Providing and redeeming partial wagering game outcomes

• US 8,221,215 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Robert C., Tedesco, Daniel E., Hayashida, Jeffrey Y., Sammon, Russell P., Tulley, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pandya, Sunit
• Application Number:
  US12/307,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20090305765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 463 12- 13, 463 16- 20, 463/23, 463/25, 463 40- 43
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• 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 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

Described are methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. A method according to an embodiment includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome. The partial game outcome was previously provided to the player, who used a first device that is different than the gaming device. The method includes determining that the player is entitled to a complete game outcome, displaying the partial game outcome on the gaming device, determining the complete game outcome, and then displaying the complete game outcome.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions configured to direct the processor to;

receive a completion request from a player operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome that was previously generated for the player, wherein the at least one partial game outcome was obtained by the player through use of a first device different than the gaming device;

determine if the player is entitled to at least one complete game outcome associated with the at least one previously generated partial game outcome;

if the player is entitled to at least one complete game outcome associated with the at least one previously generated partial game outcome;

(i) determine the at least one complete game outcome associated with the at least one previously generated partial game outcome, and

(ii) cause the gaming device to display the at least one complete game outcome associated with the at least one previously generated partial game outcome; and

if the player is not entitled to at least one complete game outcome associated with the at least one previously generated partial game outcome;

(i) not determine any complete game outcomes associated with the at least one previously generated partial game outcome, and

(ii) not cause the gaming device to display any complete game outcomes associated with the at least one previously generated partial game outcome.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory for determining if the player is entitled to at least one complete game outcome are configured to direct the processor to:

obtain identification data from the player;

search a database; and

establish that the player is entitled to at least one complete game outcome if the identification data is found in the database, and if data associated with the at least one partial game outcome is found.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the identification data includes at least one of a partial results session identifier, a player identifier, a code, or a barcode.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory for determining the at least one complete game outcome are configured to direct the processor to:

generate a random number by using at least one of the gaming device, or the first device, or a third device; and

select the complete game outcome based on the random number and a partial game outcome completion paytable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory for determining the at least one complete game outcome are configured to direct the processor to select the complete game outcome from a database based on the partial game outcome.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory are further configured to direct the processor to provide a benefit to the player if the at least one complete game outcome corresponds to a winning outcome.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to provide standard play and to provide redemption of partial game outcomes.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first device and the gaming device are located in a legalized gambling jurisdiction.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory for determining the at least one complete game outcome are configured to direct the processor to:

access a database that correlates game at least one completion paytable with partial outcome identifiers;

select a game completion paytable based on a partial outcome identifier;

generate a random number; and

provide a complete outcome based on the random number and an associated entry of the selected game completion paytable.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory for determining the at least one complete game outcome are configured to direct the processor to:

determine an expected value based on a partial outcome identifier;

access a database that correlates game completion paytables and expected values;

select a game completion paytable from the database based on the expected value;

generate a random number; and

generate a completed outcome based on the random number and an associated entry of the selected game completion table.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory for determining the at least one complete game outcome are configured to direct the processor to continually generate complete game outcomes until a complete game outcome occurs that matches the partial game outcome.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory are further configured to direct the processor to determine a standard play paytable and a partial outcome completion paytable.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the standard play paytable and the partial outcome completion paytable each provide a neutral expected value.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored in the memory are further configured to direct the processor to, prior to displaying the complete game outcome, charge a fee to obtain the complete game outcome.

15. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive a request from a first device operated by a player for a partial game outcome of a wagering game;

determine the partial game outcome;

provide the partial game outcome to the first device;

receive a request for a complete game outcome from a second device that is different from the first device, said complete game outcome being associated with the previously determined partial game outcome;

determine if the player is entitled to the complete game outcome associated with the previously determined partial game outcome;

if the player is entitled to the complete game outcome associated with the previously determined partial game outcome;

(i) cause the second device to display the complete game outcome associated with the previously determined partial game outcome, and

(ii) provide to the player the complete game outcome associated with the previously determined partial game outcome; and

if the player is not entitled to the complete game outcome associated with the previously determined partial game outcome;

(i) not cause the second device to display any complete game outcomes associated with the previously determined partial game outcome, and

(ii) not provide to the player any complete game outcomes associated with the previously determined partial game outcome.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in which the instructions for providing the partial game outcome include instructions configured to direct the processor to provide at least one of a probability of achieving a winning outcome, or an indication of prizes associated with winning outcomes.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in which the instructions for receiving the request for a partial game outcome include instructions configured to direct the processor to receive at least one of a partial outcome identifier, a player identifier, or an account identifier.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in which the instructions for receiving the request for a partial game outcome include instructions configured to direct the processor to receive a request from the player to select at least one of game characteristics, payout distribution, a paytable, and at least one partial outcome.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in which the instructions for determining the partial game outcome include instructions configured to direct the processor to:

generate a random number; and

select a partial game outcome from a predetermined paytable based on the random number.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in which the instructions for determining the partial game outcome include instructions configured to direct the processor to:

access the second device;

request at least one partial game outcome;

obtain the partial game outcome from the second device; and

store the partial game outcome in a memory.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in which the instructions for determining the partial game outcome include instructions configured to direct the processor to:

access a third device;

request the partial game outcome from the third device;

obtain the partial game outcome; and

store the at least one partial game outcome in a memory.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 15, which include instructions configured to direct the processor to:

select one of a plurality of stored paytables to use to resolve a partial game outcome, wherein each paytable is associated with a game type and an expected value;

generate a random number; and

select the complete game outcome from data entries in the selected paytable based on the generated random number.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in which the instructions for receiving the request for the complete game outcome include instructions configured to direct the processor to receive at least one of a second device identifier, a player identifier, a partial outcome identifier, a wager, or an account number.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 15, which includes instructions configured to direct the processor to provide wagering games from a Website accessible from a location remote from an entity authorized to provide, the Website including an offer to generate at least one partial game outcome of a wagering game.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, in which the instructions for providing the wagering games from the Website include instructions configured to direct the processor to:

provide a plurality of wagering game options; and

permit a player to select a type of wagering game for partial game play.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 24, in which the instructions for providing the wagering games from the Website include instructions configured to direct the processor to provide the at least one partial game outcome and a partial outcome identifier to the first device.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 15, which includes instructions configured to direct the processor to:

access a database that correlates game completion paytables with partial outcome identifiers;

select a game completion paytable based on a partial outcome identifier;

generate a random number; and

generate a complete outcome based on the random number and an associated entry of the selected game completion paytable.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 15, which includes instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine an expected value based on a partial outcome identifier;

access a database that correlates game completion paytables with the expected value;

select a game completion paytable from the database based on a partial outcome identifier;

generate a random number; and

generate a completed outcome based on the random number and an associated entry of the selected game completion table.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 15, which includes instructions configured to direct the processor to instruct the second device to continually generate complete game outcomes until a complete game outcome occurs that matches the partial game outcome.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 15, which includes instructions configured to direct the processor to output a benefit to the player if the complete game outcome corresponds to a winning outcome.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 15, which includes instructions configured to direct the processor to provide at least one of marketing offers or loyalty credits.