U.S. patent application number 12/815953 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for wagering game with collapsible reel area.
This patent application is currently assigned to BALLY GAMING, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael DePalma.
Application Number | 20100248813 12/815953 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42784951 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100248813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DePalma; Michael |
September 30, 2010 |
WAGERING GAME WITH COLLAPSIBLE REEL AREA
Abstract
Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods
including a collapsible active reel display. During play of a game,
the reels may be reduced in height from spin to spin in order to
form different winning combinations. A multiplier may be modified
upon each reduction in height. Similar reductions in the active
reel display may result from columns or individual symbol cells
being removed from subsequent play.
Inventors: |
DePalma; Michael; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BALLY GAMING INC.
6601 S. BERMUDA ROAD
LAS VEGAS
NV
89119
US
|
Assignee: |
BALLY GAMING, INC.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
42784951 |
Appl. No.: |
12/815953 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12723270 |
Mar 12, 2010 |
|
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12815953 |
|
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61161368 |
Mar 18, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101;
G07F 17/3258 20130101; G07F 17/3211 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A wagering game comprising: an interface activatable by a
player; a primary game comprising one or more game plays, at least
one of the game plays occurring after activation of the interface
by the player; a set of indicia displayed according to a primary
game outcome; and a feature game comprising a set of collapsible
reels.
2. The game of claim 1 wherein the reels are collapsed by removing
at least one row of indicia displayed on the reels from win
evaluation during subsequent spins of the collapsible reels.
3. The game of claim 2 wherein the collapsible reels are presented
as collapsed by dimming the at least one row of indicia displayed
on the reels.
4. The game of claim 2 wherein the collapsible reels are presented
as collapsed by preventing the at least one row of indicia
displayed on the reels from subsequently spinning.
5. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game outcome is randomly
or pseudo-randomly determined.
6. The game of claim 1 further comprising a wager, wherein play of
the feature game is restricted by an amount of the wager.
7. The game of claim 1 further comprising a multiplier applied to
each winning outcome of the feature game, the multiplier modified
upon collapsing the collapsible reels.
8. A method of operating a game on a gaming machine comprising a
central processor and a memory and further comprising program logic
stored in the memory usable to play at least one game in exchange
for a wager, the method comprising the steps of: accepting a wager
from a player; initiating play of a first game according to the
wager; displaying a first game outcome; upon a triggering event,
initiating play of a feature game comprising a set of reels by way
of the processor executing the program logic; and removing at least
one row of indicia from play in response to a second triggering
event.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first game outcome is randomly
or pseudo-randomly determined.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein play of the second game is
restricted by an amount of the wager.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the row of indicia are removed
from play by eliminating that row from win evaluation at the end of
each subsequent spin of the reels.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the row of indicia are visually
removed from play by dimming illumination of the row.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the row of indicia are visually
removed from play by obscuring the player's view of the row.
14. The game of claim 11 wherein the row of indicia are visually
removed from play by preventing the spinning of the removed row in
subsequent spins.
15. The game of claim 8 further comprising a multiplier, the
multiplier modified upon occurrence of the second triggering event.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/723,270, filed on Mar. 12, 2010, which is a
non-provisional application of provisional patent application
61/161,368, filed on Mar. 18, 2009; both of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention is directed to wagering games, gaming
machines, networked gaming systems and methods and, more
particularly, to wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming
systems and methods having collapsible reels.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In the prior art, various types of gaming machines have been
developed with different features to captivate and maintain player
interest. In general, a gaming machine allows a player to play a
game in exchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of the game,
the player may be entitled to an award which is paid to the player
by the gaming machine, normally in the form of currency or game
credits. Gaming machines may include flashing displays, lighted
displays, or sound effects to capture a player's interest in a
gaming device.
[0007] Another important feature of maintaining player interest in
a gaming machine includes providing the player with many
opportunities to win awards, such as cash or prizes. For example,
in some slot machines, the display windows show more than one
adjacent symbol on each reel, thereby allowing for multiple-line
betting. Feature games of various types have been employed to
reward players above the amounts normally awarded on a standard
game pay schedule. Generally, such feature games are triggered by
predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certain
combinations of indicia in a primary game. In order to stimulate
interest, feature games are typically set to occur at a gaming
machine on a statistical cycle based upon the number of primary
game plays.
[0008] Some gaming machine games today include one or more
progressive prize awards. In some configurations, the progressive
prize may have a small probability of a player winning it; thus
making it possible to have a larger progressive prize. In other
game configurations, the progressive prize may be a small amount;
thus allowing the player patron to win the progressive prize more
frequently. In most typical game configurations, the player wins
the progressive prize as a result of a specific game outcome within
the primary or main game.
[0009] While gaming machines including feature games and
progressive prizes have been very successful, there remains a need
for games that provide a player with enhanced excitement and
increased opportunity of winning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a wagering game includes an interface activatable by a player and a
primary game comprising one or more game plays, at least one of the
game plays occurring after activation of the interface by the
player. A set of indicia is displayed according to a primary game
outcome. The game also includes a reel-based feature game. Certain
triggering combination(s), lack of combination(s), appearance of a
certain symbol, a certain number of spins, or other triggers may
cause the top row of symbols of the feature game reels to
"collapse." This makes the game eventually go from, for example,
5-reels wide, 4 symbols-tall to 5-reels wide, 3 symbols-tall, then
to 5-reels wide, 2-symbols tall, and then 5-reels wide, 1-symbol
tall. Each time a row collapses, the games associated with the new
layout may pay with an increased win multiplier; for example,
4-tall=1.times., 3-tall=2.times., 2-tall=5.times., and
1-tall=10.times.. Certain combination(s) or the appearance of a
certain symbol may delay the next reel collapse for a certain
number of additional spins, enhancing the win opportunities with
the current layout by awarding extra spins at that level. The
feature game ends when all rows have collapsed. The feature game
may be otherwise terminated, for example, by the appearance of a
terminating symbol, expiration of time or a certain number of
spins, etc. In other embodiments, instead of rows, the collapsing
area may comprise columns or individual symbol positions that are
removed from play.
[0011] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the
features of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a display image associated with an example game in
accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0013] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate various aspects of a collapsible
reels feature game in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates stacked wilds in accordance with one or
more embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gaming machine in
accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the physical and logical
components of the gaming machine of FIG. 4 in accordance with one
or more embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the logical components of a
gaming kernel in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram depicting the steps
associated with carrying out an example method in accordance with
one or more embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware
elements of a networked gaming system in accordance with one or
more embodiments.
[0020] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate various other aspects in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Various embodiments are directed to a game, gaming machine,
gaming networks and method for playing a game, wherein the game
includes adjustable multi-part indicia. The embodiments are
illustrated and described herein, by way of example only, and not
by way of limitation. Referring now to the drawings, and more
particularly to FIGS. 1-8, there are shown illustrative examples of
games, gaming machines, gaming networks and methods for playing a
game in accordance with various aspects of the invention.
[0022] An example game in accordance with one or more aspects of
the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3. Referring to FIG. 1, game 100
is implemented using five spinning reels 101-105. Each of 30 pay
line patterns (not shown) passes through one indicium on each of
the five reels. For example, the first pay line 160 extends
horizontally through the top row of each of the five reels 101-105.
The number of pay lines and their patterns are by way of example
only and may vary. The player selects the number of played pay
lines and the number of credits or coins wagered on each line using
touch screen controls or gaming device control buttons. Win PAID
meter 140 and CASH/CREDITS meter 150 provide the player with
information about the amount paid by the last game played and the
total number of credits available for play. BET meter 160 displays
the size of the currently selected wager. The player may collect
the balance of his credits by pressing a COLLECT button (not
shown).
[0023] The player initiates game play by pressing a SPIN/ENROLL
touch screen button 170. In some embodiments, the player may
simultaneously select all pay lines at the maximum number of coins
or credits allowed per line by pressing a MAX BET button (not
shown). Buttons (see FIG. 4, 460) on gaming machine 400 (FIG. 4) or
touch screen buttons similar to button 170 may be used to perform
the actions described here without deviating from the scope of the
invention. Reels 101-105 are made to spin and stop in predetermined
stop positions. A determination is then made whether the stop
positions of the reels resulted in a winning game outcome.
