U.S. patent application number 12/112802 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-05 for multiple outcome display for gaming devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACRES-FIORE, INC.. Invention is credited to John F. Acres.
Application Number | 20090275375 12/112802 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41257448 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090275375 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Acres; John F. |
November 5, 2009 |
MULTIPLE OUTCOME DISPLAY FOR GAMING DEVICES
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a display
of multiple game outcomes that may be won by a player on a gaming
device. In one embodiment, a gaming device includes a player
interface panel having at least one game input device, a game
output display to show the result of a gaming event wagered upon by
a player at the gaming device, a multiple outcome display
configured to display possible outcomes of the gaming event, and a
selection mechanism operable by the player to identify a game event
outcome from the displayed multiple outcomes.
Inventors: |
Acres; John F.; (Corvallis,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARGER JOHNSON & MCCOLLOM, P.C.
210 SW MORRISON STREET, SUITE 400
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
ACRES-FIORE, INC.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
41257448 |
Appl. No.: |
12/112802 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 ;
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3265
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 ;
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming device comprising: a player interface panel having at
least one game input device; a game output display to show a result
of a gaming event wagered upon by a player at the gaming device; a
multiple outcome display configured to show possible outcomes of
the gaming event; and a selection mechanism operable by the player
to identify a game event outcome from the displayed multiple
outcomes, the identified game event outcome shown on the game
output display.
2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the multiple outcome
display is configured to scroll the possible outcomes of the gaming
event.
3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the selection mechanism is
a button on the player interface panel.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the multiple outcome
display further includes an award window configured to highlight
the game event outcome from other outcomes of the possible outcomes
displayed.
5. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the possible outcomes
displayed on the multiple outcome display have numerical
values.
6. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the possible outcomes
displayed on the multiple outcome display are symbols
representative of the symbolic result shown on the game output
display.
7. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the award window is
positioned at a substantially central portion of the multiple
outcome display.
8. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the award window is
positioned at an end portion of the multiple outcome display.
9. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the possible outcomes
displayed on the multiple outcome display are arranged in a
substantially vertical format and configured to scroll in a
plurality of positional columns within the multiple outcome
display.
10. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the award window is
configured to move substantially horizontally across the plurality
of positional columns within the multiple outcome display.
11. The gaming device of claim 1, further comprising a timer
portion configured to automatically identify a game event outcome
from the displayed multiple outcomes if a timer end point is
reached.
12. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein the amount of time to
reach the timer end point is determined based on whether the player
has been identified to the gaming device.
13. The gaming device of claim 1, further comprising a nudge
feature configured to allow a player to nudge the displayed
multiple outcomes to replace the identified game event outcome with
a game event outcome adjacent to the identified game event
outcome.
14. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein an availability of the
nudge feature is determined based on whether the player has been
identified to the gaming device.
15. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein an availability of the
nudge feature is determined based on whether the player has placed
an additional side bet on the gaming device.
16. A method of operating a gaming device comprising: receiving a
wager from a player on the gaming device; activating a game
initiating button; thereafter, scrolling multiple possible outcomes
on a game display; determining if a stop action event has occurred;
determining an outcome; displaying the outcome on the game display;
and awarding a prize associated with the outcome.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: starting a timer
after the game initiating button is selected by the player;
determining if the timer has reached an end point contemporaneously
with determining if a stop action event has occurred; and
determining an outcome after the end point of the timer has been
reached if a stop action event has not occurred.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising spinning game reels
on a game output display after the game initiating button is
selected by the player.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising stopping the game
reels on the game output display after the outcome has been
determined.
20. A method of operating a gaming device comprising: receiving a
wager from a player on the gaming device; activating a game
initiating button; determining if the game initiating button is
selected by the player; thereafter, scrolling multiple possible
outcomes on a game display; determining if a stop action event has
occurred; determining an initial outcome after the stop action
event has occurred; displaying the initial outcome on the game
display; determining if a nudge feature is enabled; and determining
if a previous outcome is nudged to or a next outcome is nudged
to.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising awarding a prize
associated with the initial outcome if the nudge feature in not
enabled.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising: displaying the
previous outcome on the game display if the previous outcome is
nudged to; and awarding a prize associated with the previous
outcome.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising: displaying the next
outcome on the game display if the next outcome is nudged to; and
awarding a prize associated with the next outcome.
24. The method of claim 20, further comprising awarding a prize
associated with the initial outcome if the previous outcome is not
nudged to and the next outcome is not nudged to.
25. The method of claim 20, further comprising: starting a timer
after the game initiating button is selected by the player;
determining if the timer has reached an end point contemporaneously
with determining if a stop action event has occurred; and
determining an initial outcome after the end point of the timer has
been reached if a stop action event has not occurred.
26. The method of claim 20, further comprising: starting a timer
after a determination that the nudge feature is enabled;
determining if the timer has reached an end point contemporaneously
with determining if a previous outcome is nudged to or if a next
outcome is nudged to; and awarding a prize associated with the
initial outcome after the end point of the timer has been reached
if the previous outcome is not nudged to and the next outcome is
not nudged to.
27. A method of operating a gaming device comprising: receiving a
wager placed by a player on a gaming event controlled by the gaming
device; receiving a first player input to initiate the gaming
event; scrolling a plurality of possible outcomes on a game display
in response to the first player input; and receiving a second
player input to end the gaming event, wherein at least one of the
plurality of possible outcomes is identified as a game event
outcome.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising awarding the
identified game event outcome to the player.
29. The method of claim 27, further comprising offering the player
a nudge option to replace the identified game event outcome with a
game event outcome adjacent to the identified game event outcome in
the displayed plurality of possible outcomes.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein at least one of the event
outcomes adjacent to the identified game event outcome is not
visible to the player.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the nudge option is offered in
response to a side bet placed by the player.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the nudge option is offered in
response to a gaming promotion.
33. The method of claim 16, wherein the outcome is determined after
the stop action event has occurred.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/______, to John Acres, is filed concurrently herewith, for
GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD UTILIZING AT LEAST TWO RNG OUTCOMES
(Attorney Docket No. 1351-0035), the disclosures of which is
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to a display of multiple
outcomes on a gaming device, and more particularly to a display of
multiple final game outcomes that may be won by a player on a
gaming device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] With conventional gaming devices, a player typically places
a wager on a future gaming event and initiates the gaming event by
pulling a gaming handle or pressing a game initiating button. An
outcome of the gaming event is often determined from a random
number generator (RNG) upon initiation of the gaming event by the
player. In order to build anticipation, however, the reels on a
spinning reel slot machine or a video slot machine typically
continue to spin and sequentially stop from left to right showing a
portion of the outcome with each reel coming to rest. In some
gaming devices, a player may touch a reel or corresponding button
to stop a reel before the typical electronically controlled stop
occurs. For example, a player may touch the fifth reel of a five
reel video slot gaming device to stop the fifth reel before the
first, second, third, or fourth reel has come to a stop. In other
words, the player would be able to see the symbols occurring on
paylines for the fifth reel before seeing what the other symbols
from the first through fourth reels end up on the played
paylines.
[0004] This feature may be used by superstitious players trying to
change their luck by having the reels stop in reverse or may be
used by players to root for symbols on the left most reels. More
often, however, since the reels typically spin at a speed that
allows players to make out which symbols are passing by, this
feature allows players to try and stop a reel on a particular
symbol outcome. For example, if three bonus symbols are needed on a
played payline to initiate a bonus and a player receives bonus
symbols on the first and second reels, he or she may try to time
touching the third reel to get a third bonus symbol by either
trying to touch the bonus symbol as it goes by or waiting a certain
amount of time after a bonus symbol goes by before touching and
stopping the third reel.
[0005] Because the outcome of the gaming device is typically
determined prior to any of the reels stopping, this exercise in
stopping the reels generally has no effect on the outcome of the
gaming event. Rather, it is provided to give the player a feeling
of control over the outcome of the gaming event. As players often
like to feel they have some control in the outcome of the gaming
event, additional gaming features providing this feeling or
sensation may be advantageously integrated into gaming devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram that illustrates a
gaming device according to embodiments of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the gaming device
illustrated in FIG. 1A.
[0008] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are detail diagrams of exemplary types
of gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of networked gaming
devices according to embodiments of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a detail diagram of a gaming device according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0011] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are detail diagrams of exemplary
types of gaming devices according to embodiment of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming
device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments
of the invention.
[0013] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow diagram of another method of
operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes
according to embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate example gaming devices according
to embodiments of the invention.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a gaming device 10 is an
electronic gaming machine. Although an electronic gaming machine or
"slot" machine is illustrated, various other types of devices may
be used to wager monetarily based credits on a game of chance in
accordance with principles of the invention. The term "electronic
gaming device" is meant to include various devices such as
electro-mechanical spinning-reel type slot machines, video slot
machines, and video poker machines, for instance. Other gaming
devices may include computer-based gaming machines, wireless gaming
devices, multi-player gaming stations, modified personal electronic
gaming devices (such as cell phones), personal computers,
server-based gaming terminals, and other similar devices. Although
embodiments of the invention will work with all of the gaming types
mentioned, for ease of illustration the present embodiments will be
described in reference to the electronic gaming machine 10 shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0016] The gaming device 10 includes a cabinet 15 housing
components to operate the gaming device 10. The cabinet 15 may
include a gaming display 20, a base portion 13, a top box 18, and a
player interface panel 30. The gaming display 20 may include
mechanical spinning reels (FIG. 2A), a video display (FIGS. 2B and
2C), or a combination of both spinning reels and a video display
(not shown). The gaming cabinet 15 may also include a credit meter
27 and a coin-in or bet meter 28. The credit meter 27 may indicate
the total number of credits remaining on the gaming device 10 that
are eligible to be wagered. In some embodiments, the credit meter
27 may reflect a monetary unit, such as dollars. However, it is
often preferable to have the credit meter 27 reflect a number of
`credits,` rather than a monetary unit. The bet meter 28 may
indicate the amount of credits to be wagered on a particular game.
Thus, for each game, the player transfers the amount that he or she
wants to wager from the credit meter 27 to the bet meter 28. In
some embodiments, various other meters may be present, such as
meters reflecting amounts won, amounts paid, or the like. In
embodiments where the gaming display 20 is a video monitor, the
information indicated on the credit meters may be shown on the
gaming display itself 20 (FIG. 2B).
[0017] The base portion 13 may include a lighted panel 14, a coin
return (not shown), and a gaming handle 12 operable on a partially
rotating pivot joint 11. The game handle 12 is traditionally
included on mechanical spinning-reel games, where the handle may be
pulled toward a player to initiate the spinning of reels 22 after
placement of a wager. The top box 18 may include a lighted panel
17, a video display (such as an LCD monitor), a mechanical bonus
device (not shown), and a candle light indicator 19. The player
interface panel 30 may include various devices so that a player can
interact with the gaming device 10.
[0018] The player interface panel 30 may include one or more game
buttons 32 that can be actuated by the player to cause the gaming
device 10 to perform a specific action. For example, some of the
game buttons 32 may cause the gaming device 10 to bet a credit to
be wagered during the next game, change the number of lines being
played on a multi-line game, cash out the credits remaining on the
gaming device (as indicated on the credit meter 27), or request
assistance from casino personnel, such as by lighting the candle
19. In addition, the player interface panel 30 may include one or
more game actuating buttons 33. The game actuating buttons 33 may
initiate a game with a pre-specified amount of credits. On some
gaming devices 10 a "Max Bet" game actuating button 33 may be
included that places the maximum credit wager on a game and
initiates the game. The player interface panel 30 may further
include a bill acceptor 37 and a ticket printer 38. The bill
acceptor 37 may accept and validate paper money or previously
printed tickets with a credit balance. The ticket printer 38 may
print out tickets reflecting the balance of the credits that remain
on the gaming device 10 when a player cashes out by pressing one of
the game buttons 32 programmed to cause a `cashout.` These tickets
may be inserted into other gaming machines or redeemed at a cashier
station or kiosk for cash.
[0019] The gaming device 10 may also include one or more speakers
26 to transmit auditory information or sounds to the player. The
auditory information may include specific sounds associated with
particular events that occur during game play on the gaming device
10. For example, a particularly festive sound may be played during
a large win or when a bonus is triggered. The speakers 26 may also
transmit "attract" sounds to entice nearby players when the game is
not currently being played.
[0020] The gaming device 10 may further include a secondary display
25. This secondary display 25 may be a vacuum fluorescent display
(VFD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a
plasma screen, or the like. The secondary display 25 may show any
combination of primary game information and ancillary information
to the player. For example, the secondary display 25 may show
player tracking information, secondary bonus information,
advertisements, or player selectable game options.
[0021] The gaming device 10 may include a separate information
window (not shown) dedicated to supplying any combination of
information related to primary game play, secondary bonus
information, player tracking information, secondary bonus
information, advertisements or player selectable game options. This
window may be fixed in size and location or may have its size and
location vary temporally as communication needs change. One example
of such a resizable window is International Game Technology's
"service window". Another example is Las Vegas Gaming
Incorporated's retrofit technology which allows information to be
placed over areas of the game or secondary display screen at
various times and in various situations.
[0022] The gaming device 10 includes a microprocessor 40 that
controls operation of the gaming device 10. If the gaming device 10
is a standalone gaming device, the microprocessor 40 may control
virtually all of the operations of the gaming devices and attached
equipment, such as operating game logic stored in memory (not
shown) as firmware, controlling the display 20 to represent the
outcome of a game, communicate with the other peripheral devices
(such as the bill acceptor 37), and orchestrating the lighting and
sound emanating from the gaming device 10. In other embodiments
where the gaming device 10 is coupled to a network 50, as described
below, the microprocessor 40 may have different tasks depending on
the setup and function of the gaming device. For example, the
microprocessor 40 may be responsible for running the base game of
the gaming device and executing instructions received over the
network 50 from a bonus server or player tracking server. In a
server-based gaming setup, the microprocessor 40 may act as a
terminal to execute instructions from a remote server that is
running game play on the gaming device.
[0023] The microprocessor 40 may be coupled to a machine
communication interface (MCI) 42 that connects the gaming device 10
to a gaming network 50. The MCI 42 may be coupled to the
microprocessor 40 through a serial connection, a parallel
connection, an optical connection, or in some cases a wireless
connection. The gaming device 10 may include memory 41 (MEM), such
as a random access memory (RAM), coupled to the microprocessor 40
and which can be used to store gaming information, such as storing
total coin-in statistics about a present or past gaming session,
which can be communicated to a remote server or database through
the MCI 42. The MCI 42 may also facilitate communication between
the network 50 and the secondary display 25 or a player tracking
unit 45 housed in the gaming cabinet 15.
[0024] The player tracking unit 45 may include an identification
device 46 and one or more buttons 47 associated with the player
tracking unit 45. The identification device 46 serves to identify a
player, by, for example, reading a player-tracking device, such as
a player tracking card that is issued by the casino to individual
players who choose to have such a card. The identification device
46 may instead, or additionally, identify players through other
methods. Player tracking systems using player tracking cards and
card readers 46 are known in the art. Briefly summarizing such a
system, a player registers with the casino prior to commencing
gaming. The casino issues a unique player-tracking card to the
player and opens a corresponding player account that is stored on a
server or host computer, described below with reference to FIG. 3.
The player account may include the player's name and mailing
address and other information of interest to the casino in
connection with marketing efforts. Prior to playing one of the
gaming devices in the casino, the player inserts the player
tracking card into the identification device 46 thus permitting the
casino to track player activity, such as amounts wagered, credits
won, and rate of play.
[0025] To induce the player to use the card and be an identified
player, the casino may award each player points proportional to the
money or credits wagered by the player. Players typically accrue
points at a rate related to the amount wagered, although other
factors may cause the casino to award the player various amounts.
The points may be displayed on the secondary display 25 or using
other methods. In conventional player tracking systems, the player
may take his or her card to a special desk in the casino where a
casino employee scans the card to determine how many accrued points
are in the player's account. The player may redeem points for
selected merchandise, meals in casino restaurants, or the like,
which each have assigned point values. In some player tracking
systems, the player may use the secondary display 25 to access
their player tracking account, such as to check a total number of
points, redeem points for various services, make changes to their
account, or download promotional credits to the gaming device 10.
In other embodiments, the identification device 46 may read other
identifying cards (such as driver licenses, credit cards, etc.) to
identify a player and match them to a corresponding player tracking
account. Although FIG. 1A shows the player tracking unit 45 with a
card reader as the identification device 46, other embodiments may
include a player tracking unit 45 with a biometric scanner, PIN
code acceptor, or other methods of identifying a player to pair the
player with their player tracking account.
[0026] During typical play on a gaming device 10, a player plays a
game by placing a wager and then initiating a gaming session. The
player may initially insert monetary bills or previously printed
tickets with a credit value into the bill acceptor 37. The player
may also put coins into a coin acceptor (not shown) or a credit,
debit or casino account card into a card reader/authorizer (not
shown). One of skill in the art will readily see that this
invention is useful with all gambling devices, regardless of the
manner in which wager value-input is accomplished.
[0027] The credit meter 27 displays the numeric credit value of the
money inserted dependent on the denomination of the gaming device
10. That is, if the gaming device 10 is a nickel slot machine and a
$20 bill inserted into the bill acceptor 37, the credit meter will
reflect 400 credits or one credit for each nickel of the inserted
twenty dollars. For gaming devices 10 that support multiple
denominations, the credit meter 27 will reflect the amount of
credits relative to the denomination selected. Thus, in the above
example, if a penny denomination is selected after the $20 is
inserted the credit meter will change from 400 credits to 2000
credits.
[0028] A wager may be placed by pushing one or more of the game
buttons 32, which may be reflected on the bet meter 28. That is,
the player can generally depress a "bet one" button (one of the
buttons on the player interface panel 30, such as 32), which
transfers one credit from the credit meter 27 to the bet meter 28.
Each time the button 32 is depressed an additional single credit
transfers to the bet meter 28 up to a maximum bet that can be
placed on a single play of the electronic gaming device 10. The
gaming session may be initiated by pulling the gaming handle 12 or
depressing the spin button 33. On some gaming devices 10, a "max
bet" button (another one of the buttons 32 on the player interface
panel 30) may be depressed to wager the maximum number of credits
supported by the gaming device 10 and initiate a gaming
session.
[0029] If the gaming session does not result in any winning
combination, the process of placing a wager may be repeated by the
player. Alternatively, the player may cash out any remaining
credits on the credit meter 27 by depressing the "cash-out" button
(another button 32 on the player interface panel 30), which causes
the credits on the credit meter 27 to be paid out in the form of a
ticket through the ticket printer 38, or may be paid out in the
form of returning coins from a coin hopper (not shown) to a coin
return tray.
[0030] If instead a winning combination (win) appears on the
display 20, the award corresponding to the winning combination is
immediately applied to the credit meter 27. For example, if the
gaming device 10 is a slot machine, a winning combination of
symbols 23 may land on a played payline on reels 22. If any bonus
games are initiated, the gaming device 10 may enter into a bonus
mode or simply award the player with a bonus amount of credits that
are applied to the credit meter 27.
[0031] FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate exemplary types of gaming devices
according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2A illustrates an
example spinning-reel gaming machine 10A, FIG. 2B illustrates an
example video slot machine 10B, and FIG. 2C illustrates an example
video poker machine 10C.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2A, a spinning-reel gaming machine 10A
includes a gaming display 20A having a plurality of mechanical
spinning reels 22A. Typically, spinning-reel gaming machines 10A
have three to five spinning reels 22A. Each of the spinning reels
22A has multiple symbols 23A that may be separated by blank areas
on the spinning reels 22A, although the presence of blank areas
typically depends on the number of reels 22A present in the gaming
device 10A and the number of different symbols 23A that may appear
on the spinning reels 22A. Each of the symbols 22A or blank areas
makes up a "stop" on the spinning reel 22A where the reel 22A comes
to rest after a spin. Although the spinning reels 22A of various
games 10A may have various numbers of stops, many conventional
spinning-reel gaming devices 10A have reels 22A with twenty two
stops.
[0033] During game play, the spinning reels 22A may be controlled
by stepper motors (not shown) under the direction of the
microprocessor 40 (FIG. 1A). Thus, although the spinning-reel
gaming device 10A has mechanical based spinning reels 22A, the
movement of the reels themselves is electronically controlled to
spin and stop. This electronic control is advantageous because it
allows a virtual reel strip to be stored in the memory 41 of the
gaming device 10A, where various "virtual stops" are mapped to each
physical stop on the physical reel 22A. This mapping allows the
gaming device 10A to establish greater awards and bonuses available
to the player because of the increased number of possible
combinations afforded by the virtual reel strips.
[0034] A gaming session on a spinning reel slot machine 10A
typically includes the player pressing the "bet-one" button (one of
the game buttons 32A) to wager a desired number of credits followed
by pulling the gaming handle 12 (FIGS. 1A, 1B) or pressing the spin
button 33A to spin the reels 22A. Alternatively, the player may
simply press the "max-bet" button (another one of the game buttons
32A) to both wager the maximum number of credits permitted and
initiate the spinning of the reels 22A. The spinning reels 22A may
all stop at the same time or may individually stop one after
another (typically from left to right) to build player
anticipation. Because the display 20A usually cannot be physically
modified, some spinning reel slot machines 10A include an
electronic display screen in the top box 18 (FIG. 1B), a mechanical
bonus mechanism in the top box 18, or a secondary display 25 (FIG.
1A) to execute a bonus.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2B, a video gaming machine 10B may include
a video display 20B to display virtual spinning reels 22B and
various other gaming information 21B. The video display 20B may be
a CRT, LCD, plasma screen, or the like. It is usually preferable
that the video display 20B be a touchscreen to accept player input.
A number of symbols 23A appear on each of the virtual spinning
reels 22B. Although FIG. 2B shows five virtual spinning reels 22B,
the flexibility of the video display 20B allows for various reel
22B and game configurations. For example, some video slot games 10B
spin reels for each individual symbol position (or stop) that
appears on the video display 20B. That is, each symbol position on
the screen is independent of every other position during the gaming
sessions. In these types of games, very large numbers of pay lines
or multiple super scatter pays can be utilized since similar
symbols could appear at every symbol position on the video display
20B. On the other hand, other video slot games 10B more closely
resemble the mechanical spinning reel games where symbols that are
vertically adjacent to each other are part of the same continuous
virtual spinning reel 22B.
[0036] Because the virtual spinning reels 22B, by virtue of being
computer implemented, can have almost any number of stops on a reel
strip, it is much easier to have a greater variety of displayed
outcomes as compared to spinning-reel slot machines 10A (FIG. 2A)
that have a fixed number of physical stops on each spinning reel
22A.
[0037] With the possible increases in reel 22B numbers and
configurations over the mechanical gaming device 10A, video gaming
devices 10B often have multiple paylines 24 that may be played. By
having more paylines 24 available to play, the player may be more
likely to have a winning combination when the reels 22B stop and
the gaming session ends. However, since the player typically must
wager at least a minimum number of credits to enable each payline
24 to be eligible for winning, the overall odds of winning are not
much different, if at all, than if the player is wagering only on a
single payline. For example, in a five line game, the player may
bet one credit per payline 24 and be eligible for winning symbol
combinations that appear on any of the five played paylines 24.
This gives a total of five credits wagered and five possible
winning paylines 24. If, on the other hand, the player only wagers
one credit on one payline 24, but plays five gaming sessions, the
odds of winning would be identical as above: five credits wagered
and five possible winning paylines 24.
[0038] Because the video display 20B can easily modify the image
output by the video display 20B, bonuses, such as second screen
bonuses are relatively easy to award on the video slot game 10B.
That is, if a bonus is triggered during game play, the video
display 20B may simply store the resulting screen shot in memory
and display a bonus sequence on the video display 20B. After the
bonus sequence is completed, the video display 20B may then
retrieve the previous screen shot and information from memory, and
re-display that image.
[0039] Also, as mentioned above, the video display 20B may allow
various other game information 21B to be displayed. For example, as
shown in FIG. 2B, banner information may be displayed above the
spinning reels 22B to inform the player, perhaps, which symbol
combination is needed to trigger a bonus. Also, instead of
providing a separate credit meter 27 (FIG. 1A) and bet meter 28,
the same information can instead be displayed on the video display
20B. In addition, "soft buttons" 29B such as a "spin" button or
"help/see pays" button may be built using the touch screen video
display 20B. Such customization and ease of changing the image
shown on the display 20B adds to the flexibility of the game
10B.
[0040] Even with the improved flexibility afforded by the video
display 20B, several physical buttons 32B and 33B are usually
provided on video slot machines 10B. These buttons may include game
buttons 32B that allow a player to choose the number of paylines 24
he or she would like to play and the number of credits wagered on
each payline 24. In addition, a max bet button (one of the game
buttons 32B) allows a player to place a maximum credit wager on the
maximum number of available paylines 24 and initiate a gaming
session. A repeat bet or spin button 33B may also be used to
initiate each gaming session when the max bet button is not
used.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2C, a video poker gaming device 10C may
include a video display 20C that is physically similar to the video
display 20B shown in FIG. 2B. The video display 20C may show a
poker hand of five cards 23C and various other player information
21C including a paytable for various winning hands, as well as a
plurality of player selectable soft buttons 29C. The video display
20C may present a poker hand of five cards 23C and various other
player information 21C including a number of player selectable soft
(touch-screen) buttons 29C and a paytable for various winning
hands. Although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3C shows only
one hand of poker on the video display 20C, various other video
poker machines 10C may show several poker hands (multi-hand poker).
Typically, video poker machines 10C play "draw" poker in which a
player is dealt a hand of five cards, has the opportunity to hold
any combination of those five cards, and then draws new cards to
replace the discarded ones. All pays are usually given for winning
combinations resulting from the final hand, although some video
poker games 10C may give bonus credits for certain combinations
received on the first hand before the draw. In the example shown in
FIG. 2C a player has been dealt two aces, a three, a six, and a
nine. The video poker game 10C may provide a bonus or payout for
the player having been dealt the pair of aces, even before the
player decides what to discard in the draw. Since pairs, three of a
kind, etc. are typically needed for wins, a player would likely
hold the two aces that have been dealt and draw three cards to
replace the three, six, and nine in the hope of receiving
additional aces or other cards leading to a winning combination
with a higher award amount. After the draw and revealing of the
final hand, the video poker game 10C typically awards any credits
won to the credit meter.
[0042] The player selectable soft buttons 29C appearing on the
screen respectively correspond to each card on the video display
20C. These soft buttons 29C allow players to select specific cards
on the video display 20C such that the card corresponding to the
selected soft button is "held" before the draw. Typically, video
poker machines 10C also include physical game buttons 32C that
correspond to the cards in the hand and may be selected to hold a
corresponding card. A deal/draw button 33C may also be included to
initiate a gaming session after credits have been wagered (with a
bet button 32C, for example) and to draw any cards not held after
the first hand is displayed.
[0043] Although examples of a spinning reel slot machine 10A, a
video slot machine 10B, and a video poker machine 10C have been
illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, gaming machines various other types of
gaming devices known in the art are contemplated and are within the
scope of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating networked gaming
devices according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to
FIG. 3, multiple electronic gaming devices (EGMs) 70, 71, 72, 73,
74, and 75 may be coupled to one another and coupled to a remote
server 80 through a network 50. For ease of understanding, gaming
devices or EGMs 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 are generically referred
to as EGMs 70-75. The term EGMs 70-75, however, may refer to any
combination of one or more of EGMs 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75.
Additionally, the gaming server 80 may be coupled to one or more
gaming databases 90. These gaming network 50 connections may allow
multiple gaming devices 70-75 to remain in communication with one
another during particular gaming modes such as tournament play or
remote head-to-head play. Although some of the gaming devices 70-75
coupled on the gaming network 50 may resemble the gaming devices
10, 10A, 10B, and 10C shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2C, other coupled
gaming devices 70-75 may include differently configured gaming
devices. For example, the gaming devices 70-75 may include
traditional slot machines 75 directly coupled to the network 50,
banks of gaming devices 70 coupled to the network 50, banks of
gaming devices 70 coupled to the network through a bank controller
60, wireless handheld gaming machines 72 and cell phones 73 coupled
to the gaming network 50 through one or more wireless routers or
antennas 61, personal computers 74 coupled to the network 50
through the internet 62, and banks of gaming devices 71 coupled to
the network through one or more optical connection lines 64.
Additionally, some of the traditional gaming devices 70, 71, and 75
may include electronic gaming tables, multi-station gaming devices,
or electronic components operating in conjunction with non-gaming
components, such as automatic card readers, chip readers, and chip
counters, for example.
[0045] Gaming devices 71 coupled over an optical line 64 may be
remote gaming devices in a different location or casino. The
optical line 64 may be coupled to the gaming network 50 through an
electronic to optical signal converter 63 and may be coupled to the
gaming devices 71 through an optical to electronic signal converter
65. The banks of gaming devices 70 coupled to the network 50 may be
coupled through a bank controller 60 for compatibility purposes,
for local organization and control, or for signal buffering
purposes. The network 50 may include serial or parallel signal
transmission lines and carry data in accordance with data transfer
protocols such as Ethernet transmission lines, Rs-232 lines,
firewire lines, USB lines, or other communication protocols.
Although not shown in FIG. 3, substantially the entire network 50
may be made of fiber optic lines or may be a wireless network
utilizing a wireless protocol such as IEEE 802.11a, b, g, or n,
Zigbee, RF protocols, optical transmission, near-field
transmission, or the like.
[0046] As mentioned above, each gaming device 70-75 may have an
individual processor 40 (FIG. 1A) and memory 41 to run and control
game play on the gaming device 70-75, or some of the gaming devices
70-75 may be terminals that are run by a remote server 80 in a
server based gaming environment. Server based gaming environments
may be advantageous to casinos by allowing fast downloading of
particular game types or themes based on casino preference or
player selection. Additionally, tournament based games, linked
games, and certain game types, such as BINGO or keno may benefit
from at least some server 80 based control.
[0047] Thus, in some embodiments, the network 50, server 80, and
database 90 may be dedicated to communications regarding specific
game or tournament play. In other embodiments, however, the network
50, server 80, and database 90 may be part of a player tracking
network. For player tracking capabilities, when a player inserts a
player tracking card in the card reader 46 (FIG. 1A), the player
tracking unit 45 sends player identification information obtained
on the card reader 46 through the MCI 42 over the network 50 to the
player tracking server 80, where the player identification
information is compared to player information records on in the
player database 90 to provide the player with information regarding
their player accounts or other features at the gaming device 10
where the player is wagering. Additionally, multiple databases 90
and/or servers 80 may be present and coupled to one or more
networks 50 to provide a variety of gaming services, such as both
game/tournament data and player tracking data.
[0048] The various systems described with reference to FIGS. 1-3
can be used in a number of ways. For instance, the systems can be
used to track data about various players. The tracked data can be
used by the casino to provide additional benefits to players, such
as extra bonuses or extra benefits such as bonus games and other
benefits as described above. These added benefits further entice
the players to play at the casino that provides the benefits.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a detail diagram of a gaming device according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, a gaming device 100 may include a
gaming display 120 and a player interface panel having one or more
game buttons 132 and at least one game initiating button 133. The
gaming display 120 may include a portion to show a game output 122
such as video reels, a banner area 121 to display game information,
a multiple outcome portion 180, an outcome portion 150, a timer
portion 170, and one or more soft buttons such as 160A, 160B
relating to game play on the gaming device 100.
[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the multiple outcome
portion 180 is shown as part of the gaming display 120. However, in
other gaming devices, the multiple outcome portion 180 may be
displayed on the secondary display 25 (FIG. 1A), the top box 18, on
a meter similar to the credit meters 27, 28, or other display
devices on the gaming device 100. These other display options may
be preferable where the gaming device has a main gaming display
including physical spinning reels or has a more standardized video
display format such as in video poker. Additionally, other types of
gaming devices, such as smart tables may be configured such that an
alternate display is necessitated by the structure of the gaming
device. Thus, the implementation of the features of this invention
is contemplated in these various devices.
[0052] The multiple outcome portion 180 may include a list of
multiple possible outcomes 185 and an award window 190. During a
gaming event, the multiple possible outcomes 185 may scroll or
stream vertically (or horizontally in other embodiments) such that
different possible outcomes pass through the multiple outcome
portion 180 and award window 190 within the multiple outcome
portion 180. These multiple possible outcomes 185 may be actual
possible outcomes generated by a random number generator (RNG)
included in the processor 40 (FIG. 1A) or may be at least partially
arbitrary values that do not correspond to actual possible
outcomes. The term "multiple possible outcomes" refers to at least
both of these possibilities because regardless of whether the
values shown in the list of multiple possible outcomes 185 directly
relate to possible outcomes randomly generated by the gaming device
100, they appear to be possible values that can be achieved as the
outcome of a wager to a player playing the gaming device 100.
[0053] If the multiple possible outcomes 185 are actual possible
outcomes, they may be sampled directly from a stream of random
outcomes generated by the RNG of the gaming device 100. Because the
RNG may generate hundreds or thousands of numbers relating to
outcomes on the gaming device per second, the processor 40 may only
display a sample of the outcomes generated by the gaming device 100
in order to be at least partially visible to the player. The
sampling of these generated outcomes used to determine which ones
to display as multiple possible outcomes 185 in the multiple
outcome portion 180 of the gaming display 120 may be done at
predetermined intervals or may be random. If they are sampled at a
predetermined interval, the interval may be based on the number of
outcomes (e.g., every 200.sup.th output is displayed) or may be
based on time (e.g., an outcome is selected every quarter of a
second). These sampling rates may determine how quickly the
multiple possible outcomes 185 scroll or stream through the
multiple outcome portion 180. Because the speed of this scrolling
may preferably be different for separate target groups of gaming
players, the sampling rate may be configured so as to be
adjustable. In some embodiments, this sampling rate may be
automatically adjusted by the gaming device to keep the scrolling
speed within predefined limits. However, in other embodiments, the
sampling rate and/or the scrolling speed may be adjustable by
casino personnel, slot technicians, the player tracking system, or
even the players themselves. For example, players that are members
of a players club may set the scrolling speed within certain limits
as part of their player club preferences so that when they identify
themselves to a gaming device, the preferred scrolling speed is
automatically set for the player on the gaming device.
[0054] If the generated outcomes are sampled at a random interval,
a range of randomness may be established to ensure that the
scrolling speed of the multiple possible outcomes is smooth. In
addition, a small variable delay between choosing a sampled outcome
and displaying that sampled outcome may help maintain a smooth
stream of possible outcomes 185. In some embodiments, a second RNG
may be utilized to carry out the random sampling of the generated
outcomes.
[0055] If the multiple possible outcomes 185 are arbitrary in that
they do not accurately reflect possible outcomes, they may be
generated in a variety of ways depending on the nature of the
arbitrariness. For example, the random outcomes generated by the
gaming device 100 may be filtered in a manner such that a higher
percentage of high value outputs are displayed in the multiple
possible outcomes 185 shown in the multiple outcome portion 180.
These outputs may be considered arbitrary even though they
represent actual possible outcomes because they show a
disproportionately large amount of high-value outputs which may not
reflect the game's actual payback percentage. However, it may be
preferable to include a larger number of high-value outcomes to
encourage the player that they were close to a large win. In
another example, a second RNG may generate at least a portion of
the displayed multiple possible outcomes, which may be arbitrary
because they are not actual award outcomes that could have been won
by the player. The use of a second RNG may be advantageous in that
existing gaming devices may be more easily retrofitted with
features of this invention. Additionally, the second RNG may
relieve the main RNG or processor from performing extra tasks,
thereby reducing the load on those components.
[0056] The multiple outcome portion may also include an award
window 190 that indicates an outcome awarded to the player at the
end of a gaming event. The multiple possible outcomes 185 may
stream through the award window 190 while they are scrolling. After
an indication to stop the scrolling of the multiple possible
outcomes 185, the outcome value that comes to rest in the award
window 190 may be awarded to the player. In operation, the game
output 122 may show an outcome contemporaneously with the outcome
value being shown in the award window 190. For example, if the game
output 122 includes a plurality of spinning reels, the reels may
stop from left to right as the scrolling of the multiple possible
outcomes 185 is slowing down. This way, anticipation of the output
can still be built by stopping the reels one by one. The values of
the multiple possible outcomes 185 may reflect the number of lines
bet and the number of credits bet per line. For example, if a
player is wagering on 10 lines at two credits per line, the
outcomes values shown in the multiple possible outcomes 185 may be
about 20 times more than if the player was only playing a single
line at one credit per line. In other example embodiments, however,
the outcomes displayed may only reflect the number of lines bet
with the multiple credits per line being multiplied upon selection
of an outcome. In yet other embodiments, the outcomes displayed may
not be proportional to the number of lines or credits per line bet.
As discussed below with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, the
multiple possible outputs may be formatted in a varied of manners
including configurations that do not reflect the value of the
output.
[0057] For video poker or other games that utilize player
interaction between initiating a gaming event and receiving an
outcome, the multiple outcome portion 180 may be utilized in
several manners. In some embodiments, the multiple possible
outcomes 185 may only be displayed after the player has interacted
with the gaming device. For example, in video poker, the multiple
possible outcomes 185 may only be displayed and scrolled after the
player has chosen which cards to hold and hit the "DRAW" button. In
these embodiments, it may be preferable for the multiple outcome
portion 180 to only display actual outcomes since there may not be
a large variation in some instances, such as when the player has
held four or five of the cards. When a player has held all five
cards, the multiple outcome portion 180 may not be utilized or may
just show a scroll of the only value the player can win. In the
other embodiments, the multiple possible outcomes 185 may be
utilized before the player interaction, for both before the player
interaction and after the player interaction (separate lists), or
for the whole gaming event including the player interaction, such
as when there is a script involved in the gaming event.
[0058] In operation, the multiple game portion 180 may not be
visible when the credit meter is at zero or has a nominal amount
for a set amount of time. Additionally, the multiple game portion
180 may not be visible to all players. For example, the feature
including the multiple game portion 180 may only be available to
identified players, or may only be available as part of a bonus.
The multiple possible outcomes 185 may only scroll during a gaming
event is some embodiments. However, in other embodiments, the
multiple possible outcomes 185 may continuously scroll after
credits have been awarded at the end of a gaming event.
[0059] When the multiple possible outcomes 185 only scroll during a
gaming event, a player may make a wager and press a game initiating
button 133 to start the multiple possible outcomes 185 scrolling,
as well as initiating the game on the game display 122, such as
spinning the reels. The player may press the game initiating button
133, a physical outcome stopping button 134 on the player interface
panel, a soft "stop" button in the outcome portion, touching the
gaming display 120 over the multiple outcome portion 180, or
perform another stop action to stop the multiple possible outcomes
185 from scrolling. In some embodiments, the multiple possible
outcomes may slow down when a stop action is initiated. In other
embodiments, however, the multiple possible outcomes 185 may stop
abruptly. It may be preferable to have the stop action initially
slow the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes 185 so that an
awarded outcome that ends up in the award window 190 is not visible
on the multiple outcome portion 180 when the stop action is
initiated. This may prevent players from trying to time a specific
outcome that appears in the multiple outcome portion 180 before
passing through the award window 190.
[0060] The multiple outcome portion 180 may be advantageous in
showing a player how close they were to a large prize. To further
emphasize this point, higher value outcomes among the multiple
possible outcomes 185 may be highlighted to draw the player's
attention to them. In addition, a player may see a large value
appear on the multiple outcome portion 180 and try to stop the
scrolling outcomes such that they receive that value. As mentioned
above, however, in some embodiments the player cannot stop the
scrolling outcomes to reach a specific value as this may take away
some of the randomness of the gaming device 100.
[0061] An outcome indicator 155 in the outcome portion 150 may show
the values passing through the award window 190 when the multiple
possible outcomes 185 are scrolling, or may show a last outcome
received by a player in a past gaming event. The soft button in the
outcome portion 150 may switch between having a "SPIN" button
functionality and a "STOP" button functionality depending on the
stage of a gaming event. Since it is a soft button, the visual
labeling may be changed to match the present functionality of the
soft button. The physical stop button 134 on the player interface
may be omitted in some embodiments. In these embodiments, the game
initiating button 133 or one of the game buttons 132 may be used
for a stop action.
[0062] A timer portion 170 may be included in some embodiments. The
timer may be used to allow a player a chance to initiated a stop
action, but to end the gaming event within a predetermined amount
of time. The timer portion 170 may not be visible when there are no
credits on the gaming device 100 or when there are only a nominal
amount of credits for a set amount of time. In other embodiments,
the timer portion 170 may only be visible during gaming events. The
timer portion may include at least one of an analog timer 175A and
a digital timer 175B. The timer portion 170 may alert a player to
the time remaining for initiating a stop action, such as pushing
the stop button 134. If the player does not initiate a stop action
before the timer counts down to zero (or time otherwise expires), a
stop action may automatically be performed by the gamine device
100. This may be an advantageous feature in keeping game play at a
similar pace to conventional games that do not require player
interaction after a gaming event has been initiated (e.g.,
conventional slot machines).
[0063] The timer portion 170 may also be used in conjunction with a
player club benefit or bonus feature. In these embodiments, the
timer portion 170 may allow identified players, older players that
have set a player club preference, or players receiving a bonus
more time to initiate a stop action.
[0064] The gaming device 100 may also be configured such that a
player can hide either one of or both of the multiple outcome
portion 180 and timer portion 170. This may be preferable as some
players may find these features distracting during game play. In
addition, these features may be only available to players that have
joined a player club. In this situation, the player may be able to
modify their player club options so as to display or hide these
features.
[0065] Some embodiments of the gaming device may also include a
nudge feature which allows the player to select a value above or
below the value shown in the award window 190. In some embodiments,
the nudge feature may allow a player to "nudge" the list of
multiple possible outcomes up or down by one result so that a
better result is awarded. In operation, the gaming display 122 may
arrive at an initial outcome reflected by the outcome initially
shown in the award window 190 and then re-spin or re-deal to arrive
at a display that reflects the outcome nudged to. The nudge feature
may also be separable so that only a nudge-up action or nudge-down
action is available to a player.
[0066] The nudge feature may require an additional wager, such as a
side bet or buy-a-pay, or may be part of a promotional feature or
bonus feature. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4,
the nudge feature may be implemented by using soft buttons 160A,
160B on the gaming display 120 or by using at least one of the game
initiating button 133, stop button 134, or game button 132. One
advantage of implementing this feature using the soft buttons 160A,
160B is that the buttons can be removed from the gaming display 120
when the nudge feature is not enabled. In addition, it may create
less player confusion by utilizing the soft buttons because their
labeling could by dynamically altered to reflect their
functionality. For example, if a player only made a "nudge-up" side
bet, the nudge button 160A corresponding to a nudge up action could
be activated while the nudge button 160B corresponding to a nudge
down action could be inactive (and visibly shaded).
[0067] The nudge feature may also be tied to the timer portion 170
such that a player must make a choice to nudge up or nudge down
within a predetermined time or an initial outcome is awarded.
Again, the timer length may be variable depending on a player's
status.
[0068] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are detail diagrams of exemplary
types of gaming devices according to embodiment of the
invention.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 5A, a gaming display 220 may include a
game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280A. The
multiple outcome portion 280A may include a list of multiple
possible outcomes 285A and an award window 290A that is positioned
in substantially a center portion of the multiple possible outcomes
285A. Having the award window 290A in substantially the center
portion of the multiple possible outcomes 285A may be advantageous
in that it allows players to see outcomes appear in the multiple
outcome portion 280A before they reach the award window 290A. This
may encourage players to try to perform a stop action to receive a
specific outcome ("grab" the outcome). The scrolling speed of the
multiple possible outcomes may be set such that the next outcome
not yet seen on the multiple outcome portion ends in the award
window 290A when a stop action is initiated. Thus, a player may see
a streak of small outcomes and initiate a stop action because they
think the next value off screen will be large as the gaming device
is "due" for a large outcome. On the other hand, a player may wait
for a streak of higher outcomes before initiating a stop action
because they think the gaming device is "hot."
[0070] Since actual bonus value amounts are not usually determined
directly by the paytable of a game, outcomes that involve a bonus
(e.g., a second screen bonus) may appear in the multiple possible
outcome 285A list as just the word "BONUS." If such an outcome
appears in the award window, a separate bonus feature, which may or
may not utilize the multiple outcome portion 280A, may be
initiated.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 5B, a gaming display 220 may include a
game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280B. The
multiple outcome portion 280B may include a list of multiple
possible outcomes 285B and an award window 290B that is positioned
at one end portion of the multiple outcome portion 280B. In some
embodiments, the award window 290B is positioned at an end of the
multiple outcome portion 280B where the multiple possible outcomes
285A appear.
[0072] Having the award window 290B at an end portion of the
multiple possible outcomes 285B may be advantageous when using the
multiple outcome portion 280B in conjunction with the nudge
feature. Here, the player does not know what the next outcome value
is. Thus, making the choice to nudge up and give up a known value
for an unknown value may provide some excitement and tension for a
player. In some embodiments, the nudge feature may be restricted to
only allowing a nudge up; thereby only allowing a nudge to an
unknown value. Again, this nudge feature may be part of a side bet
or may part of a bonus or promotion. In some embodiments, the nudge
feature may award the player both the initial value and the value
nudged to.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 5C, a gaming display 220 may include a
game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280C. The
multiple outcome portion 280C may include a list of multiple
possible outcomes 285C and an award window 290C. Unlike the
previously illustrated embodiments, the multiple possible outcomes
285C and the award window 290C may be oriented vertically. The
multiple possible outcomes 285C may stream or scroll uniformly or
various columns of values could stream at different rates and/or at
random intervals. In addition, the award window 290C may move back
and forth horizontally (as shown by the hidden lined windows) among
the columns of multiple possible outcomes 285C. This two
dimensional movement (i.e., the vertical movement of the multiple
possible outcomes 285C and the horizontal movement of the award
window 290C) may add to the excitement of the feature.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 5D, a gaming display 220 may include a
game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280D. The
multiple outcome portion 280D may include a list of multiple
possible outcomes 285D and an award window 290D. Unlike the
previously illustrated embodiments, the multiple possible outcomes
285D in this embodiment are represented by actual symbol outcomes
rather than an outcome value. The outcome appearing in the award
window 290D may reflect the symbols that appear on a center payline
in the game outcome portion 222 of the gaming display 220 is slot
embodiments. In video poker embodiments, the symbols shown in the
multiple outcome portion may reflect the five card outcome of the
video poker hand.
[0075] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming
device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments
of the invention.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 6, the method includes receiving a wager
305 from a player on the gaming device. The wager may be received
by the player betting one or more credits on a gaming event. When
one or more credits have been received as a wager, the game
initiation button or "SPIN" button is activated 310 so that it will
respond to a player input. In other gaming device embodiments that
utilize a gaming handle, the gaming handle may be unlocked in this
step to allow a player to initiate a gaming event. Once the game
initiation mechanisms have been activated, the gaming device
determines if one of the game initiation mechanisms have been
triggered by the player 315. If a gaming event has not been
initiated, the gaming device may continue to wait for the player to
initiate the gaming event or may periodically prompt the player to
initiate the gaming event.
[0077] After a gaming event has been initiated, multiple possible
outcomes may be scrolled 320 on the a gaming display, such as a
multiple outcome portion of a gaming display. A game output, such
as game reels may also triggered to spin 327. A timer is started
325 and the gaming device then determines whether a stop action
event has occurred 330 to stop the scrolling of the multiple
possible outcomes. If it is determined that a stop action has not
occurred, the gaming device may determine if the timer has reached
an endpoint or stopped 335. The game device may continue to monitor
whether a stop action event has occurred or the timer has
stopped.
[0078] When either a stop action event occurs or the timer has
reached an end point, the gaming device determines an outcome to
award to the player 340. In some embodiments, the outcome that is
awarded to the player is not determined until a stop action event
has occurred or a timer has ended. In other embodiments, the
outcome may be determined when a game initiating button is pressed
to initiate a gaming event. In this scenario, the timing of the
stop action event or timer end does not affect the ultimate outcome
awarded to the player since the final outcome was determined prior
to these events.
[0079] The outcome awarded to the player is then displayed to the
player 350 and a game output displays an output corresponding to
the determined outcome, such as stopping the reels such that symbol
line and/or scatter awards add up to the final outcome shown on the
multiple outcome portion. As mentioned previously, to build
anticipation, the reels may be stopped from left to right to build
anticipation while the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes
is slowing down. After an outcome is displayed, prizes associated
with the outcome are awarded to the player.
[0080] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow diagram of another method of
operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes
according to embodiments of the invention.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, processes 405 to 452 are
similar to the processes 305 to 352 described above with reference
to FIG. 6. Hence, redundant explanation of these processes will be
omitted. Note, however, that the outcome determined in process 440
is an initial outcome rather than the final outcome to be awarded
as was the case in process 340 shown in FIG. 6. Also note that it
is this initial outcome that is displayed in process 450 rather
than the final outcome that is displayed in process 350.
[0082] After the initial outcome is displayed, the gaming device
determines if the nudge feature is enabled 455. If the nudge
feature is not enabled, the gaming device awards any prizes
associated with the initial outcome to the player 460. If the nudge
feature is enabled, the gaming device determines if the previous
outcome is selected by the player 465. If the previous outcome is
selected by the player, the previous outcome is displayed on the
game display 470 and any prizes associated with the previous
outcome are awarded to the player 475. In some embodiments,
displaying the previous outcome on the game display includes both
nudging the multiple possible outcome list down so that the
previous outcome appears in the award window and re-spinning the
reels (or re-drawing cards) such that the previous outcome is
reflected on the game output portion of the gaming display.
[0083] If the previous outcome is not selected by the player, the
gaming device determines if the next outcome is selected by the
player 480. If the next outcome is selected by the player, the next
outcome is displayed on the game display 485 and any prizes
associated with the next outcome are awarded to the player 490. In
some embodiments, displaying the next outcome on the game display
includes both nudging the multiple possible outcome list up so that
the next outcome appears in the award window and re-spinning the
reels (or re-drawing cards) such that the next outcome is reflected
on the game output portion of the gaming display. If the next
outcome is not selected (i.e., either the player choose to keep the
original output value or the timer for making a nudge ended), the
gaming device awards any prizes associated with the initial outcome
to the player 460.
[0084] Some embodiments of the invention have been described above,
and in addition, some specific details are shown for purposes of
illustrating the inventive principles. However, numerous other
arrangements may be devised in accordance with the inventive
principles of this patent disclosure. Further, well known processes
have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the
invention. Thus, while the invention is described in conjunction
with the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings, it is
not limited to these embodiments or drawings. Rather, the invention
is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents
that come within the scope and spirit of the inventive principles
set out in the appended claims.
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