| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080227521 | Wagering Game Having Cascading Electromechanical Reels - A method of playing a wagering game. The method comprises conducting the wagering game at an electromechanical gaming terminal. The electromechanical gaming terminal has a plurality of electromechanical reels with a plurality of symbols. At least some of the plurality of symbols is displayed on a payline. In response to one of the plurality of symbols causing a winning outcome, the player is awarded an amount corresponding to the winning outcome and a corresponding reel with the one of the plurality of symbols is moved. When the corresponding reel is moved, the player is given another chance at obtaining a second winning outcome. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080257800 | Wagering Game System With Progressive-Award Denomination Selection Feature - A water conservation system for use with a swimming pool, said means comprising a storage reservoir ( | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080280671 | Wagering Game System with Vacuum Fluorescent Display - A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a vacuum fluorescent display assembly comprising at least one vacuum fluorescent display element. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090042638 | WAGERING GAME WITH MULTIPLIER FOR PROGRESSIVE FUND POOL - A method for playing wagering games at which players are eligible for a progressive game includes, responsive to receiving wager inputs from players, conducting wagering games in which players are eligible to win a progressive game. The method includes funding the progressive game by a portion of the wager inputs. The progressive game has a certain number of fund pools, each fund pool receiving a substantially equivalent share of the funding portion. The method also includes displaying a progressive-game award value that is substantially equivalent to an amount of one of the fund pools. In response to a player triggering a progressive-award winning outcome, a plurality of selectable elements are displayed to the player, each selectable element being associated with a progressive-game award multiplier that increases the progressive-game award value to an enhanced-progressive-award value. The progressive game multiplier dictates the number of the fund pools to be used to award the enhanced-progressive-award value to the player. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090042643 | Wagering Game System With Progressive-Award Denomination Selection Feature - A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming terminals and a progressive-game controller. Each gaming terminal has a wagering game with a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome elected from a plurality of outcomes, and the wagering game allows a player to be eligible for a progressive game jackpot. The gaming terminals include terminals having different payout demonimantions. The progressive-game controller is coupled to the gaming terminals and operative to (i) receive information from each of the gaming terminals, wherein the information includes the payout denominations available at the gaming terminals, and (ii) determine a progressive-award denomination based on the information received from the gaming terminals. An escrow pool may be established to assist in paying a progressive jackpot if the denomination-selection feature results in a jackpot-award value that is greater than the actual value of the jackpot. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090069063 | Wagering Game With Multiple Bonus Triggering Feature and Bonus Accrual Feature - In one aspect, there is provided a method of conducting a wagering game which includes the steps of conducting a plurality of basic wagering games and enabling a bonus game in response to a bonus triggering outcome achieved in any of the basic wagering games. The method also includes deferring the enabled bonus game to permit play after completion of play of the plurality of basic wagering games. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090069071 | GAMING SYSTEM WITH CASCADING SYMBOL FEATURE - A gaming system comprising an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system also includes a display for displaying an array of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a winning symbol combination, at least one symbol that is not a part of the winning symbol combination is removed from the array and causes other symbols to move into a position of the array vacated by the at least one removed symbol. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090075721 | Wagering Game With Simulated Mechanical Reels - A method and system of operating a wagering game having simulated mechanical reels includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A first set of video images are displayed on a curved surface approximately a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The first set of video images simulates movement of a first set of reel symbols. In response to a triggering event, a second set of video images are displayed on the curved surface. The second set of video images simulate a transitioning from the first set of reel symbols to a second set of reel symbols. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090104967 | Gaming Machine With Rotating Wild Feature - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager, an array of positions for displaying respective randomly selected symbols, and a controller. The displayed symbols include a special symbol and a chain of adjacent symbols at least partially encompassing the special symbol. The controller is operative to progressively move and stop the chain of adjacent symbols at each of a plurality of locations and evaluate the array for any winning combinations of the displayed symbols when the chain of adjacent symbols is stopped at each location. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090117989 | Wagering Game System With Player Rewards - According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes a method of conducting a wagering game. The method includes identifying a player as a member of certain group, and offering the player options related to the wagering game. The options are unavailable to players who are not members of the certain group. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090131146 | Wagering Game Funding Mechanisms and Methods Therefor - A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090137309 | Wagering Game With Symbol Array Defined By Multi-Symbol Objects - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a plurality of multi-symbol objects having a plurality of sides so that the objects appear as three-dimensional objects. Similar to the reels in a traditional gaming machine, the multi-symbol objects randomly move into locations on the display forming an array wherein one side of each multi-symbol object is displayed, the displayed side having a symbol. The location of the multi-symbol objects in the array and the side of each multi-symbol object that is displayed is based on a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090143136 | Wagering Game System Having Bonus Game Configurations - A method for selecting a bonus game from a plurality of bonus games. Each of the plurality of bonus games have associated bonus game instructions. The method includes determining a bonus game outcome having an expected value. A set of criteria necessary to present the bonus game outcome is determined. One of the plurality of bonus games is selected and the selected bonus game meets the set of criteria. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090149241 | Wagering Game Having Progressive Amounts Represented In Various Ways - A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes receiving a credit value from a player via an input device. At least a portion of the credit value is a wager input for playing a wagering game. The method further includes programming a controller to select a randomly-selected outcome from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving the wager input. The credit value is represented on a display as a dynamic element having an original size, the dynamic element being able to change between the original size and another size. The original size of the dynamic element is modified in accordance with changes in the credit value received via the input device to visually represent the changes in the credit value as the changes are occurring. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090170590 | Wagering Game With Enhanced Cascading Reel Symbol Feature - A gaming machine. The gaming machine includes an input device for receiving inputs from a player during the wagering game. The inputs include a wager amount. The gaming machine also includes a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of symbols is located on a plurality of reels and the randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes. The plurality of outcomes includes a cascade-triggering outcome and a plurality of winning outcomes. Each of the plurality of winning outcomes has an associated initial game payout. In response to the randomly selected outcome being the cascade-triggering outcome, a corresponding symbol is moved and the display displays a cascade outcome. In response to the cascade outcome being one of the plurality of winning outcomes, a cascade payout is awarded that is greater than the initial game payout for that one of the plurality of winning outcomes. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090176559 | Managing Portable Wagering Game Machines - Systems and methods manage the presentation of wagering games on a portable wagering game machine. The systems and methods determine if an authorized user is in possession of the portable wagering game machine, and further determine if the portable wagering game machine is in a location where wagering games are authorized to be presented. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090181755 | Wagering Game With Simulated Mechanical Reels - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090186692 | Wagering Game System Having Bonus Game Configurations - A method and system for making a plurality of bonus games available on a gaming machine. The bonus games each have associated bonus game instructions. The bonus game instructions are stored in a bonus game memory. The bonus game is selectable by a player of the gaming machine. The bonus game instructions are removed at a predetermined period of time after the bonus game instructions are stored in order to provide storage for new bonus games. Alternatively the bonus game instructions may be removed if the bonus games are not played frequently. The bonus game may be part of a channel including a plurality of bonus games. The channels of different groups of bonus games may be displayed to the player to assist in bonus game selection. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090191946 | Wagering Game with Multi-Point Gesture Sensing Device - A gaming machine having a multipoint sensing device capable of sensing a multipoint gesture, which includes at least two simultaneously touched points. One or both of the points can serve as an initial starting point for a gesture, which represents a continuous movement across the multipoint sensing device. The multipoint sensing device produces data representing a multipoint gesture, which data is analyzed to determine a wagering-game function to be executed. For example, the wagering-game function may be selecting a payline by touching two distinct points in a slot-type wagering game. Another function may be increasing a bonus award by dragging two fingers in opposite directions. Yet another function may be selecting a bonus award amount by holding one finger while dragging another ringer to aim at a target representing multiple bonus award amounts, one of those amounts being revealed to the player upon release of the other finger. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090197660 | SERVICE CONTROLLER FOR SERVICING WAGERING GAME MACHINES - Methods and apparatus for servicing wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, wagering game network, service information originating from a wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is configured to receive a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include, based on the service information and a service plan associated with the wagering game machine, determining a service action. The method can also include performing the service action. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090197684 | HANDHELD WAGERING GAME SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING WAGERING GAMES THEREUPON - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090239631 | Wagering Game With Symbols Forming An Altered Array or Secondary Array - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes a primary display ( | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090270168 | Progressive Game Eligibility And Winning - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes both enhanced as well as new ways of winning a progressive jackpot. New ways of becoming eligible for a progressive jackpot are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the reset amount, startup value, and funding percentage may be selected as needed to improve player excitement and anticipation. Players may also customize various aspects of the progressive game upon payment of a fee. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090280888 | Wagering Game With Simulated Mechanical Reels - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090280910 | Method and Apparatus For Use of Movement and Position Sensors With Portable Handheld Wagering Devices - A gaming system includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one wagering game, a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, and a controller operative to process signals output from a movement sensor. A movement sensor is disposed in the handheld gaming machine to sense movements of the handheld gaming machine and/or a sub-portion thereof and to output signals relating to the movements to the controller. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090286583 | VIDEO POKER WAGERING GAME HAVING MULTIPLE PAY TABLES - A gaming system has at least one display adapted to display a wagering game including the display of a player's hand and a computer opponent's hand in a card-based wagering game, a player input device, and a controller. The controller is operative to award to a player an award from a pay table for a player's hand having a winning combination associated with the pay table, regardless of a rank of the computer's opponent hand relative to the player's hand. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090312095 | Wagering Game With Simulated Mechanical Reels - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090318220 | Devices, Systems, and Methods For Accessing a Line of Credit Associated With a Player Wagering Account - A method of dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit associated with a wagering activity includes the acts of establishing a line of credit for a player and monitoring at least one factor associated with a player's wagering activity. The method further includes the acts of calculating a credit factor related to the monitored at least one factor and applying the credit factor to a player's line of credit to adjust a player's line of credit one of upwardly and downwardly responsive to the monitored at least one factor. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090325682 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING COMPOSITE AWARDS - A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a display for displaying a first randomly selected outcome of a first wagering game. The first randomly selected outcome is selected from a first plurality of possible outcomes. The first plurality of possible outcomes includes a first winning outcome. The gaming system further comprises a controller operative to provide a first award to the player when the first randomly selected outcome is the first winning outcome. The first award comprises a fixed portion and a variable portion, the fixed portion having a predetermined value, the variable portion having an expected value for which the actual value is determined at least in part by a second randomly selected outcome of a second wagering game, wherein the second wagering game is triggered independently of the first wagering game. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090327060 | CASH-OUT METHODS AND SYSTEMS YIELDING ENHANCED TIME-DEFERRED VALUE - A method of exchanging assets within a wagering establishment computer-based marketplace layer including the acts of accessing a wagering establishment marketplace layer using a peripheral device, offering a first asset for exchange in the wagering establishment marketplace layer to all participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer. The method also includes the acts of receiving an offer to exchange a second asset for the first asset from an anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, accepting the offer to exchange the second asset for the first asset from the anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, and transferring the first asset in exchange for the second asset. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100016056 | Wagering Game With Special-Event Eligibility Feature Based on Passive Game Play - According to one aspect of the invention, a gaming system and method for providing passive participation in at least one wagering game are disclosed. Funds are received to obtain a period of eligibility for an award associated with the wagering game. An entertainment layer having a plurality of features is conducted in response to receiving the wager. A separate gaming layer includes the wagering game. A gaming machine having a display and a player input device is in communication with the entertainment layer and the gaming layer. At least one feature of the entertainment layer is conducted during the period of eligibility. The entertainment layer is operable in response to at least one input from the player input device. Information regarding the wagering game is presented on the gaming machine. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100016061 | Wagering System With Expanding Wild Feature - A method and system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. A randomly selected outcome of the wagering game is displayed in a display area. The display area includes a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array. The display area includes a plurality of active paylines extending through symbol locations within the array. Each symbol on one of the plurality of reels is changed to an altered symbol providing a wild function and an additional game-enhancement function. A payout is awarded based on a reevaluation of symbol combinations along the plurality of active paylines including the wild functions and the additional game enhancement functions. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100016075 | Handheld Gaming System Having Dynamically Adjusting Interfaces and Displays - A gaming system comprises a handheld gaming device having a first display for displaying a wagering game. The system further comprises a wager input device in communication with the handheld gaming device. The system includes a detector for detecting at least one external input device connected to the handheld gaming device. The system further comprises a controller operative to cause the first display to display a first format of the wagering game if connection with the at least one external input device is not detected by the detector, and cause the first display to display a second format of the wagering game if connection with the at least one external input device is detected by the detector. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100041464 | COMMUNITY GAMING SYSTEM OUTCOME INDICATORS - A gaming system for playing a wagering game is provided which includes a plurality of gaming machines ( | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100041472 | WAGERING GAME AWARD SYSTEM - A wagering game award system is described herein. In some embodiments, the wagering game award system detects a player identifier associated with a wagering game award system, where the wagering game award system supports a plurality of award types. The system can also determine a number of awards of a first type, wherein the number of awards are associated with the player identifier, and wherein the first type is one of the award types. The system can also detect a request to exchange some of the number of awards for awards of a second type, wherein the second type is one of the award types. The system can also submit the request. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100056261 | Wagering Gaming With Inter-Player Competition Feature - A variety of inter-player competition features for incorporation into a gaming system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a gaming system is provided with a trail-based game and comprises a plurality of gaming machines, signage, and at least one controller. The community event is triggered by an underlying wagering game. The controller is operative to conduct a trail-based game including a token and a trail having a plurality of steps, mark one or more of the plurality of steps with a marker, display a token on at least one of the steps, reduce an award value for the step on which the token is displayed when the step is marked by one or more marker. The award value being reduced for each of the plurality of players whose marker does not mark the step. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100075745 | Gaming machine with repeated award feature - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game comprises a value input device for receiving a wager to play the wagering game, a display for displaying a plurality of selectable elements, and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is operative to designate at least one of the selectable elements as a rental element and repeat an award associated with the rental element as other ones of the selectable elements are successively selected. Methods for conducting a wagering game are also disclosed. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100087247 | USING PLAYER INFORMATION IN WAGERING GAME ENVIRONMENTS - Systems and methods for using player information in wagering game environments are described herein. In one embodiment a method includes receiving a first set of player information, where the first set of player information indicates casino activities of a player. The method can also include analyzing the first set of player information and a second set of player information to determine preferences and tendencies associated with the player. The method can also include providing an indication of the preferences and tendencies to wagering game network devices. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100113131 | Wagering Game with Progressive Feature - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager. The gaming system further comprises a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The plurality of symbols includes more than one type of symbol. In response to collecting a predetermined amount of a first type of symbol during the wagering game, a progressive jackpot associated with the first type of symbol is triggered. The progressive jackpot is funded by at least a portion of the wager. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100130280 | MULTI-PLAYER, MULTI-TOUCH TABLE FOR USE IN WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100173705 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING DYNAMIC PLAYER INPUTS - A gaming system comprises a wager input device, a display for displaying a primary wagering game, and a touch screen overlying at least a portion of the display. The system further includes a controller operative to (i) cause the display to display at least one soft key, the soft key overlying and concealing a first portion of the primary wagering game, (ii) cause the display to display a play of the primary wagering game, and (iii) during the play of the primary wagering game, cause the display to present an altered display of the soft key to reveal some or all of the first portion. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100190544 | WAGERING GAME HAVING A COLLAPSIBLE WILD FEATURE - According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome including a plurality of symbols forming a first array. The first array includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. At least one of the rows and columns includes a first wild symbol, a second wild symbol, and at least one non-wild symbol positioned between the first and second wild symbols. The gaming system further includes a controller adapted to form a modified array on the display. The modified array includes at least one additional wild symbol positioned between the first and second wild symbols on the at least one row or column. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100197378 | Wagering Game Having Display Arrangement Formed By An Image Conduit - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game comprises a display device and an image conduit. The display device develops or includes images of symbols associated with the wagering game. The image conduit is located in front of the display device and has a first end and a second end. The image conduit transmits the images from the second end to the first end of the image conduit. The images of the symbols appear at the first end such that a player perceives the symbols to be located at the first end of the image conduit. The display device can be a physical object with symbol indicia or a video display for displaying video images. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100210352 | ACCESSING WAGERING GAME SERVICES BY AIMING HANDHELD DEVICE AT EXTERNAL DEVICE - A portable wagering game machine includes a signal receiver and motion sensors. The signal receiver receives signals from a signal emission device that are used to determine the position and orientation of the portable wagering game machine relative to a gaming establishment devices and locations. The position and orientation information may be used to determine a gaming establishment device or location aimed at by the portable wagering game machine. The portable wagering game machine may then access or interact with a service associated with the device or location, or interact with the device itself. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100216536 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING CHALLENGE GAMEPLAY - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving wagers and at least one display for displaying a challenge-play game. The system further comprises a controller operative to detect an issuance of a challenge by a first player and an acceptance of the challenge by a second player to participate in the challenge-play game. The controller detects receipt of a wager input from at least one of the first and second players, and in response thereto, causes the at least one display to display the challenge-play game. The controller determines at least one outcome of the challenge-play game, and based upon the at least one outcome, adjusts the positions of one or both of the first and second players in a standings chart. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100227670 | Player Wagering Account and Methods Thereof - A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100234090 | Wagering Game With Outcome Based On Community And Individual Random Events - A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine comprises selecting a plurality of playable elements from a set of playable elements. The method further comprises displaying an individual outcome having first elements randomly selected from a set of individual elements. The set of individual elements correspond to the set of playable elements. The method further includes displaying a community outcome having second elements randomly selected from a set of community elements. The set of community elements correspond to the set of playable elements. An award is achieved in response to the plurality of playable elements matching the randomly selected first and second elements. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100234092 | WAGERING GAME HAVING HYBRID WINNING OUTCOMES - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one display having a display region displaying an array including a plurality of moveable reels having symbols for indicating a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. The plurality of reels includes a plurality of multi-symbol reels that display multiple symbols in the display region and a plurality of single-symbol reels each of which displays a single symbol in the display region. The plurality of outcomes includes at least one winning outcome. The at least one winning outcome is indicated by symbols positioned along at least one payline extending through the multi-symbol reels and at least one symbol from any one of the plurality of single-symbol reels. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100240436 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING OUTCOMES INTERACTIVE WITH PLAYING FIELDS - A gaming system comprises a wager input device and at least one display for displaying a primary wagering game and a secondary wagering game. The secondary wagering game comprises a playing field, the playing field having a set of field attributes associated therewith. The system further comprises a controller operative to (i) determine and display a first outcome of the primary wagering game, (ii) determine if a first set of game attributes associated with first outcome is eligible for play in the secondary wagering game, (iii) if the first outcome is eligible, determine a second outcome of the secondary wagering game by resolving the first set of game attributes with the set of field attributes in accordance with a first rule set, and (iv) if the second outcome is a winning outcome, award a first award. | 09-23-2010 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20100317425 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIZONE SELECTION FEATURE - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device and a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of possible outcomes. The gaming system further includes a controller operative to display a multi-zone selection feature. The multi-zone selection feature comprises a plurality of zones, each zone having a plurality of selectable elements arranged in an array. Each selectable element is associated with a selection result. The controller is further operative, in response to selection of a first selectable element in a first one of the zones, to provide the selection result associated with a second selectable element in a second one of the zones. | 12-16-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20110003632 | WAGERING GAME WITH TIME CONTROL ASPECTS - Systems and methods provide time control aspects for a wagering game. A first portion of a wagering game may be presented at a first rate of motion through time and a second portion may be presented at a second rate of motion through time. Further, some graphical object may be displayed according to first rate of motion through time while other graphical objects are simultaneously display according to a second rate of motion through time. Additionally, a portion of a wagering game may be replayed from a previous point in time. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110003636 | Wagering game having progressive amounts displayed in a matrix - A method for playing a wagering game on a gaming terminal ( | 01-06-2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20110111840 | Methods of Receiving Electronic Wagers in a Wagering Game Via a Handheld Electronic Wager Input Device - A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20110118034 | IMMERSIVE WAGERING GAME MACHINE LIGHTING STRUCTURES - A lighting controller can be configured to control a variety of immersive lighting structures proximate to a wagering game machine (e.g., surrounding, affixed to, flanking, etc.) in accordance with game events (e.g., the wagering game being played, a bonus game, a portal game, etc.) and/or non-game events (e.g., emergency notifications, non-emergency casino announcements, etc.). The lighting controller can control the immersive lighting structure for a single wagering game machine and/or immersive lighting structures of multiple wagering game machines to produce light effects based on a lighting scheme that corresponds to a game event or non-game event. | 05-19-2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
