Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110244952 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE AND NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM WITH CUSTOMIZABLE PLAYER AVATAR - A method, gaming machine, and networked gaming system are disclosed for operating a wagering game that includes an interface activate-able by a player; a set of game plays, with at least one of the game plays occurring after activation of the interface by the player; and a persistent customizable player avatar interactive with a player and the wagering game, and, providing entertainment and companionship for a player during game play. | 10-06-2011 |
20120077579 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH GAME PLAY INTERRUPT AND RESUME - A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display. Prior to the start of the community feature game, the primary game on the respective gaming machines may be interrupted, the game state stored, and following the conclusion of the community feature game, the game may resume according to its stored game state. | 03-29-2012 |
20120077587 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH REAL-TIME POSITION UPDATES - A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view general and personalized real-time position updates. | 03-29-2012 |
20120077588 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH SLOW MOTION REPLAY - A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view a slow motion finish and/or replay including a flash photograph-effect. | 03-29-2012 |
20120083331 | CONVERTIBLE IN-REVENUE AND OUT-OF-REVENUE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A REAL-TIME STREAMING VIDEO FEED AND DISPLAY - A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode. | 04-05-2012 |
20120083908 | CONVERTIBLE IN-REVENUE AND OUT-OF-REVENUE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A REAL-TIME PLAYER DASHBOARD DISPLAY - A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines wherein each of the gaming machines includes a video camera connected to capture live player video feed during competition or tournament operating mode, and each of the gaming machines is operable to display a tournament game presentation simultaneously with a player dashboard. The player dashboard includes a display of the live player video, the player position, the player score, and remaining time in the competition or tournament. | 04-05-2012 |
20120083909 | TOURNAMENT GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A PLAYER-INTERACTIVE BONUS FEATURE - A tournament game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a tournament game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the tournament game outcome. | 04-05-2012 |
20120122544 | ACCUMULATION GAME OFFERING RESPINS FOR ADDITIONAL WAGERS - A free spin game accumulates symbols to win a prize. An offer is made for the player to purchase additional “free spins” if the game is within a designated threshold number of accumulated symbols for winning a free prize. That is, the player can purchase more spins if they have almost achieved a prize. These re-spins are offered to the player at a price based on expected values of all possible prizes that could be achieved in the re-spin. | 05-17-2012 |
20120122545 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING NETWORK, AND METHODS INCLUDING A DYNAMIC WHEEL - A wagering game, gaming machine, gaming network, and associated methods are disclosed including a dynamic wheel wherein a wheel game includes re-programming the wheel display and associated awards during successive plays. The dynamic wheel may be displayed in a wheel display area of a flat panel display device. The wheel display area along with other display areas may be defined by a bezel positioned over the display surface of the flat panel display device. | 05-17-2012 |
20120122550 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A SIMULTANEOUS SECONDARY GAME - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a different type of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display. | 05-17-2012 |
20120122571 | TOP BOX WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND GAMING MACHINE HAVING A TOP BOX WHEEL ASSEMBLY - A top box wheel assembly and method are disclosed wherein a flat panel display is mounted on a rectangular shaped cabinet top box structure and a circular bezel structure overlays the flat panel display such that a wheel-shaped display area is provided. The circular bezel structure also is shown to include a rectangular cutout base to also provide a rectangular-shaped display area. The circular bezel structure is further shown to include a circular pattern of LEDs which may be operated synchronously or quasi-synchronously with the wheel-shaped display area on which a rotating wheel may be displayed together with an indicator. | 05-17-2012 |
20120172105 | GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A DYNAMIC BINGO CARD - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more dynamic bingo cards or artifices wherein each daubed number on a bingo card is removed from its initial location and re-located to the last position of the payline on which the daubed number is positioned and at least one other number on the associated payline is moved to replace the position vacated by the daubed number. Once the final number is drawn, paylines with all daubed numbers are paid according to the paytable. If all positions on a bingo card are daubed, then a progressive or other jackpot award may be paid. | 07-05-2012 |
20120295688 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH NUDGING RE-SPINNING STACKED WILDS - 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. | 11-22-2012 |
20120295689 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A MATCHING SYMBOLS BONUS TRIGGER - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with a first set of reels operable to randomly determine a primary game outcome and a pair of reels positioned about the first set of reels and operable to randomly determine an indicia pair outcome, the indicia pair outcome operable to modify the primary game outcome. In the event that the indicia pair outcome includes a matching pair of designated indicia, then a bonus (or feature) game may be triggered wherein the matching pair are locked in place while one or more free spins of the first set of reels occurs, and, awards are provided for each winning outcome. | 11-22-2012 |
20130035151 | SLOT MACHINE GAME WITH ALTERNATING WILD SYMBOL - A modified pick selection bonus game feature is provided including picking hidden selections to accumulate matching symbols and win a prize. The game includes improved features such as a prize bump bonus symbols to increase the value of all available bonus prizes. | 02-07-2013 |
20130072278 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A PLAYER-SELECTABLE MULTI-GAME MIX AND MATCH FEATURE - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides a player-selectable base game and a player-selectable side game, both of which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The selected base game may be one of several themes or types of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the selected side game may be one of several themes or types of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary or an alternate display. The potential prizes may be stand-alone as with a prize table or networked as with a prize pool having fixed or progressive prizes. | 03-21-2013 |
20130072293 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A SIMULTANEOUS SECONDARY SCRATCH-OFF-STYLE GAME - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaining machine provides both a base game and a scratch-off-style side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a ticket or number-based type of game, such as a lottery or sweepstakes style game, displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display wherein a player may be able to directly purchase chances to win one or more prizes in the ticket/number-based side game and/or be awarded a selected number of tickets/numbers/win-opportunities based on the amount of the player's wager in the primary game. The potential prizes may be stand-alone as with a prize table or networked as with a prize pool, such as in the case of a lottery or sweepstakes style game. | 03-21-2013 |
20130079107 | WAGERING GAME METHOD, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FACILITATING TOURNAMENT PLAY - A method includes receiving one or more primary game inputs at a gaming machine, each primary game input defining a wager for a respective play of a primary game presented through the gaming machine and also initiating the respective play of the primary game. Each qualifying wager in the primary game offered through the gaming machine is applied in a predefined fashion toward to an entry fee in one or more gaming machine tournaments. Ultimately, the value of the tournament entry fee account may reach a first level which is predefined as a level required for participation in a tournament. Once this level has been reached, the method includes enabling the affected player to participate in the tournament. Thus the player need not stop play of the wagering game to pay any entry fee which may be required for participation in a tournament game. | 03-28-2013 |
20130079119 | WAGERING GAME METHOD, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FACILITATING TOURNAMENT PLAY - A method includes receiving one or more primary game inputs at a gaming machine, each primary game input defining a wager for a respective play of a primary game presented through the gaming machine and also initiating the respective play of the primary game. Each qualifying wager in the primary game offered through the gaming machine is applied in a predefined fashion toward an entry fee in one or more gaming machine tournaments. Ultimately, the value of the tournament entry fee account may reach a first level which is predefined as a level required for participation in a tournament. Once this level has been reached, the method includes enabling the affected player to participate in the tournament. Thus the player need not stop play of the wagering game to pay any entry fee which may be required for participation in a tournament game. | 03-28-2013 |
20130084948 | WAGERING GAME METHOD, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT PROVIDING AN ENHANCED TOURNAMENT AWARD FEATURE - Gaming systems and methods provide a tournament game which selectively awards an enhanced tournament play result. The enhanced tournament play result may be of variable value which is selected for the given instance in order to place the receiving tournament player in some predetermined rank in the tournament. Such a variable enhanced tournament play result in the tournament game may be used to help keep all participants interested in the tournament, even those participants who trail the tournament leaders by a wide margin. | 04-04-2013 |
20130116031 | CONVERTIBLE IN-REVENUE AND OUT-OF-REVENUE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A REAL-TIME PLAYER DASHBOARD DISPLAY - A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines wherein each of the gaming machines includes a video camera connected to capture live player video feed during competition or tournament operating mode, and each of the gaming machines is operable to display a tournament game presentation simultaneously with a player dashboard. The player dashboard includes a display of the live player video, the player position, the player score, and remaining time in the competition or tournament. | 05-09-2013 |
20130274004 | WAGERING GAME METHOD, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT PROVIDING LOCAL AND GROUP PROGRESSIVE PRIZES - A progressive prize method for a group of linked gaming machines includes maintaining both a respective local progressive pool for each respective gaming machine in the group and a group progressive pool shared among the group of gaming machines. A local progressive prize trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from a local progressive pool and a separate group progressive trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from the group progressive pool. The group progressive trigger may be based on a count of local progressive prizes that have been awarded. Thus a local progressive trigger may ultimately result in the award of a progressive prize from the group progressive pool rather than the respective local progressive pool. | 10-17-2013 |
20130281171 | SLOT MACHINES WITH WAGER-PER-PLAY SKILL GAMES - Provided is a wager-per-play skill game in which the player's skill is used in selecting one of several random prize distributions or prize pools from which the player's award will be randomly selected. Wagers are preferably entered automatically for each skilled interaction the player makes in the game play area, allowing for continuous play in which the game state persists between wagers. In one version, there is no possibility of complete failure of the skill game, instead every move of the player is given an immediate skill rating or value. The immediate skill rating is used to select an associated prize distribution or prize pool from among multiple distributions or pools, which is then applied to randomly select a prize for the player's move. | 10-24-2013 |
20130281197 | CONVERTIBLE IN-REVENUE AND OUT-OF-REVENUE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A REAL-TIME STREAMING VIDEO FEED AND DISPLAY - A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode. | 10-24-2013 |
20130324211 | GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A DYNAMIC BINGO CARD - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more dynamic bingo cards or artifices wherein each daubed number on a bingo card is removed from its initial location and re-located to the last position of the payline on which the daubed number is positioned and at least one other number on the associated payline is moved to replace the position vacated by the daubed number. Once the final number is drawn, paylines with all daubed numbers are paid according to the paytable. If all positions on a bingo card are daubed, then a progressive or other jackpot award may be paid. | 12-05-2013 |
20140024442 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A BASE GAME AND A SIMULTANEOUS BONUS CURRENCY GAME - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a bonus currency game is operable simultaneously with the primary game. When a player initiates play of the primary game, the bonus currency game is initiated as well. The bonus currency game includes a set of target symbols which have corresponding bonus currency values such that, when a target symbol is activated, such as by a random or quasi-random determination, the bonus currency value associated with the target symbol is awarded to the player. After a player accumulates bonus currency, the player may utilize the currency to purchase various available online items, such as game plays in an arcade. | 01-23-2014 |
20140038689 | GAMING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT PROVIDING PAYLINE ENHANCERS - A method includes designating at least one of the paylines defined through a matrix of symbol locations as an enhanced value payline which is associated with a respective value enhancer. Upon receipt of a game play input to initiate a play of the wagering game at least some of the symbol locations are populated with a respective game symbol for that respective play of the game. Once the game symbols are displayed for a play of the game, the respective value enhancer associated with each respective enhanced value payline is applied to enhance the value of a paytable prize for that respective payline to produce an enhanced prize. The method ultimately includes awarding this enhanced prize for each enhanced value payline and also awarding a respective paytable prize for each winning payline that is not an enhanced value payline. | 02-06-2014 |
20140080571 | GAMING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR GENERATING ADDITIONAL PAYOUT CHANCES IN A WAGERING GAME - 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. | 03-20-2014 |
20140087818 | WAGERING GAME WITH SYMBOL SELECTION GAMEPIECE - A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed including a game feature with one or more symbol selection gamepieces, preferably presented as a graphical “Eye of the Pharaoh,” which, when activated, causes a moving graphical effect to sequentially select various symbols in the gaming array. An interactive player input or a timeout may end the sequential selections, after which the symbol selection gamepiece selects a final selected symbol, on which is based a special award. Perceived-skill and actual-skill versions are disclosed. | 03-27-2014 |
20140100035 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A SIMULTANEOUS SECONDARY GAME - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a different type of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display. | 04-10-2014 |
20140256405 | Player Selection Game With Accumulated Symbol Display - A player selection game feature includes picking hidden selections to accumulate matching symbols and win a prize. Symbol accumulation areas are displayed along with the symbol location field from which player selections are made. These symbol accumulation areas help the player track the game symbols which have been selected. As a prize bump bonus symbols may be included in the player selection game to increase the value of all available prizes in the game. | 09-11-2014 |
20150235519 | WAGERING GAME WITH ADVANCING TARGET ELIMINATION FEATURE - A wagering game is provided including an advancing target elimination game, which may be a base or bonus game. In this game, targets are shown to be advancing toward an objective, and the player is given selectable indicia with which to stop the targets. Each pick election may eliminate (or partially damage) a certain number and/or pattern of targets, with a credit value being awarded for each enemy eliminated. The bonus is played by taking turns between a phase of enemy target appearance and movement and a phase of player pick for enemy target elimination. These two phases alternate until an end-bonus condition is achieved. | 08-20-2015 |
