Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
  • Patent number: 8506405
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include transmitting game content from a wagering game server to a gaming machine via a network to present a wagering game at the gaming machine for a player, and generating and storing video of one or more rounds of the wagering game. The operations can also include receiving, at the wagering game server via the network, video of the player playing the one or more rounds of the wagering game. The operations can further include combining the video of the one or more rounds of the wagering game with the video of the player playing the one or more rounds of the wagering game, and storing and providing access to the combined video via the network to a player account associated with the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Krishnakumar Meluveettil, Richard B. Robbins, Richard T. Schwartz, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8506390
    Abstract: A gaming system includes an input device, at least one display, and at least one controller. The input device receives a wager input for playing a wagering game. The at least one display displays a basic wagering game and a community bonus game. The at least one controller is operative to provide a player with a bonus-game asset that is usable in at least a first play of the community bonus game. The bonus-game asset is capable of having at least a first level and a second level that provides a higher bonus-game enhancement than the first level. The at least one controller is further operative to determine if that the bonus-game asset is available to the player for use in a second play of the community bonus game and to alter the level of the bonus-game asset from the first level to the second level for use in the second play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie W. Vann, Alexander J. Gobe
  • Patent number: 8506391
    Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a bonus feature that awards percentages of a progressive jackpot award without resetting the progressive jackpot award. A wager input receives a wager from a player to play a single play of a wagering game. The wagering increases the progressive jackpot award. A bonus feature is triggered that includes awarding a first award that has an amount that is a percentage less than 100% of the progressive jackpot award. The bonus feature may also award a second award that is at least the entire progressive jackpot award. If the first award is awarded, the progressive jackpot award remains at the same level. If the second award is awarded, the progressive jackpot award is reset to a predetermined minimum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Michael W. Mastropietro
  • Patent number: 8506392
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of gaming terminals for playing wagering games that provide access to a progressive game having multiple progressive jackpots. Each progressive jackpot has a base reset value that increases in response to wager inputs. The gaming system comprises at least one controller operative to determine that a first player at a first gaming terminal has achieved a predetermined criteria, and to provide an award associated with one of the multiple progressive jackpots to a second player at a second gaming terminal who triggered the awarded jackpot. The controller maintains the value of the awarded progressive jackpot for the first player who achieved the predetermined criteria at the awarded value, but resets the awarded progressive jackpot to the lower base reset value for other gaming terminals. Thus, the first player benefits from a potentially higher jackpot award value due to achieving the predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8506399
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining an occurrence of an application event for an application that runs in association with a wagering game machine. The operations can further include accessing a custom sound source that includes customized sounds presentable separately from a soundtrack for the application, during a wagering game session on the wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining a custom sound, from the custom sound source, that relates to the application event and determining custom-sound presentation instructions associated with the custom sound. The operations can further include presenting the custom sound on sound production devices associated with the wagering game machine during the application event according to the custom-sound presentation instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Pryzby, Steven J. Zoloto, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130203479
    Abstract: A method is provided for enabling a portal game on a wagering game device, the method including the acts of using a processor operatively associated with the wagering game device to conduct a wagering game on the wagering game device in accord with a first math model and using a portal game controller, which may be the processor operatively associated with the wagering game device or a separate controller operatively associated with both the portal game and the wagering game device, to overlay a portal game over the wagering game, the portal game having a second math model that is mathematically independent from the first math model of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: WMS Gaming Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130203498
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wager gaming network that includes handheld wager gaming units and hotspots are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, in a handheld wager gaming unit, a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include wirelessly connecting the handheld wager gaming unit to a wireless access point in a wager gaming network. The method can also include transmitting, via the wireless access point, information from the handheld wager gaming unit to a device on the wager gaming network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Shridhar P. Joshi, James M. Rasmussen, Richard T. Schwartz, Joseph Lane Spina
  • Publication number: 20130203481
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Miller, Eucke W. Warren
  • Patent number: 8500541
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a wager-input device for receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game. A display displays a plurality of moveable reels having symbols located thereon during the wagering game. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to the wager. The plurality of outcomes include at least a first winning outcome along a first active payline and a second winning outcome along a second active payline. In response to the first winning outcome and the second winning outcome being achieved, the first active payline and the second active payline are successively displayed to the player before the first winning outcome and the second winning outcome are indicated to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Veenker
  • Patent number: 8502936
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a first display configured to display the random outcome of the wagering game, and a second display disposed to overlay at least a portion of the first display. The second display includes a transmissive liquid crystal display defining a transmissive window behind which a corresponding portion of the first display is positioned. The liquid crystal display further includes a polarizing film having a plurality of patterned features generally aligned with the transmissive window. The polarizing film is at least partially removed in the area of the patterned features to enhance transmissivity of the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Chris W. Chudek, Paul M. Lesley
  • Patent number: 8500534
    Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes the steps of displaying a selectable game element on a display and associating each potential outcome associated with the selectable game element with a predetermined haptic output selected from a plurality of predetermined haptic device outputs. The method also includes the steps of selecting the selectable game element to reveal an outcome associated therewith and causing a haptic device to output the predetermined haptic output corresponding to the outcome of the selectable game element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Gene Rigsby, Gilbert J. Q. Burak
  • Publication number: 20130196744
    Abstract: An adapter for wagering game systems designed to communicate using a first protocol is provided that communicates with systems designed to communicate using a second protocol different from the first protocol. The adapter may provide a translation service that translates from the first protocol to the second protocol and vice-versa. Additionally, the adapter may provide a transaction clearing house service. The translation and transaction clearing house services provided by the adapter can be used to access disparate systems using disparate protocols. For example, a wagering game system that is designed to communicate with other wagering game systems using a first protocol can use the adapter to access loyalty points systems and other systems that are designed to use a second communications protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Q. Earley, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Matthew J. Ward, John R. Werneke
  • Patent number: 8496523
    Abstract: Techniques for handling wager residuals are described herein. Embodiments include a method that detects a residual from one or more wagers remaining in a first memory location for an electronic wagering game machine. The residual of the one or more wagers are transferred from the first memory location to a second memory location. Information about the residual is stored. The residual from the first memory location is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bytnar, Jeremy M. Hornik, Marija Kuzmanovic, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20130190080
    Abstract: A wagering game system and operations for a wagering game system include a plugin architecture and framework in which wagering game system applications utilize plugins to provide functionality for an application or service. The plugins may be independently tested and verified by a jurisdictional testing agent to confirm that the operation of the plugin complies with the rules and regulations for a jurisdiction. If plugins are added or updated, a system vendor may submit only those plugins that require jurisdictional approval to a testing agent. An application or service may download plugins that are approved for use in the jurisdiction in which the application or service is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan L. Bibbey, Rory L. Block, Robert T. Davis, Edward Q. Earley, Remy Y. Goglio, Jacek A. Grabiec, Robert L. McSulla
  • Publication number: 20130190077
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: WMS Gaming Inc.
  • Patent number: 8491373
    Abstract: A wagering game is conducted on a gaming machine in response to a wager from a player. In addition to a basic game, such as a slot game, the wagering game includes a risk/reward feature that accumulates awards over a plurality of rounds. The risk/reward feature allows the player to risk any of the awards accumulated during a current round in exchange for a possibility of “banking” the current round's awards and advancing to a next round. Regardless of whether the player undertakes the risk, the player is allowed to retain any of the awards accumulated during prior rounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Locke
  • Patent number: 8491377
    Abstract: The invention described herein includes a system for playing a game on a gaming machine using non-monetary chattel. The system includes a bank for storing, depositing, and withdrawing non-monetary chattel based upon play outcome on the gaming machine. The system also includes a mechanism for relaying data regarding the non-monetary chattel between the bank and the gaming machine; and redemption mechanism for converting the non-monetary chattel in the bank to an exchange medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Walter E. Smolucha
  • Publication number: 20130184078
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting an indication to initiate a lighting presentation on a wagering game machine of a bank of wagering game machines. The operations can also include determining a position offset associated with the wagering game machine based, at least in part, on a position of the wagering game machine within the bank of wagering game machines relative to a reference wagering game machine of the bank of wagering game machines. The operations can further include determining a position-based time delay for initiating the lighting presentation on the wagering game machine based, at least in part, on the position offset associated with the wagering game machine, and initiating the lighting presentation on the wagering game machine after the position-based time delay associated with the wagering game machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Publication number: 20130184056
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, at least one display for displaying the wagering game, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to display a first outcome of the wagering game and award a first award associated with the first outcome, store the first award in a stored awards group, cause the at least one display to display the stored awards group, and re-award one or more awards in the stored awards group upon the occurrence of a triggering event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: WMS Gaming Inc.
  • Patent number: 8485890
    Abstract: A wagering game award system is described herein. In some embodiments, the wagering game award system detects a player identifier associated with a wagering game award system, where the wagering game award system supports a plurality of award types. The system can also determine a number of awards of a first type, wherein the number of awards are associated with the player identifier, and wherein the first type is one of the award types. The system can also detect a request to exchange some of the number of awards for awards of a second type, wherein the second type is one of the award types. The system can also submit the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas