Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia

• US 8,047,909 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Santisi, Steven M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S., Zucker, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol; Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duffy; David
• Application Number:
  US11/675,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463 40- 42
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3274 wherein the players cooperate, e.g. team-play
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]

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.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a first outcome obtained at a first gaming device, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of indicia and the first outcome not qualifying for any payout in a primary game;

receiving an indication of a second outcome obtained at a second gaming device, the second outcome occurring substantially simultaneously with the first outcome and comprising a second plurality of indicia and the second outcome not qualifying for any payout in the primary game;

incorporating the second outcome into the first outcome to create a combined outcome, the combined outcome qualifying for a prize; and

dispensing the prize based on the combined outcome.

2. A system comprising:

a network of at least two gaming devices wherein a first gaming device is operative to;

determine a first outcome obtained at a first gaming device, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of indicia and the first outcome not qualifying for any payout in a primary game;

receive an indication of a second outcome obtained at a second gaming device, the second outcome occurring substantially simultaneously with the first outcome and comprising a second plurality of indicia and the second outcome not qualifying for any payout in the primary game;

incorporate the second outcome into the first outcome to create a combined outcome, the combined outcome qualifying for a prize; and

dispense the prize based on the combined outcome.

3. A method comprising:

generating a first outcome at a first gaming device, the first outcome not qualifying for any payout;

determining a second outcome generated substantially simultaneously with the first outcome at a second gaming device, the second outcome not qualifying for any payout;

incorporating the second outcome into the first outcome to create a combined outcome;

determining a payout based on the combined outcome; and

providing the payout.

4. A method comprising:

determining a first outcome at a first gaming device participating in linked game play, the first outcome not qualifying for any payout;

determining a second outcome at a second gaming device participating in the linked game play, the second outcome occurring substantially simultaneously with the first outcome and not qualifying for any payout;

incorporating the second outcome into the first outcome to create a combined outcome;

determining whether a condition relating to the linked game play is true based on both the first and the second outcomes, wherein the condition comprises the combined outcome corresponding to a payout in accordance with a payout table; and

if the condition is true, awarding the payout for the combined outcome at the first and second gaming devices.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein determining whether the condition is true comprises determining if a total number of indicia from the first and second outcomes is over a predetermined threshold, wherein the indicia are of a particular type.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein determining whether the condition is true comprises determining whether cards revealed in the first and second outcomes may be assembled into a straight of six or more cards.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein determining whether the condition is true comprises determining whether cards revealed in the first and second outcomes may be assembled into a flush of six of more cards.

8. The method of claim 4 further comprising combining indicia from the first and second outcomes to determine if the condition is true.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising considering a position associated with the indicia before combining.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein determining whether the condition is true comprises considering the position associated with the indicia.

11. A system comprising:

a user interface; and

a control system operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to;

determine a first outcome at a first gaming device participating in linked game play, the first outcome not qualifying for any payout;

determine a second outcome at a second gaming device participating in the linked game play, the second outcome occurring substantially simultaneously with the first outcome and not qualifying for any payout;

incorporate the second outcome into the first outcome to create a combined outcome;

determine whether a condition relating to the linked game play is true based on both the first and the second outcomes, wherein the condition comprises the combined outcome corresponding to a payout in accordance with a payout table; and

if the condition is true, award the payout for the combined outcome at the first and second gaming devices.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to:

determine a first outcome at a first gaming device participating in linked game play, the first outcome not qualifying for any payout;

determine a second outcome at a second gaming device participating in the linked game play, the second outcome occurring substantially simultaneously with the first outcome and not qualifying for any payout;

incorporate the second outcome into the first outcome to create a combined outcome;

determine whether a condition relating to the linked game play is true based on both the first and the second outcomes, wherein the condition comprises the combined outcome corresponding to a payout in accordance with a payout table; and

if the condition is true, award the payout for the combined outcome at the first and second gaming devices.