U.S. patent application number 10/994183 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for gaming machine with seemingly complex displayed outcomes.
Invention is credited to Lyons, Martin.
Application Number | 20050197185 10/994183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34891615 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050197185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lyons, Martin |
September 8, 2005 |
Gaming machine with seemingly complex displayed outcomes
Abstract
A system for displaying an outcome on a gaming machine includes
a display for displaying images of a game played on the gaming
machine. A controller controls the display of the images on the
display. The system further includes a simulation engine comprising
a first part for imparting a simulation of at least one force
acting on elements of the images so that the elements move as if in
response to the at least one force and a second part which, on a
selected element of the image, imparts a simulation of a different
force so that the selected element behaves in a different manner to
the remaining elements, the selected element having been selected
by the controller as a part of the outcome.
Inventors: |
Lyons, Martin; (Alexandria,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
|
Family ID: |
34891615 |
Appl. No.: |
10/994183 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3213 20130101;
G07F 17/3227 20130101; G07F 17/3211 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/030 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 2003 |
AU |
2003906432 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A system for displaying an outcome on a gaming machine, the
system including: a display for displaying images of a game played
on the gaming machine; a controller for controlling the display of
the images on the display; and a simulation engine comprising a
first part for imparting a simulation of at least one force acting
on elements of the images so that the elements move as if in
response to the at least one force; and a second part which, on a
selected element of the image, imparts a simulation of a different
force so that the selected element behaves in a different manner to
the remaining elements, the selected element having been selected
by the controller as a part of the outcome.
2. The system of claim 1 in which the different force imparted to
the selected element operates in such a way that, to a viewer, it
is not apparent that a different force is acting on the selected
element.
3. The system of claim 1 in which the outcome is represented by a
selection of at least some of the plurality of the elements, the
elements initially being displayed in a representation of a
container in such a way that the elements are visible to a player
of the gaming machine.
4. The system of claim 3 in which, initially, all the elements in
the container are subjected to the at least one force in the form
of a first set of forces.
5. The system of claim 4 in which the first set of forces
encompasses forces associated with a fluid stream so that the
elements appear to be floating in the container and moving with a
random motion, colliding randomly with each other and against walls
of the container.
6. The system of claim 5 in which the fluid stream simulation is
effected through a representation of a conduit having a first end
which opens out into a floor of the container.
7. The system of claim 6 in which the first part of the simulation
engine simulates the fluid stream which enters the container
through the conduit into the interior of the container so that the
elements are subjected to fluid flow and float about within the
interior of the container with the random motion.
8. The system of claim 7 in which, when an outcome has been
determined by the controller, a simulation run by the simulation
engine selects a first one of the elements, a symbol on the element
constituting a first part of the outcome.
9. The system of claim 8 in which, when that element bas been
selected, the different force is imparted to the selected element
so that the selected element does not respond to the effects of the
first set of forces, the remaining elements continuing to be
subjected to the first set of forces.
10. The system of claim 9 in which the process is repeated until
all the elements constituting the outcome have been selected.
11. A method of displaying an outcome on a gaming machine, the
method including displaying an image comprising a plurality of
elements on a display of the gaming machine; applying a
physics-based simulation to the elements so that the elements move
as though being affected by at least one force; selecting one of
the elements to be a part of the outcome; and applying a different
force to the selected element so that it behaves differently from
the remaining elements of the image.
12. The method of claim 11 which includes imparting the different
force to the selected element in such a way that, to a viewer, it
is not apparent that a different force is acting on the selected
element.
13. The method of claim 11 which includes representing a game
outcome by a selection of at least some of the plurality of the
elements and initially displaying the elements in a representation
of a container in such a way that the elements are visible to a
player of the gaming machine.
14. The method of claim 13 which includes, initially, subjecting
all the symbol carriers in the container to the at least one force
in the form of a first set of forces.
15. The method of claim 14 which includes simulating the first set
of forces to represent forces associated with a fluid stream so
that the elements appear to be floating in the container and moving
with a random motion, colliding randomly with each other and
against walls of the container.
16. The method of claim 15 which includes effecting the fluid
stream simulation through a representation of a conduit having a
first end which opens out into a floor of the container.
17. The method of claim 16 which includes simulating the fluid
stream entering the container through the conduit into the interior
of the container so that the elements are subjected to fluid flow
and float about within the interior of the container with the
random motion.
18. The method of claim 17 which includes, when an outcome has been
determined by the controller selecting a first one of the elements,
a symbol on the element constituting a first part of the
outcome.
19. The method of claim 18 which includes, when that element has
been selected, imparting the different force to the selected
element so that the selected element does not respond to the
effects of the first set of forces, the remaining elements
continuing to be subjected to the first set of forces.
20. The method of claim 19 which includes repeating the process
until all the elements constituting the outcome have been
selected.
21. A simulation engine for simulating a system to which the laws
of physics are applied for displaying a game outcome on a gaming
machine, the simulation engine including a first part for
simulating the imparting of at least one physical force to symbol
carriers, at least some of which are used in displaying the game
outcome; and a second part for simulating the imparting of at least
one further, different force to each of those symbol carriers
selected to represent the game outcome.
22. The simulation engine of claim 21 which is implemented in a
controller associated with the gaming machine.
23. A gaming machine including a system as claimed in claim 1
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to gaming machines. More
particularly, the invention relates to a system for, and method of,
displaying an outcome on a gaming machine.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] One of the requirements for designing a gaming machine is
that an outcome of the game is deterministic and is generated by a
random number generator (RNG). This is a requirement since an RNG
can be extensively tested for bias and predictability. If an
alternative method of generating outcomes were to be used, the game
would have to be submitted for extensive testing to ensure that
there were no bias or other predictability problems associated with
the simulation. With the increasing power of processors used in
gaming machines, the ability arises for presenting outcomes in an
attractive and entertaining way using simulations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a system for displaying an outcome on a gaming machine,
the system including:
[0004] a display for displaying images of a game played on the
gaming machine;
[0005] a controller for controlling the display of the images on
the display; and
[0006] a simulation engine comprising
[0007] a first part for imparting a simulation of at least one
force acting on elements of the images so that the elements move as
if in response to the at least one force; and
[0008] a second part which, on a selected element of the image,
imparts a simulation of a different force so that the selected
element behaves in a different manner to the remaining elements,
the selected element having been selected by the controller as a
part of the outcome.
[0009] The different force imparted to the selected element may
operate in such a way that, to a viewer, it is not apparent that a
different force is acting on the selected element.
[0010] The physics-based simulation used in the controller of the
gaming machine may be used in any image where elements are required
to move in the image.
[0011] For ease of explanation, the invention will be described
with reference to its application to keno balls in a transparent
container.
[0012] The outcome may be represented by a selection of at least
some of the plurality of the elements, or symbol earners, such as
the balls of a set of keno balls, the elements initially being
displayed in a representation of a container in such a way that the
elements are visible to a player of the gaming machine.
[0013] Initially, all the elements in the container are subjected
to the at least one force in the form of a first set of forces. The
first set of forces may encompass forces associated with a fluid
stream so that the elements appear to be floating in the container
and moving with a random, or Brownian, motion, colliding randomly
with each other and against walls of the container.
[0014] The fluid stream simulation may be effected through a
representation of a conduit having a first end which opens out into
a floor of the container. Thus, the first part of the simulation
engine may simulate the fluid stream, which may be invisible, which
enters the container through the conduit into the interior of the
container so that the elements are subjected to fluid flow and
float about within the interior of the container with the
apparently random motion.
[0015] When an outcome has been determined by the controller, i.e.
a random number has been generated by a random number generator
(RNG) of the controller, a simulation run by the simulation engine
may select a first one of the elements, a symbol on the element
constituting a first part of the outcome. When that element has
been selected, the different force may be imparted to the selected
element so that the selected element does not respond to the
effects of the first set of forces, the remaining elements
continuing to be subjected to the first set of forces.
[0016] The second force may, for example, be a simulation of a
suction force which sucks the selected symbol carrier towards and
into the conduit to be discharged into a receptacle, forming part
of the image, the receptacle being arranged at a second end of the
conduit
[0017] The process may be repeated until all the elements
constituting the outcome have been selected and discharged from the
container into the receptacle.
[0018] It will be appreciated that, therefore, two different
physics-based simulations are used. Preferably, the simulations are
performed simultaneously but, as the effects of the second force
are not readily visible to the viewer, it appears as if only one
simulation were taking place to provide an appearance of apparently
random selection of the symbol carriers constituting the
outcome.
[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of displaying an outcome on a gaming machine, the
method including
[0020] displaying an image comprising a plurality of elements on a
display of the gaming machine;
[0021] applying a physics-based simulation to the elements so that
the elements move as though being affected by at least one
force;
[0022] selecting one of the elements to be a part of the outcome;
and
[0023] applying a different force to the selected element so that
it behaves differently from the remaining elements of the
image.
[0024] The method may include imparting the different force to the
selected element in such a way that, to a viewer, it is not
apparent that a different force is acting on the selected
element.
[0025] Further, the method may include representing a game outcome
by a selection of at least some of the plurality of the elements
and initially displaying the elements in a representation of a
container in such a way that the elements are visible to a player
of the gaming machine. The method may include, initially,
subjecting all the symbol carriers in the container to the at least
one force in the form of a first set of forces.
[0026] Then, the method may include simulating the first set of
forces to represent forces associated with a fluid stream so that
the elements appear to be floating in the container and moving with
a random motion, colliding randomly with each other and against
walls of the container.
[0027] The method may include effecting the fluid stream simulation
through a representation of a conduit having a first end which
opens out into a floor of the container. Thus, the method may
include simulating the fluid stream entering the container through
the conduit into the interior of the container so that the elements
are subjected to fluid flow and float about within the interior of
the container with the random motion.
[0028] The method may include, when an outcome has been determined
by the controller selecting a first one of the elements, a symbol
on the element constituting a first part of the outcome. When that
element has been selected, the method may include imparting the
different force to the selected element so that the selected
element does not respond to the effects of the first set of forces,
the remaining elements continuing to be subjected to the first set
of forces.
[0029] The method may include repeating the process until all the
elements constituting the outcome have been selected.
[0030] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a simulation engine for simulating a system to which the
laws of physics are applied for displaying a game outcome on a
gaming machine, the simulation engine including
[0031] a first part for simulating the imparting of at least one
physical force to symbol carriers, at least some of which are used
in displaying the game outcome; and
[0032] a second part for simulating the imparting of at least one
further, different force to each of those symbol carriers selected
to represent the game outcome.
[0033] The simulation engine may be implemented in a controller
associated with the gaming machine.
[0034] The invention extends also to a gaming machine including a
system as described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The invention is now described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional, perspective view of a
gaming machine, including a system for displaying an outcome, in
accordance with the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the
gaming machine;
[0038] FIGS. 3-8 show various screen displays of a physics-based
simulation for displaying the outcome on the gaming machine of FIG.
1; and
[0039] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of the physics-based
simulation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0040] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a
gaming machine, including a game, an outcome of which is displayed
in accordance with the invention. The machine 10 includes a console
12 having a display in the form of a video display unit (VDU) 14 on
which a game 16 is played, in use. The video display unit 14 may be
implemented as a cathode ray screen device, a liquid crystal
display, a plasma screen, or the like. A midtrim 20 of the machine
10 houses a keypad 22 for enabling a player to play the game 16.
The midtrim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 including a
coin input chute 24.1 and a bill collector 24.2.
[0041] The machine 10 includes a top box 26 on which artwork 28 is
carried. The artwork 28 includes paytables, details of bonus
awards, etc.
[0042] A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash
payouts from the machine 10.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a controller or control
circuit 32 is illustrated. A program which implements the game and
user interface is run on a processor 34 of the controller 32. The
processor 34 forms part of a controller 36 that drives the screen
of the video display unit 14 and that receives input signals from
sensors 38. The sensors 38 include sensors associated with the bank
22 of buttons and touch sensors mounted in the screen of the video
display unit 14. The controller 36 also receives input pulses from
the mechanism 24 to determine whether or not a player has provided
sufficient credit to commence playing. The mechanism 24 may,
instead of the coin input chute 24.1 or the bill collector 24.2, or
in addition thereto, be a credit card reader (not shown) or any
other type of validation device.
[0044] Finally, the controller 36 drives a payout mechanism 40
which, for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the
coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes
to redeem his or her credit.
[0045] The game 16 played on the gaming machine 10 is, in this
example, a keno game. In the keno game, a plurality of elements or
symbol carriers, in the form of balls 50 (FIG. 3), are selected and
placed in a container 52 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Hence,
an initial display 54 on the VDU 14 of the gaming machine 10 shows
the balls 50 being deposited into the container 52.
[0046] In the modelling of the keno style game, if it were to be
modelled on a computer system, a three dimensional representation
of a keno machine, complete with a set of keno balls would be
provided. Using a three dimensional visualisation system in
combination with a physics-based simulation engine of the
controller 32, it is possible to animate the keno balls as if they
were affected by forces such as forces arising from a wind or fluid
generator. This causes the balls 50 to move in an apparently random
manner colliding with each other and the container 52.
[0047] However, using a true physics-based simulation, the balls 50
that would be selected by the processor 34 of the gaming machine 10
would be derived purely from the motions and collisions of the
balls 50. This would not result in the generation of a determinable
random number and could possibly exhibit bias. Furthermore, it is
possible that the desired outcome of the game be predetermined and
it would therefore be necessary to make an exact choice of balls
50.
[0048] In order to achieve the desired result, the balls 50 in the
container 52 are subjected to a simulation of forces generated by
the physics-based simulation engine. The forces impart effects to
the balls 50 as though the balls 50 were in a fluid stream such as
would result from a wind generator.
[0049] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, once all the
balls 50 have been deposited in the container 52, they lie on a
floor 56 of the container.
[0050] A simulation of a wind generator being started is then
effected so that the balls 50 rise from the floor 56 of the
container under the effect of an invisible fluid stream, as shown
in FIG. 5 of the drawings, and begin moving randomly about in the
container 52. The fluid stream is discharged through an end 58.1 of
a conduit 58, the end 58.1 of the conduit 58 opening out into the
floor 56 of the container 52.
[0051] The conduit 58 has a second end 58.2 which overlies a
receptacle 60.
[0052] The simulation of the wind generator uses "real world"
physics so that the balls 50 in the container 52 appear to move
with apparently random motion, colliding with each other and with
the walls of the container 52.
[0053] When the outcome of the game has been determined by the
processor 34 of the gaming machine 10, each of the balls to be
selected for the outcome is subjected to a simulation of a
different force to the remaining balls 50. For the sake of
illustration, it is to be noted that a ball 62 of the set of balls
50 has a different shading from the remaining balls in the example
illustrated in FIGS. 3-8 of the drawings. This ball 62 is assumed
to be the first ball of the outcome, in other words, the first
selected ball.
[0054] When the ball 62 has been determined by the processor 34 as
being a selected ball, the ball 62 is subjected to the different
force which is a suction force, once again, using a "real world"
physics stimulation effected by an exception component, or a second
part, of the simulation engine of the controller 32. The suction
force imparted to the ball 62 is a suction force applied at the
outlet end 58.1 of the conduit 58 but only has an effect on the
selected ball 62. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings,
the ball 62 is drawn towards the outlet end 58.1 of the conduit
58.
[0055] Thereafter, the selected ball 62 is drawn into the conduit
58 and is discharged through he end 58.2 of the conduit 58 into the
receptacle 60 as the first selected ball.
[0056] The process is repeated on the remaining balls 50 by
subjecting each of the other selected balls for that outcome to the
effects of the exception component while the remaining balls 50 in
the receptacle 52 continue to be subjected to the first set of
forces.
[0057] It will be appreciated that the second, suction force is
applied to the selected balls in such a manner that, to a viewer,
it is not apparent that the suction force is being imparted to the
selected ball. Both the wind generator forces and the suction force
are applied concurrently to impart an appearance of randomness to
the motion of the balls 50 in the container 52.
[0058] Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention that a
system of, and method for, displaying a game outcome are provided
which, on the face of it, appear to result in random selections.
However, due to the concurrent application of the two physics-based
simulations, a predetermined outcome is effected thereby minimising
problems associated with bias and predictability. This obviates the
need for the game to be submitted for extensive testing to ensure
that bias and predictability problems are not present in the
game.
[0059] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *