Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
  • Publication number: 20140018163
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Damon E. Gura, Robert L. Kyte, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20140018158
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a wagering game in which previous wins from other games of other players or the current player are integrated into the wagering game and provided as a potential payout in the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Guinn, Joel R. Jaffe, Richard B. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20140018162
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Publication number: 20140018147
    Abstract: A gaming system includes instructions that cause the gaming system to receive an input indicative of a wager, display a plurality of reels defining a symbol array, and display a symbol-alteration region including at least two symbol positions and extending through a subset of the symbol array at a predefined position. The plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbols moving through the symbol array. The plurality of symbols includes a special symbol that has a first function for evaluating a game outcome. The symbol-alteration region is positioned such that at least some of the symbols move between a first position outside the symbol-alteration region and a second position within the symbol-alteration region. The instructions further cause the gaming system to, in response to the special symbol stopping within the symbol-alteration region, alter a functionality of the special symbol to include a second function for evaluating the game outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander J. Gobe, Daniel P. Louie, David M. Pryor, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20140018166
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Charles V. Guild, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8628415
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to display a three-dimensional view of at least a portion of a gaming environment and one or more movable visual elements disposed within the gaming environment. The controller is further configured to dynamically retain within the field of view a center point of a selected set of the movable visual elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Johnson, John Walsh
  • Patent number: 8628400
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and at least one controller. The controller executes the wagering game, which includes first and second progressive awards each associated with a respective symbol-based outcome. Each symbol-based outcome has a respective frequency of occurrence. The controller randomly determines an outcome of the wagering game. The controller initiates a progressive-award-determination sequence in response to displaying the first and/or second symbol-based outcomes. There is a first probability of awarding the first progressive award, and a second probability of awarding the second progressive award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Dion K. Aoki
  • Patent number: 8628399
    Abstract: A gaming system and method allowing use of three dimensional objects in a wagering game. The three dimensional object includes multiple sides which are viewable by a player. Each of the multiple sides includes a symbol. An active payline contains one of the symbols. The symbols contained by the active payline are used to represent a randomly-determined result from the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Alfred Thomas, Brad Schultz, Brett Russell, Russell Savio, Peter Aponte
  • Patent number: 8628407
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game is provided which includes a plurality of gaming machines (10a-1Of) configured to play a wagering game and to participate in a community-event. A movable member (99) is disposed substantially adjacent to the plurality of gaming machines and is configured to move relative to the plurality of gaining machines from a first position to a second position during a community-event (S500) in response to a single triggering event (S505).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Larry J. Pacey, Joel R. Jaffe, Shridhar P. Joshi, Allon G. Englman, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8628422
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Stephen P. Angelo, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8628405
    Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Philip B. Gelber, Thomas M. Kopera, Michael W. Mastropietro, Richard T. Schwartz, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8628084
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes at least one cylindrical mechanical reel mounted in a cabinet. The mechanical reel includes symbols displayed to indicate, at least in part, a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The mechanical reel is rotatable about an internal axis and defines an interior space that is free of a hub along the internal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Nickey C. Shin, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Walter E. Smolucha
  • Patent number: 8628410
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game, at least one display, and at least one controller. The wagering game provides access to a progressive game having multiple progressive jackpots. The multiple progressive jackpots are reset after being awarded. In response to a progressive jackpot being awarded, a current expected value of the wagering game is calculated with a normal reset value applied to the awarded progressive jackpot. And, in response to the calculated current expected value of the wagering game being less than a minimum jurisdictional limit, the awarded one of the multiple progressive jackpots is reset with a padded reset value so that the expected value of the wagering game is equal to or greater than the minimum jurisdictional limit. The padded reset value is greater than the normal reset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Robert L. Kyte
  • Patent number: 8622815
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Christopher R. Barney, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8622743
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating, at a gaming machine, an analysis mode of a wagering game training tool associated with a wagering game, and determining when a player has played a predefined number of rounds of the wagering game. The operations can also include determining a skill level associated with the player for one or more areas of skill associated with the wagering game based, at least in part, on the predefined number of rounds played by the player. The operations can further include identifying an area of skill associated with the wagering game where the skill level associated with the player is less than a predefined skill level, and initiating a training mode of the wagering game training tool to improve the skill level associated with the player in the identified area of skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bone, Dean A. Ehrlich, Allon G. Englman, James J. Getz, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8622816
    Abstract: A system can invigorate wagering games with dynamic updates to reflect changes in ongoing current events. Current real-life data about at least one of a current event and a public figure are acquired. Game data for a wagering game are updated based, at least in part, on the acquired current real-life data. A plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering game are determined. The updated game data is indicated over a network to the plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Jeremy M. Hornik, Richard T. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8622823
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining emergency information that indicates a potential threat to the well being of one or more individuals (e.g., patrons, staff, etc.) within a casino. The operations can also include determining and presenting emergency content, on wagering game machines within the casino, which notifies the one or more individuals of the threat. The operations can also include determining individual specific emergency information that relates specifically to the one or more individuals, and providing the individual specific emergency information to the one or more individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Huynh, Jason R. Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 8622814
    Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Larry J. Pacey, Peter R. Anderson, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 8622812
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Larry J. Pacey, Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 8622805
    Abstract: A method for conducting a wagering game includes awarding a plurality of positional game modifiers and a plurality of plays of the wagering game. Each play includes a set of assignable positions such that a plurality of sets of assignable positions occur over the plurality of plays, at least some of the assignable positions bearing symbols. The plurality of positional game modifiers are randomly assigned to positions in the plurality of sets of assignable positions. The plurality of plays are displayed on a display device. A processor is used to determine an outcome of each of the plays taking into account any of the positional game modifiers assigned to the positions in the set of assignable positions of each play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Dylan B. SeLegue