Asynchronous persistent group bonus games with preserved game state data
First Claim
1. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a processor of the machine to perform a method for preserving persistent bonus game state data for an asynchronous persistent group bonus game on at least one network server configured to communicate with a plurality of gaming machines, the non-transitory program storage device comprising:
- instructions for receiving an indication that a primary game of chance is being played on at least one of the plurality of gaming machines by a player;
instructions for obtaining wager information for the primary game of chance on the at least one of the plurality of gaming machines;
instructions for interacting with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game via the at least one network server, the asynchronous persistent group bonus game having persistent bonus game state data;
instructions for initiating a session of a local bonus game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game, the local bonus game having local bonus game state data; and
instructions for updating the asynchronous persistent group bonus game to include at least a portion of the local bonus game state data, wherein other players can play the asynchronous persistent group bonus game using at least a portion of the local bonus game state data when playing another session of a local bonus game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game,wherein the asynchronous persistent group bonus game remains active after the session of the local bonus game ends to permit a plurality of players to concurrently play the asynchronous persistent group bonus game.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, apparatus, and method for preserving game state data for an asynchronous persistent group bonus game may have a plurality of gaming machines associated with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game and at least one network server having at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to determine whether a bonus game session is triggered on any of the plurality of gaming machines; and if the bonus game session is triggered, display live game monitor activities, and periodically save the persistent bonus game state and other data on the at least one non-volatile memory.
560 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a processor of the machine to perform a method for preserving persistent bonus game state data for an asynchronous persistent group bonus game on at least one network server configured to communicate with a plurality of gaming machines, the non-transitory program storage device comprising:
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instructions for receiving an indication that a primary game of chance is being played on at least one of the plurality of gaming machines by a player; instructions for obtaining wager information for the primary game of chance on the at least one of the plurality of gaming machines; instructions for interacting with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game via the at least one network server, the asynchronous persistent group bonus game having persistent bonus game state data; instructions for initiating a session of a local bonus game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game, the local bonus game having local bonus game state data; and instructions for updating the asynchronous persistent group bonus game to include at least a portion of the local bonus game state data, wherein other players can play the asynchronous persistent group bonus game using at least a portion of the local bonus game state data when playing another session of a local bonus game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game, wherein the asynchronous persistent group bonus game remains active after the session of the local bonus game ends to permit a plurality of players to concurrently play the asynchronous persistent group bonus game. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a processor of the machine to perform a method for preserving persistent game state data for an asynchronous persistent group game on at least one network server configured to communicate with a plurality of gaming machines, the non-transitory program storage device comprising:
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instructions for receiving an indication that a primary game of chance is being played on at least one of the plurality of gaming machines by a player; instructions for obtaining wager information for the primary game of chance on the at least one of the plurality of gaming machines; instructions for operating the asynchronous persistent group game via at least one network server, the asynchronous persistent group game having persistent game state data; instructions for initiating a session of a local game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group game, the local game having local game state data; and instructions for updating the asynchronous persistent group game to include at least a portion of the local game state data, wherein other players can play the asynchronous persistent group game when playing another session of a local game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group game, and wherein the asynchronous persistent group game remains active after the session of the local game ends to permit a plurality of players to concurrently play the asynchronous persistent group game. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for preserving persistent game state data for an asynchronous persistent group game on at least one network server configured to communicate with a plurality of gaming machines, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication that a primary game of chance is being played on at least one of the plurality of gaming machines by a player; interacting with the asynchronous persistent group game via the at least one network server; initiating a session of a local game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group game, the local game having local game state data, the session of the local game being for the player; and updating the asynchronous persistent group game to include at least a portion of the local game state data, wherein other players can play the asynchronous persistent group game when playing another session of a local game that operates in conjunction with the asynchronous persistent group game, and wherein the asynchronous persistent group game remains active after the session of the local game ends to permit a plurality of players to concurrently play the asynchronous persistent group game. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for preserving persistent game state data for an asynchronous persistent group game, the system supporting a plurality of gaming machines, each of the plurality of gaming machines having a processor configured to execute a primary game of chance and determine whether a group game session is initiated, the system comprising:
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a network server configured to; operate an asynchronous persistent group game when it is determined that a group game session is initiated, the asynchronous persistent group game having game state data associated with at least the group game session; and save the game state data for the asynchronous persistent group game, the game state data that is saved includes at least a portion of the game state data from the group game session, wherein other players can play the asynchronous persistent group game using at least the portion of the game state data when playing another group game session instantiated in the asynchronous persistent group game, and wherein the asynchronous persistent group game remains active after a group game session ends to permit a plurality of players to concurrently play the asynchronous persistent group game. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification