U.S. patent application number 10/791029 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for method and apparatus for alternate display information.
Invention is credited to Garcia, Victor M., Jorasch, James A., Santisi, Steven M., Walker, Jay S..
Application Number | 20040259627 10/791029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32965556 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040259627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker, Jay S. ; et
al. |
December 23, 2004 |
Method and apparatus for alternate display information
Abstract
The present invention provides alternative displays for gaming
devices. An alternative display provides players with a
reformatted, simplified, supplemented, and/or otherwise modified
representation of outcomes. In a multiple payline slot machine for
example, the invention provides a second display with horizontal,
non-overlapping, non-crossing, linear representations of the
outcomes.
Inventors: |
Walker, Jay S.; (Ridgefield,
CT) ; Garcia, Victor M.; (New Haven, CT) ;
Jorasch, James A.; (Stamford, CT) ; Santisi, Steven
M.; (Ridgefield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALKER DIGITAL
FIVE HIGH RIDGE PARK
STAMFORD
CT
06905
US
|
Family ID: |
32965556 |
Appl. No.: |
10/791029 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60451531 |
Mar 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101;
G07F 17/3211 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A slot machine comprising: a processor; a first display coupled
to the processor and operable to display a plurality of outcomes,
each outcome including a set of reel positions; a second display
coupled to the processor and operable to display a representation
of the outcomes wherein the set of reel positions of each outcome
is each displayed disposed along a straight line without crossing
any other displayed line of reel positions.
2. A slot machine comprising: a processor; a first display coupled
to the processor and operable to display a plurality of outcomes,
each outcome including a set of reel positions, each reel position
including at least one symbol, wherein the plurality of outcomes
are displayed in a manner such that the set of reel positions
overlap each other; and a second display coupled to the processor
and operable to display a representation of the outcomes, wherein
each outcome is displayed as a set of symbols from the set of reel
positions of each outcome, and wherein the representation of each
of the plurality of outcomes is displayed without overlapping any
other set of symbols of any other displayed outcome
representation.
3. A slot machine comprising: a processor; a first display coupled
to the processor and operable to display a plurality of outcomes,
each outcome including a set of reel positions, each reel position
including at least one symbol, wherein the plurality of outcomes
are displayed in a manner such that the set of reel positions of
each outcome shares at least one reel position of at least one
other outcome; and a second display coupled to the processor and
operable to display a representation of the outcomes, wherein each
outcome is displayed as a set of symbols from the set of reel
positions of each outcome, and wherein the representation of each
of the plurality of outcomes is displayed separately from any other
displayed outcome representation.
4. A slot machine comprising: a processor; a first display coupled
to the processor and operable to display a plurality of outcomes,
each outcome including a set of reel positions disposed along a
payline, each reel position including at least one symbol, wherein
the plurality of outcomes are displayed in a manner such that each
of the paylines cross at least one other payline; and a second
display coupled to the processor and operable to display a
representation of the outcomes, wherein each outcome is displayed
as a set of symbols along a payline, wherein the set of symbols of
each outcome includes at least one symbol from the set of reel
positions of each outcome, and wherein the representation of each
of the plurality of outcomes is displayed without the payline of
any set of symbols crossing any other payline of another set of
symbols of any other displayed outcome.
5. The slot machine of claim 4 wherein the set of symbols displayed
on the second display are disposed along a linear payline.
6. The slot machine of claim 4 wherein the second display further
displays an indication of which outcomes are winning outcomes.
7. The slot machine of claim 4 wherein the second display further
displays an indication of which outcomes are non-winning
outcomes.
8. The slot machine of claim 4 wherein the second display further
displays an indication of outcomes upon which a wager was
placed.
9. The slot machine of claim 4 wherein the second display further
displays an indication of a payout amount per each outcome that
would have been won had a wager been placed upon each outcome.
10. The slot machine of claim 4 wherein the second display only
displays winning outcomes.
11. The slot machine of claim 4 wherein the second display displays
winning outcomes separately from non-winning outcomes.
12. A method comprising: displaying on a first display a plurality
of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel positions;
displaying on a second display a representation of the outcomes
wherein the set of reel positions of each outcome is displayed
disposed along a straight line without crossing any other displayed
line of reel positions.
13. A method comprising: displaying on a first display a plurality
of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel positions, each
reel position including at least one symbol, wherein the plurality
of outcomes are displayed in a manner such that the set of reel
positions overlap each other; and displaying on a second display a
representation of the outcomes, wherein each outcome is displayed
as a set of symbols from the set of reel positions of each outcome,
and wherein the representation of each of the plurality of outcomes
is displayed without overlapping any other set of symbols of any
other displayed outcome representation.
14. A method comprising: displaying on a first display a plurality
of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel positions, each
reel position including at least one symbol, wherein the plurality
of outcomes are displayed in a manner such that the set of reel
positions of each outcome shares at least one reel position of at
least one other outcome; and displaying on a second display a
representation of the outcomes, wherein each outcome is displayed
as a set of symbols from the set of reel positions of each outcome,
and wherein the representation of each of the plurality of outcomes
is displayed separately from any other displayed outcome
representation.
15. A method comprising: displaying on a first display a plurality
of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel positions
disposed along a payline, each reel position including at least one
symbol, wherein the plurality of outcomes are displayed in a manner
such that each of the paylines cross at least one other payline;
and displaying on a second display a representation of the
outcomes, wherein each outcome is displayed as a set of symbols
along a payline, wherein the set of symbols of each outcome
includes at least one symbol from the set of reel positions of each
outcome, and wherein the representation of each of the plurality of
outcomes is displayed without the payline of any set of symbols
crossing any other payline of another set of symbols of any other
displayed outcome.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the set of symbols displayed on
the second display are disposed along a linear payline.
17. The method of claim 15 further including displaying an
indication of which outcomes are winning outcomes.
18. The method of claim 15 further including displaying an
indication of which outcomes are non-winning outcomes.
19. The method of claim 15 further including displaying an
indication of outcomes upon which a wager was placed.
20. The method of claim 15 further including displaying an
indication of a payout amount per each outcome that would have been
won had a wager been placed upon each outcome.
21. The method of claim 15 wherein only winning outcomes are
displayed on the second display.
22. The method of claim 15 wherein winning outcomes are displayed
separately from non-winning outcomes on the second display.
23. A supplemental display comprising: an interface for
communicating with a slot machine; and a display screen coupled to
the interface, wherein when a display of the slot machine displays
a plurality of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel
positions, the display screen of the supplemental display is
operable to display a representation of the outcomes wherein the
set of reel positions of each outcome is each displayed disposed
along a straight line without crossing any other displayed line of
reel positions.
24. A supplemental display comprising: an interface for
communicating with a slot machine; and a display screen coupled to
the interface, wherein when a display of the slot machine displays
a plurality of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel
positions, each reel position including at least one symbol, and
the plurality of outcomes are displayed in a manner such that the
set of reel positions of at least two outcomes overlap each other,
the display screen of the supplemental display is operable to
display a representation of the outcomes, wherein each outcome is
displayed on the supplemental display as a set of symbols from the
set of reel positions of each outcome, and wherein the
representation of each of the plurality of outcomes on the
supplemental display is displayed without overlapping any other set
of symbols of any other displayed outcome representation.
25. A supplemental display comprising: an interface for
communicating with a slot machine; and a display screen coupled to
the interface, wherein when a display of the slot machine displays
a plurality of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel
positions, each reel position including at least one symbol, and
the plurality of outcomes are displayed in a manner such that the
set of reel positions of each outcome shares at least one reel
position of at least one other outcome, the display screen of the
supplemental display is operable to display a representation of the
outcomes, wherein each outcome is displayed on the supplemental
display as a set of symbols from the set of reel positions of each
outcome, and wherein the representation of each of the plurality of
outcomes on the supplemental display is displayed separately from
any other displayed outcome representation.
26. A supplemental display comprising: an interface for
communicating with a slot machine; and a display screen coupled to
the interface, wherein when a display of the slot machine displays
a plurality of outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel
positions disposed along a payline, each reel position including at
least one symbol, and the plurality of outcomes are displayed in a
manner such that each of the paylines cross at least one other
payline, the display screen of the supplemental display is operable
to display a representation of the outcomes, wherein each outcome
is displayed on the supplemental display as a set of symbols along
a payline and the set of symbols of each outcome includes at least
one symbol from the set of reel positions of each outcome, and
wherein the representation of each of the plurality of outcomes on
the supplemental display is displayed without the payline of any
set of symbols crossing any other payline of another set of symbols
of any other displayed outcome.
27. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the set of symbols
displayed on the supplemental display are disposed along a linear
payline.
28. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the supplemental
display further displays an indication of which outcomes are
winning outcomes.
29. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the supplemental
display further displays an indication of which outcomes are
non-winning outcomes.
30. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the supplemental
display further displays an indication of outcomes upon which a
wager was placed.
31. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the supplemental
display further displays an indication of a payout amount per each
outcome that would have been won had a wager been placed upon each
outcome.
32. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the supplemental
display only displays winning outcomes.
33. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the supplemental
display displays winning outcomes separately from non-winning
outcomes.
34. The supplemental display of claim 26 wherein the supplemental
display displays an explanation why a an outcome is a winning
outcome or a non-winning outcome.
35. An apparatus comprising: means for executing instructions;
means for displaying a plurality of outcomes coupled to the means
for executing instructions wherein each outcome includes a set of
outcome elements; means for displaying a representation of the
outcomes coupled to the means for executing instructions wherein
the set of outcome elements of each outcome is each displayed
disposed along a straight line without crossing any other displayed
line of outcome elements.
36. An apparatus comprising: means for executing instructions;
means for displaying a plurality of outcomes coupled to the means
for executing instructions wherein each outcome includes a set of
outcome positions, each outcome position including at least one
outcome element, wherein the plurality of outcomes are displayed in
a manner such that the set of outcome positions overlap each other;
and means for displaying a representation of the outcomes coupled
to the means for executing instructions wherein each outcome is
displayed as a set of outcome elements from the set of outcome
positions of each outcome, and wherein the representation of each
of the plurality of outcomes is displayed without overlapping any
other set of outcome elements of any other displayed outcome
representation.
37. A gaming device comprising: a processor; a first display
coupled to the processor and operable to display a plurality of
outcomes, each outcome including a set of reel positions disposed
along a payline, each reel position including at least one symbol,
wherein the plurality of outcomes are displayed in a manner such
that each of the paylines intersect at least one other payline; and
a second display coupled to the processor and operable to display a
representation of the outcomes, wherein each outcome is displayed
as a set of symbols along a payline, wherein the set of symbols of
each outcome includes at least one symbol from the set of reel
positions of each outcome, and wherein the representation of each
of the plurality of outcomes is displayed without the payline of
any set of symbols intersecting any other payline of another set of
symbols of any other displayed outcome.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to commonly-owned,
co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/451,531,
filed Mar. 3, 2003, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALTERNATE
DISPLAY INFORMATION," the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gaming and gaming devices.
More specifically, the present invention relates to displaying
information related to the use of gaming devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gaming devices (e.g., reeled slot machines, video poker
machines, etc.) generate more than $15 billion per year in revenue
for casinos in the United States alone. This revenue accounts for
more than half of the total gaming revenue for a typical United
States casino. The situation is similar in other countries and
regions in which gaming devices are popular, such as Europe and
Australia. Accordingly, casino operators are interested in
providing the most popular games to increase the enjoyment of
playing in order to maintain or increase levels of revenue.
[0004] Gaming devices with multiple paylines have become more
popular in recent years. Most commonly implemented in five reel
slot machines, multiple paylines allow players to place multiple
bets on multiple paylines having multiple chances to win on each
play of the game. This type of game has become popular at least in
part due to the fact that there is a greater likelihood of one of
the many paylines winning than games that are played with only a
single payline. While playing multiple paylines may require placing
a bet for each payline and a winning outcome on one of the paylines
may not be greater than the amount wagered to play multiple
paylines, the thrill of winning is experienced more often leading
to a more popular game.
[0005] While games with multiple paylines are popular, they also
can be confusing as they may have non-traditional (e.g.,
non-horizontal, non-linear, and/or diagonal) paylines. A common
payline on a five-reel slot machine is a V shaped payline or an
inverted-V payline. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a five-reel
slot machine 100 with nine different paylines 102. Considering the
popularity of gaming among the older population, the complexity of
such games and paylines may be a deterrent to playing. In order to
combat this complexity, some machines may highlight winning
paylines on the primary display by, for example, lighting up the
winning payline, but this may be inadequate. In addition the games
and machines are limited to the types of paylines and pay tables
that can be easily explained and interpreted on the primary display
screen of the gaming machine. A wide variety of changes and
variations could be applied to games if there was some way that the
players of the game could better understand the game outcomes. For
example, more complicated pay tables could be implemented if there
was some indication that players would be able to understand the
payouts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art five reel slot
machine with multiple paylines.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example gaming device
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example gaming
device according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example gaming
device according to some other embodiments of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example data structure of
a pay table database for use in some embodiments of the present
invention. FIGS. 6A through 6C are illustrations of primary and
alternate gaming device displays during a spin at three different
points in time according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a primary and alternate gaming
device display according to other embodiments of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a slot machine according to
some embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention overcomes the above and other
drawbacks of the prior art by providing an alternate display in
conjunction with the gaming devices' primary display. The alternate
display may provide information such as game outcomes reformatted
or otherwise modified for improved clarity. The invention is
especially useful with gaming machines for which the game outcome
is complex, e.g., machines that utilize multiple paylines and/or
complex pay tables.
[0014] The present invention helps to clarify the game outcomes of
more complicated gaming machines. By simplifying information
provided to players, the present invention allows complex gaming
devices to be more accessible and thus, more popular with a broader
range of players. In addition, the present invention expands the
possibility of acceptance and popularity of games that have more
complicated game outcomes than existing gaming devices. Thus, the
present invention may be used to expand the variety of games and
outcomes available to the player.
[0015] With these and other advantages and features of the
invention that will become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the
invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the
following detailed description of the invention, the appended
claims and the several drawings included herein.
[0016] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments
may be utilized and that structural, logical, software, hardware,
and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope
of the present invention. The following description is, therefore,
not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present
invention is defined by the appended claims.
[0017] A. Terms
[0018] Throughout the description that follows and unless otherwise
specified, the following terms may include and/or encompass the
example meanings provided in this section. These terms and
illustrative example meanings are provided to clarify the language
selected to describe embodiments of the invention both in the
specification and in the appended claims.
[0019] The term "reel position" may refer to a location on a slot
machine reel wherein a symbol is indicated. Note that only a
portion of all the reel positions are typically visible on a
traditional slot machine. Some conventional slot machines, for
example, have twenty-two reel positions per reel with only three
reel positions per reel visible at any given time. In such a
twenty-two position reel, the symbol on each reel position is
static and does not change from one handle pull to the next. In the
present disclosure, the visible reel positions of a given reel with
only three visible reel positions may be referred to as the top,
middle, and bottom positions. Note that in video slot machines, a
"virtual" reel may have any number of symbols, reel positions,
and/or any number of visible reel positions.
[0020] The term "symbol" may refer to an image or other marking
that appears on a reel in a given reel position. Typically each
reel position includes at least one symbol. Traditional symbols
include "BAR," "CHERRY," "LEMON," "7," and "ORANGE," but any
distinct image may be used such as a player's image, a game
character, or a Monopoly.RTM. game piece.
[0021] The term "payline" may refer to a set or concatenation of
reel positions that together define the location of at least one
complete outcome upon a spin resolution of a slot machine.
Typically, a payline identifies one reel position per reel and
together, the identified reel positions are connected together by
lines drawn between each of the identified reel positions. Note
that conventional paylines were straight, horizontal lines and in a
slot machine with three visible reel positions per reel, there were
typically only one, two, or three horizontal paylines available
upon which to place a wager. Slot machines with more complex
paylines were later introduced. Among others, these more complex
paylines included diagonal lines, V-shaped paylines, and inverted
V-shaped paylines. Note that in such slot machines, each visible
reel position may be part of more than one payline. Also note that
in video slot machines, paylines may include more than one reel
position per reel since the symbols displayed on a virtual reel may
be dynamically changed with each handle pull or even with each
simulated revolution of the virtual reel. Thus, it is possible to
have a vertical payline in a video slot machine. Note that the
present invention also contemplates paylines that are not lines at
all and include reel positions that are not adjacent to each other.
Thus, the term payline as used herein may refer to a discontinuous
collection of reel positions. Note further that when a payline
shares at least one reel position with another payline, the two
paylines are said to overlap or have one or more reel positions in
common. When two paylines intersect in any manner, they are said to
cross. Thus, the term "cross" refers to paylines that have one or
more reel positions in common and to paylines that merely intersect
without overlapping at all. For example, referring to the slot
machine depicted in FIG. 1, the paylines labeled 4 and 7 cross
without sharing any reel positions and the paylines labeled 1 and 4
cross because they share the top visible reel position on the first
reel and the top visible reel position on the fifth reel.
