Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
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Patent number: 8747219Abstract: A method includes receiving wagers from a player to play respective plays of a plurality of plays of a wagering game having event eligibility that includes a time value and a multiplier value. The method includes increasing at least one of the time value and the multiplier value as a function of the plurality of plays of the wagering game and decrementing the time value as time elapses. In response to a triggering event while the event eligibility is above an eligibility threshold, the method includes allowing the player to participate in one or more special events. The method includes allowing the player to configure at least one of a desired value of the multiplier value and a maximum value of the time value.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Tracey L. Wright, Dion K. Aoki, Andrew C. Guinn, Joel R. Jaffe, Robert L. Kyte, Bradley D. Schultz
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Patent number: 8747225Abstract: A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair includes a seat and a tactile device for providing tactile sensations via the seat according to at least one of events occurring in the wagering game, and player input through an input device.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy C. Loose, Eric M. Pryzby, Norman R. Wurz
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Patent number: 8747221Abstract: Methods and apparatus for servicing wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, over a wagering game network, service information originating from a wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is configured to receive a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include, based on the service information and a service plan associated with the wagering game machine, determining a service action. The method can also include performing the service action.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Steven R Cramer, Grover T. Surratt, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20140155149Abstract: A community game that adapts a scene on a community display based on the number of participating players and/or player locations from one session of the community game to another or in any given session and/or number of the gaming terminals. Selectable elements are displayed on the community display for selection by the participating players. When additional players are eligible to participate in the community game, a field of view or a virtual camera angle of a scene is changed to reveal additional selectable elements or a greater variety of selectable elements than were available for selection with fewer participating players. Any of the selectable elements can be cooperatively selectable elements which multiple players can select to reveal an enhanced award. Based on the players' locations, the scene can be adapted to portray selectable elements or previously hidden or obscured areas of the scene closest to the newly participating player(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20140155145Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8740693Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a housing. The gaming system further comprises a multi-output display supported by the housing, the multi-output display displaying a first video presentation viewable from a first position having a first viewing angle relative to the display. The multi-output display displays a second video presentation viewable from a second position having a second viewing angle relative to the display, wherein the second video presentation is not viewable from the first position. At least one of the first and second video presentations includes displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The gaming system further comprises a controller operative to simultaneously generate the first and second video presentations on the multi-output display.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Alfred Thomas, Muthu Velu
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Patent number: 8740701Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining audio playlists from a plurality of independent wagering game applications (“applications”). The audio playlists can include multiple sound content that is activated contemporaneously on a wagering game machine for each of the applications. The operations can further include determining sound classes assigned to the sound content and determining, from prioritization rules, priority values for the sound classes. The operations can further include comparing the priority values and generating sound balancing priorities for the sound content based on the comparison of the priority values. The operations can also include dynamically balancing the sound content, as presented on audio production devices, based on the sound balancing priorities.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
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Publication number: 20140148245Abstract: The disclosure includes a game of chance in which profile data for social contacts in a social networking system is used to determine whether a player wins or loses the game of chance. An indication that a first player desires to be included in a game provided on a social network system is stored. The game randomly selects a subset of a plurality of social contacts of a second player. In response to determining that the first player is included in the randomly selected subset of the plurality of social contacts, an award is provided to the first player.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Andrew C. Guinn, Damon E. Gura, Robert L. Kyte, Harry C. Lang, Richard B. Robbins, Pamela S. Smith, Danijel Stankovic
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Patent number: 8734236Abstract: A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Mark Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8734248Abstract: Systems and methods for processing input in a wagering game machine are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a button panel for a wagering game machine. The button panel comprises a main button circuit board. The button panel also comprises at least one socket mounted to the main button circuit board. The button panel comprises a number of display components plugged into the at least one socket, wherein each display component comprises a display coupled to a display circuit board, wherein at least one switch used to determine a button press is mounted on each display circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, James M. Rasmussen, Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy Gill, Bruce Blair
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Publication number: 20140141871Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described. In some embodiments, the operations include detecting an indication of a benefit available to a first player account via a wagering game venue; and selecting a second player account linked to the first player account as a social contact. The operations can further include configuring a persistent object to provide access to the benefit available to the first player account; and transferring the persistent object from the first player account to the second player account.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew C. Guinn, Travis N. Nelson, Richard B. Robbins, Danijel Stankovic, John R. Werneke
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Publication number: 20140141864Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a mobile device is activated to receive secondary wagering game content during a wagering game session conducted via a wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine is configured to present primary wagering game content during the wagering game session. In some embodiments, the operations further include selecting secondary wagering game content in response to determining that the mobile device is activated to receive the secondary wagering game content. In some embodiments, the secondary wagering game content provides a wagering game feature that is not available via the primary wagering game content. In some embodiments, the operations further include providing the secondary wagering game content for presentation via the mobile device during the wagering game session.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, Allon G. Englman, Robert L. Kyte, Ali Neyestani, Dwight D. Sullivan
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Patent number: 8727884Abstract: This description describes techniques for storing and utilizing wagering game histories. In one embodiment, a method for recording progress of a wagering game can include detecting a first event indicating a first activity of the wagering game. The method can also include storing the first event according to a first data format and detecting a second event indicating a second activity of the wagering game, wherein the second event includes random number information indicating a result of the wagering game. The method can also include encrypting the second event and storing the second event according to the first data format.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Erhard W. Rathsack
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Patent number: 8727881Abstract: A portable wagering game machine includes a signal receiver and motion sensors. The signal receiver receives signals from a signal emission device that are used to determine the position and orientation of the portable wagering game machine relative to a gaming establishment devices and locations. The position and orientation information may be used to determine a gaming establishment device or location aimed at by the portable wagering game machine. The portable wagering game machine may then access or interact with a service associated with the device or location, or interact with the device itself.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Marwan Ansari, Mark B. Gagner, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20140135128Abstract: Dynamic skinning can be propagated between a base game and a portal game. A base game and a portal game can be unidirectionally or bidirectionally “hooked” into each other to utilize perceivable elements of the other. For instance, a first set of dynamic perceivable elements are defined for a base game and a second set of dynamic perceivable elements are defined for a portal game. These sets of dynamic perceivable elements can change based on various conditions. The base game can rely on the second game (or code or configurations associated with the second game) for dynamic skinning that varies with the portal game while the portal game can rely on the base game (or code or configurations associated with the base game) for dynamic skinning that varies with the base game. Furthermore, a perceivable element can traverse a base game and a portal game.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Robby M. Friedman, Michael J. Irby, II
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Publication number: 20140135106Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a proxy application that accesses multiple online games on behalf of a user and programmatically satisfies various criteria for bonus awards provided by the online games. The proxy application may be a stand-alone application or it may be a component of another application such as a plug-in for a web browser.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Andrew C. Guinn, Ernesto Perez-Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20140135109Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include connecting a social network account with a wagering game player account, wherein the wagering game player account is associated with a wagering game session, and wherein the social network account is associated with a social networking session via a venue for a social network. The operations can further include detecting a first event from a first of the social networking session and the wagering game session; and after detecting the first event, causing a second event to occur for a second of the social network session and the wagering game session.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew Fowler, Andrew C. Guinn, Richard B. Robbins, Richard T. Schwartz
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Patent number: 8721419Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a display having a display area showing a poker-themed wagering game. A wager input device receives a base wager to play the poker-themed wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display and the wager input device. The controller is operative to provide a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a user-playable hand and award a payoff based on a ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion. The controller may receive a side wager separate from the base wager from the player to trigger a challenge based on meeting a condition in at least one of a predetermined number of future plays of the wagering game. Additional free challenges may be triggered for the predetermined number of future plays.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeremie D. Moll
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Patent number: 8721422Abstract: A gaming machine includes a value input device, one or more displays, and a controller. The value input device receives a wager from a player to play the wagering game. The one or more displays display a trail including a plurality of spaces and an award value associated with one or more of the plurality of spaces. The controller is operative to change the award value based on an occurrence of a random event independent from the trail.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Casey, Bradely A. Rose, Jason C. Gilmore
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Patent number: 8721432Abstract: Some embodiments include a computer-implemented method for monitoring and making marketing offers using electronic devices in a wagering game network. The method can include detecting an event in the wagering game network, wherein the event indicates a player's eligibility for a marketing offer, wherein the event originates from one of the electronic devices. The method can also include determining a monetary value of the marketing offer based on terms associated with the marketing offer, and determining, based on the monetary value, that the player's acceptance of the marketing offer would exceed a marketing budget. The method can include reducing the monetary value of the marketing offer to be within the marketing budget, and causing presentation of the marketing offer on the one of the electronic devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace