Methods for processing online gaming using electronic devices

• US 8,858,317 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2013
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdalena M., Tulley, Stephen C., Lech, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEICHLITER, CHASE E
• Application Number:
  US13/920,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20130281203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138.1, 273/139, 463/1, 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/42, 463/13, 463/21
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

Methods for processing online gaming operations. One method includes determining that a player has completed a game of chance. The game is accessible from a plurality of devices having online access. Completing the game includes a requirement that a player of the game must play from more than one of the devices. The requirement that the player must play from more than one of the devices includes a requirement that the player must present an identifier at each of the more than one of the devices during completion of the game. A requirement is provided that the player needs to collect specific outcomes when playing from the devices. The method further includes providing a reward to the player in response to determining that the player has completed the game. The method is executable by a processor.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining that a player has completed a game of chance, the game being accessible from a plurality of devices having online access;

wherein completing the game includes a first requirement that a player of the game must play from more than one of the devices, and further,

wherein the requirement that the player must play from more than one of the devices comprises a second requirement that the player must present an identifier at each of the more than one of the devices during completion of the game, and a third requirement that the player needs to collect specific outcomes when playing from the devices; and

providing a reward to the player in response to determining that the first, second and third requirements have been satisfied, such that the player is identified as having completed the game, wherein the method is executable by a processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the player has registered for the game before completing the game.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining that the player has completed the game includes determining whether the player has received a favorable outcome in the game;

and

wherein the reward is only provided to the player if the player has received a favorable outcome in the game.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that a player of the game must not exceed a maximum number of plays to complete the game.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that a player of the game must not exceed a maximum duration of time to complete the game.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that a player of the game must not play on more than a maximum number of devices.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement of a minimum number of occurrences of a symbol output to the player via at least one device that accesses the game.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that the player collect a minimum number of outputs of a specified symbol along a respective payline of the devices associated with the game.

9. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions, comprising:

program instructions for determining that a player has completed a game of chance, the game being accessible from a plurality of devices having online access;

wherein completing the game includes a first requirement that a player of the game must play from more than one of the devices, and further,

wherein the requirement that the player must play from more than one of the devices comprises a second requirement that the player must present an identifier at each of the more than one of the devices during completion of the game, and a third requirement that the player needs to collect specific outcomes when playing from the devices; and

program instructions for providing a reward to the player in response to determining that the first, second and third requirements have been satisfied, such that the player is identified as having completed the game.

10. The computer readable media of claim 9, further comprising determining that the player has registered for the game before completing the game.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining that the player has completed the game includes determining whether the player has received a favorable outcome in the game;

and

wherein the reward is only provided to the player if the player has received a favorable outcome in the game.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that a player of the game must not exceed a maximum number of plays to complete the game.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that a player of the game must not exceed a maximum duration of time to complete the game.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that a player of the game must not play on more than a maximum number of devices.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement of a minimum number of occurrences of a symbol output to the player via at least one device that accesses the game.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein completing the game includes a fourth requirement that the player collect a minimum number of outputs of a specified symbol along a respective payline of the devices associated with the game.