[0022] The term "basic game" may refer to play resulting from the
spinning of standard physical or graphical slot reels, the dealing
of physical or electronic cards, or other game outcomes. The
outcome of a basic game might be CHERRY-CHERRY-BAR, 4 hits on a
7-spot keno ticket, or the hand Ks (king of spades), Qd (queen of
diamonds), 4h (four of hearts), 2s (two of spades), 6s (six of
spades) in video poker.
[0023] The term "bonus game" may refer to a secondary game separate
from and/or related to the basic game in which the player typically
does not have to wager any additional coins and has the possibility
of winning a relatively large number of coins.
[0024] The terms "controller" and "computer" shall be synonymous
and may refer to an electronic device (e.g., a personal computer)
that communicates with one or more gaming devices. In a manner well
known in the art, a controller may function as a computer server
and may control the actions of gaming devices. A controller may
also contain databases to record statistics such as coin-in,
coin-out, jackpot information, theoretical wins, etc.
[0025] The term "game" may refer to a gambling event with a
beginning and end that may encompass a number of spins, handle
pulls, or span of time. The end of the game may be determined
voluntarily (in which the player elects to stop play) or
involuntarily (in which the gaming device terminates play).
[0026] The term "game character" may refer to a character, which
may be a cartoon and/or digitally generated, which is involved in
the game playing experience. The character may entertain the
player, explain payouts, try to steal objects from the player, try
to defend objects held by the player, and the like. The character
could be a life-like animation of a television character, or even
just the audio associated with a well-known character.
[0027] The terms "gaming device" and "gaming machine" shall be
synonymous and may refer to any electrical, mechanical, or
electromechanical device that, in a manner well known in the art,
accepts wagers, steps through a process to determine an outcome,
and pays winnings based on the outcome. The outcome may be randomly
generated, as with a slot machine; may be generated through a
combination of randomness and player skill, as with video poker; or
may be generated entirely through player skill. Gaming devices may
include slot machines (both video and mechanical reels), video
poker machines, video blackjack machines, video roulette machines,
video keno machines, video bingo machines, pachinko machines, video
lottery terminals, handheld gaming devices, and the like.
[0028] The terms "handle pull" and "spin" shall be synonymous and
may refer to a single play at a gaming device whether or not a
handle is involved in the play and whether or not a handle is even
included in the gaming device. The meaning is intended to be
flexible in that a single handle pull might constitute a single
complete game, or a single wager. For example, a handle pull might
represent a single spin of the reels or a series of spins which
culminate in a final aggregate outcome. In a video poker
embodiment, handle pulls may result in a first and second hands,
both in the same game.
[0029] The term "outcome" may refer to a result of gaming event or
portion thereof, such as CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY in a
multiple payline slot machine game, a push in blackjack, a flush in
video poker, the completion of a puzzle, the attainment of a goal,
etc. Different types of gaming devices may have widely varying
types of outcomes. Several are described in detail herein and still
others will be apparent to those of skill in the art based on the
present disclosure.
[0030] The term "payout" may refer to a prize, reward, winnings, or
bonus associated with a certain outcome.
[0031] The term "peripheral device" and "player device" shall be
synonymous and may refer to a device that may operatively connect
to a gaming device that is configured to assist in the operation of
game-related functions. In some embodiments peripheral devices may
be located near players at a table game or carried by players
playing a gaming device. In some embodiments, a player device may
provide the player with an alternate display.
[0032] The term "player tracking card" may refer to a casino issued
plastic or paper card (resembling a frequent shopper card) given to
players as a way of identifying the player at a slot machine or
table game. As is well known in the art, such cards typically have
encoded thereon (in machine-readable and/or human readable form) a
player identifier (e.g., a six digit number) which uniquely
identifies the player (e.g., because the number is associated with
a record in a database that includes corresponding player
information). At a slot machine, the player inserts the card into a
reader device and the player identifier is read from the card, most
often magnetically. From the player identifier which the reader
device reads, the corresponding player information may in turn be
read from the database, typically via a network connection between
the reader device and a device hosting the database.
[0033] The term "prepaid session" may refer to a quantity of time
or handle pulls that are paid for in advance. Once a session is
prepaid, the player does not need to supply any additional funds
until the session has been completed. A prepaid session may allow
the player to complete many games during the session.
[0034] The terms "primary game screen," "primary display" and "main
display" shall be synonymous and may refer to a screen used to
display game information such as a video representation of one or
more spinning reels. Note that a main display on a mechanical reel
slot machine may comprise a physical window that allows a player to
see the mechanical reels or portions thereof (i.e. visible reel
positions). Thus, in some embodiments, a display may not include a
screen or other electronic display.
[0035] The term "secondary game screen" may refer to a screen used
to display secondary game information such as the animation and
graphics associated with a bonus round. A secondary game screen may
be distinct from an alternate display.
[0036] The term "alternate display" may refer to a display other
than the main display and/or a secondary game screen, wherein the
information on the main display is presented to the player in a
simplified, reformatted, and/or other form. An alternate display
may include additional information such as a representation of
which outcomes of which paylines paid out and/or upon which
paylines the player placed a wager. Note that an alternate display
may be presented to a player using the same physical device as the
primary display or the secondary game screen. In other words, an
alternate display may be in the form of, for example, a graphical
user interface (GUI) window on the main display. Additionally, an
alternate display may include a printout on a paper substrate, such
as a cashless gaming ticket/receipt, or a display on the screen of
a PDA.
[0037] B. System
[0038] Turning to FIG. 2, a gaming device 200 includes a processor
(not shown) (including a mechanism to generate outcomes) and a
primary display 202 to show those outcomes, as well as a mechanism
for receiving and dispensing currency. In accordance with one or
more embodiments, a gaming device 200 also includes an alternate
display 204 which may also be controlled by the processor. As with
the main display 202, the alternate display 204 may be one of a
variety of types of displays including cathode-ray tube, LCD,
plasma display, etc. In normal operation a game is started (e.g.,
by depositing a token and pressing a button), a game outcome is
generated, displayed on the primary display 202 (e.g., the reels
stop in a certain position), and then if the game outcome is a
winning outcome, a payout is dispensed.
[0039] The present invention presents the game outcome information
(which may be in addition to the display of the outcome on the
primary display 202) on an alternate display 204 (which may be
larger, smaller or the same size as the primary display) with
information displayed as to be clearer and easier to understand
than the game outcome information displayed on the primary
display.
[0040] Without the alternate display 204, the paylines and the pay
tables may cause confusion and could be made easier to read and
understand. Confusion may occur due to the different paylines which
may be non-linear (e.g., V-shaped) and may overlap, cross, and/or
share reel positions. Pay tables may have payouts that depend upon
the orientation or order of certain symbols (e.g., the first three
symbols, not just any three symbols in a row, have to be cherries
to win). The primary displays 202 may be designed to be attractive
and flashy, but may not be designed for clarity. The alternate
display 204 may be able to correct some of these issues and provide
a less complicated view of the game outcome.
[0041] Some complications that may be present in the information
presented on the primary display 202 include distortion (some
symbols could be larger than others), angle (symbols on a slot
machine reel may be curved and also not perpendicular to the player
and may be susceptible to glare), colors that are difficult to
differentiate (especially for various types of color
blindness).
[0042] The game outcome information displayed on the alternate
display 204 may be received from the processor and may be displayed
in a variety of different fashions. The changes may include
variations in color (e.g., easier to read colors), contrast,
brightness, size (e.g., magnified), shape (e.g., modified fruit
symbols, letters or numbers), grouping (e.g., representations of
winning paylines may be displayed together, paylines upon which the
player actually wagered may be grouped), order (e.g., left to right
in alphabetical or probability order), arrangement (e.g., in a
horizontal line rather than along a non-linear payline), and/or
orientation (e.g. in a vertical list or a compact rectangle). The
alternate display 204 may highlight particular symbols or rows in a
variety of methods (e.g., making them blink, highlighting them with
color, surrounding the symbols with color, only displaying winning
outcomes) and the game outcome may be revealed at different speeds
or times than the game (e.g., display may be updated in real time
as each reel stops spinning, outcome may be displayed all at once
when the last reel stops spinning, etc.).
[0043] The present invention may include an alternate display
controller which receives the game outcome from the processor and
then determines the appropriate alternate manner in which to
display the outcome, possibly based on player specified
preferences. An alternate display controller may include a player
device. As will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 4, an
advantage of the present invention is that the alternate display
may not only be included as a part of new gaming machine
construction, but may also be retrofitted to existing games. By
combining the alternate display with a processor, a gaming device
(or game) without an alternate display may have an alternate
display added if the alternate display controller can gain access
to the outcomes from the original gaming device (or game). Such
access may be gained via a communications port or other network
interface within the original gaming device, or via data entry by a
dealer at a table game.
[0044] The present invention can be configured to work in a network
environment including a computer (e.g., a slot server of a casino)
that is in communication, via a communications network, with one or
more gaming devices 200 (e.g., slot machines, video poker
machines). The computer may communicate with the gaming devices 200
directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the
Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriate
communications means or combination of communications means. Each
of the gaming devices 200 may comprise computers, such as those
based on the Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM. processor, that are adapted to
communicate with the computer. Any number and type of devices may
be in communication with the computer.
[0045] Communication between the devices 200 and the computer, and
among the devices 200, may be direct or indirect, such as over the
Internet through a Web site maintained by computer on a remote
server or over an on-line data network including commercial on-line
service providers, bulletin board systems and the like. In yet
other embodiments, the devices 200 may communicate with one another
and/or the computer over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the
like.
[0046] Some, but not all, possible communication networks that may
comprise the network or be otherwise part of the system include: a
local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet,
a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical
communications line, and a satellite communications link. Possible
communications protocols that may be part of the system include:
Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetoot.TM., and TCP/IP.
Communication may be encrypted to ensure privacy and prevent fraud
in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.
[0047] Those skilled in the art will understand that devices in
communication with each other need not be continually transmitting
to each other. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to
each other as necessary, and may actually refrain from exchanging
data most of the time. For example, a device in communication with
another device via the Internet may not transmit data to the other
device for weeks at a time.
[0048] In some embodiments, a server computer may not be necessary
and/or preferred. For example, the present invention may, in one or
more embodiments, be practiced on a stand-alone gaming device 200
and/or a gaming device 200 in communication only with one or more
other gaming devices 200 (i.e. with a computer server). In such
embodiments, any functions described as performed by the computer
or data described herein as being stored on the computer may
instead be performed by or stored on one or more gaming devices
200.
[0049] An alternative system according to some embodiments of the
present invention includes a computer (e.g., a slot server of a
casino) that is in communication, via a communications network,
with one or more gaming devices 200 (e.g., slot machines, video
poker machines) and one or more peripheral devices. A peripheral
device may, in turn, be in communication with a peripheral device
server and, in some embodiments, with the computer. In some
embodiments the peripheral device server may be in communication
with one or more gaming devices 200 and/or the computer.
[0050] Each of the devices of the system may comprise computers,
such as those based on the Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM. processor, that
are adapted to communicate with the computer. Further, each of the
devices may comprise a gaming device 200 such as a mechanical or
electronic slot machine, a video poker machine, a video blackjack
machine, a video keno machine, a pachinko machine, a video roulette
machine, and/or a lottery terminal. Further yet, each of the
devices may comprise an external or internal module associated with
one or more of the gaming devices 200 that is capable of
communicating with one or more of the gaming devices 200 and of
directing the one or more gaming devices 200 to perform one or more
functions. Any number of devices may be in communication with the
computer. Any number and type of peripheral devices may be in
communication with a gaming device 200, peripheral device server
and the computer.
[0051] Communication between the devices may be direct or indirect,
such as over the Internet through a Web site maintained by the
computer on a remote server or over an on-line data network
including commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board
systems and the like. In yet other embodiments, any and all of the
devices of the system (i.e., the gaming devices 200, the server
computer, peripheral devices, and the peripheral device server) may
communicate with one another over RF, cable TV, satellite links and
the like.
[0052] Some, but not all, possible communication networks that may
comprise the network or otherwise be part of the system include: a
local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet,
a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical
communications line, a satellite communications link. Possible
communications protocols that may be part of the system include:
Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth.TM., and TCP/IP.
Communication may be encrypted to ensure privacy and prevent fraud
in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.
[0053] In some embodiments, the computer may not be necessary
and/or preferred. For example, the present invention may, in one or
more embodiments, be practiced on a stand-alone gaming device 200,
one or more gaming devices 200 in communication with one or more
peripheral devices, one or more gaming devices 200 in communication
with a peripheral device server, one or more peripheral devices in
communication with a peripheral device server, and/or a gaming
device 200 in communication only with one or more other gaming
devices 200. In such embodiments, any functions described as
performed by the computer or data described as being stored in a
memory of the computer may instead be performed by or stored on one
or more gaming devices 200 one or more peripheral devices, and/or
peripheral device server.
[0054] Similarly, a peripheral device server may not be desired
and/or needed in some embodiments of the present invention. In
embodiments that do not involve a peripheral device server, any or
all of the functions described herein as being performed by a
peripheral device server may instead be performed by another server
computer, the computer, one or more gaming devices 200, one or more
peripheral devices, or a combination thereof. Similarly, in
embodiments that do not involve a peripheral device server any data
described herein as being stored in a memory of a peripheral device
server may instead be stored in a memory of another server
computer, the computer, one or more gaming devices 200, one or more
peripheral devices, or a combination thereof.
[0055] Any or all of the gaming devices 200 may, respectively,
include or be in communication with a peripheral device. A
peripheral device may be a device that receives information from
(and/or transmits information to) one or more gaming devices. For
example, a peripheral device may be operable to receive information
about outcomes generated by a gaming device 200.
[0056] In one or more embodiments, one or more such peripheral
devices may be in communication with a peripheral device server.
This allows the peripheral device server to receive information
regarding a plurality of games being played on a plurality of
gaming devices 200. The peripheral device server, in turn, may be
in communication with the computer. It should be understood that
any functions described herein as performed by a peripheral device
may also or instead be performed by the peripheral device server.
Similarly, any data described herein as being stored on or accessed
by a peripheral device may also or instead be stored on or accessed
by the peripheral device server.
[0057] A peripheral device may be operable to access a database
(e.g., of a peripheral device server) to provide benefits (e.g.,
cashless gaming receipts) based on, for example, an actual outcome
of a game.
[0058] The peripheral device server may also monitor player
gambling history over time by associating gambling behavior with
player identifiers, such as player tracking card numbers. For
example, information about the player obtained or accessed by a
peripheral device server may be analyzed, e.g., to identify those
players that a particular gaming machine owner, operator, or
manufacturer finds most desirable. Based upon desired objectives,
the peripheral device server may direct the appropriate peripheral
device to present outcome information in a customized format to
specific players. For example, a particular player may desire that
all outcomes are presented in an order from a highest to lowest
payout amount.
[0059] Information received by a peripheral device from a gaming
device 200 may include gambling data such as, for example, a number
of paylines activated (or bet upon) on, a number of winning
paylines, player display color preferences, language preferences,
number of games initiated per unit of time, outcomes displayed for
games initiated, payouts corresponding to outcomes displayed, a
credit meter balance of the gaming device 200, and/or other
preference data associated with the player currently playing the
gaming device 200.
[0060] The functions described herein as being performed by a
peripheral device server and/or a peripheral device may, in one or
more embodiments, be performed by the computer (in lieu of or in
conjunction with being performed by a peripheral device server
and/or a peripheral device).
[0061] In some embodiments, a peripheral device may be useful for
implementing the embodiments of the present invention into the
operation of a conventional gaming device. For example, in order to
avoid or minimize the necessity of modifying or replacing a program
already stored in a memory of a conventional gaming device, an
external or internal module that comprises a peripheral device may
be inserted in or associated with a conventional gaming device to
transform it into a gaming device 200 of the present invention.
[0062] Thus, for example, a peripheral device may be utilized to
monitor play of the gaming device 200 and output messages and an
outcome of a game. In such embodiments the gaming device 200 with
which the peripheral device is in communication may continue to
operate conventionally. In such embodiments the gaming device 200
may continue to output an outcome for each game played. The
peripheral device, however, may output outcome information in
different formats when appropriate. The peripheral device may also
output messages to the player. The peripheral device may also
provide benefits to a player (e.g., coins, tokens, electronic
credits, paper receipts exchangeable for cash, services, and/or
merchandise).
[0063] Accordingly, a peripheral device may include (i) a
communications port (e.g., for communicating with one or more
gaming devices, peripheral device server, another peripheral
device, and/or computer); (ii) a display (e.g., for displaying
outcomes in an altered format and other information such as
payouts), (iii) another output means (e.g., a speaker, light, or
motion device to communicate with a player), and/or (iv) a benefit
providing means (e.g., a printer and paper dispensing means, a
credit meter, and/or a hopper and hopper controller).
[0064] In some embodiments, a peripheral device may not output
reformatted outcomes and/or messages to a player but may instead
direct the processor of a gaming device 200 to perform such
functions. For example, a program stored in a memory of a
peripheral device may cause a processor of a gaming device 200 to
perform certain functions. For example, a program stored in a
memory of a peripheral device may cause a processor of a gaming
device 200 to output an outcome on a display in a player specified
format, or in some other simplified format and/or communicate with
another device. Examples of peripheral devices include (1)
electronic apparatuses "retrofitted" to conventional gaming devices
so that inventive processes disclosed herein may be realized
through game play at the gaming device 200, (2) Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs) such as those manufactured by Palm, Inc., (3)
laptop computers, (4) cellular telephones, (5) pagers, or (6) any
combination thereof.
[0065] C. Devices
[0066] Turning to FIG. 3, a gaming device 300 may be implemented as
a system controller, a dedicated hardware circuit, an appropriately
programmed general-purpose computer, or any other equivalent
electronic, mechanical or electro-mechanical device. As indicated
above, the gaming device 300/200 may comprise, for example, a slot
machine, a video poker machine, a video blackjack machine, a video
keno machine, a video lottery machine, a pachinko machine or a
table-top game.
[0067] In various embodiments, a gaming device 300/200 may
comprise, for example, a personal computer (e.g., which
communicates with an online casino Web site), a telephone (e.g., to
communicate with an automated bingo computer server that provides
gaming services), or a portable handheld gaming device (e.g., a
personal digital assistant or Nintendo GameBoy.RTM.). The gaming
device 300/200 may comprise any or all of the gaming devices of the
aforementioned systems. In some embodiments, a user device such as
a PDA or cell phone may be used in place of, or in addition to,
some or all of the gaming device components. Further, a gaming
device 300/200 may comprise a personal computer or other device
operable to communicate with an online casino and facilitate game
play at the online casino. In one or more embodiments, the gaming
device 300/200 may comprise a computing device operable to execute
software that simulates play of a reeled slot machine game, video
poker game, video blackjack game, video keno game, video roulette
game, or lottery game.
[0068] In some embodiments, a gaming device 300/200 may comprise a
processor (CPU) 302, such as one or more Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM.
processors. The processor 302 is operable to communicate with a
random number generator 308, which may be a component of the gaming
device 300.
[0069] The random number generator 308, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention, may generate data
representing random or pseudo-random values (referred to as "random
numbers" herein). The random number generator 308 may generate a
random number every predetermined unit of time (e.g., every
thousandth of a second) or in response to an initiation of a game
on the gaming device 300. In some embodiments, the generated random
numbers may be used as they are generated (e.g., the random number
generated at substantially the time of game initiation is used for
that game) and/or stored for future use. A random number generated
by the random number generator 308 may be used by the processor 302
to determine, for example, at least one of an outcome and payout. A
random number generator 308, as used herein, may be embodied as a
processor separate from but working in cooperation with the
processor 302. Alternatively, the random number generator 308 may
be embodied as an algorithm, program component, or software stored
in the memory of the gaming device 300 and used to generate a
random number.
[0070] Note that, although the generation or obtainment of a random
number is described herein as involving a random number generator
308 of a gaming device 300, other methods of determining a random
number may be employed. For example, a gaming device owner or
operator may obtain sets of random numbers that have been generated
by another entity. HotBits.TM., for example, is a service that
provides random numbers that have been generated by timing
successive pairs of radioactive decays detected by a Geiger-Muller
tube interfaced to a computer. A blower mechanism that uses
physical balls with numbers thereon may be used to determine a
random number by randomly selecting one of the balls and
determining the number thereof.
[0071] The processor 302 may also be operable to communicate with a
benefit output device, which may be a component of gaming device
300. The benefit output device may comprise one or more devices for
outputting a benefit to a player of the gaming device. For example,
in some embodiments the gaming device 300 may provide coins and/or
tokens as a benefit. In such embodiments, the benefit output device
may comprise a hopper 352 and hopper controller 350, for dispensing
coins and/or tokens into a coin tray of the gaming device. In
another example, the gaming device 300 may provide a receipt or
other document on which there is printed an indication of a benefit
(e.g., a cashless gaming receipt that has printed thereon a
monetary value, which is redeemable for cash in the amount of the
monetary value). In such embodiments, the benefit output device may
comprise a printing and document dispensing mechanism. In yet
another example, the gaming device 300 may provide electronic
credits as a benefit (which, e.g., may be subsequently converted to
coins and/or tokens and dispensed from a hopper into a coin tray).
In such embodiments, the benefit output device may comprise a
credit meter balance and/or a processor that manages the number of
electronic credits that is indicated on a display of a credit meter
balance. In yet another example, the gaming device 300 may credit a
monetary amount to a financial account associated with a player as
a benefit provided to a player. The financial account may be, for
example, a credit card account, a debit account, a charge account,
a checking account, or a casino account. In such embodiments, the
benefit output device may comprise a device 342 for communicating
with a server on which the financial account is maintained.
[0072] Note that, in one or more embodiments, the gaming device 300
may include more than one benefit output device. For example, the
gaming device 300 may include both a hopper 352 and hopper
controller 350 combination and a credit meter balance. Such a
gaming device 300 may be operable to provide more than one type of
benefit to a player of the gaming device 300. A single benefit
output device may be operable to output more than one type of
benefit. For example, a benefit output device may be operable to
increase the balance of credits in a credit meter and communicate
with a remote device in order to increase the balance of a
financial account associated with a player.
[0073] The processor 302 is also operable to communicate with a
main display device 310, which may be a component of gaming device
300. The display device 310 may comprise, for example, one or more
display screens or areas for outputting information related to game
play on the gaming device 300, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT)
monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, or light emitting
diode (LED) screen. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device 300
may comprise more than one main display device 310. For example, a
gaming device may comprise an LCD display for displaying electronic
reels and a display area that displays rotating mechanical
reels.
[0074] The processor 302 may also be in communication with one or
more alternate display devices 312 besides the main display device
310, for outputting information (e.g., to a player or another
device). Such other one or more alternate display devices 312 may
also be components of a gaming device 300. Such other one or more
alternate display devices 312 may include, for example, an audio
speaker 346 (e.g., for outputting an outcome or information related
thereto, in addition to or in lieu of such information being output
via the main display device 310), an infra-red transmitter, a radio
transmitter, an electric motor, a printer (e.g., such as for
printing cashless gaming vouchers), a coupon or product dispenser,
an infra-red port (e.g., for communicating with a second gaming
device or a portable device of a player), a Braille computer
monitor, and a coin or bill dispenser. For gaming devices 300,
common display devices include a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor on
a video poker machine, a bell on a gaming device (e.g., rings for
each payline a player wins on), an LED display of a player's credit
balance on a gaming device, an LCD display of a personal digital
assistant (PDA) for displaying keno numbers.
[0075] As indicated above, the main display device 310 may
comprise, for example, one or more display areas. For example, one
of the display areas may display outcomes of games played on the
gaming device 300 (e.g., electronic reels of a gaming device).
Another of the display areas may display rules for playing a game
of the gaming device 300. Yet another of the display areas may
display the benefits obtainable by playing a game of the gaming
device 300 (e.g., in the form of a payout table). In one or more
embodiments, the gaming device 300 may include more than one main
display device 310, one or more other output devices, or a
combination thereof (e.g., two display devices 310 and two audio
speakers).
[0076] The processor 302 may also be in communication with an input
device 338, 340, 342, which is a device that is capable of
receiving an input (e.g., from a player or another device) and
which may be a component of gaming device 300. An input device 336,
338, 340, 342 may communicate with or be part of another device
(e.g. a server, another gaming device 300, etc.). Some examples of
input devices 336, 338, 340, 342 include: a bar-code scanner, a
magnetic stripe card reader 334, a computer keyboard or keypad, a
button, a handle, a keypad, a touch-screen, a microphone, an
infrared sensor, a voice recognition module, a coin or bill
acceptor 348, a sonic ranger, a computer port, a video camera, a
motion detector, a digital camera, a network card 342, a universal
serial bus (USB) port, a GPS receiver, a radio frequency
identification (RFID) receiver, an RF receiver, a thermometer, a
pressure sensor, an infrared port (e.g., for receiving
communications from a second gaming device or from a another device
such as a smart card or PDA of a player), and a weight scale. For
gaming devices 300, common input devices may include a button or
touch screen on a video poker machine, a lever or handle connected
to the gaming device, a magnetic stripe reader to read a player
tracking card inserted into a gaming device, a touch screen for
input of player selections during game play, and a coin and bill
acceptor 348.
[0077] The processor 302 may also be in communication with a
payment system, which may be a component of the gaming device 300.
The payment system is a device capable of accepting payment from a
player (e.g., a bet or initiation of a balance) and/or providing
payment to a player (e.g., a payout). Payment is not limited to
money, but may also include other types of consideration, including
products, services, and alternate currencies. Exemplary methods of
accepting payment by the payment system include (i) receiving hard
currency (i.e., coins or bills), and accordingly the payment system
may comprise a coin or bill acceptor 348; (ii) receiving an
alternate currency (e.g., a paper cashless gaming voucher, a
coupon, a non-negotiable token), and accordingly the payment system
may comprise a bar code reader, card reader 334, and/or other
sensing means; (iii) receiving a payment identifier (e.g., a credit
card number, a debit card number, a player tracking card number)
and debiting the account identified by the payment identifier; and
(iv) determining that a player has performed a value-added activity
(e.g., participating in surveys, monitoring remote images for
security purposes, referring friends to the casino).
[0078] The processor 302 is in communication with a memory 304,
328, 330 and a communications port such as a network server
interface 342 (e.g., for communicating with one or more other
devices). The memory 304, 328, 330 may comprise an appropriate
combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and
may include, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM) 328, Read-Only
Memory (ROM) 330, a compact disc and/or a hard disk 304. The memory
may comprise or include any type of computer-readable medium. The
processor 302 and the memory may each be, for example: (i) located
entirely within a single computer or other device; or (ii)
connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as a
serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver.
In some embodiments, the gaming device 300 may comprise one or more
devices that are connected to a remote server computer for
maintaining databases.
[0079] The memory, for example a hard disk 304, stores a program
354 for controlling the processor 302. The processor 302 performs
instructions of the program 354, and thereby operates in accordance
with the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the
methods described in detail herein. The program 354 may be stored
in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The program
354 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary,
such as an operating system 344, a database management system and
"device drivers" for allowing the processor 302 to interface with
computer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elements are known
to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail
herein.
[0080] The terms "computer-readable medium" or "computer readable
media" as used herein may refer to any media or medium that may
participate in providing instructions to the processor 302 of the
gaming device 300 (or any other processor of a device described
herein) for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including
but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and
transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example,
optical or magnetic disks, such as memory. Volatile media include
dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes
the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper
wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system
bus coupled to the processor 302. Transmission media may carry
acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio
frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms
of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape,
any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an
EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a
carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from
which a computer can read.
[0081] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to
processor 302 (or any other processor of a device described herein)
for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be borne
on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can
load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the
instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to
a gaming device 300 (or, e.g., a server) can receive the data on
the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the
data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector can receive the
data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on a system
bus for the processor 302. The system bus carries the data to main
memory, from which the processor 302 retrieves and executes the
instructions. The instructions received by main memory may
optionally be stored in memory either before or after execution by
the processor 302. In addition, instructions may be received via a
communication port as electrical, electromagnetic or optical
signals, which are exemplary forms of carrier waves that carry data
streams representing various types of information. Thus, the gaming
device 300 may obtain instructions in the form of a carrier
wave.
[0082] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
instructions of the program 354 may be read into a main memory from
another computer-readable medium, such from a ROM. Execution of
sequences of the instructions in the program 354 causes the
processor 302 to perform the process steps described herein. In
alternate embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place
of, or in combination with, software instructions for
implementation of the processes of the present invention. Thus,
embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any
specific combination of hardware and software. As discussed with
respect to aforementioned systems, execution of sequences of the
instructions in a program 354 of a peripheral device in
communication with the gaming device 300 may also cause the
processor 302 to perform some of the process steps described
herein.
[0083] The memory may also store one or more databases 306,
including a probability database (not pictured), a payout database
306, a player preference database (not pictured), and/or a display
format database (not pictured). An example of a payout database 306
is described herein. The described entries of the sample database
306 represent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art
will understand that the number and content of the entries can be
different from those illustrated herein. Further, despite any
description of the database 306 as a table, an object-based model
could be used to store and manipulate the data types of the present
invention and likewise, object methods or behaviors can be used to
implement the processes of the present invention.
[0084] Note that, although the database 306 may be described as
being stored in a gaming device 300, in other embodiments of the
present invention some or all of this databases 306 may be
partially or wholly stored in another device, such as one or more
of the peripheral devices, the peripheral device server and/or the
server computer. Further, some or all of the data described as
being stored in the database 306 may be partially or wholly stored
(in addition to or in lieu of being stored in the memory (hard disk
304) of the gaming device 300) in a memory of one or more other
devices, such as one or more of the peripheral devices, the
peripheral device server and/or the server computer.
[0085] As discussed herein, in one or more embodiments, the gaming
device 300 may take the form of a slot machine configured to
operate in conjunction with the present invention. A more specific
description of a slot machine suitable for use with the present
invention follows.
[0086] Generally, a slot machine for use in the present invention
may comprise a three reel or five reel slot machine. The slot
machine comprises a main display area 310 in which an outcome for a
game of the slot machine is displayed to the player. The main
display area 310 may, for example, be a video display that displays
graphical representations of reels. The main display area 310 may,
in another example, comprise an area of clear glass behind which
are located mechanical reels. Within the main display area 310 is
at least one payline. In accordance with one or more embodiments of
the present invention, an outcome of a game is a set of symbols
displayed along a payline of a reeled slot machine. The slot
machine may further comprise a handle coupled to a starting
controller 340. A player may initiate the movement of the reels in
the main display area 310 by pulling on the handle. Alternatively,
a player may initiate the movement of the reels in the display area
by actuating a start button coupled to the starting controller 340.
Either or both of the handle and start button are exemplary
embodiments of an input device. The processor 302 may signal a reel
controller 314 to spin the reels 316, 318, 320, 322, 324 upon
receipt of a valid signal from the starting controller 340. A clock
326 may provide the processor 302 with a time reference for
executing instructions, so that information may be presented to a
player at an appropriate pace, and so that events may be logged
with time stamps.
[0087] A slot machine according to the present invention may also
include an alternate display 312, for outputting outcome
information in a modified format to a player. The alternate display
312 may be utilized, for example, to inform a player of which
outcomes of various paylines are winning outcomes and upon which
outcomes he had a wager.
[0088] The slot machine may also include a payment system, which is
comprised of a coin acceptor 348, a credit card reader 334,
cashless receipt/ticket reader, and a bill acceptor. A player may
utilize payment system to provide a wager for playing a game and/or
for providing payment for the provision of an outcome.
[0089] The slot machine may further comprise a credit meter
balance, which is an exemplary embodiment of a benefit output
device as described above. The credit meter balance reflects the
amount of electronic credits currently available to a player. The
electronic credits may be used by a player, for example, as wagers
for games played on the gaming device 300. The electronic credits
may also be "cashed out" as coins, bills, tokens, a cashless gaming
receipt, and/or credits to another financial account associated
with the player.
[0090] Finally, the slot machine may comprise a coin tray. Payment
to the player may be rendered by dispensing coins into the coin
tray. Such coins may be dispensed based on, for example, a player's
indication that the player would like to cash out his credit meter
balance and/or a payout obtained by a player as a result of playing
a game on the slot machine. The coin tray is an exemplary
embodiment of a benefit output device as described above. Note
that, where appropriate, the slot machine may include different
and/or additional components besides those discussed above.
[0091] Turning to FIG. 4, a conventional slot machine 400 is
depicted with a peripheral device 458 that has been retrofitted to
the slot machine 400. The components of the slot machine 400
function similarly to the corresponding components of the gaming
device 300 described in detail above with reference to FIG. 3. The
major difference being that in place of the alternate display 312
directly coupled to the processor 302, a peripheral device 458 that
includes an alternate display 412 and a processor (CPU) 456
communicates with the processor 402 of the gaming device 400 via a
communications port 460. In some embodiments, the peripheral device
458 may communicate with the processor 402 via other means, such
as, for example, the network server interface 442. The processor
456 on the peripheral device 458 allows the peripheral device 458
to function independently of the gaming device 400 if so desired.
Thus, in some embodiments, a peripheral device 458 may be under the
control of a player and/or may be used for other functions even
when not coupled to the gaming device 400.
[0092] D. Databases
[0093] As indicated above, it should be noted that although the
example embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 include one
particular database 306/406 stored in memory, other database
arrangements may be used which would still be in keeping with the
spirit and scope of the present invention. In other words, the
present invention could be implemented using any number of
different database files or data structures, as opposed to the one
depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Further, the individual database files
could be stored on different devices (e.g. located on different
storage devices in different geographic locations, such as on a
third-party server). Likewise, the program 354/454 could also be
located remotely from the memory and/or on a server. As indicated
above, the program 354/454 may include instructions for retrieving,
manipulating, and storing data in the database, as may be useful in
performing the methods of the invention.
[0094] 1. Probability database
[0095] Where appropriate, a probability database may be utilized in
the performance of the inventive processes described herein. A
probability database may be stored in the memory in tabular form,
or any other appropriate database form, as is well known in the
art. The data stored therein may include a number of exemplary
records or entries, each defining a random number. Those skilled in
the art will understand that the probability database may include
any number of entries. The tabular representation may also define
fields for each of the entries or records. The fields may specify:
(i) a random number or range of random numbers that may be
generated by the random number generator 308; and (ii) an outcome
that indicates the one or more indicia comprising the outcome that
corresponds to the random number of a particular record. A gaming
device 300 may utilize a probability database to determine, for
example, what outcome corresponds to a random number generated by a
random number generator 308 and to display the determined outcome.
The outcomes may comprise the five symbols to be displayed along a
payline of a five-reel slot machine.
[0096] Other arrangements of probability databases are possible.
For example, the book "Winning At Slot Machines" by Jim Regan
(Carol Publishing Group Edition, 1997) illustrates examples of
payout and probability tables and how they may be derived. The
entirety of this book is incorporated by reference herein for all
purposes.
[0097] 2. Payout Database
[0098] Turning to FIG. 5, a tabular representation of an embodiment
of a payout database 306 according to some embodiments of the
present invention is illustrated. Where appropriate, a payout
database 306 may be utilized in the performance of the inventive
processes described herein. A payout database 306 may be stored in
the memory in tabular form, or any other appropriate database form,
as is well known in the art. The data stored therein includes a
number of example records or entries, each defining an outcome that
may be obtained on a gaming device 300 that corresponds to a
payout. Those skilled in the art will understand that the payout
database 306 may include any number of entries. The tabular
representation also defines fields for each of the entries or
records. The fields specify: (i) a number of symbols field 500,
which indicates the required number of symbols that must appear on
a given payline to qualify for a corresponding payout; (ii) a
payout for "LEMON" symbol field 502 that indicates the amount paid
out for an outcome including the corresponding number of symbols
500 on the same payline; (iii) a payout for "ORANGE" symbol field
504 that indicates the amount paid out for an outcome including the
corresponding number of symbols 500 on the same payline; (iv) a
payout for "BELL" symbol field 506 that indicates the amount paid
out for an outcome including the corresponding number of symbols
500 on the same payline; and (v) a payout for "CHERRY" symbol field
508 that indicates the amount paid out for an outcome including the
corresponding number of symbols 500 on the same payline. The
outcomes may be those obtained, for example, on a five-reel slot
machine with nine paylines.
[0099] A gaming device 300 may utilize the payout database 306 to
determine whether a payout should be output to a player as a result
of an outcome obtained for a game. For example, after determining
the outcome to output on the gaming device 300, the gaming device
300 may access the payout database 306 to determine whether the
outcome to be displayed is one of the outcomes stored as
corresponding to a payout, e.g., "CHERRY, CHERRY, BELL, BELL,
CHERRY" in FIG. 5 pays 10 credits. If it is, the gaming device 300
may provide the corresponding payout to the player.
[0100] Other arrangements of payout databases are possible. For
example, the above incorporated book "Winning At Slot Machines" by
Jim Regan illustrates examples of payout and probability tables and
how they may be derived.
[0101] 3. Other Databases
[0102] In some embodiments of the present invention, a player
preference database and/or a display format database may be
included among the gaming devices' databases. A player preference
database may store information describing preference information of
individual players regarding how they want outcomes to be displayed
on the alternate display 312. Once populated with player
preferences, this type of database would allow a gaming device to
automatically configure itself to display alternatively formatted
outcomes for a specific player upon the player identifying himself
to the gaming device, e.g., by providing a player tracking card for
scanning. As indicated above, outcomes may be alternatively
formatted based upon many different factors including: variations
in color (e.g., easier to read colors), contrast, brightness, size
(e.g., magnified), shape (e.g., modified fruit symbols, letters or
numbers), language (e.g., Spanish, French, English), grouping
(e.g., representations of winning paylines may be displayed
together, paylines upon which the player actually wagered may be
grouped), order (e.g., left to right in alphabetical or probability
order), arrangement (e.g., in a horizontal line rather than along a
non-linear payline), and/or orientation (e.g. in a vertical list or
a compact rectangle).
[0103] A display format database may store predefined or standard
alternative formats for outcomes that are particularly popular with
players or have been determined by experts to be clear and easy to
understand. In other words, a gaming device may store a number of
alternative formats for outcomes from among which a player may
choose. Beyond the display format parameters described above with
regard to the player preference database, the display format
database may also provide players with a choice of highlighting
particular symbols or rows in a variety of methods (e.g., making
them blink, highlighting them with color, surrounding the symbols
with color, only displaying winning outcomes). In some embodiments
the game outcome may be revealed on the alternate display at
different speeds or times than the game (e.g., alternate display
may be updated in real time as each reel stops spinning, outcome
may be displayed on the alternate display all at once when the last
reel stops spinning, etc.).
[0104] E. Methods
[0105] The system discussed above, including the hardware
components and the databases, are useful to perform the methods of
the invention. However, it should be understood that not all of the
above described components and databases are necessary to perform
any of the present invention's methods. In fact, in some
embodiments, none of the above described system is required to
practice the present invention's methods. The system described
above is an example of a system that would be useful in practicing
the invention's methods.
[0106] The particular arrangement of elements in the following
discussion, as well as the number and order of example steps of
various methods discussed herein, is not meant to imply a fixed
order, sequence, quantity, and/or timing to the steps; embodiments
of the present invention can be practiced in any order, sequence,
and/or timing that is practicable. Likewise, the labels used to
reference the individual steps of the methods are not meant to
imply a fixed order, sequence, quantity, and/or timing to the
steps.
[0107] Method steps of some embodiments of the present invention
may be summarized as follows. An outcome is determined and
displayed in a conventional manner using a conventional display.
Simultaneously or subsequently, an alternative format for the
outcome display is determined and output on an alternate display
device 312. In embodiments wherein an alternate display device 412
is embodied on a peripheral device 458, the alternative format for
the outcome display may be communicated to the peripheral device
458 before being displayed. In some embodiments, the outcome itself
may be communicated to the peripheral device 458 and the peripheral
device 458 may determine an alternative format for the outcome
display and output it on an alternate display device 412. In some
embodiments, a player preference database may be referenced to
determine the alternative format for the outcome display.
[0108] Turning to FIGS. 6A to 6C, and example of the method of the
present invention is illustrated. FIG. 6A depicts a representation
of exemplary primary 600A and alternate 602A displays after a game
has just been started. The primary display 600A shows the spinning
reels 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and the alternate display is blank.
As illustrated, each end of each payline may be identified with a
numeric label so that the player may more easily correlate the
paylines on the primary display 600A with the paylines on the
alternate display 602A.
[0109] FIG. 6B depicts an exemplary representation of the primary
600B and alternate 602B displays after one of the reels has stopped
spinning. The primary display 600B shows the stopped reel, while
the alternate display 602B remains blank, consistent with one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0110] FIG. 6C depicts an exemplary representation of the primary
600C and alternate 602C displays after the game outcome has been
revealed. The primary display 600C shows the stopped reels, while
the alternate display 602C shows the symbols along each payline,
consistent with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
The illustration demonstrates that the large payout outcome of five
"LEMONS" which is obscured among all the confusing crossing
paylines of the main display 600C, is much more apparent in the
alternate display 602C of payline "4" which can be viewed in
isolation.
[0111] Turing to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the present
invention is depicted. The primary display 700 depicts example
outcome information a conventional manner. The alternate display
702 includes alternative formatting that includes additional
information. First note that the outcomes corresponding to the five
different paylines are grouped based upon those paylines upon which
the player placed a bet 704 versus those he did not 706. Referring
to the specific example in FIG. 7, paylines 1, 3 and 5 are grouped
as paylines bet (active paylines) while paylines 2 and 4 are
grouped as paylines not bet (inactive paylines), Second note that
the display of the outcome of each payline includes an indication
708 of the payout that would be awarded if a wager had been made on
the corresponding payline. Referring again to the specific example
in FIG. 7, paylines 1 and 5 show a payout and paylines 2 and 4 are
grayed-out indicating that even if those payline show a payout
amount, there will be no payout for them since they were not active
paylines. Thus, the illustration demonstrates alternative
formatting based on linear, non-overlapping, non-crossing,
horizontal paylines and "paylines bet/not bet" grouping. In
addition, the illustration also demonstrates the clarity with which
the alternative display 702 facilitates providing additional
information (e.g. payout per payline) to a player. Note that in
some embodiments, the alternate display 702 may be used like a
checklist to facilitate a player making wagers on particular
paylines before the outcome is generated, in addition to
subsequently displaying outcomes in a simplified manner. For
example, the player may be able to indicate which paylines he wants
to be active by touching a touch sensitive screen displaying each
of the available paylines before a handle pull.
[0112] F. Example Illustrative Embodiments of the Invention
[0113] The following very specific additional examples are provided
to illustrate particular embodiments of the present invention,
particularly from the perspective of potential users of the
invention, including players and casinos.
EXAMPLE 1
[0114] A five-reel slot machine with nine possible paylines has a
primary display as well as an alternate display. The alternate
display has two separate areas--a "paylines played" area and a
"paylines not played" area. After a play of the game, and after the
game outcome is displayed on the five reels of the primary display,
the alternate display is populated with images. The images are nine
"three by five grids" showing the game outcome; the symbols
displayed on the five reels (and three positions shown by each
reel). Each of the nine images has one different set of symbols of
one of the nine paylines highlighted (e.g., symbols not on the
payline are darkened). The images highlighting the paylines played
by the player are placed in the "paylines played" area, and the
images highlighting the paylines not played (if any) are displayed
in the "paylines not played" area.
EXAMPLE 2
[0115] A "ten by ten grid" of slot machine reels represented on a
touch sensitive screen is displayed. Each player is allowed to
choose five different reel positions on the grid as their own
payline, and may create as many paylines as desired by placing a
bet for each payline they define. In other words, a player could
simply drag his finger across a touch screen to draw his customer
payline. In some embodiments, a set of non-standard predefined
paylines may be available from which a player may choose. Once the
game is started the alternate display shows the selected custom
paylines. The symbols for each payline are displayed on the
alternate display in real-time as the reels stop spinning. On the
alternate display the symbols are twice the size of the original
and winning outcomes are shown by placing a red line around the
paylines that provide winning outcomes.
EXAMPLE 3
[0116] A five-reel slot machine with three visible reel positions
each, includes a primary display. On the primary display there are
five different paylines, three horizontal paylines, a V-shaped
payline, and inverted V-shaped payline. A player approaches the
slot machine with a Bluetooth.TM. enabled PDA running an
alternative display program according to the present invention. On
the player's PDA, an alternate display with five rows with
positions for five symbols per row is automatically displayed. The
slot machine includes a wireless transmitter that actively
communicates its outcome information to any proximate compatible
receivers. The different rows represent the different paylines.
Before the game starts the alternate display on the PDA is blank.
After the game is played and the wheels stop spinning, the symbols
on each payline are displayed on the alternate display in a common
format where each payline is shown as a horizontal line of
symbols.
EXAMPLE 4
[0117] A five reel slot game with a Pirate Treasure theme is
provided. On the primary display the player lines up special reel
symbols that allow him to make progress toward earning coins for
accumulating treasures. The player progresses through five stages
of the game, each stage lasting five spins of the reels. Each stage
of the game uses a different set of reel symbols on each reel. To
make the transition from one stage to another more clear to the
player, the alternate display shows graphics to indicate within
which stage the game is currently. While it may be possible to get
the same information from the reels of the primary screen, players
may find it easier to get that information when it is presented in
a more animated style on the alternate display area.
[0118] G. Additional Embodiments
[0119] In some embodiments, the alternate display may be turned off
by the player. An experienced player may find an alternate display
distracting and may elect to turn off the alternate display.
[0120] In some embodiments, a gaming device may implement a game in
which the main display outcomes include numeric values that are
totaled for determining payouts. In such an embodiment, the
alternate display may provide summary information or tally
information that helps players track their progress or determine
their standing in a game.
[0121] In some embodiments, the alternate display may display an
altered version of the outcome. The nature of the alteration may
include many different factors. For example, an outcome may be
altered based upon the player's value to the casino, the number of
coins wagered, the length of time the player has been playing, a
particular symbol that appeared in an outcome, etc. In such
embodiments, the outcomes could be altered by changing a symbol,
changing the reel position, changing the value of a symbol,
changing the duration of a symbol, etc.
[0122] In some embodiments, the alternate display may only display
the complex portions of the main display. In other words,
horizontal, linear outcomes may not appear on the alternate display
in some embodiments.
[0123] In some embodiments, other explanatory content (e.g., text,
animation) may be included on the alternate display. For example,
rather than just highlighting the outcomes, the alternate display
may provide explanatory text for why an outcome was a winning (or
losing outcome). Outcomes that are commonly confusing to the player
may be highlighted with explanatory text or other content every
time the outcome occurs (e.g., "this looks like a winning
combination, but is actually just similar to another combination").
Turning to FIG. 8, an example is illustrated. The gaming device 800
pictured in FIG. 8 includes an example alternate display 804 that
provides an explanation why an outcome displayed at payline 1 on
the main display 802 that may appear to be a winning outcome listed
in the pay table 806 is not, in fact, a winning outcome. In this
example, the alternate display 804 states:
"Although Payline 1 Shows Four Lemons Total, Payouts are Only Made
for Adjacent Symbols"
[0124] In some embodiments, there may be an option to ask for
additional information. A player may, for example, press a touch
screen to receive an explanation as to why a particular outcome was
a winning (or losing) outcome.
[0125] In some embodiments, overlay information may also be
included on the primary screen or alternate display (e.g., like a
"telestrator"). In some embodiments, the images that might have
been displayed on an alternate display in the above embodiments,
may, at the touch of a button, instead be overlaid onto the primary
display. The overlay may be bright (and the normal primary display
darkened) in order to make the overlaid images and content easier
to read and view. In some embodiments, the alternate display may
replace the main display entirely. In other words, on a gaming
device without a separate screen for an alternate display, at the
touch of a button, or based on some other criteria, the main
display may be erased and the in its place, an alternate display
could be substituted. In some embodiments with a screen for the
main display and a screen for the alternate display, the alternate
display could be enlarged to displace the main display
entirely.
[0126] In some embodiments, a player may be able to select from
several alternate display types to choose one that they find most
pleasing (e.g., select from different color schemes). This may also
include selecting the desired size of the images displayed on the
alternate display. Players might also be able to directly customize
the look and feel of the alternate display, for example by
indicating whether or not they want representations of paylines not
activated (i.e. not bet) to be shown in the alternate display. Such
customizations could be stored in a player database at the slot
server so that the customizations were automatically applied
whenever the player inserted a player tracking card into the
machine.
[0127] Other embodiments of the present invention apply to table
games such as poker, blackjack, roulette, or craps. In the game of
poker, for example, alternative formats of outcomes may include an
indication of relative value of the players' and dealer's hands. In
some embodiments, an image recognition system may be employed to
determine the values of the hands and a peripheral device in
communication with the image recognition system may display
information that immediately indicates who won a hand and why. In
such table game embodiments, peripheral devices could be attached
to the table which allow the dealer or players to view
alternatively formatted outcome information.
[0128] H. Conclusion
[0129] It is clear from the foregoing discussion that the disclosed
systems and methods to display alternative information represents
an improvement in the art of gaming. While the method and apparatus
of the present invention has been described in terms of its
presently preferred and alternate embodiments, those skilled in the
art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with
modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the
appended claims. The specifications and drawings are, accordingly,
to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive
sense.
[0130] Further, even though only certain embodiments have been
described in detail, those having ordinary skill in the art will
certainly appreciate and understand that many modifications,
changes, and enhancements are possible without departing from the
teachings thereof. All such modifications are intended to be
encompassed within the following claims.
* * * * *