[0024] The player may view the pay table associated with the
primary game on the primary game display by way of a HELP/PAYS 180
or similar button. In alternate embodiments, the pay table may be
presented on a second video or printed display attached to the
gaming device (i.e. display 453 or "pay glass" 452, FIG. 4). A
winning combination, for example, could be three or more symbols
adjacent to one another on an active pay line. For each winning
combination, the game device awards the player the award in the pay
table, adjusted as necessary based on the number of credits wagered
on the pay line on which the win occurred. For example, three MAYAN
MOON symbols adjacent to one another from left-to-right on an
active pay line might pay 100 times the player's wager.
[0025] In some embodiments, various primary game outcomes may be
utilized to trigger the play of a feature game, including, but not
limited to, awarding feature play when certain symbols appear on a
pay line, when certain symbols are scattered, when no symbols of a
certain type appear, when a certain winning combination occurs or,
regardless of the visible symbols, at random or fixed intervals.
The availability of the feature game may be restricted based on the
size of the wager.
[0026] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a triggering
event in the primary game initiates a free-spin feature game as
illustrated by the various aspects of FIG. 2. For example, three
PYRAMID symbols scattered on the primary game reels may initiate
play. In the example of Mayan Moon, initiation of the feature game
may result in a set of sliding doors 205 closing over the primary
reels, then re-opening to reveal a set of feature game reels 210,
as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In one or more embodiments, the
feature game may require one or more additional wagers by the
player.
[0027] The feature game is played by spinning the set of feature
game reels 210. At the conclusion of each spin, the reels display a
set of indicia. Certain triggering symbol combination(s), lack of
combination(s), appearance of a certain symbol, a certain number of
spins, or other triggers cause the top row of symbols to
"collapse," as illustrated in FIG. 2C. In the example of Mayan
Moon, a stone wall 215 gradually descends upon each triggering
event, obscuring the next lower row of reel symbols. In one
embodiment, the set of reels remains visible, but is dimmed or
otherwise partially masked, and is not considered in the win
evaluation of subsequent spins. In one or more embodiments, the
reels are mechanical reels and a shutter or an LCD in front of the
reels is used to obscure rows that have been collapsed.
[0028] As play of the feature game progresses, the active and/or
visible reel display area eventually shrinks from, for example,
5-reels wide, 4 symbols-tall to 5-reels wide, 3 symbols-tall, then
to 5-reels wide, 2-symbols tall, and then 5-reels wide, 1-symbol
tall. Each time a row collapses or is obscured, the games
associated with the new display layout may pay with an increased
win multiplier; for example, 4-tall=1.times. multiplier,
3-tall=2.times. multiplier, 2-tall=5.times. multiplier, and
1-tall=10.times. multiplier. In some embodiments, the multiplier
may change independent of collapsing reel rows or does not change
at all. Certain combination(s) or the appearance of a certain
symbol, such as a RITUAL STAFF 320, may delay the next reel
collapse for a certain number of spins, enhancing the win
opportunities with the current layout by awarding extra spins at
that level. The feature game ends when all rows have collapsed, as
shown in FIG. 2D. In one or more embodiments, a feature terminating
event, such as a "feature over" symbol appearing anywhere on the
reels or reaching a maximum number of spins in the game may
terminate the feature game before all rows have collapsed.
[0029] While the example of reels collapsing in order from the top
to the bottom has been described, it is also possible for reels to
collapse from the bottom to the top, or to merely lose an
additional row with each collapse without the requirement that the
removal of the row happen in order.
[0030] In accordance with other embodiments, the active reel
display area may collapse by eliminating particular cells without
entire rows being eliminated. For example, each symbol position
include an individual reel which may be made inactive by a
collapsing trigger. In one embodiment, a particular symbol
appearing on such an individual reel removes it from play. The
feature game ends when all individual reels have been disabled.
[0031] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the feature game
of FIG. 2 may be one of a set of primary games randomly selected
for play following initiation of play by the player. For example,
multiple primary games are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No.
11/428,220, entitled "Multiple Primary Games Triggered by Random
Number Generator," filed on Jun. 30, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference, in which a gaming machine has at least
two distinct primary games. After receiving a wager, the gaming
machine determines which primary game to activate. The selected
primary game is activated and a game outcome is presented to the
player on a game display. A payout may be awarded according to the
game outcome. The availability of the game may be restricted based
on the size of the wager.
[0032] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the primary or
feature game may have additional features such as "stacked wilds
310," as shown in FIG. 3. In the example of Mayan Moon, the
appearance of a MAYAN MOON symbol anywhere on a reel causes all
displayed symbols on that reel to be wild, substituting for some or
all symbols for the purpose of completing winning combinations of
symbols.
[0033] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
progressive prizes may be awarded as part of primary or feature
game play. The progressive prizes may be calculated by a
progressive controller such as a controller manufactured by Mikohn,
Inc. The progressive controller monitors wagering during base game
play, calculates a current value for one or more progressive
jackpot pools and transmits the current pool values to the gaming
machine. In one or more embodiments, progressive awards are
accumulated during regular play as a percentage, such as three
percent, of the game play take. The prizes may be sized according
to the preferences of the casino operator. The number of prizes may
vary without deviating from the scope of the invention. The size of
the prizes is dependent on the amount of play prior to initiating
feature play and may come from the contributions of a single gaming
machine or a number of linked gaming machines. In another aspect,
the prizes may be set amounts established by the casino operator
from non-coin-in funds, such as marketing funds.
[0034] In one or more embodiments, the prizes for feature game play
may be accumulated based on funding mechanisms other than a
percentage of wagers accumulated by the gaming machine. For
example, an operator may initially fund various award pools with a
pre-determined amount of money, such as $1000 for one progressive,
$500 for a second progressive, $100 for a third progressive and so
on. Subsequently, the casino operator may determine to increase the
amounts of one or more of the awards at pre-determined times which
may be periodically or randomly selected with a range of times or
periods. Once a winner has occurred at any level, the award levels
may be rolled back to the initial funding level. In one or more
embodiments, only the winning award level is rolled back to the
initial funding level.
[0035] In one or more embodiments, the prizes for feature game play
may be set amounts, i.e. non-progressive. In one or more
embodiments, the algorithms to determine the amounts may be
determined by a statistical percentage based on an average take of
a gaming machine and the likelihood of the win over a period of
time. In the case where one or more gaming machines are networked,
a common award table may be utilized where the award algorithms are
determined based on an average take (total wagers) of all the
networked gaming machines and the likelihood of a win of an award
over a period of time. Each award may be calculated in a similar
manner based on the likelihood of a winning outcome being achieved
during a game play session.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, gaming machine 400 is shown, in
accordance with one or more embodiments, including cabinet housing
420, primary game display 440 upon which a primary game and feature
game may be displayed, top box 450 which may display multiple
progressives that may be won during play of the feature game,
player-activated buttons 460, player tracking panel 436,
bill/voucher acceptor 480 and one or more speakers 490. Cabinet
housing 420 may be a self-standing unit that is generally
rectangular in shape and may be manufactured with reinforced steel
or other rigid materials which are resistant to tampering and
vandalism. Cabinet housing 420 may alternatively be a handheld
device including the gaming functionality as discussed herein and
including various of the described components herein. For example,
a handheld device may be a cell phone, personal data assistant, or
laptop or tablet computer, each of which may include a display, a
processor, and memory sufficient to support either stand-alone
capability such as gaming machine 400 or thin client capability
such as that incorporating some of the capability of a remote
server.
[0037] In one or more embodiments, cabinet housing 420 houses a
processor, circuitry, and software (not shown) for receiving
signals from the player-activated buttons 460, operating the games,
and transmitting signals to the respective displays and speakers.
Any shaped cabinet may be implemented with any embodiment of gaming
machine 400 so long as it provides access to a player for playing a
game. For example, cabinet housing 420 may comprise a slant-top,
bar-top, or table-top style cabinet, including a Bally
Cinevision.TM. or CineReels.TM. cabinet. The operation of gaming
machine 400 is described more fully below.
[0038] The plurality of player-activated buttons 460 may be used
for various functions such as, but not limited to, selecting a
wager denomination, selecting a game to be played, selecting a
wager amount per game, initiating a game, or cashing out money from
gaming machine 400. Buttons 460 may be operable as input mechanisms
and may include mechanical buttons, electromechanical buttons or
touch screen buttons. Optionally, a handle 485 may be rotated by a
player to initiate a game.
[0039] In one or more embodiments, buttons 460 may be replaced with
various other input mechanisms known in the art such as, but not
limited to, a touch screen system, touch pad, track ball, mouse,
switches, toggle switches, or other input means used to accept
player input. For example, one input means is a universal button
module as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/106,212,
entitled "Universal Button Module," filed on Apr. 14, 2005, which
is hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, the universal
button module provides a dynamic button system adaptable for use
with various games and capable of adjusting to gaming systems
having frequent game changes. More particularly, the universal
button module may be used in connection with playing a game on a
gaming machine and may be used for such functions as selecting the
number of credits to bet per hand.
[0040] Cabinet housing 420 may optionally include top box 450 which
contains "top glass" 452 comprising advertising or payout
information related to the game or games available on gaming
machine 400. Player tracking panel 436 includes player tracking
card reader 434 and player tracking display 432. Voucher printer
430 may be integrated into player tracking panel 436 or installed
elsewhere in cabinet housing 420 or top box 450.
[0041] primary game display 440 may present a game of chance
wherein a player receives one or more outcomes from a set of
potential outcomes. For example, one such game of chance is a video
slot machine game. In other aspects of the invention, gaming
machine 400 may present a video or mechanical reel slot machine, a
video keno game, a lottery game, a bingo game, a Class II bingo
game, a roulette game, a craps game, a blackjack game, a mechanical
or video representation of a wheel game or the like.
[0042] Mechanical or video/mechanical embodiments may include game
displays such as mechanical reels, wheels, or dice as required to
present the game to the player. In video/mechanical or pure video
embodiments, primary game display 440 is, typically, a CRT or a
flat-panel display in the form of, but not limited to, liquid
crystal, plasma, electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, field
emission, or any other type of panel display known or developed in
the art. primary game display 440 may be mounted in either a
"portrait" or "landscape" orientation and be of standard or
"widescreen" dimensions (i.e., a ratio of one dimension to another
of at least 16.times.9). For example, a widescreen display may be
32 inches wide by 18 inches tall. A widescreen display in a
"portrait" orientation may be 32 inches tall by 18 inches wide.
Additionally, primary game display 440 preferably includes a touch
screen or touch glass system (not shown) and presents player
interfaces such as, but not limited to, credit meter (not shown),
win meter (not shown) and touch screen buttons (not shown). An
example of a touch glass system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,942,571, entitled "Gaming Device with Direction and Speed Control
of Mechanical Reels Using Touch Screen," which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0043] primary game display 440 may also present information such
as, but not limited to, player information, advertisements and
casino promotions, graphic displays, news and sports updates, or
even offer an alternate game. This information may be generated
through a host computer networked with gaming machine 400 on its
own initiative or it may be obtained by request of the player using
either one or more of the plurality of player-activated buttons
460; the game display itself, if primary game display 440 comprises
a touch screen or similar technology; buttons (not shown) mounted
about primary game display 440 which may permit selections such as
those found on an ATM machine, where legends on the screen are
associated with respective selecting buttons; or any player input
device that offers the required functionality.
[0044] Cabinet housing 420 incorporates a primary game display 440.
However, in alternate embodiments, cabinet housing 420 or top box
450 may house one or more additional displays 453 or components
used for various purposes including additional game play screens,
animated "top glass," progressive meters or mechanical or
electromechanical devices (not shown) such as, but not limited to,
wheels, pointers or reels. The additional displays may or may not
include a touch screen or touch glass system.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, electronic gaming machine 501 is shown
in accordance with one or more embodiments. Electronic gaming
machine 501 includes base game integrated circuit board 503 (EGM
Processor Board) connected through serial bus line 505 to game
monitoring unit (GMU) 507 (such as a Bally MC300 or ACSC NT), and
player interface integrated circuit board (PIB) 509 connected to
player interface devices 511 over bus lines 513, 515, 517, 519,
521, 523. Printer 525 is connected to PIB 509 and GMU 507 over bus
lines 527, 529. base game integrated circuit board 503, PIB 509,
and GMU 507 connect to Ethernet switch 531 over bus lines 533, 535,
537. Ethernet switch 531 connects to a slot management system (SMS)
and a casino management system (CMS) network over bus line 539. GMU
507 also may connect to the SMS and CMS network over bus line 541.
Speakers 543 connect through audio mixer 545 and bus lines 547, 549
to base game integrated circuit board 503 and PIB 509. The
proximity and biometric devices and circuitry may be installed by
upgrading a commercially available PIB 509, such as a Bally iView
unit. Coding executed on base game integrated circuit board 503,
PIB 509, and/or GMU 507 may be upgraded to integrate a game having
adjustable multi-part indicia as is more fully described
herein.
[0046] Peripherals 551 connect through i/o board 553 to base game
integrated circuit board 503. For example, a bill/ticket acceptor
is typically connected to a game input-output board 553 which is,
in turn, connected to a conventional central processing unit
("CPU") base game integrated circuit board 503, such as an Intel
Pentium microprocessor mounted on a gaming motherboard. I/O board
553 may be connected to base game integrated circuit board 503 by a
serial connection such as RS-232 or USB or may be attached to the
processor by a bus such as, but not limited to, an ISA bus. The
gaming motherboard may be mounted with other conventional
components, such as are found on conventional personal computer
motherboards, and loaded with a game program which may include a
gaming machine operating system (OS), such as a Bally Alpha OS.
base game integrated circuit board 503 executes a game program that
causes base game integrated circuit board 503 to play a game. In
one embodiment, the game program provides a slot machine game
having adjustable multi-part indicia. The various components and
included devices may be installed with conventionally and/or
commercially available components, devices, and circuitry into a
conventional and/or commercially available gaming machine cabinet,
examples of which are described above.
[0047] When a player has inserted a form of currency such as, for
example and without limitation, paper currency, coins or tokens,
cashless tickets or vouchers, electronic funds transfers or the
like into the currency acceptor, a signal is sent by way of I/O
board 553 to base game integrated circuit board 503 which, in turn,
assigns an appropriate number of credits for play in accordance
with the game program. The player may further control the operation
of the gaming machine by way of other peripherals 551, for example,
to select the amount to wager via electromechanical or touch screen
buttons. The game starts in response to the player operating a
start mechanism such as a handle or touch screen icon. The game
program includes a random number generator to provide a display of
randomly selected indicia on one or more displays. In some
embodiments, the random generator may be physically separate from
gaming machine 400; for example, it may be part of a central
determination host system which provides random game outcomes to
the game program. Thereafter, the player may or may not interact
with the game through electromechanical or touch screen buttons to
change the displayed indicia. Finally, base game integrated circuit
board 503 under control of the game program and OS compares the
final display of indicia to a pay table. The set of possible game
outcomes may include a subset of outcomes related to the triggering
of a feature game. In the event the displayed outcome is a member
of this subset, base game integrated circuit board 503, under
control of the game program and by way of I/O Board 553, may cause
feature game play to be presented on a feature display.
[0048] Predetermined payout amounts for certain outcomes, including
feature game outcomes, are stored as part of the game program. Such
payout amounts are, in response to instructions from base game
integrated circuit board 503, provided to the player in the form of
coins, credits or currency via I/O board 553 and a pay mechanism,
which may be one or more of a credit meter, a coin hopper, a
voucher printer, an electronic funds transfer protocol or any other
payout means known or developed in the art.
[0049] In various embodiments, the game program is stored in a
memory device (not shown) connected to or mounted on the gaming
motherboard. By way of example, but not by limitation, such memory
devices include external memory devices, hard drives, CD-ROMs,
DVDs, and flash memory cards. In an alternative embodiment, the
game programs are stored in a remote storage device. In one
embodiment, the remote storage device is housed in a remote server.
The gaming machine may access the remote storage device via a
network connection, including but not limited to, a local area
network connection, a TCP/IP connection, a wireless connection, or
any other means for operatively networking components together.
Optionally, other data including graphics, sound files and other
media data for use with the EGM are stored in the same or a
separate memory device (not shown). Some or all of the game program
and its associated data may be loaded from one memory device into
another, for example, from flash memory to random access memory
(RAM).
