U.S. patent application number 10/890983 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for method and system to apply an outcome-modifying feature.
Invention is credited to Duhamel, Gerald.
Application Number | 20050014557 10/890983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34421480 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050014557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duhamel, Gerald |
January 20, 2005 |
Method and system to apply an outcome-modifying feature
Abstract
A method and a system to provide an outcome-modifying feature in
a game are disclosed. The method comprises, upon generation of a
game outcome and reception of sporadic triggering information,
processing the triggering information to determine a feature
condition. The method further comprises applying on the game
outcome the determined feature condition in an optimal manner
according to an evaluation of the game outcome. Thus, a feature
outcome is generated. The system comprises a gaming machine
designed to conduct a game in which game outcomes are generated and
evaluated. It further comprises feature providing means
sporadically providing triggering information to the gaming
machine. Upon generation of a game outcome and processing of the
triggering information, the gaming machine determines a feature
condition, and applies on the game outcome the feature condition in
an optimal manner according to an evaluation of the outcome. Thus,
the gaming machine generates a feature outcome.
Inventors: |
Duhamel, Gerald;
(Drummondville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LABTRONIX CONCEPT INC.
C/O OGILVY RENAULT
1981 MC GILL COLLEGE AVENUE
SUITE 1600
MONTREAL, QUEBEC
H3A 2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
34421480 |
Appl. No.: |
10/890983 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60487078 |
Jul 15, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3265 20130101;
G07F 17/3267 20130101; G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
I/we claim:
1. A method of providing an outcome-modifying feature in a game,
comprising: upon generation of a game outcome and reception of a
sporadic triggering information, processing said triggering
information to determine a feature condition; and optimally
applying said feature condition to said game outcome according to
an evaluation of said game outcome to thereby generate a feature
outcome.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a
representation of said feature condition.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating said
triggering information.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising analyzing said
triggering information to determine a feature condition among a
plurality of feature conditions.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising monitoring game play
information and generating sporadic triggering information
according to said monitoring.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said feature condition comprises
at least one of (a) use of a wild condition, (b) movement of a game
indicium, and (c) generation of a new game indicium.
7. A system for providing an outcome-modifying feature comprising:
a gaming machine comprising game controller means conducting a game
in which game outcomes are generated and evaluated; and feature
providing means sporadically providing triggering information to
said gaming machine, wherein the game controller means, upon
generation of a game outcome and processing of triggering
information, determines a feature condition, applies on said game
outcome said feature condition in an optimal manner according to an
evaluation of said game outcome, and thereby generates a feature
outcome.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the gaming machine further
comprises display means providing a representation of at least one
of (a) the game outcome, (b) the trigger information, and (c) the
determined feature condition.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the game controller means is
adapted to perform functions of said feature providing means.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the gaming machine further
comprises a feature indicator providing a signal informing on the
game controller means processing triggering information.
11. The system of claim 7, wherein the feature providing means
performs a selection function to determine said feature condition
borne by said triggering information.
12. The system of claim 7, further comprising monitoring means
monitoring play information on said gaming machine and signaling
said feature providing means to communicate game information when
said monitored play information fulfills a criterion.
13. The system of claim 7, wherein said feature condition comprises
at least one of (a) use of a wild condition, (b) use of a scatter
condition, and (c) new game indicium participating in said game
outcome.
14. A system for providing an outcome-modifying feature comprising:
a plurality of gaming machines, each comprising game controller
means conducting a game in which game outcomes are generated and
evaluated; and feature providing means communicatively linked to
said gaming machines to sporadically provide triggering information
to said gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine game
controller means, upon generation of a game outcome, reception and
processing of triggering information, determines a feature
condition, applies on said game outcome said feature condition in
an optimal manner according to an evaluation of said game outcome,
and thereby generates a feature outcome.
15. A computer program embodied in an electric or an
electro-magnetic carrier signal having codes adapted, when
performed by a CPU of a device, to sporadically generate triggering
information and to communicate said information to said device
designed to conduct a game in order for said device, upon
generation of a game outcome and reception of said triggering
information, to determine a feature condition, to apply on said
game outcome said feature condition in an optimal manner according
to an evaluation of said game outcome, and to thereby generate a
feature outcome.
16. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium or
processor-readable memory having codes adapted, when performed by a
CPU of a device, to sporadically generate triggering information
and to communicate said information to said device designed to
conduct a game in order for said device, upon generation of a game
outcome and reception of said triggering information, to determine
a feature condition, to apply on said game outcome said feature
condition in an optimal manner according to an evaluation of said
game outcome, and to thereby generate a feature outcome.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35USC.sctn.119(e) of
U.S. provisional patent application 60/487,078 filed on Jul.
15.sup.th, 2003, the specification of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a method of and a system for
applying an outcome-modifying feature on a game outcome.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The field of casino-style games and gaming machines is in
constant evolution. Players are always demanding new games with new
characteristics schemes that may incite them to play. While the
variety of the games has increased, players and game designers are
still craving for novelty.
[0004] Accordingly, improvements in this field are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of
providing an outcome-modifying feature in a game. The method
comprises, upon generation of a game outcome and reception of
sporadic triggering information, processing the triggering
information to determine a feature condition. The method further
comprises applying on the game outcome the determined feature
condition in an optimal manner according to an evaluation of the
game outcome to generate a feature outcome.
[0006] In another embodiment, the invention provides a system to
provide the outcome-modifying feature. The system comprises a
gaming machine adapted to conduct a game in which game outcomes are
generated and evaluated. The system further comprises
feature-providing means sporadically providing a triggering
information to the game conducted by the gaming machine. Upon
generation of a game outcome and processing of the triggering
information, the game processes said triggering information,
determines a feature condition, and applies on the game outcome
said determined feature condition in an optimal manner according to
an evaluation of the game outcome to generate a feature
outcome.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a computer
program embodied in an electric or an electromagnetic carrier
signal having codes adapted, when performed by a CPU of a device,
to sporadically generate triggering information and to communicate
said information to said device designed to conduct a game in order
for said device, upon generation of a game outcome and reception of
said triggering information, to determine a feature condition, to
apply on said game outcome said feature condition in an optimal
manner according to an evaluation of said game outcome, and to
thereby generate a feature outcome.
[0008] In another embodiment, the invention provides a computer
program on a computer readable medium or processor-readable memory
having codes adapted, when performed by a CPU of a device, to
sporadically generate triggering information and to communicate
said information to said device designed to conduct a game in order
for said device, upon generation of a game outcome and reception of
said triggering information, to determine a feature condition, to
apply on said game outcome said feature condition in an optimal
manner according to an evaluation of said game outcome, and to
thereby generate a feature outcome.
[0009] In this specification, the terms "game outcome" are intended
to mean "the result of a play of the game, which is compared with
criteria to establish an outcome value (such as a prize)"; examples
of such game outcomes comprise the cards resulting from a poker
game play, or the game indicia displayed once the reels stop in a
line game.
[0010] The terms "triggering information" are intended to mean
"information generated and/or communicated in any suitable format
that a machine may interpret to trigger the outcome-modifying
feature"; such format comprises electric, magnetic, mechanical and
electro-magnetic signals.
[0011] Finally, the terms "feature condition" are intended to mean
"a process associated to the feature indicating how the game
outcome may be modified". Examples of feature conditions comprise
the use of a wild condition applied on part of or on the entire pay
schedule, and a random regeneration of at least one game indicium,
to generate a feature outcome. Such re-generation comprises the
replacement of a card in a poker hand by a new card, or the action
of re-spinning a reel in a line game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of
a gaming machine suitable for the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the
gaming machine of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a basic game
process as played on the gaming machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the process of the method of
providing an outcome-modifying feature in accordance with the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a screen shot of a line game applying a wild
condition embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a line game applying a partial
wild condition embodiment in accordance with the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a line game applying a re-spin
condition embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 8a and 8b are screen shots of a line game applying a
nudge condition embodiment in accordance with the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a representation of gaming machines in a network
embodiment in accordance with the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a representation of a plurality of screen shots
of a bingo game in a network embodiment in accordance with the
present invention.
[0023] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention may be carried out on a gaming
machine, as illustrated on FIGS. 1 and 2. Gaming machine 10
comprises display means 12 such as a video screen, a LCD screen or
mechanical reels; credit-receiving means 14 such as a card reader
or a coin and/or bill acceptor; input means 16 such as buttons,
levers or touch screen control; awarding means 18 such as a ticket
printer, a card reader or a hopper; memory means 20; and game
controller means 22.
[0025] Such a gaming machine 10 is designed, in its basic
realization and as shown on FIG. 3, to receive credit information
from a player 30 either in a physical format (such as coins or
bills) or in an electronic format (such as a player card or a money
transfer from a bank account)., to receive activation information
from the player 32, to randomly generate 34 and display 36 a game
outcome, to evaluate said game outcome according to game rules (a
pay table for example) 38, and to award a prize to the player for a
winning game outcome 40.
[0026] Those skilled in the art may recognize other methods to
provide such a game, either through a central distribution of play
data to networked gaming machines, a computer program adapted for
such a game application and performing said game on computers, or
program codes broadcasted using a suitable carrier or saved on
memory, said program codes being adapted, when loaded on a device,
to perform a similar game.
[0027] Also, the present outcome-modifying feature may be triggered
in a game played on a gaming machine 10 by triggering information
coming either from inside the gaming machine using the game
controller means 22, from a device (software or hardware) installed
in or around the gaming machine and using other controller means,
or from an external device communicatively linked to at least one
other gaming machine.
[0028] Accordingly, triggering information is sporadically
generated and communicated to the game. The game then processes
said triggering information to determine the feature condition and
informs the player, using a written message, an animation, the
gaming machine candle light or any other means, that an
outcome-modifying feature has been triggered and, in certain cases,
displays the feature condition. Afterwards, in order to apply the
condition, the game outcome is evaluated to determine the optimal
manner in which the feature condition may be applied to produce the
best feature outcome and thus the best feature prize.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the process of the method for providing
such an outcome-modifying feature. After activation information has
been entered by the player 50 (usually pushing the Play button), a
game outcome has been generated 52, evaluated 54 and the
corresponding prize has been awarded 56, it is determined whether
or not triggering information has been received by the game or not
58. If no triggering information has been received, the play is
over 60 and the game waits for new activation information from the
player. On the other hand, if triggering information is received,
the game processes said information 62 to determine the feature
condition 64 and the triggering information is displayed to the
player 66 to at least inform him of the occurrence of said feature.
The game outcome is then evaluated 68 to determine the best way to
apply the feature condition to generate a feature outcome 70. The
feature outcome is evaluated 72 according to game rules to
determine a feature prize, which is then awarded to the player
74.
[0030] The triggering information may be generated randomly and is
not linked in any way to the game outcome. But there can be
mechanisms to link the frequency of the triggering information or
of each feature condition to the success rate or to certain game
outcomes in the game. Thus allowing the player to get more
outcome-modifying features when he wins or on the contrary giving
him the opportunity of replenishing his credits when he loses a lot
by giving him more opportunities of winning.
[0031] Furthermore, play information may be monitored on a single
machine or on a plurality of machines to determine times when
triggering information may be generated, communicated or
deactivated, or even to determine which gaming machines may be
allowed to generate or receive said triggering information. Said
selection can be randomly determined, and/or dynamically determined
based on monitored play information such as wins and losses
occurring on gaming machines, gaming machine player identification,
casino floor occupancy, occurrence of special events like
tournaments, etc.
[0032] In a first embodiment, a player places a bet and initiates a
play of the game. When the set of reels stops, the resulting game
outcome is evaluated and the game outcome value is awarded to the
player. When triggering information is received by the game, either
from an external device or from inside the gaming machine, the game
establishes the feature condition triggered by said triggering
information and displays a message or an animation informing the
player of the nature of said feature condition. In the present
embodiment, the feature condition is always a wild condition. The
game outcome is re-evaluated according to this wild condition, and
a feature outcome is therefore established. FIG. 5 illustrates an
example of a three-reel, three-line game applying such an
embodiment. When the feature is triggered, the game outcome is
evaluated to determine the optimal application of the feature
condition. In this example, the Wild feature can be placed in three
(3) different positions to complete winning lines. The first
position 82 and the third 86 both complete a line of "Cherry"
symbols which have a value of two (2) credits according to the pay
table 80, while the second position 84 complete a line of "Bell"
symbols which awards a prize of one hundred (100) credits. Since
the line of "Bell" symbols awards a higher prize than a line of
"Cherry" symbols, the Wild feature will replace the "Cherry" on the
second position 84 and the feature outcome will award a feature
prize of one hundred (100) credits to the player.
[0033] In another embodiment, the triggering information may
trigger any of a list of possible feature conditions, such as a
wild condition, a partial wild condition, a re-spin condition, a
nudge condition or a combination of two or more of them.
[0034] The wild symbol of the wild condition is used in the manner
offering the best feature outcome and thus the best feature prize
according to the pay table, as explained in the first embodiment
and illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0035] In the case of a partial wild condition, the wild symbol may
only be used to generate a win according to a predetermined portion
of the pay table. For example, if the partial wild is applied only
to the "scatter prizes" part of the pay table, the wild feature
will replace a symbol to create the best scatter feature outcome,
and not the best line feature outcome. FIG. 6 illustrates this
embodiment. In this example, the wild feature is applied only to
the scatter prizes. The game outcome comprises three (3) "Moon"
symbols 97 and 98, which have already resulted in a game prize of
twenty-five (25) credits to the player, and two (2) "Star" symbols
99. The pay table 90 shows that the player would receive fifty (50)
credits for a fourth "Moon" symbol 92, and seventy-five (75)
credits for a third "Star" symbol 94. Thus, the wild symbol may
replace any symbol on the reels, except for the "Star" symbols, and
will take the value of a "Star" symbol, awarding seventy-five (75)
credits to the player, even though it would have been more
interesting for the player to replace the "Moon" symbol 98 at the
end of the first line by the wild symbol to complete a line of "One
Bar" symbol, which, according to the pay table, has a value of two
hundred (200) credits 96. With the re-spin condition, an evaluation
of the expected value associated to each one of the reels is
computed according to the prize value of a possible winning line
and the probability of getting the desired symbol. The reel having
the best expected value is selected. FIG. 7 illustrates such a
feature condition. The game outcome has no winning line, but there
are three possible winning lines during the re-spin feature. The
expected value of each reel that may be re-spun to create a winning
outcome is evaluated. Accordingly, the first possibility 102 asks
for a "Bell" symbol to complete the line, thus its expected value
is ten (10) 110, since the prize value of a "Bell" symbol line,
according to the pay table 100, is fifty (50) credits and there are
ten (10) "Bell" symbols among the fifty (50) symbols on this reel
(50.times.(10/50)=10). The same way, the expected value for the
second possibility 104, a "Cherry" symbol line, has an expected
value of one (1) 108, while the third possibility 106, a line of
"Seven" symbols, has an expected value of five (5) 112. Since the
expected value of the first possibility 104 is the highest, this
reel will be re-spun.
[0036] Finally, the nudge condition is a feature wherein a reel
bearing more than one indicium is moved up or down, thus generating
a new outcome. FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrates an example of this
feature condition. FIG. 8a illustrates a game outcome in a
five-reel, five-line game. The center line 120 already has two "B"
symbols aligned, and the third reel 122 has a "B" symbol at one
position over the center line 120. Upon trigger of the nudge
condition, an evaluation of which of the reels should be moved is
performed, and in which direction the move should happen, to create
the best feature outcome. FIG. 8b shows the feature outcome that
includes a winning line 124 (three "B" symbols), for which the
player is awarded the corresponding prize.
[0037] In another embodiment, an external device provides the
triggering information to one or a plurality of gaming machines
through a communication channel that is usually a local network
communication. When deemed appropriate, the device communicates
triggering information to at least one gaming machine, which reacts
as described above. The triggering information may be broadcasted
to all linked gaming machines or to only a few chosen randomly or
by applying a criteria, such as the gaming machines in play
(credits are present on the counter) or gaming machines offering a
certain game.
[0038] An example is a bank of gaming machines as illustrated on
FIG. 9 (the external device being not illustrated). On this figure,
one gaming machine 130 shows a signal (top candle highlighted)
illustrating triggering of an outcome-modifying feature. In this
example, the external device generated triggering information and
randomly determined one machine 130 to which this triggering
information has been sent.
[0039] Another example is illustrated on FIG. 10. On this figure,
each bingo card represents a different player and thus a different
machine that has received triggering information bearing a wild
condition. The triggering information is received by each machine,
is processed by each game individually and the game outcome
generated by each game is individually evaluated to determine the
best way to apply the wild condition and thus to generate the best
feature outcome. On the card, the letter "W" identifies the
position the wild condition is applied to. For example, Player 1
150 misses one number to get a diagonal line, the wild condition
will apply to complete this diagonal line, while Player 2 152
cannot complete any winning pattern. Finally, Player 6 154 has two
possible winning patterns on his card, a diagonal and the T. Since
the T pays more than the diagonal, the wild condition is applied to
complete the T pattern, awarding the corresponding prize to the
player.
[0040] Embodiments of the external device comprise a device linked
to a display visible to all players; a computer; or a central
blower of the kind of bingo blowers with the draw of a ball or the
nature of the drawn ball fulfilling a criterion initiating the
communication of triggering information. The above-described play
monitoring may take place on the network, the control of the
feature being managed globally on the networked gaming
machines.
[0041] While the appended block diagrams illustrates the present
invention as groups of discrete components communicating with each
other via distinct data signal connections, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied
through a combination of hardware and software components, with
some components being implemented by a given function or operation
of a hardware or software system, and many of the data paths
illustrated being implemented by data communication within a
computer application or operating system. The structure illustrated
is thus provided for efficiency of teaching embodiments of the
invention.
[0042] It should be noted that the present invention can be carried
out as a method, can be embodied in a system, a computer readable
medium, a processing-readable memory, or an electrical or
electromagnetic signal.
[0043] The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is
therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *