Gaming system and method for providing and redeeming partial wagering game outcomes

• US 9,235,954 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2015
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• 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:
  US14/637,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20150179020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. One example method 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. This example 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. A gaming system server comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

(a) during a first period of time;

(i) receive data associated with an input at a first gaming device to initiate a play of a game,

(ii) determine a partial game outcome for the initiated play of the game, said determined partial game outcome not being associated with any monetary award during the first period of time, and

(iii) cause the first gaming device to display the determined partial game outcome; and

(b) during a second, subsequent period of time;

(i) receive data associated with an input at a second, different gaming device to request a completion of the determined partial game outcome for the initiated play of the game,

(ii) determine a complete game outcome for the initiated play of the game, said determined complete game outcome based, at least in part, on the determined partial game outcome for the initiated play of the game,

(iii) cause the second gaming device to display the determined complete game outcome,

(iv) determine any monetary awards associated with the determined complete game outcome, wherein;

(A) a credit balance is increasable based on any determined monetary awards associated with the determined complete game outcome,

(B) said credit balance is increasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and

(C) said credit balance is decreasable via a cashout device configured to receive an input to cause an initiation of a payout associated with the credit balance, and

(v) cause the second gaming device to display any determined monetary awards associated with the determined complete game outcome.

2. The gaming system server of claim 1, wherein the first gaming device is configured to communicate with the at least one processor through an internet.

3. The gaming system server of claim 1, wherein the first gaming device includes a cellular phone.

4. The gaming system server of claim 1, wherein the generation of the partial game outcome occurs in association with an online casino.

5. The gaming system server of claim 1, wherein independent of the determined partial game outcome and independent of the determined complete game outcome, during the first period of time, the initiated play of the game is a wagering game associated with non-monetary credits and during the second period of time, the initiated play of the game is a wagering game associated with monetary credits.

6. The gaming system server of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to determine eligibility to complete the determined partial game outcome and if an ineligible determination occurs, not determine any complete game outcomes for the initiated play of the game and not cause the second display device to display any determined complete game outcomes.

7. The gaming system server of claim 1, wherein at least one of the determined complete game outcome for the initiated play of the game and any determined monetary awards associated with the determined complete game outcome are determined in association with the second gaming device.

8. A gaming system server comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

(a) receive data associated with an input of a completion request from a player operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome that was previously determined 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 and when the at least one partial game outcome was previously determined, the at least one partial game outcome was not associated with any monetary award,

(b) determine that the player is entitled to at least one complete game outcome associated with a monetary award,

(c) cause the gaming device to display the at least one partial game outcome,

(d) determine, based at least in part on the at least one partial game outcome, at least one complete game outcome,

(e) cause the gaming device to display the determined at least one complete game outcome, and

(f) cause the gaming device to display the monetary award associated with the determined at least one complete game outcome, wherein;

(i) a credit balance is increasable based on the monetary award associated with the determined at least one complete game outcome,

(ii) said credit balance is increasable via

an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and

(iii) said credit balance is decreasable via a cashout device configured to receive an input to cause an initiation of a payout associated with the credit balance.

9. The gaming system server of claim 8, wherein the first device is configured to communicate with the at least one processor through an internet.

10. The gaming system server of claim 8, wherein the first device includes a cellular phone.

11. The gaming system server of claim 8, wherein the generation of the partial game outcome occurs in association with an online casino.

12. A gaming system server comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

(a) during a first period of time;

(i) receive data associated with an input to initiate a play of a game at a first gaming device, said first gaming device being located remote from any gaming establishment,

(ii) determine a partial game outcome for the initiated play of the game, and

(iii) cause the first gaming device to display the determined partial game outcome; and

(b) during a second, subsequent period of time;

(i) receive data associated with an input at a second, different gaming device to request a completion of the generated partial game outcome for the initiated play of the game,

(ii) determine a complete game outcome for the initiated play of the game, said determined complete game outcome based, at least in part, on the determined partial game outcome for the initiated play of the game,

(iii) cause the second gaming device to display the determined complete game outcome,

(iv) determine any awards associated with the determined complete game outcome, wherein;

(A) a credit balance is increasable based on any determined awards associated with the determined complete game outcome,

(B) said credit balance is increasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and

(C) said credit balance is decreasable via a cashout device configured to receive an input to cause an initiation of a payout associated with the credit balance, and

(v) cause the second gaming device to display any determined awards associated with the determined complete game outcome.

13. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein the second gaming device is located at a gaming establishment.

14. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein the first gaming device is configured to communicate with the at least one processor through an internet.

15. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein the first gaming device includes a cellular phone.

16. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein the determination of the partial game outcome occurs in association with an online casino.

17. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein independent of the determined partial game outcome and independent of the determined complete game outcome, during the first period of time, no monetary awards are associated with the initiated play of the game and during the second period of time, at least one monetary award is associated with the initiated play of the game.

18. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein independent of the determined partial game outcome and independent of the determined complete game outcome, during the first period of time, the initiated play of the game is a wagering game associated with non-monetary credits and during the second period of time, the initiated play of the game is a wagering game associated with monetary credits.

19. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to determine eligibility to complete the determined partial game outcome and if an ineligible determination occurs, not determined any complete game outcomes for the initiated play of the game and not cause the second display device to display any determined complete game outcomes.

20. The gaming system server of claim 12, wherein at least one of the determined complete game outcome for the initiated play of the game and any determined awards associated with the determined complete game outcome are determined in association with the second gaming device.