Patents Assigned to WMS Gaming
  • Publication number: 20140342820
    Abstract: Systems, methods and machine-readable media operate on configuration data for wagering game machines. A wagering game machine configuration or meter data on a wagering game machine is modified. In response to the modification, the configuration data or meter data is transformed into a displayable code such as a bar code or QR (Quick Response) code. The wagering game machine presents the displayable code on a code display of the wagering game machine. A portable computing device reads the displayable code and uses the displayable code to compare the configuration data with configuration data obtained from other wagering game machines or configuration data obtained from a configuration server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming
    Inventors: Travis N. Nelson, Peter R. Anderson, Sridhar Gondesi, Jacek A. Grabiec, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8888582
    Abstract: A primary array of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns and a feeder array of symbol positions arranged in one or more columns are displayed. A plurality of symbols including a special symbol is randomly distributed such that (i) each of the symbol positions of the primary and feeder arrays is associated with one of the plurality of symbols thereby forming a first outcome. In response to one of the symbol positions of the primary array being associated with the special symbol, one or more of the symbols associated with the feeder array is visually transferred to the primary array of symbol positions. The first outcome is modified with the one or more transferred symbols thereby forming a second outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Louie, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 8888591
    Abstract: A gaming machine is configured for playing a wagering game and includes at least one non-rotating curved surface and a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus includes at least one rotatable element and is configured to project images of symbols onto the curved surface while the at least one rotatable element is rotated and then stopped such that the symbols appear to respectively move and then stop along the curved surface. The stopped symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael dos Santos, Bruce H. Blair, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8888587
    Abstract: A gaming device may be modified in a way that is aimed at the similar interests in a focus group rather than on an individual. Groups are formed where the patrons in the groups have related elements. The related elements are compared to modifiable elements of the gaming device and modifications are made to the modifiable elements to attract the members of the focus group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary M. Burke, Peter Anderson, Vernon W. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20140335943
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include providing a secondary game for presentation. A game objective for the secondary game is associated with a set of achievements attainable via wagering games available for play via a wagering game machine. The operations can further include detecting attainment of one of the set of achievements via one of the wagering games. The attainment of the one of the set of achievements causes completion of the game objective for the secondary game. The operations can further include awarding a prize associated with a customer loyalty program based on the completion of the game objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20140335933
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include providing a wagering game for presentation, wherein the wagering game includes a first symbol set used to indicate one or more wagering game outcomes before initiation of a secondary contest. The operations can further include initiating the secondary contest, wherein the secondary contest is separate from the wagering game, and providing a second symbol set for use during the secondary contest, wherein the second symbol set is configured to indicate a promotional award for the secondary contest. The operations can further include incorporating the second symbol set into the wagering game. The operations can further include ending the secondary contest, and removing the second symbol set from the wagering game after the secondary contest ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Michael J. Irby, II, Jamie W. Vann, Thomas R. Wood
  • Patent number: 8882575
    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: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Gene Rigsby, Gilbert J. Q. Burak
  • Patent number: 8876592
    Abstract: A gaming system and a method for conducting a wagering game includes a first gaming terminal and a second gaming terminal. The gaming system includes at least two input devices, at least two display devices and at least one processor. The processor operates to display primary wagering games to the first and second gaming terminals in response to receiving one or more wagers at the respective gaming terminals. A first perceived-value enhancement is displayed to the first gaming terminal. The first perceived-value enhancement is active for a first limited period of time and is capable of enhancing a subsequent bonus event. A bonus event is triggered and provided to at least one of the first and second gaming terminals. An enhanced bonus event is provided to the first gaming terminal in response to the bonus event triggered for the first gaming terminal while the first perceived-value enhancement is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Daniel P. Louie, Dion K. Aoki, Dylan B. Selegue, Noel S. Steere, Robin L. Littleworth
  • Patent number: 8876597
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining one or more casino events that request a configuration for one or more wagering game machines, generating one or more automated configuration tasks, assigning one or more properties to the tasks, and storing the one or more automated configuration tasks and the one or more properties so that the one or more properties are persisted on the gaming network. The operations can also include recovering a wagering game machine's operational state if the automated configuration tasks encounter problems during execution that affect the wagering game machine's playability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger
  • Patent number: 8876598
    Abstract: System, methods and apparatus for presenting media in a wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an internal media request from a component of the wagering game machine and receiving an external data signal from outside the wagering game machine. In the embodiment, the method also includes preparing media based on the internal media request and the external data signal and presenting the media on media presentation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, Wayne H. Rothschild
  • Publication number: 20140323206
    Abstract: A method for depositing funds associated with a wagering game ticket in a player account via a mobile device is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include receiving an image of a wagering game ticket, wherein a monetary value is associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include determining a player account, wherein the monetary value is to be deposited in the player account. The method can further include determining, based on the image, a ticket identifier associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include transmitting, to a ticketing server, the ticket identifier associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include receiving, from the ticketing server, an indication of the monetary value associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include depositing, in the player account, the monetary value associated with the wagering game ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Anuradha Jandhyala, Sean P. Kelly, Justin A. Perkins, Nickey C. Shin, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
  • Publication number: 20140315619
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for operating wagering game machines are disclosed. A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first display device that is configured to display aspects of the wagering game. The first display device includes a touchscreen configured to receive user inputs. The gaming machine also includes a second display device that is configured to display a plurality of user-selectable elements. The second display device is further configured to display a selection mechanism in response to a first user input received from a user via the touchscreen of the first display device. The second display device is also configured, in response to a second user input received from the user via the touchscreen of the first display device, to display the selection mechanism selecting at least one of the displayed user-selectable elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Christopher T. Fester, Jesse L. Garvey, Samuel D. Ralston
  • Patent number: 8864577
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 8864571
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager for playing the wagering game, and trigger a free-spin event in which a plurality of free spins is awarded. For a first spin, a first number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. For a second spin, a second number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. The second number of arrays is non-equal to the first number of arrays. Any awards associated with each determined award condition are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Allon G. Englman, Daniel P. Louie, Pamela S. Smtih
  • Patent number: 8864582
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods to manage attract software package access, storage, and execution scheduling for wagering game machines. A wagering game machine may operate to determine the availability of one or more attract packages, as well as to determine whether any available attract packages comprise an active attract package based on one or more schedules. The gaming machine may access one or more of the available, active attract packages and present them. The attract packages and associated schedules can be loaded into the gaming machine using a number of mechanisms, including a server and a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Kevin Kahley
  • Patent number: 8864580
    Abstract: An input device dedicated for use with a wagering game is displayed on a display device. The display device is remote from the input device and includes outcome images of a randomly selected outcome and input images associated with player inputs for the wagering game. The input device includes a player input-receiving area and an interface. The player input-receiving area has a plurality of input elements associated with respective functions of the wagering game. The input elements replicate the input images of the player inputs. The interface is coupled to the input elements and transmits signals in response to the player activating the input elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Shridhar P. Joshi
  • Patent number: 8864584
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game table 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 pan sounds associated with a wagering game object on multiple wagering game machines in a group of wagering game machines, wherein each of the multiple wagering game machines has one or more local speakers, and wherein the panning across multiple wagering game machines' local speakers is based on the game object's coordinate position on a community display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Radek, Steve Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8864585
    Abstract: A player-input device for a gaming system includes a light-transmissive button lens comprising interior and exterior surfaces extending to an outside perimeter. A textured surface is located along the outside perimeter of the button lens. A light source is disposed below a bottom edge of the button lens. The light source is operative to transmit light into the button lens such that the outside perimeter is illuminated at the textured surface. The textured surface is configured to dissipate the light over a substantial portion of the textured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Bradley D. Cornell
  • Patent number: 8860734
    Abstract: An outcome of a dice throw and an orientation of the dice can be randomly determined. Based on knowledge of the outcome of the dice throw and the orientation of the dice, die faces that face the player at a beginning time instant of the animated motion can be back calculated. The dice can then be accordingly constrained to a selected one of a number of predefined animations for the dice to efficiently generate a more realistic and accurate graphical representation of the dice throw on the wagering game machine. Such a technique for generating the graphical representation of the dice throw based on 3D modeling and physics of the dice throw precludes managing and maintaining texture maps. Also, the graphical representation of the dice throw can be presented without texture swapping and with less computation because the pre-modeled dice are constrained to the selected animation of the dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Sieka
  • Patent number: 8858332
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game on a handheld gaming machine includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play the wagering game and an external system configured to regulate wagering game play on the handheld gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Thomas M. Kopera, Larry J. Pacey, David Pryor, Richard T. Schwartz