Amusement devices: games inventions 01/08

20080026804 - Fantasy sports agent: A fantasy sports alert agent provides notifications of relevant news articles and occurrences in a fantasy sports game, such as fantasy team roster changes or player trades, and also suggests changes to a fantasy team roster to improve the team's chances of winning. The notifications are based on items of... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080026805 - Selection apparatus: A selection apparatus including input means for accepting an input from a user, output means for generating an output based on the input, storage means for storing a dependence between the inputs and the outputs, selection means for enabling the apparatus to select a particular dependence from a number of... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P. Intellectual Property Group

20080026806 - Poker-type game and method: A poker-style game and method in which a player who is one card away from achieving a royal flush, following receipt of 0-5 replacement cards, is provided the option to receive one or more supplemental cards for no additional wager. The supplemental cards are drawn from one or more decks... Agent: Weiss & Moy PC

20080026808 - Gaming machine and gaming method thereof: A gaming environment having plural jackpots in which plural jackpot value storages arranged is described. When a bet operation is conducted, one or more jackpots to be accumulated a portion of a bet value may be randomly selected among the plural jackpots, and then the bet value may be accumulatively... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20080026807 - Method for implementing a live dealer game: A method for implementing a Live Dealer game is disclosed. A live feed of game-play at a gaming table is sent to a remote player. During play, a server receives an indication of a rank and suit of a dealt card. If the card has not yet been revealed at... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20080026809 - Lottery game with interactive game indicia selection: An interactive game in which a player and a gaming organization are each assigned game indicia. The game includes identifying a first game indicia selected by the game player with a first game indicia selected by the gaming organization thereafter, whereupon the player and the gaming organization each then select... Agent: Mr Steven R Leblanc Scientific Games International Inc

20080026810 - Premiums for early redemption of lottery entries: Described are methods, systems and apparatus for providing an enhanced lottery payout to players who redeem winning lottery entries in accordance with predefined conditions. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a request to redeem a lottery entry, determining that the lottery entry is a winning entry, determining a time... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080026813 - Gaming device having competitive/bonus matching game: A gaming device including a display device, a plurality of different symbols displayable by the display device, a processor, an input device operable with the processor to enable a player to pick a number of the different symbols for the play of the game, the processor configured for said play... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080026812 - Non-traditional poker wagering game: A wagering game is played with symbol indicia having an order or rank. A player places a first wager to play in an underlying game. The player receives at least or exactly two indicia which are positioned among three possible orientations by the player. There is one indicia each, in... Agent: Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.

20080026814 - Gaming machine: It is possible to stabilize the profit of the game arcade by keeping the expectation value without compromising the amusement of the game. And further it is possible to provide a gaming machine that satisfies various tastes of a player. A plurality of symbols is displayed in a stationary manner... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080026815 - Gaming machine: It is possible to stabilize the profit of the game arcade by keeping the expectation value without compromising the amusement of the game. And further it is possible to provide a gaming machine that satisfies various tastes of a player. A plurality of symbols is displayed in a stationary manner... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080026816 - Providing benefits to players who agree to appropriation of a portion of future winnings: The invention includes methods and apparatus for providing a benefit to a player in return for the player agreeing to have a portion of at least one anticipated future winning outcome appropriated during play of a wagering game. In an embodiment, the method includes providing an offer for a benefit... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080026817 - Slot machine and playing method thereof: A slot machine executes either a base game or a stop control game. When executing the stop control game, the slot machine causes symbols to come to a stop on a payline in accordance with a stop operation by a player. The slot machine varies the number of coins to... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20080026818 - Slot machine and playing method thereof: When a combination of symbols rearranged in a unit game during the execution of the base game is a specific combination, a transition is made to a stop control game for stopping the scrolled symbols by pressing a stop switch, as a second game. Then, a prize is awarded when... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20080026819 - Slot machine and playing method thereof: If a combination of symbols re-arranged in a unit game at a time of executing a base game is a specific combination, transition to a second game is executed and display lamps of stop switches as a display device are lit. Thereby, transition from the base game to a second... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20080026820 - Slot machine and playing method thereof: A slot machine executes either a base game or a stop control game. The stop control game is constituted by plural stop control unit games. In the stop control unit game, symbols come to a stop on a payline in accordance with a stop operation by a player. When executing... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20080026821 - Slot machine and playing method thereof: In a slot machine according to the present invention, all symbols arranged on a display are formed from scatter symbols. Further, if desired credits are betted by, for example, inserting coins therein, a type of symbols which corresponds to the number of BETs is made effective. For example, if the... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20080026825 - Game medium processing device and gaming machine: A game medium processing device includes a bill processing unit that performs bill processing, a card processing unit that performs a card processing, and a controller. The bill processing unit includes a bill insertion slot through which bill is inserted, and a bill discrimination unit that determines validity of the... Agent: Mcginn Intellectual Property Law Group, PLLC

20080026824 - Gaming system with linked gaming machines that are configurable to have a same probalility of winning a designated award: A gaming system that is controlled by a central controller and includes a plurality of gaming machines. Each of the gaming machines includes a game operable upon a wager by a player, a plurality of winning symbol combinations including a designated winning symbol combination and a probability of achieving the... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080026823 - Reusable cashless instruments for gaming machines and systems: Systems and methods for utilizing reusable tickets or other suitable cashless instruments for gaming machines systems are disclosed. Each reusable cashless instrument includes a unique validation code designated thereon, an associated monetary value and no monetary designation stored or encoded thereon. The validation code corresponds to an associated account stored... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080026822 - Wagering game benefits redeemable at another gaming device: Methods and apparatus are described for offering a benefit to a player of a first electronic game device. In an embodiment, the method includes determining if a player of a first electronic game device qualifies to receive at least one benefit associated with an award value, and then outputting an... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080026833 - Gaming machine and gaming method thereof: A gaming environment having plural jackpots in which plural jackpot value storages arranged is described. When a bet operation is conducted, one or more jackpots to be accumulated a portion of a bet value may be selected among the plural jackpots based on a predetermined rule, and then the bet... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20080026834 - Game system, gaming machine, and method for providing game that provides a plurality of bonus pools: A game system includes: a plurality of gaming machines that is provided for each of players, each of the gaming machines receiving a bet from respective one of the players; and a controller that is connected to the gaming machines and operates to: store a part of the bet in... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080026838 - Multi-player non-role-playing virtual world games: method for two-way interaction between participants and multi-player virtual world games: The present novel Game System is directed toward inserting a player into a virtual world, where the player's real world actions, articulated movements, activities and skills determine what actions and activities his Avatar in the virtual world does. Conversely, experiences of the Avatar in the Virtual World are translated back... Agent: James Dunstan

20080026839 - Interactive gaming system with attribute indicators, such as online poker rooms with attribute indicators: A system and method of displaying attributes related to opposing players and game objects to a user is described. In some examples, the system displays indicators that relate to attributes assigned to opposing players during a game, such as attributes assigned by the user. In some examples, the system displays... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP

20080026846 - Structured gaming system: An automated system is described for organizing and operating multi-player and multi-game and/or multi-round competitions. Players purchase game software and interact through their player microprocessors PMP1 (103), PMP2 (105), PMP3 (107), PMP4 (109), PMP5 (111), PMP6 (113) to connect to a master controller (MC)(101) to register for game play. The... Agent: L. Zale Patent Law Office

20080026845 - Wake-on-event game client and monitor for persistent world game environment: A mechanism is provided for automatically waking a game client responsive to game events occurring within a persistent world online game. An event monitor monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule,... Agent: Ibm Corp. (wip) C/o Walder Intellectual Property Law, P.C.

20080026854 - Gaming machine with modular bus: A modular gaming machine system has a first gaming box with a main processor configured to control a game of chance played on the gaming machine by executing game code that uses gaming instructions received from a PCI-e controller. At least one interface is coupled to the first gaming box... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080026811 - System and method for buying and playing electronic instant scratch off games: A plurality of electronic records, stored in a database, each representing an electronic instant scratch off game ticket, the records comprising an identifier and a prize. A lottery transaction processing module is also disclosed which facilitates the purchasing, via a communications network, of at least one of the electronic instant... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20080026827 - Amusement gaming system: Method and apparatus employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up a game for one or a plurality of players including controlling a numbers of factors such as regulating rate of play, betting limits, providing advertising matter, creating a tournament, to name just a few. The system typically includes... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080026826 - Automated poker table: The automated poker table of the present invention allows for live, face-to-face play of all types of poker games and limits without the need for live dealers, cards or chips. All aspects of the game play may be automated so hands are played faster, and downtime is reduced. The system... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20080026828 - Baccarat gaming apparatus and baccarat gaming method: A baccarat gaming apparatus includes one or more bet receiving devices and a processor. Each of the one or more bet receiving devices receives a bet made by a player on any of objects. The processor calculates a difference in total amount of bets made on the respective objects which... Agent: Mcginn Intellectual Property Law Group, PLLC

20080026829 - Cashless gaming system and method with monitoring: A wagering game system is described herein. In embodiments the wagering game system comprises a plurality of player terminals configured to present wagering games and to collect player activity information associated with the wagering games, the player activity information indicating player inputs and financial transactions. In embodiments, the wagering game... Agent: Wms Gaming (delizio Gilliam) C/o Delizio Gilliam, PLLC

20080026830 - Method for assigning a global reputation for multiple websites: A method of assigning a global reputation to a user at a website. The global reputation of the user is used for the user at many other websites.... Agent: Steven Laut

20080026831 - Method or apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games: A method and apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games is disclosed. The plurality of games includes a first game, provided by a gaming machine, and a second game, provided by a second game controller. The method includes the steps of receiving... Agent: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.l.l.c.

20080026832 - Networked gaming system: In one form there is disclosed a method of triggering an event in a gaming machine network including a plurality of gaming machines. The method includes defining at least one first level trigger event which can be associated with at least one of the plurality of gaming machines and in... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080026835 - Game system, gaming machine, a method for providing game that provides a plurality of bonus pools: A game system includes: a plurality of gaming machines that is provided for each of players, each of the gaming machines receiving a bet from respective one of the players; a display; and a controller that is connected to the gaming machines and operates to: store a part of the... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080026837 - Multi-station gaming system and method: Gaming methods, apparatus, and program products prompt players to move between different gaming machines or player stations included in a gaming system. One preferred method includes receiving a player input at a first player station in a network gaming system. Upon receiving the player input at the first player station,... Agent: The Culbertson Group, P.C.

20080026836 - Unauthorized conduct prevention method and machine: In the present invention, a start count Ns of a game and an end count of a game finished properly Ne are compared. When the two do not agree a predetermined number of times, an error signal is generated. Based on this error signal, the game machine outputs an error... Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP

20080026840 - Gaming device having multiple interrelated secondary games: A gaming device and a method for operating the gaming device including interrelating bonus games in a bonus round by providing outcomes which transfer the player to one of the other interrelated bonus games. Each bonus game includes a different set of outcomes depending on what order the bonus game... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080026841 - Method and apparatus for graphically portraying gaming environment and information regarding components thereof: A method and apparatus for providing a graphical representation of a gaming environment and for providing information regarding individual components or persons located in the environment are provided. The invention includes a graphical user interface which displays a graphical representation of at least a portion of a gaming environment, such... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080026842 - Game program, game device, and game method: The present invention allows a player to easily instruct a character displayed on a monitor to execute a plurality of commands. If an input signal is input from a contact input type monitor, an input position on the contact input type monitor, which corresponds to the input signal, is recognized... Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP

20080026843 - Game program, game device, and game method: When a touch pen is brought into contact with a lower liquid crystal monitor, a first contact position is recognized. When the touch pen is moved while kept in contact with the monitor, the position to which the pen is moved is recognized as a second contact position. A movement... Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP

20080026844 - Wireless game player: A disclosed gaming machine provides methods and apparatus for operating a wireless game player that presents a game of chance executed on a gaming machine in communication with the wireless game player. In one embodiment, the wireless game player is a hand-held mobile device, electronically linked to a licensed gaming... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080026851 - Card game: A method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method includes: a) dealing on or more cards to each player; b) taking an action based on the cards, where the action is selected from the group consisting of: betting, raising, calling, checking, and folding; c) determining a winning hand... Agent: Bereskin And Parr

20080026852 - Game system and game control method: On a top portion of a server, there are provided notice means of 1st notice portions consisting of rotary lights. The 1st notice portions are turned on, when there is a terminal machine for which the lottery of the jackpot is executed. On a top portion of each terminal machine,... Agent: Jordan And Hamburg LLP

20080026848 - Gaming system: A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and at least one server system. The method includes providing at least a first gaming service to each gaming machine by way of one or more first software processes and providing at least one second service common... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080026850 - Gaming system and method for receiving information destined for a gaming client: A gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Further included is a server in communication with the gaming clients, and a computer in communication with the server. The computer is equipped with a... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080026847 - Massive multi player online video game that progresses in eras: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosed invention enables a game environment that progresses in discrete time frames such as eras or ages. Under certain controlled situations, play may return to previous eras via temporary time travel to alter or change the outcome... Agent: Gonzales Patent Services

20080026849 - System and method for allowing intercommunication among distributed users in a gaming environment: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Initially, a user of a gaming machine is identified, along with at least one other party. In uses, communication between the user and the at least one other party is provided. In another embodiment, first identified is a first user of... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080026853 - Gaming machine with power-hit tolerant data storage: Disclosed is a gaming machine capable of data restoration.... Agent: Bally Gaming Inc.

20080020819 - Gaming machine, gaming system, and game control method: A gaming machine comprises: a selection switch capable of entering an input for selecting one out of a plurality of kinds of special games to be played a predetermined number of times without making any bet; and a processor unit for executing a determination process for determining a multiplication factor... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080020821 - Gaming machine, management server, and game control method: A gaming machine is provided with an enhanced entertainment feature, incorporating an element similar to the trading of stocks and bonds in a game. The gaming machine is connected via a communication line to a management server that determines a conversion rate based on a conversion history between credit data... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080020845 - Customizable and personal game offerings for use with a gaming machine: Described herein are systems and methods that offer a personalized set of recommended games to an individual. The systems and methods collect personal game selection information for a person, such as demographic information and/or previous gaming experience data. The collected information is then analyzed and used to select a set... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020814 - Broadband gaming system and method: The invention includes a system and method for validating a selection made by a user in connection with a remote application. A video feed that includes at least one image is received from a video source. Corresponding video metadata that includes electronic information representing the at least one image in... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080020815 - Gaming system with blackjack primary game and poker secondary game: A gaming device having a primary game and a secondary game is provided. The gaming device includes a primary game, such as blackjack or 21 operable on a wager by a player, and an optional secondary game that is operable on a secondary game wager by a player. After placing... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020818 - Gaming machine with bonus feature: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080020817 - Gaming system having multiple gaming devices that share a multi-outcome display: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020816 - Multiple-state display for a gaming apparatus: A gaming apparatus may include a display system, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display system and value input device. The display system may include a first display unit, a second video display unit disposed in front of the first display unit and a light... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020820 - Gaming machine and game control method: To provide a gaming machine which can carry out a lizhi effect rich in impact without giving a feeling of boredom. A gaming machine being provided with a display device, which can display an image and can be switched to a transmissive condition or a non-transmissive condition, in front of... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080020826 - Cashless computerized video game system and method: A cashless wagering game system is described herein. In some embodiments, the wagering game system includes a control network. The control network can include an account server configured to receive player activity information and demographic information over a network, wherein the player activity information includes a financial transaction associated with... Agent: Wms Gaming (delizio Gilliam) C/o Delizio Gilliam, PLLC

20080020827 - Casino display methods and devices: Novel methods, devices and systems are described for forming displays and creating environments in a casino. Some implementations of the invention provide configurable gaming machine skins, which may be formed from electronic paper or the like. Casino environments may be created in accordance with a game theme and/or to indicate... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020823 - Gaming system and method for providing group play with divided bonus features: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020822 - Gaming system and method for providing multiple players multiple bonus awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020824 - Gaming system and method for providing multiple players multiple bonus awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020825 - Gaming system which provides multiple players multiple bonus awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020829 - Gaming system which provides multiple players multiple bonus awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020828 - Video gaming device and communications system: A video gaming device includes a game computer which is connected to a central computer and a plurality of player stations connected to the game computer. Connection of the player stations may be effected using an interface device which includes at least one serial port which has a transmit line... Agent: Jones, Tullar & Cooper, P.C.

20080020832 - Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020833 - Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020834 - Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020830 - Universal progressive game pool: The present invention provides systems and methods that allow gaming machines to participate in a progressive pool and offer a progressive award regardless of the game installed on the gaming machine. The present invention also permits gaming machine participation in a progressive pool regardless of wager amount. This permits larger... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020831 - Universal progressive game pool: The present invention provides systems and methods that allow gaming machines to participate in a progressive pool and offer a progressive award regardless of the game installed on the gaming machine. The present invention also permits gaming machine participation in a progressive pool regardless of wager amount. This permits larger... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020835 - Method and apparatus for securing gaming machine operating data: A method and apparatus for securing control or operating code or data of a gaming machine is disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of obtaining gaming device operational code encrypted in a symmetrical encryption process with a first private key, providing the encrypted code to the gaming... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020836 - Gaming device having changed or generated player stimuli: A gaming system which maintains a count of the consecutive plays of a game. The system produces a same player stimuli for a designated quantity of the consecutive plays, and the system produces a different player stimuli for one or more of the plays which occur after the designated quantity... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020839 - Gaming machine with layered displays: The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multiple display devices arranged in a common line of sight. An intermediate display device or light filter may be included between the exterior display device and the interior display device. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior display device... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020840 - Gaming machine with layered displays: The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multiple display devices arranged in a common line of sight. An intermediate display device or light filter may be included between the exterior display device and the interior display device. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior display device... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020841 - Gaming machine with layered displays: The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multiple display devices arranged in a common line of sight. An intermediate display device or light filter may be included between the exterior display device and the interior display device. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior display device... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020838 - Interface for a peripheral device and a light tower for a gaming machine: An interface for a peripheral device. The interface may be for a light tower (15) of a gaming machine (100). The interface has a first input (L1) to receive first control signals and a first output (L2) connected or connectable to components of the peripheral device, for example stage drivers... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080020837 - Presenting media in a gaming device: A method and apparatus for presenting media in a gaming device are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a pre-recorded media segment from a set of pre-recorded media segments, wherein the selecting is performed by a gaming device. The method also includes receiving, in the gaming device,... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner/wms Gaming

20080020842 - Gaming system having multiple gaming devices that share a multi-outcome display: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020843 - Method and apparatus using insertably-removable auxiliary devices to play games over a communications link: A method and apparatus that identifies and safely couples an insertably-removable auxiliary device (IRAD) to a processor so that games can be played over a communications link without damaging the IRAD or the processor. An auxiliary connector, into which the IRAD is inserted, is not connected to the processor until... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080020848 - Adventure sequence activities: Some implementations of the invention provide methods and devices for various types of adventure sequences that preferably involve, at least in part, wagering games. Such sequences may involve wagering and/or other games at a plurality of gaming devices, tables and/or gaming establishments. Some implementations provide a virtual gaming experience wherein... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020847 - Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s)... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020846 - Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

20080020844 - System, terminal and method for influencing a course of payment: The invention relates to a system for influencing the course of payment during a transaction. The system comprises a point-of-sale terminal, arranged to provide an amount that has to be paid for the transaction; a lottery terminal, comprising a processing device, a first operating device for operation by a customer,... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080020849 - Gaming device with write only mass storage: A method and apparatus for collecting data in read-only manner from a gaming system is disclosed. In one embodiment, during gaming machine use, operation data regarding any aspect of a gaming machine is provided to a record-only data collection device configured to temporarily interface with a gaming machine that has... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080020850 - Ultra-low mass composite personal defense baton: A hollow, perforated, high-strength composite personal defense baton for personal protection has ultra-low mass for reduced likelihood and/or severity of blunt trauma injury. The baton may be held and wielded at any point along the body or shaft of the baton. Due to the low mass and perforations, one or... Agent: Goodwin Procter LLP Patent Administrator

20080015003 - Enhanced commentary system for 3d computer entertainment: A method and system are directed towards providing interactive commentaries within a video game. The interactive commentaries are configured to increase a value of the video game by enhancing the video game with interactive rich commentaries regarding features and concepts of the video game and/or its construction. The interactive commentaries... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20080015004 - Method and system for time gaming with skill wagering opportunities: A method and system for players to purchase a time credit, play a vibrant console type skill game and place countless numbers of bets until the time credit has elapsed. A two-player console type skill game allows two players to enter a fierce challenge and place countless numbers of bets... Agent: Young Law Firm, P.C. Alan W. Young

20080015030 - Networked computerized wager-based game system: A wager-based gaming system provides a wager-based game playable by a player from a player computer on the table. The player computer receives player inputs, including wagers, from the player and transmits them to a game server communicably connected thereto and which applies game logic defining the game and defined... Agent: Franz Bonsang C/o Equinox Protection

20080015005 - Advanced progressive wager game: A method for operating a lottery style game of chance is disclosed that offers a player the opportunity to parlay previous prize winnings into larger potential prize winnings, comprising the steps of selecting a single number from a group of numbers for a given drawing period, randomly generating a winning... Agent: Mastrogiacomo PLLC

20080015007 - Instant-win lottery game and ticket: A method for playing an extension game to an instant lottery game is disclosed. A player purchases an instant lottery game and wins a prize for the instant lottery game. The player is provided a chance to partcipate in the extension game of double-or-nothing. If the player choses to participate... Agent: Dority & Manning, P.A.

