Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
  • Patent number: 8333655
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
  • Patent number: 8333650
    Abstract: A method for conducting a wagering game on a gaming system comprises receiving a wager to play the wagering game, displaying a first outcome of the wagering game on at least one display, evaluating the first outcome for winning combinations of symbols and awarding awards associated with any such winning combinations. The method further comprises, upon the occurrence of a triggering event and if the first outcome is a winning outcome, promoting each occurrence of at least one symbol in the first outcome to a next higher symbol in accordance with a pay table of the wagering game to display a revised first outcome, and evaluating the revised first outcome for winning combinations of symbols and awarding awards associated with any such winning combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20120315982
    Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one memory device storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive wagers in response to inputs via at least one input device, and increment one or more first progressive jackpots by respective individual increment amounts totaling a total increment amount. One or more second progressive jackpots are incremented by respective individual increment amounts totaling the total increment amount, the total increment amount being based on the received wagers. In response to a triggering event awarding at least one of the first progressive jackpots, the awarded first progressive jackpot is reset to its reset value and the individual increment amount for the awarded first progressive jackpot is deducted from at least one of the second progressive jackpots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20120315971
    Abstract: Gaming chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming chair is disclosed for a wagering game system with a controller operable to output signals associated with a wagering game. The gaming chair includes a backrest portion, a seat portion, and a base for supporting the seat and backrest portions. The base includes a height adjustment mechanism. The gaming chair also includes a motion-enabling mounting assembly that is attached to the seat portion and has at least one actuator configured to selectively move the seat portion in response to signals from the controller. The mounting assembly is movably mounted on the height adjustment mechanism of the base such that the mounting assembly, seat portion, backrest portion, and actuator(s) can be unitarily repositioned between a plurality of distinct heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Toriono A. Granger
  • Publication number: 20120315985
    Abstract: Gaming chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming chair is disclosed for a wagering game system with a controller and a display device for displaying aspects of the wagering game. The gaming chair includes a backrest portion, a seat portion, a base for supporting the seat and backrest portions, and a mounting plate attached to the seat portion. The mounting plate is configured to attach, one at a time, to each of first and second mounting assemblies for removably attaching the mounting plate to the base. The first mounting assembly includes at least one actuator for selectively repositioning the seat portion in response to signals from the controller. The second mounting assembly is selectively repositionable with respect to the base to thereby lock the seat portion at any one of a number of vertically stationary heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Toriono A. Granger
  • Patent number: 8328626
    Abstract: A method of conducting a group wagering game that includes a special award that is attainable by players at a plurality of gaming machines. The method includes receiving wagers from players at the plurality of machines for playing individual wagering games. In response to a triggering condition that is associated with one of the machines, the group wagering game is presented including an opportunity to fulfill at least one of a plurality of victory conditions. In response to all of the plurality of victory conditions being fulfilled, the special award is awarded to the machine associated with a next triggering condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 8328636
    Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a special event that is triggered by a progression through a plurality of subfeatures of the wagering game. The subfeatures are completed upon the collection of a predetermined number of items. The items collected are associated with wagering-game enhancement parameters that are applied to the wagering game in response to the items being randomly awarded during the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jamie Vann
  • Patent number: 8328616
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises at least one input device, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device. The memory device stores a plurality of instructions which, 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 receive a wager to play a wagering game, display an array of symbols randomly selected from a plurality of possible symbols, trigger a bonus feature if the displayed array includes a bonus triggering outcome, and, in response to the displayed array including at least one bonus triggering symbol, change one or more of the symbols adjacent to the bonus triggering symbol to respective other symbols selected from the plurality of possible symbols, and awarding an enhanced award that is greater than a basic award resulting from the bonus feature and any winning combinations of the symbols in the displayed array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Daniel P. Louie, Pamela S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8328622
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a wagering game having a plurality of reels comprised of a plurality of symbols. A controller operates to (i) detect receipt of the wager; (ii) activate a play of the wagering game by spinning the reels on the display; (iii) display at least one play enhancement icon on the display; (iv) cause the spinning reels to stop and the display to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game; and (v) enhance the randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to the at least one play enhancement icon on the display at any time including at least one of before spinning the reels on the display, during spinning the reels on the display, and after spinning the reels on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Daniel P. Louie
  • Patent number: 8328625
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a type driven interface for a wagering game machine. One aspect of the systems and methods includes providing a game framework including a game library manager that manages creation, update and deletion of multiple wagering games on a gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Antkowiak, Kevin Kahley
  • Publication number: 20120309496
    Abstract: A method and system for making a plurality of bonus games available on a gaming machine. The bonus games each have associated bonus game instructions. The bonus game instructions are stored in a bonus game memory. The bonus game is selectable by a player of the gaming machine. The bonus game instructions are removed at a predetermined period of time after the bonus game instructions are stored in order to provide storage for new bonus games. Alternatively the bonus game instructions may be removed if the bonus games are not played frequently. The bonus game may be part of a channel including a plurality of bonus games. The channels of different groups of bonus games may be displayed to the player to assist in bonus game selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Andrew Guinn, Peter R. Anderson, Mark B. Gagner, Larry J. Pacey
  • Publication number: 20120309508
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Damon E. Gura, Kyle G. Nyenhuis, Erhard W. Rathsack, Saravanan Saravanan
  • Patent number: 8323101
    Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises activating a progressive game having a first set of configuration parameters and providing a primary wagering game having a second set of configuration parameters. The method further comprises comparing 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. The method further displays results from the comparing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Damon E. Gura, Kyle G. Nyenhuis, Erhard W. Rathsack, Saravanan Saravanan
  • Patent number: 8323099
    Abstract: Embodiments of a portable wagering game machine and a stationary wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of portable wagering game machines are associated with a stationary wagering game machine. Group wagering game data is displayed on the stationary wagering game machine. The group wagering game data includes wagering content for viewing by multiple players. At each of the plurality of portable wagering game machines, individual wagering game data is displayed. The individual wagering game data and the group wagering game data relate to a wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, Larry J. Pacey, James M. Rasmussen, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8323114
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device, a display for displaying at least a portion of a wagering game, and a divider overlying the display and dividing the display into at least a first display region and a second display region. An actuator is coupled to the divider, the actuator for moving the divider relative to the display. The system includes a controller operative, in response to a triggering event, to cause the actuator to move the divider from a first position to a second position and thereby alter the size of at least the first display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert J. Q. Burak, Timothy C. Loose, Larry J. Pacey, Frank E. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8323094
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining possible wagering game events that can occur for a wagering game. The operations can further include determining a subset of the possible wagering game events and configuring an award ladder game to award prizes in a stair-step fashion based on occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include ordering a plurality of awards, or prizes, on an award ladder in an order of value and configuring the award ladder to award the plurality of awards in a sequential order of value according to an order of occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include configuring the award ladder to reset when the plurality of awards have been awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James Palermo, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20120302323
    Abstract: Haptic gaming chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a haptic gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming system is disclosed for playing a wagering game. The gaming system includes an input device for receiving wagers from players to play the wagering game. A display device displays an outcome of the wagering game, which is randomly determined from a plurality of wagering game outcomes. The gaming system also includes a gaming chair, which can include a seat portion and an optional backrest portion that are supported by a base. An array of tactors is at least partially embedded within the seat portion and/or backrest portion. The tactors are configured to generate tactile stimulation. A controller is in operative communication with the array of tactors. The controller synchronizes actuation of the array of tactors to coincide with aspects of the wagering game being displayed via the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Norman R. Wurz, Paul J. Radek, Benjamin T. Gomez, Ralph M. Beerhorst
  • Publication number: 20120302302
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device configured to receive a wager, at least one display device configured to display a wagering game, one or more thermal devices configured to produce a thermal effect, at least one controller in operative communication with the one or more thermal devices, at least one memory device storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one controller, the one or more thermal devices to produce a thermal effect according to an aspect of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Dion K. Aoki, Charles R. Bleich, Mary M. Burke, Joel R. Jaffe, Timothy C. Loose, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20120302331
    Abstract: A wagering game system includes an input device, a display device, and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by a controller, cause the wagering game system to display an expected-value indicator on the display device and receive, via the input device, an input indicative of at least one wager. The instructions further cause the wagering game system to add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover for a progressive jackpot and update the expected-value indicator to indicate the actual turnover for the progressive prize relative to a theoretical average trigger value, thereby indicating a theoretical probability that the progressive jackpot will be awarded and award the progressive jackpot in response to a triggering event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Allon G. Englman
  • Publication number: 20120302326
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: 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