Plural Matches Create Pattern (e.g., Bingo, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/19)
  • Patent number: 11037406
    Abstract: Games, gaming machines and gaming systems are provided wherein a player playing a first wagering game may be awarded one or more free game plays (e.g. without the player having to place an additional wager) of a second wagering game which comprises a different game instance than the game that the player is playing. The one or more free games may be awarded based upon events or criteria occurring in the game that the player is playing or based upon events or criteria external thereto, or combinations thereof. The free games may comprise different game instances of the same game that the player is playing, or may comprise plays of different games, such as of games that the player may or may not select to play. The free games may be presented immediately or at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Aries Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie W. Harris, Janae Hoover, Rochelle Terman
  • Patent number: 11037407
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments provide games and/or gaming machines that conform to Class II regulations, while producing randomness similar to Class III machines by assigning a set of common numbers to a unique machine map to create one or more randomized patterns which correspond to plurality of symbols outputting a game of chance on the display based at least in part on the one or more randomized patterns, wherein the game of chance is a new game or an existing game including but not limited to poker, keno, video reels, bingo, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Sockeye Software Development, LLC
    Inventors: Todd M. Seymour, Eve Mae Park
  • Patent number: 10984634
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine, system, and method are disclosed for conducting a keno game. The keno game may be conducted alone or in conjunction with a bingo game. The electronic gaming machine may receive a wager from a player, and conduct the bingo game and/or keno game in response to the wager. Based on the wager, a quantity of numbered keno balls may be designated as feature numbered keno balls. The electronic gaming machine may conduct the keno game using the feature numbered keno balls, and display a bonus if and/or when one or more feature numbered keno balls match one or more player selected keno numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: John Victor Ludwick
  • Patent number: 10902703
    Abstract: A method for providing outcome variation for grid based number selection games is disclosed. The method allows novel interactions with random populations of numbers referenced on a grid which can be implemented as enhancements to existing grid based number selection games or as a standalone game, where the interaction involves placing one or more bets to predict the occurrences of combinations of a defined configuration that can be formed on a grid using a random number population. These bets can be implemented as side bets for an existing game in order to introduce new player strategies and reward options without disrupting the mechanics of the underlying game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: David Bruce Klimoski
  • Patent number: 10810838
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine performs operations comprising: (i) receiving, from a first player of the electronic gaming machine, a first credit contribution; (ii) receiving, from a second player of the electronic gaming machine, a second credit contribution; (iii) aggregating the first credit contribution and the second credit contribution to create a combined credit balance; (iv) determining, based on the first credit contribution and the second credit contribution, a relative contribution of each of the first player and the second player to the combined credit balance; (v) determining, in response to at least one mutual wager, at least one outcome of the wagering game; (vi) one of incrementing and decrementing the combined credit balance based on the at least one outcome; (vii) receiving, from at least one of the first player and the second player, an instruction to cash out of the wagering game; and (viii) distributing a pro rata share of the combined credit balance to the at least one player in proportio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Mordecai Marks
  • Patent number: 10810843
    Abstract: A method and system for a card-based game with simulates a traditional keno game through the use of a specially designed deck of playing cards. The system includes a computer, a scanner, a specialty card shoe, and the specially designed deck of cards. The method includes first shuffling the deck of cards by the specialty card shoe. Next, a card is drawn from the deck of cards and scanned, thus extracting a unique number that is associated with a spot on a traditional Keno card. The unique number is then associated and indicated to a spot on a simulated Keno card by the computer. This process is repeated for twenty iteration to compile winning numbers. The winning numbers are then compared against guessed spots associated with a user account to identify a set of matching spots. A primary payout transaction is managed based on the set of matching spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Kard Keno, LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10741008
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing bonus features using subsymbols during game play. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to randomly overlay or otherwise associate zero, one, or more subsymbols on game symbols used in a game of chance. When subsymbols appear on game symbols that are randomly determined to be part of the game outcome, a bonus feature is triggered that may be used to modify awards provided from the game outcome. The presence of the subsymbols themselves may act as a trigger for a secondary bonus feature or event, or the subsymbols themselves may show random indicia within the subsymbol that provides a bonus modifier or other award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventors: Bradley Berman, Jacob Lamb, Anthony Rath
  • Patent number: 10643435
    Abstract: Gaming machines and games are configured with one or more wheel events or features. The wheel events or features may comprise main games or bonus games, or may comprise entertaining representations of outcomes of other games or events. The wheel events comprise the selection of one or more segments of a wheel having associated awards. Wheel events may have various entertaining configurations, such as morphing wheels, symbols that reveal awards and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Ronnie W. Harris
  • Patent number: 10614659
    Abstract: An interleaved wagering system with randomized variable is disclosed. The system includes a mobile device that has an interactive controller that provides an entertainment game. An application controller operatively connects the mobile device to a wager controller. The application controller receives user input via the interactive controller, and requests a randomized variable from the wager controller. The application controller inserts the randomized variable into a skill event and communicates the result of the skill event to the wager controller. The wager controller generates a randomized variable. The wager controller uses the skill event data to determine if the skill event is successful according to parameters outside the control of the interactive application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 10360752
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a tile matching game. A grid is populated with a set of randomly selected tiles out of a set of available tiles. The set of available tiles is much smaller than the number of tiles on the grid. The player's goal is to select matching groups of tiles which are then dissolved and the tiles in the grid cascade down with new random tiles dropping from above to fill any empty spaces. A set of slot machine reels can form when three or more like tiles are adjacent to each other in a row on the grid. The set of slot machine reels can spin like a slot machine with awards being made when a final outcome of symbols matches a winning combination on a paytable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Playstudios, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Riedel
  • Patent number: 10360765
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing a card game on a gaming device. Here, gaming devices having a display and game processor may be operable to provide a gaming event using cards with gridded fields. In one type of gaming event, a player may be given one or more cards with a gridded field and compete against one or more other opponents each having one or more competing cards with gridded fields. In another type of gaming event, a player may be given one or more cards with gridded fields and try to match numbers or indicia that are randomly drawn. Play of the gaming event may continue in multiple rounds or stages where a next stage is reached by obtaining a continuation trigger on one or more of the player cards during a present round of the gaming event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Bradley Berman
  • Patent number: 10325452
    Abstract: Described herein is a gaming machine and, a method of gaming thereon, comprising: a symbol selector for selecting a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display during play of a base game; an outcome evaluator for monitoring play of the base game, wherein a feature game is triggered in response to a trigger event during the base game, the feature game having at least one predefined rule; a rule modifier for modifying said predefined rule in response to a determination that said at least one predefined rule is to be modified before play of said feature game; and a controller for initiating play of said feature game based on the modified rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Billy Tam
  • Patent number: 10242531
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable one or more players to play a game of chance. A system includes a processor and a memory device configured to store processor executable instructions to provide a game of chance in which a plurality of house indicia is selected from a pool of house indicia and in which one or more player indicia is provided. The processor is programmed by the instructions to randomly select a predetermined number of house indicia from the pool of house indicia, provide a random chance of selecting a bonus indicia, determine whether a winning number of matching indicia has been achieved by identifying each player indicia that matches one of the selected predetermined number of house indicia, and present a bonus to the player upon a determination that the bonus indicia matches a player indicia and that a winning number of matching indicia has been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Gaming Arts, LLC
    Inventors: David Colvin, Eric D. Colvin
  • Patent number: 10147278
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for interface modifications such as with respect to new features and functionality of bingo-style games, particularly with respect to bingo card sorting and presentation via mobile device platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Gamesys Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Elias, Adam Scott, Rajko Monden
  • Patent number: 10140459
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides for a computer-implemented method, including: electronically receiving, first terminal data where the first terminal data includes at least one first alphanumerical data sequence; electronically generating at least one first computer-generated barcode; electronically storing the first terminal data and the at least one first computer-generated barcode in at least one database residing in a non-transient computer memory; automatically and electronically transmitting the at least one first computer-generated barcode to the at least one first terminal machine; electronically receiving second terminal data; automatically validating, in real-time, the user input as being representative of the user output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Intralot S.A.—Integrated Lottery Systems and Services
    Inventor: Christos Dimitriadis
  • Patent number: 10134232
    Abstract: In a cashless gaming environment, a gaming patron has accounts and may accumulate winnings as well as different types of awards. Methods for efficiently exchanging the awards are disclosed. A secondary market is established for trading different goods and services. Liquidity of credits and awards is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Michael Preisach
  • Patent number: 10092841
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems and apparatus for determining a player position in an instance of a game. Embodiments include retrieving a placement value for each player in a set of players wherein the placement value represents a relative measure of advantages and disadvantages related to position experienced by each player in prior game instances; and determining player position assignments for a current game instance based upon the placement values. In one embodiment, determining player position assignments includes determining a number of lottery entries for each player based on the placement value of each player, the lottery entries being used to determine player positions for the players in a current instance of a game. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Gamesys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darse Billings
  • Patent number: 9993728
    Abstract: A bingo game system provides for new features and functionality for a bingo game platform, including a bingo listener for relaying messages from a bingo broadcaster to at least one mobile client device (e.g., via a bingo connection proxy).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Gamesys Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Elias, Adam Scott
  • Patent number: 9978206
    Abstract: A match evolution interleaved wagering system is disclosed. The match evolution interleaved wagering system includes a display and a user input device connected to an interactive processing device, where the interactive processing device is connected to a wager controller by a process controller. The wager controller is also connected to credit input and credit output devices. A user inputs credit items into the match evolution wagering system providing wagering credits for a match evolution game. The interactive device hosts an interactive application providing a match evolution game where an interactive game board, including a grid and symbols, is displayed to a user, who selects and places a symbol on the board. When a specified number of matched symbols within the grid on the board is determined, a credit wager is executed in the wager controller, resulting in a credit wager outcome utilizing a random number generator and paytable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Carlos Schulte
  • Patent number: 9792771
    Abstract: A system or method for providing a bingo game in which a pattern of player indicia on a player card is matched to house indicia selected during the game. The system or method includes providing a first player card of a plurality of player cards that each include a plurality of player indicia and a pattern that includes at least a portion of the player indicia, using a device to randomly select a plurality of house indicia, determining whether a triggering criterion is met during the bingo game, and awarding a prize for each player card that achieves a partial pattern match with the selected house indicia upon the determination that the triggering criterion has been met. The partial pattern match is achieved by matching the selected house indicia with a predetermined number of player indicia, but not all of the player indicia, within the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Zaki Khal
  • Patent number: 9737791
    Abstract: A ball delivery device, system, and method housing a plurality of balls for a game session is presented. The ball delivery device includes a mixing chamber, at least one instruction to start the game session, an identifier, at least one arm, a ball holder, a reader and a tube. The mixing chamber receives the balls for the game session. After receiving an instruction to begin the game session, balls are singly drawn from the mixing chamber. The identifier disposed on each ball uniquely identifies each ball. The arm mixes the balls in the mixing chamber. The ball holder disposed on the arm holds a single ball that is randomly selected from the mixing chamber. The reader reads the identifier of the ball selected by the ball holder. The tube receives each selected ball and holds the selected balls after the identifier reads the ball and until completion of the game session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TRIPP ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Warren Tripp, Bryan Born, Ray Duer, Al Grinsell, Michael Hall, Ken Juenke, Rick Smith, Matt Walsh
  • Patent number: 9666030
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: determining which of a plurality of gaming devices, each operable for independent play of one or more games, are eligible for an additional game; initiating an additional game; and determining in response to initiation of the additional game, which eligible gaming devices will participate in the initiated additional game, the determination including a random determination in respect of at least one of the eligible gaming devices to determine whether the respective eligible gaming device will participate in the additional game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Sek Joung
  • Patent number: 9659459
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention provides a game server configured to communicate during use with at least one player terminal, each of which is configured to facilitate play of a centrally drawn game, the game server configured to: determine that a win rule of the centrally drawn game has been satisfied; determine a prize corresponding to satisfaction of the win rule; and find a probabilistic game instance having a prize outcome corresponding to the prize, at least in part, by executing one or more probabilistic game instances to attempt to find a probabilistic game instance having a prize outcome corresponding to the prize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Gareth Phillips, Scott Christopher Olive, William Patrick Miller
  • Patent number: 9652930
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including at least one special ball having an associated special function. In one embodiment, one or more special functions may have persistent effects on one or more bingo spaces (e.g., of a bingo card) and/or may be combined with the effects one or more other special functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Gamesys Ltd.
    Inventors: Mary Louise Macbeth, Mary Brittney Bean, Thomas Newton, Hans Elias, Adam Scott, Romina Thirunamam, Stefan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 9640029
    Abstract: In a multi-player bingo type matching game, game players attempt to achieve matching patterns of game indicia associated with assigned game cards. Called game indicia are displayed to the players. The first player to select or grab the called game indicia is permitted to attempt to match the called game indicia to game indicia on their assigned card, while other players are not permitted to use the selected game indicia. If that called game indicia does not match the player's game card, the player loses one or more successive game turns. The winner of the game may comprise the first player who is able to achieve a predetermine winning matching pattern relative to their game card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Blastworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Falciglia
  • Patent number: 9600962
    Abstract: A dual mode progressive bingo video gaming system that allows the switching between Class II and Class III gaming rules on a play by play basis and encourages play on the system by enhancing the player's experience with a bingo-based progressive jackpot integrated into games on the gaming system or that can be added as a separate plug-in module to virtually any base game regardless of classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MPBINGO, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Weingardt
  • Patent number: 9588968
    Abstract: An approach for enabling mobile device users to acquire information regarding events in their proximity on demand is described. An activity processing platform causes, at least in part, an aggregation of activity information associated with at least one device into at least one activity pool. The activity processing platform further processes and/or facilitates a processing of the at least one activity pool against one or more advancement criteria associated with one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof to determine one or more recommendations with respect to the one or more applications, the one or more services, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Antti Johannes Eronen, Juha Henrik Arrasvuori, Arto Juhani Lehtiniemi
  • Patent number: 9508229
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for new features and functionality of bingo-style games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Gamesys Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Newton, Davinder Pal Singh Pank
  • Patent number: 9466168
    Abstract: A gaming system and method of rewarding players of electronic gaming machines connected by a network to a host computer which stores player-useable points at a network-accessible location, awards a personal points multiplier to a player, and applies the personal points multiplier to at least some of the points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Paul Farrar
  • Patent number: 9384636
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. Each player matching a game-winning pattern may receive game-winning award, and may receive a game-winning award for each game array on which a game-winning pattern is matched. The method and gaming unit may further include an alternate outcome display wherein an outcome of a second wagering game may be displayed that corresponds to the outcome for the player on the one or more game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 9299221
    Abstract: A method for allowing players to play a bingo-type game with a gaming system is described herein. The method includes displaying the bingo-type game on the display device, randomly selecting a plurality of player symbols, randomly selecting a plurality of game symbols, determining if each one of the plurality of game symbols matches a corresponding one of the plurality of player symbols, and determining a game outcome of the bingo-type game as a function of the matched player symbols. The method also includes determining if a triggering condition occurs in the game outcome and responsively providing an award to the player if the triggering condition occurs. The triggering condition is defined as a path extending between the origin symbol and the destination symbol and including at least one matched player symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GSN Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Alampalayam Palaniswamy Santosh, Vikas Gupta
  • Patent number: 9275522
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AGS, LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Chang, Inna Lifchits, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 9275521
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AGS, LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Chang, Inna Lifchits, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 9269234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing keno on multiple cards with a two-draw cycle where hits from a first draw are replicated from a primary card to at least one secondary card while misses from a first draw are not replicated from the primary card to the at least one secondary card. An independent second draw for each card completes the game cycle resulting in different game outcomes based off the same first draw cycle. The player is awarded where appropriate for each game outcome on each of the cards played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Century Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley James Fredella, Steven W Arntzen
  • Patent number: 9208647
    Abstract: An internet based automated wagering system allows many participant to wager on outcomes of certain events associated with a game. The wagering can occur in real time or can be delayed. Presentations are made to participants indicating various events associated with the game and participants can then send to the system proposed wagers based on possible outcomes of the event as selected by each participant. The system then finds a partner for each participant and an engagement is established between the participants interested in the same wager and event outcome. The system can monitor events and determine their outcomes, or can obtain event outcome information from external sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: BALLCRAPS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Ulrich, Robert Allison, Apu Shah, Joseph Kimmel, Micah Nickerson
  • Patent number: 9177442
    Abstract: A number matching game which includes a matching game with multiple number sets. A player can win standard Keno paytable awards in addition to relatively large awards. A player's initial set has a minimum size requirement for the player to be eligible for the relatively large award. The gaming machine provides supplemental numbers to the player if the player does not select the minimum quantity of numbers. Any supplemental numbers created for the player cannot be used towards the Keno paytable awards. In one embodiment, odds of winning the relatively large awards are kept proportionate with the player's wager level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 9138643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an online flash game system and method, a flash game web page providing method, a web server for providing web pages for flash game execution, and a storage medium for recording method programs. When a flash game execution is selected, a skin flash module performs a skin flash, which is a frame on a flash game screen, on a user terminal screen, and controls a UI flash module and a game contents flash module. The skin flash module displays the skin flash, which is a frame on the flash game screen, on the user terminal screen, and controls the UI flash module and the game contents flash module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: NHN Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Zoo Il Yang
  • Patent number: 9135773
    Abstract: Described is a method of constructing prize structures that are particularly useful in gaming systems which can be used to implement various games such as bingo and poker. In particular the described pay structures and game systems can have sufficient granularity such that the outcome or payoff of the game being played can be expanded to provide higher payout amounts as well as closely replicate the payoff of a second game. Included are methods and apparatus for playing bingo games and determining which bingo cards are winners. In addition, methods and apparatus for evaluating or checking each card in a bingo game using a bit marked card technique and vector operations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Gordon T. Graves, Martin A. Keane
  • Patent number: 9105159
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. Each player matching a game-winning pattern may receive game-winning award, and may receive a game-winning award for each game array on which a game-winning pattern is matched. The method and gaming unit may further include an alternate outcome display wherein an outcome of a second wagering game may be displayed that corresponds to the outcome for the player on the one or more game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 9105148
    Abstract: A method of operating a gaming system is disclosed. The method includes: enabling, using one or more processors, play of a first game on a gaming machine; enabling, using one or more processors, play of a second game on a user interface that is operatively coupled to the gaming machine, wherein the gaming system enables a player to choose which bonus game to play out of a plurality of bonus games independent of player ranking and bonus level, wherein each of the plurality of bonus games may be initiated on demand, wherein once the player chooses the bonus game to play on demand, the chosen bonus game is presented to the player via the player tracking user interface; and enabling, using one or more processors, wherein the gaming system enables a player to activate the second game displayed on the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Dennis W. Lockard, Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Jeffrey C. Tallcott
  • Patent number: 9098971
    Abstract: The gaming system that includes a server, a Class II gaming machine communicatively coupled to the server, and a processor. The processor is programmed to, upon an input of a wager by a player operating the Class II gaming machine, provide a bingo based game on the Class II gaming machine, the bingo based game including gaming content that includes at least one bingo game card, determine that a triggering event has occurred during play of the bingo based game, and based on the triggering event, providing the player with at least one free bingo card in a bingo based bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Cuddy, Lyndsay Nelson, David Rehm
  • Patent number: 9076288
    Abstract: Disclosed is a game participation extension system for extending, broadening and promoting gaming participation, in a regularly recurring game, including: a game instance tracking module to track one or more instances of the regularly recurring game, a virtual game generator to substantially in real-time generate virtual representations mirroring game events from the tracked game instance and to transmit the virtual representations to a computing appliance of a prospective player, and a virtual wager module to accept virtual wagers made by a prospective player through their respective computing appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: PAYMAX LTD.
    Inventor: Amir Rosenheimer
  • Patent number: 9067131
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable one or more players to play a game of chance. A system includes a processor and a memory device for storing instructions to provide a game of chance in which house indicia are selected from a pool of house indicia, and wherein a payout from a first pay table is awarded if a player matched a plurality of player indicia with the house indicia. The processor randomly selects a plurality of house indicia, provides a random chance of selecting at least one bonus indicia, determines whether player indicia within a pattern match the house indicia, and provides a payout to the player if the bonus indicia matches at least one player indicia within the pattern and if each player indicia within the pattern are matched by the house indicia. The payout is based on a second pay table that is different from the first pay table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Gaming Arts, LLC
    Inventors: David Colvin, Eric D. Colvin
  • Patent number: 9061199
    Abstract: A ball delivery device, system, and method housing a plurality of balls for a game session is presented. The ball delivery device includes a mixing chamber, at least one instruction to start the game session, an identifier, at least one arm, a ball holder, a reader and a tube. The mixing chamber receives the balls for the game session. After receiving an instruction to begin the game session, balls are singly drawn from the mixing chamber. The identifier disposed on each ball uniquely identifies each ball. The arm mixes the balls in the mixing chamber. The ball holder disposed on the arm holds a single ball that is randomly selected from the mixing chamber. The reader reads the identifier of the ball selected by the ball holder. The tube receives each selected ball and holds the selected balls after the identifier reads the ball and until completion of the game session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: TRIPP ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Warren Tripp, Bryan Born, Ray Duer, Al Grinsell, Michael Hall, Ken Juenke, Rick Smith, Matt Walsh
  • Patent number: 9064380
    Abstract: The gaming system that includes a first gaming machine operated by a first player, wherein the first gaming machine is configured to present a game to the first player upon receipt of a wager from the first player, and a second gaming machine operated by a second player, wherein the second gaming machine is configured to present the game to the second player upon receipt of a wager from the second player. The gaming system further includes a processor programmed to receive, from the first player, a request to execute a game play event, and in response to receiving the request to execute the game play event from the first player, execute the game play event for the first player and the second player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 9053609
    Abstract: A method for determining an award during a keno game includes, but is not limited to any of combination of: generating a predetermined number of draws for placement on a keno board during the keno game, wherein the keno board includes a predetermined number of spots; evaluating a plurality of sub-regions of the keno board associated with the keno game for matches between the generated draws and one or more predetermined patterns; and determining an award based on results of the evaluating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel L. DeFrance, Jerry L. Byrd, Christopher K Sehy, Tyson Joehler, Ross D Wenker, Bradford D. Brown
  • Patent number: 9039513
    Abstract: Systems, gaming machines, and methods for displaying an exploding icon are disclosed. One method includes receiving player input to activate a primary game; activating the primary game; presenting the activated game on a single screen of a video display, the activated game comprising a primary game displaying one or more game icons in various locations on a main screen of the video display and upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the primary game appears to animate at least one of the displayed game icons and move one or more wild icons about the main screen of the video display over one or more of the game icons, and randomly replacing one or more of the game icons with the one or more wild icons; determining whether the resulting combination of game icons and wild icons form any winning combinations; and awarding a single game payout for the primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Schultz, Terence G. Daly, Kimberly J. Cohn, William E. Rommerdahl, John LaSalvia, John E. Garofalo, Jr., Nathanial A. Hammond, Jack A. Martin
  • Patent number: 9039510
    Abstract: In a game system or a drawing machine for a jackpot game, a drawing unit of the drawing machine for a jackpot game performs jackpot drawing in a manner that a player who plays a particular game apparatus among a plurality of game apparatuses is not determined as a winning player of a jackpot award, when a sum of an apparatus-specific jackpot balance amount indicated by game apparatus's own apparatus-specific jackpot balance amount data stored in an apparatus-specific jackpot balance amount storage unit and an apparatus-specific maximum loss amount indicated by a game apparatus's own apparatus-specific maximum loss amount data stored in the apparatus-specific maximum loss amount storage unit, is equal to or more than a payout amount indicated by payout amount data stored in a payout amount storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Uchiyama, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Nobuhiro Goto
  • Patent number: 9039509
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may utilize bingo mapping gaming options. The systems and methods may include bingo mapping functionality in a Class II environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Michael Mullins, Donald James Rollo, III, Ray Edward Bornert, II
  • Patent number: 9039519
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may utilize one or more auto-play game functionality. The systems and methods may determine one or more payouts based on the one or more auto-play game functionality. The systems and methods may display one or more presentations based on the one or more auto-play game functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CADILLAC JACK, INC.
    Inventor: Jerish Augustine