U.S. patent application number 10/445582 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-16 for method and device implementing a player configurable gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Anchor Gaming. Invention is credited to Cannon, Lee E., O'Donovan, John P..
Application Number | 20030195031 10/445582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28793981 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030195031 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Donovan, John P. ; et
al. |
October 16, 2003 |
Method and device implementing a player configurable gaming
machine
Abstract
A player configurable video gaming machine in which a player may
select one or more configuration inputs to play a previously
configured default game or to create a new game configuration.
Additionally, each game configuration may be saved to be
implemented in various gaming machines.
Inventors: |
O'Donovan, John P.;
(Gallatin, MT) ; Cannon, Lee E.; (Gallatin,
MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Anchor Gaming
|
Family ID: |
28793981 |
Appl. No.: |
10/445582 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10445582 |
May 27, 2003 |
|
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09666993 |
Sep 21, 2000 |
|
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60155436 |
Sep 22, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3262 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for implementing a player configurable video game in a
gaming establishment the method comprising:. obtaining player game
configuration data, wherein the data includes one or more inputs;
comparing each of the one or more inputs with one or more default
game parameters; and providing one or more default games most
closely associated with the game configuration data.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a previously programmed game.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a memory storage device.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a remote memory storage location.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a player operating the video game.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein providing one or more
default games includes receiving the default games from the video
game.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein providing one or more
default games includes receiving the default games from a remote
memory storage location.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising saving a
game configuration.
9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the game configuration
is saved on the video game.
10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the game
configuration is saved on a recordable medium.
11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the game
configuration is saved at a remote memory storage location.
12. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising
pre-configuring a video game before entering the gaming
establishment.
13. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: tracking
player game configurations at the gaming establishment; recording
the player game configurations; and creating a custom game
configuration from the recorded player game configurations.
14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by a player.
15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by the gaming establishment.
16. A method for implementing a player configurable video game in a
gaming establishment, the method comprising: obtaining player game
configuration data, wherein the data includes one or more inputs;
comparing each of the one or more inputs with one or more default
game parameters; configuring one or more new games; and providing
the one or more new games.
17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a previously programmed game.
18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a portable memory storage device.
19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a remote memory storage location.
20. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a player operating the video game.
21. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the one or more
default game parameters are stored on the video game.
22. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the one or more
default game parameters are stored on a remote memory storage
location.
23. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising saving a
game configuration.
24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the game
configuration is saved on the video game.
25. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the game
configuration is saved on a recordable medium.
26. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the game
configuration is saved at a remote memory storage location.
27. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising
pre-configuring a video game before entering the gaming
establishment.
28. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising: tracking
player game configurations at the gaming establishment; recording
the player game configurations; and creating a custom game
configuration from the recorded player game configurations.
29. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by a player.
30. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by the gaming establishment.
31. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein configuring one or
more new games includes returning one or more default games most
closely associated with the player configuration data.
32. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein configuring one or
more new games includes modifying the one or more default game
parameters.
33. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein configuring one or
more new games includes modifying the appearance of one or more
default games.
34. A method for implementing a player configurable video game, the
method comprising: obtaining game configuration data, wherein the
data includes an input; comparing the input with one or more
default game parameters; providing one or more default games most
closely associated with the input; repeating the obtaining step and
the comparing step for each input; and providing one or more
default games most closely associated with the one or more
inputs.
35. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising
configuring a new game.
36. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein configuring the new
game includes returning one or mole default games most closely
associated with the configuration data.
37. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein configuring the new
game includes modifying the one or more default game
parameters.
38. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein configuring the new
game includes modifying the appearance of the one or more default
games.
39. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a previously programmed game.
40. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a memory storage device.
41. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a remote memory storage location.
42. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a player operating the video game.
43. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein providing one or
more default games includes receiving the default games from the
video game.
44. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein providing one or
more default games includes receiving the default games from a
remote memory storage location.
45. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising saving a
game configuration.
46. The method as recited in claim 45, wherein the game
configuration is saved on the video game.
47. The method as recited in claim 45, wherein the game
configuration is saved on a recordable medium.
48. The method as recited in claim 45, wherein the game
configuration is saved at a remote memory storage location.
49. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising
pre-configuring a video game before entering the gaming
establishment.
50. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising: tracking
player configurations at the gaming establishment; recording the
player game configurations; and creating a custom game
configuration from the recorded player game configurations.
51. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by a player.
52. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by the gaming establishment.
53. In a configurable video game having a graphic user interface
including a display and a user interface selection device, a method
of providing and selecting a player configurable video game, the
method comprising: obtaining game configuration data, wherein the
data includes one or more inputs from a user; comparing each of the
one or more inputs with one or more default game parameters;
configuring one or more new games; displaying the one or more new
games; receiving an entry signal indicative of the user selecting
one of the one or more new games; and displaying the new game
associated with the signal entry.
54. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a previously programmed game.
55. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a portable memory storage device.
56. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a remote memory storage location.
57. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a player operating the video game.
58. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein the one or more
default game parameters are stored on the video game.
59. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein the one or more
default game parameters are stored on a remote memory storage
location.
60. The method as recited in claim 53 further comprising saving a
game configuration.
61. The method as recited in claim 60, wherein the game
configuration is saved on the video game.
62. The method as recited in claim 60, wherein the game
configuration is saved on a recordable medium.
63. The method as recited in claim 60, wherein the game
configuration is saved at a remote memory storage location.
64. The method as recited in claim 53 further comprising
pre-configuring a video game before entering the gaming
establishment.
65. The method as recited in claim 53 further comprising; tracking
player game configurations at the gaming establishment; recording
the player game configurations; and creating a custom game
configuration from the recorded player game configurations.
66. The method as recited in claim 49, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by a player.
67. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by the gaming establishment.
68. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein configuring one or
more new games includes returning one or more default games most
closely associated with the player configuration data.
69. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein configuring one or
more new games includes modifying the one or more default game
parameters.
70. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein configuring one or
more new games includes modifying the appearance of one or more
default games.
71. In a configurable video game having a graphic user interface
including a display and a user interface selection device, a method
of providing and selecting a player configurable video game, the
method comprising: obtaining game configuration data, wherein the
data includes an input from a user; comparing the user input with
one or more default game parameters; displaying a plurality of menu
items, wherein the menu items include entries to select one or more
default games most closely associated with the user input and an
entry to prompt the user to enter one or more additional user
inputs; receiving an entry signal indicative of the user selecting
one of the plurality of menu items; in response to a selection of
one of the one or more default games, displaying the default game
associated with the signal entry; and in response to a selection of
the user entry for additional user inputs, repeating the obtaining
step, the comparing step, the displaying of plurality of menu items
step and the receiving step, and in response to a selection of one
of the one or more default games, displaying the default game
associated with the signal entry.
72. The method as recited in claim 71 further comprising
configuring a new game.
73. The method as recited in claim 72, wherein configuring the new
game includes returning one or more default games most closely
associated with the configuration data.
74. The method as recited in claim 72, wherein configuring the new
game includes modifying the one or more default game
parameters.
75. The method as recited in claim 72, wherein configuring the new
game includes modifying the appearance of the one or more default
games.
76. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a previously programmed game.
77. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a memory storage device.
78. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a remote memory storage location.
79. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein obtaining game
configuration data includes receiving the game configuration data
from a player operating the video game.
80. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein providing one or
more default games includes receiving the default games from the
video game.
81. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein providing one or
more default games includes receiving the default games from a
remote memory storage location.
82. The method as recited in claim 71 further comprising saving a
game configuration.
83. The method as recited in claim 82, wherein the game
configuration is saved on the video game.
84. The method as recited in claim 82, wherein the game
configuration is saved on a recordable medium.
85. The method as recited in claim 82, wherein the game
configuration is saved at a remote memory storage location.
86. The method as recited in claim 71 further comprising
pre-configuring a video game before entering the gaming
establishment.
87. The method as recited in claim 71 further comprising: tracking
player game configurations at the gaming establishment; recording
the player game configurations; and creating a custom game
configuration from the recorded player game configurations.
88. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by a player.
89. The method as recited in claim 71 wherein the player game
configuration data is configured by the gaming establishment.
90. A system for implementing a player configurable video game in a
gaming establishment, the system comprising: means for obtaining
player game configuration data, wherein the data includes one or
more inputs; processing means for implementing one or more new
games; and displaying means for providing the one or more new
games.
91. The system recited in claim 90, wherein the processing means
includes comparing means for comparing the one or more inputs with
one or more default game parameters.
92. The system recited in claim 91, wherein the processing means
includes configuring means to configure the one or more new
games.
93. The system recited in claim 92, wherein the configuring means
includes returning one or more default games most closely
associated with the configuration data.
94. The system recited in claim 92, wherein the configuring means
includes modifying the one or more default game parameters.
95. The system recited in claim 92, wherein the configuring means
includes modifying the appearance of the one or more default games.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Serial No. 60/155,436 filed Sep. 22, 1999.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In general, this invention relates to a method for
implementing a player configurable video gaming machine and in
particular, to a menu driven player configurable video gaming
machine that allows a player to make cosmetic and substantive
chances to a video game while maintaining pre-set gaming machine
pay tables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Video gaming machines have become an integral part of the
gaming industry. Typically, a gaming establishment offers players a
wide variety of video gaming machines having different gaming
configurations, game themes and game features. For example, to
increase player excitement, some prior art video gaming machines
increase the number of typical potential winning combinations to
produce a larger frequency of lower winning amounts. Other prior
art gaming machines offer fewer potential winning combinations
while providing higher winning amounts for the player who is
willing to wait for a bigger win. These configurations are then
implemented in a variety of game themes and with a variety of
features such as multiple pay lines or bonus games.
[0004] As often occurs in gaming establishments, players develop a
preference for a particular configuration of gaming machines, game
themes, and game features. However, the prior art video gaming
machines implementing the combination of configuration, themes and
features typically limited these settings in which they are
pre-set. Thus to satisfy multiple requests for popular and/or
different user requests, a gaming establishment must offer the
players multiple gaming machines implementing a variety of
configuration combinations.
[0005] As player interest changes, gaming establishments must
consistently survey player usage and change the mix of video gaming
machines as game theme and configuration preferences increase or
decrease. Furthermore, player preference may also change during a
gaming session. For example, in the prior art, a player wishing to
continue gaming with a particular game theme, but wishing to change
the configuration such as increasing the bet denomination or
winning amounts, would have to seek a new video gaming machine.
Often, if the other gaming machine is not easily accessible, the
player may lose interest and discontinue gaming.
[0006] Some prior art gaming machines have attempted to incorporate
partial user modification to the game. One such prior art method is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,424 to Alfred Wilms entitled VIDEO
GAMING DEVICE UTILIZING PLAYER-ACTIVATED VARIABLE BETTING. The
Wilms patent discloses a video card gaming machine in which a
player is allowed to insert different denomination coins into the
machine to vary the wager and simulate table gaming. However, the
Wilms patent does not disclose allowing a player to adjust multiple
configurations within the video card gaming machine, and is limited
to allowing the player to vary only the wager amount. Thus, the
Wilms patent does not resolve the issue of varying the
configuration of other non-card based video games to satisfy user
demand.
[0007] It is therefore desirable to provide a gaming machine in
which a player may configure a video gaming machine by inputting
one or more game configurations.
BRIEF SUMMARY THE INVENTION
[0008] Based on the above-noted deficiencies in the prior art, it
is an object of the present invention to provide a video gaming
machine in which a player may select one or more game
configurations on the game.
[0009] This and other objects of the present invention are
implemented in a video gaming machine providing an option menu
allowing a player to configure a particular game on the gaming
machine. A user initiates the video gaming machine by inserting a
credit access device into the gaming machine. Upon initiating the
game, the player is prompted to either begin playing a previously
configured game or to create a new game. To create a new game, the
system prompts the player with a menu to select various
configurations of a video game. After completing the input process,
the gaming machine most closely matches the desired configuration
combinations with various default game configurations preprogrammed
into the computer. The player can accept the default game suggested
by the gaming machine, or the gaming machine will configure a new
game by altering a default setting to the specific configuration
criteria inputted by the player.
[0010] In the event a new game is configured, the gaming machine
must relatively maintain a pre-set pay table for the gaming
machine. Accordingly, the gaming machine logic determines whether
the inputted configuration modification will substantially impact
the gaming machine pay table. If a modification impacts the return,
the gaming machine adjusts other configurations within the game to
maintain the pay table. Other player inputs are of a cosmetic
nature and are implemented by the gaming machine without the need
to modify other configuration criteria
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The objects and features of the invention noted above are
explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which
like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a representative of a gaming machine of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is flow diagram of a preferred method implemented by
the player configurable gaming machine of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is representative of a video display screen utilized
by the player configurable gaming machine of the present invention;
and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method implemented by the
player configurable gaming machine of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] The present invention relates to a method and device for
implementing a menu driven player configurable video game 1. FIG. 1
denotes a representative video gaming machine, denoted generally by
the reference numeral 10. Gaming machine 10 includes video display
12, credit display 14, input 16, buttons 18 and 20, and output 22.
As would be understood by someone skilled in the relevant art,
gaming machine 10 can be implemented as a stand alone gaming
machine or as one of a plurality of gaming machines controlled via
a central processing system. Furthermore, gaming machine 10 can
include a variety of features, such as inputs (i.e., magnetic card
reader, gaming coupon reader, currency acceptor), outputs (i.e.,
bar code printers and coin hoppers), and other variations of video
gaming machines. All are considered within the scope of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is flow diagram of a preferred method implemented by
the player configurable gaming machine of the present invention. At
Step S100, a player initiates the video gaming machine by inserting
credit access devices such as currency, gaining coupons, or
magnetic cards. The player may also be prompted to insert player
tracking devices such as magnetic cards or smart cards. At Step
S110, the player is prompted with the option of loading a
previously configured game. At Step S120, the player would be
allotted to insert memory storage devices, such as computer disks,
magnetic media, smart cards, CD-ROMS, and DVD, into the gaming
machine to read the configuration data. Alternatively, the gaming
establishment may also provide memory storage space to some or all
players, such that they can recall previously saved programs
without having to insert any memory storage devices. This memory
storage space may be limited to a single machine, a group of
machines, or the entire group of gaming machines within the gaming
establishment. Having accessed a saved configuration, the player
game would begin at Step S130.
[0018] If the player does not choose to load a saved configuration
or does not have a previously saved configuration at Step S110,
gaming machine prompts the player to input various configuration
criteria at Step S140. Preferably, the player is prompted to enter
the various criteria via a display screen menu or a series of
menus. FIG. 3 is a representative of a preferred display screen 24
prompting a player to enter in desired game characteristics. In
this display screen, the user is selecting the wagering
denomination 26 and the number of pay lines 28. As would be
understood, other configuration characteristics would include, but
not be limited to, frequency of payout, size of jackpots, game
theme, bonus games, and play speed and would be considered within
the scope of the present invention.
[0019] Additionally, the gaming establishment may limit the number
of characteristics a player may alter or require the player to
enter in a minimum number of characteristics. For example, if a
player wishes to change the frequency of winning combinations, the
gaming establishment can maintain the machines pay table by
programming the game machine 10 to prevent the size of the award
from being adjusted by the player.
[0020] After inputting, the desired or necessary characteristics at
Step S140, the gaming machine most closely matches the inputted
desired characteristics with previously configured default games
stored in memory at Step S150. Depending on the configuration
parameters set by the gaming establishment, each gaming machine may
store one or more default gaming configurations in memory.
Alternatively, a central processing system may store the default
configuration and download matching configurations to an individual
gaming machine.
[0021] After the gaming machine matches or closely matches a
default configuration, it asks the player to play the default
configuration at Step S160. If the player accepts the default
configuration at Step S170 splay begins at Step S830. If the player
does not accept the most closely matching default configurations,
the gaming machine configures one or more new games with the
desired characteristics at Step S180 and the user beings play at
Step S130.
[0022] To configure the new game at Step S180, gaming machine
preferably identifies and groups the inputted configuration
criteria into filtering configuration changes, substantive
configuration changes, and cosmetic configuration changes.
Filtering configuration changes are changes that require the system
to select a default configuration most closely associate with the
inputted criteria and do not require a change to a game
configuration. One example of a filtering configuration change is
bet denomination. If a player selects a specific bet denomination,
gaming machine selects a version of a game whose pay table has been
pre-configured for the specific denomination selected by the player
(i.e. higher denomination bets have a higher payback percentage).
Alternatively, if the pay table is not pre-configured to have
varying payback percentages for varying bet denominations, the
gaming machine may maintain the same payback percentage for all
sizes of betting denominations.
[0023] In contrast, substantive configuration changes include game
configurations that would alter the pay table of the machine. Such
substantive changes may include changing the prize profile of the
game (i.e., frequent small wins, less frequent large rains). To
implement a substantive configuration change gaming machine
modifies a default game configuration by changing the selected
configuration criteria. However, because substantive configuration
changes would affect the pay table of the game, the gaming machine
adjusts other parameters to maintain a predefined pay table and
payback percentage. For example, if the player input adjusts the
win frequency of one category within the game, the gaming machine
maintains the pay table by decreasing the win frequency in another
category. Preferably, the player is allowed to change several
characteristics such as win frequency and size of award in a single
category. As would be understood, categories include one or more
winning combinations and payout opportunities available in the
gaming device. For example, a winning combination may include
hitting five plumbs on a slot machine type game. Because win
frequency and size of award could be considered substantive
configuration changes, gaming machine 10 would preferably
compensate for the changes by adjusting the combination of win
frequencies and award amounts in another category.
[0024] Finally, cosmetic changes can be implemented by gaming
machine 10 without altering the pay table. Such cosmetic changes
include game theme, type of bonus feature, play speed and number of
pay lines. Because these characteristics generally do not affect
the pay table of the machine, gaming machine loads default games
with the desired substantive configuration and implements the
inputted desired cosmetic chances. As would be understood, player
may input both substantive and cosmetic changes.
[0025] As would be understood, depending on the specific
implementation of the gaming machine, some configuration
characteristics could be classified differently. For example prize
profiles may be considered a filtering chance if there are
pre-existing default games closely matching inputted prize profile.
All are considered within the scope of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 denotes a flow diagram of an alternative embodiment
of the method implemented by the gaming machine of the present
invention. At Step S400, a player initiates the video gaming
machine by inserting credit access devices such as currency, gaming
coupons, or magnetic cards. As in the other method, this step
includes the insertion of a variety of credit input, as well as
player tracking devices. At Step S410, the player has the option of
loading a previously configured game. If the player selects to play
a saved game, the game is loaded at Step S420 and the play begins
at Step S430. Similar to the previous embodiment, there are
multiple ways of loading a previously saved configuration.
[0027] If the player does not choose to load a saved configuration
or does not have a saved configuration at Step S410, the gaming
machine enters into a cascading configuration selection sequence at
Step S440 through Step S4110. At Step S440, the player first
chooses a bet denomination or changes a default denomination. After
the plainer selects a denomination, the gaming machine matches a
default game(s) which has a matching or closely matching
configuration characteristic and prompts the player whether they
want to play the default game at Step S450. If the player chooses
the default game, play begins at Step S430.
[0028] If, at Step S450 the player does not choose a default game,
the gaming machine prompts the player to choose the number of pay
lines at Step S460. After the player selects the number of pay
lines the gaming machine most closely matches the default game(s)
that have the characteristics and prompts the player to play the
default games at Step S470. If the player chooses a default game,
play begins at Step S430. As would be understood, in this
embodiment, the gaming machine considers the characteristics as
cumulative and most closely matches the default game having both
characteristics. Alternatively, gaming machine 10 could also match
default games having either characteristic.
[0029] If, at Step S470, the player does not choose the default
game, the gaming machine prompts the payer to choose the win
frequency at Step S480. After the player selects the win frequency,
the gaming machine most closely matches the default game(s) that
have the characteristics and prompts the player to play the default
games at Step S490. If the player chooses a default game, play
begins at Step S430. As would be understood, the gaming machine
preferably most closely matches the default game having all the
inputted characteristics. Alternatively, the gaming machine could
also match default games having any combination of the inputted
characteristics.
[0030] If, at Step S490, the player does not select a default game,
the gaming machine prompts the player to choose various cosmetic
configurations at Step S4100. In the preferred embodiment, cosmetic
configurations include game theme, bonus feature, and play speed.
As would be understood, additional, less or different ordered game
configurations in the cascading sequence would be considered within
the scope of the present invention. Once the player selects the
cosmetic configurations, the gaming machine configures the inputted
characteristics with 3 pre-set gaming machine pay table at Step
S4110. The player then begins play at Step S430.
[0031] Regardless of whether the player configuration is
implemented under the method of FIG. 2 or the method of FIG. 4, the
player may have the option saving the configuration once it is
entered by the user. The saving option can occur anytime after the
player has configured the game including before starting play,
during the play and after completing play of the game.
Additionally, the gaming machine may also automatically save the
configuration for players that inserted player tracking cards.
Configuration saving may occur directly in the memory of the gaming
machine, in memory of the central processing system, or in a
portable magnetic storage medium, such as a computer disk or a
smart card. As would be understood, some gaming machines may not
incorporate some or all of the game saving features.
[0032] In an effort to allow players to customize their
configurations, an additional feature of the present invention
allows the player to set up the gaming machine configuration on a
computing device (such as a PC) and presave the configuration prior
to entering the gaming establishment. Such off-line creation could
include machines that can simulate the resulting game
configurations and machines which only can accept inputted criteria
without simulating the resulting game.
[0033] As another additional feature to the present invention,
gaming establishments may also utilize player tracking devices to
assist in choosing the suggested default games offered to the
player. In an embodiment, the gaming machine would keep a record of
game theme combinations the player has a history of playing and
would suggest a default game most closely matching both the
inputted criteria and the player's personal history.
[0034] As a further feature of the invention, gaming establishments
may also track player preferences and configure the game when the
player enters an identification card without any need to prompt the
player to select configuration criteria. Under this embodiment, the
gaming machine detects a specific player by various player tracking
devices and configures the machine according to the preprogrammed
criteria. Thus, a player would find his or her "favorite" machine
regardless of which specific gaming machine was selected.
[0035] All embodiments of this present invention have been directed
toward player configurations. Alternatively, the present invention
could also be utilized by the gaming establishments to configure
video gaming machines. In an embodiment, the gaming establishment
would input some or all of the game configurations in lieu of the
player input. This would allow gaming establishments to design
their own games and to allow a video gaming machine to implement
various configurations according to gaming establishment control.
For example, a gaming machine may be configured to run high
frequency low payout wins during the day and be reconfigured to
give more lucrative, less frequent wins in the evenings. As would
be understood, the gaming establishments may also implement partial
control in which a player is allowed to change a limited number of
game configurations.
[0036] The invention is considered to have been described in such
full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable a person of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art, that a person understanding
this invention may conceive of changes or other embodiments or
variations, which utilize the principles of this invention without
departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set
forth in the appended claims. All ale considered within the sphere,
spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings
are, therefore, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than
restrictive sense. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited except as may be necessary in view of the
appended claims or their equivalents, which particularly point out
and distinctly claim the subject matter applicant regards as its
invention.
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