U.S. patent application number 12/514038 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for parameter adjustment in a wagering game.
This patent application is currently assigned to WMS Gaming Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter R. Anderson, Allon Englman.
Application Number | 20100048283 12/514038 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39402193 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100048283 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Peter R. ; et
al. |
February 25, 2010 |
PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT IN A WAGERING GAME
Abstract
Apparatus, systems, architectures, and methods provide
instrumentality to control adjustment of a parameter in a wagering
game, where the adjustment is responsive to a playing feature
selected for the wagering game and the wagering game is adapted to
be initiated from another wagering game.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Peter R.;
(Glenview, IL) ; Englman; Allon; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER/WMS GAMING
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
WMS Gaming Inc.
Waukegan
IL
|
Family ID: |
39402193 |
Appl. No.: |
12/514038 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/23503 |
371 Date: |
May 7, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60865322 |
Nov 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ; 463/25;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3218 20130101;
G07F 17/3286 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ; 463/25;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: identifying a selected playing feature for
a second wagering game, the second wagering game initiated from a
first wagering game; adjusting a parameter in the second wagering
game in response to the selected playing feature.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting a parameter includes
adjusting an expected value of the second wagering game.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting an expected value of
the second wagering game includes determining a completion of an
additional wager in the first wagering game.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes initiating
the second wagering game after determination of the selected
playing feature.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a selected playing
feature for a second wagering game includes identifying a selected
number of spins for the second wagering game.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a selected playing
feature for a second wagering game includes identifying a length of
time for running the second wagering game.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a selected playing
feature for a second wagering game includes identifying a selected
feature for a bonus wagering game, the bonus wagering game
initiated from a base wagering game.
8. A machine-readable medium having machine-executable instructions
that, when performed by a machine, cause the machine to: identify a
selected playing feature for a second wagering game, the second
wagering game initiated from a first wagering game; adjust a
parameter in the second wagering game in response to the selected
playing feature.
9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein to adjust a
parameter includes adjusting an expected value of the second
wagering game.
10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein to adjust a
parameter includes determining a completion of an additional wager
in the first wagering game.
11. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the
instructions include initiating the second wagering game based on a
determination of the selected playing feature.
12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein to identify a
selected playing feature for a second wagering game includes
identifying a selected number of spins for the second wagering
game, identifying a length of time for running the second wagering
game, or a combination of identifying the selected number of spins
and the length of time for running the second wagering game.
13. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein to identify a
selected playing feature for a second wagering game includes
identifying a selected feature for a bonus wagering game, the bonus
wagering initiated from a base wagering game.
14. An apparatus comprising: a portal to control adjustment of a
parameter in a second wagering game, the second wagering game
initiated from a first wagering game, the first wagering game being
correlated to a wagering game unit operable to receive a wager, the
adjustment of the parameter in the second wagering game being
responsive to a selected playing feature for the second wagering
game.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the parameter includes an
expected value of the second wagering game.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein selected playing feature
includes a selected number of spins for the second wagering
game.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein selected playing feature
includes a length of time for running the second wagering game.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first wagering game
includes a base wagering game and the second wagering game includes
a bonus wagering game.
19. A system comprising: a wagering game unit operable to receive a
wager in association with a first wagering game; a portal to
control adjustment of a parameter in a second wagering game, the
second wagering game initiated from the first wagering game, the
adjustment of the parameter in the second wagering game being
responsive to a selected playing feature for the second wagering
game; and a communication structure to couple the wagering game
unit to the portal.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the selected playing feature
includes a number of spins in the second wagering game.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein the selected playing feature
includes a length of time for running the second wagering game.
22. The system of claim 19, wherein the parameter includes an
expected value of the second wagering game.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein the first wagering game
includes a base wagering game and the second wagering game includes
a bonus wagering game.
24. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication structure
includes an interface to operate with a wireless network
25. The system of claim 19, wherein the wagering game unit and the
portal are remote from each other.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/865,322 filed Nov. 10,
2006 and entitled "PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT IN A WAGERING GAME", which
application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally
to wagering game systems.
LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark
Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2006, 2007 WMS Gaming,
Inc.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Wagering game machine makers continually provide new and
entertaining games. One way of increasing entertainment value
associated with casino-style wagering games (e.g., video slots,
video poker, video black jack, and the like) includes offering a
variety of base games and bonus events. However, despite the
variety of base games and bonus events, players often lose interest
in repetitive wagering gaming content. In order to maintain player
interest, wagering game machine makers frequently update wagering
game content with new game themes, game settings, bonus events,
game software, and other electronic data. Consequently, there is a
need to provide for seamless integration of base wagering games,
bonus wager games, game themes, game settings, game software, and
other electronic data to ensure an attractive gaming
experience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game machine architecture.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of features of an embodiment of
an architecture for a wagering game system.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
relationship for a portal to control a relationship between two
wagering games.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
relationship for a portal to control a bonus wagering game, whose
initiation is correlated to a base wagering game.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates features of an embodiment of a display
correlated to a portal configured to control a relationship between
two or more wagering games.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of features of an
embodiment of a method for a portal to control a relationship
between two or more wagering games.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game network.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of a wagering game
machine.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a wagering game
machine
DESCRIPTION
[0015] Various embodiments of the invention are described by way of
example and not limitation in the following descriptions:
Example Operating Environment
Example Wagering Game Machine Architecture
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game machine architecture 100 having a wagering game
machine 106. Wagering game machine 106 may be adapted to receive a
wager from a player in association with a wagering game to be
presented to the player. Wagering game machine 106 may include a
central processing unit (CPU) 126, a main memory 128, a wagering
game presentation unit 132, and a portal 134. CPU 126 may be
realized using various forms of a processor and/or a controller.
Main memory 128 may be coupled through a bus 122 or directly to CPU
126 using a communication medium such as a memory bus. A bus may
include command control lines, data lines, address lines, other
communication lines, or combinations thereof.
[0017] From a player's perspective, a wagering game is a game whose
player participation is initiated with the player placing a wager
in some manner, in which the occurrence of an event having some
probability of happening results in an award to the player tied in
some manner to the player's wager. In various wagering games, the
reward may be tied to the player's wager merely by placing the
wager. A wagering game may include a game in which a wager is made
in a different game, but an award is a possible outcome from the
wagering game. A bonus wagering game is such a wagering game whose
play is correlated to a base wagering game. Each wagering game,
whether a base game or bonus game, may include the instrumentality
to control or regulate the play of the wagering game, including the
flow of signals and data within one or more devices. Such
instrumentality may include hardware, software, firmware, or
various combinations thereof. A wagering game may be realized using
one or more units or modules that manage the play of the wagering
game. In an embodiment, such units or modules may be realized using
one or more components of wagering game machine architecture 100 or
similar architecture.
[0018] Wagering game presentation unit 132 may be an independent
unit in wagering game machine 106. Wagering game presentation unit
132 may include a processor and/or controller, memory, or
combinations thereof. An independent wagering game presentation
unit 132 may operate with CPU 126 and/or main memory via bus 122 or
via a direct connection. Wagering game presentation unit 132 may be
realized as integral to main memory 128. Wagering game presentation
unit 132 may be realized having components in CPU 126 and in main
memory 128. In various embodiments, wagering game presentation unit
132 may present, in whole or part, wagering games such as video
poker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, video role
playing games having wagering content, etc.
[0019] A portal is an instrumentality that may provide personalized
capabilities, provide a pathway to other content, or combinations
thereof. A portal may use distributed applications, different
numbers and types of software based components that couple two or
more applications to enable data transfer between the applications,
hardware to provide services from a number of different sources,
and may be realized on a variety of platforms such as servers,
content management systems, personal computers (PCs), personal
digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, stand-alone wagering game
machines, distributed wager game machines, or combinations thereof.
A portal may include or provide access to subroutine code, code
libraries, application program interfaces such as interpreters
utilizing Java EE.TM., Simple DirectMedia Layer.TM. (SDL) and
DirectX.TM., or combinations thereof. Portal 134 may be realized in
a variety of ways including, but not limited to, arranged as an
independent component, embedded in wagering game presentation unit
132, embedded in main memory 128, distributed among CPU 126 and
wagering game presentation unit 132, distributed among main memory
128 and wagering game presentation unit 132, distributed among CPU
126, main memory 128, and wagering game presentation unit 132,
distributed among different components of wagering game machine
architecture 100, distributed among different components of
wagering game machine architecture 100 and external systems 104, or
various combinations thereof. Portal 134 may be physically exterior
to wagering game machine 106.
[0020] In an embodiment, portal 134 may be adapted to control
adjustment of a parameter in a wagering game, where the adjustment
is responsive to a playing feature selected for the wagering game.
The wagering game may be initiated from another wagering game. A
feature in a wagering game may also be a parameter in the wagering
game. In addition, a parameter in a wagering game may also be a
feature in the wagering game. Some features/parameters associated
with wagering games may be known or presented to the player of a
wagering game machine. Alternatively, some features/parameters
associated with wagering games may be unknown to the player of a
wagering game machine. For instance, a set of payouts in a wagering
game may be a feature that is presented to a player, while an
average payout of the wagering game may be a parameter used in the
control of the wagering game. The average payout of the wagering
game may or may not be a feature/parameter that is presented to the
player in a wagering game, depending on the specific wagering game.
Payouts may be handled in terms of a multiplicative scaling of an
amount wagered. A playing feature herein is a feature/parameter in
game play that is apparent to a player of a game or is presented to
the player of the game in some format. A format may include the
playing feature being displayed on a video display. A format may
include the playing feature being presented as an option of the
game play. Other formats may be used to present the playing feature
to a player.
[0021] CPU 126 may be connected to bus 122 to facilitate
communication between the components of wagering game machine 106
and other components and/or systems exterior to wagering game
machine 106. Bus 122 may be configured as an input/output (I/O) bus
122. I/O bus 122 may be connected to a payout mechanism 108,
primary display 110, secondary display 112, value input device 114,
player input device 116, information reader 118, storage unit 130,
or combinations thereof. Player input device 116 may include value
input device 114 to the extent the player input device 116 may be
used to place wagers. I/O bus 122 may also be connected to an
external system interface 124, which may be connected to external
systems 104 (e.g., wagering game networks). Devices, modules, or
systems external to a wagering game machine 106 may be located on a
wagering game network, which may be a local area network (LAN) or a
wide area network (WAN).
[0022] In an embodiment, wagering game machine 106 may include
additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each
component shown in FIG. 1. For example, in an embodiment, wagering
game machine 106 may include multiple external system interfaces
124 and multiple CPUs 126. In an embodiment, any of the components
may be integrated or subdivided. Additionally, in an embodiment,
the components of wagering game machine 106 may be interconnected
according to any suitable interconnection architecture (e.g.,
directly connected, hypercube, etc.).
[0023] In an embodiment, any of the components of wagering game
machine 106 (e.g., wagering game presentation unit 132) may include
hardware, firmware, and/or software for performing the operations
described herein. Machine-readable media includes any mechanism
that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form
readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer,
etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable media includes read
only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk
storage media, optical storage media, flash memory machines, etc.
Machine-readable media also includes any media suitable for
transmitting software over a network.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of features of an embodiment of
an architecture for a wagering game system 200. The wagering game
architecture includes a hardware platform 202, a boot program 204,
an operating system 206, and a game framework 208 that includes one
or more wagering game software components 210. In various
embodiments, hardware platform 202 may include a thin-client,
thick-client, or some intermediate derivation. A thin client may be
a client in client-server architecture networks which has little or
no application logic, such that it depends primarily on a central
server for processing activities. A thin client may use a small
boot image to connect to a network and start up a dedicated web
browser. A thin client may load its operating system (OS) and
software from a server. A thin client may be a client in which no
data is stored and relatively little processing occurs on the
client machine. Thick clients may be full-featured computers that
are connected to a network. A thick client, which may also be
referenced as a heavy client, may be configured as functional
machines, whether configured as a standalone machine or connected
to a network, unlike typical thin clients that may lack hard drives
and other features.
[0025] Hardware platform 202 may also be configured to provide a
virtual client. Boot program 204 may include a basic input/output
system (BIOS) or other initialization program that works in
conjunction with operation system 206 to provide a software
interface to hardware platform 202. Game framework 208 may include
standardized game software components either independent or in
combination with specialized or customized game software components
that are designed for a particular wagering game. In an embodiment,
wagering game software components 210 may include software
operative in connection with hardware platform 202 and operating
system 206 to present wagering games, in whole or part, such as
video poker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, video
role playing games having wagering content, etc. In an embodiment,
software components 210 may include software operative to accept a
wager from a player. According to an embodiment, game software
components 210 include one or more components to control adjustment
of a parameter in a wagering game, where the adjustment is
responsive to a playing feature selected for the wagering game and
the wagering game may be initiated from another wagering game.
According to an embodiment, one or more of the software components
210 may be provided as part of the operating system 206 or other
software used in the wagering game system 200 (e.g., libraries,
daemons, common services, etc.).
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
portal 310 to control a relationship between two wagering games.
Portal 310 may provide instrumentality to control of adjustment
control adjustment of a parameter in a second wagering game 330,
where the adjustment is responsive to a playing feature selected
for second wagering game 330. Portal 310 may be player selectable.
First wagering game 320 and/or second wagering game 330 may be
played in one or more wagering game machines, examples of which are
described herein. The adjusted parameter may be an expected value
in the second wagering game 330. An expected value (EV) is the
average number of credits a pay or feature pays on average over the
long run. It may be calculated as a percentage of the overall
payback of a given game and may be provided by multiplying the
average pay of the feature times its probability of occurring. The
selected features for second wagering game 330 may include, but are
not limited to, volatility, a number of spins for second wagering
game 330, a number of free spins for second wagering game 330, a
length of time for running second wagering game 330, selection of a
particular wagering game from a set of wagering games as second
wagering game 330, selection of two or more wagering games to be
controlled by portal 310, selection of an additional wager to play
second wagering game 330. Volatility is a measure of how a player
experiences the pay back of a particular game. Some games pay out
more often in smaller amounts. This is known as a low volatility
game. Some games pay out less often in larger amounts. This is
known as a high volatility game.
[0027] Selection of features may be conducted in game play of first
wagering game 320. Selection of features for second wagering game
330 may include selection of one or more features. Selection of
features may be conducted after selection of portal 310 by a
player. Selection of portal 310 may be conducted at initiation of
game play of first wagering game 320. Selection of portal 310 may
be conducted during game play of first wagering game 320.
[0028] Second wagering game 330 may be initiated from first
wagering game 320. Initiation of second wagering game 330 from
first wagering game 320 may occur after selection of the features
for second wagering game 330. Initiation of second wagering game
330 from first wagering game 320 may occur concurrent with
selection of the features for second wagering game 330. Initiation
of game play of second wagering game 330 may result from selection
of an option that defines or ties directly to second wagering game
330. Such an initiation may present second wagering game 330 to a
player from first wagering game 320, where the player is not
provided advanced information regarding second wagering game 330
from game play in first wagering game 320.
[0029] First wagering game 320 and second wagering game 330 may be
selected by a player concurrently from a presentation of wagering
games on a screen in a wagering game machine. Second wagering game
330 may be selected by a player from a presentation of wagering
games in a wagering game machine during play of first wagering game
320. Second wagering game 330 may be selected by a player from a
presentation of wagering games in a wagering game machine during
the initiation of play in first wagering game 320.
[0030] Portal 310 may be remote from a wagering game machine in
which first wagering game 320 and/or second wagering game 330 are
played. Portal 310, first wagering game 320, and second wagering
game 330 may each be remote from each other during game play. In an
embodiment, first wagering game 320 and second wagering game 330
may be unrelated to each other except for the relationship provided
by portal 310.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
relationship for a portal 410 to control a bonus wagering game 430,
whose initiation is correlated to a base wagering game 420. Portal
410 may provide instrumentality to control adjustment of a
parameter in bonus wagering game 430, where the adjustment is
responsive to a playing feature selected for bonus wagering game
430. Portal 410 may be player selectable. Base wagering game 420
and/or bonus wagering game 430 may be played in one or more
wagering game machines, examples of which are described herein. The
adjusted parameter may be an expected value in bonus wagering game
430. The selected features for bonus wagering game 430 include, but
are not limited to, volatility, a number of spins for bonus
wagering game 430, a number of free spins for bonus wagering game
430, a length of time for running bonus wagering game 430,
selection of a particular wagering game from a set of wagering
games as bonus wagering game 430, selection of two or more wagering
games to be controlled by portal 410, selection of an additional
wager to play bonus wagering game 430.
[0032] Selection of features may be conducted in game play of base
wagering game 420. Selection of features for bonus wagering game
430 may include selection of one or more features. Selection of
features may be conducted after selection of portal 410 by a
player. Selection of portal 410 may be conducted at initiation of
game play of base wagering game 420. Selection of portal 410 may be
conducted during game play of base wagering game 420.
[0033] Bonus wagering game 430 may be initiated from base wagering
game 420. The initiation may be correlated to game play in base
wagering game 420 with the occurrence of one or more bonus symbols
on a pay line. The initiation may be correlated to game play in
base wagering game 420 with the occurrence of one or more bonus
symbols scattered among an array of symbols on the game display.
The initiation may be correlated to game play in base wagering game
420 with the occurrence of one or more bonus symbols scattered at
random locations on a game display. Such initiation of bonus
wagering game 430 may occur after selection of the features for
bonus wagering game 430. Such initiation of bonus wagering game 430
may include selection of the features for bonus wagering game 430,
where the selection options are provided with the appearance of the
bonus symbols that initiate bonus wagering game 430. Initiation of
game play of bonus wagering game 430 may result from selection of
an option that defines or tie directly to bonus wagering game 430.
Such an initiation may present bonus wagering game 430 to a player
from base wagering game 420, where the player is not provided
advanced information regarding bonus wagering game 430 from game
play in base wagering game 420.
[0034] Base wagering game 420 and bonus wagering game 430 may be
selected by a player concurrently from a presentation of base and
bonus wagering games on a screen in a wagering game machine. Bonus
wagering game 430 may be selected by a player from a presentation
of wagering games in a wagering game machine during play of base
wagering game 420. Bonus wagering game 430 may be selected by a
player from a presentation of wagering games in a wagering game
machine during the initiation of play in base wagering game
420.
[0035] Portal 410 may be remote from a wagering game machine in
which base wagering game 420 and/or bonus wagering game 430 are
played. Portal 410, base wagering game 420, and bonus wagering game
430 may each be remote from each other during game play.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates features of an embodiment of a display
510 correlated to a portal configured to control a relationship
between two or more wagering games. The portal may be realized in
accordance with embodiments or variations of embodiments for a
portal described herein. Display 510 may be realized in a number of
various formats. For example, display 510 may be realized as
primary display 110 depicted in FIG. 1. Display 510 may be
realized, for example, as secondary display 112 depicted in FIG. 1.
Display 510 may include a display of bonus games 515 that may be
selected by a player.
[0037] Bonus game display 515 may be presented on display 510 in
response to the initiation of a bonus event in a base wagering
game. Bonus game display 515 may be presented on display 510 in
response to player activation of a portal. Bonus game display 515
may provide a set of bonus wagering games from which a player may
select one or more bonus wagering games. The bonus wagering games
may be displayed as a listing of bonus games, a listing of symbols
or icons representing the bonus games, or other format recognizable
to a player. Bonus wagering game selection and/or portal activation
may be provided through activation of a touch screen, activation of
one or more buttons on a wagering game device or system, clicking
of a computer-like mouse, activation of a screen display using
electromagnetic stimulus wirelessly generated, or combinations of
various selection actions. Selection of one or more bonus games may
be provided to a portal as data or as information calculated or
derived in response to a selection event. Upon identification of
one or more bonus wagering games to be played with the base
wagering game, a portal may operate as discussed above with respect
to portals 310, 410, and 510 or in a variation of these portals.
The bonus wagering games and their features/parameters may reside
in a data library at one or more locations in a wagering game
network. Accessibility by a portal to bonus wagering games and/or
their features/parameters in the data library may be dynamically
set, that is, changed, modified, controlled or otherwise regulated
in real-time.
[0038] Display 510 may include a display of bonus game options 520
that may be selected by a player. Bonus game options display 520
may include features correlated to one or more bonus games in bonus
game display 515. Such features may include, but are not limited
to, volatility, a number of spins for a bonus wagering game, a
number of free spins for a bonus game, a length of time for running
a bonus game, selection of a particular wagering game from a set of
a bonus wagering games, selection of two or more bonus wagering
games to be controlled by a portal, selection of an additional
wager to play a bonus game. Bonus game options display 520 may
include options, whose selection provides a path to select one or
more bonus wagering games from a set of bonus wagering games.
Selection of one or more bonus wagering games by selection of one
or more options in bonus game options display 520 may be realized
without displaying bonus game display 515 to the player. From the
player perspective, the appearance of one or more bonus wagering
games by selection of an option or options may be a random
occurrence.
[0039] Bonus game options display 520 may be presented on display
510 in response to the initiation of a bonus event in a base
wagering game. Bonus game options display 520 may be presented on
display 510 in response to player activation of a portal. Bonus
game options display 520 may provide a set of options from which a
player may select one or more options. The options may be displayed
as a listing of options, a listing of symbols or icons representing
the options, or other format recognizable to a player. As noted
above, options may include features. The features/parameters of
bonus wagering games may reside in a data library at one or more
locations in a wagering game network. Accessibility by a portal to
bonus wagering games and/or their features/parameters in the data
library may be dynamically set, that is, changed, modified,
controlled or otherwise regulated in real-time. Option selection
may be provided through activation of a touch screen, activation of
one or more buttons on a wagering game device or system, clicking
of a computer-like mouse, activation of a screen display using
electromagnetic stimulus wirelessly generated, or combinations of
various selection actions. Selection of one or more options may be
provided to a portal as data or as information calculated or
derived in response to a selection event. Upon identification of
one or more options to be played in correlation with one or more
bonus wagering games, a portal may operate as discussed above with
respect to portals 310, 410, and 510 or in a variation of these
portals. In an embodiment, operation of bonus game options display
520 and bonus game display 515 is conducted in a coordinated
manner. The control and coordination operation of bonus game
options display 520 and bonus game display 515 may be regulated by
a portal.
[0040] In various embodiments, a portal may be triggered in a
wagering game by the occurrence of an event or selection of the
portal as part of the game play. The triggering event may be the
occurrence of symbols on one or more pay lines or the occurrence of
symbols at random locations on the playing screen of the wagering
game machine. A triggering event in a base wagering game may
initiate access to bonus wagering games under the control of the
portal. In an embodiment, the triggering event provides a path for
player selection of one or more bonus games. Alternatively, various
options may be displayed such that the selection of the options
generates a bonus game or a set of bonus games. The portal may
provide control by generating a request for an additional wager to
transition from one game to the other game. The additional wager
may be used to adjust the expected value of the bonus wagering game
based on the additional wager and/or selection of additional
features or modification of features in the bonus wagering game. In
various embodiments, transitions between games may include
accumulation of credits to be played at a future time, where the
portal controls the storage of information that correlates a player
to an accumulated amount of credits and one or more wagering games.
Credits may be scaled to a monetary unit.
[0041] In an embodiment, a portal and associated wagering games may
be realized within a wagering network. Use of a portal for a
wagering game machine may occur using instrumentality that is
distributed among devices or systems that can communicate with the
wagering game machine from which activation of the portal occurred.
In addition to various embodiments with a portal used in server
based gaming (SBG), such portals may be configured on individual
wagering game machines. In an embodiment, content used by a portal
may be readily movable about a network. In an embodiment, portal
content, including selectable features, adjustable parameters, and
identification of wagering games to be played in tandem, such as
base and bonus wagering games, may be controlled at a manufacturing
stage. In an embodiment, portal content, including selectable
features, adjustable parameters, and identification of wagering
games to be played in tandem, such as base and bonus wagering
games, may be controlled at one or more casinos. In an embodiment,
portal content, including selectable features, adjustable
parameters, and identification of wagering games to be played in
tandem, such as base and bonus wagering games, may be controlled at
a network control location.
Example Operations
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of features of an
embodiment of a method for a portal to control a relationship
between two or more wagering games. At 610, a selected playing
feature is identified. The playing feature is selected for a
wagering game that may be viewed as a second wagering game as it
may be initiated from another wagering game, which may be referred
to as a first wagering game. The relationship between the first
wagering game and the second wagering game may be controlled by a
portal. The first wagering game and the second wagering game may be
unrelated except for combined game play caused by the portal. The
first wagering game may be a base wagering game with the second
wagering game being one or more bonus wagering games, where the
relationship being these wagering games is controlled by a portal.
An identification event may include receiving data or signals
regarding features/parameters of the second wagering game at a
portal. Selected features for the second wagering game may include,
but are not limited to, volatility, a number of spins for second
wagering game, a number of free spins for second wagering game, a
length of time for running second wagering game, selection of a
particular wagering game from a set of wagering games as second
wagering game, selection of two or more wagering games to be
controlled by portal, selection of an additional wager to play
second wagering game, other options. In addition, the first
wagering game may be identified by initiating game play in a
specific wagering game machine, by selecting the first wagering
game from multiple wagering games available, or a combination
thereof. In various embodiments, a player may select a portal, one
or more bonus games presented on a display, one or more options
presented, or combinations thereof. Various selection events may be
provided through activation of a touch screen, activation of one or
more buttons on a wagering game device or system, clicking of a
computer-like mouse, activation of a screen display using
electromagnetic stimulus wirelessly generated, or combinations of
various selection actions. The selection actions provide for
activation of underlying gaming hardware to provide signals that
may be directed to various instruments on a gaming network to
provide control signals and/or data. The data provided to a portal
may be generated as information calculated or derived in response
to a selection event.
[0043] At 620, a parameter in the second wagering game may be
adjusted in response to the selection of the playing feature. An
adjusted parameter may include an expected value in the second
wagering game. A portal may control the adjusted of the parameters
in the second wagering game based on features of the second
wagering game, whose selection is coordinated with initiation of
the second wagering game in the first wagering game. The portal may
adjust the frequency at which a winning event occurs in one or more
of the wagering games in the play combination.
Example Wagering Game Network
[0044] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game network 700, according to example embodiments of the
invention. Wagering game network 700 may include multiple casinos
712 connected to a communications network 714.
[0045] Each casino 712 may include a local area network 716, which
may include a wireless access point 704, wagering game machines
702, and a wagering game server 706 that may serve wagering games
over the local area network 716. Wireless access point 704 may
control routing on both wireless communication channels and wired
communication channels. Such a wireless access point 704 may be
realized as a router capable of routing signals between and among
wired devices, wireless devices, and devices having wired and
wireless capability. In a non-wireless environment, wireless access
point 704 may be replaced by a routing device. Local area network
716 may include wireless communication links 710 and wired
communication links 708. The wired and wireless communication links
may employ any suitable connection technology, such as Bluetooth,
802.11, Ethernet, public switched telephone networks, SONET, etc.
In an embodiment, the wagering game server 706 may serve wagering
games and/or distribute content to devices located in other casinos
712 or at other locations on communications network 714.
[0046] Wagering game machines 702 and wagering game server 706 may
include hardware and machine-readable media including instructions
for performing embodiments of the operations described herein.
[0047] Wagering game machines 702 described herein may take any
suitable form, such as floor standing models, handheld mobile
units, bartop models, workstation-type console models, etc.
Further, wagering game machines 702 may be primarily dedicated for
use in conducting wagering games, or may include non-dedicated
devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants,
personal computers, etc. In an embodiment, the wagering game
network 700 may include other network devices, such as accounting
servers, wide area progressive servers, player tracking servers,
and/or other devices suitable for use in connection with
embodiments of the invention.
[0048] In various embodiments, wagering game machines 702 and
wagering game servers 706 work together such that wagering game
machine 702 may be operated as a thin, thick, or intermediate
client. For example, one or more elements of game play may be
controlled by wagering game machine 702 (client) or the wagering
game server 706 (server). Game play elements may include executable
game code, lookup tables, configuration files, game outcome, audio
or visual representations of the game, game assets or the like. In
a thin-client example, wagering game server 706 may perform
functions such as determining game outcome or managing assets,
while wagering game machine 702 may be used merely to present the
graphical representation of such outcome or asset modification to
the user (e.g., player). In a thick-client example, game outcome
may be determined locally (e.g., at wagering game machine 702) and
then communicated to wagering game server 706 for recording or
managing a player's account.
[0049] Similarly, functionality not directly related to game play
may be controlled by wagering game machine 702 (client) or the
wagering game server 706 (server) in embodiments. For example,
power conservation controls that manage a display screen's light
intensity may be managed centrally (e.g., by wagering game server
706) or locally (e.g., by wagering game machine 702). Other
functionality not directly related to game play may include
presentation of advertising, software or firmware updates, system
quality or security checks, etc.
Example Wireless Environment
[0050] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate using orthogonal frequency
division multiplexed (OFDM) communication signals over a
multicarrier communication channel. The multicarrier communication
channel may be within a predetermined frequency spectrum and may
include multiple orthogonal subcarriers. In some embodiments, the
multicarrier signals may be defined by closely spaced OFDM
subcarriers. Each subcarrier may have a null at substantially a
center frequency of the other subcarriers and/or each subcarrier
may have an integer number of cycles within a symbol period. In
some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering game
machines 702 may communicate in accordance with a broadband
multiple access technique, such as orthogonal frequency division
multiple access (OFDMA). In some embodiments, wireless access point
704 and wagering game machines 702 may communicate using
spread-spectrum signals.
[0051] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 may be part
of a communication station, such as wireless local area network
(WLAN) communication station including a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)
communication station, or a WLAN access point (AP). In these
embodiments, wagering game machines 702 may be part of a mobile
station, such as WLAN mobile station or a WiFi mobile station.
[0052] In some other embodiments, wireless access point 704 may be
part of a broadband wireless access (BWA) network communication
station, such as a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
(WiMax) communication station, as wireless access point 704 may be
part of almost any wireless communication device. In these
embodiments, wagering game machines 702 may be part of a BWA
network communication station, such as a WiMax communication
station.
[0053] In some embodiments, any of wagering game machines 702 may
be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a
personal digital assistant, a laptop or portable computer with
wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless
telephone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging
device, a digital camera, a television, or other device that may
receive and/or transmit information wirelessly.
[0054] In some embodiments, the frequency spectrums for the
communication signals transmitted and received by wireless access
point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may include a 5 gigahertz
(GHz) frequency spectrum, a 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, or other
frequency spectrum. In these embodiments, the 5 GHz frequency
spectrum may include frequencies ranging from approximately 4.9 to
5.9 GHz, and the 2.4 GHz spectrum may include frequencies ranging
from approximately 2.3 to 2.5 GHz, but other frequency spectrums
are also equally suitable. In some BWA network embodiments, the
frequency spectrum for the communication signals may include
frequencies between 2 and 11 GHz.
[0055] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate RF signals in accordance with
specific communication standards, such as the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including
IEEE 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g), 802.11(h) and/or 802.11(n)
standards and/or proposed specifications for wireless local area
networks, but they may also be suitable to transmit and/or receive
communications in accordance with other techniques and standards.
In some BWA network embodiments, wireless access point 704 and
wagering game machines 702 may communicate RF signals in accordance
with the IEEE 802.16-2004 and the IEEE 802.16(e) standards for
wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) including variations
and evolutions thereof. However, they may also be suitable to
transmit and/or receive communications in accordance with other
techniques and standards. For more information with respect to the
IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16 standards, please refer to "IEEE
Standards for Information Technology--Telecommunications and
Information Exchange between Systems"--Local Area
Networks--Specific Requirements--Part 11 "Wireless LAN Medium
Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY), ISO/IEC 8802-11:
1999", and Metropolitan Area Networks--Specific Requirements--Part
16: "Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems,"
May 2005 and related amendments/versions.
[0056] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may include one or more antennas (not shown).
These antennas may include directional or omnidirectional antennas,
including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch
antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of
antennas suitable for transmission of the RF signals. In some
multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, two or more
antennas may be used. In some embodiments, instead of two or more
antennas, a single antenna with multiple apertures may be used. In
these multiple aperture embodiments, each aperture may be
considered a separate antenna. In some multi-antenna embodiments,
each antenna may be effectively separated to take advantage of
spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that
may result between each of the antennas and another wireless
communication device. In some multi-antenna embodiments, the
antennas of a device may be separated by up to 1/10 of a wavelength
or more.
[0057] In some embodiments, handoffs between different wireless
access points 704 and one of wagering game machines 702 may be
performed based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a signal-to-noise
and interference ratio (SNIR), a bit-error rate (BER), or an energy
per received bit.
[0058] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate in accordance with standards such
as the Pan-European mobile system standard referred to as the
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). In some embodiments,
wireless access point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may also
communicate in accordance with packet radio services such as the
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) packet data communication
service. In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and
wagering game machines 702 may communicate in accordance with the
Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) for the next generation of
GSM, which may, for example, implement communication techniques in
accordance with 2.5G and third generation (3G) wireless standards
(See 3GPP Technical Specification, Version 3.2.0, March 2000, for
example). In some of these embodiments, wireless access point 704
and wagering game machines 702 may provide packet data services
(PDS) utilizing packet data protocols (PDP). In other embodiments,
wireless access point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may
communicate in accordance with other standards or other
air-interfaces including interfaces compatible with the enhanced
data for GSM evolution (EDGE) standards (see 3GPP Technical
Specification, Version 3.2.0, March 2000, for example).
[0059] In other embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate in accordance with a short-range
wireless standard, such as the Bluetooth.TM. short-range digital
communication protocol. Bluetooth.TM. wireless technology is a de
facto standard, as well as a specification for small-form factor,
low-cost, short-range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile phones
and other portable devices. (Bluetooth is a trademark owned by
Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) In other embodiments, wireless access point
704 and wagering game machines 702 may communicate in accordance
with an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication technique where a
carrier frequency is not used. In other embodiments, wireless
access point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may communicate in
accordance with an analog communication technique. In other
embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering game machines
702 may communicate in accordance with an optical communication
technique, such as the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standard.
In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering game
machines 702 may communicate in accordance with the Home-RF
standard which may be in accordance with a Home-RF Working Group
(HRFWG) standard.
Example Wagering Game Machines
Example Wagering Game Machine
[0060] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a wagering game machine
800 in which a wagering game generated in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention may be displayed and/or
initiated. Wagering game machine 800 may be used in gaming
establishments, such as casinos. In various embodiments, wagering
game machine 800 may be any type of wagering game machine and may
have varying structures and methods of operation. For example,
wagering game machine 800 may be an electromechanical wagering game
machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an
electronic wagering game machine configured to play video casino
games, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette,
video role playing games having wagering content, etc.
[0061] Wagering game machine 800 may include a housing 812 having
input devices that may include value input devices 818 and a player
input device 824. For output, wagering game machine 800 may include
a primary display 814 for displaying information about a basic
wagering game. Primary display 814 may also display information
about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. A
progressive wagering game is associated with a progressive award,
which is an award that starts with a base reset amount, in which,
subsequently, a small percentage of each players bet is added to
this award until a player triggers the pay event, where the award
resets back to its original amount. A stand alone progressive award
is a progressive award that is for one game only. A local area
progressive award is a progressive award that is linked to games
within a casino. A wide area progressive award is a progressive
award that is linked to an entire gaming jurisdiction, such as an
entire state.
[0062] Wagering game machine 800 also may include a secondary
display 816 for displaying wagering game events, wagering game
outcomes, and/or signage information. While some components of
wagering game machine 800 are described herein, numerous other
elements may exist and may be used in any number or combination to
create varying forms of wagering game machine 800.
[0063] Value input devices 818 may take any suitable form and may
be located on the front of housing 812. Value input devices 818 may
receive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. Value input
devices 818 may include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency
and bill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, value
input devices 818 may include ticket readers or barcode scanners
for reading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other
tangible portable storage devices. The vouchers or cards may
authorize access to central accounts, which may transfer money to
wagering game machine 800.
[0064] Player input device 824 may include multiple push buttons on
a button panel 826 for operating wagering game machine 800. In
addition, or alternatively, player input device 824 may include a
touch screen 828 mounted over primary display 814 and/or secondary
display 816.
[0065] The various components of wagering game machine 800 may be
connected directly to, or contained within, housing 812.
Alternatively, some components of the wagering game machine may be
located outside of housing 812, while being communicatively coupled
with wagering game machine 800 using any suitable wired or wireless
communication technology.
[0066] The operation of the basic wagering game may be displayed to
the player on primary display 814. Primary display 814 may also
display a bonus game associated with the basic wagering game.
Primary display 814 may include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high
resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light
emitting diodes (LEDs), or any other type of display suitable for
use in wagering game machine 800. Alternatively, primary display
814 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the
outcome. Wagering game machine 800 may be an "upright" version, as
shown in FIG. 8, in which primary display 814 is oriented
vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, wagering game
machine 800 may be a "slant-top" version in which primary display
814 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of
wagering game machine 800. In an embodiment, wagering game machine
800 may exhibit any suitable form factor, such as a free standing
model, bartop model, mobile handheld model, or workstation console
model.
[0067] A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a
wager via value input device 818. The player may initiate play by
using the player input device's buttons or touch screen 828. The
basic game may include arranging multiple symbols along a pay line
832, which indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Pay
line 832 may be realized as multiple pay lines. Pay line 832 need
not be limited to horizontal lines, but may be arranged in a
variety of ways including diagonal lines, vertical lines, or zigzag
lines. Such outcomes may be randomly selected in response to player
input. One of the outcomes, which may include any variation or
combination of symbols, may trigger a bonus game.
[0068] In some embodiments, wagering game machine 800 may also
include an information reader 852, which may include a card reader,
ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer
readable storage medium interface. In some embodiments, information
reader 852 may be used to award complimentary services, restore
game assets, track player habits, etc.
Example Wagering Game Machine
[0069] FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a wagering game
machine 900 in which a wagering game generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention may be displayed and/or
initiated. Like free standing wagering game machines, in a handheld
or mobile form, wagering game machine 900 may include any suitable
electronic device configured to play video casino games such as
blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, and video role
playing games having wagering content. Wagering game machine 900
may include a housing 912 having input devices such as a value
input device 918 and a player input device 924. For output,
wagering game machine 900 may include a primary display 914, a
secondary display 916, one or more speakers 917, one or more
player-accessible ports 919 (e.g., an audio output jack for
headphones, a video headset jack, etc.), and other I/O devices and
ports, which may or may not be player-accessible. Wagering game
machine 900 may include a secondary display 916 that is rotatable
relative to primary display 914. Optional secondary display 916 may
be fixed, movable, and/or detachable/attachable relative to primary
display 914. Either primary display 914 and/or secondary display
916 may be configured to display any portion or feature of a
non-wagering game, wagering game, secondary game, bonus game,
progressive wagering game, group game, shared-experience game or
event, game event, game outcome, scrolling information, text
messaging, emails, alerts or announcements, broadcast information,
subscription information, and wagering game machine status.
[0070] Player-accessible value input device 918 may include, for
example, a slot located on the front, side, or top of housing 912
configured to receive credit from a stored-value card (e.g., casino
card, smart card, debit card, credit card, etc.) inserted by a
player. The player-accessible value input device 918 may also
include a sensor (e.g., an RF sensor) configured to sense a signal
(e.g., an RF signal) output by a transmitter (e.g., an RF
transmitter) carried by a player. The player-accessible value input
device 918 may also, or alternatively, include a ticket reader or
barcode scanner for reading information stored on a credit ticket,
a card, or other tangible portable credit or funds storage device.
The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central
account, which may transfer money to wagering game machine 900.
[0071] Still other player-accessible value input devices 918 may
make use of touch keys 930 on the touch-screen display (e.g.,
primary display 914 and/or secondary display 916) or player input
devices 924. In an embodiment, upon entry of player identification
information and secondary authorization information (e.g., a
password, PIN number, stored value card number, predefined key
sequences, etc.), the player may be permitted to access a player's
account. As an optional security feature, wagering game machine 900
may be configured to permit a player to only access an account the
player has specifically set up for wagering game machine 900. Other
conventional security features may also be utilized to, for
example, prevent unauthorized access to a player's account, to
minimize an impact of any unauthorized access to a player's
account, or to prevent unauthorized access to any personal
information or funds temporarily stored on wagering game machine
900.
[0072] Player-accessible value input device 918 may itself include
or utilize a biometric player information reader which permits the
player to access available funds on a player's account, either
alone or in combination with another of the aforementioned
player-accessible value input devices 918. In an embodiment where
player-accessible value input device 918 includes a biometric
player information reader, transactions may be authorized by a
biometric reading from the biometric device, which may include
multiple biometric readings. Such transactions may include, for
example, an input of value to wagering game machine 900, a transfer
of value from a player account or source to an account associated
with wagering game machine 900, or the execution of another
transaction.
[0073] Alternatively, to enhance security, a transaction may be
optionally enabled only by a two-step process in which a secondary
source confirms the identity indicated by a primary source. For
example, player-accessible value input device 918 may include a
biometric player information reader that may use a confirmatory
entry from another biometric player information reader 952, or from
another source, such as a credit card, debit card, player ID card,
fob key, PIN number, password, hotel room key, etc. Thus, a
transaction may be enabled by, for example, a combination of the
personal identification input (e.g., biometric input) with a secret
PIN number, or a combination of a biometric input with a fob input,
or a combination of a fob input with a PIN number, or a combination
of a credit card input with a biometric input. Any two independent
sources of identity, one of which is secure or personal to the
player (e.g., biometric readings, PIN number, password, etc.) may
be utilized to provide enhanced security prior to the electronic
transfer of any funds. Value input device 918 may be provided
remotely from wagering game machine 900.
[0074] Player input device 924 may include multiple push buttons on
a button panel for operating wagering game machine 900. In
addition, or alternatively, player input device 924 may include a
touch screen mounted to a primary display 914 and/or secondary
display 916. The touch screen may be matched to a display screen
having one or more selectable touch keys 930 selectable by a user's
touching of the associated area of the screen using a finger or a
tool, such as a stylus pointer. A player enables a desired function
either by touching the touch screen at an appropriate touch key 930
or by pressing an appropriate push button on the button panel.
Touch keys 930 may be used to implement the same functions as push
buttons. Alternatively, push buttons 932 may provide inputs for
operating one part of the game, while touch keys 930 may allow for
input needed for another part of the game. The various components
of wagering game machine 900 may be connected directly to, or
contained within, housing 912 or may be located outside housing 912
and connected to housing 912 via a variety of wired (tethered) or
wireless connection methods. Thus, wagering game machine 900 may be
configured as a single unit or as multiple interconnected (e.g.,
wireless connections) parts, which may be arranged to suit a
player's preferences.
[0075] The operation of the basic wagering game on wagering game
machine 900 may be displayed to the player on primary display 914.
Primary display 914 may also display one or more bonus games
associated with the basic wagering game. Primary display 914 may
take the form of a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED,
or any other type of display suitable for use in wagering game
machine 900. The size of primary display 914 may vary from, for
example, about a 2-3'' display to a 15'' or 17'' display. In some
embodiments, primary display 914 is a 7''-10'' display. However,
primary display 914 is not limited to the above sizes. In an
embodiment, the size of the primary display may be increased.
Optionally, coatings or removable films or sheets may be applied to
the display to provide desired characteristics (e.g., anti-scratch,
anti-glare, bacterially-resistant and anti-microbial films, etc.).
In various embodiments, primary display 914 and/or secondary
display 916 may have a 16:9 aspect ratio or other aspect ratio
(e.g., 4:3). Primary display 914 and/or secondary display 916 may
also each have different resolutions, different color schemes, and
different aspect ratios.
[0076] As with free standing embodiments, a player begins play of
the basic wagering game on wagering game machine 900 by making a
wager (e.g., via value input device 918 or an assignment of credits
stored on the handheld gaming machine via touch screen keys 930,
player input device 924, or buttons 932) on wagering game machine
900. In various embodiments, a wagering game may include multiple
symbols arranged in an array and may include at least one pay line
928 that indicates one or more outcomes of the wagering game. Pay
line 928 may be realized as multiple pay lines. Pay line 928 may be
horizontal lines or may be arranged in a variety of ways, including
diagonal lines, vertical lines, or zigzag lines. Such outcomes may
be randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the
player. One or more randomly selected outcomes may be a start-bonus
outcome, which may include any variations of symbols or symbol
combinations triggering a bonus game.
[0077] In various embodiments, player-accessible value input device
918 of wagering game machine 900 may double as a player information
reader 952 that allows for identification of a player by reading a
card with information indicating the player's identity (e.g.,
reading a player's credit card, player ID card, smart card, etc.).
Player information reader 952 may alternatively or also include a
bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage
medium interface. In an embodiment, player information reader 952
may include a biometric sensing device.
[0078] In the above detailed description, reference may be made to
specific examples by way of drawings and illustrations. It is to be
understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative, and not restrictive, and that the phraseology or
terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and
not of limitation. These examples are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments
of the inventive subject matter, and serve to illustrate how the
inventive subject matter may be applied to various purposes or
embodiments. Other embodiments may be included within the inventive
subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other
changes may be made to the example embodiments described herein.
The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as
some embodiments may be combined with one or more other embodiments
to form new embodiments. Features or limitations of various
embodiments described herein do not limit the inventive subject
matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its
elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole,
but serve only to define these example embodiments. The above
detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments of the
invention.
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