IP Library Granted Patent US 8,469,802
Granted Patent B2
US 8,469,802 · App. 13/301,711 · Granted Jun 25, 2013

Enhanced game play awards and use in gaming environments

Inventors: Robert Anthony Luciano, Jr. (Reno, NV); Robert William Crowder, Jr. (Las Vegas, NV); Russ F. Marsden (Gardnerville, NV)
Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,469,802
App. No.
13/301,711
Granted
Jun 25, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is shown for enhancing game play on a gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a processor, a memory, and program logic stored in the memory that may be executable to play a base game in exchange for a wager. The method includes receiving a Newprom award that is not issued by the gaming machine. The method may include altering, using the processor, the base game to an enhanced base game state in response to the Newprom award. The Newprom award may be configured to add one or more base game play enhancements available to a player only by way of the Newprom award to the base game. This may alter the base game to the enhanced base game state so that the base game is played with the one or more game play enhancements.

Claims (28)

1. A method for enhancing game play on a gaming machine having a processor, a memory, and program logic stored in the memory executable to play at least one base game in exchange for a wager, the method comprising:

receiving, by the gaming machine, a Newprom award not issued by the gaming machine; and

altering, using the processor, the at least one base game to an enhanced base game state in response to the processor processing the received Newprom award, wherein the Newprom award is configured to add one or more base game play enhancements available to a player only by way of the Newprom award to the at least one base game, thereby altering the at least one base game to the enhanced base game state so that the at least one base game is played with the one or more game play enhancements, wherein the game play enhancements comprise a change in a game play, game format, game style or game type of the at least one base game, additional pay lines to the at least one base game, additional winning indicia for the at least one base game, or any combination thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Newprom award includes time restriction data having a predetermined, fixed expiration date for the Newprom award.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Newprom award includes location restriction data that restricts use of the Newprom award to a predetermined location or a predetermined set of locations.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Newprom award includes gaming device restriction data that restricts use of the Newprom award to a particular game, a set of related games, a family of games, or a predetermined subset of games.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein altering the at least one base game further comprises providing a new pay table for the game in response to the Newprom award.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein altering the at least one base game further comprises applying a multiplier to any winning outcomes of the game.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising issuing a Newprom award to the player during a gaming session.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising issuing a Newprom award to the player at the conclusion of a gaming session.

9. A method for enhancing game play on a gaming machine having a processor, a memory, and program logic stored in the memory executable to play at least one base game in exchange for a wager, the method comprising:

receiving, by the gaming machine, a Newprom award not obtained at the gaming machine; and

altering, using the processor, the at least one base game to an enhanced base game state in response to the processor processing the received Newprom award, wherein the Newprom award is configured to add one or more base game play enhancements available to a player only by way of the Newprom award to the at least one base game, thereby altering the at least one base game to the enhanced base game state so that the at least one base game is played with the one or more game play enhancements, wherein the game play enhancements comprise a change in a game play, game format, game style or game type of the at least one base game, additional pay lines to the at least one base game, additional winning indicia for the at least one base game, or any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving player input further comprises:

accepting player identification; and

retrieving a Newprom award that is associated with the player identification.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the Newprom award includes time restriction data having a predetermined, fixed expiration date for the Newprom award.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the Newprom award includes location restriction data that restricts use of the Newprom award to a predetermined location or a predetermined set of locations.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the Newprom award includes gaming device restriction data that restricts use of the Newprom award to a particular game, a set of related games, a family of games, or a predetermined subset of games.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein altering the at least one game further comprises providing a new pay table for the at least one base game in response to the Newprom award.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein altering the at least one base game further comprises applying a multiplier to any winning outcomes of the game.

16. The method of claim 9 , further comprising issuing a Newprom award to the player during a gaming session.

17. The method of claim 9 , further comprising issuing a Newprom award to the player at the conclusion of a gaming session.

18. A method for enhancing game play on a gaming machine having a processor, a memory, and program logic stored in the memory executable to play at least one base game in exchange for a wager, the method comprising:

receiving, by the gaming machine, a Newprom award not issued by the gaming machine; and

altering, using the processor, the at least one base game to an enhanced base game state in response to the processor processing the received Newprom award, wherein the Newprom award is configured to add one or more base game play enhancements available to a player only by way of the Newprom award to the at least one base game, thereby altering the at least one base game to the enhanced base game state so that the at least one base game is played with the one or more game play enhancements, wherein the one or more base game play enhancements invoke one or more unique states in the play of the at least one base game that are not available without the one or more base game play enhancements.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising issuing a Newprom award to the player during a gaming session.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising issuing a Newprom award to the player at the conclusion of a gaming session.

Assignments (7)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 051642 FRAME: 0164. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 21, 2023
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 063460/0211 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 18, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051642/0164 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045909/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044889/0662 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SHFL ENTERTAINMENT, INC; ARCADE PLANET, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC; BALLY GAMING INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SIERRA DESIGN GROUP
Reel/Frame 034501/0049 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2014
From: SIERRA DESIGN GROUP, INC.
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 033682/0139 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2013
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031745/0001 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 12698908 · Feb 2, 2010
Continuation 09788162 · Feb 15, 2001
Continuation In Part 09742679 · Dec 20, 2000
Related Publication 20120071233A1 · Mar 22, 2012