Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
  • Publication number: 20120184362
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a selection of a selectable object in a first area of a gaming display that is under control of a first application module associated with a wagering game session. The first application module can be for a social communication application or can provide social communication functionality. The operations can further include determining a selection purpose for the selection, determining transference instructions for an item representation of the selectable object, and transferring the item representation to a second area of the gaming display that is under control of a second application module. The second application module can be for a wagering game application or can provide wagering game functionality. The operations can further include performing a function associated with the second application module according to the selection purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew C. Guinn
  • Publication number: 20120184364
    Abstract: A dual switchable LCD display is disclosed that allows the juxtaposition of a front and rear image. A rear switchable screen is in proximity to the projector system. The rear image is projected on the rear screen at a first time interval. The rear switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the rear screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the rear screen. A front switchable screen overlays the rear switchable screen. The projector system projects the front image on the front screen at a second time interval. The front switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the front screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the front screen. A controller is periodically cycles the respective closed and open states between the first and second time intervals to present a juxtaposition of the front image and the rear image to a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20120184351
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for executing a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system is presented that includes at least one input device, at least one display, at least one processor, and at least one memory device. The memory device stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display and the input device to conduct a wagering game including a plurality of unlockable features. The unlockable features are initially inaccessible to players at first and second gaming terminals. In response to an unlocking event achieved by a first player during play of the game, the processor unlocks at least one of the unlockable features such that both the first player at the first gaming terminal and a second player at the second gaming terminal can access the unlocked feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Pamela S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120184349
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include a recording of a first wagering game content from a first wagering game played during a wagering game session and generating an electronic (e.g., an “e-mail”) message, after the wagering game session ends. The operations can also include embedding in the electronic message an object that provides access to a second wagering game content. The second wagering game content includes a recording of the first wagering game. The operations can further include sending the electronic message to an electronic address for a wagering game player account associated with the wagering game session, and detecting access to the second wagering game content, via the electronic message. The second wagering game content can re-present the portion of the first wagering game content as part of the second wagering game content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming ,Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew C. Guinn, Richard B. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20120184363
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining that an event occurs to a wagering game player account during a wagering game session, determining a player-owned social network account associated with the wagering game player account, connecting to the player-owned social network account, and presenting a notification of the event on the player-owned social network account. In some embodiments, the operations can also include providing social network rewards and wagering game awards for the event to the player-owned social network account, or to other social network accounts associated with the player-owned social network account. In some embodiments, the operations can also include determining social activity performed by the other social network accounts and presenting notifications of the social activity by the other social network accounts to the wagering game player account during the wagering game session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew Fowler, Andrew C. Guinn, Richard B. Robbins, Richard T. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20120184359
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The wagering game has a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes, at least one of the plurality of game episodes having a plurality of episode features. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to cause, in response to a manual selection received from the player, the start of the wagering game from any previously played feature of the plurality of episode features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jamie Vann
  • Publication number: 20120184352
    Abstract: A method includes capturing media content of a wagering game machine at a wagering game establishment with a camera of a mobile device. A location of the mobile device is determined when the media content is captured. A direction that a lens of the camera is facing when the media content is captured is determined. The wagering game machine is identified based on the location and the direction. Overlay imagery derived from wagering game activity of the wagering game machine is downloaded into the mobile device from a server. The overlay imagery is composited onto the media content to create a composited media content. The composited media content is displayed on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Mark B. Gagner, Brian Gamache, Damon E. Gura
  • Patent number: 8221228
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Damon E. Gura, Robert L. Kyte, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8221239
    Abstract: Techniques for authenticating gaming applications are presented. Authentication requests are periodically and regularly sent by a requestor to a gaming device for purposes of authenticating configurable portions of a gaming application. The gaming device generates results which are transmitted back to the requestor. The requestor compares the results against known results to determine if the configurable portions are authenticated or not authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Chad A. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20120178525
    Abstract: A wagering game developer can support an online wager gaming community and provide digital representatives to members to enhance real-life wager gaming experience. A wagering game establishment server imports a digital representative of a wagering game player from the online wager gaming community. The server determines wagering game activity of the wagering game player at one or more electronic wagering game machines. The server determines an update for the digital representative based on the determined wagering game activity of the wagering game player, and then associates the update with the digital representative. The update includes a second executable code. Later, the server exports the digital representative with the second executable code associated therewith to the online wager gaming community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, James S. Halprin, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, John M. Koszarek
  • Publication number: 20120178523
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a bank gaming effect for presentation on a bank of content presentation devices. The bank of content presentation devices can be associated with a plurality of wagering game machines. The operations can further include receiving presentation status information for the bank of content presentation devices. The presentation status information can indicate one or more events that affect a state of availability of each of the bank of content presentation devices to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can further include determining, based on the presentation status information, one content presentation device, from the bank of content presentation devices, that is ineligible to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can also include excluding the one content presentation device from participation in the bank gaming effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Martin R. Ugarte, JR., Muthu Velu
  • Publication number: 20120178528
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 8216053
    Abstract: A system and method for conducting a wagering game providing an opportunity to earn an increased award is disclosed. A randomly selected outcome from a plurality of possible outcomes is displayed. The plurality of possible outcomes each including a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. An additional symbol is displayed separate from the array. If the displayed randomly selected outcome includes a winning symbol combination resulting in a first award, a determination is made whether the displayed additional symbol can be combined with the winning symbol combination to yield a second award being larger than the first award. The first award is provided if the additional symbol cannot be combined with the winning symbol combination to yield the second award. The larger second award is provided if the additional symbol can be combined with the winning symbol combination to yield the second award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8216051
    Abstract: A mechanical reel system with alterable reel symbols. Pivoting reel symbol members are provided at predetermined locations about a reel, each member having two, three, or six sides, for example. On each surface, a different symbol (or a blank symbol) is disposed thereon. A transmissive LCD is positioned over the reels, and when the reels display blanks, images are displayed on the LCD over the blanked area(s) during, e.g., a video bonus game played on the LCD. The symbol members can be altered within a game to display a different set of symbols on the reels, or they can be altered to convert the game from one theme to another. In another embodiment, a bellow-like reel strip, which is folded accordion-style, is retracted or extended relative to the periphery of the reel, allowing a symbol set or subset to replace a corresponding symbol (sub)set displayed on the underlying reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8216061
    Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for allowing players at wagering game terminals to select entire sets of bonus games instead of a single bonus game upon occurrence of a certain randomly selected basic game outcome. One or more of the bonus games or sets of bonus games may be temporarily unavailable or “locked” to the player. The player may unlock the bonus games or sets of bonus games by acquiring certain game assets, reaching certain game milestones, and/or exceeding certain wagering levels. The unlocked games may reveal credits, prizes, progressives, basic and/or bonus game updates, or additional bonus games, some of which may also be locked. The updates and additions may already be present in the wagering game terminals or they may be downloaded from a central location. The player may retain the locked and unlocked statuses of the bonus games across multiple wagering game sessions and/or wagering game terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Larry J. Pacey
  • Patent number: 8216052
    Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting streaming video content in a gaming machine are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring, in a first gaming machine, access to a set of shared game assets. The method can also include providing a second gaming machine with access to the set of shared game assets. The method can also include conducting, in the first gaming machine, a first wagering game in which one of the set of shared game assets is consumed, and wherein during the first wagering game, the second gaming machine conducts a second wagering game in which another of the set of shared game assets is consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, John A. Beatty
  • Patent number: 8216058
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for alternative persistent state recovery methods. A method comprises detecting persistent state recovery information from one of two or more persistent state recovery techniques, wherein the persistent state recovery information identifies a persistent state in a wagering game; and restoring the persistent state of the wagering game from the detected persistent state recovery information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Joel R. Jaffe, Jim Motyl, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8210936
    Abstract: A gaming system includes an input device configured to receive a wager input from a player at a gaming terminal to be eligible to win a progressive award, which is displayed on a display device. A controller is operative to cause the display device to display a numerical unit value of the progressive award and a non-numerical fraction of the numerical unit value. In response to the wager input received from the player and other wager inputs received from players at other gaming terminals, the controller is further operative to cause the display device to display changes to the non-numerical fraction as the numerical unit value progresses from a current unit value to a next unit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Caspers, Peter R. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8210938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reporting alterations to the operation of a gaming machine. The method includes operating the gaming machine in a standard mode of operation, and subsequently altering the standard mode of operation. In response to this altering, a report is automatically generated for submission to a gaming regulatory agency. The report indicates that the standard mode of operation has been altered. In one common form, the mode of operation being altered is the payout structure, which is information that must be submitted to the gaming regulatory agency in most jurisdictions. In other alternatives, the novel method includes transmitting the report to the agency, possibly automatically via an electronic transmission. The present invention also contemplates gaming machines that are configured to generate such a report, and gaming machine networks that are configured to generate such a report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne H. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 8210942
    Abstract: A handheld gaming machine including one or more actuators for providing vibrational cues or feedback during play of a wagering game to indicate the occurrence of a wagering-game event, such as a change in game rules, an input of a wager, and the like. The change in game rules may include a change in the odds of winning an award during the wagering game, a change in the type of award that can be awarded during the wagering game, eligibility for bonus play, or eligibility to accumulate one or more game elements associated with the wagering game. The vibration can be consistent with a wagering-game theme and can accompany or be a substitute for concurrently played audio sounds. The actuator(s) may include a haptic device such as a haptic touchscreen that overlays the display or an electromagnetic coil acting upon an unbalanced mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Mark B. Gagner, Jacob C. Greenberg