20080015006 - System and method for operating a matching game in conjunction with a transaction on a gaming machine: A matching game is triggered for play by a plurality of players while the players are performing a transaction. A matching rule is established for playing the matching game and a jackpot pool is established for awarding prizes to the players. The players are allowed to initiate a session by... Agent: Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.

20080015011 - Bonus game awarding and displaying selected values: Various bonus games for being played on a gaming machine are described. The base game may consist of the random selection and display of a 5×3 matrix of symbols. In one bonus game (FIGS. 5-7), upon a certain outcome of the base game including special symbols, all symbols in the... Agent: Patent Law Group LLP

20080015010 - Camera-equipped networked gaming machine system and method for two-way communication: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided involving a plurality of networked gaming machines. Each of the networked gaming machines is equipped with a display and/or a speaker for providing output, and a camera and/or a microphone for receiving input. In use, the communication devices are capable of... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080015008 - Game for using remainder and partial credits: A game usable by a player to make use of either residual game credits or partial game credits is disclosed. New aspects of the game include a fixed wager amount that is convertible with valid voucher from other games in a casino, a fixed win amount per game win event... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson, LLP

20080015009 - Gaming device and method of use: A gaming apparatus is configured to allow a player to place a wager and play a game. The gaming apparatus includes a bonus display that indicates a bonus prize to be awarded to a player. The bonus display includes a moveable indicator and an indicator positioning mechanism that is coupled... Agent: Ian F. Burns & Associates

20080015014 - Cashless gaming system: apparatus and method: An apparatus and method for cashless gaming wherein a player can access credits via a pin activated keypad located on the gaming machine. Real-time accounting allows the player to redeem credits and secure perquisites as a function of patronage.... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080015013 - Game access device with time varying signal: Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user... Agent: Dean P. Alderucci

20080015012 - Wagering game with enhanced progressive game: A method of playing a wagering game, the wagering game having a basic game and a multi-level secondary game. The method includes conducting the basic game at a gaming terminal. In response to achieving a first-level secondary game entry award, a first-level secondary game is activated. A first set of... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20080015016 - Combined biometric/smart-device identification system and method for a gaming environment: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Initially, biometric information, and smart device and/or personal identifier information are received from a gaming machine user. Such received biometric information, and smart device and/or personal identifier information are then reconciled. Use of the gaming machine and/or a gaming-related transaction is... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080015015 - Systems and methods for gaming dongles: Some embodiments are associated with gaming dongles. Some gaming dongles may store value that is utilized to play a video game and/or to participate in a video game tournament. Some gaming dongles may determine and/or store gaming signatures, biometric information, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) information. Some gaming dongles may... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080015017 - Game controller: A video game controller for a video game and a receptor assembly may include a controller core unit including a housing formed with a top, bottom and opposite sides, at least the top having a plurality of control buttons thereon; and a base portion provided with a first connector; a... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080015018 - Systems and methods for location based games and employment of the same on location enabled devices: A location-based game system is provided. Such a system may take the form of any device (e.g., a wireless telephone) that includes a locating device (e.g., a GPS system). One such location-based game may operate such that the actual, physical location of a user on a physical playfield corresponds to... Agent: Jeffrey D. Mullen

20080015019 - Gaming system and method in which a server is in communication with a central repository of a game application: A gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Further included is a server in communication with the gamming clients. In addition, the server is in communication with a central repository of at least... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080015020 - Matching numerical values: A method is disclosed of generating a broadcast from a broadcasting station (BS) in response to an input from a telephone (T1 to T5) to a computer (C) associated with the station, wherein: a numerical code is stored in the computer; a telephone link (TL1 to TL5) is established between... Agent: Mrs Alison Spears Rasprodz (uk) Limited

20080015027 - Centralized game board system and method for enhanced network-enabled features in a gaming environment: A centralized gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Further included is a centralized repository of computer processing units. Each of the computer processing units is connected to at least one of the... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080015026 - Daisy-chain/tapped network system and method for a gaming environment: A gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Included are a plurality of gaming machines and a high-speed network. Such network couples the gaming machines in either a daisy-chain and/or tapped configuration.... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080015028 - Gaming system and method for providing communication between a gaming client and a server by a switching protocol: A gaming system and associated method are provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. Also included is a server in communication with the gaming clients. Further, communication between the gaming clients and the server is provided by a switching... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080015029 - Gaming system in which a central repository of a game application is in communication with a gaming client via a network: A gaming system is provided. Included is a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device. In addition, the gaming clients are each positioned on at least one of a casino floor, a hotel room, and an arcade room. Also included is a central... Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC

20080015021 - Method and apparatus for providing instructions to gaming devices: In various embodiments a casino has the flexibility to download games from a central controller to the gaming devices on the casino floor. The success of various games is periodically monitored. If a game is successful, as measured by its profitability or by some other success metric, then the game... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080015022 - Method and apparatus for providing instructions to gaming devices: In various embodiments a casino has the flexibility to download games from a central controller to the gaming devices on the casino floor. The success of various games is periodically monitored. If a game is successful, as measured by its profitability or by some other success metric, then the game... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080015023 - Method and apparatus for providing instructions to gaming devices: In various embodiments a casino has the flexibility to download games from a central controller to the gaming devices on the casino floor. The success of various games is periodically monitored. If a game is successful, as measured by its profitability or by some other success metric, then the game... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080015024 - Systems and methods for location based games and employment of the same on location enabled devices: A location-based game system is provided. Such a system may take the form of any device (e.g., a wireless telephone) that includes a locating device (e.g., a GPS system). One such location-based game may operate such that the actual, physical location of a user on a physical playfield corresponds to... Agent: Jeffrey D. Mullen

20080015025 - Video gaming device with pivotally mounted printer module: A video gaming device includes a games console. The games console includes a disc reader module configured to load a game stored on a disc. A printer module is pivotally mounted relative to the disc reader module and is configured to print game information on print media. A controller module... Agent: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd

20080015031 - Game program and game apparatus: An inclination of a first unit is detected based on an output from a first acceleration sensor provided in a first unit of a controller, and an inclination of a second unit is detected based on an output from a second acceleration sensor provided in a second unit separate from... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20080015032 - Combination fingerprint reader and i/o devices for gaming machines: User interfaces replacing a bill acceptor in a gaming machine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the user interface includes a bill acceptor, fingerprint reader, and a wireless interface. These components of the user interface communicate with a gaming machine motherboard via a preexisting game machine connection.... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson, LLP

20080009332 - User interface apparatus and operational sensitivity adjusting method: A controller interface processor of a user interface apparatus acquires the tilt of a game controller as a rotational value from a sensor built in the game controller. An operation amount determining unit selects a sensitivity characteristic pattern from a plurality of sensitivity characteristic patterns different in the reaction sensitivity... Agent: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

20080009335 - Method and apparatus for determining a game series comprising a plurality of individually selectable wagering games: A wagering method is provided that allows players or gaming establishments to specify conditions which when satisfied, reconfigure the gaming device to change game play from a first game to a second game. The condition may depend upon the value of a parameter—generally related to game play—to determine if the... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080009333 - Method and apparatus for enabling a player to simultaneously control game play on multiple gaming devices: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a gaming system is operable to determine a first gaming device being operated by a player and select a second gaming device to be controlled, via the first gaming device, by the player. In some embodiments, the gaming system is further operable to... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080009334 - Method and apparatus for enabling a player to simultaneously control game play on multiple gaming devices: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a gaming system is operable to determine a first gaming device being operated by a player and select a second gaming device to be controlled, via the first gaming device, by the player. In some embodiments, the gaming system is further operable to... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080009337 - Self-authenticating file system in an embedded gaming device: A method and apparatus for pre-load authentication suitable for use with an operating system in an embedded gaming device. A user-space file system that can automatically authenticate its contents is disclosed. The user-space file system can be deployed on a standalone system or using a client-server model such that a... Agent: Mtd Gaming Inc

20080009336 - Wagering game benefits redeemable at another gaming device: Methods and apparatus are described for offering a benefit to a player of a first electronic game device. In an embodiment, the method includes determining if a player of a first electronic game device qualifies to receive at least one benefit associated with an award value, and then outputting an... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080009342 - Account adjusting system: An account adjusting system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a game machine that pays an award corresponding to a kind of a prize of a game; and an account adjusting apparatus that adjusts an account for a user. The game machine has a paying section for determining... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080009339 - Gaming table and method for use thereof with gaming chips incorporating an electronic microchip: A gaming table, for use with electronic memory microchip gaming chips, includes a tabletop including a gaming chip storage rack and a test station including a communication unit adapted to exchange information with the memory of a gaming chip in a test area by way of an antenna device, the... Agent: Hershkovitz & Associates

20080009340 - Systems and methods for post-play gaming benefits: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining whether a first condition associated with a first player of a gaming device is satisfied, determining whether a second condition associated with a second player of the gaming device is satisfied, and awarding, in the case... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080009341 - Systems and methods for post-play gaming benefits: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining whether a first condition associated with a first player of a gaming device is satisfied, determining whether a second condition associated with a second player of the gaming device is satisfied, and awarding, in the case... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20080009346 - Gnosi games: Educational materials are presented in the format of games such as role-playing where participants progress through game storylines within a game environment. Each game participant is assigned a game character having attributes that can be modified as the character progresses through the game storylines. The character encounters challenges and participates... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080009349 - Mobile phone mediated treasure hunt game: A system for providing a mobile phone based treasure hunt game including a system server including puzzle data pertaining to a plurality of geographic sites, at least one mobile phone, a plurality of geographically diverse mobile phone location identifiers, software executing on the system server for receiving location data pertaining... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20080009352 - Online video game control server and a method of controlling an online video game: An online video game controlling server includes an online game information storage database for storing game information on an online video game that includes player information on player characters and area information on a game area of the online video game, and a control section for controlling the progress of... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080009353 - Gaming machine electronics enclosure: A gaming machine electronics enclosure includes a box-shaped structure comprised of a plurality of members enclosing a volume, the structure further defining an access opening. The enclosure includes a lid for closing off the access opening, the lid being lockable with respect to the structure in a position closing off... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080009331 - Gaming device: Exemplary embodiments for playing a game having a slot mode and a pinball mode generally include activating the slot mode to display different combinations of symbols and create a slot credit score, activating the pinball mode to play a pinball game and create a pinball credit score, and adding the... Agent: Harness, Dickey, & Pierce, P.l.c

20080009338 - Gaming device and method featuring a randomly activated secondary game: A gaming device and method having a primary game and a secondary game. Activation of the secondary game is random, without connection to any outcome of the primary game.... Agent: Audrey A. Millemann Weintraub Genshlea Chediak

20080009343 - Gaming machine and game controlling method: A gaming machine of the present invention includes an image display unit and an arithmetic processing unit. The arithmetic processing unit executes processing for betting a game medium. The arithmetic processing unit also executes processing for displaying an image, on which the number of characters associated with an ally varies... Agent: Mcginn Intellectual Property Law Group, PLLC

20080009344 - Integrating remotely-hosted and locally rendered content on a gaming device: A wager gaming machine may be configured not only to provide wagering games, but also to communicate with one or more hosts that can provide information and/or services pertaining to local wager gaming events, including but not limited to local tournaments, local restaurants, local messages (e.g., messages from other players... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080009345 - Gaming systems with authentication token support: Techniques for providing authentication functionality in a gaming system are disclosed. In one aspect, a gaming system is configured such that, at a given point during a current session of a game in progress that involves at least one user previously granted access by the system to participate in the... Agent: Ryan, Mason & Lewis, LLP

20080009347 - Audio markers in a computerized wagering game: A computerized wagering game system has a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present or conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. An audio module is operable to process markers embedded within an audio stream,... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080009348 - Combiner method for altering game gearing: Computer implemented methods, apparatus and systems for enabling interactive interfacing with a computer game program are provided. One method provides an input device to accept and transmit user input to the computer game program. The input device enables activation of one or more gearing parameters associated with interactive components of... Agent: Martine Penilla & Gencarella, LLP Suite 200

20080009350 - System and method for toy adoption marketing: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20080009351 - System and method for toy adoption marketing: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP