U.S. patent application number 10/893258 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for method for providing gaming and a gaming device with electronically modifiable electro-mechanical reel displays.
Invention is credited to Nate Hawthorn.
Application Number | 20060014580 10/893258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35600141 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060014580 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawthorn; Nate |
January 19, 2006 |
Method for providing gaming and a gaming device with electronically
modifiable electro-mechanical reel displays
Abstract
A gaming device, such as a slot machine, with electronically
modifiable display capabilities, such as electronic paper, on
electro-mechanical reels, provides the ability to rapidly,
dynamically, and easily change the symbols on the
electro-mechanical reels. This in turn provides the ability to
easily change the games played on the gaming device, to create more
interesting and exciting games, and to be able to change the
current odds for that machine.
Inventors: |
Hawthorn; Nate; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Randy Shay
PO Box 2607
Fairfax
VA
22031
US
|
Family ID: |
35600141 |
Appl. No.: |
10/893258 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G07F 17/3202 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming device comprising: a control logic; and a first reel
capable of rotating, having a circumference, and comprising: a
dynamically modifiable reel surface surrounding the circumference
of the reel and providing a reel surface display, wherein: the reel
surface display is capable of dynamic modification in response to a
first set of control signals from the control logic.
2. The gaming device in claim 1 wherein: the dynamically modifiable
reel surface comprises: at least one from a group consisting of:
electronic paper; electronic ink; magink; polymer light emitting
diodes; and organic light emitting diodes.
3. The gaming device in claim 1 wherein: the dynamically modifiable
reel surface provides positive lighting elminating any need for
backlighting
4. The gaming device in claim 1 wherein: the first reel further
comprises: a light source; and the dynamically modifiable reel
surface is sufficiently transparent to allow the light source to
back light the reel surface display.
5. The gaming device in claim 1 wherein: the reel surface display
has a plurality of display locations for displaying a plurality of
images; and a determination of which of the plurality of image
locations is a pay line image location and what image is displayed
at the pay line image location when the first reel stops rotating
is utilized by the control logic to determine an outcome of a
game.
6. The gaming device in claim 5 wherein: the outcome of the game
comprises an entry into a bonus game play.
7. The gaming device in claim 5 wherein: the outcome of the game
comprises an entry into a progressive game play.
8. The gaming device in claim 1 wherein: the reel surface display
has a plurality of display locations for displaying a plurality of
images; and each the display locations is capable of dynamically
changing an image displayed at that display location in response to
the first set of control signals.
9. The gaming device in claim 8 wherein: each of the display
locations is capable of dynamically changing the image displayed at
that display location while the first reel is rotating.
10. The gaming device in claim 1 wherein: the first reel further
comprises: a stepper motor for starting the first reel rotating,
then slowing and stopping the first reel, in response to a third
set of control signals from the control logic; and the gaming
device further comprises: a second reel capable of rotating, having
a circumference, and comprising: a stepper motor for starting the
second reel rotating, then slowing and stopping the second reel, in
response to a fourth set of control signals from the control logic;
and a dynamically modifiable reel surface surrounding the
circumference of the second reel and providing a reel surface
display, wherein: the reel surface display is capable of dynamic
modification in response to a second set of control signals from
the control logic.
11. A method for providing gaming on a gaming device wherein: the
gaming device comprises: a first reel comprising a plurality of
image locations including a first image location; and the method
comprises: displaying a first image at the first image location on
the first reel; and displaying a second image at the first image
location on the first reel after displaying the first image at the
first image location on the first reel.
12. The method in claim 11 wherein: the method further comprises:
displaying the first image at the first image location on the first
reel after displaying the second image at the first image
location.
13. The method in claim 11 wherein: the plurality of image
locations on the first reel further includes a second image
location; and the method further comprises: displaying the first
image at the second image location after displaying the second
image at the first image location.
14. The method in claim 11 wherein: a transition is made from
displaying the first image at the first image location to
displaying the second image at the first image location while the
first reel is rotating.
15. The method in claim 11 wherein: the method further comprises:
identifying one of the plurality of image locations as a first pay
line image location; and determining an outcome of a game comprises
determining what image is being displayed at the first pay line
image location.
16. The method in claim 15 wherein: dynamically modifying a
player's odds of winning by modifying a frequency that the second
image is displayed at one of the plurality of image locations.
17. The method in claim 15 wherein: the outcome of the game
comprises entering into a bonus game play.
18. The method in claim 15 wherein: the outcome of the game
comprises entering into a progressive game play.
19. The method in claim 11 wherein: the gaming device further
comprises: a second reel comprising a plurality of image locations
including a first image location; and the method further comprises:
displaying a first image at the first image location on the second
reel; and displaying a second image at the first image location on
the second reel after displaying the first image at the first image
location on the second reel.
20. A gaming device comprising: a means for activating the gaming
device to play a game; a control logic; a first reel and a second
reel, each capable of rotating in response to the means for
activating the gaming device, each having a circumference, and each
comprising: a stepper motor capable of rotating and stopping a
corresponding reel; and a dynamically modifiable reel surface
surrounding the circumference of the corresponding reel and
providing a reel surface display, wherein: the reel surface display
is capable of dynamic modification in response to a set of signals
from the control logic; a reel display area for viewing the first
reel and the second reel as they rotate and stop; and a means for
providing a game pay out to a game player in response to a
determination by the control logic as to an outcome of the game.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to gaming devices
and, more specifically, to electronically modifiable
electro-mechanical reel displays oil gaming devices, such as slot
machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gaming (or Gambling) has become a multi-billion dollar
industry in the United States and around the world. In many
casinos, the most lucrative gaming for those casinos is the play on
gaming devices such as slot machines.
[0003] Traditionally, slot machines comprise a handle and multiple,
typically three, wheels or "reels". The reels typically would each
have a plurality (typically 25) of different symbols displayed
around their circumference. A game player would start play by
inserting money, pulling the handle, and the reels would begin
spinning. As the reels spin, the different symbols appear and
disappear. Then, the reels will eventually slow down and stop, each
displaying, in the center of a display, one of the symbols. The
combination of symbols thus displayed will typically determine
whether or not the game player won, and if he did, how much.
[0004] There are a number of problems with the traditional,
electro-mechanical, slot machines described above, in particular,
from the view of casinos. First, typically the only way to change a
game is to change the reels. Secondly, it is difficult to change
the odds in any given game, and the odds are where casinos make
their money.
[0005] For these, and other reasons, one of the recent trends in
electronic gaming has been to move away from electro-mechanical
games toward fully electronic games. In the case of slot machines,
this often results in simulating the spin of reels on a computer
type screen. This appears to game players somewhat similar to the
spinning of traditional electro-mechanical reels. This type of
electronic game allows games to be changed simply by loading new
software into game machines and game odds to be changed by loading
new odds tables into the game machines.
[0006] Unfortunately, this trend towards totally electronic games
(excluding the activation, payin, and payout mechanisms) loses the
look and feel of the traditional gaming devices with their
electro-mechanical reels. It would be advantageous to have some of
flexibility of electronic games while retaining the look and feel
of electro-mechanical reels.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A gaming device, such as a slot machine, with electronically
modifiable display capabilities, such as electronic paper, on
electro-mechanical reels, provides the ability to rapidly,
dynamically, and easily change the symbols on the
electro-mechanical reels. This in turn provides the ability to
easily change the games played on the gaming device, to create more
interesting and exciting games, and to be able to change the
current odds for that machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary gaming devices, in the
form of a slot machines, with electro-mechanical reels, in
accordance with the prior art;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a typical prior art
electro-mechanical reel or wheel, as used in the gaming devices
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electro-mechanical reel,
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operation of electronic
paper;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating operation of electronic
ink; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary electrically
modifiable reel surface, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary gaming devices 21, 22, in
the form of a slot machines, with electro-mechanical reels 28, in
accordance with the prior art. Money, in the form of coins, bills,
credit cards, etc. are inserted in the gaming devices 21, 22 in an
appropriate coin, bill, or card receiver in order to activate a
play on the slot machines. An activating device, such as a handle
34, is then pulled or activated, starting electro-mechanical reels
or wheels 28 spinning. The reels 28 each have a plurality of
symbols 30 on their surface. As is typical, three reels 28 are
shown for each of the slot machines 28. However, other numbers of
reels 28 are also within the scope of this invention.
[0015] Eventually, the reels 28 slow down and stop spinning, and a
determination is made whether or not the symbols in the center of
the display constitute a winning combination. If the symbols on
each of the reels 28 together constitute a winning combination, a
payout is made to the player playing the game. Winning often takes
the form of coins dropping into a coin tray 36 at the bottom of a
gaming device 21, 22. FIG. 2 differs from FIG. 1 as the gaming
device 22 in FIG. 2 has an additional bonus or progressive play
apparatus 38 on the top of the gaming device 22. This is typically
activated through one or more reel combinations. Bonus and
progressive gaming device operation is well known in the prior art.
However, other additional methods of game play are also within the
scope of this invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a typical prior art
electro-mechanical reel 10 or wheel, as used in the gaming devices
21, 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A typical reel 10 of a prior art
stepper motor driven 11 gaming device 21, 22 having a 200 pulse per
revolution stepper motor 11 is illustrated. The typical reel
surface 12 has 25 equally sized symbols 13 located about its
periphery and the usual viewing area through which three adjacent
symbols may be viewed is indicated. A reel 10 is typically stopped
by the stepper motor 11 with one symbol at the center of the
viewing area, considered here as the "pay line", and the symbol
stopped at the pay line is typically used to determine the outcome
of a game. Markings 14 have been superimposed on the edge of the
reel 10 to indicate the typically 8 pulses which are applied to the
stepper motor 11 to move the reel by one symbol position or 1/25th
of a revolution. These pulses are utilized by the control logic to
cause the stepper motor 11 to stop its reel 10 with a symbol at the
pay line. While identically sized symbols are shown in this FIG.,
non-identically sized symbols and symbol areas are also within the
scope of the present invention.
[0017] Upon initiating play of gaming devices 21, 22, each stepper
motor 11 starts its corresponding reel 10 spinning. The reels 10
are then progressively slowed by the stepper motors 11 until they
stop. The typically 8 pulses per symbol are utilized by control
logic (not shown) to stop the reels 10 in the middle of a symbol
location 13.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electro-mechanical reel
50, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Each reel 50 is mounted on a base plate 52 to which is attached a
vertical plate 54. To the vertical plate 54 is attached a spindle
56 or axle. To the vertical plate 54 around the spindle 56 are also
fixably attached a base plate 58 and a stationary contact plate 60.
Revolving around the axle 56 is the reel comprising a wheel
structure 64 surrounded by a reel surface 68. In the prior art, the
reel surface is typically removably attached to the wheel structure
64 and typically displays 25 symbols around its periphery. This
removability provided the ability to play different games on a
given gaming device 21, 22 by changing the reel covering. In the
present invention, the reel surface 68 is electronically
modifiable, and thus removability is not necessary in order to
change games or the symbols displayed. Nevertheless, both
permanently attached and removably attached reel surfaces 68 are
within the scope of the present invention.
[0019] Fixably attached to the wheel structure 64 is a revolving
contact plate 62 that has a plurality of electrical contacts 63
that make contact with corresponding contacts 61 on the stationary
contact plate 60. The corresponding contacts 61 on the stationary
contact plate 60 form concentric circles so that the electrical
contacts 63 on the revolving contact plate 62 can maintain
electrical contact as the reel 50 rotates. The contacts 61, 63 are
utilized to provide electricity and controls to the stepper motor
11 (see FIG. 3) and the electrically modifiable reel surface 68. A
first power and control cable 59 provides a power and control
connection between control circuitry (not shown) in the gaming
machine and the stationary plate 60. A second power and control
cable 65 couples the electrical contacts 61 and a reel controller
66. The reel controller 66 is coupled to and provides low level
control of the graphics and animation of the electrically
modifiable reel surface 68 through a third power and control cable
67. The reel controller 66 may further provide control of the
stepper motor 11.
[0020] As noted above, the reels 10 spin, progressively showing
typically 25 symbols. In the prior art, the symbols are static. In
the present invention, they can be dynamically modified. In one
embodiment, this is done rather infrequently, allowing one gaming
device 21, 22, to provide multiple games. This is typically done
between games. In another embodiment however, the symbols are
changed during the spin of the reels 10. Thus, for example, one
symbol location 13 may present one symbol during one revolution of
the corresponding reel 10, and another symbol during the next
revolution, with the symbol typically being changed while the
corresponding symbol location 10 is not visible to a game player.
This provides a number of benefits. One advantage is that more than
25 symbols may be displayed around a given reel 10. Likewise, any
given symbol need not reappear every revolution of the reel 10.
Thus, a game could have a rotation of 40 symbols around a reel 10
with only 25 symbol locations 13. Also, this provides a mechanism
for the inclusion of special symbols that only appear infrequently,
initiating, for example, bonus or progressive play, if the reels 10
stop on them. Additionally, player odds can be dynamically
modified. For example, this invention can be used to provide better
player odds late at night when few people are playing gaming
devices 21, 22, and worse odds for players when many of them are
playing. Similarly, odds can be modified based on gaming device 21,
22, location. This can be done, for example, by changing the
frequency of winning symbols.
[0021] However, it is not necessary that the symbol displayed at a
symbol location 13 change just when the symbol location 13 has
rotated out of view. Rather, the symbol locations 13 may also be
dynamically modified while still visible. For example, a symbol may
be animated, such as a rocket taking off or a symbol may rotate.
Similarly, a symbol may move from one symbol location 13 on one
reel 10 to another symbol location 13 on the same or another reel
10 as the reels 10 rotate. The variety of what can be done with the
present invention is primarily limited by the imagination of the
engineers designing games utilizing it.
[0022] Dynamic symbol display can be implemented in a number of
ways. For example, the electrically modifiable reel surface 68 may
comprise electronic paper, smart paper, magink or electronic ink
(or e-ink). Positive or negative electronic charge supplied to such
mediums typically causes them to change state, for example, black
to white, or visa versa, allowing them to display different
symbols.
[0023] Many of these technologies currently use ambient light
rather than requiring light producing equipment. All of these
technologies strive for high reflectivity, brilliant color and
video speed. E-ink utilizes small particles that migrate within a
monolayer of bubbles to change its reflective surface. Smart paper
twirls two-toned spheres to alter its reflected image. Magink tilts
helical molecules to bounce a colorful image across its surface and
electronic paper dazzles its reflection through oil. Other
technologies are also within the scope of this invention,
including, but not limited to electrowetting e-paper disclosed by
Royal Phillips Electronics and in "Electrowetting touted for new
display technology" by Chappell Brown in the Sep. 26, 2003 edition
of EE Times, Polymer Light Emitting Diodes ("PLED"), as disclosed
by Royal Phillips Electronics and in "Polymeric anodes for improved
polymer light-emitting diode performance" starting at page 70 of
the Apr. 21, 1977 edition of the Applied Physics Letters Of the
American Institute of Physics, and Organic Light Emitting Diodes
("OLED") as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,551 to Littman, et al.
and in "Better Displays with Organic Films", starting at page 76 of
the February 2004 edition of Scientific America.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operation of electronic
paper. Invented by Xerox at Xerox PARC, electronic paper (also
known as epaper) is made from a display technology called
"gyricon". A gyricon sheet is a thin piece of transparent plastic
that contains millions of small beads. Each bead--half white half
black--is contained in an oil-filled cavity and is free to rotate
within its cavity. Epaper is electrically writable and erasable and
can be re-used thousands of times. When voltage is applied to one
side of the sheet, the beads rotate to display either their black
sides or white sides. Images of pictures and text are created when
a pattern of voltages are sent to the paper. The image will remain
until the voltage pattern changes. Ambient light flows through a
fluid sandwich of water and oil before bouncing off the white
backboard of the screen. Alternatively, colored beads can be
utilized to provide full color. Currently, epaper. provides 100
pixels/inch of display screen. The image resolution is high and
quick . . . too fast for us to see the dance of the individual
pixels . . . only the overall image moving fluidly on the surface
of the screen.
[0025] In this FIG., a plurality of beads 72 are shown, each with a
light half 74, and a dark half 75. In this example, the light half
74 has a negative charge, and the dark half 75 has a positive
charge. When a negative voltage 78 is applied to a corresponding
electrode, the beads 72 rotate so that the positively charged, dark
sides 75, are closer to the negative electrode, and the negatively
charged, light sides 74, are further away, providing a "light"
state 74. Similarly, when a positive voltage 79 is applied to the
electrode, the beads 72 rotate so that the negatively charged light
sides 74 are closer to the positive electrode, and the positively
charged dark sides 75 are further away, resulting in a "dark" state
77. This is illustrative only, since reversing light and dark,
positive and negative, whether the electrode is on the top or the
bottom, and whether the beads are black and white or colored, are
engineering decisions, all within the scope of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating operation of electronic ink
(or E-Ink). Electronic ink is a proprietary material developed by E
Ink Corporation that is processed into a film for integration into
electronic displays. Electronic ink is a straightforward fusion of
chemistry, physics, and electronics to create this material. The
principal components of electronic ink are millions of tiny
microcapsules 82, about the diameter of a human hair. In one
incarnation, each microcapsule contains positively charged white
particles 84 and negatively charged black particles 85 suspended in
a clear fluid. When a negative electric field 89 is applied to the
top of a microcapsule 82, the white particles 84 move to the top of
the microcapsule 82 where they become visible to the user. This
makes the surface appear white at that spot. At the same time, an
opposite electric field pulls the black particles 85 to the bottom
of the microcapsules where they are hidden. By reversing this
process, the black particles 85 appear at the top of the capsule,
which now makes the surface appear dark at that spot.
[0027] In this FIG., a pair of microcapsules 82 are shown in both a
light state 86 and a dark state 87. Each microcapsule 82 contains a
plurality of positively charged white particles 84 and a plurality
of negatively charged black particles 85. When a positive voltage
88 is applied to the bottom of a microcapsule 82, the negatively
charged black particles 85 migrate to the bottom of that
microcapsule 82, while the positively charged white particles 84
migrate away from the positive electrode towards the top. This
results in a light side 86 being shown. Similarly, when a negative
voltage 89 is applied to the bottom of a microcapsule 82, the
positively charged white particles 84 migrate to the bottom of that
microcapsule 82, while the negatively charged black particles 85
migrate away from the negative electrode towards the top. This
results in a dark side 87 being shown. This is illustrative only,
since reversing light and dark, positive and negative, whether the
electrode is on the top or the bottom, and whether the particles
84, 85 are black and white or colored, are engineering decisions,
all within the scope of the present invention.
[0028] To form an E Ink electronic display, the ink is printed onto
a sheet of plastic film that is laminated to a layer of circuitry.
The circuitry forms a pattern of pixels that can then be controlled
by a display driver, preferably included in the control logic (not
shown). These microcapsules are suspended in a liquid "carrier
medium" allowing them to be printed using existing screen printing
processes onto virtually any surface, including glass, plastic,
fabric and even paper. Ultimately electronic ink will permit most
any surface to become a display, bringing information out of the
confines of traditional devices and into the world around us.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary electrically
modifiable reel surface 68, 90, in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. The electrically modifiable reel surface
90 has a top layer 98, over a plurality of color changing modules
96, over an intermediate layer 93, over a plurality of electrodes
92, over a bottom layer 92. The plurality of color changing modules
96 are for example electronic paper beads 72 or electronic ink
microcapsules 82, and change color in response to an electronic
field or charge in the corresponding electrodes 92. In an alternate
embodiment, there is also an corresponding electrode 92 above each
color changing module 92. For example, in the case of electronic
ink, this increases the speed and clarity of color state
transitions. In this FIG., the electrodes 92 are shown located
between the intermediate layer 93 and bottom layer 92. This is
exemplary only. In some embodiments, the electrodes 92 are embedded
in, for example, a medium, such as a plastic. Similarly, the color
changing modules 96 typically will also reside in a medium,
dependant upon what color changing technology is being utilized.
Thus, in the case of electronic paper, the intermediate layer 93
and upper layer 98 provide the oil-filled cavity containing the
beads 72.
[0030] The electrically modifiable reel surface 90 may be
relatively transparent or may be translucent. The top layer 98 is
typically transparent, allowing the color of the color changing
modules 96 to be viewed. The intermediate layer 93 and/or the lower
layer 92 may be transparent, translucent, solid, or reflective,
depending on the technology utilized and the effects sought. Thus,
if transparent or translucent, a light can be placed in the center
of the reel 10, illuminating the symbols from behind.
Alternatively, using less transparent layers will typically provide
better viewing when the display is not back lit, but rather room
lighting is utilized. Also, some technologies do not require any
backlighting, such as PLEDs and OLEDs.
[0031] It should be understood that in many situations, the
material for the electrically modifiable reel surface 90 will be
obtained already formed. For example, as noted above, an E-Ink
electronic display is formed by printing electronic ink onto a
sheet of plastic film that is laminated to a layer of circuitry.
The E-Ink electronic display would then be cut and shaped to fit a
reel 10, and the electrodes embedded therein would be connected, as
required, to control logic (not shown). An additional lower layer
92 may be added to provide a specified viewing characteristics. As
noted above, this FIG. is exemplary. Other types of electronically
modifiable reel surfaces 68 are also within the scope of this
invention.
[0032] Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications
and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention encompass
all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *