Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more stacked wild symbols which when appearing, trigger one or more re-spins wherein stacked wild symbols are locked in place for at least one re-spin. Awards are paid following each game outcome. In the event that a portion of a stacked wild symbol is displayed as part of a game outcome, the associated reel may nudge upward or downward to shift the entire stacked wild symbol into view, awards are then paid on the winning outcomes, and one or more re-spins may ensue with any displayed stacked wild symbols being locked for at least one subsequent re-spin.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display system, player input system, and processor programmed or otherwise operable to perform a number of operations through the gaming machine hardware to provide a player-interactive feature. The gaming machine is adapted to operate in a base game state in which a base set of symbol locations is populated with game symbols responsive to a play initiation input from the player input system. The gaming machine is also controlled to activate a bonus input device while the gaming machine is in the base game state, and to place the gaming machine in a bonus state in response to a player actuation of the activated bonus input device. In response to a play initiation input while the gaming machine is in the bonus game state, two or more bonus game sets of symbol locations are populated with game symbols for that respective play initiation input.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method for providing multiple simultaneous virtual game presentations to a player. The machine controller is programmed to operate the virtual game presentations in response to player wagers, and determine if virtual game presentations all include a winning pattern. If so, the controller activates a bonus game structure to display the conduct of a bonus game and a bonus game result. A trigger pattern may replicate to selected virtual game presentations.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for in-store preview of jewelry items that comprise detecting that a RFID tag that is coupled to a jewelry item is within a threshold vicinity of a RFID reader. The information about the jewelry item is transmitting to an electronic device that is located proximately to the jewelry counter. Beacon technology is employed to communicate with a customer's mobile device. Pass application technology is employed to transmit records to and from a customer and local retailer.

Abstract: A method includes maintaining a progressive pool value at a progressive prize meter in a progressive gaming system and, in response to the receipt of a qualifying game play input, conducting a round of a wagering game. An award value for a progressive prize in the progressive gaming system is identified from a set containing a number of different potential award values. In response to a progressive prize triggering event for the round of the wagering game, the progressive prize is awarded and a deduction is taken from the progressive pool value. The value of the progressive prize is equal to the award value identified from the set containing different potential award values.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more stacked wild symbols which when appearing, trigger one or more re-spins wherein stacked wild symbols are locked in place for at least one re-spin. Awards are paid following each game outcome. In the event that a portion of a stacked wild symbol is displayed as part of a game outcome, the associated reel may nudge upward or downward to shift the entire stacked wild symbol into view, awards are then paid on the winning outcomes, and one or more re-spins may ensue with any displayed stacked wild symbols being locked for at least one subsequent re-spin.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method for providing multiple simultaneous virtual game presentations to a player. The machine controller is programmed to operate the virtual game presentations in response to player wagers, and determine if virtual game presentations all include a winning pattern. If so, the controller activates a bonus game structure to display the conduct of a bonus game and a bonus game result. A trigger pattern may replicate to selected virtual game presentations. The bonus game operates to select a multiplier value applied to all of the results from the multiple virtual game presentations.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and program products provide for dynamically modifying a symbol matrix, such as a symbol matrix produced in a reel-type game, to provide the player with additional chances to win on a given activation of the game. In particular, one or more initial symbol locations in a matrix of symbol locations may be split so as to replace the respective initial symbol location with two or more symbol locations. The additional symbol locations produced in this way define additional sets of symbol combinations and these additional symbol combinations provide the player with additional chances to win on a given play of the game.

Abstract: Apparatus, article of manufacture and methods for recommending a jewelry item that comprise receiving, at a jewelry interface, user-input data regarding: a selection of at least one jewelry item. The at least one jewelry item comprises a plurality of characteristics. User-input data also includes an indication of a level of importance for at least one characteristic of a jewelry item. Each level of importance corresponds to a co-efficient. An ideal profile is computed based in part on the selection of the at least one jewelry item and the indication of the level of importance, an ideal profile. A matching algorithm is applied to a plurality of jewelry items stored in an inventory. Based on the matching algorithm, at least one recommended jewelry item is identified as most closely matching the ideal profile. An indication of the at least one recommended jewelry item is transmitted.

Abstract: Apparatus, article of manufacture and methods for recommending a jewelry item that comprise receiving, at a jewelry interface, user-input data regarding: a selection of at least one jewelry item. The at least one jewelry item comprises a plurality of characteristics. User-input data also includes an indication of a level of importance for at least one characteristic of a jewelry item. Each level of importance corresponds to a co-efficient. An ideal profile is computed based in part on the selection of the at least one jewelry item and the indication of the level of importance, an ideal profile. A matching algorithm is applied to a plurality of jewelry items stored in an inventory. Based on the matching algorithm, at least one recommended jewelry item is identified as most closely matching the ideal profile. An indication of the at least one recommended jewelry item is transmitted.

Abstract: Apparatus, article of manufacture and method for designing a jewelry setting that comprise displaying on a display a plurality of components. Each component corresponds to a section of a jewelry setting. A selection of at least one component that corresponds to a first section of the jewelry setting is received. An electronic template of the jewelry setting is generated. The electronic image comprises the at least one selected component. The electronic template is transmitted to a remote device.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display system, player input system, and processor programed or otherwise operable to perform a number of operations through the gaming machine hardware to provide a player-interactive feature. The gaming machine is adapted to operate in a base game state in which a base set of symbol locations is populated with game symbols responsive to a play initiation input from the player input system. The gaming machine is also controlled to activate a bonus input device while the gaming machine is in the base game state, and to place the gaming machine in a bonus state in response to a player actuation of the activated bonus input device. In response to a play initiation input while the gaming machine is in the bonus game state, two or more bonus game sets of symbol locations are populated with game symbols for that respective play initiation input.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for virtual online jewelry sales in secondary markets.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for in-store preview of jewelry items that comprise detecting that a RFID tag that is coupled to a jewelry item is within a threshold vicinity of a RFID reader. The information about the jewelry item is transmitting to an electronic device that is located proximately to the jewelry counter. Beacon technology is employed to communicate with a customer's mobile device. Pass application technology is employed to transmit records to and from a customer and local retailer.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method for providing slot machine game having a bonus round in which player interactions select a progressive prize to be awarded. The bonus round is entered based on a graphical accumulator object which persists between rounds of the base wagering game. Triggering events fill up the object and eventually trigger a bonus round in which a progressive is awarded. Player selections of player interactive bonus objects in the bonus round reveal progressive prize symbols or progressive eliminator symbols. The eliminator symbols cause removal of the currently lowest value progressive prize from the group of available progressive prizes. Obtaining a matching set of progressive prize symbols awards the associated progressive prize. Data structures and executable program code design are provided for implementing the methods and programming a special purpose gaming machine.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method for providing multiple simultaneous virtual game presentations to a player. The machine controller is programmed to operate the virtual game presentations in response to player wagers, and determine if virtual game presentations all include a winning pattern. If so, the controller activates a bonus game structure to display the conduct of a bonus game and a bonus game result. A trigger pattern may replicate to selected virtual game presentations. The bonus game operates to select a multiplier value applied to all of the results from the multiple virtual game presentations.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display system, player input system, and processor programmed or otherwise operable to perform a number of operations through the gaming machine hardware to provide a player-interactive feature. The gaming machine operates in a base game state in which a base set of symbol locations is populated with symbols responsive to a play initiation input from the player input system. The gaming machine is also controlled to activate a bonus input device while the gaming machine is in the base game state, and to place the gaming machine in a bonus state in response to a player actuation of the activated bonus input device. In response to a play initiation input while the gaming machine is in the bonus game state, two or more bonus game sets of symbol locations are populated with game symbols for that respective play initiation input.

Abstract: Apparatus, article of manufacture and method for designing a jewelry setting that comprise displaying on a display a plurality of components. Each component corresponds to a section of a jewelry setting. A selection of at least one component that corresponds to a first section of the jewelry setting is received. An electronic template of the jewelry setting is generated. The electronic image comprises the at least one selected component. The electronic template is transmitted to a remote device.