Plural Lots (e.g., Keno, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/18)
  • Patent number: 8758129
    Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel comprising a plurality of selectable symbols corresponding to respective reel stopping positions. The system includes a symbol selector arranged to select a stopping position for each reel and thereby select at least one symbol from each reel, and a reel controller arranged to control rotation of the reels such that the reels rotate during implementation of a game in order to move the reels to the selected stopping positions and thereby display the selected symbols in a display area. The reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that each reel rotates less than one full rotation to the selected reel stopping position. A corresponding method of gaming is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Da Huang, Scott Monroe Stewart
  • Patent number: 8753197
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Carl V. Kniesteadt, Anthony J. Baerlocher, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Patent number: 8753196
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a plurality of different types of progressive awards adapted to be provided to one or more players of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a progressive hit value, wherein when each progressive award increments to its respective progressive hit value, a triggering event occurs and such progressive award is provided to a player. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a secondary game, wherein if the secondary game is triggered, a player is provided either a fixed award or one of the progressive awards associated with the secondary game based on a play of the secondary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8747212
    Abstract: A number picking game such as keno which incorporates sports animations into the visual presentation when numbers are picked by a random number generator. A player indicates the player's selection of numbers. Randomly generated numbers are determined. Animated athletes can cast a projectile onto a grid of numbers, the projectile colliding with a number on the grid and thus picking that number. The animated athletes will thus pick all of the randomly generated numbers while they are playing their sports. The player's selected numbers and the randomly generated numbers are compared and an award is made to the player based on a number of matches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Tournament One, Corp.
    Inventors: Rick Perrone, George Stadnick, Kal Patel
  • Patent number: 8747206
    Abstract: Methods for facilitating cooperative group play of an online casino game are provided. One method includes initiating a group session of the online casino game over the Internet, the group session defined to include a plurality of players, and defining at least one group objective for the group session. The method then combines outcomes from gameplay of the online casino game of each of the plurality of players during the group session and compares the combined outcomes against the group objective. If the combined outcomes meet the group objective, then the method administers a prize associated with the group objective. The methods further facilitate game play in a social online environment, where the social interactions assist in advancing game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Geoffrey M. Gelman, David F. Zucker, Steven M. Santisi
  • Patent number: 8747209
    Abstract: A method and game server for selecting a plurality of winners of a game is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of sets of player numbers from a plurality of game terminals. Each set has a predetermined number of player numbers. Each number is selected from a predetermined set. The method also comprises determining the plurality of winners of the game by conducting iterative drawing rounds until the number of winners exceeds a winner threshold. Each drawing round comprises: selecting a set of random numbers, the number of random numbers in the set of random numbers being equal to the number of player numbers in the set of player numbers; and identifying as winners any sets of player numbers in which each player number of the set corresponds to one or more of the random numbers selected in either the current drawing round or any previous drawing rounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Bonobo PLC
    Inventor: Waell Badrieh
  • Patent number: 8747207
    Abstract: A slot machine operable is in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player may select 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 may end upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections until encountering an end-bonus outcome. A bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. 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 to continue playing the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Benjamin T. Gomez, Robert J. Wilson, Jr., Roger A. Delott
  • Patent number: 8747215
    Abstract: An electronic gaming console is illustrated having a console cabinet 10 including a prize display 12, a coin entry slot 13, a payout tray 14 and internally mounted game control processor circuits. A video game is provided for play on the console in which images of spinning reels spin and objects (balls) are dropped through a series of obstacles (pins) and eventually land in one or more of a set of containers. Prizes are paid according to either the state of the reels after spinning or the number of balls which are in each container at the end of the ball drop and/or the manner in which the pins are hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, David Villa, Christopher Stevens
  • Patent number: 8740687
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a Keno game providing an additional award if a predicted quantity of symbols matches an actual quantity of symbols associated with one of a plurality of characteristics. In one embodiment, for one of a plurality of characteristics, the gaming system receives an indication of a predicted quantity of symbols. The gaming system forms a gaming system symbol set including a plurality of randomly selected symbols, each of which is randomly associated with one of the characteristics. The gaming system determines any primary awards by comparing a player symbol set with the gaming system symbol set, and any additional awards by comparing the predicted quantity of symbols with the randomly determined actual quantity of symbols associated with the characteristic associated with the predicted quantity of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, Robert W. Ruymann, Thomas J. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8740685
    Abstract: Certain examples provide gaming systems and methods. An example gaming system includes a display and a game controller arranged to: cause the display to display a plurality of game displays in which a plurality of games will be carried out; receive a player selection of a game of the plurality of games; carry out the plurality of games in their respective game displays; and make an award upon a comparison of an outcome of the player selected game with an outcome of a non-selected game or games satisfying an award criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Stevens, Nicholas Luke Bennett, Philippa Alice Graham
  • Patent number: 8740686
    Abstract: A system and method for playing a game of chance, either as a primary or secondary game offering, having a first winning criterion associated with matching player indicia on a player card to house indicia selected or otherwise determined by operator calls include awarding a first prize for every player card that satisfies the winning criterion after each operator call less than or equal to a first number of operator calls and awarding a subsequent prize for every player card that satisfies the same winning criterion after each call up to and including a second number of operator calls and continuing the game until at least all calls up to and including the second number of calls have been made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Zak Khal
  • Patent number: 8734217
    Abstract: A gaming system, comprising a game controller arranged to control play of a game, and a display arranged to display a representation of play of the game, the game controller being arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for play of the game, to control the display to display a plurality of the selected symbols in rows and columns, to determine a game outcome based on patterns of symbols in the rows and columns, and also being arranged to generate a feature game in response to a trigger condition, and determine an outcome of the feature game depending on the occurrence of a non-linear pattern of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Hung Ngoc Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140141855
    Abstract: Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a primary game award at least partially based on the outcomes of one or more sub-games. The outcomes are related according to a pay table associated with the primary game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael DePalma, Ryan Leach, Dougal Austin, MIchael Delaney, Joseph Kisenwether
  • Patent number: 8727866
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony M. Singer, Daniel M. Marks, Howard M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8727861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a bonus game, where the bonus game displays a target set including a plurality of player selectable symbols. At least one of the symbols is designated as a target symbol in a target set. The gaming device provides a predetermined number of picks to begin a bonus game and enables a player to use the picks to pick symbols from the target set. If the player picks a symbol that is not a target symbol, a relationship indicator indicates the relationship between the target symbol and the picked symbol. The player continues to pick symbols in the target set until the player picks the target symbol. If the player picks a target symbol, the gaming device enables the player to pick symbols from a new target set. The player continues to pick symbols in target sets until the player has no picks remaining. Preferably, the gaming device provides an award for each picked target symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Megan N. Schlegel, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 8721424
    Abstract: A slot machine comprising a display and a controller programmed to execute processing of: (A) variably displaying a plurality of symbols on the display, and then stop-displaying the symbols; (B) determining a prize based on the number of the symbols of each type stop-displayed on the display; (C) determining, when a plurality of prizes are determined in the processing (B), a priority order among the prizes; and (D) displaying sequence numbers on each of the symbols of the type corresponding to the prize determined in the processing (B), in descending order of the priority order determined in the processing (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Arata Ajiro, Yoichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8715053
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a clock hand bonus game is provided. Moreover, in various embodiments, a system, method and apparatus is provided for a bonus gaming machine. The bonus gaming machine operates with a face and two clock hands which rotate about the face. The bonus gaming machine operates in conjunction with a base gaming apparatus. The face displays a set of indicia which the two clock hands may point to as indication of a prize. The prize may be awarded in conjunction with a prize of the base gaming machine or independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Kelly, Bruce Rowe
  • Patent number: 8715052
    Abstract: A gaming system (50) has a controller (52) in communication with a plurality of gaming machines (10) that are operable by a player to play at least one base game (16). Each of the plurality of gaming machines (10) can participate in a secondary game that is common to the plurality of gaming machines (1) and which has an outcome resulting in the allocation of an award to a player of at least one of the gaming machine (10). A plurality of common events having a randomly determined component that dictates whether the outcome is achieved in the secondary game are displayed to players of the plurality of gaming machines (10). The outcome is capable of being achieved for any one gaming machine (10) without any other gaming machine (10) also achieving the outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Paul Thornley
  • Patent number: 8708817
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a graphic card animation display system for electronic card games. The system may be configured to display one or more electronically generated images of an electronic game card based on an orientation of the system. Animating the display of the one or more electronically generated images of an electronic game card based on an orientation of the system may increase and/or enhance the interest level of a user playing the electronic card game. In some implementations, the system may comprise a display, one or more sensors, one or more processors, a user interface, electronic storage, a housing, and/or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tiburcio de la Carcova
  • Patent number: 8708795
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating one or more base wagering games in an extended format are provided. Outcomes for the base wagering game may be determined, and based on the outcomes, player rankings in the extended play wagering game may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20140113697
    Abstract: Gaming machines and games are configured with one or more wheel events or features. The wheel events or features may comprise main games or bonus games, or may comprise entertaining representations of outcomes of other games or events. The wheel events comprise the selection of one or more segments of a wheel having associated awards. Wheel events may have various entertaining configurations, including use of multiple wheels, concentric wheels and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Rocket Gaming Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Manz, Terry Daly, Robert DelRossi, Erica Frohm, Charlie Lombardo
  • Patent number: 8702519
    Abstract: A video gaming device includes a game computer which is connected to a central computer and a plurality of player stations connected to the game computer. Connection of the player stations may be effected using an interface device which includes at least one serial port which has a transmit line for transmitting data to a player station and a receive line for receiving data from a player station, input port means and output port means for communication with the game computer, and processing means for routing data between the said serial port and the input and output port means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Vegas Amusement, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian J. Kennedy, Michael A. Morris, Douglas E. Morris
  • Patent number: 8702493
    Abstract: A slot machine method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a side wager for a slot machine which allows a player on a first machine to win bonus awards when a player on other (participating) machines wins a jackpot. The side wager activates the ability to win a bonus for a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of spins on the other machines, or some other limiting factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Etasse Limited
    Inventor: Alvaro Nores
  • Publication number: 20140106844
    Abstract: A method for playing a casino gaming device including a select and drag feature is disclosed. In one embodiment, a player selects values for multiple positions or spots on a game of chance. The player initially selects a value in one of the game positions. The player selects a touch-screen display location (or uses another input device) above the game position displaying the initially selected value, and then selects any other game position to copy the initially selected value into the other game positions. The player may select the touch-screen display location and then drags the initially selected value across the remaining game positions to set the values for the remaining game positions to the initially selected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank R. Anderson, Keith Kruczynski
  • Patent number: 8696438
    Abstract: A system for playing a wagering game has basic and secondary games. The secondary game includes bonus games. Symbols are arranged in an array of symbol positions in a first display for the basic game. Each symbol position has a corresponding position in an array of bonus-game positions in a second display for the secondary game. Each bonus-game position is linked to a different bonus game. The symbols displayed in the array of symbol positions are varied during play of the basic game. The symbols include secondary game trigger symbols. If a secondary game trigger symbol is displayed in a symbol position, the corresponding position in the array of bonus-game positions for the secondary game is identified. If a predetermined number of bonus-game positions are identified, the secondary game is completed by implementing each of the different bonus games linked to the identified bonus-game positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Jeffry L. Nauman, Pamela S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8696433
    Abstract: A method for playing a multi-level game of chance wherein players can advance to the next level with a win. As the game progresses through levels, non-winning players are eliminated and winning players are segregated by type of win. In general, each level provides greater winnings. In another example game format, a progressive jackpot may also be offered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Scott Weller, Matthew Ross
  • Patent number: 8696426
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices wherein players may share and combine outcomes or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences according to the group format on the gaming devices while the casino server, or another device, concurrently facilitates interaction between the group members operating the gaming devices. During the interaction, players may combine outcomes in an attempt to win group prizes. The linked play is terminated according to the group format and a determination is made by the casino server whether the group objective has been achieved. Prizes are awarded via the gaming devices if the group objective was achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Geoffrey M. Gelman, David F. Zucker, Steven M. Santisi
  • Patent number: 8696437
    Abstract: 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 a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, the randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of possible outcomes, the plurality of possible outcomes including at least one winning outcome, (iii) determine if the randomly selected outcome is the at least one winning outcome, (iv) determine if the at least one winning outcome satisfies a booster eligibility requirement, (v) in response to the randomly selected outcome being the at least one winning outcome, provide a first award, and (vi) in response to the at least one winning outcome satisfying the booster eligibility requirement, provide a second award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Shridhar P. Joshi, Philip B. Gelber, Michael W. Mastropietro
  • Patent number: 8690657
    Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a gaming system that is based on the outcome of actual, scheduled sporting events. The winning wagers are directed to a selected sporting event and represent event participants placing in either of the top six, five or four positions. Alternate embodiments involve an array of sporting events, and other embodiments involve different scoring schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Razor Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 8684826
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Larry J. Pacey, Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 8684815
    Abstract: A gaming environment is described. In a base game, one or more paylines to be activated and a bet number for the activated paylines are set. If a combination of displayed symbols on the activated payline is a winning combination, an outcome amount is calculated by multiplying a payout number corresponding to the realized winning combination by the bet number, and the calculated outcome amount will be provided to the player. Also, a payout number corresponding to the number of the activated paylines will be additionally provided to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Yukinori Inamura
  • Patent number: 8684822
    Abstract: Bonus gaming systems for monitoring and controlling one or more gaming devices in a gaming system on at least one gaming floor are disclosed herein. The system includes one or more gaming devices interconnected via a network, a player tracking system in communication with the gaming devices, and a bonus gaming system in communication with the gaming devices. The bonus gaming system monitors and controls bonus sessions presented on the gaming devices, wherein the bonus sessions includes a plurality of bonus levels, wherein the bonus levels increase in bonus value in response to duration of game play by a player in order to maintain continued play by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Gallaway, Carmen DiMichele, Melissa Juenger, William Decoux
  • Patent number: 8684813
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a lottery ticket to a player of a hybrid game having a gambling game portion and an entertainment game portion are provided. One or more lottery tickets are generated by a lottery system and transmitted to the hybrid game where the one or more lottery tickets are held in a queue. Attendant rules for issuing a lottery ticket are also transmitted to the hybrid game. The hybrid game receives player actions from the entertainment portion of the hybrid game and, based on the player actions and the attendant rules, awards a lottery ticket to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer
  • Publication number: 20140087815
    Abstract: A gaming system including one or more community game triggering events which function to both: (i) trigger a play of a community game and (ii) determine which players participate in the triggered community game. If a community game triggering event occurs, the gaming system causes a player playing a primary game associated with the occurrence of the community game triggering event to participate in a play of a community game. The gaming system additionally causes zero, one or more other players (i.e., players different from the player playing the primary game associated with the occurrence of the community game triggering event) to also participate in the play of the community game. The gaming system determines which other players participate in the play of the community game based on the specific community game triggering event which occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Leandro Basallo
  • Publication number: 20140080563
    Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like, via the casino gaming machine. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more secondary wager-based games in addition to the one or more primary wager-based game(s) provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary controller functionality may cause the secondary wager-based game to be presented upon a single input player to the gaming machine which also initiates the primary game, whereby primary and secondary games are initiated seamlessly to the player via a single input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140080566
    Abstract: A game of chance is disclosed allowing an outcome determined by the actions of a player. The game of chance comprises a layout defining a plurality of cells. A first portion of the cells each have a winning indicia contained therein, and a remaining portion of the cells each have a non-winning indicia contained therein. The winning and non-winning indicia are initially concealed to a player and are selectively revealable by the player. The player may select a limited number of cells to reveal the indicia contained therein. An object of the game is to maximize a number of winning indicia revealed by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: John G. Lovell, SR.
  • Patent number: 8672747
    Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, David F. Zucker, Jose A. Suarez, Stephen C. Tulley, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 8672738
    Abstract: A multi-matrix lottery game allowing cross-matching between two sets of player indicia against two sets of game indicia drawn by a lottery authority is provided. A player selects one set of indicia from a first set of indicia matrix and another set of indicia from a second set of indicia matrix. The lottery authority determines an winning result by making similar selection from two sets of indicia matrices. The player's prize is determined by matching between indicia from the corresponding sets. The player is entitled to an enhanced prize if there is cross-matching between the player indicia from the first set and the winning indicia from the second set or between the player indicia of the second set and the winning indicia from the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Kyle Bozeman
  • Publication number: 20140073395
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable one or more players to play games of chance. A system includes a memory device a memory device configured to store instructions that are executable by a processor to provide a game of chance in which a plurality of house indicia is selected from a pool of house indicia. The system also includes a processor. When the processor executes the instructions, the processor is programmed to present to a player a plurality of games or game varieties of the games, and enable the player to select one of the plurality of games or game varieties. The processor is further programmed to present a first outcome or a second outcome to the player based on which game or game variety is selected and based on whether a bonus indicia is randomly selected. The bonus indicia is included within the selected house indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GAMING ARTS LLC
    Inventors: David Colvin, Eric D. Colvin
  • Publication number: 20140073402
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable one or more players to play a game of chance. A system includes a processor and a memory device configured to store processor executable instructions to provide a game of chance in which a plurality of house indicia is selected from a pool of house indicia and in which one or more player indicia is provided. The processor is programmed by the instructions to randomly select a predetermined number of house indicia from the pool of house indicia, provide a random chance of selecting a bonus indicia, determine whether a winning number of matching indicia has been achieved by identifying each player indicia that matches one of the selected predetermined number of house indicia, and present a bonus to the player upon a determination that the bonus indicia matches a player indicia and that a winning number of matching indicia has been achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GAMING ARTS LLC
    Inventors: David Colvin, Eric D. Colvin
  • Patent number: 8668574
    Abstract: A user playing a user device wagers a wager amount on a play of a game. A server determines a first reel set for the current play, an outcome for the current play, and a second reel set for the next play of that game on which the user wagers that same wager amount. The server communicates first reel set data, second reel set data, and outcome data to the user device. The user device spins and stops the first reel set in accordance with the determined outcome. When the user wagers that same wager amount on another play of that game, the user device displays that play of that game using the second reel set, and the server determines a third reel set for the next play of that game on which the user wagers that same wager amount and communicates third reel set data to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 8668569
    Abstract: A redraw round and feature round are provided to supplement a game of chance. The game of chance may be implemented on a gaming machine or in a traditional manner as described. The game of chance is based on matching player selected spot numbers or player card numbers to randomly generated numbers. The redraw round is triggered if a predetermined number of redraw trigger numbers are generated and displayed as drawn numbers. In the redraw round the gaming machine generates redraw numbers which supplement the draw numbers. A comparison between the combined set of draw and redraw numbers to the player spot numbers occurs and if a predetermined number of matches occur the player is provided an award. A feature round occurs if a predetermined number of feature trigger numbers are drawn. The feature round provides one or more random award to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: SHFL Entertainment (Australasia) Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ross Gilbertson, David Kaylock
  • Patent number: 8668579
    Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, David F. Zucker, Jose A. Suarez, Stephen C. Tulley, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 8668572
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a player of a gaming device entitlement to a bonus amount, wherein the bonus amount may not be immediately apparent or attainable by the player. A gaming device player may acquire symbols in the context of a reel-based slot machine game. Certain symbols may entitle the player to a bonus payout, the bonus being apparent or attainable by the player at a later point in time and based on certain characteristics associated with the impending benefit. For example, gaming device players may obtain virtual representations of shares of company stock, which may only be sold (yielding a bonus to the player) under certain conditions, as dictated by the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Stephen C. Tulley
  • Publication number: 20140066162
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein provides streaming symbols game which utilizes a single continuous series or chain of symbols and a plurality of symbol display positions which form a path. Specifically, in various embodiments, the gaming system displays the chain of symbols continuously moving through the path of symbol display positions wherein which symbols are evaluated for any awards corresponds to when the chain of symbols stops moving along the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Leandro Basallo, Rachael A. Bristol, Scott A. Caputo, Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 8663000
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a gaming machine. The player is allotted one or more numbers for each credit bet. The allotted numbers represent a subset of the predetermined fixed range of numbers. A feature game is triggered for the progressive prize based on a numerical comparison between the selected random number and the number(s) allotted to the player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine. A probability of success in the feature game may be higher than a probability of success in the base game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Scott Olive
  • Patent number: 8662990
    Abstract: A primary game may display multiple bonus game selection symbols on a reel. The bonus game selection symbols allow the player to choose a bonus game. The bonus game simulates a play in an actual wagering game with a wager that would normally be higher than the wager in the primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Watkins, Clint A. Owen
  • Patent number: 8657659
    Abstract: Wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and associated methods that include a randomly selected feature game are disclosed. One disclosed aspect provides for a wagering game including a primary game and a plurality of feature games. One or more of the plurality of feature games is selected for play upon a triggering event associated with the primary game. In another disclosed aspect, the wagering game may also include at least two types of progressives including wide-area progressives, casino-wide progressives, bank progressives and stand-alone progressives. Another disclosed aspect provides a pay table, wherein the pay table changes dynamically according to the size of a wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren T. Nelson, Michael DePalma, Charles Ryan Leach, Dougal Austin
  • Patent number: 8657663
    Abstract: A slot machine comprising a display and a controller programmed to execute processing of: (A) variably displaying a plurality of symbols on the display, and then stop-displaying the symbols; (B) determining a prize based on the number of the symbols of respective types stop-displayed on the display; and (C) displaying sequence numbers on each of the plurality of symbols of the type corresponding to the prize determined in the processing (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Arata Ajiro, Yoichi Kato
  • Patent number: RE44801
    Abstract: A bonus feature for a gaming machine in which additional graphic features are caused to be displayed as overlays of the graphic imagery of a base game; said graphic imagery of said base game comprising symbols arranged in a first matrix of symbol containing elements, wherein columns of said first matrix are visible portions of a rotatable set of inner reels; said additional graphic features comprising symbols in selected elements of a second matrix of elements, wherein columns of said second matrix of elements are visible portions of a rotatable set of outer reels; and wherein predetermined arrangements of said additional graphic features trigger at least one bonus feature game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Konami Australia Pty, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Yoshimi