Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140206442
    Abstract: A method of utilizing a player's movements in association with a wagering game event, includes sensing a player's movements using a movement sensing device, storing a representation of the player's movements in non-transient computer-readable storage media in association with player-identifying information, associating the representation of the player's movements with the wagering game event in the storage media, and replaying the representation of the player's movements on one or more display devices operatively associated with a wagering game machine responsive to an occurrence of the wagering game event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Evan Hollander, Joel Jaffe, Jesse Smith, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20140206432
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a request to configure a wagering game machine for presentation of a wagering game effect. The operations can further include, in response to detecting the request, evaluating, a position of the wagering game machine against criteria for presentation of the wagering game effect. The operations can further include, based on the evaluating the position of the wagering game machine against the criteria for presentation of the wagering game effect, modifying an availability of at least one of a plurality of options to configure the wagering game machine for the presentation of the wagering game effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Radek, Edward G. Brunell, Wingate K. Williams, Brian L. Yarger
  • Publication number: 20140206438
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Christopher R. Barney, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140206441
    Abstract: “A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include obtaining data provided from a first application. In some examples, the first application is a wagering game application presented on a wagering game machine. The operations can also include determining a subscription level associated with a second application. The subscription level indicates access to the data from the first application. Further, the operations can also include, providing a service to the second application. In some examples, the service is one of a plurality of tiers of services that correspond to the subscription level. In some examples, the service has one of a plurality of degrees of access to the data from the first application according to the subscription level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
  • Patent number: 8784193
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to selectively combine base games and bonus games. This modular approach allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to mix and match base games and bonus games as needed. In some embodiments, players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers may also select different game features to employ in the bonus and/or base games. Such an arrangement allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to configure each base game and/or bonus game according to their preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Damon E. Gura, Robert L. Kyte, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8784216
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method for controlling a wagering game server to make a game piece available in a wagering game on a wagering game machine. The method can include detecting, by the wagering game server, player input associated with the wagering game. The method can also include receiving, via a network, community information from a virtual community, wherein the community information arises from interaction between members of the virtual community and identifies the game piece available for use in the wagering game. The method can also include determining that the game piece is available for use in the wagering game, and determining content including an indication that the game piece is available for use in the wagering game. The method can also include providing the content for presentation on a wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro, Kathleen J. McJohn, Larry J. Pacey
  • Patent number: 8784206
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a three-dimensional image of wagering game content via a display associated with a wagering game machine. The operations can further include estimating a degree of alteration to a stereoscopic view of the three-dimensional image caused by a change in the position of a device (e.g., a chair) connected to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include altering a presentation of the three-dimensional image based on the degree of alteration to the stereoscopic view of the three-dimensional image caused by the change in the position of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, John F. LaSalvia, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8784194
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a progressive wagering game includes a progressive award having a default value, which is determined based on wagers received from a plurality of players. A bonus eligibility time period is enabled, in accordance with at least one of a wager size and a player speed of play, during which an award modifier is available to at least one of the players. Based on the award modifier, the default value is changed to a modified value that is displayed in response to the award modifier being available to the player. In response to the award modifier becoming unavailable, the default value of the progressive award is displayed. The progressive award is awarded in response to achieving a winning outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8784192
    Abstract: A wagering game account management system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations include assigning one or more money values to a graphical user interface control and linking the graphical user interface control to a credit account. The credit account is a third-party financial account from which a player account is authorized to borrow funds up to a credit limit. In some embodiments, the operations further include providing the graphical user interface control for presentation during a wagering game session associated with the player account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Erhard W. Rathsack, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140200065
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving, at a wagering game server, a request from a mobile device to play a wagering game via a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machines on the wagering game network. The operations can also include associating the mobile device with the selected wagering game machine, wherein the associating allows receipt of input for the wagering game from the mobile device. The operations can also include receiving, via the wagering game network, commands resulting from inputs accepted by the mobile device. The operations can also include determining a result of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Randy S. Demsetz, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20140201849
