Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
  • COMMUNITY GAME USING OPTIMAL OUTCOME FROM INDIVIDUAL PORTION IN SUBSEQUENT COMMUNITY PORTION
    Publication number: 20120231868
    Abstract: A method of conducting a community game includes displaying a first outcome of the community game for each player. The outcomes are indicated by a plurality of symbols on one or more display devices. At least one processor is used to determine which of the first outcomes has optimal symbols from the plurality of symbols for achieving the highest payout during continued play of the community game. The one or more display devices are used to display a second outcome for each player. The second outcomes are at least partially based on the optimal symbols from the first outcome determined to have the optimal symbols for the continued community game. The second outcome of the first player is different from the second outcome of the second player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew C. Guinn
  • INTEGRATING WAGERING GAMES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
    Publication number: 20120231886
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting characteristics of at least one environmental condition in an external environment that is external to a wagering game machine in a casino (e.g., detect activity that occurs in the casino, detect appearance of people and objects in the casino, detect light and sound events, etc.). The operations can further include generating an animated wagering game effect in a wagering game animation, using the detected characteristics of the environmental condition. The animated wagering game effect can affect one or more wagering game objects within the wagering game animation in a way that emulates the environmental condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Robert W. Morgan, III, Alfred Thomas
  • WAGERING GAME WITH A SECONDARY GAME DETERMINED BY SYMBOL POSITIONS IN A BASE GAME
    Publication number: 20120231869
    Abstract: A system for playing a wagering game has basic and secondary games. The secondary game includes bonus games. Symbols are arranged in an array of symbol positions in a first display for the basic game. Each symbol position has a corresponding position in an array of bonus-game positions in a second display for the secondary game. Each bonus-game position is linked to a different bonus game. The symbols displayed in the array of symbol positions are varied during play of the basic game. The symbols include secondary game trigger symbols. If a secondary game trigger symbol is displayed in a symbol position, the corresponding position in the array of bonus-game positions for the secondary game is identified. If a predetermined number of bonus-game positions are identified, the secondary game is completed by implementing each of the different bonus games linked to the identified bonus-game positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Jeffry L. Nauman, Pamela S. Smith
  • Wagering game with community game feature
    Patent number: 8262456
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a community display for displaying a community game having a plurality of features for determining a community award that is awarded to all players at eligible linked gaming machines. The community game includes selection of a player at an eligible linked gaming machine to interact with the community game to determine the community award. One of the plurality of features includes a community free spin feature that awards free spins of a base wagering game to each player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G Englman, Philip B Gelber, Benjamin T Gomez, Bradley A Rose, Jeremy M Hornik, Patrick J Campbell
  • Wagering game system for providing gaming establishment with guaranteed theoretical winning percentage
    Patent number: 8262467
    Abstract: A gaming system maintains a theoretical payback for a gaming establishment and comprises a plurality of gaming machines, a network, and a controller. The plurality of gaming machines are for playing wagering games having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering games. Each of the gaming machines has a theoretical payback that is associated with a math algorithm for generating the randomly selected outcomes. Each of the gaming machines has an actual payback of awards that are provided to players. The network is connected to the plurality of gaming machines. The controller is within the network and is operative to send instructions for transferring funds from a first account to a second account. The funds are based on a summation of differentials between the actual payback and the theoretical payback that occurred over a certain period of time at the gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
  • Wagering game apparatus and method to provide a trusted gaming environment
    Patent number: 8262457
    Abstract: A method of configuring a wagering game system to provide a trusted gaming environment includes the acts of randomly selecting at least one simulated physical imperfection from a plurality of available simulated physical imperfections to associate with at least one element of a video image output to a wagering game machine video display and associating the selected simulated physical imperfection with at least one element of the video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Marwan Ansari, Allon G. Englman, Philip B. Gelber, Joel R. Jaffe, Ryan R. Summers, Jamie Vann, John Walsh
  • Gaming device with attached audio-capable chair
    Patent number: 8262478
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a chair communicably coupled to a gaming device. The chair includes an audio playback device operable to receive audio playback commands. The audio playback commands may be received from a gaming device physically attached to the chair, a remote gaming device, or from a network interface communicably coupling the chair to a gaming establishment audio system, a player tracking system, or other gaming establishment system. Additionally, the chair may include an audio data storage device. Audio data from the storage device may be played through speakers on the chair, audio output devices on a gaming device, or audio output devices on a peripheral attached to the gaming device such as a top box or signage peripheral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Eric M. Pryzby
  • Presenting and controlling wagering game marketing information
    Patent number: 8262466
    Abstract: A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a wagering game toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can cross market affiliate content and wagering game content using features of the toolbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: 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
  • Partially-powered wagering game machines
    Patent number: 8262464
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive an indication that a wagering game machine is to enter into a service power mode while the game machine is fully operational, and then to enter into the service power mode to disable game play while providing substantially uninterrupted power to a subset of game machine components. These powered components include one or more processors and memory. The service power mode may operate to leave the remainder of the game machine components unpowered, so that later transitioning from the service power mode to full operation does not result in resetting the processors. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado
  • WAGERING GAME WITH MULTIPLE VIEWPOINT DISPLAY FEATURE
    Publication number: 20120225711
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Dixon
  • Wagering game with modified award expected value
    Patent number: 8257160
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming machine further includes a display arrangement that is in communication with a controller. The display arrangement displays a plurality of positions and a range of awards associated with each of the symbol position. The controller is programmable to successively populate the plurality of positions with respective symbols, and, in response to the symbol at any of the plurality of positions being a special award symbol, provide an award randomly selected from the range associated with that position, and modify an expected value of the award randomly selected from the range as a result of each subsequent occurrence of the special award symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
  • Gaming system having collectible and redeemable special symbols
    Patent number: 8257161
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a display for displaying a first matrix of symbols representing a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, the symbols selected from a plurality of symbols including at least one special symbol. The system further includes a controller operative to (i) collect occurrences of the at least one special symbol in the first matrix, (ii) vary the symbols to create a final matrix of symbols, (iii) redeem the collected special symbols by placing the collected special symbols into the final matrix, and (iv) provide an award if the final matrix of symbols indicates a winning combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Louie, Benjamin T. Gomez
  • Gaming system having expected value indicators
    Patent number: 8257169
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and at least one display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The at least one display further displays an expected value indicator. The gaming system further comprises a controller operative to (i) add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover, (ii) randomly select a trigger amount from a range of available trigger amounts, (iii) update the expected value indicator to indicate the actual turnover relative to the range, and (iv) award a mystery prize in response to the actual turnover becoming equal to or greater than the trigger amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Allon G. Englman
  • Secure mode control in wagering game systems
    Patent number: 8257171
    Abstract: A secure mode control device is described herein. The secure mode control device interfaces with a wagering game machine. The wagering game machine is capable of secure modes. The wagering game machine is also capable of wagering game modes that can generate wagering game data. The secure mode control device can detect an event that indicates a need for the wagering game machine to activate a secure mode. The secure mode control device activates the secure mode to halt the one or more wagering game modes on the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Craig J. Sylla
  • WAGERING GAME WITH MULTIPLE VIEWPOINT DISPLAY FEATURE
    Publication number: 20120220371
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Dixon
  • RECONFIGURABLE GAMING DISPLAYS AND GAMING TERMINALS WITH RECONFIGURABLE DISPLAY DEVICES
    Publication number: 20120220353
    Abstract: Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods of reconfiguring a display device are presented herein. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed, which includes an input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, a cabinet, and a display device operatively mounted to the cabinet. The display device has an electronic graphical display screen that is operable to dynamically display information related to the wagering game. The display screen is configured to physically change shape and/or size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Massing, Frank E. Rodriguez, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Kenneth M. Ross, Miguel A. Vega
  • GAMING TERMINAL WITH AN ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20120220363
    Abstract: A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game includes an input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, a support cabinet, a rocker base connected to the support cabinet, and a primary display device coupled to the rocker base. The primary display device includes an electronic graphical display screen operable to display the wagering game. The primary display device and the rocker base are configured to be movable to a plurality of different display positions relative to the support cabinet. The plurality of different display positions are along a common arc defined by the rocker base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bytnar, Frank E. Rodriguez
  • Gaming system having controllable dynamic signage
    Patent number: 8251816
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game in response to receipt of a first wager from a first player and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game in response to receipt of a second wager from a second player. The system further comprises a community display having a plurality of display regions thereon, and at least one controller operative to (i) detect activation of a first supplemental feature by the first player, (ii) detect activation of a second supplemental feature by the second player, (iii) determine in which of the plurality of display regions to display the first and second supplemental features in accordance with at least a first rule set, and (iv) display the first and second supplemental features on the community display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Gaming system having progressive jackpots flexibly linked with common progressive pool
    Patent number: 8251804
    Abstract: A linked progressive wagering system, comprises a first progressive wagering subsystem comprising X jackpots, each of the X jackpots displayed on a first meter. The system further comprises a second progressive wagering subsystem having Y jackpots, each of the Y jackpots displayed on a second meter. The system further comprises at least one wager input device, a progressive pool, and at least one controller. The at least one controller is operative to (i) receive a signal from the at least one wager input device of receipt of a first wager on the first progressive wagering subsystem, (ii) generate an increment, the increment comprising a portion of the first wager, (iii) transfer the increment into the progressive pool, (iv) add a first increase equal to the increment to the X jackpots, and (v) add a second increase equal to the increment to the Y jackpots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Ward
  • Wagering game with simulated mechanical reels
    Patent number: 8251795
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons