U.S. patent application number 12/168515 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for gaming apparatus with common display device.
Invention is credited to Lawrence M. Henshaw, Jerald C. Seelig.
Application Number | 20090124390 12/168515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40624262 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090124390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seelig; Jerald C. ; et
al. |
May 14, 2009 |
Gaming Apparatus with Common Display Device
Abstract
A gaming system and method is disclosed that utilizes a common
display device for providing a display of gaming information for a
plurality of gaming devices. The common display includes a
plurality of segments, each of which has a gaming symbol and an
indication device. In response to a display event from one of the
gaming devices, a segment is indicated using an indication device.
Where two segments are simultaneously indicated by separate gaming
devices, indicia such as colors, are used to associate the selected
segments with their respective gaming devices.
Inventors: |
Seelig; Jerald C.;
(Galloway, NJ) ; Henshaw; Lawrence M.; (Hammonton,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IAN F. BURNS & ASSOCIATES
4790 Caughlin Parkway #701
RENO
NV
89519-0907
US
|
Family ID: |
40624262 |
Appl. No.: |
12/168515 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60986859 |
Nov 9, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 ; 463/16;
463/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 ; 463/16;
463/31 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system, comprising: (A) a first gaming device, the
first gaming device being configured to allow a first player to
place a wager and play a game, the first gaming device having a
first indicia associated with it; (B) a second gaming device, the
second gaming device being configured to allow a second player to
place a wager and play a game, the second gaming device having a
second indicia associated with it; and (C) a common display device
viewable by the first and second players playing at the first and
second gaming devices, the display device comprising: (a) a first
plurality of segments, each of the first plurality of segments
comprising: (i) the first indicia; (ii) a first game symbol, the
game symbol capable of communicating game information; and (iii) an
indication device, the indication device being configured to
selectively indicate the respective segment; (b) a second plurality
of segments, each of the second plurality of segments comprising:
(i) the second indicia; (ii) a second game symbol, the game symbol
capable of communicating game information; and (iii) an indication
device, the indication device being configured to selectively
indicate the respective segment; and (c) at least one controller in
communication with the first and second gaming devices and each of
the first and second plurality of segments, the controller being
configured to: (i) upon occurrence of a first display event
associated with the first gaming device, select one of the first
plurality of segments and cause the indication device of the
selected one of the first plurality of segments to indicate the
selected one of the first plurality of segments; (ii) upon
occurrence of a second display event associated with the second
gaming device, select one of the second plurality of segments and
cause the indication device of the selected one of the second
plurality of segments to indicate the selected one of the second
plurality of segments; and (iii) wherein if the selected one of the
first plurality of segments and the selected one of the second
plurality of segments are indicated simultaneously, the first and
second indicia communicate which segment is associated to which
gaming device.
2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to cause each of the first plurality of segments to be
activated for a brief period of time and then deactivated before
causing the indication device of the selected one of the first
plurality of segments to indicate the segment for a longer period
of time.
3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the common display device
further comprises one or more display screens for displaying an
outcome of a display event.
4. The gaming system of claim 3, further comprising a display
screen associated with each gaming device.
5. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of segments
are arranged around a periphery of the one or more display
screens.
6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first indicia
comprises a first color and wherein the second indicia comprises a
second color.
7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the first gaming device
includes a decoration of the first color and wherein the second
gaming device includes a decoration of the second color.
8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the indication device
comprises at least one of backlighting, peripheral lighting,
mechanical pointing devices, an image or text.
9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of
segments are in a first designated area of the common display
device and wherein the second plurality of segments are in a second
designated area of the common display device.
10. A gaming system, comprising: (A) a first gaming device, the
first gaming device being configured to allow a first player to
place a first wager and play a first game, the first gaming device
having a first indicia associated with it; (B) a second gaming
device, the second gaming device being configured to allow a second
player to place a second wager and play a second game, the second
gaming device having a second indicia associated with it; and (C) a
common display device viewable by the first and second players
playing at the first and second gaming devices, the display device
comprising: (a) a plurality of segments, each of the segments
comprising: (i) a game symbol, the game symbol capable of
communicating game information; and (ii) an indication device, the
indication device being configured to selectively indicate the
respective segment wherein the first or second indicia are
displayed when the indication device indicates the respective
segment; and (b) at least one controller in communication with the
first and second gaming devices and each of the first and second
plurality of segments, the controller being configured to: (i) upon
occurrence of a first display event associated with the first
gaming device, select one of the plurality of segments and cause
the indication device of the selected segment to indicate the
segment using the first indicia; and (ii) upon occurrence of a
second display event associated with the second gaming device,
select one of the plurality of segments and cause the indication
device of the selected one of the second plurality of segments to
indicate the segment using the second indicia.
11. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein the common display
device further comprises one or more display screens for displaying
an outcome of at least one display event.
12. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the display screens
display a combined outcome of a plurality of display events.
13. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein the first indicia
comprises a first color and wherein the second indicia comprises a
second color.
14. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein the indication device
comprises at least one of backlighting, peripheral lighting,
mechanical pointing devices, an image or text.
15. A method of playing a game, comprising: (A) upon occurrence of
a first display event associated with a first player, selecting a
first segment from among a plurality of segments, the first segment
having a first indicia and a first symbol; (B) indicating the first
segment wherein the first indicia indicates that the first symbol
is associated with the first player; (C) upon occurrence of a
second display event associated with a second player, selecting a
second segment from among the plurality of segments, the second
segment having a second indicia and a second symbol; and (D)
indicating the second segment wherein the second indicia indicates
that the second symbol is associated with the second player.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: (A) generating a
plurality of display events associated with a first player within a
game cycle; (B) combining an outcome of the plurality of display
events; and (C) displaying the outcome on a display screen
associated with the plurality of segments.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of segments each
communicate a game symbol, wherein the outcome is dependent on the
game symbol.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein indicating a segment comprises
providing at least one lighting effect to the indicating
segment.
19. A display device, comprising: (A) a plurality of segments; (B)
means for selectively indicating the segments; (C) means for
associating a first selectively indicated segment with a first
gaming device; and (D) means for associating a second selectively
indicated segment with a second gaming device.
20. The display device of claim 0, wherein the means for
selectively indicating the segments includes means for receiving a
selection signal from at least one of the first and second gaming
devices.
21. The display device of claim 0, wherein the plurality of
segments are arranged to give the display an appearance of a board
game playing surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/986,859, Nov. 09, 2007 the contents of
which is herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gaming devices and in
particular to multiple gaming device systems utilizing a common
display.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Prior art gaming devices such as slot machines are generally
personal and isolated devices facilitating little interaction
between players. Gaming devices typically provide a relatively
inexpensive and compact video screen sufficient for displaying
gaming information. Higher quality display screens are not
generally used as their high cost is prohibitive for use in a
single gaming device. As such, it is generally difficult for more
than one or two players to simultaneously view a gaming device
screen and thereby keep track of gaming progress. In particular, it
is difficult for adjacent players to enjoy a sense of interaction
by watching adjacent gaming devices.
[0004] Progressive gaming systems and gaming systems using
community prizes to increase the interaction between players of a
common system and may include displays providing common gaming
information, such as the amount of a progressive prize. However,
these displays do not generally show progress of the game play of a
single player to a wider audience.
SUMMARY OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention
[0005] The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do
not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following
advantages:
[0006] the ability to use a high quality display screen;
[0007] provide an increased sense of interaction between
players;
[0008] provide a display allowing viewers to monitor progress of
multiple players simultaneously; and
[0009] provide enhanced player excitement and visual
stimulation.
[0010] These and other advantages may be realized by reference to
the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and
abstract.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect, the invention provides a gaming system
comprising a first gaming device and a second gaming device each
configured to allow a player to place a wager and play a game, and
each having respective first and second indicia associated with it.
A common display device is viewable by players playing at the first
and second gaming devices and comprises a first plurality of
segments, each of the first plurality of segments comprising the
first indicia; a game symbol capable of communicating game
information and an indication device configured to selectively
indicate the segment. The display device also provides a second
plurality of segments each comprising the second indicia; a game
symbol capable of communicating game information and an indication
device configured to selectively indicate the segment. At least one
controller in communication with the first and second gaming
devices and each of the first and second plurality of segments is
configured to, upon occurrence of a display event associated with
the first gaming device, select one of the first plurality of
segments and cause the indication device of the selected one of the
first plurality of segments to indicate the selected segment, and
upon occurrence of a display event associated with the second
gaming device, select one of the second plurality of segments and
cause the indication device of the selected one of the second
plurality of segments to indicate the segment, wherein if the
selected one of the first plurality of segments and the selected
one of the second plurality of segments are indicated
simultaneously, the first and second indicia communicate which
segment is associated to which gaming device.
[0012] In one aspect, the invention provides a gaming system
comprising a first gaming device, the first gaming device being
configured to allow a player to place a wager and play a game, the
first gaming device having a first indicia associated with it; a
second gaming device, the second gaming device being configured to
allow a player to place a wager and play a game, the second gaming
device having a second indicia associated with it; a common display
device viewable by players playing at the first and second gaming
devices, the display device comprising: a plurality of segments,
each of the segments comprising: a game symbol, the game symbol
capable of communicating game information; an indication device,
the indication device being configured to selectively indicate the
segment wherein the first or second indicia are displayed when the
indication device indicates the segment; at least one controller in
communication with the first and second gaming devices and each of
the first and second plurality of segments, the controller being
configured to: upon occurrence of a display event associated with
the first gaming device, select one of the plurality of segments
and cause the indication device of the selected segment to indicate
the segment using said first indicia; upon occurrence of a display
event associated with the second gaming device, select one of the
second plurality of segments and cause the indication device of the
selected one of the second plurality of segments to indicate the
segment using said second indicia.
[0013] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of playing a
game comprising upon occurrence of a first display event associated
with a first player, selecting a first segment from among a
plurality of segments, the segment having a first indicia and a
first symbol; indicating the first segment wherein the first
indicia indicates that the first symbol is associated with the
first player; upon occurrence of a second display event associated
with a second player, selecting a second segment from among the
plurality of segments, the segment having a second indicia and a
second symbol; indicating the second segment wherein the second
indicia indicates that the second symbol is associated with second
player.
[0014] In one aspect, the invention provides a display device
comprising a plurality of segments; means for selectively
indicating said segments; means for associating a first selectively
indicated segment with a first gaming device; and means for
associating a second selectively indicated segment with a second
gaming device.
[0015] The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary
of one embodiment of the present invention so that the detailed
description that follows may be better understood and contributions
of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some
of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of
the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this
respect, before explaining at least one example embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the construction
and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective view of one embodiment
of the gaming apparatus of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is substantially a block diagram of the gaming
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is substantially a schematic view showing one
embodiment of a display device;
[0019] FIG. 4 is substantially a schematic view showing a further
embodiment of a display device;
[0020] FIG. 5 is substantially a flowchart showing the steps of
bonus game play; and
[0021] FIG. 6 is substantially a perspective view of the gaming
apparatus at the conclusion of a bonus game play.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0022] In the following detailed description of several
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of
illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated embodiment
of the invention comprises a gaming apparatus, generally indicated
by reference number 10. The gaming apparatus 10 has a plurality of
individual gaming devices 12. While three gaming devices 12a, 12b,
12c are illustrated, the person skilled in the art will readily
understand that any appropriate number of gaming devices may be
used. The specific structure and operation of the gaming devices 12
is inessential to the present invention and many forms of gaming
device known to the person skilled in the art may be utilized. For
example, the gaming device 12 may be provided with any suitable
game allowing a player to place a wager, such as through a coin or
token slot 30 and play a game provided on a game display 31.
Control buttons 32 can be provided on the gaming device 12 to
control the selecting of wagers and playing of the game.
[0024] The gaming devices 12 operate under the control of a
controller 18, such as a processor, which may be located within the
gaming apparatus 10 or may be located remotely and communicate with
the gaming devices through communication links, as is known in the
art. The processor will typically include a random number generator
that generates a random number when a player places a wager and
elects to play a game. The random number generated is compared to a
pay table to determine a game outcome. Gaming symbols reflecting
the gaming outcome are displayed on the individual gaming devices
12. As is well known in the art, certain gaming outcomes may
trigger the playing of a bonus game.
[0025] The gaming apparatus 10 further includes a common display
device 14 that displays game information to a number of players or
gaming devices. The common display device 14 comprises a number of
segments 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the segments 21 may be depicted as
a board game playing surface with a plurality of segments 21
arranged around the periphery of the board. However, other ways of
arranging and displaying the segments 21 are possible and the
person skilled in the art will readily understand that the
invention is not to be limited to any one arrangement of the
segments.
[0026] In addition to the segments 21, the common display device 14
may include one or more video screens 24 for displaying additional
game information to the players at gaming devices 12. The screens
may be high quality displays such as provided by a plasma screen or
the like. In the present example, the video screens 24 are provided
in a central portion of the board game arrangement. The video
screens 24 may display additional game information specific to the
players or gaming devices. In one embodiment, the video screens 24
communicate bonus game outcome information with respect to each of
the gaming devices 12. That is, in the present embodiment, three
displays 24a, 24b, 24c are provided which communicate bonus game
information for gaming devices 12a, 12b, 12c, respectively. Display
information is controlled by the controller 18. Instead of
providing individual video screens 24, a single screen may be
provided and caused by the controller 18 to display gaming
information with respect to the individual gaming devices.
[0027] The common display device 14 is described in more detail
with reference to FIG. 3. Each segment 21 is capable of displaying
indicia and a game symbol. Game symbols 25 may be anything capable
of communicating game information, such as a number, letter or
image. Indicia may be anything capable of communicating that a game
symbol or segment is associated with a particular gaming device,
such as a color or symbol. In one embodiment, segments displaying a
dotted indicia, e.g. segment 26 may be associated with gaming
device 12a, segments displaying diagonal striped indicia, e.g.
segment 27, may be associated with gaming device 12b and the
segments displaying vertical striped indicia, e.g. segment 28, may
be associated with gaming device 12c. For reasons of clarity,
shading patterns are used herein to represent different colors or
other visual indicia. As shown in FIG. 3, the respective gaming
device 12a, 12b, 12c may be decorated with the same indicia as
described above in order to reinforce the association.
[0028] In addition to game symbols and indicia, one or more
indication devices are defined. Indication devices communicate to a
player that a segment has been selected and may include
backlighting, peripheral lighting, mechanical pointing devices or
an image or text used on the segment to convey the segment's
selection. Indication devices may be used to highlight selected
segments. An example contrasting the difference between indicia and
indication devices is described with reference to FIG. 3. In normal
play, segment 29, bearing vertical striped indicia is associated
with gaming device 12c and would normally appear similar to segment
28. In response to a display event however, in addition to
displaying the vertical striped indicia to convey its association
with gaming device 12c, segment 29 also displays a backlighting
effect, which, in the present example, provides a negative
representation of the normal appearance of segment 29. It is thus
clear to a player at gaming device 12c, and other players, that the
segment 29 is associated with the gaming device 12c and that the
segment 29 is currently selected.
[0029] Operation of the common display device 14 is governed by the
controller 18. In particular, the controller 18 determines when a
display event occurs. A display event may be any event in which the
common display device 14 is used to communicate information to the
player or players. For example, a display event may be generated
when a player elects to play a bonus game.
[0030] In one embodiment, segments are only associated with one
gaming device. For example, if the indicia is color, all segments
26 that correspond to gaming device 12a, display the relevant
color. The color may be displayed as part of the symbol displayed
on the segment, a background to the symbol, or a border around the
segment. Indicia may also include location on the common display
device 14. For example, all segments associated with a particular
gaming device may be in a designated area or areas of the display
device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, every third segment
is associated with the same gaming device, however more deliberate
divisions made be made without the requirement for color or other
indicia. For example, all segments from the left side up to a
division may be associated with gaming device 12a, all segments
from the right side up to a division may be associated with gaming
device 12c and all segments in between the two divisions may be
associated with gaming device 12b. Lines or other markings may be
used on the common display device 14 to show the divisions.
[0031] In one embodiment, a single segment may be associated with
more than one gaming devices. In this embodiment, a segment may
normally display a neutral color that is not associated with any of
the gaming devices. When required, such as during a display event,
the controller 18 may change the indicia of the segment to the
indicia of any one of the gaming devices 12. For example, if the
indication device is back lighting (lighting devices positioned
behind the symbol displayed on the segment), then the indicia may
be color and the indication device may be configured to produce
different colored lighting when the segment is selectively
associated with the different gaming devices 12. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 4, segment 41 is currently selected and
associated with gaming device 12a while segment 42 is also
currently selected but is associated with gaming device 12b.
[0032] As discussed above, in one embodiment each segment displays
one indicia that indicates that it is associated with only one
gaming device. When a display event occurs, such as during a bonus
game, the controller 18 selects a segment to highlight and causes
an indication device to indicate the segment that has been
selected. In one embodiment, a segment may be randomly selected by
the controller 18. In one embodiment, a game symbol may be randomly
selected and the controller 18 selects a segment bearing the
selected game symbol. When the indicator device is provided to the
selected segment, a player may then see that game symbol that is
being indicated for that player. When two or more different
segments are indicated simultaneously, players are able to
determine which segment applies to them by the indicia
displayed.
[0033] In another embodiment, segments may selectively display more
than one indicia, i.e., any segment may be selectively associated
with any gaming device. In this embodiment, indicia may be
displayed by the indication device, such as multi color light
emitting diode (LED) back lights. When a display event occurs, the
controller 18 selects a segment and causes the segment's indication
device to indicate the segment using the appropriate indicia. When
two or more different segments are simultaneously displayed,
players can see which segment applies to them by the displayed
indicia.
[0034] An example of game play using the gaming apparatus 10 will
now be described with reference to the flow chart 100 illustrated
in FIG. 5. At step 101, players place wagers through individual
gaming devices 12 and play games to generate gaming outcomes (step
102). Occasionally, certain gaming outcomes will trigger the
playing of a bonus game (step 103). For example, the bonus game may
be initiated by the appearance of three bonus symbols on a played
line of the relevant gaming device. The player is prompted to press
an appropriate button 32 to begin the bonus round (step 104).
Commencement of the bonus round causes one or more display events
on the common display device 14 (step 105). At the conclusion of
the display event(s), an outcome of the bonus round is displayed
(step 106) and the player may then return to step 101 to place
another wager and commence another game cycle.
[0035] In one example, the bonus game awards a player with three
selections from the game board provided on the common display
device 14. The player may perform a selection by pressing an
appropriate button on their gaming device. In one embodiment,
individual segments of the game board may be randomly highlighted
at a relatively rapid rate with the indicating device corresponding
to the player's gaming device. When the player makes a selection,
the random highlighting of the segments stops with the last
highlighted segment being permanently indicated using the relevant
indicating device. The process then repeats for the player's
remaining two game board selections. At the conclusion of the three
selections, game symbols of the three highlighted segments are
combined to determine a final outcome of the bonus prize.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates the state of the game board at the end of
the bonus game. Segments 21a, 21b and 21c have been selected by the
player and are indicated by the indicia corresponding to the
player's gaming device. To determine the player's bonus award,
bonus award amounts are added together and then multiplied by any
multiplier values won. The selected segments 21a, 21b, 21c
correspond to gaming symbols "25", "100" and "2x", yielding a bonus
award of 250. The total bonus award amount may be multiplied by the
initiating line bet, i.e. the initial wager at the relevant gaming
device. Once the total bonus award is calculated, the display
screen 24a corresponding to the player's gaming device may be
updated to display the total bonus award amount won by the
player.
[0037] Certain ones of the segments may display images such as wild
card images, bonus prize images or zero indicating images. For
example, in the common display of FIG. 6, segments 21d, 21e, 21f
and 21g each display a devil image, corresponding to a zero credit
value. If a player selects a devil image during play of the bonus
game, the total bonus prize won by the player will be zero.
However, in one embodiment, if the player selects three devil
images, the player may be rewarded with an additional bonus award,
such as 1000 credits.
[0038] In one embodiment, the game symbols of the segments randomly
change while waiting for the player to make a selection.
[0039] In one embodiment, multiple players may play a bonus game
simultaneously. The controller may govern the random highlighting
of the segments with the indicating devices such that no one
segment is simultaneously highlighted by more than one indicating
device.
[0040] In one embodiment, the selection of the segments is made by
the controller without intervention by the player. For example, the
segments may be randomly selected by flashing the segment with a
gaming device's indicating device and/or indicia (i.e. indicating
and de-indicating) before indicating a segment by highlighting the
segment with the respective indicia for a longer period of
time.
[0041] In one embodiment, the bonus game uses only a single
selection and the bonus is determined from the game symbol
displayed in the selected segment.
[0042] The segments of the display device may be provided as a
portion of a video screen or may be provided as discrete displays.
Lighting of the segments may be provided by light emitting diodes
or any similar lighting means.
[0043] By providing a common display device 14 as described, other
players and spectators may readily share in the excitement of the
player's win, in particular by watching the play of the bonus game
on the large common display. An additional advantage is that a
player may be encouraged by the presence of the other players and
spectators to pursue a bonus game, thus further increasing the
player's enjoyment and excitement.
[0044] The person skilled in the art will readily understand that
many modifications of the embodiments described herein for playing
the bonus game using the common display device are possible and all
such modifications are considered to fall within the range of
equivalents and are considered to fall within the scope of the
invention. In addition, the common display need not be used only
with bonus games. Base game play of the individual gaming devices
can also incorporate display events of the common display
device.
[0045] Although the description above contains many specifications,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention
should be determined by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *