are played, initiating a bonus game in which a player is eligible to receive awards for a period of time, determining, via at least one processor, the accumulated playing time accrued prior to the initiation of the bonus game, allowing the player to participate in the bonus game for at least as long as the accumulated playing time and providing any awards earned by the player during their participation in the bonus game. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120028720 | ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS FOR NEAR WIN EVENTS - An establishment can coordinate devices (e.g., lights, speakers, displays) to enhance a game playing environment based on events detected in a network of wagering game machines. A system can be implemented that determines an environmental effect based on an event of a wagering game (e.g., a near win event), regardless of the particular wagering game developer/manufacturer. The system can determine the environmental effect to be created for an event at the wagering game machine, at a server, etc. A request for the environmental effect is then supplied to the process and/or machine that causes the devices to create the environmental effect. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028718 | INTEGRATING SOCIAL NETWORKS AND WAGERING GAMES - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a wagering game player account and determining a social network account associated with the wagering game player account. The social network account can be associated with a social network. The operations can further include determining one or more applications from the social network that are associated with the social network account. The operations can further include integrating the one or more applications with a wagering game session for the wagering game player account. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028714 | TRANSPORTING AND USING WAGERING GAME DATA - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a connection of a portable wagering game player drive to a wagering game network. The operations can include determining a player preference regarding a focus of data to store and storing player experience data from the wagering game network according to the player preference. The operations can further include determining a request to disconnect the portable wagering game player drive from the wagering game network, securing the player experience data for transfer beyond the wagering game network; and presenting wagering game content using a computing device outside of the wagering game network using at least some of the player experience data from the portable wagering game player drive. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028703 | VIRTUAL BANKS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP BONUS GAMES - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating, at a wagering game server, a wagering game session for a player at a gaming machine. The operations can also include relating the wagering game session associated with the player to a virtual bank of related wagering games sessions associated with one or more additional players, where the virtual bank of related wagering game sessions is associated with a community group bonus game. The operations can further include determining when the community group bonus game is triggered for the virtual bank of related wagering game sessions, determining game results of the community group bonus game, and determining an award for the player and for each of the one or more additional players associated with the virtual bank based, at least in part, on the game results of the community group bonus game. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120021814 | DYNAMIC USER TESTING AND COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE IN A WAGERING GAME ENVIRONMENT - Dynamic user testing implemented in a wager gaming environment allows new content to be tested on-the-fly, and allows the content presented on the wagering game machines to be accordingly varied, while live, based on the dynamic user testing of the new content. Such dynamic user testing allows the new content to be tested without implementing expensive testing processes. Moreover, the new content can be provided on-the-fly for presentation on the wagering game machines without affecting an ongoing wagering game or taking the wagering game machines offline if the new content is determined to be more successful than the current content. Dynamic user testing allows a wager gaming environment to collect data for creating new wagering games, for promoting wagering games, and for testing new content across multiple platforms. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021813 | POKER GAME SYSTEM AND SYSTEM WITH A SECONDARY AWARD FEATURE HAVING AN EXPECTED VALUE DEPENDENT ON THE RANKING OF A PRIMARY GAME OUTCOME - A gaming system and method for conducting a poker-themed wagering game. A basic wager is accepted to play the poker-themed wagering game via a wager input device. A plurality of symbol-bearing objects are provided to form a user-playable hand on a display. A payoff is awarded based on a non-monetary ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion via a controller. The opportunity to earn a bonus feature is provided. The bonus feature has an expected value based on the ranking of the user playable hand meeting one of the predetermined criterion. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120015735 | USES OF LOCATION TRACKING IN MOBILE DEVICES - In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes: detecting a plurality of wagering game machines in proximity to the mobile phone, and selecting a first of the plurality of wagering game machines with which to establish a connection. The method can also include requesting the connection with the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, and transmitting, from the mobile phone to the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, player account information for configuring a wagering game. The method can also include receiving, from the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, content indicating a result of the wagering game, and presenting, on the mobile phone, the result of the wagering game. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015707 | WAGERING GAMES WITH BONUS GAME ACCRUAL THROUGH MULTIPLE PLAYS OF A BASIC GAME - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. One concept of the present disclosure is directed to earning bonus features through play of multiple games in series or in parallel. A wagering game includes a base game and a bonus game. A number of base games are conducted in series or in parallel. For each of the conducted base games, one or more bonus-game-modifiers are added to a feature pool (e.g., a queue) in response to a predetermined event (e.g., a winning outcome) occurring in that base game. In response to a triggering event (e.g., filling the feature pool, a symbol-based trigger in the current base game, etc.), the bonus game is conducted as modified by the bonus-game-modifiers in the feature pool. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120009991 | GAMING DEVICE FOR WAGERING ON MULTIPLE GAME OUTCOMES - Systems and methods for wagering on game outcomes allow a player to wager on game outcomes resulting from linked gaming devices linked to a primary gaming device being played by the player. A primary game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on a primary game and a linked game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on linked games. Both the primary and linked gaming devices may be the same type of gaming device, or they may be two different types of gaming devices, such as gaming devices for playing slot games, card games, keno, and the like. Further, either or both of the primary and linked games may allow bonus game outcomes resulting in a bonus game having bonus game awards. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120004026 | CONTROLLING PROGRESS IN WAGERING GAMES - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include tracking progress of a wagering game player account (player account) for a persistent-state game. The player account can fulfill progression requirements for the persistent-state game, such as by performing wagering game activities. The operations can then provide, or reward, the player account with progress in the persistent-state game. Operations can mark the progress by presenting progress markers on a progress chart available to the player account. The progress chart can be based on an episodic theme. The operations can present episodic theme content at certain locations on the progress chart. The operations can further unlock content based on progress in the persistent-state game and present unlocked content to the player account. Operations can also enforce progress limits, where the player account can perform gaming activities to remove the progress limits. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110319153 | System and Method for Blind Selection of Plural Selectable Elements Prior to a Reveal in a Wagering Game - A method for conducting a wagering game on a wagering game device includes using one or more processors to define, in a game feature, a plurality of selectable elements, at least some of the plurality of selectable elements being associated with selectable element awards. The method also includes receiving player selections of the selectable elements, subject to a predefined geometric rule-based selection constraint, until the player has either selected a selectable element associated with a game-ending outcome or completed selections from among the plurality of selectable elements. The method further includes revealing the selectable element awards only after all player selections of the selectable elements have been received and awarding to the player any selectable element awards relating to any selected selectable elements. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319152 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR DYNAMICALLY SIMULATING A COMPONENT OF A WAGERING GAME - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device for receiving wagers from players to play a wagering game, and a display for displaying outcomes of the wagering game. The gaming device also includes a multi-layer composite lighting assembly with a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer, and a spacer. The first light-emitting layer emits light of a first color in a first direction, whereas the second light-emitting layer emits light of a second color in a second direction. The spacer, which is interposed between the first and second light-emitting layers, diffuses and focuses light emitted by the second light-emitting layer through the light emitted by the first light-emitting layer to thereby create a three-dimensional simulation of a component of the wagering game. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110312410 | WAGERING GAME WITH DUAL-PLAY FEATURE - Multi-player games that foster cooperation or competition between players. A multi-player wagering game system includes a first display to display a first wagering game; a first input device corresponding to the first display to accept input from a first player; a second display to display a second wagering game, the second display being adjacent to the first display; a second input device corresponding to the second display to accept input from a second player; and a bonus display to display a bonus game. The bonus game receiving input from both the first and the second input devices. Computer software causes the first wagering game and the second wagering game to be executed. A multi-person seating device is configured to permit the first player and the second player to sit side-by-side in front of the first display and the second display, respectively. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110300926 | PRESENTING GROUP WAGERING GAMES AND AWARDS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include monitoring wagering game play for a player account that is registered to play a group scavenger hunt game. The group scavenger hunt game may include various collectable items that group members collect to win the group scavenger hunt game. The operations can further include determining that wagering game events occur during the wagering game play, where the occurrences of the wagering game events are prerequisites for obtaining the collectable items. The operations can further include indicating on a group progress report (e.g., a website) that one of the collectable items was obtained. In some embodiments, the operations can also include awarding the player account for obtaining the item, providing trophies, or other virtual assets, for winning the group scavenger hunt game, providing benefits for holding the trophies, etc. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110300925 | CONFIGURING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME PRESENTATIONS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from content sources that are accessible to a wagering game machine and determining presentation requirements for the content. The operations can further include determining a presentation template that the wagering game machine can use to present the content according the presentation requirements. The presentation template can have pre-configured presentation areas, one of which can be configured to present the content according to pre-defined configuration settings. The operations can further include determining that one pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template content can present the content in accordance with the presentation requirements, and presenting the content in pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110294563 | Wagering Game With Active Paytable Highlighting Winning Combinations - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display, a display arrangement, and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display arrangement displays a video image and overlays the game display. The video image includes a paytable having paytable regions indicating respective winning combinations. The controller is in communication with the display arrangement, wherein in response to the randomly selected outcome including symbols of a winning symbol combination, the controller causes one or more aspects of the paytable region associated with the winning combinations to be distinguished from the other paytable regions. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110287828 | CONFIGURING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME COMPATIBILITY - A wagering game system is herein. In embodiments, the system's operations can include presenting a primary wagering game and receiving a request to present a secondary game in connection with the primary wagering game. The primary wagering game and the secondary game can be separate applications that require interactivity with each other (e.g., provide required functionality and communicate shared data, etc.). The operations can further include determining that an API provides the required interactivity, so that the secondary game can function in conjunction with the primary wagering game (e.g., can successfully plug-in to the primary wagering game). The operations can further determine optional and non-optional requirements and determine compatibilities based on the optional and non-optional requirements. Further, the operations can add functionality to the primary wagering game, the secondary game, or the API, to enable compatibility. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287823 | CONTROLLING BINGO GAME INTERACTIVITY - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include providing gaming content for use during a bingo game, where the gaming content includes a representation of a bingo game card that includes card identifiers, arranged in a distinct pattern, which are usable during the bingo game to track game identifiers, with equivalent values, when drawn during the bingo game. The operations can further include selecting a card identifier, in response to user input, which indicates a user prediction that a corresponding game identifier, with an equivalent value, will be drawn during the bingo game. The operations can further include placing a bet for a secondary wagering game on the selecting of the card identifier, detecting a draw of the corresponding game identifier during the bingo game, and using the draw of the game identifier as an outcome for the bet. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110281635 | Simulation of Mechanical Reels on a Gaming Machine - A spinning reel slot machine has increased versatility, while having reels that are aesthetically similar to traditional mechanical reels. In one embodiment, the slot machine includes a plurality of optical fibers having first ends optically coupled to a surface of an image display device and seconds ends defining a curved display surface for displaying simulated mechanical reels to a player. In another embodiment, one or more of the mechanical reels has a transparent window at a location where a symbol would normally be present. A video display displays a video symbol in the transparent window. In yet a further embodiment, one of the plurality of mechanical reels has a miniature image display located at selected ones of the symbol regions for providing video symbols for the game. In yet further embodiments, a symbol region can produce more than one symbol in response to exposure at certain wavelengths or polarizations of light. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281628 | WAGERING GAME OBJECT ANIMATION - An outcome of a dice throw and an orientation of the dice can be randomly determined. Based on knowledge of the outcome of the dice throw and the orientation of the dice, die faces that face the player at a beginning time instant of the animated motion can be back calculated. The dice can then be accordingly constrained to a selected one of a number of predefined animations for the dice to efficiently generate a more realistic and accurate graphical representation of the dice throw on the wagering game machine. Such a technique for generating the graphical representation of the dice throw based on 3D modeling and physics of the dice throw precludes managing and maintaining texture maps. Also, the graphical representation of the dice throw can be presented without texture swapping and with less computation because the pre-modeled dice are constrained to the selected animation of the dice. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110269548 | PRESENTING NETWORK-WIDE EVENTS IN NETWORK WAGERING VENUE - A wagering game system its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player account, from a network wagering venue, that is eligible to participate in a network-wide wagering game event, and selecting the player account to be a player that performs for an audience of other users. The player can win at least some portion of awards by playing a wagering game during the network-wide wagering game event. Audience member users can participate in the event using interactive features (e.g., betting features, chat features, etc.) presented in a presentation, or view, of the network-wide wagering game event. The operations can also include involving, or incorporating, the audience members, into the network-wide wagering game event in a variety of ways, such as assisting the player participant to perform better at the wagering game, engaging in side-bets, receiving awards, etc. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269525 | Wagering Game System For Providing Gaming Establishment With Guaranteed Theoretical Winning Percentage - A gaming system maintains a theoretical payback for a gaming establishment and comprises a plurality of gaming machines, a network, and a controller. The plurality of gaming machines are for playing wagering games having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering games. Each of the gaming machines has a theoretical payback that is associated with a math algorithm for generating the randomly selected outcomes. Each of the gaming machines has an actual payback of awards that are provided to players. The network is connected to the plurality of gaming machines. The controller is within the network and is operative to send instructions for transferring funds from a first account to a second account. The funds are based on a summation of differentials between the actual payback and the theoretical payback that occurred over a certain period of time at the gaming machines. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110263326 | PROJECTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAMES - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include projecting an image of wagering game content onto a physical surface and controlling a wagering game, associated with the wagering game content, using player interaction with the image. The operations can further include modifying the image in response to the player interaction with the image. The operations can further include controlling the wagering game using physical objects in a physical environment around the image. The operations can also include modifying the image based on detected characteristics of the physical environment. The operations can further include modifying the image based on player-specific information. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110250955 | CONTROLLING APPLICATION DATA IN WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250948 | VIDEO COMPRESSION IN GAMING MACHINES - Based on the characteristics of a reel-spinning video, a video encoder/decoder can rely on image date from a preceding video frame to reconstruct a current area of a current frame of the reel-spinning video. The video encoder can record some indication of the current area (e.g., number of dropped blocks or boundary values of the area). The video encoder can rely on motion information (e.g., a motion vector) of a preceding area within the current frame, or encode motion information with the indication of the current area. The video encoder then transmits the indication of the current area, perhaps with a subsequent area, without image data of the current area. The video decoder can then reconstruct the current area with image data from a matching area in the preceding frame based on the motion information. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110245943 | CONTROLLING AND CONFIGURING RESPONSIBLE GAMING DATA - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player account that is logged in to a wagering game session and presenting a wagering game during the wagering game session. The operations can further include determining accounting transaction data that relates to an amount of money that the player account has spent on gambling during a time period. The operations can further include presenting the accounting transaction data during the wagering game session so that the accounting transaction data and the wagering game are both perceptible to the player account. The operations can also include indicating the amount of money that the player account has spent on gambling in the time period. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244960 | Gaming Machine With Visual And Audio Indicia Changed Over Time - A gaming machine having features for increasing player appeal is set forth. The machine generally includes a processor, a display, and a memory device. The processor randomly selects one of a plurality of outcomes of the gaming machine in response to a wager. The display displays visual elements to be viewed by the player. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores at least two data sets for producing at least two different types of visual and/or audio elements in the basic game or bonus game, or at least two different types of bonus game formats. The processor selects one of the two data sets in response to the occurrence of a predetermined time, a number of wager inputs by players of the gaming machine, or after determining a favorite play content based on the number of wager inputs by players. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244949 | PUBLISHER/SUBSCRIBER ARCHITECTURE FOR MULTI-DEVICE ACTIVITIES - A publisher-subscriber architecture with standardized and/or dynamic event/message look up can be implemented on wagering game establishment networks to establish a robust and flexible reporting and reacting mechanism. Processes that operate in accordance with the publisher-subscriber architecture can coordinate operations across multiple devices in a wagering game establishment, and even across multiple wagering game establishments, in response to an event occurring. Processes can operate as publishers and/or subscribers, and can reside on a WGM (e.g., standalone, portable, etc.) or a server. Processes operating as publishers on a WGM can publish information about events that occur on the WGM. Processes operating as subscribers can interpret published event information from different vendors and use published event information in a number of different ways. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244942 | WAGERING GAMES WITH VARIABLE REEL SIZES AND GAMING DEVICES FOR PLAYING THE SAME - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of reels each having distinct symbol positions and bearing an array of symbols. Some of the symbols are grouped into corresponding symbol clumps. A window is associated with each of the reels. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Some of the outcomes are represented by a segment of each reel being displayed through a respective one of the windows. The probability that a particular one of the windows will be filled with one of the symbol clumps as part of an outcome decreases between at least two of the windows. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244938 | Wagering Game System With Shared Outcome Determined By A Gaming Machine - A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community event includes a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine. The first gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome for the community event, and sends information related to the outcome to at least one other gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The second gaming machine receives the information from the first gaming machine and plays the community event. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110230254 | WAGERING GAME HAVING PLAYER SELECTIONS ON TYPE OF WAGERING GAME AND GAME FEATURES APPLIED TO SELECTED WAGERING GAME - A gaming system and methods for conducting a wagering game allowing player selection of a base game and a game feature. A gaming system includes a display displaying a plurality of game icons and a plurality of game feature icons. Each of the game icons indicate a respective different base game and each of the game feature icons indicate a respective different game feature. An input device accepts a player selection of one of the plurality of game icons. The input device further accepts a player selection of one of the plurality of game feature icons. A controller selects a base game in response to the player selection of one of the plurality of game icons and selects a game feature in response to the player selection of one of the plurality of game feature icons. The controller operates the selected base game incorporating the selected game feature. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110224002 | MANAGING GAMES IN WAGERING GAMING NETWORKS - Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include one or more machine readable media including instructions which when executed by a machine cause the machine to perform operations comprising: loading, into a main memory of the machine, a wagering game software program configured to, upon execution, determine results for wagering games and to provide the results to remote wagering game terminals; executing the wagering game software program in the machine; deactivating the wagering game software program, wherein the deactivating includes, for each one of the wagering game terminals, determining that the one of the wagering game terminals has been idle for a specified time period; discontinuing determination of the results and provision of the results to the one of the wagering game terminals; and ceasing execution of the wagering game software. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110223993 | CREATING CASINO EXPERIENCES - Techniques for controlling wagering game environments are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for controlling a casino wagering game environment includes determining a plurality of zones in the casino wagering game environment, wherein the zones include one or more wagering game machines. The can also include presenting wagering games on the wagering game machines in the wagering game environment, and detecting an event in the wagering game environment, the event triggering a bonus game for which a plurality of players have a possibility of winning an award. The method can also include determining one or more of the zones in which to present media associated with the bonus game, and presenting, in the one or more zones, the media associated with the bonus game. The method can also include determining a winner of the bonus game, and providing the award to the winner. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110218044 | STORING AND USING CASINO CONTENT - A wagering game system and operations are described herein. The operations can include presenting selectable casino content on a casino display device and determining a selection of the casino content (e.g., by a wagering game player account, by a casino patron, etc.). The operations can further include determining data from the selectable casino content, such as viewable portions of the casino content or metadata associated with casino content. The operations can further include sending the data to be saved in a user accessible storage, such as to a user accessible storage device or a web account associated with a casino user or social contact. In some embodiments, the operations can also include analyzing the selected casino content to generate analytics that can be used to determine targeted content (e.g., targeted advertisements, targeted wagering games, etc.) that can be presented or suggested to a wagering game player. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110218042 | DYNAMIC SKINNING OF WAGERING GAMES - An editing tool generates a progressive game skin and code for instantiating the progressive game skin. The progressive skin indicates various perceivable elements (e.g., visual elements, aural elements, etc.) and skin configurations (e.g., layout for perceivable elements, timing for presenting perceivable elements, properties of perceivable elements, etc.). The progressive skin may also indicate target presentation devices for presenting the perceivable elements indicated by the progressive skin. The progressive skin editing tool provides the progressive skin to a device that controls one or more devices that will present the perceivable element indicated by the progressive skin. The controlling device (“media controller”) reads the progressive skin and causes the one or more devices to present the indicated perceivable elements as indicated by the progressive skin (“instantiates the progressive skin”). | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110218035 | NORMALIZING SKILL-BASED WAGERING GAMES - In some embodiments, a method comprises initiating a plurality of skill-based bonus games across a plurality of wagering game machines; collecting game result data associated with the plurality of skill-based bonus games; during a normalization process for one of the plurality of skill-based bonus games, determining a rate of awarding a secondary economy asset for the skillbased bonus game is not within a range based on the game result data; adjusting parameters of the skill-based bonus game to normalize the rate of awarding the secondary economy asset across the plurality of skill-based bonus games; and deploying the skill-based bonus game with the adjusted parameters across one or more of the wagering game machines. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110218033 | Gaming System Having System Wide Tournament Features - A multi-mode gaming terminal comprising, a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game. And at least one controller operative to: (i) detect a selection between a cash mode of operation and a tournament mode of operation; (ii) if the cash mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game configured with a first payback return; (iii) if the tournament mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game in a tournament mode configured with a second payback return and a tournament return, wherein on each tournament eligible play of the primary wagering game resulting in a winning outcome, a predetermined number of tournament points are awarded and added to a tournament entry; and (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, entering the tournament entry into at least one tournament. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110212785 | PRESENTING CONTENT IN WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include coordinating presentation of media in a plurality of browsers of one or more wagering game machines. The operations can include subscribing a first browser and a second browser of a wagering game machine to a communication channel; presenting media for a wagering game in the first browser of the wagering game machine; requesting a result for the wagering game; presenting media for the wagering game result in the first browser; and determining that the wagering game result triggers a bonus game in the second browser. The operations can also include notifying the second browser of the wagering game machine of the bonus game trigger via the communication channel to cause the second browser to present media for the bonus game. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110212767 | MANAGEMENT OF ONLINE WAGERING COMMUNITIES - The document describes operations for managing online wagering game casinos. In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the operations include presenting wagering games to players in an online casino; facilitating messaging between the players and a wagering game attendant; reporting results of the wagering games to the attendant; and detecting, from the wagering game attendant, a request to present a community bonus opportunity to one or more of the players. The operations can also include presenting the community bonus opportunity to the players; detecting responses to the community bonus opportunity, wherein the responses are associated with the players; determining one or more winners of prizes offered in the community bonus opportunity; and awarding the prizes to the one or more winners. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110207531 | OPTICAL MACHINE-READABLE DATA REPRESENTATION IMAGE - Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110207530 | WAGERING GAME MACHINES WITH UNIVERSAL MOUNTING BASE FOR LIGHT AND MARQUEE ASSEMBLIES - Wagering game systems, gaming machines, and methods of changing the appearance of a gaming machine are presented herein. In one embodiment, a gaming machine for playing a wagering game is presented. The gaming machine includes a display for displaying the outcomes of the wagering game, and an input device for receiving wagers from players. The gaming machine also includes a cabinet with a mounting base integrated to the top of the cabinet. The mounting base is configured to support any of a plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures, such as tower lights, marquees, and other signage. In some embodiments, the gaming machine also includes at least one electrical connector that is accessible from the exterior of the cabinet. The electrical connector is configured to electrically couple the selected top-box mounted fixture to the cabinet. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110207521 | Gaming Machine With Visual And Audio Indicia Changed Over Time - A gaming machine having features for increasing player appeal is set forth. The machine generally includes a processor, a display, and a memory device. The processor randomly selects one of a plurality of outcomes of the gaming machine in response to a wager. The display displays visual elements to be viewed by the player. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores at least two data sets for producing at least two different types of visual and/or audio elements in the basic game or bonus game, or at least two different types of bonus game formats. The processor selects one of the two data sets in response to the occurrence of a predetermined time, a number of wager inputs by players of the gaming machine, or after determining a favorite play content based on the number of wager inputs by players. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110205068 | COMMUNICATING IN-CASINO EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining emergency information that indicates a potential threat to the well being of one or more individuals (e.g., patrons, staff, etc.) within a casino. The operations can also include determining and presenting emergency content, on wagering game machines within the casino, which notifies the one or more individuals of the threat. The operations can also include determining individual specific emergency information that relates specifically to the one or more individuals, and providing the individual specific emergency information to the one or more individuals. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110201416 | Progressive Wagering Game With Personalized Reset-Value Feature For Players Meeting Predetermined Criteria - A gaming system includes a plurality of gaming terminals for playing wagering games that provide access to a progressive game having multiple progressive jackpots. Each progressive jackpot has a base reset value that increases in response to wager inputs. The gaming system comprises at least one controller operative to determine that a first player at a first gaming terminal has achieved a predetermined criteria, and to provide an award associated with one of the multiple progressive jackpots to a second player at a second gaming terminal who triggered the awarded jackpot. The controller maintains the value of the awarded progressive jackpot for the first player who achieved the predetermined criteria at the awarded value, but resets the awarded progressive jackpot to the lower base reset value for other gaming terminals. Thus, the first player benefits from a potentially higher jackpot award value due to achieving the predetermined criteria. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201415 | LIVING DIGITAL ACHIEVEMENTS - A system for granting and managing dynamic digital achievements can grant dynamic digital achievements in a controlled manner to encourage player participation in wagering game establishments. A dynamic digital achievement lives beyond an initial grant and can exhibit different behaviors over time and/or in combination with other digital achievements. The dynamic digital achievements can comprise an image, a sequence of images, video, executable code, audio, etc. The dynamic behavior of a digital achievement can increase interest in the digital achievement, thus increasing interest in the corresponding activity, whether wagering game activity or non-wagering game activity. Moreover, the system for granting and managing dynamic digital achievements is not limited to wagering game networks. The system can interface with other vendor systems and cause a dynamic digital achievement to exhibit behavior based on activity by a player in a non-gaming environment. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201414 | CONTROLLING AND PRESENTING ONLINE WAGERING GAMES - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include receiving login information to log in to an online gaming venue and determining a player account associated with the login information. The operations can also include presenting the online gaming venue on a personal computing device associated with the player account. The online gaming venue can include casino related data that indicates ambience of a gambling environment (e.g., a casino, a poker room, etc.), interactive objects to interact with the player account, and communication functions to share recorded activity and other personal information, between the player account and other player accounts within the online gaming venue. In some embodiments, the operations can also include determining indications of player emotions and presenting multi-media files in conjunction with player avatars to represent the indicated emotions within the online gaming venue. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201411 | Gaming Machine With Improved Lighting Arrangement - A gaming machine includes a cabinet frame, a display, and an emotive lighting area. The cabinet frame has a cabinet surface visible to and facing a player position in front of the gaming machine. The display is mounted to the cabinet frame and is configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game. The emotive lighting area is integrated with the cabinet frame on the cabinet surface, proximate the display, and is separate from the display. The emotive lighting area includes a light source and a reflective surface, each of the light source and the reflective surface being concealed within the cabinet frame such that they are not viewable from the player position, the reflective surface configured to receive light directly from the light source and to reflect the light to a viewable area. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201410 | Gaming Machine Having A Community Game With Side Wagering - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises the act of triggering a community event while conducting the wagering game on the plurality of gaming machines. Two or more gaming machines are selected to participate in the community event. The community event is selected from a plurality of independent community events. The gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines, at least one community display, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to select the two or more gaming machines to participate in the community event, and select the community event from the plurality of independent community events to display on the at least one community display. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201408 | WAGERING GAME ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A wagering game account management system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations include determining that a trigger condition for an account rule has occurred, wherein the account rule specifies an account action to be performed upon satisfaction of the trigger condition, and wherein the account action is associated with a wagering game account and other financial accounts. In some embodiments, the operations also include initiating the account actions and indicating a result of the account actions. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201406 | Wagering Game With Altered Probabilities Based On Reel Strip Configurations - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display configured to displaying a wagering game outcome on a plurality of video reels and a controller in communication with the display. The controller is operative to randomly determine an outcome of the wagering game and to display the wagering game outcome on the plurality of reels. The wagering game outcome includes a plurality of symbols disposed on a first subset of the plurality of reels and further includes at least one meta-symbol disposed on a second subset of the plurality of reels. The controller is further operative to award an award if the displayed wagering game defines a winning wagering game outcome. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201403 | Multi-Level Progressive Game With Reset Feature For Maintaining Expected Value Of The Wagering Game - A gaming system comprises a wager input device receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game, at least one display, and at least one controller. The wagering game provides access to a progressive game having multiple progressive jackpots. The multiple progressive jackpots are reset after being awarded. In response to a progressive jackpot being awarded, a current expected value of the wagering game is calculated with a normal reset value applied to the awarded progressive jackpot. And, in response to the calculated current expected value of the wagering game being less than a minimum jurisdictional limit, the awarded one of the multiple progressive jackpots is reset with a padded reset value so that the expected value of the wagering game is equal to or greater than the minimum jurisdictional limit. The padded reset value is greater than the normal reset value. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110190066 | CONTROLLING AND PRESENTING VIRTUAL WAGERING GAME ENVIRONMENTS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player avatar population in a location of a virtual wagering game environment and determining a wagering game machine object supply in the location of the virtual wagering game environment. The wagering game machine object supply is an amount of available wagering game machine objects within a boundary of the location. The operations can further include determining a supply availability ratio, where the supply availability ratio indicates a restriction on the amount of the available wagering game machine objects in the location compared to the player avatar population. The operations can further include determining that the wagering game machine object supply is not compliant with the supply availability ratio and modifying the wagering game machine object supply to comply with the supply availability ratio. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110183763 | PROCESSING METADATA IN WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - This description describes wagering game systems that process metadata. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a wagering game presentation unit configured to present wagering games and create extended metadata and wager gaming content. The apparatus can also include operating system modules configured to store the wager gaming content as a file in a file system and to store the extended metadata at locations associated with the file. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110183749 | IN-CASINO TO ONLINE CASINO INTERACTIVITY - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining an achievement by a player account that occurs during a wagering game session and rewarding the player accounts achievement according to achievement settings or business rules. The operations can also include generating achievement data with marketing metadata and providing the achievement data to a marketing provider to market to the player account based on the achievement data. In some embodiments, the operations can also include presenting the achievement data on a website, such as a personal wagering game web log “gaming blog”. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110183745 | MANAGING CASHLESS WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing of cashless wagering game systems. An apparatus comprises a first cashless wagering game media input device, operable to access a first cashless wagering game medium associated with a first cashless wagering system; a second cashless wagering game media input device, operable to access a second cashless wagering game medium associated with a second cashless wagering system; and a control module operable to: receive a transfer amount, the transfer amount associated with the first cashless wagering game medium and to be debited from the first cashless wagering system; and credit at least a portion of the transfer amount to the second cashless wagering system. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110183739 | MORPHING GEOMETRIC STRUCTURES OF WAGERING GAME OBJECTS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include accessing a wagering game object in a wagering game application running on a wagering game machine, where the wagering game object can include a plurality of degenerate polygons that form a first geometric structure for the wagering game object. The operations can further include determining a second geometric structure that is structurally distinct from the first geometric structure, and morphing the wagering game object from the first geometric structure into the second geometric structure via manipulation of the plurality of degenerate polygons. The operations can further include determining conditions that dictate the shape of the second geometric structure and morphing the wagering game object using a morphing algorithm associated with the conditions. Further, the operations can include providing outcomes and awards in accordance with the second geometric structure. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110165938 | Wagering Game With Time-Based Bonus - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The controller is coupled to the display and, in response to receiving the wager input, is programmed to increment eligibility time to a counter of bonus-time eligibility. The counter is decremented as real time progresses. If the counter is greater than zero when a bonus game of the wagering game is triggered, the player is allowed to play the bonus game. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110159948 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME MARKETING INFORMATION - A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a wagering game toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can cross market affiliate content and wagering game content using features of the toolbar. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110143834 | LOCATION-BASED CUSTOMIZATION OF AVATARS IN GAMING SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a wagering game session for a wagering game is initiated at a first gaming location. The wagering game comprises an avatar that is customizable according to a plurality of location-based customization options. The operations can also include configuring the wagering game with a first set of customization options, associated with the first gaming location, for the avatar of the wagering game to be played on a first gaming machine associated with the first gaming location. The operations can further include determining that a wagering game session for the wagering game is initiated at a second gaming location, and configuring the wagering game with a second set of customization options, associated with the second gaming location, for the avatar of the wagering game to be played on a second gaming machine. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110136569 | MASH-UP WAGERING GAME CREATION - A wagering game developer can use an online wagering game community to gauge popularity of wagering games, demonstrate wagering games, test wagering games, estimate wagering game life cycles, etc. Moreover, the wagering game developer can use the creativity of community members to modify and, perhaps, develop wagering games. The wagering game developer can decompose different aspects of a wagering game into executable code units that are platform independent, reusable, and/or configurable (“wagering game widgets”). Users combine wagering game widgets, whether derived from a wagering game or user generated, to create a wagering game for playing in the online wagering game community. Wagering game developers can reward users who create the most popular wagering games, and develop proper versions of these user-created wagering games for deployment in wagering game establishments. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110130197 | COMMUNICATING WAGERING GAME INFORMATION USING MESH NETWORKS - A mesh communications wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include tracking any number of wireless mesh network devices in relation to a wagering boundary so that the system can manage wagering games. In some embodiments, the operation can include incentivizing players to encourage other players to participate in a mesh network, thus increasing the efficiency of the mesh network. In some embodiments, the operations can include coordinating the presentation of wagering game content between mesh enabled devices. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130194 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME PLAY - A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can process and present wagering games using wagering game play elements (e.g., icons, graphics, etc.) on the toolbar. The toolbar can also have controls, configurations and settings associated with the toolbar, which the toolbar can communicate to a wagering game provider to determine game results. The toolbar can use the controls, configurations, and settings to affect the presentation of wagering game information on the toolbar, to control the presentation of game results using the wagering game play elements, etc. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130192 | WAGERING GAME WITH COMMUNITY EVENT POKER GAME - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from a player and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is programmed to randomly increment during game play a bonus-time eligibility counter for a community bonus game, decrement the bonus-time eligibility counter as real time progresses, and render a player eligible to play the community bonus game if the bonus-time eligibility counter is greater than zero when a community bonus game is triggered. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130191 | Gaming System Having Improved Progressive Jackpots - A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110124408 | Gaming System Having Time Period Based Progressives - A method of awarding a progressive comprises displaying a progressive award which increments over time as wagers are received and activating the progressive award for a predetermined first time period. During the first time period, a first portion of each eligible wager received is added to the progressive award, each eligible wager associated with a corresponding player inputting the wager. For each eligible wager received, a first number of entries are allocated into a selection for awarding the progressive award. The method further comprises selecting a winning entry from all entries received during the first time period and awarding the progressive award to a player associated with the selected winning entry. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124401 | ASSOCIATING PORTABLE WAGERING GAME MACHINES WITH A STATIONARY WAGERING GAME MACHINE - Embodiments of a portable wagering game machine and a stationary wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of portable wagering game machines are associated with a stationary wagering game machine. Group wagering game data is displayed on the stationary wagering game machine. The group wagering game data includes wagering game content for viewing by multiple players. At each of the plurality of portable wagering game machines, individual wagering game data is displayed. The individual wagering game data and the group wagering game data relate to a wagering game. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124394 | Bonus Game For A Gaming Machine - A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124393 | Wagering Game With Unilateral Player Selection For Developing a Group - A wagering game system includes a service for conducting a group-wagering game for a group of players under the control of a gaming control system and a plurality of gaming terminals, each gaming terminal connected to the service and being configured to conduct a group-wagering game in combination with the service. The gaming control system is configured to permit a player in the group of players to unilaterally alter a membership of the group of players. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110118009 | WAGERING GAME TRAINING TOOL FOR WAGERING SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating, at a gaming machine, an analysis mode of a wagering game training tool associated with a wagering game, and determining when a player has played a predefined number of rounds of the wagering game. The operations can also include determining a skill level associated with the player for one or more areas of skill associated with the wagering game based, at least in part, on the predefined number of rounds played by the player. The operations can further include identifying an area of skill associated with the wagering game where the skill level associated with the player is less than a predefined skill level, and initiating a training mode of the wagering game training tool to improve the skill level associated with the player in the identified area of skill. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118002 | WAGERING GAME WITH GAME APPEARANCE CHANGING BASED ON PLAYER'S SELECTION - A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming terminal for a player includes receiving, via an input device, a player selection of one of a plurality of player selectable elements. Each of the player selectable elements are associated with a corresponding thematic indicia set. The method further includes conducting the wagering game with the thematic indicia set associated with the selected player selectable element being displayed on a display of the gaming terminal and while conducting the wagering game, triggering a bonus event. The method further includes awarding one of a plurality of game enhancement parameters to the player during the bonus event. The awarded one of the plurality of game enhancement parameters is dictated by the selected player selectable element. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118001 | Wagering Game Having a Free-Play Bonus With a Variable Free-Play Retriggering Condition - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a gaming system having a wager input device for receiving a wager from a player, a display configured to display a wagering game, a memory device, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, the wager input device, and the memory device. The processor is configured to determine a retrigger condition for a wagering game feature, conduct the wagering game feature, determine if the retrigger condition for the wagering game feature was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature, and conduct another wagering game feature if the first retrigger condition was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature, the another wagering game feature having the same game format as the wagering game feature. The processor is also configured to determine another retrigger condition for the another wagering game feature, the another retrigger condition being different than the first retrigger condition. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118000 | WAGERING GAME WITH ACCUMULATION-BONUS FEATURE THAT IS PLAYED UPON PLAYER'S SELECTION - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an accumulation-bonus feature which allows a player to cache awards to a bonus object. A player selects when to use the bonus object in a secondary playfield to enhance the cached awards. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110117999 | WAGERING INTERFACE FOR A GAMING SYSTEM - A gaming system includes a wagering interface that may include a plurality of player-selectable quick-bet elements with each quick-bet element indicating a different total wager for a spin of the plurality of reels. Each total wager is divided among a plurality of paylines associated with positions on the reels. A window is configured to display a subset of the plurality of quick-bet elements. A quick-bet element selection slider is configured to allow each of the plurality of player-selectable quick-bet elements to be displayed within the window. The selection slider is movable to a plurality of positions along a slider path such that the position of the selection slider on the slider path determines the subset of quick-bet elements to be displayed in the window. A wagering interface may include a toggling element for switching from a wagering interface having a plurality of player-selectable quick-bet elements to a classic-bet wagering interface. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115413 | CONFIGURING AND CONTROLLING CASINO MULTIMEDIA CONTENT SHOWS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include configuring a casino light show on a light show design map using lighting device objects that correlate to lighting hardware devices in a casino. The lighting hardware devices can present light effects using different lighting control formats. The operations can further include configuring the light effects for the lighting device objects, and generating lighting control instructions in a common data format. The operations can further include converting the lighting control instructions to individual sets of lighting control instructions that comply with the different lighting control formats. The operations can further use the sets of lighting control instructions to present the light effects on the lighting hardware devices according to the different lighting control formats required by the lighting hardware devices. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115158 | MULTI-PROJECTOR GAMING TABLE - Electronic wagering game tables (a.k.a. e-tables) are described herein. Some embodiments include a wagering game table for presenting a wagering game. The wagering game table can include a projection surface, and a first projector configured to present, at a first resolution, a first background image on the projection surface, wherein the first background image is associated with the wagering game and includes elements of the wagering game that are shared by the plurality of players, and wherein the first background image includes blank areas that are not substantially illuminated with content from the first projector. The wagering game table can also include a plurality other projectors configured to present, at a second resolution, wagering game content in the plurality of blank areas, wherein the wagering game content indicates results of the wagering game. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110111866 | CASHBOX SECURITY MECHANISM AND GAMING MACHINES WITH A CASHBOX SECURITY MECHANISM - Cashbox security mechanisms, gaming machines with a cashbox security mechanism, and methods for securing and removing a portable cashbox from a gaming machine are presented herein. The cashbox security mechanism stores and secures a cashbox, which stows currency received, for example, from a currency processing device. The cashbox security mechanism includes an outer housing, such as a gaming machine cabinet or a substructure mounted inside a cabinet. An inner chassis mates with and retains the cashbox. The inner chassis and a security door are pivotably mounted with respect to the outer housing. The security door and inner chassis are positionable to cooperatively secure the cashbox within the cashbox security mechanism. Likewise, the security door and inner chassis are respositionable to cooperatively define an access chute through which the cashbox is removable from the cashbox security mechanism. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111864 | Wagering Game With Shared Outcome Providing Individual Awards To Players - A method for conducting a community wagering game on a plurality of gaming terminals includes conducting base wagering games on the plurality of gaming terminals and triggering a community event in which at least one randomly selected outcome is shared by all participating gaming terminals. Upon triggering the community event, the first gaming terminal is entered in the community event if wagering criteria is met by the first gaming terminal, and a first enhancement is received at the first gaming terminal in accordance with additional wagering criteria being met by the first gaming terminal. Upon triggering the community event, the second gaming terminal is entered in the community event if wagering criteria is met by the second gaming terminal, and a second enhancement is received at the second gaming terminal in accordance with additional wagering criteria being met by the second gaming terminal. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111862 | MEDIA PROCESSING MECHANISM FOR WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include transmitting game content from a wagering game server to a gaming machine via a network to present a wagering game at the gaming machine for a player, and generating and storing video of one or more rounds of the wagering game. The operations can also include receiving, at the wagering game server via the network, video of the player playing the one or more rounds of the wagering game. The operations can further include combining the video of the one or more rounds of the wagering game with the video of the player playing the one or more rounds of the wagering game, and storing and providing access to the combined video via the network to a player account associated with the player. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111850 | BONUS TRIGGER SOUNDS BUILDING INTO A SONG - A system and method of playing a multi-track musical composition during a wagering game in which musical tracks are successively added as bonus triggers occur, starting from an introduction portion of the musical composition and culminating in a main theme or chorus of the musical composition. Upon receipt of a wager input at a gaming terminal, a base wagering game is initiated during which several bonus triggers can occur, satisfying eligibility to conduct a bonus game. As each bonus trigger occurs, the musical composition adds a musical track to the introduction being played through audio speakers of the gaming terminal, increasing its instrumentation density to create a richer and denser sound. When the last bonus trigger occurs during the base wagering game, the music launches seamlessly from the introduction that has just been built up into the main theme or chorus of the music, which serves as the accompaniment music for the bonus game. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111847 | GAMING MACHINE CHAIR AND WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS AND MACHINES WITH A GAMING CHAIR - Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming chair is disclosed that includes a base, a seat portion supported by the base, one or more speaker assemblies, and a backrest assembly. The backrest assembly includes a backrest and a mounting frame. The mounting frame has a polymeric honeycombed body comprising a plurality of ribs that define an array of compartments. Optionally, the mounting frame body has at least one contoured face. The mounting frame is attached to the backrest and speaker assembly, coupling both the backrest and speaker assembly to the base. The mounting frame may be fabricated with numerous fastening regions that are integrally formed with the polymeric body. In this optional configuration, at least some of the fastening regions lie in a respective plane divergent from the other fastening regions. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111844 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING PROGRESSIVE WAGERING GAME INFORMATION - A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects can indicate information associated with wagering games. Specifically, the toolbar objects can receive and display progressive game content from a progressive wagering game server. The toolbar objects can include progressive jackpot meters, progressive game branding, and other information about the progressive game content. The toolbar objects can also include settings that indicate player preferences regarding the presentation of the progressive game content on the toolbar objects. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111839 | GAMING MACHINE CHAIR AND WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS AND MACHINES WITH A GAMING CHAIR - Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming chair is disclosed that includes a base, a seat portion supported by the base, and at least one actuator attached to the seat portion to selectively move the seat portion. A movable shroud at least partially circumscribes the base and the actuator(s) to inhibit access thereto. The movable shroud is attached to the actuator(s) for concurrent movement therewith. Optionally, the base may be attached to both the seat portion and the actuator(s). In this instance, the actuator(s) may be pivotably mounted to a chair support structure, whereas the base may lack a direct connection to the chair's support structure. An optional flexible boot at least partially circumscribes the base and the actuator(s). The moveable shroud and flexible boot cooperate to substantially conceal and inhibit access to the base and the actuator(s). | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111838 | Thermal Management Systems For Wagering Game Terminals - According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming terminal for playing a wagering game comprises a game cabinet containing an electronics component that is used in conjunction with the wagering game. The electronics component produces heat. An air duct is located within the cabinet. The air duct defines an air-flow passageway. The air duct has an intake port, an outtake port and at least one first vent between the intake port and the outtake port. The intake port is configured to receive air into the air duct and the outtake port is configured to exhaust air out of the game cabinet. The at least one vent receives air heated by the electronics component. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111837 | Gaming System Having Controllable Dynamic Signage - A gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game in response to receipt of a first wager from a first player and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game in response to receipt of a second wager from a second player. The system further comprises a community display having a plurality of display regions thereon, and at least one controller operative to (i) detect activation of a first supplemental feature by the first player, (ii) detect activation of a second supplemental feature by the second player, (iii) determine in which of the plurality of display regions to display the first and second supplemental features in accordance with at least a first rule set, and (iv) display the first and second supplemental features on the community display. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110105233 | Community Picking Game With Individual And Community Awards - A method is directed to conducting a community event in which a plurality of players at respective gaming terminals are participating. The method includes displaying the community event on one or more displays, and displaying a plurality of player-selectable elements for ach participating player on at least one of the one or more displays. The player-selectable elements include elements of a first type and a second type. In response to any participating player selecting an element of the first type, a controller is used to award an individual award associated with the selected element only to the selecting player. In response to any participating player selecting an element of the second type, a controller is used to award a community award associated with the selected element to all participating players. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110098107 | Gaming System With Non-Cash-Based Progressive Awards - A gaming method includes displaying on a display a progressive award as a cash value and incrementing the progressive award in response to play of one or more processor-controlled wagering games or gaming devices linked to the progressive award. One or more processors are used to convert the cash value of the progressive award to a plurality of non-cash values of respective different game parameters, and, in response to a triggering event, a progressive game is awarded using the non-cash value of one of the game parameters. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110098102 | Wagering Game For Awarding Attributes In A Plurality Of Plays - A method for conducting a computer-implemented wagering game includes using a processor to execute a plurality of plays of the wagering game, each play having an expected value. A plurality of randomly selected symbols, which are associated with each play, are displayed on a display. The processor is used to randomly assign a plurality of attributes across the plurality of plays. Each attribute increases an expected value of the play to which the attribute is assigned, from a first value to a second value. The first value is in the absence of the attribute and the second value is in the presence of the attribute. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110098101 | Wagering Game For Awarding Positional Game Modifiers In A Plurality Of Plays - A method for conducting a wagering game includes awarding a plurality of positional game modifiers and a plurality of plays of the wagering game. Each play includes a set of assignable positions such that a plurality of sets of assignable positions occur over the plurality of plays, at least some of the assignable positions bearing symbols. The plurality of positional game modifiers are randomly assigned to positions in the plurality of sets of assignable positions. The plurality of plays are displayed on a display device. A processor is used to determine an outcome of each of the plays taking into account any of the positional game modifiers assigned to the positions in the set of assignable positions of each play. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110092288 | CONFIGURING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME AUDIO - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining an occurrence of an application event for an application that runs in association with a wagering game machine. The operations can further include accessing a custom sound source that includes customized sounds presentable separately from a soundtrack for the application, during a wagering game session on the wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining a custom sound, from the custom sound source, that relates to the application event and determining custom-sound presentation instructions associated with the custom sound. The operations can further include presenting the custom sound on sound production devices associated with the wagering game machine during the application event according to the custom-sound presentation instructions. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110092277 | Wagering Game With Multi-Level Progressive Jackpot With Partial Reset - A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a bonus feature that awards percentages of a progressive jackpot award without resetting the progressive jackpot award. A wager input receives a wager from a player to play a single play of a wagering game. The wagering increases the progressive jackpot award. A bonus feature is triggered that includes awarding a first award that has an amount that is a percentage less than 100% of the progressive jackpot award. The bonus feature may also award a second award that is at least the entire progressive jackpot award. If the first award is awarded, the progressive jackpot award remains at the same level. If the second award is awarded, the progressive jackpot award is reset to a predetermined minimum value. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110092275 | LIVING WAGERING GAMES - A system can invigorate wagering games with dynamic updates to reflect changes in ongoing current events. Current real-life data about at least one of a current event and a public figure are acquired. Game data for a wagering game are updated based, at least in part, on the acquired current real-life data. A plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering game are determined. The updated game data is indicated over a network to the plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering games. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110092268 | Gaming Machine With Synchronized Bezel Lights - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device, and a display for displaying a wagering game. The wagering game includes at least one moveable game element, at least one bezel light positioned proximate the display, and a controller operative to activate the bezel light in coordination with movement of the at least one moveable game element. The gaming system may have a plurality of bezel lights respectively positioned proximate the display, and the controller may be operative to activate the bezel lights singly or in combination in coordination with movement of the at least one moveable game element. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110086699 | AUTHORIZING AND MANAGING WAGERING AGENT ACCOUNTS - Described herein are processes and devices that authorize and manage wagering agents and associated accounts. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can detecting a request from a first player account to utilize a shared wagering fund to wager on a wagering game. The shared wagering fund can be funded by a second player account. The wagering game system can make the shared wagering fund available to the first player account to wager on a wagering game. The wagering game system can determine a game award produced by the wagering game. The system can then allocate a portion of the game award to the second player account. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110081961 | VISUALIZING WAGERING GAME ESTABLISHMENT PATRON FLOW - A patron flow system aggregates wagering game data from a plurality of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment. The wagering game data indicates a plurality of patrons and times. Patron flow data is generated from the aggregated wagering game data. The patron flow data indicate flows of the plurality of patrons among the plurality of wagering game machines in the wagering game establishment with respect to the times. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081959 | REPRESENTING PHYSICAL STATE IN GAMING SYSTEMS - In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes determining physical inputs applicable to a wagering game event, wherein the wagering game event involves game elements of a wagering game. The method can also include determining, based on the physical inputs, a first force to be applied to a first object representing a first of the game elements, and applying the first force to the first object; determining that a collision has occurred between the first object and a second object representing a second of the game elements. The method can also include determining a second force to be applied to the first object because of the collision, presenting the first and second objects based on the first and second forces, determining an outcome of the wagering game event based on the first and second forces, and presenting the outcome of the wagering game event. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110077073 | MANAGING LIMITATION RULES FOR WAGERING ACCOUNTS - A wagering game account management system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations include presenting a graphical user interface that includes a graphical control associated with a credit account belonging to a wagering game player; detecting a selection of the graphical control that initiates a financial transaction to transfer money from the credit account to a wagering game session account; determining access information stored in a player profile, the access information to access the credit account; determining an amount to transfer from the credit account to the wagering game session account balance; determining one or more rules limiting use of the credit account; and enforcing the one or more limitation rules on the use of the credit account. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110070948 | MODULAR WAGERING GAME MACHINE SIGNAGE - Modular wagering game machine signage is described herein. In some embodiments, a modular wagering game machine sign can include a center module including a plurality of support members, at least one outer panel covering the frame, and a lighted faceplate including lighting units. The lighting units can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) and globes. The sign can also includes at least one side module connected to the center module via hand-spinning latches configured to press against one or more of the center module s support members. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110070940 | COMPETITIVE-COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY EVENT - A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming terminals. Each terminal includes a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. Each gaming terminal further includes at least one display displaying a portion of a continuous image. Each gaming terminal further includes a controller coupled to the one or more displays and the wager input device. The controller is operative to cause at least one of the displays to display a community gaming event. At least one display of each of the linked gaming terminals displays a portion of a continuous image. Two or more of the plurality of linked gaming terminals are associated with a first team and two or more of the plurality of linked gaming terminals are associated with a second team. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110065496 | AUGMENTED REALITY MECHANISM FOR WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting, at a gaming machine, a fiducial marker in one or more images captured by an image capture device of the gaming machine, determining an orientation of the fiducial marker, and detecting a fiducial code embedded within the fiducial marker. The operations can also include providing, via a network, fiducial code information and fiducial marker orientation information to a wagering game server to identify an augmented reality object associated with the fiducial code and determine attributes of the augmented reality object. The operations can further include receiving, at the gaming machine, wagering game content and the augmented reality object from the wagering game server, incorporating the augmented reality object within the wagering game content, and presenting the wagering game content comprising the augmented reality object on a display device of the gaming machine. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110065495 | NETWORKED COMMUNITY CHEST - A wagering game in which a bonus event is triggered and during the bonus event possible bonus awards are displayed on corresponding displays of electronic gaming devices (EGDs) and eliminated one at a time until the predetermined bonus award remains and is revealed to the player. The EGDs are linked together to a main controller, and a predetermined bonus award is randomly determined for each EGD. The main controller stores all of the predetermined bonus awards for all of the EGDs participating in the bonus event, and communicates a subset of possible bonus awards to each of the EGDs, where each subset includes the predetermined bonus award to be awarded at each EGD and at least one decoy bonus award that will not be awarded. The EGDs display a bonus award show in which the decoy bonus awards are eliminated, one at a time, preferably such that the highest valued decoy bonus awards are eliminated last, until one remaining predetermined bonus award is revealed to the player. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110059800 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME INFORMATION - A network browser and wagering game toolbar (“toolbar”) are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar can be in, or a part of, the network browser. The network browser and the toolbar can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar can receive and display wagering game content from a wagering game network as the main display area can receive and display content originating outside the wagering game network. In some embodiments, the toolbar can present content originating from one or more wagering game player accounts that provide audience participation in, or related to, wagering game activity presented on the toolbar. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110053683 | WAGERING GAME WITH SHARED PAYOFF BASED ON MULTIPLE PLAYER SELECTIONS - The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053679 | PARTIALLY-POWERED WAGERING GAME MACHINES - Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive an indication that a wagering game machine is to enter into a service power mode while the game machine is fully operational, and then to enter into the service power mode to disable game play while providing substantially uninterrupted power to a subset of game machine components. These powered components include one or more processors and memory. The service power mode may operate to leave the remainder of the game machine components unpowered, so that later transitioning from the service power mode to full operation does not result in resetting the processors. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053675 | Wagering System with Three Dimensional Display Feature - A gaming system and method allowing use of three dimensional objects in a wagering game. The three dimensional object includes multiple sides which are viewable by a player. Each of the multiple sides includes a symbol. An active payline contains one of the symbols. The symbols contained by the active payline are used to represent a randomly-determined result from the wagering game. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053672 | MANAGING WAGERING GAME APPLICATIONS AND EVENTS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include managing multiple instances of gaming applications associated with a wagering game client device and determining event data from the multiple instances of gaming applications. The operations can further include aggregating the event data into an event repository and determining that a requesting application requests some portion of the event data. The operations can further include opening a communication channel between the event data repository and the requesting application, formatting the requested portion of the event data in a format understandable to the requesting application, and communicating the requested portion of the event data to the requesting application via the communication channel. The operations can further include receiving response event data from the requesting application and presenting the response event data on a presentation device associated with the wagering game client device. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053671 | Enhanced Poker Game System With Additional Bonus Challenges - A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a display having a display area showing a poker-themed wagering game. A wager input device receives a base wager to play the poker-themed wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display and the wager input device. The controller is operative to provide a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a user-playable hand and award a payoff based on a ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion. The controller may receive a side wager separate from the base wager from the player to trigger a challenge based on meeting a condition in at least one of a predetermined number of future plays of the wagering game. Additional free challenges may be triggered for the predetermined number of future plays. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110045908 | SERVING PATRONS IN A WAGERING GAME ENVIRONMENT - Systems and methods for serving patrons in a wagering game environment are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving patron service information, wherein the patron service information indicates activities of a patron in a casino. The method can also include selecting, based on the patron service information, a service for the patron, wherein the patron has not requested the service. Additionally, the method can include presenting a service order instructing a service attendant to deliver the service. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045905 | CONTROLLING SOUND DISTRIBUTION IN WAGERING GAME APPLICATIONS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining wagering game content presented in a computerized graphical interface on a wagering game machine display. The operations can further include determining sound content that is presentable via a plurality of audio production devices associated with a wagering game machine. The plurality of audio production devices can be positioned in relation to the wagering game machine display to produce a multi-directional audio field that originates from the wagering game content. The operations can determine a position of the computerized graphical interface in relation to the wagering game machine display. The operations can further control distribution of the sound content on the plurality of audio production devices based on the position of the computerized graphical interface on the wagering game machine display. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045898 | MULTI-TIERED COMPETITIVE WAGERING GAMES - A method of playing a competitive wagering game comprises receiving a wager from each of a first plurality of players, displaying to each of the first plurality of players a first wagering game, and in response to a first triggering event, entering the first plurality of players into a competitive wagering game. The method further comprises declaring a first one of the first plurality of players a winner of the competitive wagering game, in response to a second triggering event, entering the first player and a second plurality of players into a subsequent competitive wagering game and providing the first player with an award enhancement for use during the subsequent competitive wagering game. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045895 | PRESENTING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY WAGERING GAMES - An apparatus for presenting primary and secondary wagering game content is described herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a primary wagering game unit configured to determine results for a first group of primary wagering games in a first wagering game session. The first wagering game session can be associated with a player identifier. The primary wagering game unit can be further configured to determine results for a second group of primary wagering games in a second wagering game session that is associated with the player identifier. The apparatus can also include a secondary wagering game unit configured to, after certain of the results in the first wagering game session, cause presentation a first episode of a group of episodes, and to, after certain of the results in the second wagering game session, cause presentation a second episode of the group of episodes. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045892 | Wagering Game With Game-Play Enhancements Having Known Expected Values - A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a powerup feature. A wager input receives a wager from a player to play a single play of a wagering game. At least one display displays a plurality of reels with symbols. A controller is coupled to the wager input and the at least one display. The controller is operative randomly generate an outcome of the wagering game from a plurality of wagering game outcomes. The controller displays the randomly generated wagering game outcome on the plurality of reels. The plurality of outcomes includes the award of a powerup to a player. The powerup allows the player to activate a game enhancement feature on a future play of the wagering game. The plurality of wagering game outcomes can also include a credit award. A player may select the credit award or an offered powerup. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045891 | REAL THREE DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY FOR WAGERING GAME MACHINE EVENTS - Systems and methods include a wagering game machine having a three-dimensional monitor. Certain events are 3D transition events that cause certain graphical elements presented by the wagering game to be rendered as real 3D objects using the N three-dimensional monitor. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045886 | CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC PLAYING CARDS IN WAGERING ENVIRONMENTS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine a wagering game in progress for a wagering game session, and determine an electronic playing card that is in use for the wagering game that uses playing cards. The operations can also determine primary content related to the wagering game, and electronically present the primary content on the electronic playing card for use in the wagering game. The primary content can include playing elements (e.g., card ranks and card suits) for the wagering game. The operations can also determine secondary content to be presented on the electronic playing card, and electronically present the secondary content on the electronic playing card during the wagering game session. The secondary content can include wagering games that are different from the primary content (e.g., secondary wagering games that use playing elements other than cards, such as slot games). | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110034241 | Wagering Award Amount Determined By Wager Size And/Or Speed Of Play - A gaming system for playing a progressive wagering game includes a progressive award having a default value, which is determined based on wagers received from a plurality of players. A bonus eligibility time period is enabled, in accordance with at least one of a wager size and a player speed of play, during which an award modifier is available to at least one of the players. Based on the award modifier, the default value is changed to a modified value that is displayed in response to the award modifier being available to the player. In response to the award modifier becoming unavailable, the default value of the progressive award is displayed. The progressive award is awarded in response to achieving a winning outcome. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110034239 | Wagering Game with Community Game Features - A community game having a “winner-takes-all” feature in which at least one eligible proxy winning player of a round of the community game, which is initiated by a triggering event and is played by multiple players at linked gaming terminals, accrues the highest award among the awards accrued by other proxy players of the community game. The winning proxy player must satisfy an eligibility criterion to participate in the community game and to be eligible to receive the winner-takes-all award, which includes all of the awards accrued by the winning eligible proxy player during one or more rounds and at least the other respective awards accrued by the other proxy players during the round(s). These awards can include those accrued by non-eligible proxy players as well, who are awarded nothing at the end of the round(s). Non-winning eligible proxy players of the community game are awarded whatever awards they accrued during the round(s). | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110034237 | SECONDARY GAME MECHANISM FOR WAGERING GAME TABLES - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting, via one or more sensory devices of a wagering game table, one or more game events associated with a wagering table game being played by a plurality of players on the wagering game table. The operations can also include determining that the one or more game events trigger a secondary game for the plurality of players playing the wagering table game, and presenting the secondary game on a plurality of display devices of the wagering game table. The operations can further include detecting, via one or more input devices of the wagering game table, player input associated with the secondary game, determining results associated with the secondary game based, at least in part, on the player input, and presenting the results associated with the secondary game on the plurality of display devices. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110021267 | WAGER RESIDUALS - Techniques for handling wager residuals are described herein. Embodiments include a method that detects a residual from one or more wagers remaining in a first memory location for an electronic wagering game machine. The residual of the one or more wagers are transferred from the first memory location to a second memory location. Information about the residual is stored. The residual from the first memory location is cleared. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021266 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING RE-AWARDING OF STORED AWARDS - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, at least one display for displaying the wagering game, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to display a first outcome of the wagering game and award a first award associated with the first outcome, store the first award in a stored awards group, cause the at least one display to display the stored awards group, and re-award one or more awards in the stored awards group upon the occurrence of a triggering event. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021264 | METHOD OF USING NON-MONETARY CHATTEL IN GAMING MACHINES - The invention described herein includes a system for playing a game on a gaming machine using non-monetary chattel. The system includes a bank for storing, depositing, and withdrawing non-monetary chattel based upon play outcome on the gaming machine. The system also includes a mechanism for relaying data regarding the non-monetary chattel between the bank and the gaming machine; and redemption mechanism for converting the non-monetary chattel in the bank to an exchange medium. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021263 | CONTROLLING EVENT-DRIVEN BEHAVIOR OF WAGERING GAME OBJECTS - A behavior controller system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting one or more events that occur within a wagering game. The wagering game can feature a wagering game object that can automatically (e.g., intelligently) respond to the one or more events. The behavior controller system can use event-driven behavior controllers, such as a behavior tree. The behavior controller system can determine, and activate, tasks on the behavior tree that cause the wagering game object to respond to the one or more events. In some embodiments, the behavior controller system can also prioritize tasks that may be performed by behavior trees to prevent conflicts between wagering game objects during a wagering game. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021260 | Wagering Game With Multiple Episode-Based Bonus Games - A gaming machine for playing an episodic wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of an episodic wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display further displays creative material content in one or more episodes of the episodic wagering game. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to provide an award based on the randomly selected outcome and, in response to collecting a predetermined number of game items in one or more of the game episodes, cause the display of new creative material content of the wagering game without affecting the expected value of the episodic wagering game. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110014975 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING DISPLAYS WITH INTEGRATED IMAGE CAPTURE CAPABLITIES - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and a display for displaying a wagering game. The display includes an integrated image capture device for visually capturing objects proximate the display. The system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) detect the presence of at least a first object proximate the display, (ii) cause the image capture device to visually capture the first object and create a stored image thereof, (iii) graphically integrate the stored image of the first object into the wagering game, and (iv) display one or more outcomes of the wagering game which include one or more symbols comprising at least a portion of the stored image. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110009187 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING EVENT ELIGIBILITY - BASED EQUITY FOR A WAGERING GAME - A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes providing a first event eligibility-based equity relative to a first wagering game and converting the first event eligibility-based equity to an exchange medium. The exchange medium may be cash or a second event eligibility-based equity relative to a second wagering game. The first event eligibility-equity may be stored for later use on the first wagering game. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110003643 | RECOVERING A PERSISTENT STORAGE UNIT IN A WAGERING GAME SYSTEM - Systems and methods include detecting the failure or imminent failure of a persistent storage unit for a wagering game machine. Upon detection of the failure, a flag is set to indicate that failed persistent storage unit is being replaced. After replacement, the wagering game machine is restarted. The flag indicating persistent storage unit replacement is read and wagering game machine software assets are automatically loaded onto the replacement persistent storage unit. The software assets to be loaded may be determined from an asset list maintained on the wagering game machine or on a server communicably coupled to the wagering game machine. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110003631 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN A SPLIT POST OF A WAGERING GAME CHAIR - In some example embodiments, an apparatus that includes a wagering game chair for a wagering game machine that is configured to present a wagering game. The wagering game chair includes a seat having a seat bottom and a seat post that is part of a split-post configuration. The seat post has a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the seat post is coupled to the seat bottom. The wagering game chair also includes a first electrical connector positioned within and approximately at the bottom end of the seat post. The wagering game chair includes a first electrical cable is electrically coupled to the first electrical connector, wherein the first electrical cable runs approximately a length of the seat post within the seat post. The first electrical cable configured to communicate audio of the wagering game, from the wagering game machine to a speaker coupled to the wagering game chair. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110003629 | Gaming Machine Having Enhanced Game Play Scheme - A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100331079 | PERSISTENT DEVICE RELATIONSHIPS IN WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - In some embodiments a wagering game system comprises a personal area network device configured to render media content including results of a wagering game. The system can include a wagering game machine configured to determine and provide the wagering game results to the personal area network device. The wagering game machine can include a personal area network device transceiver configured to exchange data with the personal area network device, the data including the wagering game results, and a personal area network controller configured to detect the personal area network device, to procure an identification code for the personal area network device without player input, and to authenticate the personal area network device by use of the identification code. The system can also include a repository configured to store the identification code in association with a player identifier and to provide the identification code to the wagering game machine upon request. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100331069 | System and Method for Saving Status of Paused Game of Chance - A game of chance involving a progression of events is conducted on one or more gaming machines. After receiving a wager from a player at a gaming machine, play of the game is initiated. If the game is paused, the status of the paused game is stored at a central database linked to and remote from the gaming machine. This game status is associated with a personal identifier of the player. To continue play of the game beginning from a point at which the game was paused, the personal identifier is provided to the central database via the same or another gaming machine and the game status associated with the personal identifier is retrieved from the central database. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100323786 | PROCESSING CRITICAL DATA SETS IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - Described herein are processes and devices that utilize non-volatile memory on a wagering game machine. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can receive a request to activate a first wagering game on a wagering game machine, receive critical data for the first wagering game and store the critical data to a fixed-size block within a non-volatile memory store so that the non-volatile memory store includes critical data for only that wagering game. The wagering game system can then copy the critical data for the wagering game to a backing store, verify that the copied critical data on the backing store matches the critical data in the non-volatile memory, activate the first wagering game, present results for the wagering game, and update the backing store with changes made to the critical data on the non-volatile memory store during a game session. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100323785 | VISUALLY PRESENTING WAGERING GAME OPTIONS - Described herein are processes and devices that visually present wagering game options. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can receive search criteria for wagering games and determine wagering games to present to a wagering game player. The wagering game system can present the wagering game in visual selection environments, such as a visual map or a virtual universe. The visual map selection environment can display summary information about the wagering games on visual map nodes. The virtual universe selection environment can display summary information about the wagering games on virtual universe objects. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100323779 | Gaming System Having Graphical Feature Interface - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager and a display for displaying a primary wagering game. The gaming system further comprises a controller which is operative to (i) detect receipt of the primary wager, (ii) display a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, (iii) display a feature icon on the display, (iv) detect selection of the feature icon, (v) in response to the selection of the feature icon, display a feature menu on the display, the feature menu displaying a plurality of available features capable of activation in addition to the wagering game, and (vi) in response to a first feature of the feature menu being selected, activate and display the first feature if a first eligibility requirement is satisfied. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100317442 | WAGERING GAME COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT - A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100317437 | CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME SYSTEM AUDIO - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining audio playlists from a plurality of independent wagering game applications (“applications”). The audio playlists can include multiple sound content that is activated contemporaneously on a wagering game machine for each of the applications. The operations can further include determining sound classes assigned to the sound content and determining, from prioritization rules, priority values for the sound classes. The operations can further include comparing the priority values and generating sound balancing priorities for the sound content based on the comparison of the priority values. The operations can also include dynamically balancing the sound content, as presented on audio production devices, based on the sound balancing priorities. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100317435 | INSTANT PLAYER PROFILER - Described herein are processes and devices that automatically generate a player profile. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can present a plurality of pictures on a wagering game machine, kiosk, or other network device. The plurality of pictures includes aesthetic content. The wagering game system can receive player input indicating a preference for the aesthetic content of at least one of the plurality of pictures. The wagering game system can generate a wagering game player profile to store player preferences associated with wagering games and wagering game machines. The wagering game system can assign values to the player preferences based on the preference for the aesthetic content. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100317433 | WAGERING GAME MACHINE WITH USER INTERFACE PREFERENCES - Systems and methods present images for elements of a wagering game in accordance with user preferences. The size, location, aspect ratio, scaling input methodology, scaling display methodology and user interfaces present on a primary or secondary display may be controlled using the user preferences. User preferences in conjunction with wagering game events may be used to control display characteristics of elements displayed on a primary or secondary display of a wagering game machine. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100317424 | WAGERING GAME WITH COMMUNITY GAME HAVING A PERSISTENT-STATE FEATURE - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a plurality of gaming machines configured to receive a wagering input and to access a group game including a persistent-state gaming environment. A controller is configured to maintain the persistent-state gaming environment and to control game play within the persistent-state gaming environment. The persistent-state gaming environment is configured to permit ingress and egress of players into and out of the persistent-state gaming environment. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100304848 | MANAGING MARKETING OFFERS IN WAGERING GAME NETWORKS - In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a marketing offer distribution unit to determine conditions that must be satisfied before presenting a marketing offer in the wagering game network. The marketing distribution unit can determine that the conditions have been satisfied, wherein the conditions are associated with player activities in the wagering game network. The marketing distribution unit can also invoke presentation of the marketing offer, and detect and count acceptances, by the wagering game players, of the marketing offer. The apparatus can also include a budget tracking unit to determine a current cost of the marketing offer based on the count of acceptances of the marketing offer and the monetary value of the marketing offer, and an offer modification unit configured to modify, based on the current cost, the conditions that must be satisfied before the marketing offer can be presented, and modify the monetary value of the marketing offer. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304843 | GAMING SYSTEM WITH QUEUED PARTIAL OUTCOMES - A gaming system comprises a wager input device and at least one display for displaying a primary wagering game, the primary wagering game comprising a first portion and a second portion. At least one controller is operative to (i) detect receipt of at least two wagers from a first player via the wager input device, (ii) in response to detecting the at least two wagers, determine and display at least two respective partial outcomes of the first portion of the wagering game, (iii) store the respective partial outcomes, (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, determine and display a secondary outcome of the second portion of the wagering game, and (v) combine each of the respective partial outcomes with the secondary outcome to determine and display a plurality of final outcomes. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304830 | Gaming Machine Having A Community Game With Side Wagering - A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100298054 | SHARING RESOURCES IN WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - Techniques for sharing resources in wagering game systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes determining that remote resources are needed for processing video content associated with a wagering game, and locating the remote resources by wirelessly communicating with one or more wagering game machines in the wagering game network, wherein the wireless communications include queries about whether the wagering game machines can provide the needed processing resources The method can also include receiving processed video content via wireless communications with certain of the one or more wagering game machines, and presenting the wagering game using the processed video content. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100298051 | WAGERING GAME TABLE AUDIO SYSTEM - A computerized wagering game table system includes a wagering game module that is operable to present a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio system. The audio system is operable to present different sound to each of a plurality of game players seated at the wagering game table. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100298049 | WAGERING GAME APPARATUS AND METHOD TO PROVIDE A TRUSTED GAMING ENVIRONMENT - A method of configuring a wagering game system to provide a trusted gaming environment includes the acts of randomly selecting at least one simulated physical imperfection from a plurality of available simulated physical imperfections to associate with at least one element of a video image output to a wagering game machine video display and associating the selected simulated physical imperfection with at least one element of the video image. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100298043 | WAGERING GAME MACHINE UPGRADE AND ROLLBACK - Systems and methods provide for the selective backup and rollback of software, firmware and data components of a wagering game machine. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100298040 | GAME SELECTION IN A WAGERING GAME MACHINE - A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module operable to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a game selection module operable to allow a game player to select a game to be played from among a plurality of wagering games available via the wagering game system. Games are grouped using factors such as theme, brand, popularity, type of game, and user rating, and are recommended based on factors such as past games a user has played, games viewed, game player demographics, popularity of games, number of licenses available, and length of play of games. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100292002 | INTELLIGENT IMAGE RESIZING FOR WAGERING GAME MACHINES - Systems and methods resize images for a wagering game. The images are resized by analyzing the content of the image, and removing or adding data from/to the image in accordance with the content analysis. The content analysis may include determining an energy level, where portions of the image having a low energy level are adjusted, and portions having a higher energy level are not adjusted, or adjusted less. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100292001 | Intelligent Button For A Gaming Machine - A game button includes an enclosure in which are mounted at least one variable display, a sensor, a memory, and any other components of the game button. The variable display is capable of presenting a plurality of images thereon. The memory is communicatively coupled with the variable display, is adapted to store information for producing the plurality of images presented on the display, and is physically located between the variable display and the sensor. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100292000 | WAGERING GAME THEME RATING MECHANISM FOR WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining player activity data, associated with a player, for each of a plurality of game themes associated with a plurality of wagering games played by the player on one or more wagering game machines of the wagering game system. The operations can also include determining a game theme rating profile for the player based on the player activity data associated with the plurality of game themes. The operations can further include determining when a wagering game session associated with the player is initiated, comparing the game theme rating profile associated with the player to a plurality of game theme rating profiles associated with a plurality of additional players of the wagering game system, and suggesting, during the wagering game session, one or more wagering games to the player based on the comparison results. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100291998 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING TOOLS FOR PAIRING WAGERING GAMES WITH AVAILABLE PROGRESSIVE GAMES - A method of operating a wagering game comprises activating a progressive game having a first set of configuration parameters and providing a primary wagering game having a second set of configuration parameters. The method further comprises comparing the first set of configuration parameters with the second set of configuration parameters to determine, in accordance with at least a first rule set, if the primary wagering game can be activated and paired with the progressive game. The method further displays results from the comparing step. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100285868 | WAGERING GAMES WITH ATTRACT PACKAGE SCHEDULING - Apparatus, systems, and methods to manage attract software package access, storage, and execution scheduling for wagering game machines. A wagering game machine may operate to determine the availability of one or more attract packages, as well as to determine whether any available attract packages comprise an active attract package based on one or more schedules. The gaming machine may access one or more of the available, active attract packages and present them. The attract packages and associated schedules can be loaded into the gaming machine using a number of mechanisms, including a server and a machine-readable medium. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100285857 | Wagering Game With Fantasy-Sports Feature - A gaming system and method of conducting a wagering game having a fantasy-sports feature on a gaming system is disclosed. A wager is received from a user to play the wagering game. A roster having one or more player is created, via user selection. A projected team score and an actual team score for the created roster are determined. A ratio is calculated for the actual team score to the projected team score. An award is provided to the user if the calculated ratio meets a predetermined criterion. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100279764 | GROUP GAMES AND REWARDS IN WAGERING SYSTEMS - Described herein are processes and devices that determine and assign rewards as a group in a wagering game system utilizing social contacts. One of the devices described herein, a wagering game system, determines a first player account associated with a wagering game and looks at the first player account to determine a second player account associated with the first player account as a social network contact. The first player account and the second player account comprise a group of members in a group game or challenge. The wagering game system determines a reward that can be assigned to the group members. The wagering game system determines one or more tasks that must be performed before assigning the reward. The wagering game system presents the one or more tasks to the group members. The wagering game system detects when the tasks are completed and assigns the reward to the group members. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100279759 | Gaming Machine With Sorting Feature - A virtual matrix comprised of a plurality of grid elements is provided, on which a hidden pattern, comprised of a plurality of matrix entries, is randomly placed. A player views a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each visible position corresponding to one of the grid elements. The player chooses at least one of the plurality of visible positions on the gaming matrix, after which the game displays the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix on the gaming matrix. Based on the correct number of guesses matching the pattern location, the player is awarded and a media presentation signals the player's success. If the player guesses incorrectly, a second media presentation signals the incorrect guess. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100279757 | WAGERING GAME WITH A TABLE-GAME CONFIGURATION - A gaming system projects video images representing a tangible object related to a wagering game, such as roulette, onto a contoured display surface. The contoured display surface has a shape that corresponds to the tangible object, such as a roulette wheel. The contoured display surface may also have at least one moving section that corresponds with movement of the tangible object. A controller in communication with the projector is programmed to cause the projector to project video images that at least partially depict a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The gaming system provides the visual appeal, entertainment value, and dynamic nature of video images while retaining physical features that players typically expect when playing roulette. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100267449 | INTERFACE FOR WAGERING GAME ENVIRONMENTS - This document describes inter alia a method for presenting an interface on a wagering game machine, where the interface includes a plurality of wagering game icons, and where each of the wagering game icons indicates a wagering game that available on the wagering game machine. The method can include presenting wagering game icons in an interface, wherein the wagering game icons form a row, and wherein each wagering game icon occupies a position in the row, and detecting a sweeping screen touch on a touch screen. The method can also include shifting, based on the sweeping screen touch, the wagering game icons to different positions in the row, where the shifting causes a wagering game icon at an end position in the row to disappear from the interface, and where the shifting also causes a new wagering game icon to appear at another end position in the row. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100267446 | MASH-UP WAGERING GAME SYSTEM - There is provided a mash-up method, system and machine-readable medium. Data associated with a wagering game network is obtained, at a first location. A determination is made whether to mash up the data. A presentation associated with the obtained data is selectively obtained based on the determination. The obtained data is mashed-up with the obtained presentation. The mashed-up presentation is transmitted for display to a display device associated with one or more patrons. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100267445 | Wagering Game Having Thematic State Based On Secondary Event - A gaming system includes one or more displays and a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game having a plurality of possible thematic states. The gaming system includes a controller coupled to the one or more displays and the wager input device that is operative to cause at least one of the displays to display a basic portion of the wagering game in a first thematic state of the plurality of possible thematic states and trigger a secondary event of the wagering game. The controller is operative to cause at least one of the displays to display the secondary event of the wagering game in a second thematic state of the plurality of possible thematic states and, at a conclusion of the secondary event, cause at least one of the displays to display the basic portion of the wagering game in the second thematic state. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100267442 | Gaming Machine Having A Community Game With Side Wagering - A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100267439 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING COMMUNITY GAMES WITH ENHANCED INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES - A gaming system comprises at least one wager input device, a plurality of gaming devices each displaying at least one primary wagering game, and a community display for displaying a community game. At least one controller is operative, in response to a triggering event, to (i) determine which of the plurality of gaming devices are eligible for participation in the community game, (ii) determine an individual award for each of the eligible gaming devices, (iii) determine a community award in the community game, (iv) select an individual award enhancement from a plurality of available individual award enhancements, (v) select one of the plurality of gaming devices to receive the selected individual award enhancement, and (vi) if the selected gaming device is eligible for participation in the community game, enhance the determined individual award for the selected gaming device with the selected individual award enhancement. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100261529 | DISTINGUISHING MULTIPLE PERIPHERALS IN WAGERING GAME - Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to physically locate substantially similar or identical universal serial bus (USB) peripherals by receiving matching identification information from a plurality of USB peripherals coupled to a wagering game machine, and associating each one of the USB peripherals having the matching identification information with a corresponding predetermined physical location. Association may occur via automated reading of location indication devices, such as USB hubs having location-specific coupled to the USB peripherals. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100261525 | DYNAMIC JACKPOT ENROLLMENT - Information communicated about progressive wagering games to backend systems in response to game play can be utilized to dynamically enroll gaming machines being used to play the progressive wagering games into an instance of a progressive jackpot. When a wager is submitted for a progressive wagering game, information that at least identifies the wager amount, gaming machine, and progressive wagering game is transmitted from the gaming machine to one or more backend systems (e.g., accounting and routing systems). A backend system, or a component of a backend system, tracks ongoing progressive jackpots. The backend system or system component at least records data that tracks funding of the progressive jackpot instances from gaming machines. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100261523 | Gaming Machine With Surround Sound Features - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes selective application of surround sound. The selective application of surround sound allows certain key gaming events to be emphasized over other gaming events. The surround sound may be varied to produce certain effects, such as a tactile effect and a gradual building up of suspense and anticipation that increases player excitement and enjoyment. A surround sound decoder may be added in some embodiments to convert monophonic and stereo wagering games into surround sound. The surround sound may be implemented as true surround sound or as virtual surround sound. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100261521 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING TOOLS FOR CATEGORIZING WAGERS AND METERING PERFORMANCE OF WAGERING GAMES AND SUPPLEMENTAL FEATURES - A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving one or more configuration inputs to create at least one wagering game configuration. The at least one wagering game configuration comprises at least one base game and at least one portal game. The at least one base game is operable in response to receipt of a primary wager, the primary wager being within a range of allowable wagers. The range includes minimum and maximum allowable wagers. The at least one portal game having a set of eligibility criteria. The method further comprises creating a plurality of wager categories based upon the set of eligibility criteria and a size of the primary wager, activating participation in the at least one portal game if the set of eligibility criteria is satisfied, and metering the entire primary wager to a single wager category. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100261517 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING FREE SPIN ENHANCEMENT FEATURES - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager, a display for displaying a primary wagering game, and a controller operative to (i) detect receipt of the primary wager, (ii) cause the display to present the randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of possible outcomes, the plurality of possible outcomes including at least one free spin bonus outcome, (iii) determine if the randomly selected outcome is one of the at least one free spin bonus outcome, (iv) in response to the randomly selected outcome being the at least one free spin bonus outcome, provide a plurality of free spins and display a plurality of free spin enhancements which remain constant for the plurality of free spins, and (v) enhance an outcome of each of the free spins based on a player selection of at least one of the free spin enhancements for a subsequent free spin. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100248819 | NVRAM MANAGEMENT IN A WAGERING GAME MACHINE - Systems and methods are used to manage the contents of NVRAM in a wagering game machine. NVRAM may be pre-allocated for various purposes prior to loading a first wagering game on a the wagering game machine. A second wagering may be loaded on the wagering game machine. The second wagering game reuses the pre-allocated NVRAM portions for the same purposes as the first wagering game. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248818 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING PASSIVE PLAYER PARTICIPATION IN SECONDARY WAGERING GAMES - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager from a player, the player associated with a player account, and at least one display for displaying a primary wagering game and a secondary wagering game. Secondary wagering game outcomes are independent of the primary wagering game. The system further comprises a controller operative to cause the at least one display to display a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game; upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, enter a player into the secondary wagering game, wherein the player is represented in the secondary wagering game by a player avatar; upon the occurrence of a second triggering event, end the player's participation in the secondary wagering game; award the player any awards collected by the player avatar in the secondary wagering game; and credit the player account by the amount of the collected awards. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248817 | STREAMING VIDEO FOR ELECTRONIC GAMING MACHINES WITH REAL-TIME INTERACTIVE CONTROL - An illustrative method provides real-time streaming video generated and transmitted from a server to an electronic gaming machine (EGM) that permits wagering on games. The EGM transmits a video request to the server during the play of a first game on the EGM. The video request includes information that specifies corresponding video images to be displayed during the play of the first game. Streaming video information is generated by and received from the server in response to the video request and processed to create the video images. The video images are displayed by the EGM during the ongoing play of the first game. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248816 | VALIDATION SCHEDULING IN A WAGERING GAME MACHINE - A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a validation module. The validation module is operable to validate two or more queues of data, and to dynamically adjust validation speed of each queue based on an estimated completion time. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248815 | WAGERING GAME MACHINE WITH SCALABLE FIDELITY AUDIO - A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module. The audio module is operable selectively reduce the information content of a digital audio signal based on available audio resources. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248809 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING CONFIGURABLE MECHANICAL REELS - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device, a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game, and a controller operatively coupled to the display and the wager input device to operate in a plurality of selectable game modes of which a selected one is a current game mode. The display has an array of reel strips. Each of the selectable game modes is respectively associated with a subset of the reel strips of the array. A first game mode of the plurality of selectable game modes has at least one reel strip that differs from at least one reel strip of a second game mode of the plurality of selectable game modes. The second game mode has at least one reel strip that differs from at least one reel strip of the first game mode. The controller is operative to cause the display to selectively conceal all of the reel strips other than that subset of the reel strips associated with the current game mode, for example, by causing movement of a reel window or reel strips with respect to the other, or by adjusting the opacity of one or more controllable-opacity segments. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248806 | Wagering Game With Pyramidal Bonus Selection Feature - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes at least one display and a controller coupled to the display. The display is adapted to display a randomly selected outcome of a basic game of the wagering game. The display displays at least one free spin of a plurality of reels to indicate a free-spin outcome in response to satisfaction of a free-spin event condition in the basic game. At least one possible free-spin outcome is a special-event outcome for permitting play of the special-event. The special-event includes a plurality of levels. Each level has player-selectable elements masking awards including a level-advance outcome. The level-advance outcome allows the player to advance to a next level in the special-event. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100240455 | PRESENTING SECONDARY CONTENT FOR A WAGERING GAME - Described herein are processes and devices that cause secondary content to be presented during wagering games. One of the devices described is a secondary content server. The secondary content server can obtain user related information, like user preferences, about a player of a wagering game and use the user related information to determine or generate secondary content. The secondary content server can cause the secondary content to be presented on a wagering game device or terminal. The secondary content server can determine if more than one device can present the secondary content. In some embodiments, the secondary content server presents the secondary content on a wagering game device. However, if other devices are connected to the wagering game device, the secondary content server may instead cause the secondary content to be presented on one of the other devices. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100240442 | PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE PERSISTENT STATE RECOVERY TECHNIQUES - This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for alternative persistent state recovery methods. A method comprises detecting persistent state recovery information from one of two or more persistent state recovery techniques, wherein the persistent state recovery information identifies a persistent state in a wagering game; and restoring the persistent state of the wagering game from the detected persistent state recovery information. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100240435 | Remote Input Device For A Wagering Game - An input device dedicated for use with a wagering game is displayed on a display device. The display device is remote from the input device and includes outcome images of a randomly selected outcome and input images associated with player inputs for the wagering game. The input device includes a player input-receiving area and an interface. The player input-receiving area has a plurality of input elements associated with respective functions of the wagering game. The input elements replicate the input images of the player inputs. The interface is coupled to the input elements and transmits signals in response to the player activating the input elements. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100234105 | MAINTAINING GAME HISTORY IN WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating a secondary game for presentation on a wagering game machine. The secondary game may be associated with a primary wagering game being presented on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting secondary game events associated with the secondary game; generating secondary game history based, at least in part, on the secondary game events; and generating a pointer to a storage location of the secondary game history. The operations can further include providing the pointer for the secondary game history to the wagering game machine to be stored within a primary wagering game history associated with the primary wagering game. | 09-16-2010 |
