U.S. patent application number 09/075153 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for operation of gaming machines in a linked bonus prize winning mode.
Invention is credited to ACRES, JOHN F..
Application Number | 20010018361 09/075153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3801033 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010018361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ACRES, JOHN F. |
August 30, 2001 |
OPERATION OF GAMING MACHINES IN A LINKED BONUS PRIZE WINNING
MODE
Abstract
A gaming machine system having a bonus prize award mode in the
play of gaming machines is disclosed. Interface units each are
coupled to a respective gaming machine to receive a play signal
that includes the identity of the respective machine. A central
processor, that includes a data memory is linked to each of the
interface units. The system is operable by the processor executing
a first prize accumulation phase during which a value is added to
an initial value for each play signal up to a level where the
accumulating value equals a prize value that will be awarded to one
of the gaming machines, and executing a second prize award winning
phase during which the accumulated value remains frozen and
subsequent plays of the gaming machines are separately counted for
their occurrence. The play of a gaming machine causing the count to
equal a prize win count value results in that gaming machine being
awarded the prize value.
Inventors: |
ACRES, JOHN F.; (CORVALLIS,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALAN T MCCOLLOM
MARGER JOHNSON MCCOLLOM & STOLOWITZ
1030 S W MORRISON STREET
PORTLAND
OR
97205
|
Family ID: |
3801033 |
Appl. No.: |
09/075153 |
Filed: |
May 8, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3211 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/27 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 1997 |
AU |
PO6741 |
Claims
1. A method for awarding a bonus prize in the play of a plurality
of gaming machines, the gaming machines being linked to a central
processor having a data memory, the method comprising the steps of:
transmitting, on play of any one gaming machine, a signal therefrom
to said central processor, said signal including the identity of
the respective gaming machine; registering each said play signal as
an entry in said memory with said identity of the respective gaming
machine; executing a first prize accumulation phase during which a
value is added to an initial value for each said play signal up to
a level where the accumulating value equals a prize value that will
be awarded to one of the linked gaming machines; and executing a
second prize awarding phase during which said accumulated value
remains frozen, and subsequent plays of one or more of the gaming
machines are separately counted for their occurrence, and a play of
a gaming machine causing the count to equal a prize win count value
results in that gaming machine be awarded said prize value.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, whereby said play signals
generated in the prize accumulation phase are based on any one or
more of coin-in, coin-out, play duration and quantum of wagers for
the respective gaming machine.
3. A method as claimed in either one of claim 1, whereby said play
signals generated in the prize awarding phase are based on any one
or more of coin-in, coin-out, play duration, number of game plays
and quantum of wager for the respective gaming machines.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, whereby, in the prize awarding
phase, the gaming machines contributing to the separate count
includes any one of: (i) all the gaming machines, (ii) only the
gaming machines playing during the prize accumulation phase, or
(iii) only the gaming machines playing during a short time period
reckoned from commencement of the prize awarding phase.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the further step of
displaying said accumulated value on indicator means linked to said
central processor.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, comprising the further step of
displaying the awarding of the prize value on the respective gaming
machine.
7. A gaming machine system having a bonus prize awarding mode in
the play of gaming machines, the system comprising: a plurality of
gaming machines for playing games thereon; a plurality of interface
units each coupled with a respective gaming machine to receive a
play signal therefrom including the identity of the respective
gaming machine; a central processor having a data memory and being
linked to said interface units to receive said play signals; and
wherein said system is operable by said central processor executing
a first prize accumulation phase during which a value is added to
an initial value for each said play signal up to a level where the
accumulating value equals a prize value that will be awarded to one
of the linked gaming machines, and executing a second prize
awarding phase during which said accumulated value remains frozen,
and subsequent plays of the gaming machines are separately counted
for their occurrence, and a play of a gaming machine causing the
count to equal a prize win count value results in that gaming
machine be awarded said prize value.
8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said play signals
generated in the prize accumulation phase are based on any one or
more of coin-in, coin-out, play duration and quantum of wagers for
the respective gaming machine.
9. A system as claimed in either one of claim 7, wherein said play
signals generated in the prize awarding phase are based on any one
or more of coin-in, coin-out, play duration, number of game plays
and quantum of wager for the respective gaming machines.
10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein, in the prize awarding
phase, the gaming machines contributing to the separate count
includes any one of: (i) all the gaming machines, (ii) only the
gaming machines playing during the prize accumulation phase, or
(iii) only the gaming machines playing during a short time period
reckoned from commencement of the prize awarding phase.
11. A system as claimed in any one of claim 7, further comprising
display means linked to said central processor on which said
accumulating value is displayed.
12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the awarding of a
prize value is displayed on the indicator means and/or the
respective gaming machine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the field of gaming machines, and
particularly to a number of such machines that are linked in a
network sense to provide a bonus prize winning mode of operation.
The bonus prize winning mode is additional to wins occurring in
play of the normal game(s) provided by each gaming machine. In one
particular form the gaming machines are spinning reel or card-type
machines commonly known as slot or fruit machines.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] It is known to provide systems that implement bonus prize
winning modes apart from the normal games available for play on a
gaming machine. Such systems typically comprise a bank of gaming
machines each having an interface providing communication with a
central controlling computer or data processor. The controlling
computer receives from each connected gaming machine an indication
of each play (and possibly also the wager value). A bonus prize
pool is formed and accumulates with each play of the gaming
machines. This accumulating total most usually is prominently
displayed on a visual display unit. The bonus pool is awarded when
it reaches a (usually) randomly chosen value, being won by the
player of the machine whose play caused the total to be reached.
Examples of such prior art arrangements can be noted in Australian
Patents Nos. 589158 and 655801.
[0003] Another prior art arrangement is described in published
Australian Patent Application No. 70247/96.
[0004] A key motivation or desire of operators of licensed premises
in which gaming machines are placed is to encourage the machines to
be in use as much as possible since usage directly affects the
revenue gained. As such a bonus prize winning scheme encourages and
promotes usage by the prospect of a windfall prize independent of
prizes won in normal play of the gaming machines. It is accordingly
desired to develop improved methods of operating a prize winning
mode to encourage greater machine usage, also to provide enhanced
enjoyment for the players The present invention seeks to achieve
these objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Therefore, the invention, in one broad form, discloses a
method for awarding a bonus prize in the play of a plurality of
gaming machines, the gaming machines being linked to a central
processor having a data memory, the method comprising the steps
of:
[0006] transmitting, on play of any one gaming machine, a signal
therefrom to said central processor, said signal including the
identity of the respective gaming machine;
[0007] registering each said play signal as an entry in said memory
with said identity of the respective gaming machine;
[0008] executing a first prize accumulation phase during which a
value is added to an initial value for each play signal entry up to
a level where the accumulating value equals a prize value that will
be awarded to one of the linked gaming machines; and
[0009] executing a second prize awarding phase during which said
accumulated value remains frozen, and subsequent plays of one or
more of the gaming machines are separately counted for their
occurrence, and a play of a gaming machine causing the count to
equal a prize win count value results in that gaming machine be
awarded said prize value.
[0010] In one advantageous form there comprises the further step of
displaying the awarding of said prize value on an indicator means
and/or the respective gaming machine.
[0011] The invention further discloses a gaming machine system
having a bonus prize awarding mode in the play of gaming machines,
the system comprising:
[0012] a plurality of gaming machines for playing games
thereon;
[0013] a plurality of interface units each coupled with a
respective gaming machine to receive a play signal therefrom
including the identity of the respective gaming machine;
[0014] a central processor having a data memory and being linked to
said interface units to receive said play signals; and
[0015] indicator means lined with said central processor;
[0016] and wherein said system is operable by said central
processor executing a first prize accumulation phase during which a
value is added to an initial value for each said play signal entry
up to a level where the accumulating value equals a prize value
that will be awarded to one of the linked gaming machines, causing
said accumulating value to be displayed on said indicator means,
and executing a second prize awarding phase during which said
accumulated value remains frozen, and subsequent plays of the
gaming machines leading to subsequent memory entries are separately
counted for their occurrence, and a play of a gaming machine
causing the count to equal a prize win count value results in that
gaming machine be awarded said prize value.
[0017] Preferably, said indicator means and/or the respective
gaming machine displays the awarding of said prize value.
[0018] Both the method and system of the invention can provide that
the play signals generated in the prize accumulation and/or prize
awarding phases are based on any one or more of coin-in, coin-out,
play duration and quantum of wagers. The prize awarding phase
further can be based on a chosen fixed value of play signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] An embodiment of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a general arrangement of components of a bonus
prize award winning system;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a bonus prize
award winning system embodying the invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the bonus prize winning
cycle;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the prize accumulation prize;
and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the prize awarding phase.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a bonus prize award winning system 10
comprises five gaming machines 1-5 in a bank or row configuration.
These gaming machines allow the players thereof to participate in
the bonus prize winning feature. The gaming machines 1-5 can be
situated in a casino or other licensed premises. There may be other
such gaming machines that do not allow players to participate in
the bonus prize winning feature. Alternatively, in a site of some
hundreds of gaming machines, all could participate in the
feature.
[0026] Each of the gaming machines provides for the play of a game
such as a spinning reel or simulated poker card game. Each gaming
machine 1-5 is played independently of any other, although the
individual plays collectively contribute to the bonus prize winning
feature.
[0027] A display unit 20 is located above the gaming machines 1-5
to provide visual and audible indications to players of the
progress and completion of the bonus prize winning feature. The
display unit includes a prize value display 22, a winning machine
display 24 and a horn loudspeaker 26, the functions of which will
be described presently.
[0028] Each gaming machine has an internal processor 30 (not
shown), a reel display unit 32 by which a player observes the game
play and a series of inputs 34 such as game operation pushbuttons
and a coin acceptor (or card equivalent) for wagering on plays of
the game.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic block
diagram of the system 10. Each of the gaming machines 1-5 further
comprises an interface unit 36 providing communication between the
processor 30 by a respective data link 40,42,44,46,48. These links
communicate with a central controlling unit 50, having an interface
unit 52, a processor 54 and an associated memory 55. The processor
54 in turn communicates with the display unit 20 by a further data
link 56.
[0030] The gaming machines can be the Game King.TM. type of machine
manufactured by the present co-applicant I.G.T. (Australia) Pty
Limited. The data links, central control unit 50 and the display
unit 20 can be of any of the types manufactured by and available
from the other co-applicant, Acres Gaming Inc. The bonus prize
winning methodology is, in large measure, achieved by programming
of the central processor 54.
[0031] The bonus prize winning operation is performed in discrete
cycles, each of which contains two sequential phases, as shown
generally in the flow diagram of FIG. 3. Upon initialization, the
prize accumulation phase takes place followed by the prize awarding
phase, at which time the bonus prize is awarded. If the operation
is to continue the cycle repeats. The "continue" test is under the
control of a system operator having control over the central
controlling unit 50.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows the prize accumulation phase in greater detail.
Firstly, a "bonus pool" is reset to an initial value typically
chosen in a range. For the purposes of explanation, let the range
be in the range $100-$500 representing the possible prizes that can
be won. The prize need not only be in a monetary denomination,
rather can be in any form of units or points have money or
money's-worth. The initial value is chosen to be $100.00.
[0033] Next, any "excess" is added to the initial value. For the
first cycle the excess value will be $0.00. This aspect will be
returned to later.
[0034] Next, the prize value is selected as a random value in the
range of values (initial value+excess) to the maximum value, ie.
$100-$500, and for example is $450.25.
[0035] Next, each play of any of the gaming machines 1-5, resulting
in a play signal on lines 40-48, is counted in a cumulative manner
as an event. This can be either as plays of the game and/or units
wagered. In the present case, each count accumulates as a
percentage of the monetary units wagered, ie. 2%. The prize pool
thus grows with play of each gaming machine, and with each input
the identity (ie. machine number) of the respective gaming machine
is also noted and stored in the memory (possibly only
temporarily).
[0036] The accumulating total is displayed on the prize value
display.
[0037] Next, the central processor checks on each input whether the
count equals the prize value of $450.25. When this condition is
satisfied, the bonus prize is `frozen` as is the state of the prize
value display 22. Also, a visual and/or audible indication of the
bonus prize value having been reached is given by flashing lights
or bells, for example. It is important to realize that the bonus
prize value is not awarded as a matter of course to the player of
the gaming machine whose play has taken the accumulated pool to the
prize value, as is the case for the prior art Australian patents
noted above.
[0038] Next, the prize awarding phase is entered, as will be
described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0039] Firstly, a "win count" value is randomly selected, in this
example being the 100th play. That is, it is not necessarily
dependent upon the monetary value wagered, although the units
wagered may be an additional factor. Every player of machines 1-5
thus has an opportunity to win the known prize value. It remains
the requirement that the prize awarding phase is independent of the
prize accumulation phase, and the player causing the prize
accumulation phase to end will not, as a matter of course, be the
ultimate winner.
[0040] Next, each input play event is counted by the central
processor 54 and, importantly, the units wagered are separately
accumulated in an "excess pool" within the memory 55.
[0041] The processor 54 then determines whether the number of input
events is equal to the win count. If not, the process repeats. If
so, a win occurs and the identity of the gaming machine whose play
achieves the equality is recorded and displayed at least on the
winning machine's display 24. An indication of the win also may be
passed to a display or indicator associated with the winning gaming
machine The player now is entitled to redeem the prize.
[0042] The cycle now passes to the general "continue" test shown in
FIG. 3, and the excess pool value is added to the starting value as
previously discussed.
[0043] By arranging the bonus prize winning mode into two discrete
phases, there is enhanced enjoyment and excitement for players in
that once the bonus value is reached, and this fact is known, each
player then has a chance to win that prize by continued play.
[0044] A further embodiment offers a modification to the sequence
already described, in that the "win count" in the prize awarding
phase can otherwise be selectable by a system operator as a set
value. It will be remembered that the quantum of the prize has been
previously determined by the system operator. This quantum can be a
fixed amount, the amount in the bonus pool or a non-cash value. A
yet further embodiment can be operated in the prize awarding phase
so that the "plays" counted are only instances where the play
results in a win (i.e. coin-out). Yet further, the inputs counted
can be on the basis of the money wagered on each play (i.e.
coin-in).
[0045] The prize accumulation phase describes in relation to the
first embodiment describes accumulation of percentage of coin-in.
The accumulation equally could be on the basis of another parameter
such as coin-out, games played or time. Many other parameters can
be utilized.
[0046] A yet further embodiment adds a level of sophistication in
the switching between the prize accumulation and prize awarding
phases. It is open to determine which ones of the connected gaming
machines can participate in the prize awarding phase. One strategy
is to await a period of time in the range t=0-30 seconds to sample
which connected machines are still active and permitting only those
machines to participate in the prize awarding phase. Another
strategy can be to allow only those players that participated in
the prize accumulation phase to participate in the prize awarding
phase. Alternatively, it may be desired to make the prize awarding
phase open to "all comers".
* * * * *