U.S. patent application number 09/978952 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for gaming device having a physical stimuli generator.
Invention is credited to Kovacs, James K..
Application Number | 20030073478 09/978952 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25526561 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030073478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kovacs, James K. |
April 17, 2003 |
Gaming device having a physical stimuli generator
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
generating physical stimuli associated with a gaming device. The
invention includes a generator and a blower to distribute the
physical stimuli outside the gaming device. The gaming device may
generate physical stimuli based on different occurrences including
but not limited to game themes, player inputs, game triggering
events, sensing devices or by remote operation.
Inventors: |
Kovacs, James K.; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BELL, BOYD & LLOYD LLC
P. O. BOX 1135
CHICAGO
IL
60690-1135
US
|
Family ID: |
25526561 |
Appl. No.: |
09/978952 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3216 20130101;
G07F 17/3202 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
The invention is hereby claimed as follows:
1. A gaming device comprising: a housing defining at least one
portal; a physical stimuli generator in said housing; at least one
fluid communicator in said housing connected between said physical
stimuli generator and said portal; and a processor which controls
said physical stimuli generator and causes the physical stimuli
generator to create physical stimuli and direct the physical
stimuli through the fluid communicator to the portal and to an
exterior area of the housing.
2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a cabinet and
wherein said housing is removably attached to said cabinet.
3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is in the
cabinet and connected to the physical stimuli generator in the
housing.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a
plurality of portals and which includes a plurality of fluid
communicators connected between the physical stimuli generator and
portals.
5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the physical stimuli
generator is adapted to create a pulsed physical stimuli
stream.
6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the physical stimuli
generator is adapted to create a continuous physical stimuli
stream.
7. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a blower in said
housing connected to said physical stimuli generator and the fluid
communicator.
8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the physical stimuli
generator includes a blower.
9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said processor and
physical stimuli generator are at least partially controlled from a
location remote from the housing.
10. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said processor includes a
timer for causing the physical stimuli generator to generate
physical stimuli on a regular basis.
11. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one
sensing device in communication with the processor, wherein the
processor selectively causes the physical stimuli generator to
generate physical stimuli when a passerby is detected by said
sensing device.
12. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the physical stimuli is
selected from the group consisting of: fog, smoke, steam, snow,
foam, and haze.
13. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said processor causes the
physical stimuli generator to create physical stimuli in response
to a player input.
14. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said processor causes the
physical stimuli generator to create physical stimuli upon the
occurrence of a game event.
15. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said processor causes the
physical stimuli generator to create physical stimuli in
conjunction with a game mode, game state or game event or change
therein.
16. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor causes the
physical stimuli generator to generate the physical stimuli upon
the occurrence of an event selected from the group consisting of:
an initiation of a primary game; an event in a primary game; an
initiation of a secondary game; an event in a secondary game; an
initiation of a game mode; an event during a game mode; an
initiation of a game state; an event during a game state; and an
award provided to a player.
17. A gaming device comprising: a housing defining a plurality of
portals; a physical stimuli generator in said housing adapted to
generate physical stimuli selected from the group consisting of:
fog, smoke, steam, snow, foam, and haze; a plurality of fluid
communicators in said housing connected between said physical
stimuli generator and said portals; and a processor which controls
said physical stimuli generator and causes the physical stimuli
generator to create the physical stimuli and direct the physical
stimuli through the fluid communicator to the portal and to an
exterior area of the housing in conjunction with a game mode, game
state or game event or change therein.
18. The gaming device of claim 17, which includes a cabinet and
wherein said housing is removably attached to said cabinet.
19. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the processor is in the
cabinet and connected to the physical stimuli generator in the
housing.
20. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the physical stimuli
generator is adapted to create a pulsed physical stimuli
stream.
21. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the physical stimuli
generator is adapted to create a continuous physical stimuli
stream.
22. The gaming device of claim 17, which includes a blower in said
housing connected to said physical stimuli generator and the fluid
communicator.
23. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the physical stimuli
generator includes a blower.
24. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein said processor and
physical stimuli generator are at least partially controlled from a
location remote from the housing.
25. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein said processor includes
a timer for causing the physical stimuli generator to generate
physical stimuli on a regular basis.
26. The gaming device of claim 17, which includes at least one
sensing device in communication with the processor, wherein the
processor selectively causes the physical stimuli generator to
generate physical stimuli when a passerby is detected by said
sensing device.
27. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein said processor causes
the physical stimuli generator to create physical stimuli in
response to a player input.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to the following commonly-owned
co-pending patent application: "GAMING DEVICE FOR CHANGING A
PLAYER'S ENVIRONMENT," Ser. No. 09/689,402 Attorney Docket No.
0112300-458.
DESCRIPTION
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a gaming device,
and more particularly to a gaming device that generates physical
stimuli preferably in conjunction with a game mode, game state or
game event or change therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Known gaming machines use various lighting effects and sound
effects to attract, stimulate and entertain players. Gaming
machines, for instance, include flashing lights, moving or spinning
mechanical devices such as reels, wheels and lights, and sounds
such as music and voices for such purposes. Gaming machines also
include primary games and secondary or bonus games, progressive
jackpots and large awards to attract, stimulate and entertain
players. To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is
desirable to provide new and different player stimuli in
conjunction with gaming devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a gaming device which
stimulates and entertains players by changing the players'
environment with physical stimuli or effects. The physical stimuli
or effects are preferably provided by the gaming device of the
present invention in conjunction with a game mode, game state or
game event or change therein (such as an attract mode, a primary
game or game event, a secondary game or game event or a pay out of
an award to a player) to increase player enjoyment, entertainment
and excitement.
[0005] One embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention
includes a physical stimuli generating housing, unit or apparatus
mounted on the top of the cabinet of the gaming device for
emulating or emitting certain physical stimuli toward or in the
area of the player. The stimuli generating apparatus or unit may
also be mounted on the side of, underneath, behind, or in the
cabinet of the gaming device.
[0006] In one preferred embodiment, the physical stimuli is fog.
The physical stimuli may alternatively, for instance be smoke,
steam, snow, foam, haze and the like in accordance with the present
invention. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
physical stimuli is directed toward the player in a gaseous form,
mixture or state. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
physical stimuli is the natural color of the physical stimuli which
is preferably clearly visible to the player. In another embodiment,
the physical stimuli is colored. The stimuli housing includes one
or more devices adapted to create or simulate the physical stimuli
and direct or cause the physical stimuli to be directed toward and
drift around the gaming device.
[0007] The present invention is generally discussed herein with
respect to the physical stimuli being fog for simplicity. Such
discussion is not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention,
the housing includes a fog generator and a blower. The fog
generator and the blower are in fluid communication with a
plurality of portals in the stimuli unit. The blower preferably
includes a plurality of fan blades and a drive mechanism which
directs a pulsed or steady stream of fog (i.e., fog stream) to the
portals. The portals direct the fog at desired angles into portions
of the playing area or environment surrounding the gaming device.
In one embodiment, the fog is directed around the player and
temporarily changes the player's environment such as in conjunction
with a game mode, game state or game event or change therein (such
as a primary game or game event, or a secondary or bonus game or
game event, or a player award). The fog may also be generated and
released by the gaming machine at any suitable predetermined or
randomly determined time.
[0008] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to
provide a gaming device that changes a player's environment with
physical stimuli. Other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings,
wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components,
steps and processes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring now to the drawings, a gaming device 10 of one
embodiment of the present invention, such as a slot machine having
the controls, displays and features of a conventional gaming
machine is generally illustrated. Gaming device 10 includes a
cabinet 12 constructed to enable a player to operate gaming device
10 while standing or sitting. However, it should be appreciated
that gaming device 10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top
game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while
sitting. Gaming device 10 can incorporate any primary game such as
slot, poker, blackjack or keno in addition to any of the bonus
triggering events associated with these games, which trigger a
secondary or bonus game or round. The symbols and indicia used on
and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electronic,
electrical or video form.
[0012] As generally illustrated in FIG. 1, gaming device 10
includes a coin slot 14 and bill acceptor 16 where the player
inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the
coin slot 14 or paper money in the bill acceptor 16. Other devices
(not shown) could be used for accepting payment such as readers or
validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts
money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the
amount deposited is shown in a credit display 18. After depositing
the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by
pulling arm 20, pushing a play button or activating any other
mechanism (including a touch screen 48 in communication with a
touch screen controller 50 as generally illustrated in FIG. 2)
which starts the game.
[0013] As illustrated in FIG. 1, gaming device 10 may include a bet
display 24 and a bet one button 22. The player places a bet by
pushing the bet one button 22. The player can increase the bet by
one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 22. When
the player pushes the bet one button 22, the number of credits
shown in the credit display 18 decreases by one, and the number of
credits shown in the bet display 24 increases by one. The gaming
device can also include other play and wager indicators or buttons
such as a conventional max bet and repeat bet buttons (not
shown).
[0014] Gaming device 10 may include a display window which
contains, in the slot machine embodiment, a plurality of reels 28
such as three to five reels in mechanical or video form. Each reel
28 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits,
numbers, letters, bars or other images or symbols which preferably
correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. If the
reels 28 are in video form, the gaming device 10 preferably
displays the video reels 28 at display 30.
[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the general electronic
configuration of gaming device 10 of one embodiment of the present
invention includes a processor 32 and a physical stimuli generator
such as a fog generator 34 which includes or controls a blower 36.
Alternatively, the blower 36 may be a separate device from the fog
generator. Further, alternatively, the physical stimuli generator
may be provided without the need for a blower. The processor 32
accesses a memory device 38 for storing program code or other data.
The gaming device may also include a video controller 39, a central
display device 31 (not shown in FIG. 1), a display 30, a sound card
40 for facilitating the generation of sounds, a plurality of
speakers 42, and one or more input devices 44. The processor 32 is
preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which
is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as
images of people, characters, places, things, and cards, and for
controlling the physical stimuli generator 34 and associated blower
36 as described below. A sub-processor may also be employed to
control the generation and release of the physical stimuli. The
memory device 38 can include random access memory (RAM) 46 for
storing event data or other data generated or used during a
particular game. The memory device 38 can also include read only
memory (ROM) 47 for storing program code which controls the gaming
device 10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance with
applicable game rules and pay tables.
[0016] It should be appreciated that although a processor 32 and
memory device 38 are preferable implementations of the present
invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one
or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other
hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively
and/or alternatively referred to herein as a "processor").
Furthermore, although the processor 32 and memory device 38
preferably reside in each gaming device cabinet, it is possible to
provide some or all of their functions at a central location such
as a network server for communication to a playing station such as
over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet
connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 32 and
memory device 38 are generally referred to herein as the "computer"
or "controller."
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, to operate the gaming
device 10 in one embodiment the player must insert the appropriate
amount of money or tokens at coin slot 14 or bill acceptor 16 and
then pull the arm 20 or push the bet one button 22 and the red spin
button; or push the bet max button (not shown). The reels 28 will
then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 28 will come to a stop.
As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin
the reels 28 again. Depending upon where the reels 28 stop, the
player may or may not win additional credits.
[0018] In addition to winning credits in this manner, the gaming
device 10 may also provide players the opportunity to win credits
in a secondary game or bonus round. This type of gaming device 10
will include a program which will automatically begin a bonus round
when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the primary
game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of
indicia on a display device. In one embodiment, the qualifying
condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a
plurality of reels 28. The gaming device 10 uses in one embodiment
the video-based display 31 to enable the player to play the bonus
round.
[0019] As indicated above, the present invention is described
herein in respect to a gaming device that simulates fog as the
physical stimuli. In one embodiment, the gaming device 10 includes
a top unit 52 suitably connected to and mounted on top of the
cabinet 12 of the gaming device 10. The top unit 52 may be designed
to attract player's attention to the game or may alternatively be
designed to hide the existence of the physical stimuli generator
and outlets (so the player is surprised when the physical stimuli
is generated). The physical stimuli generator increases the players
enjoyment and entertainment while playing by adding external
physical stimuli that supplements the primary or secondary games
provided by the gaming device.
[0020] As generally illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the
top unit 52 generally includes a housing 54 and at least one and
preferably a plurality of portals 56 to direct the physical stimuli
toward the player or in the vicinity of the player. In the
illustrated embodiment, each portal 56 provides an opening in the
housing 54. The portals may be located in any suitable position in
the housing. It is also contemplated that the portals may be
located at any suitable position in the gaming device cabinet 12 or
the drop box 57 below the lower portion of the cabinet 12. The
portals 56 direct the fog or other physical stimuli outside the
gaming device to stimulate a player's senses while playing the
game.
[0021] The housing 52 may be removably or permanently connected to
the cabinet of the gaming device. It should also be appreciated
that the housing may be mounted to the cabinet of the gaming device
to facilitate movement of the housing relative to the cabinet in
conjunction with the release of the physical stimuli. Such
mechanism may for instance include processor controlled actuators,
activators, solenoids, thrust bearings and non-processor controlled
devices such as spring dampers.
[0022] In one embodiment of the gaming device, the portals 56 are
connected to fog communicators such as tubes 58 that direct or
communicate the fog to the various portals on the housing 54 and
gaming device cabinet 12. The tubes 58 are connected between the
portals 56 and the fog generator 34. Any suitable securing
mechanism may be employed to connect the communication tubes to the
portals and the physical stimulator generator. The fog generator 34
produces the fog that is directed outside the gaming machine. Any
suitable fog or other physical stimuli generation device may be
employed in the gaming device and preferably in the housing 54. One
commercially available fog generation machine is manufactured by
Antari Lighting and Effects, Ltd. Antari also manufacturers
equipment for making other physical stimuli. Preferably, the
housing has an access door (not shown) to enable a operator to
service the physical stimuli generator, such as for refilling the
generator with concentrate for producing the physical stimuli. The
concentrate or other supply is also commercially available from
Antari. It should be appreciated as indicated above, that the
concentrate may be provided with different water-soluable color
dies which produce different color physical stimuli.
[0023] In one embodiment, the present invention includes a suitable
blower incorporated in or adjacent to the fog or physical stimuli
generator or along the fog or physical stimuli communicators or
communication tubes to promote the distribution of fog or physical
stimuli to the portals and to the area surrounding the gaming
machine. The fog or physical stimuli generator can be adapted to
create a steady and continuous fog or physical stimuli stream or
pulsed fog or physical stimuli stream from the housing and gaming
device. It should be appreciated that other types of fog or
physical stimuli streams may be created as desired by the
manufacturer.
[0024] It should be appreciated that the portal can extend outside
the housing. In such case, the portals would preferably include
designs which are relevant to the physical stimuli. For instance,
the fog may extend from a portal in the design of a cigar. It
should also be appreciated that the housing 54 can have any
suitable shape for use with the gaming device 10 and the game. The
housing 54 may be formed from one or more pieces of colored or dyed
plastic or any other suitable material.
[0025] It is contemplated that the present invention works in
conjunction with a game mode, game state or game event or change
therein such as a primary or base game or game event, a secondary
or bonus game or game event, an attract mode or payout mode of the
gaming device 10. For instance, the physical stimuli may be
generated when the game initiates a bonus game or round based on a
triggering event in the primary game. It should be appreciated that
the present invention could be activated in a primary or secondary
game in conjunction with an event or occurrence during the game,
such as an award to the player, or where the player enters a
particular input such as making a particular wager. The physical
stimuli may also be generated, for instance, when a wild card or
symbol or other designated symbols occurs.
[0026] In one preferred embodiment, the gaming device 10 generates
fog when triggered by the processor, based on a triggering event
generated by the primary or secondary game. Preferably, the fog is
distributed about the player to create the sensation of a foggy day
or evening. It is also contemplated that the fog may be directed at
a player to attract the player to the gaming device or to create a
more noticeable special effect. It is also contemplated that smoke,
steam, snow, foam, haze or other similar special effects may be
generated in the same manner by the gaming device. It should be
appreciated that the other physical stimuli will simulate other
conditions for the player.
[0027] In one alternative embodiment, the gaming device includes a
sensing device (not shown) adapted to detect a passersby. In this
embodiment, when a potential player passes in front of the gaming
device 10, the detecting device senses the potential player and
sends an electrical signal to the processor which in turn sends an
electrical signal to the fog or physical stimuli generator 34 to
provide a stream of fog to attract the potential player's
attention. In another embodiment, the gaming device could simulate
fog at pre-set time intervals, at randomly determined time
intervals or at various time periods using a timing mechanism to
attract players. In yet another embodiment, an operator controls
the distribution of fog or physical stimuli from a remote location
with a remote control device. Using this embodiment, the operator
could direct different amounts of fog or other physical stimuli
from the machine in an interactive manner to entertain players. In
one embodiment, the processor is located within the gaming device.
However, it should be appreciated that the processor may be located
outside of the gaming device such as in a central control location
or control room.
[0028] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is presently considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the claims. It is thus to
be understood that modifications and variations in the present
invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of
this invention as defined in the claims, and that this application
is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.
* * * * *