Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
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Patent number: 8447870Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless mesh networking in a gaming environment are described herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a network interface unit to wirelessly receive gaming data from ones of a plurality of components of a wireless mesh network, the network interface unit to wirelessly transmit the gaming data to others of the plurality of components of the wireless mesh network. The system also includes a memory unit to store certain of the gaming data and to store instructions for conducting wagering games and a central processing unit to perform operations based in part on the certain of the gaming data and to perform operations based on the instructions.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Daniel Norman St. John, Dale R. Buchholz
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Patent number: 8444466Abstract: A method for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager from a player to play a basic wagering game. The method further includes displaying the basic wagering game on a video display. The method further includes interrupting the basic wagering game. A secondary game is initiated once the basic game is interrupted. The method further includes displaying an outcome for the basic wagering game after the secondary game has been completed.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8444474Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an accumulation-bonus feature which allows a player to cache awards to a bonus object. A player selects when to use the bonus object in a secondary playfield to enhance the cached awards.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Michael W. Mastropietro
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Patent number: 8444493Abstract: A network browser and wagering game toolbar (“toolbar”) are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar can be in, or a part of, the network browser. The network browser and the toolbar can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar can receive and display wagering game content from a wagering game network as the main display area can receive and display content originating outside the wagering game network. In some embodiments, the toolbar can present content originating from one or more wagering game player accounts that provide audience participation in, or related to, wagering game activity presented on the toolbar.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: 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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Patent number: 8444467Abstract: A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Wayne H. Rothschild
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Patent number: 8444483Abstract: A browser application and toolbar are described according to some embodiments. The browser application presents wagering game content in a toolbar. Some embodiments are directed to determining that a first player account uses the toolbar to access the wagering game content, determining that a second player account referred the first player account in response to determination that the first player account uses the toolbar, and providing a referral award to the second player account for referring the first player account.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: 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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Patent number: 8444482Abstract: Multi-player games that foster cooperation or competition between players. A multi-player wagering game system includes a first display to display a first wagering game; a first input device corresponding to the first display to accept input from a first player; a second display to display a second wagering game, the second display being adjacent to the first display; a second input device corresponding to the second display to accept input from a second player; and a bonus display to display a bonus game. The bonus game receiving input from both the first and the second input devices. Computer software causes the first wagering game and the second wagering game to be executed. A multi-person seating device is configured to permit the first player and the second player to sit side-by-side in front of the first display and the second display, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, Daniel Louie, Jamie W. Vann
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Publication number: 20130122988Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, and at least one processor. The gaming system further includes at least one memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to display a wagering game having an array of symbol positions, the array of symbol positions being populated by a plurality of symbols for indicating a randomly selected outcome, the array of symbol positions forming a plurality of groups of symbol positions, wherein a single reel populates more than one non-adjacent groups of symbol positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: WMS Gaming Inc.
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Publication number: 20130122995Abstract: In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, a method includes: presenting a wagering game on a wagering game machine; detecting, during the wagering game, a trigger for a bonus game; presenting player-selectable bonus game options on a display device of the wagering game machine; detecting sign-on to an account on a player community server; after detecting the sign-on of the account, presenting a hint on the display device, wherein the hint indicates bonus game types associated with the player-selectable bonus game options; detecting selection of one of the player-selectable bonus game options, wherein the one of the player-selectable bonus game options is associated with a particular one of the bonus game types; and presenting a bonus game of the particular one of the bonus game types.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: WMS Gaming, IncInventors: David E. Detlefsen, Sean P. Kelly, Darren Yat-man Ng, Nickey C. Shin
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Publication number: 20130123005Abstract: A method includes defining a number of locations in an online immersive environment, wherein each of the number of locations includes a number of games. The defining includes defining a rule set for a location. The rule set includes a rule that defines access to a game. The access to the game is based on game play of a different game. The method includes defining a number of paths between the number of locations in the online immersive environment, wherein the defining includes defining a rule for access to a path to travel between two locations. The method includes presenting a different game that is part of a location in the online immersive environment. The method includes enabling access to the game in the location, in response to determining that game play of the different game satisfies the rule that defines access to the game.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Brian J. Barclay, Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey, Jamie W. Vann
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Patent number: 8439744Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a gaming machine and a controller operatively associated with the gaming machine. The controller is configured to temporarily pause a game-in progress on the gaming machine following the occurrence of a pause event. The controller is also configured to reinstate a game-in progress on the gaming machine following the occurrence of an end-pause event.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G Englman, Michael G. Feeney
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Patent number: 8439741Abstract: A spinning reel slot machine has increased versatility, while having reels that are aesthetically similar to traditional mechanical reels. In one embodiment, the slot machine includes a plurality of optical fibers having first ends optically coupled to a surface of an image display device and seconds ends defining a curved display surface for displaying simulated mechanical reels to a player. In another embodiment, one or more of the mechanical reels has a transparent window at a location where a symbol would normally be present. A video display displays a video symbol in the transparent window. In yet a further embodiment, one of the plurality of mechanical reels has a miniature image display located at selected ones of the symbol regions for providing video symbols for the game. In yet further embodiments, a symbol region can produce more than one symbol in response to exposure at certain wavelengths or polarizations of light.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, Jacob C. Greenberg
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Patent number: 8439752Abstract: A system and method of playing a multi-track musical composition during a wagering game in which musical tracks are successively added as bonus triggers occur, starting from an introduction portion of the musical composition and culminating in a main theme or chorus of the musical composition. Upon receipt of a wager input at a gaming terminal, a base wagering game is initiated during which several bonus triggers can occur, satisfying eligibility to conduct a bonus game. As each bonus trigger occurs, the musical composition adds a musical track to the introduction being played through audio speakers of the gaming terminal, increasing its instrumentation density to create a richer and denser sound. When the last bonus trigger occurs during the base wagering game, the music launches seamlessly from the introduction that has just been built up into the main theme or chorus of the music, which serves as the accompaniment music for the bonus game.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Ralph Beerhorst, Benjamin T. Gomez
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Patent number: 8439746Abstract: A wagering game account management system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations include presenting a graphical user interface that includes a graphical control associated with a credit account belonging to a wagering game player; detecting a selection of the graphical control that initiates a financial transaction to transfer money from the credit account to a wagering game session account; determining access information stored in a player profile, the access information to access the credit account; determining an amount to transfer from the credit account to the wagering game session account balance; determining one or more rules limiting use of the credit account; and enforcing the one or more limitation rules on the use of the credit account.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Erhard W. Rathsack, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8439749Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for conducting wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes a processor(s) and a memory device(s) storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: store, on at least one memory device, a progressive game having a first set of configuration parameters; store, on at least one memory device, a primary wagering game having a second set of configuration parameters; and compare, via at least one processor, the first set of configuration parameters with the second set of configuration parameters to determine, in accordance with at least a first rule set, if the primary wagering game can be activated and paired with the progressive game.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Damon E. Gura, Kyle G. Nyenhuis, Erhard W. Rathsack, Saravanan Saravanan
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Patent number: 8435120Abstract: A wagering game in which a bonus event is triggered and during the bonus event possible bonus awards are displayed on corresponding displays of electronic gaming devices (EGDs) and eliminated one at a time until the predetermined bonus award remains and is revealed to the player. The EGDs are linked together to a main controller, and a predetermined bonus award is randomly determined for each EGD. The main controller stores all of the predetermined bonus awards for all of the EGDs participating in the bonus event, and communicates a subset of possible bonus awards to each of the EGDs, where each subset includes the predetermined bonus award to be awarded at each EGD and at least one decoy bonus award that will not be awarded. The EGDs display a bonus award show in which the decoy bonus awards are eliminated, one at a time, preferably such that the highest valued decoy bonus awards are eliminated last, until one remaining predetermined bonus award is revealed to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe
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Patent number: 8435122Abstract: Systems and methods for wagering on game outcomes allow a player to wager on game outcomes resulting from linked gaming devices linked to a primary gaming device being played by the player. A primary game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on a primary game and a linked game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on linked games. Both the primary and linked gaming devices may be the same type of gaming device, or they may be two different types of gaming devices, such as gaming devices for playing slot games, card games, keno, and the like. Further, either or both of the primary and linked games may allow bonus game outcomes resulting in a bonus game having bonus game awards.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 8435118Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a wagering game module that is operable to present a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio system. The audio system is operable to play a bonus sound and a bang-up sound at the same time, such that the bonus and bang-up sounds are synchronized rhythmically, such as by starting play of a bonus sound track and a bang-up sound track having synchronized rhythm at the same time, and varying the volume of the bang up sound track to make it audible when desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Ralph Beerhorst
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Patent number: 8435107Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of wagering game tournaments on a plurality of gaming machines includes receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game on a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes providing an option, at the gaming machine, to enter the plurality of wagering game tournaments. The method also includes entering at least one of the plurality of wagering game tournaments and playing in any entered tournament when the tournament begins.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Allon G. Englman
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Patent number: D682948Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: William C. Cesaroni, Bradley D. Cornell, Jared Fritts, Morad Ghassemian, Paul M. Lesley