U.S. patent application number 10/848636 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-24 for electronic inserts for a gaming apparatus.
Invention is credited to Griswold, Chan, Mattice, Harold, Paulsen, Craig A., Wilder, Richard.
Application Number | 20050261046 10/848636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34971145 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050261046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Griswold, Chan ; et
al. |
November 24, 2005 |
Electronic inserts for a gaming apparatus
Abstract
A method and apparatus for electronically controlling gaming
machines such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, and/or bingo.
Customer information such as denomination input, maximum coin
input, maximum number of coins won, pay tables, pay lines, and the
like may be changed electronically with an electronic ink display.
The gaming machine may be updated electronically without shutting
the game down and losing income or incurring additional costs from
manually replacing static display inserts on the machine.
Inventors: |
Griswold, Chan; (Reno,
NV) ; Paulsen, Craig A.; (Reno, NV) ; Wilder,
Richard; (Sparks, NV) ; Mattice, Harold;
(Gardnerville, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEYER WEAVER & THOMAS LLP
P.O. BOX 70250
OAKLAND
CA
94612-0250
US
|
Family ID: |
34971145 |
Appl. No.: |
10/848636 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a housing; a display unit
disposed on the housing, the display unit adapted to display
denomination input, maximum coin input, maximum coin jackpot, pay
tables, paylines, and predetermined customer advertisements; at
least one electronic insert associated with the display unit, the
electronic insert including a plurality of electronic ink elements
with permanently charged particles suspended in a clear fluid, the
charged particles formed in first and second types, the first type
having a first color and a positive charge and the second type
having a second color and a negative charge, each element having
first and second electrodes for imparting an electrical charge
thereto; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to
the display unit and the value input device, the controller
comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the
processor; the controller being programmed to cause the display
unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following
games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo; the controller being
programmed to selectively control the electrodes to change the
information displayed by the inserts while the apparatus remains
operational; and the controller being programmed to determine a
value payout associated with an outcome of the game.
2. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the display
unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating
video images.
3. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the controller
is programmed to cause at least one electronic insert to display a
video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards to
be displayed if the game comprises video poker; wherein the
controller is programmed to cause at least one electronic insert to
display a video image comprising an image of a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels to be displayed if the game comprises
video slots; wherein the controller is programmed to cause at least
one electronic insert to display a video image comprising an image
of a plurality of playing cards to be displayed if the game
comprises video blackjack; wherein the controller is programmed to
cause at least one electronic insert to display a video image
comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers to be displayed
if the game comprises video keno; and wherein the controller is
programmed to cause at least one electronic insert to display a
video image comprising an image of a bingo grid to be displayed if
the game comprises video bingo.
4. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the display
unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel or at
least one electronically simulated slot machine reel.
5. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the electronic
ink elements further comprise: black particles having a negative
charge and white particles having a positive charge suspended in
the clear fluid, the elements being viewable when the white
particles are positioned in a viewable portion of the element.
6. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the white
particles move to the viewable portion of the element when a
negative electric field is applied by the electrodes to the element
and the black particles move to the viewable portion of the element
when a positive electric field is applied by the electrodes to the
element.
7. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the electronic
insert displays at least one of: a slot machine including simulated
spinning reels; a poker game, a blackjack game; a keno game; and a
bingo game.
8. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 1, the gaming apparatuses being interconnected to
form a network of gaming apparatuses.
9. A gaming system as defined in claim 8, wherein the gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
10. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display unit having at least
one electronic insert, each electronic insert having a plurality of
electronic ink elements with a first type of permanently charged
particles and a second type of permanently charged particles
suspended in a clear fluid, the first type of particles having a
first color and a positive charge and the second type of particles
having a second color and a negative charge; a value input device;
a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value
input device, the controller comprising a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to the processor; the controller being
programmed to receive data representing a payline selection made by
a player; the controller being programmed to cause a game display
to be generated by the display unit, the game display comprising
images of a plurality of slot machine symbols each of which is
associated with a respective slot machine reel; the controller
being programmed to selectively change the display inserts while
the apparatus remains operational; and the controller being
programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome
of the slots game, the controller being programmed to determine the
outcome of the slots game based on a configuration of the slot
machine symbols.
11. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the display
unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating
video images.
12. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the
controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image
of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed on
the display unit.
13. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the display
unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel.
14. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the
controller is programmed to receive payline data representing a
number of paylines selected by the player.
15. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the first
type of particles has a white color and the second type of
particles has a black color.
16. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the element
becomes viewable when the white particles are positioned in a
viewable portion of the element.
17. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the white
particles move to the viewable portion when a negative electric
field is applied to the element and the black particles move to the
viewable portion when a positive electric field is applied to the
element.
18. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 10, the gaming apparatuses being interconnected to
form a network of gaming apparatuses.
19. A gaming method, comprising: displaying of one of the following
games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo with an electronic
display having at least one electronic insert, each electronic
insert including a plurality of electronic ink elements with a
first type of permanently charged particles and a second type of
permanently charged particles suspended in a clear fluid, the first
type of particles having a first color and a positive charge and
the second type of particles having a second color and a negative
charge; determining a value payout associated with an outcome of
the game represented by the video image; and electronically
changing information displayed by the electronic display inserts
while the game remains operational.
20. A gaming method as defined in claim 19, additionally
comprising: forming display information with the inserts using
electronic ink.
21. A gaming method as defined in claim 20, wherein the electronic
ink forming step comprises: forming a plurality of elements; adding
clear fluid to the elements; and placing negatively charged black
particles and positively charged white particles into the fluid,
wherein the elements are viewable when white particles are
positioned in a viewable portion of the element.
22. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 21, further comprising:
moving the white particles to the viewable portion when a negative
electric field is applied to the element; and moving the black
particles to the viewable portion when a positive electric field is
applied to the element.
23. A method of controlling an electronic display on a gaming
machine comprising: supplying electrical power to a controller and
the display unit having at least one electronic insert, each
electronic insert including a plurality of electronic ink elements
with a first type of permanently charged particles and a second
type of permanently charged particles suspended in a clear fluid,
the first type of particles having a first color and positive
charge and the second type of particles having a second color and a
negative charge; downloading information to the electronic display;
retrieving download information for the display; starting a write
timer to determine a refresh time for the display; determining
whether the write timer has timed out; refreshing the display after
the timer has timed out; entering a power save mode for a
predetermined period of time; and refreshing the display after the
predetermined period of time has elapsed.
24. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a housing; a display unit
disposed on the housing, the display unit adapted to display
denomination input, maximum coin input, maximum coin jackpot, pay
tables, paylines, and predetermined customer advertisements; at
least one electronic insert associated with the display unit, the
electronic insert including a bi-stable image, wherein the display
retains the image without electrical power or backlighting; a value
input device; a controller operatively coupled to the display unit
and the value input device, the controller comprising a processor
and a memory operatively coupled to the processor; the controller
being programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game
display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack,
slots, keno or bingo; the controller being programmed to
selectively change the information displayed by the inserts while
the apparatus remains operational; and the controller being
programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome
of the game.
25. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the display
unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating
video images.
26. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the
controller is programmed to cause at least one electronic insert to
display a video image comprising an image of at least five playing
cards to be displayed if the game comprises video poker; wherein
the controller is programmed to cause at least one electronic
insert to display a video image comprising an image of a plurality
of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed if the game
comprises video slots; wherein the controller is programmed to
cause at least one electronic insert to display a video image
comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards to be displayed
if the game comprises video blackjack; wherein the controller is
programmed to cause at least one electronic insert to display a
video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers to
be displayed if the game comprises video keno; and wherein the
controller is programmed to cause at least one electronic insert to
display a video image comprising an image of a bingo grid to be
displayed if the game comprises video bingo.
27. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the
bi-stable image includes a bi-refrengent image.
28. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the
bi-stable image includes an electronic ink image.
29. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the display
unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel or at
least one electronically simulated slot machine reel.
30. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the
electronic insert displays at least one of: a slot machine
including simulated spinning reels; a poker game, a blackjack game;
a keno game; and a bingo game.
31. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 24, the gaming apparatuses being interconnected to
form a network of gaming apparatuses.
32. A gaming system as defined in claim 32, wherein the gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention is directed to novel gaming devices
and, more particularly, to gaming devices having the capability of
electronically changing their displays.
[0002] Prior art gaming devices typically include displays with
static information that may provide a player with directions and
other information for that particular game. Information is printed
on a front display glass having static inserts that provide
information such as denomination input, award and bonus potential,
button legends, and reel strips.
[0003] Gaming devices with static inserts are known, for example
U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,488 to Adams et al. discloses gaming devices
comprising a standard gaming unit, e.g. three reels, and a
discernable additional payout indicator in a rotatable wheel.
Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,864 to McCann et al. discloses
a gaming device which awards an initial award to a player,
discloses to a player that the higher valued enticement award is
available and selectable, and enables a player to selectively swap
the initial award for an opportunity to select the enticement
award. The game masks the enticement award in a pattern of one or
more masked consolation awards, the consolation awards having
values less than the value of the initial award.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
apparatus including a housing with a display unit disposed on the
housing. The display unit may be adapted to variably display
denomination input, maximum coin input, maximum coin jackpot, pay
tables, paylines, and predetermined customer advertisements. At
least one electronic insert may be operationally coupled to the
display unit. The electronic inserts may include a plurality of
electronic ink elements with permanently charged particles
suspended in a clear fluid. The charged particles may be formed in
first and second types. The first type of particle may have a first
color and have a positive charge. The second type of particle may
have a second color and a negative charge. The gaming apparatus
further includes a value input device for receiving money and the
like. A controller may be operatively coupled to the display unit
and to the value input device. The controller may have a processor
and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller
may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game of
chance such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, and bingo. The
controller may be programmed to selectively change information
displayed by the electronic inserts while the apparatus remains
operational, and to determine the value payout associated with an
outcome of the game.
[0005] In another aspect, the invention is directed a display that
may have at least one electronic insert. Each electronic insert may
include a plurality of electronic ink elements. The elements may
have two types of permanently charged particles suspended in a
clear fluid. The first type of particles may have a first color and
a positive charge. The second type of particles may have a second
color and a negative charge. The electronic ink elements may be
adapted to display denomination input, maximum coin input, maximum
coin jackpot, pay tables, paylines, and predetermined advertising
information. A value input device may be provided to receive
currency and the like. A controller may be operatively coupled to
the display unit and the value input device. The controller may
include a processor with a memory that is operatively coupled to
the processor. The controller may be programmed to receive data
representing a payline selection made by a player. The controller
may be programmed to cause a game display to be generated by the
display unit. The game display may include images of a plurality of
slot machine symbols each of which may be associated with a
respective slot machine reel. The controller may be programmed to
selectively update the electronic display inserts while the gaming
apparatus remains operational. The controller may be programmed to
determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the slots
game. The controller may be programmed to determine the outcome of
the slots game based on a configuration of the slot machine
symbols.
[0006] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
method for displaying of one of the following games: poker,
blackjack, slots, keno or bingo with an electronic display having
at least one electronic insert. Each electronic insert may include
a plurality of electronic ink elements with two types of
permanently charged particles suspended in a clear fluid. The first
type of particles may have a first color and a positive charge. The
second type of particles may have a second color and a negative
charge. A value payout associated with an outcome of the game
represented by the video image may be determined. The method may
electronically change information displayed by the display inserts
while the game remains operational.
[0007] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of
controlling an electronic display on a gaming machine by supplying
electrical power to a controller that may control the display unit.
The display unit may have at least one electronic insert with a
plurality of electronic ink elements. Each electronic element may
include two types of permanently charged particles suspended in a
clear fluid. The first type of particles may have a first color and
a positive charge. The second type of particles may have a second
color and a negative charge. Information may be downloaded to the
electronic display. The controller may retrieve the download
information for the display and send the information to the
display. The controller may start a write timer to determine a
refresh time for the display. The controller may determine whether
the write timer has timed out. The controller may refresh the
display after the timer has timed out. The controller may enter a
power save mode for a predetermined period of time and then refresh
the display after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
apparatus including a housing with a display unit disposed on the
housing. The display unit may be adapted to variably display
denomination input, maximum coin input, maximum coin jackpot, pay
tables, paylines, and predetermined customer advertisements. At
least one electronic insert may be operationally coupled to the
display unit. The electronic insert may include a bi-stable image,
wherein the display retains the image without electrical power or
backlighting. The gaming apparatus further includes a value input
device for receiving money and the like. A controller may be
operatively coupled to the display unit and to the value input
device. The controller may have a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be
programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game of chance
such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, and bingo. The controller
may be programmed to selectively change information displayed by
the electronic inserts while the apparatus remains operational, and
to determine the value payout associated with an outcome of the
game.
[0009] Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the
claims of this patent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming
system in accordance with the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the
gaming units shown schematically in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a
gaming unit;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic components of
the gaming unit of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main routine
that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming
units;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a main
routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of
the gaming units;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video poker
routine of FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video
blackjack routine of FIG. 9;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0020] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the slots
routine of FIG. 12;
[0021] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video keno
routine of FIG. 13;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine
that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0024] FIG. 14 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video bingo
routine of FIG. 15;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0026] FIG. 16A is a schematic illustrating a partial electronic
display having electronic ink elements with randomly positioned
charged particles;
[0027] FIG. 16B is a schematic illustrating the electronic display
of FIG. 16A, after an electric field has been applied to the
electronic ink elements;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a display area for a gaming apparatus
illustrating a plurality of electronic display inserts; and
[0029] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for a gaming machine having an
electronic ink display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this
patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments
could be implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0031] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of a casino
gaming system 10 in accordance with the invention. Referring to
FIG. 1, the casino gaming system 10 may include a first group or
network 12 of casino gaming units 20 operatively coupled to a
network computer 22 via a network data link or bus 24. The casino
gaming system 10 may include a second group or network 26 of casino
gaming units 30 operatively coupled to a network computer 32 via a
network data link or bus 34. The first and second gaming networks
12, 26 may be operatively coupled to each other via a network 40,
which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network
(WAN), or a local area network (LAN) via a first network link 42
and a second network link 44.
[0033] The first network 12 of gaming units 20 may be provided in a
first casino, and the second network 26 of gaming units 30 may be
provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic
location than the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be
located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located
in different states. The network 40 may include a plurality of
network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which
may be operatively interconnected. Where the network 40 comprises
the Internet, data communication may take place over the
communication links 42, 44 via an Internet communication
protocol.
[0034] The network computer 22 may be a server computer and may be
used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of
the gaming units 20. For example, the network computer 22 may
continuously receive data from each of the gaming units 20
indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on
each of the gaming units 20, data indicative of how much each of
the gaming units 20 is paying out in winnings, data regarding the
identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming
units 20, etc. The network computer 32 may be a server computer and
may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation
to the gaming units 30 as the network computer 22 described
above.
[0035] Although each network 12, 26 is shown to include one network
computer 22, 32 and four gaming units 20, 30, it should be
understood that different numbers of computers and gaming units may
be utilized. For example, the network 12 may include a plurality of
network computers 22 and tens or hundreds of gaming units 20, all
of which may be interconnected via the data link 24. The data link
24 may be provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless
link. Although the data link 24 is shown as a single data link 24,
the data link 24 may comprise multiple data links.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of
one or more of the gaming units 20. Although the following
description addresses the design of the gaming units 20, it should
be understood that the gaming units 30 may have the same design as
the gaming units 20 described below. It should be understood that
the design of one or more of the gaming units 20 may be different
than the design of other gaming units 20, and that the design of
one or more of the gaming units 30 may be different than the design
of other gaming units 30. Each gaming unit 20 may be any type of
casino gaming unit and may have various different structures and
methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, various designs of
the gaming units 20 are described below, but it should be
understood that numerous other designs may be utilized.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, the casino gaming unit 20 may include a
housing or cabinet 50 and one or more input devices, which may
include a coin slot or acceptor 52, a paper currency acceptor 54, a
ticket reader/printer 56 and a card reader 58, which may be used to
input value to the gaming unit 20. A value input device may include
any device that can accept value from a customer. As used herein,
the term "value" may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper
currency, ticket vouchers, credit or debit cards, smart cards, and
any other object representative of value.
[0038] If provided on the gaming unit 20, the ticket reader/printer
56 may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket
vouchers 60. The ticket vouchers 60 may be composed of paper or
another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of
the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the
casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar
code with control and/or security data, the date and time of
issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and
restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information
that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket
vouchers 60 could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers,
cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra
game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant
ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers 60
could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink,
or data on the ticket vouchers 60 could be magnetically encoded.
The ticket reader/printer 56 may be provided with the ability to
both read and print ticket vouchers 60, or it may be provided with
the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers
60. In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units 20
may have ticket printers 56 that may be used to print ticket
vouchers 60, which could then be used by a player in other gaming
units 20 that have ticket readers 56.
[0039] If provided, the card reader 58 may include any type of card
reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card
reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a
player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If
provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader 58 may be
used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards
that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a
player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits,
etc.
[0040] The gaming unit 20 may include one or more audio speakers
62, a coin payout tray 64, an input control panel 66, and a display
unit 70. Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of
a video casino game, such as video poker or video slots, the
display unit 70 may be a color video display unit that displays
images relating to the particular game or games. Where the gaming
unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a reel-type slot machine,
the display unit 70 may comprise a plurality of mechanical reels
that are rotatable, with each of the reels having a plurality of
reel images disposed thereon. The audio speakers 62 may generate
audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning slot
machine reels, a dealer's voice, music, announcements or any other
audio related to a casino game. The input control panel 66 may be
provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive areas
that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers, make
gaming decisions, etc. The gaming unit 20 may also include
electronic display inserts 71. The electronic inserts 71 may use
electronic ink elements to display text and graphics. Electronic
inserts with electronic ink elements will be described more fully
below.
[0041] FIG. 2A illustrates one possible embodiment of the control
panel 66, which may be used where the gaming unit 20 is a slot
machine having a plurality of mechanical or "virtual" reels.
Referring to FIG. 2A, if the display unit 70 is provided in the
form of a video display unit, the control panel 66 may include a
"See Pays" button 72 that, when activated, causes the display unit
70 to generate one or more display screens showing the odds or
payout information for the game or games provided by the gaming
unit 20. As used herein, the term "button" is intended to encompass
any device that allows a player to make an input, such as an input
device that must be depressed to make an input selection or a
display area that a player may simply touch. The control panel 66
may include a "Cash Out" button 74 that may be activated when a
player decides to terminate play on the gaming unit 20, in which
case the gaming unit 20 may return value to the player, such as by
returning a number of coins to the player via the payout tray
64.
[0042] If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a
plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines which define winning
combinations of reel symbols, the control panel 66 may be provided
with a plurality of selection buttons 76, each of which allows the
player to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning
the reels. For example, five buttons 76 may be provided, each of
which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine
paylines.
[0043] If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a
plurality of reels, the control panel 66 may be provided with a
plurality of selection buttons 78 each of which allows a player to
specify a wager amount for each payline selected. For example, if
the smallest wager accepted by the gaming unit 20 is a quarter
($0.25), the gaming unit 20 may be provided with five selection
buttons 78, each of which may allow a player to select one, two,
three, four or five quarters to wager for each payline selected. In
that case, if a player were to activate the "5" button 76 (meaning
that five paylines were to be played on the next spin of the reels)
and then activate the "3" button 78 (meaning that three coins per
payline were to be wagered), the total wager would be $3.75
(assuming the minimum bet was $0.25).
[0044] The control panel 66 may include a "Max Bet" button 80 to
allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In
the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up
to five quarters could be wagered for each payline selected, the
maximum wager would be 45 quarters, or $11.25. The control panel 66
may include a spin button 82 to allow the player to initiate
spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has been
made.
[0045] In FIG. 2A, a rectangle is shown around the buttons 72, 74,
76, 78, 80, 82. It should be understood that that rectangle simply
designates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons 72,
74, 76, 78, 80, 82 may be located. Consequently, the term "control
panel" should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate
separate from the housing 50 of the gaming unit 20 is required, and
the term "control panel" may encompass a plurality or grouping of
player activatable buttons.
[0046] Although one possible control panel 66 is described above,
it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in
the control panel 66, and that the particular buttons used may
depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit
20. If the display unit 70 is provided as a video display unit, the
control panel 66 could be generated by the display unit 70. In that
case, each of the buttons of the control panel 66 could be a
colored area generated by the display unit 70, and some type of
mechanism may be associated with the display unit 70 to detect when
each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive
screen.
Gaming Unit Electronics
[0047] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a number of components that may
be incorporated in the gaming unit 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the
gaming unit 20 may include a controller 100 that may comprise a
program memory 102, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP) 104, a
random-access memory (RAM) 106 and an input/output (I/O) circuit
108, all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus
110. It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor
104 is shown, the controller 100 may include multiple
microprocessors 104. Similarly, the memory of the controller 100
may include multiple RAMs 106 and multiple program memories 102.
Although the I/O circuit 108 is shown as a single block, it should
be appreciated that the I/O circuit 108 may include a number of
different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s) 104 and program
memories 102 may be implemented as semiconductor memories,
magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories,
for example.
[0048] Although the program memory 102 is shown in FIG. 3 as a
read-only memory (ROM) 102, the program memory of the controller
100 may be a read/write or alterable memory, such as a hard disk.
In the event a hard disk is used as a program memory, the
address/data bus 110 shown schematically in FIG. 3 may comprise
multiple address/data buses, which may be of different types, and
there may be an I/O circuit disposed between the address/data
buses.
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates that the control panel 66, the coin
acceptor 52, the bill acceptor 54, the card reader 58, the ticket
reader/printer 56, the display 70, and the electronic inserts 71
may be operatively coupled to the I/O circuit 108, each of those
components being so coupled by either a unidirectional or
bidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data link, which may
depend on the design of the component that is used. The speaker(s)
62 may be operatively coupled to a sound circuit 112, that may
comprise a voice- and sound-synthesis circuit or that may comprise
a driver circuit. The sound-generating circuit 112 may be coupled
to the I/O circuit 108.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the components 52, 54, 56, 58, 66, 112
may be connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a respective direct
line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be used. For
example, one or more of the components shown in FIG. 3 may be
connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a common bus or other data
link that is shared by a number of components. Furthermore, some of
the components may be directly connected to the microprocessor 104
without passing through the I/O circuit 108.
Overall Operation of Gaming Unit
[0051] One manner in which one or more of the gaming units 20 (and
one or more of the gaming units 30) may operate is described below
in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number
of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may
be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller 100. The
computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely,
outside of the gaming unit 20, and may control the operation of the
gaming unit 20 from a remote location. Such remote control may be
facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an
Internet interface that connects the gaming unit 20 with a remote
computer (such as one of the network computers 22, 32) having a
memory in which the computer program portions are stored. The
computer program portions may be written in any high level language
such as C, C++, C#, Java or the like or any low-level assembly or
machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein,
various portions of the memories 102, 106 are physically and/or
structurally configured in accordance with computer program
instructions.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main operating routine 200 that
may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. Referring to
FIG. 4, the main routine 200 may begin operation at block 202
during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt
to induce a potential player in a casino to play the gaming unit
20. The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or
more video images on the display unit 70 (if provided as a video
display unit) and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as
voice or music, to be generated via the speakers 62. The attraction
sequence may include a scrolling list of games that may be played
on the gaming unit 20 and/or video images of various games being
played, such as video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video
keno, video bingo, etc.
[0053] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a
potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as
determined at block 204, the attraction sequence may be terminated
and a game-selection display may be generated on the display unit
70 (if provided as a video display unit) at block 206 to allow the
player to select a game available on the gaming unit 20. The gaming
unit 20 may detect an input at block 204 in various ways. For
example, the gaming unit 20 could detect if the player presses any
button on the gaming unit 20; the gaming unit 20 could determine if
the player deposited one or more coins into the gaming unit 20; the
gaming unit 20 could determine if player deposited paper currency
into the gaming unit; etc.
[0054] The game-selection display generated at block 206 may
include, for example, a list of video games that may be played on
the gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message to prompt the player to
deposit value into the gaming unit 20. While the game-selection
display is generated, the gaming unit 20 may wait for the player to
make a game selection. Upon selection of one of the games by the
player as determined at block 208, the controller 100 may cause one
of a number of game routines to be performed to allow the selected
game to be played. For example, the game routines could include a
video poker routine 210, a video blackjack routine 220, a slots
routine 230, a video keno routine 240, and a video bingo routine
250. At block 208, if no game selection is made within a given
period of time, the operation may branch back to block 202.
[0055] After one of the routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 has been
performed to allow the player to play one of the games, block 260
may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate
play on the gaming unit 20 or to select another game. If the player
wishes to stop playing the gaming unit 20, which wish may be
expressed, for example, by selecting a "Cash Out" button, the
controller 100 may dispense value to the player at block 262 based
on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation
may then return to block 202. If the player did not wish to quit as
determined at block 260, the routine may return to block 208 where
the game-selection display may again be generated to allow the
player to select another game.
[0056] It should be noted that although five gaming routines are
shown in FIG. 4, a different number of routines could be included
to allow play of a different number of games. The gaming unit 20
may also be programmed to allow play of different games.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an alternative main operating
routine 300 that may be stored in the memory of the controller 100.
The main routine 300 may be utilized for gaming units 20 that are
designed to allow play of only a single game or single type of
game. Referring to FIG. 5, the main routine 300 may begin operation
at block 302 during which an attraction sequence may be performed
in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play the
gaming unit 20. The attraction sequence may be performed by
displaying one or more video images on the display unit 70 (if
provided as a video display unit) and/or causing one or more sound
segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the speakers
62.
[0058] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a
potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as
determined at block 304, the attraction sequence may be terminated
and a game display may be generated on the display unit 70 (if
provided as a video display unit) at block 306. The game display
generated at block 306 may include, for example, an image of the
casino game that may be played on the gaming unit 20 and/or a
visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the
gaming unit 20. At block 308, the gaming unit 20 may determine if
the player requested information concerning the game, in which case
the requested information may be displayed at block 310. Block 312
may be used to determine if the player requested initiation of a
game, in which case a game routine 320 may be performed. The game
routine 320 could be any one of the game routines disclosed herein,
such as one of the five game routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, or
another game routine.
[0059] After the routine 320 has been performed to allow the player
to play the game, block 322 may be utilized to determine whether
the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit 20. If the
player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit 20, which wish may be
expressed, for example, by selecting a "Cash Out" button, the
controller 100 may dispense value to the player at block 324 based
on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation
may then return to block 302. If the player did not wish to quit as
determined at block 322, the operation may return to block 308.
Video Poker
[0060] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video poker game, the display unit 70 may comprise a video display
unit. FIG. 6 is an exemplary display 350 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video poker routine 210
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 6, the display 350
may include video images 352 of a plurality of playing cards
representing the player's hand, such as five cards. To allow the
player to control the play of the video poker game, a plurality of
player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include
a "Hold" button 354 disposed directly below each of the playing
card images 352, a "Cash Out" button 356, a "See Pays" button 358,
a "Bet One Credit" button 360, a "Bet Max Credits" button 362, and
a "Deal/Draw" button 364. The display 350 may also include an area
366 in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed.
If the display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen,
the buttons 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364 may form part of the video
display 350. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be
provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately
from the display unit 70.
[0061] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the video poker routine 210 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 8, at block 370, the
routine may determine whether the player has requested payout
information, such as by activating the "See Pays" button 358, in
which case at block 372 the routine may cause one or more pay
tables to be displayed on the display unit 70. At block 374, the
routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by
pressing the "Bet One Credit" button 360, in which case at block
376 bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be
stored in the memory of the controller 100. At block 378, the
routine may determine whether the player has pressed the "Bet Max
Credits" button 362, in which case at block 380 bet data
corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the
memory of the controller 100.
[0062] At block 382, the routine may determine if the player
desires a new hand to be dealt, which may be determined by
detecting if the "Deal/Draw" button 364 was activated after a wager
was made. In that case, at block 384 a video poker hand may be
"dealt" by causing the display unit 70 to generate the playing card
images 352. After the hand is dealt, at block 386 the routine may
determine if any of the "Hold" buttons 354 have been activated by
the player, in which case data regarding which of the playing card
images 352 are to be "held" may be stored in the controller 100 at
block 388. If the "Deal/Draw" button 364 is activated again as
determined at block 390, each of the playing card images 352 that
was not "held" may be caused to disappear from the video display
350 and to be replaced by a new, randomly selected, playing card
image 352 at block 392.
[0063] At block 394, the routine may determine whether the poker
hand represented by the playing card images 352 currently displayed
is a winner. That determination may be made by comparing data
representing the currently displayed poker hand with data
representing all possible winning hands, which may be stored in the
memory of the controller 100. If there is a winning hand, a payout
value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block
396. At block 398, the player's cumulative value or number of
credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player
and adding, if the hand was a winner, the payout value determined
at block 396. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be
displayed in the display area 366 (FIG. 6).
[0064] Although the video poker routine 210 is described above in
connection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine 210
may be modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For
example, seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be
played. Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously
played. In that case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker
hand, and the player may be allowed to hold certain cards. After
deciding which cards to hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a
plurality of different poker hands, with the remaining cards for
each of those poker hands being randomly determined.
Video Blackjack
[0065] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video blackjack game, the display unit 70 may comprise a video
display unit. FIG. 7 is an exemplary display 400 that may be shown
on the display unit 70 during performance of the video blackjack
routine 220 shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 7, the
display 400 may include video images 402 of a pair of playing cards
representing a dealer's hand, with one of the cards shown face up
and the other card being shown face down, and video images 404 of a
pair of playing cards representing a player's hand, with both the
cards shown face up. The "dealer" may be the gaming unit 20.
[0066] To allow the player to control the play of the video
blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be
displayed. The buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 406, a "See
Pays" button 408, a "Stay" button 410, a "Hit" button 412, a "Bet
One Credit" button 414, and a "Bet Max Credits" button 416. The
display 400 may also include an area 418 in which the number of
remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is
provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons 406, 408, 410,
412, 414, 416 may form part of the video display 400.
Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part
of a control panel that is provided separately from the display
unit 70.
[0067] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine 220
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 9, the video
blackjack routine 220 may begin at block 420 where it may determine
whether a bet has been made by the player. That may be determined,
for example, by detecting the activation of either the "Bet One
Credit" button 414 or the "Bet Max Credits" button 416. At block
422, bet data corresponding to the bet made at block 420 may be
stored in the memory of the controller 100. At block 424, a
dealer's hand and a player's hand may be "dealt" by making the
playing card images 402, 404 appear on the display unit 70.
[0068] At block 426, the player may be allowed to be "hit," in
which case at block 428 another card will be dealt to the player's
hand by making another playing card image 404 appear in the display
400. If the player is hit, block 430 may determine if the player
has "bust," or exceeded 21. If the player has not bust, blocks 426
and 428 may be performed again to allow the player to be hit
again.
[0069] If the player decides not to hit, at block 432 the routine
may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether the dealer
hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules, such
as the dealer always hit if the dealer's hand totals 15 or less. If
the dealer hits, at block 434 the dealer's hand may be dealt
another card by making another playing card image 402 appear in the
display 400. At block 436 the routine may determine whether the
dealer has bust. If the dealer has not bust, blocks 432, 434 may be
performed again to allow the dealer to be hit again.
[0070] If the dealer does not hit, at block 436 the outcome of the
blackjack game and a corresponding payout may be determined based
on, for example, whether the player or the dealer has the higher
hand that does not exceed 21. If the player has a winning hand, a
payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at
block 440. At block 442, the player's cumulative value or number of
credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player
and adding, if the player won, the payout value determined at block
440. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be
displayed in the display area 418 (FIG. 7).
Slots
[0071] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video slots game, the display unit 70 may comprise a video display
unit. FIG. 10 is an exemplary display 450 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the slots routine 230 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 10, the display 450 may
include video images 452 of a plurality of slot machine reels, each
of the reels having a plurality of reel symbols 454 associated
therewith. Although the display 450 shows five reel images 452,
each of which may have three reel symbols 454 that are visible at a
time, other reel configurations could be utilized.
[0072] To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 456, a "See Pays" button
458, a plurality of payline-selection buttons 460 each of which
allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to
"spinning" the reels, a plurality of bet-selection buttons 462 each
of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline
selected, a "Spin" button 464, and a "Max Bet" button 466 to allow
a player to make the maximum wager allowable.
[0073] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the slots routine 230 shown
schematically in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 12, at block 470, the
routine may determine whether the player has requested payout
information, such as by activating the "See Pays" button 458, in
which case at block 472 the routine may cause one or more pay
tables to be displayed on the display unit 70. At block 474, the
routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the
payline-selection buttons 460, in which case at block 476 data
corresponding to the number of paylines selected by the player may
be stored in the memory of the controller 100. At block 478, the
routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the
bet-selection buttons 462, in which case at block 480 data
corresponding to the amount bet per payline may be stored in the
memory of the controller 100. At block 482, the routine may
determine whether the player has pressed the "Max Bet" button 466,
in which case at block 484 bet data (which may include both payline
data and bet-per-payline data) corresponding to the maximum
allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller
100.
[0074] If the "Spin" button 464 has been activated by the player as
determined at block 486, at block 488 the routine may cause the
slot machine reel images 452 to begin "spinning" so as to simulate
the appearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine
reels. At block 490, the routine may determine the positions at
which the slot machine reel images will stop, or the particular
symbol images 454 that will be displayed when the reel images 452
stop spinning. At block 492, the routine may stop the reel images
452 from spinning by displaying stationary reel images 452 and
images of three symbols 454 for each stopped reel image 452. The
virtual reels may be stopped from left to right, from the
perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence.
[0075] The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game
or round if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the
stopped reel images 452 of a particular symbol 454. If there is
such a bonus condition as determined at block 494, the routine may
proceed to block 496 where a bonus round may be played. The bonus
round may be a different game than slots, and many other types of
bonus games could be provided. If the player wins the bonus round,
or receives additional credits or points in the bonus round, a
bonus value may be determined at block 498. A payout value
corresponding to outcome of the slots game and/or the bonus round
may be determined at block 500. At block 502, the player's
cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting
the bet made by the player and adding, if the slot game and/or
bonus round was a winner, the payout value determined at block
500.
[0076] Although the above routine has been described as a virtual
slot machine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as
images on the display unit 70, actual slot machine reels that are
capable of being spun may be utilized instead, in which case the
display unit 70 could be provided in the form of a plurality of
mechanical reels that are rotatable, each of the reels having a
plurality of reel images disposed thereon.
Video Keno
[0077] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video keno game, the display unit 70 may comprise a video display
unit. FIG. 11 is an exemplary display 520 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video keno routine 240
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 11, the display
520 may include a video image 522 of a plurality of numbers that
were selected by the player prior to the start of a keno game and a
video image 524 of a plurality of numbers randomly selected during
the keno game. The randomly selected numbers may be displayed in a
grid pattern.
[0078] To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 526, a "See Pays" button
528, a "Bet One Credit" button 530, a "Bet Max Credits" button 532,
a "Select Ticket" button 534, a "Select Number" button 536, and a
"Play" button 538. The display 520 may also include an area 540 in
which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the
display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the
buttons may form part of the video display 520. Alternatively, one
or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel
that is provided separately from the display unit 70.
[0079] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the video keno routine 240 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. The keno routine 240 may be utilized in
connection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is
playing a keno game, or the keno routine 240 may be utilized in
connection with multiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are
playing a single keno game. In the latter case, one or more of the
acts described below may be performed either by the controller 100
in each gaming unit or by one of the network computer 22, 32 to
which multiple gaming units 20 are operatively connected.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 13, at block 550, the routine may
determine whether the player has requested payout information, such
as by activating the "See Pays" button 528, in which case at block
552 the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on
the display unit 70. At block 554, the routine may determine
whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the
"Bet One Credit" button 530 or the "Bet Max Credits" button 532, in
which case at block 556 bet data corresponding to the bet made by
the player may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. After
the player has made a wager, at block 558 the player may select a
keno ticket, and at block 560 the ticket may be displayed on the
display 520. At block 562, the player may select one or more game
numbers, which may be within a range set by the casino. After being
selected, the player's game numbers may be stored in the memory of
the controller 100 at block 564 and may be included in the image
522 on the display 520 at block 566. After a certain amount of
time, the keno game may be closed to additional players (where a
number of players are playing a single keno game using multiple
gambling units 20).
[0081] If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block
568, at block 570 a game number within a range set by the casino
may be randomly selected either by the controller 100 or a central
computer operatively connected to the controller, such as one of
the network computers 22, 32. At block 572, the randomly selected
game number may be displayed on the display unit 70 and the display
units 70 of other gaming units 20 (if any) which are involved in
the same keno game. At block 574, the controller 100 (or the
central computer noted above) may increment a count which keeps
track of how many game numbers have been selected at block 570.
[0082] At block 576, the controller 100 (or one of the network
computers 22, 32) may determine whether a maximum number of game
numbers within the range have been randomly selected. If not,
another game number may be randomly selected at block 570. If the
maximum number of game numbers has been selected, at block 578 the
controller 100 (or a central computer) may determine whether there
are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbers
selected by the player and the game numbers selected at block 570
to cause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how
many numbers the player selected and the particular keno rules
being used.
[0083] If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may be
determined at block 580 to compensate the player for winning the
game. The payout may depend on the number of matches between the
game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly
selected at block 570. At block 582, the player's cumulative value
or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by
the player and adding, if the keno game was won, the payout value
determined at block 580. The cumulative value or number of credits
may also be displayed in the display area 540 (FIG. 11).
Video Bingo
[0084] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video bingo game, the display unit 70 may comprise a video display
unit. FIG. 14 is an exemplary display 600 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video bingo routine 250
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 14, the display
600 may include one or more video images 602 of a bingo card and
images of the bingo numbers selected during the game. The bingo
card images 602 may have a grid pattern.
[0085] To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 604, a "See Pays" button
606, a "Bet One Credit" button 608, a "Bet Max Credits" button 610,
a "Select Card" button 612, and a "Play" button 614. The display
600 may also include an area 616 in which the number of remaining
credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is provided
with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the
video display 600. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may
be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately
from the display unit 70.
[0086] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the video bingo routine 250 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. The bingo routine 250 may be utilized in
connection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is
playing a bingo game, or the bingo routine 250 may be utilized in
connection with multiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are
playing a single bingo game. In the latter case, one or more of the
acts described below may be performed either by the controller 100
in each gaming unit 20 or by one of the network computers 22, 32 to
which multiple gaming units 20 are operatively connected.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 15, at block 620, the routine may
determine whether the player has requested payout information, such
as by activating the "See Pays" button 606, in which case at block
622 the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on
the display unit 70. At block 624, the routine may determine
whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the
"Bet One Credit" button 608 or the "Bet Max Credits" button 610, in
which case at block 626 bet data corresponding to the bet made by
the player may be stored in the memory of the controller 100.
[0088] After the player has made a wager, at block 628 the player
may select a bingo card, which may be generated randomly. The
player may select more than one bingo card, and there may be a
maximum number of bingo cards that a player may select. After play
is to commence as determined at block 632, at block 634 a bingo
number may be randomly generated by the controller 100 or a central
computer such as one of the network computers 22, 32. At block 636,
the bingo number may be displayed on the display unit 70 and the
display units 70 of any other gaming units 20 involved in the bingo
game.
[0089] At block 638, the controller 100 (or a central computer) may
determine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player
has won, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block
634. If any player has bingo as determined at block 638, the
routine may determine at block 640 whether the player playing that
gaming unit 20 was the winner. If so, at block 642 a payout for the
player may be determined. The payout may depend on the number of
random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, the total
number of winners (if there was more than one player), and the
amount of money that was wagered on the game. At block 644, the
player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by
subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the bingo
game was won, the payout value determined at block 642. The
cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the
display area 616 (FIG. 14).
Electronic Inserts
[0090] FIGS. 16A and 16B are illustrations of a portion the display
70 (shown in FIG. 2) that may include electronic inserts 71.
Electronic inserts 71 may be formed with electronic ink or the
like. Electronic inserts 71 may have a plurality of viewable
elements 700 that can be controlled in a similar manner as pixels
are controlled on a standard cathode ray tube (CRT) display. Each
electronic ink element 700 may include a plurality of positively
charged particles 702 and a plurality of negatively charged
particles 704 suspended in a clear fluid. The particles 702, 704
are depicted as forming a "solid" half of each element 700 in a
homogeneous manner for clarity, however, it should be understood
there are many actual particles 702, 704 in each element 700. The
particles 702, 704 may be formed from materials that can
permanently hold a positive or negative electronic charge. The
materials may include mixtures of iron, nickel, and cobalt and
others known to those skilled in the art. The positive charged
particles 702 may be colored white and the negatively charged
particles 704 may be colored black. However, the particle charge
may be reversed such that the negatively charged particles 702 are
white and the positively charged particles 704 are black.
Alternatively, other binary color schemes may be used as
desired.
[0091] The electronic inserts 71 may include a plurality of first
electrodes 706 labeled C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3 . . . C.sub.m. The
electronic inserts 71 may include a second electrode 708 that when
used in conjunction with the first electrodes 706 may form an
electric field that may act on each element 700 independently. The
electrodes 706, 708 are depicted as individual rectangular shapes
for illustrative purposes only. The electrodes 706, 708 may be
integrally formed within thin film transparent polymer layers that
are known to those skilled in the art. The polymer film may be
laminated to a layer of circuitry. The circuitry may form a pattern
of "pixels" that are controlled by the controller 100. Electronic
ink film (not shown) may be used with virtually any type of surface
material including, but not limited to, glass, plastic, fabric, and
paper. Electronic ink inserts 71 may be used as a display
replacement for static inserts, dot matrix displays, and multi
segment displays, etc. Additional information on electronic ink can
be found on the internet at www.eink.com.
[0092] FIG. 16A shows the electronic ink elements 700 having white
particles 702 and black particles 704 randomly positioned within
each element 700 prior to an electric field being generated by the
electrodes 706, 708. FIG. 16B shows the elements 700 after an
electric field has been applied to an electronic insert 71. A first
set of electrodes 706, labeled c1, c2, c3, c7, c8, and c10 may have
positive fields applied thereto and thus have the positively
charged white particles 702 positioned in the viewable top portion
of the element 700. The remaining elements may be negatively
charged which causes the black particles 704 to move to the
viewable portion of the elements 700. In this manner the entire
display 70 may be controlled to depict readable alpha numeric text
and/or graphics thereon.
[0093] FIG. 17 shows a partial display area 718 of the gaming unit
20 illustrating a plurality of electronic display inserts 71
positioned on the display area 718. The electronic inserts 71 may
include, but are not limited to, electronic text messaging such as
general customer information, number of credits, pay lines, number
of coins won, denomination input, pay tables, and the like. The
electronic inserts 71 may be formed with electronic ink as
described above so that the game can be changed quickly via
electronic means without having to shut the game down and manually
remove and replace old static inserts (not shown) with new static
inserts (not shown).
[0094] FIG. 18 is a flowchart 750 of a control routine for an
electronic ink display 71 on a gaming unit 20. The controller 100
may start at block 752 and may determine whether to start up after
power up at block 754. If the response to the query 754 is yes,
then the controller 100 may retrieve downloaded information for the
electronic inserts 71 at block 756. If the answer to query 754 is
no, then the refresh timer for the electronic inserts 71 may start
at block 758. The refresh time is determined by how long the
electronic ink elements 700 will hold a charge and remain readable.
The refresh timeframe is a function of the type of the electronic
ink elements 700 being used, but will typically last from a few
hours to a few days. After block 756, the controller 100 may send
information to the display at block 760 before moving to block 758.
The controller 100 may query whether the timer has timed out at
block 762. If the timer has timed out, then the display may be
refreshed at block 764. If the timer has not timed out, then the
controller 100 may wait until the timer has run out at block 766.
The controller may enter a power save mode at block 768 while
waiting for the timer to run out. The controller 100 may continue
to check the timer at block 762 while in power save mode.
[0095] The electronic inserts 71 are not limited to electronic ink
displays. On the contrary, the present invention contemplates any
display that includes a bi-stable image. A bi-stable image is an
image that remains visible without electrical power or
backlighting. The image is stored on the display and is viewed in
reflective light. The bi-stable image may also include a
bi-refrengent image. A bi-refrengent image is one that reflects
different images when the display is moved relative to the viewer.
Additional information on No Power Cholesteric Liquid Crystal
Display Products can be found on the internet at
www.kentdisplays.com. Additional information on Smart Paper
Products can be found on the internet at www.gyricon.com.
Additional information on Micro-Electromechanical Display Products
can be found on the internet at www.iridigm.com.
* * * * *
References