Patent Investment & Licensing Company Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160133090 | OPTIMIZING DRAWING PRIZE AWARDS - A promotional game is conducted over participants' cell phones. During a play period, a participant advances on a virtual game board using cell phone commands. During the player period drawing entries are generated proportional to play on electronic gaming devices, play of the promotional game, or retail purchases. Some players receive a multiplier for their drawing entries to enhance chances of winning the promotional game. In one embodiment, the multiplier is removed for a player after a cutoff threshold for prizes awarded to that player is reached. | 05-12-2016 |
20150310380 | DISPATCH SYSTEM HAVING CONTROL SHARED WITH DISPATCHED SERVICE PROVIDERS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for dispatching a person to a location in a casino to respond to a request for service at the location. A dispatched person may use his or her mobile computing device to indicate availability to assist with other calls and may create, join, or intercept a call while on one or more current calls. The dispatch system automatically assigns the same person to all calls generated at the same machine or at different machines that are each associated with the same identified player. The dispatched person may use his or her mobile computing device to selectively switch among the calls on which he or she is currently working. | 10-29-2015 |
20150199870 | METHOD FOR CONFIGURING GAMING DEVICES VIA A NETWORK - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for configuring gaming machines in which configuration data packets are associated with a player's record in a player tracking system. The configuration data packets may have machine identification information in a header that may be associated with each data packet. When a player is recognized at a gaming machine, the player's record is retrieved from the network and data packets associated with the machine at which the player is recognized are read and used to configure the gaming device. Furthermore, data related to outcomes of games played by the player on multiple machines may be collected and used to award a bonus to the player, the bonus being awarded in response to collecting a predefined plurality of outcomes. Data related to bonuses accrued and used may also be associated with the player's record. | 07-16-2015 |
20150133208 | OUTCOME DETERMINATION METHOD FOR GAMING DEVICE - Embodiments of this concept are directed to a method of operating a gaming device to determine game outcomes by using a range of game numbers for winning game outcomes. That is, the gaming device includes a range of numbers associated with a generic winning outcome or each winning outcome to ensure that a winning outcome or specific winning outcome will hit within the specified range. This method may be used a variety of game types including slot machines, video poker, keno, video pachinko, etc. These gaming machines may additionally include one or more proximity indicators or meters associated with the various outcomes. | 05-14-2015 |
20140200068 | METHOD FOR DISPLAYING GAME RESULT - Embodiments of the invention include a gaming device that has a video display. When the player initiates the game, an animation is shown. If the game had a losing outcome, the animation is very short and allows the player to quickly try for a win. If instead the game has a winning outcome the gaming device spins reels or otherwise shows the player how much he or she has one. The animation may also indicate progress toward a mystery jackpot or a group mystery jackpot. | 07-17-2014 |
20140179404 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE GAME PLAY OPTION - Embodiments of this concept are directed to gaming devices that are configured to initiate multiple gaming events in response to a player input. The gaming device may include game initiating inputs that initiate a predetermined number of gaming events in response to the player input, or the gaming device may include configurable game initiating inputs that initiate a number of gaming events specified by the player, specified the gaming device, or specified by a gaming server. The gaming device or gaming server may set the number of initiated game events in response to the occurrence of a triggering event. | 06-26-2014 |
20140171187 | DEGRESSIVE BONUS SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time. | 06-19-2014 |
20140171178 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING ADVANCE GAME INFORMATION ANALYZER - This concept is directed to methods of operating a gaming device to analyze game information that is part of a gaming event having a player interaction in advance of the player interaction to make a determination about the game play. These methods may be used for a variety of gaming devices such as slot machines, video keno devices, video poker machines, electronic table games, internet gaming terminals, etc. In each type of gaming device, these operation methods evaluate future game information during game play to determine one of multiple manners by which the game play will continue. These continuation manners may include changing the speed of game play, determining display characteristics of the game and outcome, providing tips or information to the player about the future game information, automatically initiating a subsequent game, or otherwise altering an aspect of the game play parameters in response to the evaluated game information. | 06-19-2014 |
20140135125 | GAMING DEVICE WITH PERSONALITY - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices that provide audio-visual animated characters in response to game play. The character has a personality that may be encouraging, taunting or another quality. A plurality of expressions of the personality is presented, between one extreme and another, dependant upon the history of game outcomes. | 05-15-2014 |
20140135093 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING VARIABLE SPEED OF PLAY - This concept is directed to gaming devices configured to vary the speed of game play, as well as method of operating gaming devices to vary the speed of play. In some examples of the this concept, a gaming device may be configured to include a game initiating button that when pressed by a player triggers a game processor to ascertain and display a first game outcome, determine if the first game outcome is a winning outcome, and automatically ascertain and display a second game outcome if the first game outcome is not a winning outcome. If the first game outcome is a winning outcome the gaming device may pause to allow the player to appreciate the win before retriggering the processor to ascertain and display subsequent gaming event outcomes, or the gaming device may wait to receive further player input. | 05-15-2014 |
20140094264 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A VIRTUAL WIN - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having at least one winning event and at least one related award that is generated according to a set of rules associated with the game. The game is driven to present a predefined winning outcome and an award is generated as if the winning event and award were generated according to the rules. Also provided are rules and/or conditions for determining when to generate the predefined wining event, including rules that take into account player value to the casino and game volatility preference. | 04-03-2014 |
20140080588 | GAME PERFORMANCE DETERMINATION BY INCREMENTAL REVENUE - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of determining the performance of a gaming device by analyzing the incremental revenue generated by the gaming device. This method may include identifying an analysis period, recording game performance data for a set of gaming devices and a test gaming device during the analysis period, and comparing the recorded data to historical gaming data for the set of gaming devices. Some examples of this method may also include developing parameters for the analysis period and using those developed parameters to normalize the recorded game data for the analysis period prior to comparing the recorded data to the historical gaming data. | 03-20-2014 |
20140080564 | ELECTRONIC WAGERING - The present system incorporates mobile computing devices to play games, such as electronic pull-tabs, in a plurality of venues, each having a local wireless network. Each network communicates with a central system that generates decks of game outcomes and associated awards. All wagers and awards for each game are tracked on the central system, which also provides each game award and associated outcome from a deck stored on the central system. | 03-20-2014 |
20130275169 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A NETWORK OF GAMING MACHINES AND DISPATCHING SERVICE PROVIDERS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for dispatching a person to a location in a casino to respond to a request for service at the location. A listing of persons who may be dispatched to various locations is stored on in a database. At least some of the persons are associated with a primary qualification for the type of service that he or she may provide. A communication on a network of gaming devices is received indicating that service is required a particular location. A signal is automatically sent to a wireless device carried by a person having an appropriate qualification to provide the service. Player tracking data is also sent to permit the provider to personalize the service. | 10-17-2013 |
20130274010 | METHOD OF APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION ABOUT NETWORKED GAMING MACHINES TO PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS - On a network of electronic gaming machines, data regarding the performance of the machines or the players of the machines is collected and processed to make predictions of future jackpots and recommendations of games to play. The predictions and recommendations are delivered via at least one virtual persona that communicates with players or potential players via displays in a casino or on a web browser, via smartphone. Players can conduct conversations with the persona using cellular telephone, text messaging, or other types of Internet communications. | 10-17-2013 |
20130184043 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY INDICATING WIN PROBABILITY - Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game. | 07-18-2013 |
20130116037 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRIGGERING A BONUS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bonus game that is common to a bank of electronic gaming devices. One or more pools accrue with each wager placed. A player qualifies to play the bonus game when at least one tracked player or game criterion, such as wagers made, exceeds a threshold, triggers a mystery-jackpot counter, or is selected by a weighted pay table. The bonus game includes a video display of a wheel bouncing against a brick wall with bricks being exploded by coins. After an opening is formed in the wall and the wheel escapes, a wheel spin determines the bonus game outcome. More than one player may play the bonus game in sequence until the last player spins the wheel. | 05-09-2013 |
20120329550 | BONUS WITH PROXIMITY OF OCCURRENCE RELATED TO BASE GAME OUTCOMES OR PAYBACK PERCENTAGE - Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game. In another aspect, winning the bonus award may be based on payback percentage or outcomes of the base game. In yet another aspect, the timing of the next bonus award can be configured, or otherwise based on one or more conditions. | 12-27-2012 |
20120244933 | DEGRESSIVE BONUS SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time. | 09-27-2012 |
20120202590 | SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING GAMING ACTIVITY - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp. | 08-09-2012 |
20120190426 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING VARIABLE SPEED OF PLAY - This concept is directed to gaming devices configured to vary the speed of game play, as well as method of operating gaming devices to vary the speed of play. In some examples of the this concept, a gaming device may be configured to include a game initiating button that when pressed by a player triggers a game processor to ascertain and display a first game outcome, determine if the first game outcome is a winning outcome, and automatically ascertain and display a second game outcome if the first game outcome is not a winning outcome. If the first game outcome is a winning outcome the gaming device may pause to allow the player to appreciate the win before retriggering the processor to ascertain and display subsequent gaming event outcomes, or the gaming device may wait to receive further player input. | 07-26-2012 |
20120135800 | GENERATING A SCORE RELATED TO PLAY ON GAMING DEVICES - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to generating and displaying a score related to the results of wagering by a player on an electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, a method for generating a score related to play on at least one electronic gaming device includes tracking the amount wagered on the gaming device, tracking the amount awarded by the gaming device, and generating a score related to the tracked amounts. | 05-31-2012 |