EP-4740192-A1 - WATERMARKED ELECTRONIC PULL-TAB GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A watermarked pull-tab gaming system and method are described. The electronic pull-tab deck includes watermarked winning electronic pull-tab tickets having a non-zero win value. The gaming devices are communicatively coupled to the wagering system. Each gaming device includes a processor and a memory. The electronic pull-tab ticket request is generated by the gaming device. The gaming device receives an electronic pull-tab ticket in response to the electronic pull-tab ticket request. The electronic pull-tab ticket includes a watermark identifier. The watermark table is stored on the gaming device. The watermark table indicates a type of watermark and a placement of the watermark for a total prize award on the gaming device. The gaming device displays the watermark as indicated by the watermark table. The reveal animation that corresponds to the electronic pull-tab ticket is presented on the gaming device after the gaming device displays the watermark.

Inventors

• WEAVER, JON
• MORELLI, ANTHONY M.

Assignees

• Pilot Gaming Systems, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240706

Claims (1)

1. Inventor(s): Weaver, Jon Attorney Docket No.: PGSI 24.003PCT ^^ CLAIMS 1. A watermarked pull-tab gaming system comprising: a wagering system that generates an electronic pull-tab deck that includes a plurality of electronic pull-tab tickets, wherein the electronic pull-tab deck includes a ^^^ plurality of watermarked winning electronic pull-tab tickets having a non-zero win value; a plurality of gaming devices communicatively coupled to the wagering system, wherein each gaming device includes a processor and a memory; an electronic pull-tab ticket request generated by a gaming device, in which the gaming device receives an electronic pull-tab ticket in response to the electronic pull-tab ^^^ ticket request; wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket includes a watermark identifier; a watermark table stored on the gaming device, wherein the watermark table indicates a type of watermark and a placement of the watermark for a total prize award on the gaming device; ^^^ wherein the gaming device displays the watermark as indicated by the watermark table; and a reveal animation that corresponds to the electronic pull-tab ticket having a non- zero value, wherein the gaming device presents the reveal animation after the gaming device displays the watermark. ^^^ 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket having the watermark identifier includes a total prize and a plurality of display information associated with the total prize. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the watermark is displayed as a grid. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket having the watermark ^^^ identifier and the watermark table associated with the gaming device determines one or more highlighted portions of the grid watermark. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the watermark is embedded in a game symbol. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the watermark is proximate to a game symbol. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the reveal animation includes at least one of a ^^^ screen shift, a foreground display, and a background display. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the reveal animation includes an overlaid feature, wherein the overlaid feature is displayed on top of at least one of the plurality of game symbol display positions. Inventor(s): Weaver, Jon Attorney Docket No.: PGSI 24.003PCT ^^ 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the reveal animation includes one or more placeholder symbols, in which the placeholder symbol covers a game symbol and revealing the game symbol when the placeholder symbol is removed. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket includes a non-zero paytable modification value, and the gaming device displays a paytable modification ^^^ animation corresponding to the received electronic pull-tab ticket non-zero paytable modification value. 11. A watermarked pull-tab gaming method comprising: providing a wagering system that generates an electronic pull-tab deck that includes a plurality of electronic pull-tab tickets, wherein the electronic pull-tab deck ^^^ includes a plurality of watermarked winning electronic pull-tab tickets having a non-zero win value; communicatively coupling a plurality of gaming devices to the wagering system, wherein each gaming device includes a processor and a memory; generating, by a gaming device, an electronic pull-tab ticket request, in which the ^^^ gaming device receives an electronic pull-tab ticket in response to the electronic pull-tab ticket request, wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket includes a watermark identifier; storing, on the gaming device, a watermark table, in which the watermark table indicates a type of watermark and a placement of the watermark for a total prize award on the gaming device, wherein the gaming device displays the watermark as indicated ^^^ by the watermark table; and presenting a reveal animation that corresponds to the electronic pull-tab ticket having a non-zero value, wherein the gaming device presents the reveal animation after the gaming device displays the watermark. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket having the ^^^ watermark identifier includes a total prize and a plurality of display information associated with the total prize. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the watermark is displayed as a grid. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket having the watermark identifier and the watermark table associated with the gaming device ^^^ determines one or more highlighted portions of the grid watermark. 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the watermark is embedded in a game symbol. 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the watermark is proximate to a game symbol. Inventor(s): Weaver, Jon Attorney Docket No.: PGSI 24.003PCT ^^ 17. The method of claim 11 wherein the reveal animation includes at least one of a screen shift, a foreground display, and a background display. 18. The method of claim 11 wherein the reveal animation includes an overlaid feature, wherein the overlaid feature is displayed on top of at least one of the plurality of game symbol display positions. ^^^ 19. The method of claim 11 wherein the reveal animation includes one or more placeholder symbols, in which the placeholder symbol covers a game symbol and revealing the game symbol when the placeholder symbol is removed. 20. The method of claim 11 wherein the electronic pull-tab ticket includes a non-zero paytable modification value, and the gaming device displays a paytable modification ^^^ animation corresponding to the received electronic pull-tab ticket non-zero paytable modification value.

Description

Inventor(s): Weaver, Jon Attorney Docket No.: PGSI 24.003PCT ^^ WATERMARKED ELECTRONIC PULL-TAB GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD CROSS-REFERENCES [0001] This patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application ^^^ 63/525,593 entitled EMBEDDED FEATURE ELECTRONIC PULL-TAB SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed on July 7, 2023; this patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 63/525,644 entitled OVERLAID FEATURE ELECTRONIC PULL-TAB SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed on July 7, 2023; ^^^ this patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 63/525,646 entitled PLACEHOLDER FEATURE ELECTRONIC PULL-TAB SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed on July 7, 2023; this patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 63/525,647 entitled ELECTRONIC PULL-TAB SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ^^^ MODIFIABLE PAYTABLES, filed on July 7, 2023; this patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 63/660,506 entitled WATERMARKED ELECTRONIC PULL-TAB GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed on June 15, 2024, and the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in this ^^^ patent application. FIELD [0002] A watermarked electronic pull-tab gaming system and method are described. More specifically, the watermarked electronic pull-tab gaming system and method ^^^ generates watermarked virtual pull-tab tickets having zero or non-zero win values. Each watermarked virtual pull-tab ticket is further associated with an initial reveal graphic that includes a game symbol sequence. BACKGROUND ^^^ [0003] Electronic pull-tab gaming is a form of gambling that is played on electronic devices, such as tablets or gaming machines. Electronic pull-tab gaming is like traditional paper pull-tab games where players purchase tickets with perforated tabs that can be pulled back to reveal symbols or numbers. Inventor(s): Weaver, Jon Attorney Docket No.: PGSI 24.003PCT ^^ [0004] In electronic pull-tab gaming, players use a touch screen interface to select and purchase virtual pull tab tickets. The tickets are displayed on the screen, and players can swipe or tap the tabs to reveal the symbols or numbers underneath. The virtual pull-tab tickets are created with a random number generator, which ensures fairness and unpredictability. ^^^ [0005] Electronic pull-tab games often feature various themes and designs, with different symbols or numbers representing different prizes or payouts. Players can choose the amount they want to wager and the number of tickets they want to play. There is the potential to win different amounts depending on the combination of symbols or numbers revealed. ^^^ [0006] One advantage of electronic pull-tab gaming is its convenience and accessibility. Players can enjoy the game at any time and from anywhere with an internet connection. It also eliminates the need for physical tickets and manual tab pulling, which makes the gaming experience faster and more efficient. [0007] Electronic pull-tab gaming is regulated by gaming authorities to ensure ^^^ fairness and responsible gambling practices. Electronic pull-tab gaming systems are commonly found in casinos, gaming lounges, or online gambling platforms. Electronic pull-tab gaming provides entertainment and the opportunity to win prizes for players who enjoy this form of gambling. [0008] There is a need to make electronic pull-tab gaming more exciting by creating ^^^ a more suspenseful gaming environment that encourages more player engagement when presenting players with different types of prizes. The watermarked electronic pull- tab gaming systems and methods described hereinafter provide an entertaining gaming environment that rewards players with different types of prizes. SUMMARY ^^^ [0009] A watermarked pull-tab gaming system and method are described. The system includes a wagering system, gaming devices, an electronic pull-tab ticket having a watermark identifier, a watermark table, and a reveal animation. The wagering system generates an electronic pull-tab deck that includes electronic pull-tab tickets. ^^^ The electronic pull-tab deck includes watermarked winning electronic pull-tab tickets having a non-zero win value. The gaming devices are communicatively coupled to the Inventor(s): Weaver, Jon Attorney Docket No.: PGSI 24.003PCT ^^ wagering system. Each gaming device includes a processor and a memory. The electronic pull-tab ticket request is generated by the gaming device. The gaming device receives an electronic pull-tab ticket in response to the electronic pull-tab ticket request. [0010] The electronic pull-tab ticket includes a watermark identifier. The watermark table is stored on the gaming device. The watermark table indicates a type of ^^^ watermark and a placement of the watermark for a total prize award on the gaming device. The gaming device displays the watermark as indicated by the watermark table. The reveal animation that corresponds to the electronic pull-tab ticket is presented on the