Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
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Publication number: 20140051499Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Paul A. Quaglia, Scot W. Salzman, Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Mark C. Pace
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Patent number: 8651959Abstract: Described are one or more embodiments that include a browser application (“browser”) with multiple parts. A first part of the browser (e.g., a toolbar, a dropdown, a pop-up, a widget, etc.) presents first content associated with one or more wagering games. Concurrently a second part of the browser (e.g., a main content display area) presents second content independently from presentation of the first content in the first part of the browser. In some embodiments, the first content and second content are from separate content providers with a marketing relationship. In some embodiments, in response to concurrent presentation of the first and second content, the browser application detects the marketing relationship between the content providers and presents one or more indicators. The one or more indicators indicate the marketing relationship. For example, the indicators can indicate cross-marketing, available coupons, and/or awards available via the first or second content.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Brian J. Barclay, Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Daniel P. Louie, Brian D. Manning, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20140045586Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a mobile device, associated with a player, is brought to a casino. The mobile device runs an application that may have been downloaded and installed on the mobile device prior to the mobile device being brought to the casino. The operations can further include generating an offer to perform an activity within the casino. The award is attainable via performance of the activity. The operations can include providing information about the offer to the mobile device. The mobile device presents the offer via the application. The application can specify the award and the activity to perform. The operations can further include detecting performance of the activity via player input via one or more wagering game machines within the casino, and providing the award in response to the performance of the activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Scott A. Massing, Brian P. Moyles, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 8647192Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager and at least one display for displaying a selected primary wagering game, the selected primary wagering game having a primary payback percentage. The system includes a control interface displayed on the at least one display, the control interface comprising a plurality of available supplemental features. At least one controller is operative to (i) receive an operator activation selection of a supplemental feature selected from the plurality of available supplemental features; (ii) receive an operator configuration selection of at least one parameter of the selected supplement feature, the at least one parameter including a feature payback percentage of the selected supplemental feature; (iii) active availability of the selected supplemental feature for the play by a player of the selected primary wagering game; and (iv) display an overall payback percentage on the control interface.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, Mary M. Burke, Peter R. Anderson
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Publication number: 20140038141Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a computer-implemented method for providing tutorial content explaining a live casino table game. The method can include capturing a video stream of the live casino table game. The method can also include determining a game state for the live casino table game, wherein the game state includes a record of wagers for players of the live casino table game and results for the players of the live casino table game. The method can also include determining tutorial content based on the game state for the live casino table game, wherein the tutorial content includes information explaining strategy for the live casino table game. The method can also include transmitting a content stream including the video stream of the live casino table game and the tutorial content.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Keith J. Burza, Damon E. Gura, Patrick M. Gustafson, David W. Hasson
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Publication number: 20140038701Abstract: A gaming system having virtual assets comprises a wager input device, at least one gaming terminal comprising a display for displaying a wagering game, and a virtual asset server in communication with the at least one gaming terminal, the virtual asset server storing and managing one or more types of virtual assets, each type of virtual asset having a different plurality of attributes associated therewith. The system comprises at least one controller operative to cause the first display to display the first wagering game, in response to a first triggering event, award one or more of the virtual assets to a player of the first wagering game, store information regarding the awarded virtual assets in a player account associated with the player and accessible to the virtual asset server, and provide a monetary award to the player for any winning outcomes achieved during play of the first wagering game.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Stephen P. Angelo, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8641499Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game is provided. The method allows an opportunity to achieve a first progressive award and a second progressive award. The method comprises the acts of receiving a primary wager from a player for playing the wagering game and initiating the wagering game. The method further includes displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game via a plurality of symbols. The plurality of symbols are selected from a set of symbols including a predetermined symbol. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a first number of the predetermined symbols, the method includes triggering an event in which the first progressive award can be achieved. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a second number of the predetermined symbols, the method includes triggering an event in which the second progressive award can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Benjamin T. Gomez
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Patent number: 8641501Abstract: 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. Social contacts are randomly selected from a group of social contacts. The social contacts may be obtained from a single data source or from multiple data sources and aggregated. A game player wins if the randomly selected social contacts have one or more profile attributes that match each other. The game may be presented as a slots based game in which profile pictures for the social contacts are the symbols for the reels of the slots game.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: 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: 8641520Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game includes awarding one or more bonus triggers in a randomly selected outcome of a base wagering game. The player is allowed to play a progressive game having a first expected value and is eligible to receive a progressive award in the progressive game if an X number of bonus triggers is accumulated. If the number of bonus triggers accumulated is less than X, the player is allowed to play a bonus event, which is different than the progressive game and has a second expected value, if a selection is received to indicate player selection of the bonus event. The bonus event has a bonus award that is less than the progressive award. The second expected value is less than or equal to the first expected value.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Jamie W. Vann
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Publication number: 20140031100Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager in response to an input, display a main array of symbol-bearing reels, and to display a plurality of enhanced arrays. The main array includes a plurality of enhanced-array triggers. Each enhanced array includes an enhancement feature and each enhanced array is associated with at least one of the plurality of enhanced-array triggers. The enhanced arrays are spun and evaluated upon display of the associated enhanced-array triggers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Daniel P. Louie
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Publication number: 20140031101Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes input device(s), display device(s), processor(s), and memory device(s). The memory devices store instructions that, when executed, cause the gaming system to receive a wager to initiate each instance of the wagering game, randomly select a game outcome for each instance of the wagering game, display the randomly selected game outcome for each instance, and initiate a special event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during an instance of the wagering game. At least two of the randomly selected outcomes include a first special symbol that has a dynamic secondary element. The dynamic secondary element represents a first enhancement in a first instance and a second enhancement in a second instance of the wagering game. The triggering event and special event are associated with at least one special symbol. The special event is modified by the dynamic secondary element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jeffry L. Nauman, Keith Burza
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Patent number: 8636570Abstract: In some example embodiments, an apparatus that includes a wagering game chair for a wagering game machine that is configured to present a wagering game. The wagering game chair includes a seat having a seat bottom and a seat post that is part of a split-post configuration. The seat post has a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the seat post is coupled to the seat bottom. The wagering game chair also includes a first electrical connector positioned within and approximately at the bottom end of the seat post. The wagering game chair includes a first electrical cable is electrically coupled to the first electrical connector, wherein the first electrical cable runs approximately a length of the seat post within the seat post. The first electrical cable configured to communicate audio of the wagering game, from the wagering game machine to a speaker coupled to the wagering game chair.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Gregory J. Tastad
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Patent number: 8636598Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game systems having a motion capable chair. The disclosure addresses example systems and methods to control the motion capable chair, including utilization of user preferences, applying output of a physic engine, and monitoring safety conditions for the motion capable chair. In addition, movement of chairs on multiple wagering game systems may be coordinated in response to events occurring on one or more machines in the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Paul Radek, Edward Brunell, Timothy C. Loose
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Patent number: 8636579Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display, a transmissive display, and a controller. The game display includes a plurality of mechanical reels bearing symbols configured to display randomly selected arrays of symbols. A transmissive display overlays the game display and is configured to display a video reel and to display a randomly selected symbol thereon. A selectable pay line extends through at least some of the mechanical reels and the video reel. The controller is configured to award an award related to the selectable pay line when a winning combination of symbols are displayed along the selectable pay line.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Allon G. Englman
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Publication number: 20140024433Abstract: A method for conducting a computer-implemented wagering game includes using a processor to execute a plurality of plays of the wagering game, each play having an expected value. A plurality of randomly selected symbols, which are associated with each play, are displayed on a display. The processor is used to randomly assign a plurality of attributes across the plurality of plays. Each attribute increases an expected value of the play to which the attribute is assigned, from a first value to a second value. The first value is in the absence of the attribute and the second value is in the presence of the attribute.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, Dylan B. SeLegue
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Patent number: 8632398Abstract: A cabinetmaker can create an electronic license that governs 1) components allowed to be connected to a wagering game machine and 2) functionality enabled on the wagering game machine. The electronic license (cabinet license) is bound to a wagering game machine cabinet. The cabinetmaker can load the electronic license into a secure memory area bound to the cabinet of a wagering game machine. A process (application, daemon, etc.) can perform various operations that ensure the wagering game machine complies with the cabinet license. The executable code that implements this process (license compliance code) can execute to disable components and/or functionality that do not comport with the electronic license, can execute to place the wagering game machine in a limited operation state, can execute to generate a notification of the license violation and freeze the wagering game machine, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Larry S. Krebs, John F. LaSalvia, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
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Patent number: 8632405Abstract: A method and system for using multi-channel communications to enhance security is described herein. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving in a first gaming device a set of gaming data stream portions over a plurality of data channels, wherein the gaming data stream portions are received from a second gaming device. The method further comprises combining ones of the set of gaming data stream portions into a gaming data stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Timothy C. Loose
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Publication number: 20140018162Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game by a player includes a display, a credit indicator and a controller. The display is for displaying a wagering-game outcome having a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. The array includes a plurality of paylines for indicating symbol combinations in the array. The player is required to play all of the plurality of paylines in exchange for a minimum wager amount. The credit indicator indicates the number of available credits for making a wager amount. The controller is in communication with the display and the credit indicator. In response to the number of available credits being less than the minimum wager amount, the controller causes the display to display a group of player options for allowing the player to select a disposition for the available credits. The group of player options includes a reduced-payline option to play less than all paylines for a subsequent wagering-game outcome.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe
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Publication number: 20140018166Abstract: An attachment worn against a palm side or a back side of a metacarpus of a person's hand. The attachment includes a flexible band or strip to which a sensing electronics module is attached that contains in a housing electronics for sensing gesture characteristics made by the wearer's hand, including a communications interface for communicating gesture characteristic data to a system external to the hand-worn attachment. The attachment sends at least position and orientation data in real time as a gesture is made to an external system, such as a gaming terminal. Optional sensors for detecting light, acceleration, orientation, or pressure can be used to detect other gesture characteristics and/or user inputs made while wearing the attachment. The gestures and user inputs can be used to influence graphical objects displayed on one or more displays displaying a program, such as a wagering game.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Charles V. Guild, Timothy C. Loose
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Publication number: 20140018163Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Damon E. Gura, Robert L. Kyte, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward