# US 11,908,267 B2 · Systems and methods for game state retention and continuation at electronic gaming machines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,908,267 B2 - Document ID: US11908267B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/154,367 - Filed: 2023-01-13 - Published: 2023-05-11 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-28 - Assignees: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited - Applicants: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited - Inventors: Natalie Bryant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11908267B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3223: {Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, leader-follower, wireless communication} - G06K 19/06037: {multi-dimensional coding} - G07F 17/3213: {Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members} - G07F 17/3225: {Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users} - G07F 17/3241: {Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance (computer security G06F21/00)} - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract An electronic gaming machine includes a display device and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to generate a game-state-retention sign based upon a plurality of game variables representing a state of a wagering game, where the game-state-retention sign includes a first two-dimensional machine-recognisable image that encodes the plurality of game variables. When executed, the instructions also cause the processor to display the game-state-retention sign on the display device for image capture by a handheld player device, where the handheld player device is configured to display a game-continuation sign generated from the game-state-retention sign for resuming play of the wagering game. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic gaming device comprising: at least one memory with instructions stored thereon; and at least one processor in communication with the at least one memory, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: generate a game state image based on at least one game variable associated with a state of an electronic game, wherein the game state image encodes the at least one game variable; and cause display of the game state image for capture by an electronic device associated with a player, wherein presentation of data associated with the game state image causes the electronic game to be resumed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic gaming device of claim 1, wherein the data is presented as at least one of the game state image or a game continuation image. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic gaming device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to: receive the data associated with the game state image by decoding a game continuation image associated with the data; and cause the electronic game to be resumed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic gaming device of claim 1, wherein presentation of the data to a different electronic gaming device causes the game to be resumed at the different electronic gaming device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electronic gaming device of claim 4, wherein the different electronic gaming device comprises at least one of a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or the electronic device associated with the player. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic gaming device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to cause display of the game state image to be removed based on at least one of a period of time passing or an input received at the electronic gaming device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic gaming device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to generate the game state image in response to receiving an input to save the state of the electronic game. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic gaming device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to generate the game state image as further encoding at least one of a date, time, or encryption key. ### Claim 9 At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: generate a game state image based on at least one game variable associated with a state of an electronic game at an electronic gaming device, wherein the game state image encodes the at least one game variable; and cause display of the game state image for capture by an electronic device associated with a player, wherein presentation of data associated with the game state image causes the electronic game to be resumed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the data is presented as at least one of the game state image or a game continuation image. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to: receive the data associated with the game state image by decoding a game continuation image associated with the data; and cause the electronic game to be resumed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein presentation of the data to a different electronic gaming device causes the game to be resumed at the different electronic gaming device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the different electronic gaming device comprises at least one of a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or the electronic device associated with the player. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to cause display of the game state image to be removed based on at least one of a period of time passing or an input received at the electronic gaming device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to generate the game state image in response to receiving an input to save the state of the electronic game. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to generate the game state image as further encoding at least one of a date, time, or encryption key. ### Claim 17 A method for game state retention of an electronic game implemented by at least one processor in communication with at least one memory, the method comprising: generating a game state image based on at least one game variable associated with a state of the electronic game at an electronic gaming device, wherein the game state image encodes the at least one game variable; and causing display of the game state image for capture by an electronic device associated with a player, wherein presentation of data associated with the game state image causes the electronic game to be resumed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving the data associated with the game state image by decoding a game continuation image associated with the data; and causing the electronic game to be resumed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein presentation of the data to a different electronic gaming device causes the game to be resumed at the different electronic gaming device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the different electronic gaming device comprises at least one of a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or the electronic device associated with the player.