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for receiving restricted content in an embedded frame of a display. A first content server provides content for presentation to a client. In response to a request to present restricted content stored on a second server, the first server creates a URL query string including user credential data for authorizing the restricted content. The first server adds one or more hidden parameters to the URL query string and creates a signature based on the URL query string. The first server adds the signature to the URL query string to form a final query string and sends the final query string to a second content server in a request for the restricted content. The first server receives the restricted content and presents the restricted content in the embedded frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventor: Edward Q. Earley
  • Patent number: 8777753
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a selection of a selectable object in a first area of a gaming display that is under control of a first application module associated with a wagering game session. The first application module can be for a social communication application or can provide social communication functionality. The operations can further include determining a selection purpose for the selection, determining transference instructions for an item representation of the selectable object, and transferring the item representation to a second area of the gaming display that is under control of a second application module. The second application module can be for a wagering game application or can provide wagering game functionality. The operations can further include performing a function associated with the second application module according to the selection purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew C. Guinn
  • Patent number: 8777757
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a light source concealed within a cabinet frame, a light pipe, and a contoured reflective surface. The light pipe has a distal end adjacent to the light source and a proximal end along the cabinet frame and directly viewable from the player position. The light pipe directs the initial light from the distal end to the proximal end such that (a) some initial light exits the proximal end as direct light viewable from the player position and (b) some initial light exits a pipe section, extending between the distal end and the proximal end, as washed light. The contoured reflective surface is adjacent to the proximal end along the cabinet frame, and is configured to receive the washed light from the pipe section and to reflect at least some of the washed light as indirect light viewable from the player position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Chudek
  • Patent number: 8777731
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include obtaining a mathematical expression(s) from a configuration file associated with a wagering game. The mathematical expression(s) include elements that represent game-related parameters of the one or more wagering games. In some embodiments, the operations further comprise converting the mathematical expression(s) to a programming code expression(s) equivalent to the mathematical expression(s) in response to detection of user-input to configure the wagering game for use via a wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the operations further comprise evaluating the programming code expression(s) using values for the one or more game-related parameters, and configuring the one or more wagering games based on evaluation of the programming code expression(s) using the values for the one or more game-related parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Miller, Eucke W. Warren
  • Patent number: 8777732
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a request for placement in a queue for entry into an event. The method also includes placing the request into the queue. In response to placement of the request into the queue, the method includes presenting, on a device, a game for game play while waiting for the entry into the event. The device comprises at least one of a mobile device, a pager provided in response to requesting the placement in the queue, and a non-mobile gaming device positioned proximate to a location of the event. The method includes determining a prize for the game play of the game. In response to not entering the event, the prize is discarded. In response to entering the event, the prize is awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Mary Griffin, Andrew C. Guinn, Harry C. Lang, Travis N. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140194190
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from both a first wagering game application and from a second wagering game application. The first and second wagering game applications can be independent wagering game applications played by a player account during a wagering game session. The operations can further include determining some portion of the second content (e.g., three-dimensional objects) that appears to originate from a second-application domain (e.g., from within confines of the second wagering game application), and presenting the portion of the second content within a first-application domain (e.g., within confines of the first wagering game application). In some embodiments, the operations can further include presenting the portion of the second content interacting with the first content within the first-application domain (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Marwan Y. Ansari, Robert W. Morgan, III, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20140194176
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include causing at least one event to occur during play of a wagering game. In some embodiments, the operations can further include determining a difference between occurrence of the at least one event and a theoretical expectation of occurrence associated with the at least one event. In some embodiments, the operations can further include computing a luck factor based on the difference. The luck factor represents luck for occurrence of the at least one event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Jeff D. Fleyshman, Andrew C. Guinn, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 8771082
    Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Michael J. Blankstein, Rory L. Block, Allon G. Englman, McLaurin H. Files, Mark B. Gagner, Brian R. Gamache, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Shridhar P. Joshi, Alfred Thomas, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8771066
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from content sources that are accessible to a wagering game machine and determining presentation requirements for the content. The operations can further include determining a presentation template that the wagering game machine can use to present the content according the presentation requirements. The presentation template can have pre-configured presentation areas, one of which can be configured to present the content according to pre-defined configuration settings. The operations can further include determining that one pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template content can present the content in accordance with the presentation requirements, and presenting the content in pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
  • Patent number: 8771054
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game comprises a display including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels having a plurality of symbol locations and symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to a certain event, at least one symbol on the reels in a particular one of the plurality of symbol locations is altered to produce an altered function of the symbol. The altered function of the altered symbol at the particular symbol location is maintained for subsequent plays of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jamie W. Vann