Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a signal indicative of a desire to transfer a game indicium from a first gaming device to a second gaming device; and
transmitting, in response to the signal, an indication of the indicium to the second gaming device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices wherein players may share and combine outcomes or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences according to the group format on the gaming devices while the casino server, or another device, concurrently facilitates interaction between the group members operating the gaming devices. During the interaction, players may combine outcomes in an attempt to win group prizes. The linked play is terminated according to the group format and a determination is made by the casino server whether the group objective has been achieved. Prizes are awarded via the gaming devices if the group objective was achieved.
616 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving a signal indicative of a desire to transfer a game indicium from a first gaming device to a second gaming device; and
transmitting, in response to the signal, an indication of the indicium to the second gaming device.
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2. A method comprising:
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generating an outcome at a first gaming device, the outcome comprising a plurality of indicia;
receiving an indicium from a second gaming device;
incorporating the received indicium into the generated outcome to create a combined outcome; and
dispensing a prize based on the combined outcome.
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3. A method comprising:
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receiving a signal indicative of at least one player'"'"'s desire to participate in group play;
activating group play on a gaming device; and
providing an indicator that group play is in progress. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method comprising:
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receiving an indication that a linked gaming device has achieved a potentially winning outcome; and
displaying an indication of a time remaining to achieve an outcome that would win a group prize. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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receiving a first wager amount at a first gaming device to enable the generation of a first outcome; and
receiving a second wager amount at the first gaming device to enable the combining of the first outcome with a second outcome generated at a second gaming device.
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9. A method comprising:
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registering a group for linked play;
establishing a group objective and a group format, wherein the group objective includes at least two group members'"'"' gaming devices generating matching outcomes in accordance with the group format;
initiating the linked play according to the group format;
terminating the linked play according to the group format;
determining, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved; and
awarding, if the group objective is achieved in accordance with the group format, at least one group prize. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of selected outcomes from a plurality of gaming devices, wherein each gaming device generates at least one outcome, wherein each gaming device is associated with at least one player, and wherein the selected outcomes are selected by at least one of the players from among the outcomes;
deriving a group outcome based upon the selected outcomes; and
providing a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of outcome indicia from a plurality of gaming devices, wherein each gaming device is associated with at least one player and wherein the outcome indicia are selected by at least one of the players;
deriving a group outcome based upon the outcome indicia; and
providing a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A server comprising:
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a processor operative to execute a program; and
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the program is stored in the memory and includes;
a routine for receiving a signal indicative of a desire to transfer a game indicium from a first gaming device to a second gaming device; and
a routine for transmitting, in response to the signal, an indication of the indicium to the second gaming device.
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17. A system comprising:
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a network of at least two gaming devices wherein a first gaming device is operative to;
generate an outcome, the outcome comprising a plurality of indicia;
receive an indicium from a second gaming device;
incorporate the received indicium into the generated outcome to create a combined outcome; and
dispensing a prize based on the combined outcome.
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18. A gaming device comprising:
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an input for receiving a signal indicative of at least one player'"'"'s desire to participate in group play;
a processor coupled to the input and operative to activate group play on the gaming device in response to the signal; and
an indicator coupled to the processor and operative to provide an indication that group play is in progress. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A gaming device comprising:
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a communications port operable to receive an indication that a linked gaming device has achieved a potentially winning outcome;
a processor coupled to the communications port; and
a display coupled to the processor for displaying an indication of a time remaining to achieve an outcome that would win a group prize. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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a network of at least two gaming devices wherein a first gaming device is operative to;
receive a first wager amount to enable the generation of a first outcome; and
receive a second wager amount to enable the combining of the first outcome with a second outcome generated at a second gaming device.
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24. A system comprising:
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a processor operative to execute a program; and
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the program is stored in the memory and includes;
a routine to register a group for linked play;
a routine to establish a group objective and a group format, wherein the group objective includes at least two group members'"'"' gaming devices generating matching outcomes in accordance with the group format;
a routine to initiate the linked play according to the group format;
a routine to terminate the linked play according to the group format;
a routine to determine, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved; and
a routine to award, if the group objective is achieved in accordance with the group format, at least one group prize. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A system comprising:
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a network of gaming devices; and
a server coupled to the network wherein the server is operable to;
receive a plurality of selected outcomes from a plurality of the gaming devices, wherein each gaming device generates at least one outcome, wherein each of the gaming devices is associated with at least one player, and wherein the selected outcomes are selected by at least one of the players;
derive a group outcome based upon the selected outcomes; and
direct at least one of the gaming devices to provide a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A system comprising:
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a network of gaming devices; and
a server coupled to the network wherein the server is operable to;
receive a plurality of outcome indicia from a plurality of the gaming devices, wherein each of the gaming device is associated with at least one player and wherein the outcome indicia are selected by at least one of the players;
derive a group outcome based upon the outcome indicia; and
direct at least one of the gaming devices to provide a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A method comprising:
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receiving at least one outcome from each of a plurality of gaming devices, wherein each gaming device is associated with at least one player;
deriving a group outcome based upon the outcomes; and
providing a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome, wherein the payout is of an amount determined based upon taxes charged to the at least one player. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification