U.S. patent application number 10/056550 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for gaming with fee-type wagering.
Invention is credited to Michaelson, Richard E..
Application Number | 20030144053 10/056550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27609293 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030144053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michaelson, Richard E. |
July 31, 2003 |
Gaming with fee-type wagering
Abstract
A gaming method may include receiving a value amount to
initially define a value total, and causing video images to be
generated, the video images representing a game including at least
one value-generating event. The method also may include deducting a
fee at intervals from the value total independent of play of said
game represented by said video images, determining based on the fee
a value payout associated with the at least one value-generating
events, and adding the value payout to the value total. A gaming
system or gaming apparatus may include a controller programmed to
operate according to the gaming method. Further, a memory may have
a computer program in accordance with the gaming method stored
thereon.
Inventors: |
Michaelson, Richard E.;
(Lemmon Valley, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 SOUTH WACKER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6357
US
|
Family ID: |
27609293 |
Appl. No.: |
10/056550 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 ; 463/16;
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/792 20140902;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G06Q 50/34 20130101; G07F 17/3262
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 ; 463/16;
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming method comprising: receiving a value amount to
initially define a value total; causing a video image representing
a game to be generated, said video image representing one of the
following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video
keno and video bingo, said video image comprising an image of at
least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker, said
video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot
machine reels if said game comprises video slots, said video image
comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game
comprises video blackjack, said video image comprising an image of
a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and
said video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game
comprises video bingo; deducting a fee at intervals from the value
total independent of play of said game represented by said video
image; determining based on the fee a value payout associated with
an outcome of said game represented by said video image; and adding
the value payout to the value total.
2. The gaming method according to claim 1, comprising deducting a
fixed fee periodically from the value total independent of play of
said game represented by said video image.
3. The gaming method according to claim 1, comprising interrupting
for a period of time the deducting of a fee at intervals from the
value total independent of play of said game represented by said
video image.
4. A gaming method comprising: receiving a value amount to
initially define a value total; causing a video image to be
generated, the video image representing a game including at least
one value-generating event; deducting a fee at intervals from the
value total independent of play of said game represented by said
video image; determining based on the fee a value payout associated
with the at least one value-generating events; and adding the value
payout to the value total.
5. The gaming method according to claim 4, comprising deducting a
fixed fee periodically from the value total independent said game
represented by said video image.
6. The gaming method according to claim 4, comprising causing a
video image to be generated, the video image representing a game
comprising a plurality of game piece images.
7. The gaming method according to claim 6, comprising displaying a
value amount when the player selects one of the game piece images
from the plurality of game piece images.
8. The gaming method according to claim 7, comprising determining a
value payout when the player selects one of the game piece images
from the plurality of game piece images.
9. The gaming method according to claim 7, comprising determining a
value payout prior to when the player selects one of the game piece
images from the plurality of game piece images.
10. The gaming method according to claim 7, comprising displaying
value amounts for the game piece images of the plurality of game
piece images other than the one of the game piece images after
displaying the value amount.
11. The gaming method according to claim 6, comprising displaying a
value amount when one of the game piece images from the plurality
of game piece images is automatically selected.
12. The gaming method according to claim 4, comprising interrupting
for a period of time the deducting of a fee at intervals from the
value total independent of play of said game represented by said
video images.
13. The gaming method according to claim 4, comprising causing a
video image to be generated, said video image representing one of
the following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots,
video keno and video bingo, said video image comprising an image of
at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,
said video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated
slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots, said video
image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said
game comprises video blackjack, said video image comprising an
image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video
keno, and said video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if
said game comprises video bingo.
14. A gaming method comprising: receiving a value amount to
initially define a value total; causing a video image to be
generated, said video image representing a video slots game and
comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels,
each of said slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine
symbols; deducting a fee at intervals from the value total
independent of play of said video slots game represented by said
video image; determining based on the fee a value payout associated
with an outcome of said video slots game represented by said video
image, said outcome of said video slots game based on a
configuration of said slot machine symbols; and adding the value
payout to the value total.
15. The gaming method according to claim 14, comprising deducting a
fixed fee periodically from the value total independent of play of
said game represented by said video image.
16. The gaming method according to claim 14, comprising
interrupting for a period of time the deducting of a fee at
intervals from the value total independent of play of said game
represented by said video image.
17. A gaming apparatus comprising: a display unit that is capable
of generating video images; a value input device; a controller
operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input
device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being
programmed to allow a person to enter a value amount to initially
define a value total, said controller being programmed to cause a
video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image
representing one of the following games: video poker, video
blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo, said video
image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said
game comprises video poker, said video image comprising an image of
a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises
video slots, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of
playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack, said video
image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said
game comprises video keno, said video image comprising an image of
a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo, said controller
being programmed to deduct a fee at intervals from the value total
independent of play of said game represented by said video image;
said controller being programmed to determine based on the fee
deducted a value payout associated with an outcome of said game
represented by said video image; and said controller being
programmed to add the value payout to the value total.
18. The gaming apparatus according to claim 17, said controller
being programmed to deduct a fixed fee periodically from the value
total independent of play of said game represented by said video
image.
19. The gaming apparatus according to claim 17, said controller
being programmmed to interrupt for a period of time the deducting
of a fee at intervals from the value total independent of play of
said game represented by said video image.
20. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 17, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected
to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
21. A gaming system as defined in claim 20, wherein said gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
22. A gaming apparatus comprising: a display unit that is capable
of generating video images; a value input device; a controller
operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input
device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being
programmed to allow a person to enter a value amount to initially
define a value total, said controller being programmed to cause a
video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image
representing a game including at least one value-generating event;
said controller being programmed to deduct a fee at intervals from
the value total independent of play of said game represented by
said video image; said controller being programmed to determine
based on the fee a value payout associated with the at least one
value-generating event; and said controller being programmed to add
the value payout to the value total.
23. The gaming apparatus according to claim 22, said controller
being programmed to deduct a fixed fee periodically from the value
total independent of play of said game represented by said video
image.
24. The gaming apparatus according to claim 22, said controller
being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said
display unit, the video image representing a game comprising a
plurality of game piece images.
25. The gaming apparatus according to claim 24, said controller
being programmed to cause a value amount to be generated on said
display unit when the player selects one of the game piece images
from the plurality of game piece images.
26. The gaming apparatus according to claim 25, said controller
being programmed to determine a value payout when the player
selects one of the game piece images from the plurality of game
piece images.
27. The gaming apparatus according to claim 25, said controller
being programmed to determine a value payout prior to when the
player selects one of the game piece images from the plurality of
game piece images.
28. The gaming apparatus according to claim 25, said controller
being programmed to cause value amounts to be generated on said
display unit for the game piece images of the plurality of game
piece images other than the one of the game piece images after
causing the value amount to be generated on said display unit.
29. The gaming apparatus according to claim 24, said controller
being programmed to cause a value amount to be generated on said
display unit when one of the game piece images from the plurality
of game piece images is automatically selected.
30. The gaming apparatus according to claim 22, said controller
being programmed to interrupt for a period of time the deducting of
a fee at intervals from the value total independent of play of said
game represented by said video image.
31. The gaming apparatus according to claim 22, said controller
being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said
display unit, said video image representing one of the following
games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and
video bingo, said video image comprising an image of at least five
playing cards if said game comprises video poker, said video image
comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels
if said game comprises video slots, said video image comprising an
image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video
blackjack, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of
keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and said video
image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises
video bingo.
32. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 22, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected
to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
33. A gaming system as defined in claim 22, wherein said gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
34. A gaming apparatus comprising: a display unit that is capable
of generating video images; a value input device; a controller
operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input
device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being
programmed to allow a person to enter a value amount to initially
define a value total, said controller being programmed to cause a
video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image
representing a video slots game and comprising a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of said slot
machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols, said
controller being programmed to deduct a fee at intervals from the
value total independent of said video slots game represented by
said video image; said controller being programmed to determine
based on the fee a value payout associated with an outcome of said
video slots game, said controller being programmed to determine
said outcome of said slots game based on a configuration of said
slot machine symbols; and said controller being programmed to add
the value payout to the value total.
35. The gaming apparatus according to claim 34, said controller
being programmed to deduct a fixed fee periodically from the value
total independent of play of said game represented by said video
image.
36. The gaming apparatus according to claim 34, said controller
being programmed to interrupt for a period of time the deducting of
a fee at intervals from the value total independent of play of said
game represented by said video image.
37. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 34, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected
to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
38. A gaming system as defined in claim 34, wherein said gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
39. A memory having a computer program stored therein, said
computer program being capable of being used in connection with a
gaming apparatus, said memory comprising: a first memory portion
physically configured in accordance with computer program
instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to allow a
person to enter a value amount to initially define a value total; a
second memory portion physically configured in accordance with
computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus
to cause a video image to be generated on a display unit, said
video image representing one of the following games: video poker,
video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo, said
video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if
said game comprises video poker, said video image comprising an
image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game
comprises video slots, said video image comprising an image of a
plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,
said video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers
if said game comprises video keno, said video image comprising an
image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo; a third
memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer
program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to
deduct a fee at intervals from the value total independent of said
game represented by said video image; a fourth memory portion
physically configured in accordance with computer program
instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to determine
based on the fee deducted a value payout associated with an outcome
of said game represented by said video image; and a fifth memory
portion physically configured in accordance with computer program
instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to add the value
payout to the value total.
40. A memory having a computer program stored therein, said
computer program being capable of being used in connection with a
gaming apparatus, said memory comprising: a first memory portion
physically configured in accordance with computer program
instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to allow a
person to enter a value amount to initially define a value total; a
second memory portion physically configured in accordance with
computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus
to cause a video image to be generated on a display unit, said
video image representing a game including at least one
value-generating event; a third memory portion physically
configured in accordance with computer program instructions that
would cause the gaming apparatus to deduct a fee at intervals from
the value total independent of said game represented by said video
image; a fourth memory portion physically configured in accordance
with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming
apparatus to determine based on the fee deducted a value payout
associated with the at least one value-generating event; and a
fifth memory portion physically configured in accordance with
computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus
to add the value payout to the value total.
41. A memory having a computer program stored therein, said
computer program being capable of being used in connection with a
gaming apparatus, said memory comprising: a first memory portion
physically configured in accordance with computer program
instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to allow a
person to enter a value amount to initially define a value total; a
second memory portion physically configured in accordance with
computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus
to cause a video image to be generated on a display unit, said
video image representing a video slots game and comprising a
plurality of simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of
said slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols;
a third memory portion physically configured in accordance with
computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus
to deduct a fee at intervals from the value total independent of
said game represented by said video image; a fourth memory portion
physically configured in accordance with computer program
instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to determine
based on the fee deducted a value payout associated with an outcome
of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine
said outcome of said slots game based on a configuration of said
slot machine symbols; and a fifth memory portion physically
configured in accordance with computer program instructions that
would cause the gaming apparatus to add the value payout to the
value total.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This patent relates to gaming, and, in particular, to gaming
with fee-type wagering.
[0002] U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 35,864 discloses a gaming system using
pari-mutuel wagering. According to the '864 patent, pari-mutuel
wagering is a system by which all players compete for a common pool
of funds to which each player contributes. The players also
contribute to a pool that is distributed to the house for operating
the gaming system. Players may contribute to the pool once, on a
per wager basis, on a per game basis, on a per payout basis, or on
an hourly basis. The '864 patent states that profits for the house
are thus derived from a collection system rather than odds or
player skill. The '864 patent further states that the player skills
will be pitted against one another rather than against the
house.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,879 discloses a gaming system with a
wager accounting module. The player is required to place a wager
for each hand of blackjack played. If the player does not accept a
wager equal to a previous wager or place a new wager within a
predetermined amount of time, then the wager accounting module
automatically wagers either a wager equal to the previous wager or
a minimum required bet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming
system in accordance with the invention;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the
gaming units shown schematically in FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a
gaming unit;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic components of
the gaming unit of FIG. 2;
[0008] FIGS. 4A-B is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main routine
that may be performed during operation of one or more gaming
units;
[0009] FIGS. 5A-F are illustrations of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the main
routine of FIG. 4;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an alternate embodiment of a main
routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of
the gaming units;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a further alternative embodiment of
a main routine that may be performed during operation of one or
more of the gaming units;
[0012] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video poker
routine of FIG. 10;
[0013] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video
blackjack routine of FIG. 11;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0016] FIG. 12 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the slots
routine of FIG. 14;
[0017] FIG. 13 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video keno
routine of FIG. 15;
[0018] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine
that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;
[0019] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0020] FIG. 16 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video bingo
routine of FIG. 17; and
[0021] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this
patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments
could be implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0023] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, it is
not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted
based on the application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth
paragraph.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of a casino
gaming system 10 in accordance with the invention. Referring to
FIG. 1, the casino gaming system 10 may include a first group or
network 12 of casino gaming units 20 operatively coupled to a
network computer 22 via a network data link or bus 24. The casino
gaming system 10 may include a second group or network 26 of casino
gaming units 30 operatively coupled to a network computer 32 via a
network data link or bus 34. The first and second gaming networks
12, 26 may be operatively coupled to each other via a network 40,
which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network
(WAN), or a local area network (LAN) via a first network link 42
and a second network link 44.
[0025] The first network 12 of gaming units 20 may be provided in a
first casino, and the second network 26 of gaming units 30 may be
provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic
location than the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be
located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located
in different states. The network 40 may include a plurality of
network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which
may be operatively interconnected. Where the network 40 comprises
the Internet, data communication may take place over the
communication links 42, 44 via an Internet communication
protocol.
[0026] The network computer 22 may be a server computer and may be
used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of
the gaming units 20. For example, the network computer 22 may
continuously receive data from each of the gaming units 20
indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on
each of the gaming units 20, data indicative of how much each of
the gaming units 20 is paying out in winnings, data regarding the
identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming
units 20, etc. The network computer 32 may be a server computer and
may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation
to the gaming units 30 as the network computer 22 described
above.
[0027] Although each network 12, 26 is shown to include one network
computer 22, 32 and four gaming units 20, 30, it should be
understood that different numbers of computers and gaming units may
be utilized. For example, the network 12 may include a plurality of
network computers 22 and tens or hundreds of gaming units 20, all
of which may be interconnected via the data link 24. The data link
24 may provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link.
Although the data link 24 is shown as a single data link 24, the
data link 24 may comprise multiple data links.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of
one or more of the gaming units 20. Although the following
description addresses the design of the gaming units 20, it should
be understood that the gaming units 30 may have the same design as
the gaming units 20 described below. It should be understood that
the design of one or more of the gaming units 20 may be different
than the design of other gaming units 20, and that the design of
one or more of the gaming units 30 may be different than the design
of other gaming units 30. Each gaming unit 20 may be any type of
casino gaming unit and may have various different structures and
methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, various designs of
the gaming units 20 are described below, but it should be
understood that numerous other designs may be utilized.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, the casino gaming unit 20 may include a
housing or cabinet 50 and one or more input devices, which may
include a coin slot or acceptor 52, a paper currency acceptor 54, a
ticket reader/printer 56 and a card reader 58, which may be used to
input value to the gaming unit 20. A value input device may include
any device that can accept value from a customer. As used herein,
the term "value" may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper
currency, ticket vouchers, credit or debit cards, and any other
object representative of value.
[0030] If provided on the gaming unit 20, the ticket reader/printer
56 may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket
vouchers 60. The ticket vouchers 60 may be composed of paper or
another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of
the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the
casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar
code with control and/or security data, the date and time of
issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and
restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information
that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket
vouchers 60 could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers,
cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra
game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant
ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers 60
could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink,
or data on the ticket vouchers 60 could be magnetically encoded.
The ticket reader/printer 56 may be provided with the ability to
both read and print ticket vouchers 60, or it may be provided with
the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers
60. In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units 20
may have ticket printers 56 that may be used to print ticket
vouchers 60, which could then be used by a player in other gaming
units 20 that have ticket readers 56.
[0031] If provided, the card reader 58 may include any type of card
reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card
reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a
player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If
provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader 58 may be
used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards
that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a
player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits,
etc.
[0032] The gaming unit 20 may include one or more audio speakers
62, a coin payout tray 64, an input control panel 66, and a color
video display unit 70 for displaying images relating to the game or
games provided by the gaming unit 20. The audio speakers 62 may
generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning
slot machine reels, a dealer's voice, music, announcements or any
other audio related to a casino game. The input control panel 66
may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive
areas that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers,
make gaming decisions, etc.
[0033] FIG. 2A illustrates one possible embodiment of the control
panel 66, which may be used where the gaming unit 20 is a slot
machine having a plurality of mechanical or "virtual" reels.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the control panel 66 may include a "See Pays"
button 72 that, when activated, causes the display unit 70 to
generate one or more display screens showing the odds or payout
information for the game or games provided by the gaming unit 20.
As used herein, the term "button" is intended to encompass any
device that allows a player to make an input, such as an input
device that must be depressed to make an input selection or a
display area that a player may simply touch. The control panel 66
may include a "Cash Out" button 74 that may be activated when a
player decides to terminate play on the gaming unit 20, in which
case the gaming unit 20 may return value to the player, such as by
returning a number of coins to the player via the payout tray
64.
[0034] If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a
plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines which define winning
combinations of reel symbols, the control panel 66 may be provided
with a plurality of selection buttons 76, each of which allows the
player to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning
the reels. For example, five buttons 76 may be provided, which may
allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine
paylines.
[0035] The control panel 66 may also be provided with a plurality
of selection buttons 78 to permit a player to select a fee (value
per unit time) to be assessed for playing the game, the fee being
modifiable according to the number of paylines selected. For
example, if the smallest fee is a quarter ($0.25) per minute, the
gaming unit 20 may be provided with five selection buttons 78,
which may allow a player to select a fee of one, two, three, four
or five quarters. In that case, if a player were to activate the
"5" button 76 (meaning that five paylines were to be played on the
next spin of the reels) and then activate the "3" button 78
(meaning a three quarter fee), the total fee would be
$3.75/minute.
[0036] The control panel 66 may include a "Max Bet" button 80 to
allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In
the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up
to five quarters could be wagered for each payline selected, the
maximum wager would be 45 quarters/minute, or $11.25/minute. The
control panel 66 may include a spin button 82 to allow the player
to initiate spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has
been made.
[0037] In FIG. 2A, a rectangle is shown around the buttons 72, 74,
76, 78, 80, 82. It should be understood that rectangle simply
designates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons 72,
74, 76, 78, 80, 82 may be located. Consequently, the term "control
panel" should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate
separate from the housing 50 of the gaming unit 20 is required, and
the term "control panel" may encompass a plurality or grouping of
player activatable buttons.
[0038] Although one possible control panel 66 is described above,
it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in
the control panel 66, and that the particular buttons used may
depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit
20. Although the control panel 66 is shown to be separate from the
display unit 70, it should be understood that the control panel 66
could be generated by the display unit 70. In that case, each of
the buttons of the control panel 66 could be a colored area
generated by the display unit 70, and some type of mechanism may be
associated with the display unit 70 to detect when each of the
buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen.
Gaming Unit Electronics
[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a number of components that may
be incorporated in the gaming unit 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the
gaming unit 20 may include a controller 100 that may comprise a
program memory 102, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP) 104, a
random-access memory (RAM) 106 and an input/output (I/O) circuit
108, all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus
110. It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor
104 is shown, the controller 100 may include multiple
microprocessors 104. Similarly, the memory of the controller 100
may include multiple RAMs 106 and multiple program memories 102.
Although the I/O circuit 108 is shown as a single block, it should
be appreciated that the I/O circuit 108 may include a number of
different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s) 104 and program
memories 102 may be implemented as semiconductor memories,
magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories,
for example.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates that the display unit 70, control panel
66, the coin acceptor 52, the bill acceptor 54, the card reader 58,
and the ticket reader/printer 56 may be operatively coupled to the
I/O circuit 108, each of those components being so coupled by
either a unidirectional or bidirectional, single-line or
multiple-line data link, which may depend on the design of the
component that is used. The speaker(s) 62 may be operatively
coupled to a sound circuit 112, that may comprise a voice- and
sound-synthesis circuit or that may comprise a driver circuit. The
sound-generating circuit 112 may be coupled to the I/O circuit
108.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the components 52, 54, 56, 58, 66, 112
may be connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a respective direct
line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be used. For
example, one or more of the components shown in FIG. 3 may be
connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a common bus or other data
link that is shared by a number of components. Furthermore, some of
the components may be directly connected to the microprocessor 104
without passing through the I/O circuit 108.
Overall Operation of Gaming Unit
[0042] One manner in which one or more of the gaming units 20 (and
one or more of the gaming units 30) may operate is described below
in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number
of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may
be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller 100. The
computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely,
outside of the gaming unit 20, and may control the operation of the
gaming unit 20 from a remote location. Such remote control may be
facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an
Internet interface that connects the gaming unit 20 with a remote
computer (such as one of the network computers 22, 32) having a
memory in which the computer program portions are stored. The
computer program portions may be written in any high level language
such as C, C+, C++, C# or the like or any low-level, assembly or
machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein,
various portions of the memories 102, 106 are physically and/or
structurally configured in accordance with computer program
instructions.
[0043] FIGS. 4A-B are a flowchart of a main operating routine 120
that may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. The main
routine 120 may be utilized for gaming units 20, 30 that are
designed to allow play of only a single game or single type of
game, although the main routine 120 is not so limited, the
illustration being by way of explanation instead. Exemplary video
images generated during the play of the illustrated game are
included as FIGS. 5A-F.
[0044] The routine may begin at a block 122 where a player may
enter value into one of the gaming units 20, 30. The player may
enter value by way of the coin acceptor 52, the paper currency
acceptor 54, the ticket reader and/or the card reader 56, 58. The
value may thus be in coin, paper or electronic form. The routine
may then proceed to block 124 where the initial value amount
entered is used to define a value total that will be used as a
running total as explained in greater detail below.
[0045] The routine may proceed to block 126, where the gaming unit
20, 30 waits until the player signals his or her desire to begin
the game. The gaming unit 20, 30 may alert the player to the fact
that the gaming unit 20, 30 is waiting for the player to indicate
his or her desire to begin the game through the use of video
images, music, sound effects, etc. or any combination thereof. As
illustrated in FIG. 5A, for example, the controller 100 of the
gaming unit 20, 30 generates a video image on the video display 70
of the word "BEGIN." This video image may be animated or enlarged,
or become animated or start to grow over time. The video image may
be accompanied by sound effects or music, or blinking or strobing
lights. Other terms, like "START," may be used or substituted. The
player may signal his or her desire to begin the game by depressing
a "Begin Game" button, for example, at which time the attraction
sequence may cease.
[0046] Alternatively, the routine may omit block 126, such that the
game begins once the player has entered value into the gaming unit
20, 30.
[0047] At a block 128, the routine may deduct a fee from the value
total. The fee may be based on time of play, rather than being
assessed based on a game event, such as a hand, spin, card, ticket,
etc. The fee deducted or assessed may thus be independent of the
game being played, there being no one-to-one correspondence between
fee and game event as there is between wager and game event in a
typical casino game, such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, bingo,
and the like. It may be possible for the player to play one, more
than one, or less than one hand, spin, card, ticket etc. per fee
deduction depending upon the unit of time per fee and the length of
time required by the player to complete the game event.
[0048] The amount of the fee may be fixed or variable. Moreover,
the amount of the fee may be determined based on input from the
player. Further, the timing of the fee deduction may be more or
less continuous, periodic or at irregular time intervals.
[0049] As seen in FIGS. 5A-F, the value total may be represented
visually on the display unit 70 as a series of bars 130 arranged
like a gauge, although numerals may also be used, such as when the
number of bars necessary to represent the value total would obscure
the video images of the game (see FIG. 5F). The bars may be divided
into three groups 132, 134, 136, arranged from left to right.
Colors may be assigned to each of the three groups, with red being
assigned to the group 132 furthest to the left as illustrated,
yellow to the group 134, and green to the group 136.
[0050] The colors reinforce the information conveyed by the bars
130: the number of bars 130 decreases, as the game draws to an end.
For example, each bar may represent a certain amount of value, such
as a dollar. Moreover, the fee for playing the game may be at a
rate of one dollar ($1.00) per minute. Consequently, as a dollar
deduction is made after the first minute to the value total, a bar
138 is removed from the group of bars 130, as can be seen by
comparing FIGS. 5B and 5C. Further, as a dollar deduction is made
after the second minute to the value total, a bar 140 is removed
from the group of bars 130, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 5C
and 5D.
[0051] After the deductions have been started, the controller 100
may control the display unit 70 at block 142 to display a video
image of a game. The game illustrated in this embodiment includes
one or more game piece images 144, as shown in FIG. 5B. As shown,
the plurality of game piece images 144 are identical and are in the
shape of stars. Alternatively, the game piece images 144 need not
be identical and may have a shape other than stars. For example, as
shown in FIG. 5F, the game piece images 144 may be some other
geometric shape, such as diamonds. Moreover, the game piece images
144 may be animated so as to appear to be in motion about the video
display.
[0052] The object of the game is for the player to select one of
the plurality of game piece images 144. The player may use a button
to select one of the game piece images 144. Additionally, the
player may use a joystick or mouse to position a cursor over one of
the game piece images 144 to select the game piece. Further, a
touchscreen may be fitted over the display unit 70 so that the
player may select one of the game piece images 144 by touching the
touchscreen at a position corresponding to the one of the game
piece images 144. The routine may make a determination whether the
player has selected one of the game piece images 144 at block
146.
[0053] It may take some time for the player to select one of the
game piece images 144, so initially the routine may determine that
the player has not selected one of the game piece images 144 at
block 146. Assuming that the player has not made a selection, the
routine may proceed to block 148, where a determination may be made
as to whether the value total is equal to zero. If the value total
is equal to zero, the game is over. The routine may proceed from
block 148 to end block 150.
[0054] On the other hand, the determination may be made at block
148 that the value total is not equal to zero, meaning that there
is some accumulated value remaining. In this case, at block 152, a
determination may be made as to whether the player wishes to have
the accumulated value dispersed to him or her. The player may
signal this, for example, by depressing a "Cash Out" button rather
than selecting one of the game piece images 144. If it is
determined that the player wishes to have the accumulated value
dispersed, then the routine may proceed to block 154 where the
controller 100 stops the deductions from the value total. The
accumulated value may then be dispersed to the player at block 156,
and the routine ends at block 150.
[0055] As a further alternative, it may be determined at block 152
that the player does not wish to have the accumulated value
dispensed (i.e., the player has not depressed the "Cash Out"
button). If this is the case, then a determination is made as to
whether the player wishes to pause the game play at block 158. A
pause may include a period of time, whether open-ended or of fixed
duration, during which the deductions are not made from the value
total. The player may also be prevented from selecting game pieces
during this time. The player may signal his or her desire to pause
the game play by depressing a dedicated "Pause" button, for
example.
[0056] If the determination is made at block 158 that the player
does not wish to pause the game, the routine may proceed to block
160 where a determination is made as to whether a time limit has
elapsed since the previous game piece selection such that the
controller 100 should make a selection for the player. Such a block
may be included to prevent a player from failing to take any action
because of performance anxiety over making a selection, and thereby
losing all of the value entered through the fee deductions. In
fact, some players may enjoy having the decision making process
taken entirely out of their hands. The time limit used in the
determination may be a fixed amount, or may vary according to
statistical analysis of the player's selection pattern.
[0057] If the determination is made that the time limit has not
elapsed, the routine may return to block 146. If the determination
is made that the time limit has elapsed, then the routine may
continue to block 162, and the controller 100 selects one of the
game piece images 144 for the player. The controller 100 may select
the game piece image 144 at random, or may follow a pattern that is
preprogrammed or that is selected by the player at the start of the
game.
[0058] Whether the game piece image 144 is selected by the player,
as determined at block 146, or is selected by the controller 100,
at block 162, the routine may proceed to block 164. At block 164,
the game piece image 144 that has been selected (highlighted with
an "X" 166 in FIG. 5C) is replaced with a message 168 to inform the
player of a value award associated with the game piece image 144
selected. For example, the game piece selected in FIG. 5C has been
replaced with the message "1 CREDIT" in FIG. 5D.
[0059] The credit value associated with the player's selection may
be predetermined before the player selects one of the game piece
images 144, or the value may be determined as the player selects.
Where the value is predetermined, the values may be predetermined
for each of the game pieces, such that the player has control over
the value to be awarded based on his or her selection, or a single
value may be predetermined and awarded to the player regardless of
the selection the player makes. That is, where there is only one
award that the player could receive for a specific game, but the
presence of multiple game piece images 144 gives the player the
impression that he or she is in control of the amount to be
awarded.
[0060] The value payout may, at least in part, be based on the fees
being deducted or assessed. That is, the gaming system operator of
the gaming system 10 provides payouts to the players out of the
fees collected. For the gaming system operator to make a profit,
the value of fees collected will need to exceed the value of
payouts made. Consequently, the payouts, and in particular the
algorithms and odds/probablities used to determine the payouts, are
based on the fees deducted or assessed.
[0061] The value awarded may be added to the value total at block
170. The block 170 may be performed at approximately the same time
as block 164, or may be performed slightly thereafter. Moreover, at
approximately the same time or shortly thereafter, the bars 130 are
updated to reflect the increase in value by adding a bar 172 to the
group 136, as shown in FIG. 5E.
[0062] At block 174, the other game piece images 144 may be removed
and messages substituted therefor. For example, as shown in FIG.
5E, other messages 176 such as "0 CREDITS," "3 CREDITS," and "10
CREDITS" may be displayed in place of the game pieces. The messages
176 may reflect actual value amounts that were associated with each
of the game piece images 144. Alternatively, in the case where a
single award value is available for each game regardless of the
game piece selected, the messages do not actually represent a value
amount associated with the game piece images 144 and may be
randomly assigned.
[0063] A determination may be made at block 178 at to whether,
given the outcome of the game, the value total is now equal to
zero. If the value total is determined to be zero, then the routine
may proceed to block 150 and end. If the value total is not equal
to zero, then at a block 180 the video image may be reset (i.e., a
new set of game piece images is displayed) and the controller may
be prepared to make a new determination or set of determinations of
the value amount(s) to be assigned to the game piece images 144.
The routine then returns to the block 142.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 5F, when the video image is reset, game
piece images 144 may have a different shape than those displayed in
FIGS. 5B-D. Moreover, the number, color, size, animation, etc. of
the game piece images 144 may differ from game to game.
[0065] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an alternative main operating
routine 200 that may be stored in the memory of the controller 100.
Referring to FIG. 6, the main routine 200 may begin operation at
block 202 during which an attraction sequence may be performed in
an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play the
gaming unit 20. The attraction sequence may be performed by
displaying one or more video images on the display unit 70 and/or
causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be
generated via the speakers 62. The attraction sequence may include
a scrolling list of games that may be played on the gaming unit 20
and/or video images of various games being played, such as video
poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo,
etc.
[0066] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a
potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as
determined at block 204, the attraction sequence may be terminated
and a game-selection display may be generated on the display unit
70 at block 206 to allow the player to select a game available on
the gaming unit 20. The gaming unit 20 may detect an input at block
204 in various ways. For example, the gaming unit 20 could detect
if the player presses any button on the gaming unit 20.
[0067] The game-selection display generated at block 206 may
include, for example, a list of fee-based wagering video games that
may be played on the gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message to
prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit 20. While
the game-selection display is generated, the gaming unit 20 may
wait for the player to make a game selection. Upon selection of one
of the games by the player as determined at block 208, the
controller 100 may cause one of a number of game routines including
fee-based wagering to be performed to allow the selected game to be
played. The game routines could include, for example, a video poker
routine 210, a video blackjack routine 220, a slots routine 230, a
video keno routine 240, and a video bingo routine 250. At block
208, if no game selection is made within a given period of time
and/or if no value is entered, the operation may branch back to
block 202.
[0068] After one of the routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 has been
performed to allow the player to play one of the fee-based wagering
games, block 260 may be utilized to determine whether the play
should be terminated. For example, if the fees deducted exhausted
the accumulated value total, play may be terminated. Alternatively,
the player may wish to stop playing the gaming unit 20, or at least
the game presently being played. The player may express his or her
wish, for example, by selecting the "Cash Out" button. If play is
to be stopped, either for lack of value or because the player
wishes to quit, then the controller 100 may dispense the
accumulated value, if any, to the player at block 262, and
operation may then return to block 202.
[0069] If value remains and the player did not wish to quit, as
determined at block 260, the routine may return to block 208 where
the game-selection display may again be generated to allow the
player to select another game.
[0070] It should be noted that although five gaming routines are
shown in FIG. 6, a different number of routines could be included
to allow play of a different number of games. The gaming unit 20
may also be programmed to allow play of different games.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a further alternative main
operating routine 300 that may be stored in the memory of the
controller 100. The main routine 300 may be utilized for gaming
units 20 that are designed to allow play of only a single game or
single type of game. Referring to FIG. 7, the main routine 300 may
begin operation at block 302 during which an attraction sequence
may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player in a
casino to play the gaming unit 20. The attraction sequence may be
performed by displaying one or more video images on the display
unit 70 and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or
music, to be generated via the speakers 62.
[0072] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a
potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as
determined at block 304, the attraction sequence may be terminated
and a game display may be generated on the display unit 70 at block
306. The game display generated at block 306 may include, for
example, an image of the fee-based wagering casino game that may be
played on the gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message to prompt the
player to deposit value into the gaming unit 20. At block 308, the
gaming unit 20 may determine if the player requested information
concerning the game, in which case the requested information may be
displayed at block 310. Block 312 may be used to determine if the
player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine
320 may be performed. The game routine 320 could be any one of the
game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game
routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, or another game routine.
[0073] After the routine 320 has been performed to allow the player
to play the game, block 322 may be utilized to determine if the
fees deducted have exhausted the accumulated value or if the player
wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit 20. The player again
may express his or her wish to stop playing the gaming unit 20, for
example, by selecting the "Cash Out" button. If the accumulated
value has not been exhausted through fees, the controller 100 may
dispense the accumulated value to the player at block 324, and
operation may then return to block 302. If the player did not wish
to quit, as determined at block 322, the operation may return to
block 308.
Video Poker
[0074] FIG. 8 is an exemplary display 350 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the fee-based wagering video
poker routine 210 shown schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG.
8, the display 350 may include video images 352 of a plurality of
playing cards representing the player's hand, such as five cards.
To allow the player to control the play of the video poker game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Hold" button 354 disposed directly below
each of the playing card images 352, a "Cash Out" button 356, a
"See Pays" button 358, a "Begin" button 360, and a "Deal/Draw"
button 364. The display 350 may also include an area 366 in which
the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the
display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the
buttons 354, 356, 358, 360, 362 may form part of the video display
350. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as
part of a control panel that is provided separately from the
display unit 70.
[0075] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the video poker routine 210 shown
schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 10, the routine may
begin at a block 370 where a player may enter value into one of the
gaming units 20, 30. The player may enter value by way of the coin
acceptor 52, the paper currency acceptor 54, the ticket reader
and/or the card reader 56, 58. The value may thus be in coin, paper
or electronic form. The routine may then proceed to block 371 where
the initial value amount entered is used to define a value total
that will be used as a running total as explained in greater detail
below.
[0076] The routine may proceed to block 372, where the gaming unit
20, 30 waits until the player signals his or her desire to begin
the game. The gaming unit 20, 30 may alert the player to the fact
that the gaming unit 20, 30 is waiting for the player to indicate
his or her desire to begin the game through the use of video
images, music, sound effects, etc. or any combination thereof. To
start, the player may depress the "Begin" button 360, for
example.
[0077] If the player has not expressed his or her wish to start at
block 372, the routine may determine at block 373 whether the
player has requested payout information, such as by activating the
"See Pays" button 358, in which case at block 374 the routine may
cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit
70. If the player has expressed his or her wish to start the game
at block 372, then at block 375, the routine may begin deductions
from the value total that may have been defined at block 371. To
this extent, the comments regarding block 128 may be equally
applicable here.
[0078] At any time between hands, the player may express his or her
desire to pause the game at block 376. During the pause, the
routine may not assess fee deductions from the value total.
Additionally, while not shown in FIG. 10, the player may be
permitted to access pay tables as in blocks 373, 374 during the
pause. The player may express his or her wish to pause by, for
example, depressing the "See Pays" button 358 and to resume play by
depressing the "Begin" button 360.
[0079] At block 382, the routine may determine if the player
desires a new hand to be dealt, which may be determined by
detecting if the "Deal/Draw" button 364 was activated after the
"Begin" button 360 is depressed. In that case, at block 384 a video
poker hand may be "dealt" by causing the display unit 70 to
generate the playing card images 352. After the hand is dealt, at
block 386 the routine may determine if any of the "Hold" buttons
354 have been activated by the player, in which case data regarding
which of the playing card images 352 are to be "held" may be stored
in the controller 100 at block 388. If the "Deal/Draw" button 364
is activated again as determined at block 390, each of the playing
card images 352 that was not "held" may be caused to disappear from
the video display 350 and to be replaced by a new, randomly
selected, playing card image 352 at block 392.
[0080] At block 394, the routine may determine whether the poker
hand represented by the playing card images 352 currently displayed
is a winner. That determination may be made by comparing data
representing the currently displayed poker hand with data
representing all possible winning hands, which may be stored in the
memory of the controller 100. If there is a winning hand, a payout
value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block
396. At block 397, the player's cumulative value total may be
increased, if the hand was a winner, by the payout value determined
at block 396. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be
displayed in the display area 366 (FIG. 8).
[0081] At a block 398, a determination is made whether play should
be stopped. For example, play may be stopped if the value total
becomes equal to zero, or if the player expresses his or her wish
to stop play by depressing the "Cash Out" button 356. If the
determination is made at block 398 that the play is not to be
stopped, the operation returns to block 376. Otherwise, the routine
may stop the deductions at a block 399, and may return to the main
routine.
[0082] Although the video poker routine 210 is described above in
connection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine 210
may be modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For
example, seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be
played. Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously
played. In that case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker
hand, and the player may be allowed to hold certain cards. After
deciding which cards to hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a
plurality of different poker hands, with the remaining cards for
each of those poker hands being randomly determined.
Video Blackjack
[0083] FIG. 9 is an exemplary display 400 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video blackjack routine
220 shown schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 9, the display
400 may include video images 402 of a pair of playing cards
representing a dealer's hand, with one of the cards shown face up
and the other card being shown face down, and video images 404 of a
pair of playing cards representing a player's hand, with both the
cards shown face up. The "dealer" may be the gaming unit 20.
[0084] To allow the player to control the play of the video
blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be
displayed. The buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 406, a "See
Pays" button 408, a "Stay" button 410, a "Hit" button 412, and a
"Begin" button 414. The display 400 may also include an area 418 in
which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the
display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the
buttons 406, 408, 410, 412, 414 may form part of the video display
400. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as
part of a control panel that is provided separately from the
display unit 70.
[0085] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine 220
shown schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 11, the routine
may begin at a block 419 where a player may enter value into one of
the gaming units 20, 30. The player may enter value by way of the
coin acceptor 52, the paper currency acceptor 54, the ticket reader
and/or the card reader 56, 58. The value may thus be in coin, paper
or electronic form. The routine may then proceed to block 420 where
the initial value amount entered is used to define a value total
that will be used as a running total as explained in greater detail
below.
[0086] The routine may proceed to block 421, where the gaming unit
20, 30 waits until the player signals his or her desire to begin
the game. The gaming unit 20, 30 may alert the player to the fact
that the gaming unit 20, 30 is waiting for the player to indicate
his or her desire to begin the game through the use of video
images, music, sound effects, etc. or any combination thereof. The
player may depress the "Begin" button 360 to start.
[0087] If the player has expressed his or her wish to start the
game at block 421, then at block 422, the routine may begin
deductions from the value total that may have been defined at block
420. To this extent, the comments regarding block 128 may be
equally applicable here. It will also be recognized that the player
may express his or her desire to pause the game at block 423,
during which the routine may not assess fee deductions from the
value total.
[0088] At block 424, a dealer's hand and a player's hand may be
"dealt" by making the playing card images 402, 404 appear on the
display unit 70. At block 426, the player may be allowed to be
"hit," in which case at block 428 another card will be dealt to the
player's hand by making another playing card image 404 appear in
the display 400. If the player is hit, block 430 may determine if
the player has "bust," or exceeded 21. If the player has not bust,
blocks 426 and 428 may be performed again to allow the player to be
hit again.
[0089] If the player decides not to hit, at block 432 the routine
may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether the dealer
hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules, such
as the dealer always hit if the dealer's hand totals 15 or less. If
the dealer hits, at block 434 the dealer's hand may be dealt
another card by making another playing card image 402 appear in the
display 400. At block 436 the routine may determine whether the
dealer has bust. If the dealer has not bust, blocks 432, 434 may be
performed again to allow the dealer to be hit again.
[0090] If the dealer does not hit, at block 436 the outcome of the
blackjack game and a corresponding payout may be determined based
on, for example, whether the player or the dealer has the higher
hand that does not exceed 21. If the player has a winning hand, a
payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at
block 440. At block 442, the player's cumulative value or number of
credits may be updated by adding, if the player won, the payout
value determined at block 440. The cumulative value or number of
credits may also be displayed in the display area 418 (FIG. 9).
[0091] At a block 444, a determination is made whether play should
be stopped. For example, play may be stopped if the value total
becomes equal to zero, or if the player expresses his or her wish
to stop play by depressing the "Cash Out" button 406. If the
determination is made at block 444 that the play is not to be
stopped, the operation returns to block 423. Otherwise, the routine
may stop the deductions at a block 446, and may return to the main
routine.
Slots
[0092] FIG. 12 is an exemplary display 450 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the slots routine 230 shown
schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 12, the display 450 may
include video images 452 of a plurality of slot machine reels, each
of the reels having a plurality of reel symbols 454 associated
therewith. Although the display 450 shows five reel images 452,
each of which may have three reel symbols 454 that are visible at a
time, other reel configurations could be utilized.
[0093] To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 456, a "See Pays" button
458, a plurality of payline-selection buttons 460 each of which
allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to
"spinning" the reels, a "Spin" button 464, and a "Begin" button 466
to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable.
[0094] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the slots routine 230 shown
schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 14, the routine may
begin at a block 472 where a player may enter value into one of the
gaming units 20, 30. The player may enter value by way of the coin
acceptor 52, the paper currency acceptor 54, the ticket reader
and/or the card reader 56, 58. The value may thus be in coin, paper
or electronic form. The routine may then proceed to block 473 where
the initial value amount entered is used to define a value total
that will be used as a running total as explained in greater detail
below.
[0095] The routine may proceed to block 474, where the gaming unit
20, 30 waits until the player signals his or her desire to begin
the game. The gaming unit 20, 30 may alert the player to the fact
that the gaming unit 20, 30 is waiting for the player to indicate
his or her desire to begin the game through the use of video
images, music, sound effects, etc. or any combination thereof. The
player may depress the "Begin" button 466 to start.
[0096] If the player has not expressed his or her wish to start at
block 474, the routine may determine at block 475 whether the
player has requested payout information, such as by activating the
"See Pays" button 458, in which case at block 476 the routine may
cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit
70. If the player has expressed his or her wish to start the game
at block 474, then at block 477, the routine may begin deductions
from the value total that may have been defined at block 473. To
this extent, the comments regarding block 128 may be equally
applicable here.
[0097] The player may express his or her desire to pause the game
at block 478. During the pause, the routine may not assess fee
deductions from the value total. Additionally, while not shown in
FIG. 14, the player may be permitted to access pay tables as in
blocks 475, 476 during the pause. The player may express his or her
wish to pause by, for example, depressing the "See Pays" button
458, and to resume play by depressing the "Begin" button 466.
[0098] At block 482, the routine may determine whether the player
has pressed one of the payline-selection buttons 460, in which case
at block 484 data corresponding to the number of paylines selected
by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller 100.
The payline data may be used to adjust the fee deduction above and
the payout determination below. That is, a base fee may be deducted
if a single payline is selected, that base fee may be multiplied by
the number of paylines selected at block 482. Also, if a base
payout may be awarded if a single payline is selected, then the
base payout may be multiplied by the number of paylines
selected.
[0099] If the "Spin" button 464 has been activated by the player as
determined at block 486, at block 488 the routine may cause the
slot machine reel images 452 to begin "spinning" so as to simulate
the appearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine
reels. At block 490, the routine may determine the positions at
which the slot machine reel images will stop, or the particular
symbol images 454 that will be displayed when the reel images 452
stop spinning. At block 492, the routine may stop the reel images
452 from spinning by displaying stationary reel images 452 and
images of three symbols 454 for each stopped reel image 452. The
virtual reels may be stopped from left to right, from the
perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence.
[0100] The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game
or round if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the
stopped reel images 452 of a particular symbol 454. If there is
such a bonus condition as determined at block 494, the routine may
proceed to block 496 where a bonus round may be played. The bonus
round may be a different game than slots, and many other types of
bonus games could be provided. If the player wins the bonus round,
or receives additional credits or points in the bonus round, a
bonus value may be determined at block 498. A payout value
corresponding to outcome of the slots game and/or the bonus round
may be determined at block 500. At block 502, the player's
cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by adding, if
the slot game and/or bonus round was a winner, the payout value
determined at block 500.
[0101] At a block 504, a determination is made whether play should
be stopped. For example, play may be stopped if the value total
becomes equal to zero, or if the player expresses his or her wish
to stop play by depressing the "Cash Out" button 456. If the
determination is made at block 504 that the play is not to be
stopped, the operation returns to block 478. Otherwise, the routine
may stop the deductions at a block 506, and may return to the main
routine.
[0102] Although the above routine has been described as a virtual
slot machine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as
images on the display unit 70, actual slot machine reels that are
capable of being spun may be utilized instead.
Video Keno
[0103] FIG. 13 is an exemplary display 520 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video keno routine 240
shown schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 13, the display
520 may include a video image 522 of a plurality of numbers that
were selected by the player prior to the start of a keno game and a
video image 524 of a plurality of numbers randomly selected during
the keno game. The randomly selected numbers may be displayed in a
grid pattern.
[0104] To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 526, a "See Pays" button
528, a "Begin" button 530, a "Select Ticket" button 534, a "Select
Number" button 536, and a "Play" button 538. The display 520 may
also include an area 540 in which the number of remaining credits
or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is provided with a
touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video
display 520. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be
provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately
from the display unit 70.
[0105] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the video keno routine 240 shown
schematically in FIG. 6. The keno routine 240 may be utilized in
connection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is
playing a keno game, or the keno routine 240 may be utilized in
connection with multiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are
playing a single keno game. In the latter case, one or more of the
acts described below may be performed either by the controller 100
in each gaming unit or by one of the network computer 22, 32 to
which multiple gaming units 20 are operatively connected.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 15, the routine may begin at a block 544
where a player may enter value into one of the gaming units 20, 30.
The player may enter value by way of the coin acceptor 52, the
paper currency acceptor 54, the ticket reader and/or the card
reader 56, 58. The value may thus be in coin, paper or electronic
form. The routine may then proceed to block 545 where the initial
value amount entered is used to define a value total that will be
used as a running total as explained in greater detail below.
[0107] The routine may proceed to block 546, where the gaming unit
20, 30 waits until the player signals his or her desire to begin
the game. The gaming unit 20, 30 may alert the player to the fact
that the gaming unit 20, 30 is waiting for the player to indicate
his or her desire to begin the game through the use of video
images, music, sound effects, etc. or any combination thereof. The
player may depress the "Begin" button 530 to start.
[0108] If the player has expressed his or her wish to start the
game at block 546, then at block 548, the routine may begin
deductions from the value total that may have been defined at block
545. To this extent, the comments regarding block 128 may be
equally applicable here.
[0109] The player may express his or her desire to pause the game
at block 550. During the pause, the routine may not assess fee
deductions from the value total. The player may express his or her
wish to pause by, for example, depressing the "See Pays" button 528
and to resume play by depressing the "Begin" button 530.
[0110] At block 558, the player may select a keno ticket, and at
block 560 the ticket may be displayed on the display 520. At block
562, the player may select one or more game numbers, which may be
within a range set by the casino. After being selected, the
player's game numbers may be stored in the memory of the controller
100 at block 564 and may be included in the image 522 on the
display 520 at block 566. After a certain amount of time, the keno
game may be closed to additional players (where a number of players
are playing a single keno game using multiple gambling units
20).
[0111] If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block
568, at block 570 a game number within a range set by the casino
may be randomly selected either by the controller 100 or a central
computer operatively connected to the controller, such as one of
the network computers 22, 32. At block 572, the randomly selected
game number may be displayed on the display unit 70 and the display
units 70 of other gaming units 20 (if any) which are involved in
the same keno game. At block 574, the controller 100 (or the
central computer noted above) may increment a count which keeps
track of how many game numbers have been selected at block 570.
[0112] At block 576, the controller 100 (or one of the network
computers 22, 32) may determine whether a maximum number of game
numbers within the range have been randomly selected. If not,
another game number may be randomly selected at block 570. If the
maximum number of game numbers has been selected, at block 578 the
controller 100 (or a central computer) may determine whether there
are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbers
selected by the player and the game numbers selected at block 570
to cause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how
many numbers the player selected and the particular keno rules
being used.
[0113] If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may be
determined at block 580 to compensate the player for winning the
game. The payout may depend on the number of matches between the
game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly
selected at block 570. At block 582, the player's cumulative value
or number of credits may be updated by adding, if the keno game was
won, the payout value determined at block 580. The cumulative value
or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area 540
(FIG. 13).
[0114] At a block 584, a determination is made whether play should
be stopped. For example, play may be stopped if the value total
becomes equal to zero, or if the player expresses his or her wish
to stop play by depressing the "Cash Out" button 526. If the
determination is made at block 584 that the play is not to be
stopped, the operation returns to block 550. Otherwise, the routine
may stop the deductions at a block 586, and may return to the main
routine.
Video Bingo
[0115] FIG. 16 is an exemplary display 600 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video bingo routine 250
shown schematically in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 16, the display
600 may include one or more video images 602 of a bingo card and
images of the bingo numbers selected during the game. The bingo
card images 602 may have a grid pattern.
[0116] To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 604, a "See Pays" button
606, a "Begin" button 608, a "Select Card" button 612, and a "Play"
button 614. The display 600 may also include an area 616 in which
the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the
display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the
buttons may form part of the video display 600. Alternatively, one
or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel
that is provided separately from the display unit 70.
[0117] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the video bingo routine 250 shown
schematically in FIG. 6. The bingo routine 250 may be utilized in
connection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is
playing a bingo game, or the bingo routine 250 may be utilized in
connection with multiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are
playing a single bingo game. In the latter case, one or more of the
acts described below may be performed either by the controller 100
in each gaming unit 20 or by one of the network computers 22, 32 to
which multiple gaming units 20 are operatively connected.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 17, the routine may begin at a block 619
where a player may enter value into one of the gaming units 20, 30.
The player may enter value by way of the coin acceptor 52, the
paper currency acceptor 54, the ticket reader and/or the card
reader 56, 58. The value may thus be in coin, paper or electronic
form. The routine may then proceed to block 620 where the initial
value amount entered is used to define a value total that will be
used as a running total as explained in greater detail below.
[0119] The routine may proceed to block 621, where the gaming unit
20, 30 waits until the player signals his or her desire to begin
the game. The gaming unit 20, 30 may alert the player to the fact
that the gaming unit 20, 30 is waiting for the player to indicate
his or her desire to begin the game through the use of video
images, music, sound effects, etc. or any combination thereof. The
player may depress the "Begin" button 608 to start.
[0120] If the player has not expressed his or her wish to start at
block 621, the routine may determine at block 622 whether the
player has requested payout information, such as by activating the
"See Pays" button 606, in which case at block 623 the routine may
cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit
70.
[0121] If the player has expressed his or her wish to start the
game at block 621, then at block 624, the routine may begin
deductions from the value total that may have been defined at block
620. To this extent, the comments regarding block 128 may be
equally applicable here.
[0122] The player may express his or her desire to pause the game
at block 625. During the pause, the routine may not assess fee
deductions from the value total. Additionally, while not shown in
FIG. 17, the player may be permitted to access pay tables as in
blocks 622, 623 during the pause. The player may express their wish
to pause by, for example, depressing the "See Pays" button 606 and
to resume play by depressing the "Begin" button 608.
[0123] At block 628, the player may select a bingo card, which may
be generated randomly. The player may select more than one bingo
card, and there may be a maximum number of bingo cards that a
player may select. After play is to commence as determined at block
632, at block 634 a bingo number may be randomly generated by the
controller 100 or a central computer such as one of the network
computers 22, 32. At block 636, the bingo number may be displayed
on the display unit 70 and the display units 70 of any other gaming
units 20 involved in the bingo game.
[0124] At block 638, the controller 100 (or a central computer) may
determine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player
has won, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block
634. If any player has bingo as determined at block 638, the
routine may determine at block 640 whether the player playing that
gaming unit 20 was the winner. If so, at block 642 a payout for the
player may be determined. The payout may depend on the number of
random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, the total
number of winners (if there was more than one player), and the
amount of money that was wagered on the game. At block 644, the
player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by
adding, if the bingo game was won, the payout value determined at
block 642. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be
displayed in the display area 616 (FIG. 16).
[0125] At a block 646, a determination is made whether play should
be stopped. For example, play may be stopped if the value total
becomes equal to zero, or if the player expresses his or her wish
to stop play by depressing the "Cash Out" button 604. If the
determination is made at block 646 that the play is not to be
stopped, the operation returns to block 625. Otherwise, the routine
may stop the deductions at a block 648, and may return to the main
routine.
* * * * *