20150243134 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT PROVIDING A PLAYER SELECTION WAGERING GAME WITH ESCALATING PRIZES - Methods and gaming systems provide a player selection game in which the prizes available in the game increase in response to certain player selections from the various player selectable elements. Prizes are increased in a manner that makes it clear to the player that they have obtained an enhanced prize. In particular, prizes are increased in the course of the player selection game so that the lowest prize available after a prize increase is greater than the highest prize available prior to the prize increase. | 08-27-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110045894 | WAGERING SYSTEM WITH VOLATILITY ADJUSTMENT - Gaming systems, methods, and software are provided which adjust the volatility of a gaming machine based on the player's current bankroll. A preferred embodiment includes a method that determines a game player's bankroll amount including cash or credits available for wagering. It then determines the desired payout volatility based on the game player's bankroll amount. From the desired volatility, the method selects a payout table based on the desired volatility. The method then includes receiving a wager input from the player effective to place a wager and conduct a game at a player station with the selected payout table. In some versions, a paytable may be selected directly using bankroll information, without the intermediate step of identifying a desired volatility level. Further, other factors may be considered in choosing the desired volatility or paytable. | 02-24-2011 |
20120077569 | WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING SYSTEM, AND METHOD WITH AN EMBEDDED BONUS GAME - A method of operating a gaming machine includes receiving one or more primary game inputs through the gaming machine to initiate one or more plays of a primary game. After the one or more plays of the primary game, a feature game is initiated and presented at the gaming machine through a display device included with the gaming machine. In response to a triggering event in the feature game and prior to completion of the feature game, the method further includes initiating an embedded bonus game and presenting the embedded bonus game through the display device. Upon completion of the embedded bonus game, the method continues with presenting a remainder of the feature game. The method further includes awarding a total prize for the feature game and embedded bonus game. The total prize is made up of a feature game prize component obtained in the presentation of the feature game and an embedded bonus game prize component obtained in the presentation of the embedded bonus game. | 03-29-2012 |
20120122543 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A PLAYER-SELECTABLE HIGH-DENOMINATION BONUS GAME - A primary game may display multiple bonus game selection symbols on a reel. The bonus game selection symbols allow the player to choose a bonus game. The bonus game simulates a play in an actual wagering game with a wager that would normally be higher than the wager in the primary game. | 05-17-2012 |
20130045792 | SLOT MACHINE GAME WITH SELECTION BONUS GAME HAVING MODIFIER SYMBOLS - A slot machine has a player selection bonus game where a player selects concealed gamepieces from a group to reveal the value of the gamepiece. The preferred game has a burger building theme in which the game rules are related to building one or more hamburgers, and the hidden gamepieces represent burger ingredients. A particular selection allows the player to win larger prizes for future selections. Other designated selections may modify future selections still further (2× and 3× multipliers for double-decker and triple-decker bun selections). Certain gamepieces may change their function based on the context or state of the bonus game. | 02-21-2013 |
20130065662 | SLOT MACHINE GAME WITH BONUS GAME HAVING SELECTABLE MODIFIER ELEMENTS - A game is provided, including a free spin bonus game with selectable modifier feature, known in a preferred embodiment as a bank heist bonus game. Before each free spin, the player picks a vault to receive a modifier element that applies to the free spin. The modifier element may be a credit prize, increment bonus multiplier, award additional spins, or turn a random reel wild (may be maintained wild for all remaining free spins or a designated number of free spins), for example. Additional spins can also be retriggered on the reels up to a maximum of 20 free spins (get all the vaults). To begin the free spin bonus game, the game may prompt the player for some type of biometric input and either read or appear to read biometric data as part of the game theme. | 03-14-2013 |
20130065663 | SLOT MACHINE GAME WITH EXPANDING POSITIONS - Systems, methods, and program products are taught which provide a slot machine game that increases the size of the symbol array as a mystery feature. As the player spins the reels, the number of positions available on each reel grows randomly to allow more paylines. Other embodiments may include free spin bonuses, as well as bonus features that further increase the number of positions on each reel, and adjust the probability of reel expansions based on the current array size. | 03-14-2013 |
20130065676 | SLOT MACHINE HAVING MULTIPLE PROGRESSIVE JACKPOTS - Provided is a variable jackpot meter feature for progressive games (either single or multiple tiered), which may be embodied in a game, a method of conducting or providing the game, or a system or program product. The meter coordinates graphics to the increasing value of the progressive jackpots. At its reset value, the progressive meter may be displayed in its least exciting graphical state indicating low “heat.” As the progressive meter value grows, the associated graphics would increase to indicate the amount has grown. By the time the progressive meter's value has reached or exceeded the progressive's expected value, the graphics may be in their most excited/active/hottest state. This state reinforces to the player that the progressive is a high value and it is a good time to try to win the prize. | 03-14-2013 |
20140094263 | SLOT MACHINE GAME WITH EXPANDING POSITIONS - Systems, methods, and program products are taught which provide a slot machine game that increases the size of the symbol array as a mystery feature. As the player spins the reels, the number of positions available on each reel grows randomly to allow more paylines. Other embodiments may include free spin bonuses, as well as bonus features that further increase the number of positions on each reel, and adjust the probability of reel expansions based on the current array size. | 04-03-2014 |