U.S. patent application number 11/829917 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for multiple-state display for a gaming apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to IGT. Invention is credited to Chauncey W. Griswold, Harold E. Mattice, Richard L. Wilder.
Application Number | 20080020816 11/829917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34739602 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080020816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Griswold; Chauncey W. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2008 |
MULTIPLE-STATE DISPLAY FOR A GAMING APPARATUS
Abstract
A gaming apparatus may include a display system, a value input
device and a controller operatively coupled to the display system
and value input device. The display system may include a first
display unit, a second video display unit disposed in front of the
first display unit and a light valve disposed between the first and
second display units. The second display unit may include an
opening. The controller may include a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be
programmed to cause the display system to generate a game display
on the first display unit, cause the light valve to become
substantially transparent so that the first display unit is visible
through the opening, cause the display system to generate a video
display on the second display unit, and determine a value payout
associated with an outcome of the game.
Inventors: |
Griswold; Chauncey W.;
(Reno, NV) ; Mattice; Harold E.; (Gardnerville,
NV) ; Wilder; Richard L.; (Sparks, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEYER WEAVER LLP
P.O. BOX 70250
OAKLAND
CA
94612-0250
US
|
Assignee: |
IGT
9295 Prototype Drive
Reno
CA
89521
|
Family ID: |
34739602 |
Appl. No.: |
11/829917 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10755598 |
Jan 12, 2004 |
|
|
|
11829917 |
Jul 29, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G07F 17/3216 20130101; G07F 17/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display system comprising a
first video display unit, a second video display unit disposed in
front of said first video display unit, and a light valve disposed
between said first display unit and said second video display unit;
a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said
display system and said value input device, said controller
comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said
processor, said controller being programmed to cause said display
system to generate a game display on said first video display unit,
said controller being programmed to cause said light valve to
become substantially transparent when said game display is
generated on said first video display unit, said controller being
programmed to cause said display system to generate a bonus game
display on said second video display unit, and said controller
being programmed to cause said second video display unit to
partially obscure said first video display unit when said bonus
game display is generated on said second display unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/755,598, filed Jan. 12, 2004 and entitled,
"MULTIPLE-STATE DISPLAY FOR A GAMING APPARATUS", which is
incorporated in its entirety herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This patent is directed to a casino gaming apparatus, which
could be either an individual gaming unit or a casino gaming system
having a plurality of gaming units, each gaming unit including a
display system having a light valve.
[0003] Conventional casino gaming units often included multiple
display panels for displaying a variety of images. The gaming unit
consisted of three, separately located display panels: the top
glass, the bottom (or "belly") glass, and the primary display. The
top glass and the belly glass were typically static images that
provided game instructions, game information (e.g., paytables),
images to attract players to the game, or images otherwise
associated with the games that could be played on the gaming unit.
Sometimes, the top glass and/or the belly glass provided bonus
games. The primary display has included active images that may vary
as part of a player-attract sequence or as part of the game play.
Mechanical moving parts were often used to display a variety of
images as part of the game play. For example, in a conventional
slot machine, the primary display was a "reel glass" having
multiple spinning reels with various images on each reel. In some
cases, some or all of the display panels were video display
units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
apparatus that may include a display system, a value input device
and a controller operatively coupled to the display system and the
value input device. The display system may include a first display
unit, a second video display unit disposed in front of the first
display unit and a light valve disposed between the first and
second display unit. The second display unit may include an
opening. The light valve may include a suspended particle device.
The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively
coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause
the display system to generate a player attraction display on the
second display unit and to cause the suspended particle device to
become substantially opaque if the attraction display is generated
on the second display so that the first display unit is obscured
through the opening of the second display unit. The controller may
also be programmed to cause the display system to generate a game
display on the first display unit and to cause the suspended
particle device to become substantially transparent if the game
display is generated on the first display unit so that the game
display is visible through the opening of the second display unit.
The game display may relate to poker, blackjack, slots, keno or
bingo. The controller may further be programmed to cause the
display system to generate a bonus game display on the second
display unit and to cause the suspended particle device to become
substantially opaque if the bonus game display is generated on the
second display unit so that the first display unit is obscured
through the opening of the second display unit. The controller may
additionally be programmed to determine a value payout associated
with an outcome of the game and to cause the suspended particle
device to become substantially transparent if a non-zero value
payout is determined so that at least a portion of the first
display unit is visible through the opening of the second display
unit.
[0005] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
apparatus which may include a display system, a value input device
and a controller operatively coupled to the display system and the
value input device. The display system may include a first display
unit, a second display unit disposed in front of the first display
unit and a light valve disposed between the first and second
display units. The second display unit may comprise a video display
unit and may include an opening. The controller may include a
processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The
controller may be programmed to cause the display system to
generate a game display on the first display unit, to cause the
light valve to become substantially transparent if the game display
is generated on the first display unit so that the game display is
visible through the opening of the second display unit, to cause
the display system to generate a video display on the second
display unit, and to determine a value payout associated with an
outcome of the game. The game display may relate to poker,
blackjack, slots, keno or bingo.
[0006] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
method which may include causing a game display to be generated on
a first display unit, causing a video display to be generated on a
second display unit disposed in front of the first display unit,
the second display unit comprising an opening, causing a light
valve disposed between the first and second display units to become
substantially transparent if the game display is generated on the
first display unit so that the game display is visible through the
opening of the second display unit, and determining a value payout
associated with an outcome of the game represented by the video
image. The game display may relate to poker, blackjack, slots, keno
or bingo.
[0007] Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the
claims of this patent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming
system in accordance with the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the
gaming units shown schematically in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a
gaming unit;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a
display system for the gaming unit of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic components of
the gaming unit of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main routine
that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming
units;
[0014] FIG. 6 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;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a display routine
that may be performed during operation of the gaming units;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the display
routine of FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a
visual display that may be displayed during performance of the
display routine of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video poker
routine of FIG. 12;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video
blackjack routine of FIG. 13;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0022] FIG. 14 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the slots
routine of FIG. 16;
[0023] FIG. 15 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video keno
routine of FIG. 17;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine
that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0026] FIG. 18 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video bingo
routine of FIG. 19; and
[0027] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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
system 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 system 70 may include color video display units that
display 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 system 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.
[0039] 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 system 70 is provided with a
video display unit, the control panel 66 may include a "See Pays"
button 72 that, when activated, causes the display system 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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).
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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 system 70 is provided with a video display unit,
the control panel 66 could be generated by the display system 70.
In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel 66 could be
a colored area generated by the display system 70, and some type of
mechanism may be associated with the display system 70 to detect
when each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive
screen.
Gaming Unit Display System
[0045] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one possible
embodiment of the display system 70. Although the following
description describes the display system 70 as a primary display,
those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the display
system 70 is applicable towards other displays, such as a top glass
and a belly glass. Referring to FIG. 3, the display system 70 may
include a front video display unit 90. The front video display unit
90 may comprise a flat display screen incorporating flat-panel
display (FDP) technology including, but not limited to, a plasma
display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a liquid
crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, a light emitting diode (LED)
display, a ferroelectric LCD display, a field emissions display
(FED), an electroluminescent display (ELD), and a
microelectromechanical device (MEM) display, such as a digital
micromirror device (DMD) display or a grating light valve (GLV)
display, etc. The display screen of the front video display unit 90
may further include organic display technologies such as an organic
electroluminescent (OEL) display and an organic light emitting
diode (OLED) display, as well as a light emitting polymer display.
In addition, the front video display unit 90 may be a
touch-sensitive display for control of the game routine by a
player. In many of above examples, the display screen may
incorporate emissive display technology. That is, the display
screen, such as an electroluminescent display, is capable of
emitting light and is self-illuminating. However, some FPD
technologies, such as a liquid crystal display, are not emissive.
In other words, they generally do not emit light or emit only low
amounts of light, and are not self-illuminating. In the case of
non-emissive displays for the front video display unit 90, the
display system 70 may include a backlight 91 to provide additional
luminescence to video images displayed on the front video display
unit 90, whereas an absence of a back lighting source may cause
images on non-emissive displays to be virtually invisible to a
viewer. Additionally, some of the display technologies described
above, such as electroluminescent displays and LCDs, may be
transparent when no video images are displayed thereon. For
example, an electroluminescent display may utilize non-organic
phosphors that are both transparent and emissive, and addressed
through row and column drivers.
[0046] The display system 70 may further include a rear display
unit 92. As shown in FIG. 3, the rear display unit 92 may comprise
mechanical slot machine reels that are rotatable, each of the reels
having a plurality of reel images disposed thereof. Each mechanical
reel may further include a light element, such as an
electroluminescent light element, to illuminate the reel images or
other portions of the mechanical reel. The mechanical reel may
comprise a reel strip manufactured from a translucent material,
such as plastic, with a light element disposed behind the reel
strip. When activated, the light element illuminates the reel strip
from behind, allowing all or part of the mechanical reel to be
illuminated. An example of a mechanical reel having a light element
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,115 which is expressly
incorporated by reference herein. Although the rear display unit 92
is shown to include a plurality of mechanical slot machine reels,
those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the rear
display unit 92 may comprise other mechanical displays, and/or the
rear display unit 92 may comprise one or more video display units,
including a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a front projection
display, or a rear projection display, in addition to the FPD
technologies described above. Additional mechanical displays may
include mechanical, motion-capable devices. For example,
mechanical, motion-capable devices, such as balls, donuts, wheels,
etc., may spin in place on the rear display unit 92. Other
mechanical, motion-capable devices, such as "falling" tokens,
"bouncing" balls, etc., may follow a predefined motion or
predetermined path to give the appearance of movement, such as
falling or bouncing.
[0047] A light valve 93 may be disposed between the front video
display unit 90 and the rear display unit 92. Various devices may
be utilized for the light valve 93, including, but not limited to,
suspended particle devices (SPD), electrochromic devices, polymer
dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) devices, etc. Generally, the light
valve 93 may switch between being transparent, and being opaque (or
translucent), depending on whether a current is applied or not. For
example, SPDs and PDLC devices become transparent when applied with
a current and become opaque or translucent when little or no
current is applied. On the other hand, electrochromic devices
become opaque when applied with a current, and transparent when
little or no current is applied. Additionally, the light valve 93
may attain varying levels of translucency and opaqueness. For
example, while a PDLC device is generally either transparent or
opaque, suspended particle devices and electrochromic devices allow
for varying degrees of transparency, opaqueness or translucency,
depending on the applied current level.
[0048] The front video display unit 90 may include one or more
openings which may allow a player to view the rear display unit 92
when the light valve 93 is transparent or substantially
transparent. When the light valve 93 is opaque, or substantially
opaque, a player's view of the rear display unit 92 may be obscured
(or obstructed). The light valve 93 may also be translucent and
provide varying degrees of visibility of the rear display unit 92
through the opening, thereby varying the visibility of the rear
display unit 92 (e.g., gradually "dimming" or "brightening" the
visibility of the rear display unit 92). Varying the translucency
of the light valve may cause the visibility of the rear display
unit 92 to range from allowing the player to view and recognize the
images on the rear display unit 92 to merely allowing light and
color through without being able to distinguish the images.
[0049] The front video display unit 90 may include multiple
openings 94 that are aligned with the mechanical reels of the rear
display unit 92. Likewise, if provided with a backlight 91, the
backlight 91 may include a plurality of openings 95 that coincide
with the openings 94 of the front video display unit 90. The
openings 94, 95 may allow a player to see at least a portion of the
rear display unit 92 when the light valve 93 is transparent. The
rear display unit 92 may also be visible when the light valve 93 is
translucent, though this may depend on the degree to which the
light valve 93 is translucent. The front video display unit 90 may
include additional openings 96, 97, 98, 99, to view additional
information displayed on the rear display unit 92. For example, one
or more of the reel images may be viewable by a player through the
corresponding openings 94, 95, whereas additional display units,
such as static displays or video displays, may be included as part
of the rear display unit 92 and visible to the player through the
openings 96, 97, 98, 99. Corresponding openings (not shown) may be
provided in the backlight 91, if provided.
[0050] The openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 in the front video display
unit 90 may be provided as physical openings in the front video
display unit 90. Physical openings may be formed by forming
openings in the display screen material and connecting the
resulting edges to appropriate video control lines for row and
column addressing to display video images on the remaining display
screen. Physical openings may also be formed by using multiple
smaller, interconnected display screens for the front video display
unit 90, which are arranged to leave spacing between the display
screens to form the openings. Alternatively, the openings 94, 96,
97, 98, 99 may be provided as virtual openings. For example, if the
front video display unit 90 comprises a transparent display screen,
such as an electroluminescent display, the front video display unit
90 may appear transparent if a video image is not displayed. By
selectively preventing images from being displayed on the front
video display unit 90 using row and column addressing, virtual
openings may be formed that allow a player to see through the front
video display unit 90. If the front video display unit 90 comprises
an LCD, or other non-emissive display, with a backlight 91,
physical openings may be formed in the backlight 91 causing any
image on the LCD in front of the openings 95 to be virtually
invisible to the player without lighting from the rear.
[0051] If the light valve 93 is transparent, the player may see
through the virtual openings of the display screen to view an image
on the rear display unit 92. Video images may also be displayed on
portions of the front video display unit that do not correspond to
the openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99, whether physical or virtual.
However, if the openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 are provided as virtual
openings, video images may be displayed on the portions of the
front video display unit 90 corresponding to the virtual openings.
The video images may be displayed on the virtual openings when the
light valve 93 is opaque (or translucent). Video images may also be
displayed on the virtual openings when the light valve is
transparent, thereby superimposing the video images on an image
displayed on the rear display unit 92.
Gaming Unit Electronics
[0052] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a number of components that may
be incorporated in the gaming unit 20. Referring to FIG. 4, 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.
[0053] Although the program memory 102 is shown in FIG. 4 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. 4 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.
[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates that the control panel 66, the coin
acceptor 52, the bill acceptor 54, the card reader 58, the ticket
reader/printer 56 and the display system 70 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.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the components 52, 54, 56, 58, 66, 70,
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. 4 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
[0056] 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.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main operating routine 200 that
may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. Referring to
FIG. 5, 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 front video display unit 90 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.
[0058] 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 system
70 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.
[0059] 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 212, a slots
routine 214, a video keno routine 216, and a video bingo routine
218. At block 208, if no game selection is made within a given
period of time, the operation may branch back to block 202.
[0060] After one of the routines 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 has been
performed to allow the player to play one of the games, block 220
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 222 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 220, the routine may return to block 208 where
the game-selection display may again be generated to allow the
player to select another game.
[0061] It should be noted that although five gaming routines are
shown in FIG. 5, 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.
[0062] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an alternative main operating
routine 230 that may be stored in the memory of the controller 100.
The main routine 230 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. 6, the main routine 230 may begin operation
at block 232 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 front video display unit
90 and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or
music, to be generated via the speakers 62.
[0063] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a
potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as
determined at block 234, the attraction sequence may be terminated
and a game display may be generated on the display system 70 at
block 236. The game display generated at block 236 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 238, 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 240. Block 242 may be used to determine if the
player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine
244 may be performed. The game routine 244 could be any one of the
game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game
routines 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, or another game routine.
[0064] After the routine 244 has been performed to allow the player
to play the game, block 246 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 248 based
on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation
may then return to block 232. If the player did not wish to quit as
determined at block 246, the operation may return to block 238.
Display System Operation
[0065] FIG. 7 is flowchart of a display routine 250 which may be
executed by the controller 100 in conjunction with or as part of
the main routines 200, 230. Referring to FIG. 7, at block 252, the
routine may determine whether a game has been initiated, which may
be similar to the determination made at block 204 of the main
operating routine 200 shown in FIG. 5. If a game has been initiated
as determined at block 252, the routine may deactivate the light
valve 93 and cause the light valve to become transparent at block
254. Depending on the particular light valve 93 being utilized,
deactivating the light valve 93 may involve either applying (or
increasing) a current to the light valve 93 or discontinuing (or
decreasing) the current being applied to the light valve 93.
[0066] At block 256, the routine may generate graphics on the rear
display unit 92 related to the game. If provided with mechanical
slot machine reels having an illumination element, the mechanical
reels of the rear display unit 92 may be illuminated. Other
mechanical, motion-capable devices, if provided, may correspond to
the game display and may be activated on the rear display unit 92
as part of the display on the rear display unit 92. Additional
graphics related to the game may be generated on the front video
display unit 90, which may be superimposed over the graphics of the
rear display unit 92. At block 258, the routine may generate
graphics such as player information (e.g., player identification,
cumulative winnings, a player profile, favorite games, etc.), game
information, advertisements, graphics related to the game, etc.,
which may be displayed on the front video display unit 90. At block
260, a game routine may be performed and the images of the front
and rear display units 90, 92 may be updated accordingly as the
game routine is performed. The game routine 260 could be any of the
game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game
routines 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, or another game routine.
[0067] The display routine 250 may further determine whether a
bonus game has been initiated at block 262. If the bonus game has
been initiated as determined at block 262, the routine may activate
the light valve 93 at block 264, causing the light valve to become
opaque and obscuring the player's view of the rear display unit 92.
The routine may then generate graphics to play the bonus game on
the front video display unit 90 at block 266 and further generate
player information on the front video display unit at block 268. If
provided with mechanical slot machine reels having an illumination
element, the mechanical reels of the rear display unit 92 may be
de-illuminated. At block 270, the bonus game routine may be
executed. The bonus game routine 270 may include any one of the
game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game
routines 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, or another game routine.
[0068] The display routine 250 may further determine whether or not
an attraction sequence is being performed, such as the attraction
sequence shown schematically in FIGS. 4 and 5. As described above,
the attraction sequence may include a scrolling list of games that
may be played on the game unit 20 and/or video images of various
games being played, such as video poker, video blackjack, video
slots, video keno, video bingo, etc. The attraction sequence may
further include the activation of the light valve 93 at block 274,
thereby causing the light valve 93 to become opaque to obscure the
view of the rear display unit 92. Attraction graphics, such as the
scrolling list of games and/or video images of various games being
played, may be generated on the front video display unit 90 at
block 276. If provided with mechanical slot machine reels having an
illumination element, the mechanical reels of the rear display unit
92 may be de-illuminated. As above, during performance of the
attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the
game unit 20 as determined at block 278, the attraction sequence
may be terminated and control may return to block 252 to determine
whether or not a game has been initiated.
[0069] The display routine 250 may also determine whether a player
has won during performance of a game routine at block 280. The win
determination may be based on any nonzero payout determination as
determined during a game routine, including the game routines 210,
212, 214, 216, 218. In one example, the win determination may
relate to a predetermined payout amount such as a jackpot. If the
player has won, as determined at block 280, the routine may
deactivate the light valve 93, causing the light valve to become
transparent and allowing the player to view the rear display unit
92. At block 284, the routine may cause graphics to be generated on
the rear display unit 92 and/or the front video display unit 90
corresponding to a value payout display to indicating that the
player has won. If provided with mechanical slot machine reels
having an illumination element, the mechanical reels of the rear
display unit 92 may be illuminated and de-illuminated to appear
flashing. Other mechanical, motion-capable devices, if provided,
may correspond to the bonus game display and may be activated on
the rear display unit 92 as part of the display on the rear display
unit 92, such as the falling tokens, or spinning wheel described
above. Player information may further be generated on the front
video display unit 90 at block 286, including updated graphical
information accounting for the payout amount.
[0070] Although the display routine 250 has been described as
including various combinations of generating images on the display
units 90, 92 and activating/deactivating the light valve 93, based
on the occurrence of a game routine, a bonus routine, an attraction
sequence, or a winning game, those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that additional criteria may cause such combinations
to be initiated. For example, some game routines may be executed to
include a game display on the rear display unit 92, whereas other
game routines may be executed to include a game display on the
front display unit 90. The game displays on the front and rear
display units 90, 92 could be generated as part of any of the game
routines disclosed here, such as one of the five game routines,
210, 212, 214, 216, 218, or another game routine. In one example,
the rear display unit 92 may be utilized for a mechanical slots
game routine 214, whereas the front display unit 90 may be utilized
for a video game routine such as video poker, video blackjack,
video slots, video keno, video bingo, or any other video game
routine. When a video game routine is to be performed, which may
result from a player selection of such a game routine, the light
valve 93 may be activated, thereby causing the light valve 93 to
become opaque to obscure the view of the rear display unit 92.
Other combinations that provide specific game routines to be
displayed on each display unit 90, 92 may also be provided.
[0071] Additionally, various combinations and permutations of
generating images on the display units 90, 92 and
activating/deactivating the light valve 93 may be performed for the
above occurrences or other criteria. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will also recognize that each criteria (e.g., game, bonus game,
attraction, win, etc.) may be embodied in its own routine or
incorporated into other routines such as the main operating
routines 200, 230. The display routine 250 described herein may
comprise additional or fewer criteria than indicated.
[0072] Although examples of displays are described herein as
comprising particular images on each display unit 90, 92, those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the display units 90,
92 are not limited to any particular image. FIG. 8 is an exemplary
display 300 that may be shown on the display system 70 during
performance of a slots routine utilizing mechanical reels.
Referring to FIG. 8, the light valve 93 has been deactivated to
allow images on the rear display unit 92 to be visible. As seen in
FIG. 8, a player is able to view portions of the mechanical reels
through the openings 94 in the front video display unit 90.
Additional graphics may also be displayed by the rear display unit
92 and viewed through the various openings in the front video
display unit 90. For example, the name of the game routine being
played may be viewed through the opening 96, the current bet may be
viewed through the opening 97, the number of remaining credits may
be viewed in the opening 98, and the minimum bet may be displayed
in the opening 99. Additional graphics relating to the game routine
may be displayed on the front video display unit 90. For example,
the front video display unit 90 may include video images of a
plurality of player selectable buttons to allow the player to
control the play of the slots game. The buttons may include a "See
Pays" button 302, a "Cash Out" button 304, a "Spin" button 306, and
a "Max Bet" button 308. Player information may also be generated as
a video image 310 on the front video display unit 90. The player
information video image 310 may include the player's name, the
player's winnings, the player's profile, the player's wagers, the
player's favorite games, etc. If provided as virtual openings,
additional graphics (not shown) may be generated on the portions of
the front video display unit 90 corresponding to one or more of the
openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 and superimposed over images on the
rear display unit 92 that are viewed through the openings 94, 96,
97, 98, 99.
[0073] FIG. 9 is an exemplary display 320 that may be shown on the
display system 70 when the light valve 93 has been activated to
obscure the images on the rear display unit 92. As seen in FIG. 9,
a player viewing the video display unit 70 is unable to see the
rear display unit 92 through the various openings 94, 96, 97, 98,
99 in the front video display unit 90. The display 320 as shown in
FIG. 9 may relate to a display shown during an attraction sequence.
Attraction graphics may be generated on the front video display
unit 90, which may include a video image 322 of a scrolling list of
games that may be played on the gaming unit 20, and a video image
324 of instructions for initiating a new game. Although not shown,
images may be generated on the openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 if
provided as virtual openings.
Video Poker
[0074] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video poker game, the rear display unit 92 may comprise a video
display unit. FIG. 10 is an exemplary display 350 that may be shown
on the display system 70 during performance of the video poker
routine 210 shown schematically in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 10,
the display 350 may include video images 352 of a plurality of
playing cards representing the player's hand, such as five cards.
The video image 352 of the playing cards may be displayed on the
rear display unit 92 and viewed by the player through an opening
353 in the front video display unit 90. To allow the player to
control the play of the video poker game, a plurality of
player-selectable buttons may be displayed on the front video
display unit 90. 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 on the rear
display unit 92 and viewed by the player through an opening 367 in
the front video display unit 90. If the front video display unit 90
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
system 70.
[0075] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the video poker routine 210 shown
schematically in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 12, 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 front video display unit 90. 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.
[0076] 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 rear display unit 92 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.
[0077] 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. 10).
[0078] 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
[0079] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video blackjack game, the rear display unit 92 may comprise a video
display unit. FIG. 11 is an exemplary display 400 that may be shown
on the display system 70 during performance of the video blackjack
routine 212 shown schematically in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 11,
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. The video images 402, 404 of the playing cards may be displayed
on the rear display unit 92 and viewed by the player through an
opening 405 in the front video display unit 90.
[0080] To allow the player to control the play of the video
blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be
displayed on the front video display unit 90. 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 on the rear display unit 92 and viewed by the player
through an opening 419 in the front video display unit 90. If the
front video display unit 90 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 system 70.
[0081] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine 212
shown schematically in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 13, the video
blackjack routine 212 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 rear display unit
92.
[0082] 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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. 11).
Slots
[0085] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video slots game, the rear display unit 92 may comprise a video
display unit. FIG. 14 is an exemplary display 450 that may be shown
on the display system 70 during performance of the slots routine
214 shown schematically in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 14, 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. The video images 452 of the slot machine
reels may be displayed on the rear display unit 92 and viewed by
the player through an opening 455 in the front video display unit
90. 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.
[0086] To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed on the
front video display unit 90. 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.
[0087] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the slots routine 214 shown
schematically in FIG. 14. Referring to FIG. 16, 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 front video display unit 90. 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.
[0088] 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.
[0089] 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.
[0090] Although the above routine has been described as a virtual
slot machine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as
images on the rear display unit 92, actual slot machine reels that
are capable of being spun may be utilized instead, in which case
the rear display unit 92 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 and viewed
through the opening 455 in the front video display unit 90.
Video Keno
[0091] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video keno game, the rear display unit 92 may comprise a video
display unit. FIG. 15 is an exemplary display 520 that may be shown
on the display system 70 during performance of the video keno
routine 216 shown schematically in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 15,
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. The video images 522 of the plurality
of numbers selected by the player may be displayed on the rear
display unit 92 and viewed by the player through an opening 523 in
the front video display unit 90. Likewise, the video images 524 of
the plurality of randomly selected numbers may be displayed on the
rear display unit 92 and viewed by the player through an opening
525 in the front video display unit 90.
[0092] To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed on the
front video display unit 90. 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 on the rear display unit 92 and
viewed through an opening 541 in the front display unit 92. If the
front video display unit 90 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
system 70.
[0093] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the video keno routine 216 shown
schematically in FIG. 5. The keno routine 216 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.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 17, 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 front video display unit 90. 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).
[0095] 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 rear display unit 92 and the
display systems 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.
[0096] 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.
[0097] 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. 15).
Video Bingo
[0098] Where the gaming unit 20 is designed to facilitate play of a
video bingo game, the rear display unit 92 may comprise a video
display unit. FIG. 18 is an exemplary display 600 that may be shown
on the display system 70 during performance of the video bingo
routine 218 shown schematically in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 18,
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. The bingo card
images 602 may be displayed on the rear display unit 92 and viewed
by the player through an opening 603 in the front video display
unit 90.
[0099] To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed on the
front video display unit 90. 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 on the
rear display unit 92 and viewed by the player through an opening
617 in the front video display unit 90. If the front video display
unit 90 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 system 70.
[0100] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the video bingo routine 218 shown
schematically in FIG. 5. The bingo routine 218 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.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 19, 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 front video display unit 90. 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.
[0102] 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 rear display unit 92 and
the display systems 70 of any other gaming units 20 involved in the
bingo game.
[0103] 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. 18).
* * * * *