Skill Level Adjustment (e.g., Speed Change, Complexity, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/23)
  • Patent number: 8393944
    Abstract: An automatic algorithm for finding racing lines via computerized minimization of a measure of the curvature of a racing line is derived. Maximum sustainable speed of a car on a track is shown to be inversely proportional to the curvature of the line it is attempting to follow. Low curvature allows for higher speed given that a car has some maximum lateral traction when cornering. The racing line can also be constrained, or “pinned,” at arbitrary points on the track. Pinning may be performed randomly, deterministically, or manually and allows, for example, a line designer to pin the line at any chosen points on the track, such that when the automatic algorithm is run, it will produce the smoothest line that still passes through all the specified pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Tipping, Mark Andrew Hatton, Ralf Herbrich
  • Patent number: 8382567
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to DVD gaming systems that include DVD game remote systems having card readers, and methods of playing games using those DVD gaming systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter MacIver, Jim Keifer, James Zielinski, Matt Thorne, Ryan Ciociola
  • Patent number: 8376834
    Abstract: Dynamic role selection of players for different roles in multiplayer gaming sessions is provided. Users seeking to participate in different roles in the game may request participation in the role. Selection of players for roles is made dynamically by varying a selection component for different sessions of the game. The selection component may be a user's game score over different time periods, and can be rotated for different sessions of the game, so that various levels of players have an opportunity to fill game roles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Holly Hirzel, Brett Johnson, Felix Livni, Hardik Shah, Mike Scavezze, Jay Thaler, Matthew Van Gorder
  • Patent number: 8371919
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a plurality of gaming machines configured to receive a wagering input and to access a group game including a persistent-state gaming environment. A controller is configured to maintain the persistent-state gaming environment and to control game play within the persistent-state gaming environment. The persistent-state gaming environment is configured to permit ingress and egress of players into and out of the persistent-state gaming environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Jamie Vann
  • Patent number: 8366529
    Abstract: A media game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and/or audio clips stored on readable media using a media player, such as a DVD player, is disclosed. In addition to the readable media, the game also includes a game board, moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. The game board can be converted from long play to short play by lifting the endmost sections of the game board and placing them next to each other on top of intermediate sections of the game board. A path circumnavigates the game board and appears to be continuous in both long and short play modes. The begin and end regions reside at least partially on the endmost sections and appear as unbroken shapes when configured for both long and short play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Screenlife, LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Kinzer, David Long, William Kuper, Trevor Steinthal, Mathew J. Griesse, John Hendricks, William J. Patterson, Michael J. Ausich
  • Patent number: 8360856
    Abstract: An entertainment device comprises communication means for communicating with a remote device over a network; program code and resources for running a full version of the program, the program code being operable to interact with remote devices also running a full version of the program; and program resource classification means, and in which when communication with a remote device indicates that the remote device is running a demonstration version of the program code; the program code on the entertainment device restricts the use of program resources to those identified by the program resource classification means as being available to or compatible with the demonstration version of the program, thereby restricting the full version of the program to operate substantially as a demo version of the program for the purposes of interaction with a demo version of the program being run on the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Ralph Ealey
  • Patent number: 8360874
    Abstract: A method for casino operators and/or players to instantly “create” new games without requiring recertification by a gaming laboratory. New games are created on the fly by making combinations of game attributes including but not limited to theme, denomination, volatility, RTP. Game attributes are associated to pre-certified software components that are then dynamically linked to instantly offer a new game. Having players dynamically create games according to their preference totally removes the game operator's risk to compose menus of available games that players will not play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Sylvie Linard, Thierry Brunet de Courssou
  • Patent number: 8360862
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that integrate social contact identifiers into wagering games. One of the devices described is a social contact identifier integrator. The social contact identifier integrator can display one or more elements of a wagering game, such as graphics that are part of, or connected to, the wagering game. A player of the wagering game can have a social network account that has one or more related social network accounts, such as friends or acquaintances. The social contact identifier integrator selects a social contact identifier from one of the related social network accounts and integrates the social contact identifier into the wagering game. The social contact identifier integrator can also determine and assign rewards to the player or to the related social network account whose social contact identifier appeared in the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Damon E. Gura, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 8360854
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes requiring a player to purchase a predetermined amount of playing time for a predetermined amount of money; inputting an initial average Return-To-Player (RTP) percentage of the regulated game; initiating the regulated game, and during the purchased predetermined amount of playing time: providing a plurality of reward generating assets and enabling the player to interact therewith, a successful interaction with a reward generating asset generating a reward for the player, and providing a plurality of time penalty inducing assets, interaction with one of which imposes a predetermined time penalty during which the player is prevented from interacting with any of the plurality of reward generating assets whereby, after interaction with one of the plurality of penalty inducing assets, the initial average RTP percentage is reduced by an amount proportional to a length of the predetermined time penalty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Alexander Popovich, Cameron Anthony Filipour, Adam Singer, Thierry Brunet de Courssou
  • Patent number: 8348733
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for analyzing a characteristic of a game player in real time. The apparatus includes at least one individual action determiner for calculating a player characteristic value indicating a level or tendency of a game player by giving a first weight to game play data values resulting from game play of the game player, an accuracy determiner for comparing the player characteristic value and a value set by an administrator, and calculating an accuracy value of the individual action determiner, a comprehensive level determiner for calculating a final characteristic value indicating a level or tendency of the game player by giving a second weight to the player characteristic values calculated by the individual action determiners when the accuracy value do not exceed a reference value, and a characteristic value output unit for outputting the final characteristic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hang Kee Kim, Chang Joon Park, Seong Won Ryu, Hun Joo Lee, Ki Suk Lee, Kang Min Sohn
  • Patent number: 8348761
    Abstract: In a game played by a plurality of game machines through teamwork, an evaluation is performed according to the correlation among operation information obtained through communications with each of the game machines. A plurality of game machines communicate with one another to establish timing synchronization. After the game, input timings at which buttons are operated during the game are collected and then evaluated so as to determine an absolute and relative timing coincidence in a predetermined period (unison part). A predetermined number of points are added to its game score based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akito Nakatsuka, Yuichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8342950
    Abstract: A hidden attraction game commences play for a number of successive wagers after a gaming machine is idle for a time followed by a wager-in. For each successive wager, the attraction game provides an attraction game outcome with a low value award. Each attraction game outcome corresponds to a base game outcome having a low value base game award. If a base game outcome for a successive wager results in a higher win, the base game controls and the attraction game ends. The player, not aware of the hidden attraction game, believes the attraction game wins are base game wins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Robert C. Dorr
  • Patent number: 8333660
    Abstract: In this program, a regulation command for controlling the movement of a first character is recognized by a control unit. After the regulation command for the first character is recognized by the control unit, a movement command for operating a second character is recognized by the control unit. Then, the state that the second character is moving based on the movement command is displayed on an image displaying unit using image data. The first character with movement controlled based on the regulation command is displayed on the image displaying unit using image data. And, if the receiving of commands related to movements for the first character and the second character is terminated by the control unit, a process for changing the ability data of the first character is executed by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Uno
  • Patent number: 8328627
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The gaming machine further comprises a selector applicable to a game feature where, upon a trigger condition occurring in a base game, a player is afforded an opportunity of predicting an outcome of the feature and, if the player's prediction is correct, a bonus is awarded to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty
    Inventors: Brett Mezen, Naomi Classon, Scott Olive
  • Patent number: 8328614
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of determining suitable paytables for wagering Solitaire games or type games and a gaming system, gaming device and method for providing such wagering games with such paytables. In one embodiment, the paytable includes the outcomes in the form of ranges of the total numbers of cards which are banked at the time play terminates and the awards associated with each range. In various embodiments, the paytable is constructed such that certain of the awards increase non-linearly as the ranges of numbers of banked cards increase. In other words, in various embodiments, certain awards in the paytable have a different upper ratio to the number of cards banked than other awards in the paytable. In various embodiments, the Solitaire game includes one stage or multiple stages. The present disclosure also provides a paytable for multiple related plays of the Solitaire game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Aaron T. Jones, James A. Vasquez, Bryan D. Wolf, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8328622
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a wagering game having a plurality of reels comprised of a plurality of symbols. A controller operates to (i) detect receipt of the wager; (ii) activate a play of the wagering game by spinning the reels on the display; (iii) display at least one play enhancement icon on the display; (iv) cause the spinning reels to stop and the display to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game; and (v) enhance the randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to the at least one play enhancement icon on the display at any time including at least one of before spinning the reels on the display, during spinning the reels on the display, and after spinning the reels on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Daniel P. Louie
  • Patent number: 8323099
    Abstract: Embodiments of a portable wagering game machine and a stationary wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of portable wagering game machines are associated with a stationary wagering game machine. Group wagering game data is displayed on the stationary wagering game machine. The group wagering game data includes wagering content for viewing by multiple players. At each of the plurality of portable wagering game machines, individual wagering game data is displayed. The individual wagering game data and the group wagering game data relate to a wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, Larry J. Pacey, James M. Rasmussen, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8317592
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes manufacturer-limited parameter values or parameter value combinations selectable by an operator during gaming machine set-up. The parameter values preferably include different maximum pay lines associated with different denominations and are limited to those which have been determined by the manufacturer to provide optimum game play. The different maximum pay lines may be associated with different math models having substantially the same payback percentage values. Subsequent operator selection of the parameter values during gaming machine setup allows the gaming machine having a single game theme or a gaming machine having multiple game themes to be configured with different maximum pay lines for each single game theme. Thus, the player can play a single theme wagering game with a first maximum pay line value and with a second maximum pay line value where the second maximum pay line value differs from the first maximum pay line value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Brandon C. Estes, Christian P. Gyrling, William A. Hoefferle, Shridhar P. Joshi
  • Patent number: 8317599
    Abstract: A system comprises: a receiving unit for receiving information of a user; a first notifying unit for notifying the user of a first challenge in a first game apparatus a first output unit for outputting first clear information when a progress result of a game controlled by the first game apparatus becomes the first result relating to the first challenge; a second notifying unit for notifying the user of a second challenge in a second game apparatus; a second output unit for outputting second clear information when a progress result of a game controlled by the second game apparatus becomes the second result relating to the second challenge; and a processing unit for performing predetermined process for determining whether a predetermined process condition is satisfied, and for performing, when the predetermined process condition is satisfied, predetermined process that is not performed when the predetermined process condition is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Goto, Takashi Uchiyama, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Hiroshi Tomaru, Masato Okuaki
  • Patent number: 8317598
    Abstract: Players in a multi-player electronic skill-based game receive differential rewards and penalties based on game play. When a player achieves a rewardable result (e.g., killing another player's game character), a reward quantum may be calculated based on a handicap associated with the player and a handicap associated with at least one other player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Spencer Leonard McNally
    Inventor: Spencer Leonard McNally
  • Patent number: 8317589
    Abstract: A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player, displaying an image representative of a primary game, determining if a bonus event trigger has occurred, displaying an image representative of a bonus game, the bonus game including a representation associated with the player and a representation associated with an opponent, the representations each having at least one attribute associated with the bonus game, if the bonus event trigger occurs, and determining a payout associated with an outcome of the bonus game. The method also includes offering the player at least one advantage option, the at least one advantage option affecting at least one of the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the player and the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the opponent. A gaming machines and system may be provided to carry out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael T. Tessmer, Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 8317600
    Abstract: A game device of a computer game includes plural unit games, each of which can be completed when a requirement for completion is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Hazama, Keiko Sato, Yasumi Takase, Naohiro Yamamoto, Kota Wakasa, Takashi Nishibori
  • Patent number: 8317621
    Abstract: Data communication is carried out with any of other video game processing devices. Commands are distributed to each of other player characters operated by each of other players of the other video game processing devices. Each of the commands causes a predetermined special effect to the player character. A command releasing operation in which by erasing one or more command from the retained commands the one or more command is released is performed at a time when a predetermined releasing condition is satisfied. The released commands are visualized as icons. A distance between each of the released command icons and the player character is determined. The player character is caused to newly retain any of the released commands in the case where it is determined that the player character exists inside a predetermined distance from the released command icon indicating the released command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventor: Tai Yasue
  • Patent number: 8313370
    Abstract: Video game systems and methods provide one or more software-based skill adjustment mechanisms for video game systems to adjust a difficulty level of the video games based on an existing skill level or game play of a player. The difficulty level of the video games is adjustable to correspond to an existing skill level of the player for removing digital blocks from a digital matrix, clearing digital complete horizontal lines from the digital matrix and/or avoiding game ending conditions. The difficulty level of the video game may be adjusted to facilitate skill-building game play for the player. The difficulty level of the video games is adjustable during game play that is approaching or leading to a game ending condition via software for one or more primary and/or secondary skill adjustment mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Tetris Holding LLC
    Inventors: Henk B. Rogers, Alexey L. Pajitnov
  • Patent number: 8308571
    Abstract: A system and method for conducting a game with two or more participants that provides selections of the final two contestants for a particular contest. In the game, at least one winning participant is determined by comparing each participant's selections of the final two contestants to the actual final two contestants in the contest. Participants may also provide an indication of the first place contestant from among the selected final two contestants. Ties may be broken by comparing each participant's selection of a first place contestant to the actual first place contestant in the contest. Also described is a system for implementation of the method including means for carrying out the steps of the method. The method and system provide a fun, straightforward game that can be adapted to a wide variety of contests, be played by a large number of participants and be implemented over the World Wide Web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Dot Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: David Sonn
  • Patent number: 8308552
    Abstract: The present invention is to be capable of inhibiting the occurrence of an instance where the enjoyment of a player who plays with the game apparatus by the total event is decreased when a single total event is carried out among two or more game apparatuses. The present game system includes: two or more game apparatuses, each of which comprises a game progress control unit for performing game progress control; and an event processing apparatus for performing a process for carrying out a single total event at the same timing by the plurality of game apparatuses. The event processing apparatus and each game apparatus are connected in a manner to enable communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Goto, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Masato Okuaki, Takashi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8308572
    Abstract: The Gaming System With End User Feedback enables a reverse path feedback architecture wherein the forward path multicasted gaming content transmitted by a gaming site can be dynamically modified as a result of end user interaction or feedback, wherein each end user has a private bidirectional link to the gaming site to enter their moves, optionally receive private data from the gaming site to enable the end user's device to display private data that is hidden from the other players, and to communicate privately with another member or members of a sub-group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Lava Two, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard McKenna, James Michael Graziano
  • Publication number: 20120276982
    Abstract: A computer game and a method of providing learning capability thereto are provided. The computer game has an objective of matching a skill level of the computer game with a skill level of a game player. A move performed by the game player is identified, one of a plurality of game moves is selected based on a game move probability distribution comprising a plurality of probability values corresponding to the plurality of game moves, an outcome of the selected game move relative to the identified player move is determined, the game move probability distribution is updated based on the outcome, and one or more of the game move selection, the outcome determination, and the game move probability distribution update is modified based on the objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Arif M Ansari, Yusuf Salaiman M Shiek Ansari
  • Patent number: 8298078
    Abstract: 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 biofeedback module operable to track at least one biometric characteristic of a game player. The wagering game is further operable to alter presentation of the wagering game based on changes in the at least one biometric characteristic. A mood enhancement module is operable to provide energy to a wagering game player at a frequency designed to provide a mood enhancing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Sutton, Samuel Leopold, Gene Rigsby
  • Patent number: 8292728
    Abstract: The present invention is to be capable of carrying out an unusual performance beyond type of machine. The present game apparatus includes: two or more types of game apparatuses having hardware configurations different from each other, each of the game apparatuses including a performance unit for carrying out a performance visually and audibly appealing to a player, and a game progress control unit for controlling game progress and performing game performance control according to the game progress by controlling the performance unit; and a total performance processing apparatus for executing a process for carrying out a total performance in the two or more types of game apparatuses by using the performance unit provided in each of the two or more types of game apparatuses. The total performance processing apparatus and the two or more types of game apparatuses are connected and capable of communicating with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Goto, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Masato Okuaki, Takashi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8292746
    Abstract: A game system for reliably realizing synchronization of timings at which a common event in a plurality of game machines start. The game system includes a plan management server that measures lapse of system time common in the game system and with the time measurement, updates plan information indicative of remaining time until the system time reaches a process start stage at which a process for the common event starts. Each of the game machines includes an obtaining device to obtain the plan information from the plan management server, a stage determining device to determine whether the system time has reached the process start stage or not on the basis of laps of time of the system time measured in the game machine, and a process executing device to start a process for the common event when it is determined that the system time has reached the process start stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tomaru, Takuya Ando, Kazuhiro Yoshida, Yaku Hiranabe
  • Patent number: 8292736
    Abstract: A game device allowing a player to enjoy the process of acquiring information on an input procedure of operation data corresponding to a predetermined event is provided. A game device including a controller allowing input of operation data comprises judgment means for judging whether or not an operation data sequence input with the controller matches a predetermined operation data sequence, event triggering means for triggering a predetermined event (special technique or the like) corresponding to the predetermined operation data sequence in accordance with a result of judgment by the judgment means, operation guidance means for displaying on a guidance screen (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kato, Kazuhide Nakazawa, Masato Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8292727
    Abstract: Whether or not an angular velocity detected by an angular velocity sensor is used for a game process is determined, and a difficulty level of a game to be subjected to a game process is set so as to vary depending on whether the angular velocity is determined to be used or the angular velocity is determined not to be used. When the angular velocity is determined not to be used, a process of specifying a motion direction of an input device is performed by using acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, whereas when the angular velocity is determined to be used, at least a part of the process of specifying the motion of the input device is performed by using the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor. Accordingly, based on the specified motion direction, the game process is performed while the set difficulty level is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Nobuo Matsumiya, Yuki Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8287342
    Abstract: A media game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and/or audio clips stored on readable media using a media player, such as a DVD player, is disclosed. In addition to the readable media, the game also includes a game board, moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. The game board can be converted from long play to short play by lifting the endmost sections of the game board and placing them next to each other on top of intermediate sections of the game board. A path circumnavigates the game board and appears to be continuous in both long and short play modes. The begin and end regions reside at least partially on the endmost sections and appear as unbroken shapes when configured for both long and short play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Screenlife, LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Kinzer, David Long, William Kuper, Trevor Steinthal, Matthew J. Griesse, John Hendricks, William J. Patterson, Michael J. Ausich
  • Patent number: 8282456
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided which includes: an operation sequence table 211 storing an operation sequence in which one or more groups of time-series input timings are associated with operation means to be operated for input by a player based on the group of the input timings; operation instructing means 202 that outputs an operation instruction based on the operation sequence; evaluation means 205 that evaluates a game score based on comparison between the input timings and an operation timings; a criterion table 212 storing a criterion for determining a master level of the player; a master level determining means 203 that determines a master level of the player based on the criterion; and operation sequence changing means 204 that changes a part of at least one group of input timings, in the case where the player has a master level equal to or more than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Masuda, Mitsuhiro Nozaki, Yoshito Fukuda, Masanori Kono
  • Patent number: 8267774
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8262446
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus allows a player to play a memory game. The gaming apparatus includes a gaming device that is adapted to accept a wager and allow a player to play a game. A display device is mounted in association with the gaming device. A player input device is mounted in association with the gaming device. A controller is in communication with the gaming device, the display device and the player input device. The controller causes the display device to display a first set of indicia and then display a plurality of sets of indicia. The plurality of sets of indicia includes the first set of indicia. A player is allowed to choose one of the plurality of sets of indicia using the player input device. A prize is awarded, if the set of indicia chosen is the first set of indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald C. Seelig, Lawrence M. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 8262463
    Abstract: The present invention provides a game system (10) having a game terminal (20) and a communication apparatus (30). A processor (29) of the game terminal (20) receives a command from a participant player during a play of a game, counts the number of inputs for each command, and transmits count result data indicating the result to a communication apparatus (30). A processor (33) of the communication apparatus (30) receives and aggregates the data, identifies, based on the result, a command for which the number of inputs exceeds a predetermined standard value, and transmits to game terminal (20) setting data in association with the identified command, the setting data indicating a weighting factor that has smaller effect on a play result than a weighting factor set to the command. The processor (29) receives this and updates weighting factor data indicating a weighting factor set to a corresponding command so as to indicate the weighting factor by the received setting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yohei Marufuji
  • Patent number: 8257164
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis
  • Patent number: 8257170
    Abstract: A method for casino operators and/or players to instantly “create” new games without requiring recertification by a gaming laboratory. New games are created on the fly by making combinations of game attributes including but not limited to theme, denomination, volatility, RTP. Game attributes are associated to pre-certified software components that are then dynamically linked to instantly offer a new game. Having players dynamically create games according to their preference totally removes the game operator's risk to compose menus of available games that players will not play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Sylvie Linard, Thierry Brunet de Courssou
  • Patent number: 8251800
    Abstract: A gaming method, apparatus and system for playing a game of chance is disclosed in which a plurality of gaming machines may be linked together for mutually competitive play. According to one embodiment, two or more gaming machines are linked to a centrally located display exhibiting a game board comprising one or more groups of earmarkable cells in one or more groups. Players on the gaming machines wager and attempt to achieve winning outcomes which earmark cells in the group with designators of their respective gaming machines. When a predetermined number or configuration of cells of a group are earmarked, an award may be distributed to those gaming machines having earmarked cells according to the number of designators within that group associated with each gaming machine. The game of chance may be configured for play on an individual gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 8250206
    Abstract: A server including a storage unit for storing a history of activities that each character in a virtual world has performed; a search unit for searching the storage unit to retrieve a history of activities in which a first character that performs an activity on a first client has changed the states of a second client that performs an activity on a second client; a calculation unit for calculating, on the basis of the retrieved history, a score indicating the extent to which the first character has changed the state of the second character; and a transmission control unit for controlling the frequency with which the states of the first character are changed according to an operation performed by a user on the first client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horii, Toshihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8241136
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: providing a table game of the type where a player seeks to sink one or more balls of a set of balls in one or more pockets of the table by striking the balls with a cue ball in accordance with the rules of the table game; receiving a wager from a player additional to any amount required to play the table game, the wager entitling the player to receive at least one bonus associated with an event if the player achieves the event; and electronically monitoring play of the table game to determine whether the player achieves the event and the bonus should be awarded to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
  • Patent number: 8231453
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and method disclosed herein maintains a designated award which is associated with a variable score for a skill-based game. In one such embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to play a game, wherein the gaming system forms a score for the player. The player's formed score is based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based game (i.e., which tends to measure one or more aspects of that player's skills). If the player's score does not reach the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system modifies the variable score associated with the designated award of that skill-based game. If the player's score reaches or exceeds the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system provides the player a designated quantity of opportunities to win the maintained designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bryan D. Wolf, Adam Singer, Alexander Popovich, Cameron A. Filipour
  • Patent number: 8221220
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems for providing an interactive experience to game participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ackley, Jonathan Blossom, Charles Ryan Jordan
  • Patent number: 8221222
    Abstract: To provide a game system that makes players' play order comply with a predetermined rule but nevertheless allows, with appropriate measure, any delaying player to join the game, each terminal device constituting the system stores in a storage unit game's stage/delay information regarding all players including players operating other terminal devices, a stage updating unit updates the storage unit based on an operation entry accepted by an operation entry unit from an owner player as a play determining unit determines that the owner player's turn has come, and an operation entry received by an operation receiving unit from any other terminal device, and a delay updating unit updates the storage unit when an abort entry unit accepts an abort entry from the player or an abort notification is received, or updates delay information when stage information is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8221215
    Abstract: Described are methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. A method according to an embodiment includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome. The partial game outcome was previously provided to the player, who used a first device that is different than the gaming device. The method includes determining that the player is entitled to a complete game outcome, displaying the partial game outcome on the gaming device, determining the complete game outcome, and then displaying the complete game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Russell P. Sammon, Stephen C. Tulley
  • Patent number: 8221221
    Abstract: Methods and systems for metrics-based gaming operations are provided. Information concerning game play for each play may be received and stored. Such information may be used to generate certain metrics. The generated metrics, in turn, may be used to determine how to customize a game operation. Such game operations may include providing training to a player, matching a player up with another player or with a team, adjusting a game event, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Riego
  • Patent number: 8216049
    Abstract: A method for adapting a game of bingo to a lottery, includes predetermining a plurality of bingo faces to achieve a desired liability profile. One or more of the plurality of bingo faces are distributed. Random call numbers are generated until a desired pattern is achieved on one or more of the distributed bingo faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fisk, Daniel W. Bower, Budd O. Libby
  • Patent number: 8210931
    Abstract: A gaming device or mobile gaming device presenting a player with a suggested tax efficient betting strategy, in which the wager is computed based on a players current tax profile. The gaming wager is displayed on a mobile gaming device as a net payout less any taxes that would be owed for the payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Dean P. Alderucci, Geoffrey M. Gelman