[0050] In one or more embodiments, peripherals may be connected to
the system over Ethernet connections directly to the appropriate
server or tied to the system controller inside the EGM using USB,
serial or Ethernet connections. Each of the respective devices may
have upgrades to their firmware utilizing these connections.
[0051] GMU 507 includes an integrated circuit board and GMU
processor and memory including coding for network communications,
such as the G2S (game-to-system) protocol from the Gaming Standards
Association, Las Vegas, Nev., used for system communications over
the network. As shown, GMU 507 may connect to card reader 555
through bus 557 and may thereby obtain player card information and
transmit the information over the network through bus 541. Gaming
activity information may be transferred by the base game integrated
circuit board 503 to GMU 507 where the information may be
translated into a network protocol, such as S2S, for transmission
to a server, such as a player tracking server, where information
about a player's playing activity may be stored in a designated
server database.
[0052] PIB 509 includes an integrated circuit board, PID processor,
and memory which includes an operating system, such as Windows CE,
a player interface program which may be executable by the PID
processor together with various input/output (I/O) drivers for
respective devices which connect to PIB 509, such as player
interface devices 511, and which may further include various games
or game components playable on PIB 509 or playable on a connected
network server and PIB 509 is operable as the player interface. PIB
509 connects to card reader 555 through bus 523, display 559
through video decoder 561 and bus 521, such as an LVDS or VGA
bus.
[0053] As part of its programming, the PID processor executes
coding to drive display 559 and provide messages and information to
a player. Touch screen circuitry interactively connects display 559
and video decoder 561 to PIB 509, such that a player may input
information and cause the information to be transmitted to PIB 509
either on the player's initiative or responsive to a query by PIB
509. Additionally soft keys 565 connect through bus 517 to PIB 509
and operate together with display 559 to provide information or
queries to a player and receive responses or queries from the
player. PIB 509, in turn, communicates over the CMS/SMS network
through Ethernet switch 531 and busses 535, 539 and with respective
servers, such as a player tracking server.
[0054] Player interface devices 511 are linked into the virtual
private network of the system components in gaming machine 501. The
system components include the iVIEW processing board and game
monitoring unit (GMU) processing board. These system components may
connect over a network to the slot management system (such as a
commercially available Bally SDS/SMS) and/or casino management
system (such as a commercially available Bally CMP/CMS).
[0055] The GMU system component has a connection to the base game
through a serial SAS connection and is connected to various servers
using, for example, HTTPs over Ethernet. Through this connection,
firmware, media, operating system software, gaming machine
configurations can be downloaded to the system components from the
servers. This data is authenticated prior to install on the system
components.
[0056] The system components include the iVIEW processing board and
game monitoring unit (GMU) processing board. The GMU and iVIEW can
combined into one like the commercially available Bally GTM iVIEW
device. This device may have a video mixing technology to mix the
EGM processor's video signals with the iVIEW display onto the top
box monitor or any monitor on the gaming device.
[0057] In accordance with one or more embodiments, FIG. 6 is a
functional block diagram of a gaming kernel 600 of a game program
under control of base game integrated circuit board 503. The game
program uses gaming kernel 600 by calling into application
programming interface (API) 602, which is part of game manager 603.
The components of game kernel 600 as shown in FIG. 6 are only
illustrative, and should not be considered limiting. For example,
the number of managers may be changed, additional managers may be
added or some managers may be removed without deviating from the
scope and spirit of the invention.
[0058] As shown in the example, there are three layers: a hardware
layer 605; an operating system layer 610, such as, but not limited
to, Linux; and a game kernel layer 600 having game manager 603
therein. In one or more embodiments, the use of a standard
operating system 610, such a UNIX-based or Windows-based operating
system, allows game developers interfacing to the gaming kernel to
use any of a number of standard development tools and environments
available for the operating systems. This is in contrast to the use
of proprietary, low level interfaces which may require significant
time and engineering investments for each game upgrade, hardware
upgrade, or feature upgrade. The game kernel layer 600 executes at
the user level of the operating system 610, and itself contains a
major component called the I/O Board Server 615. To properly set
the bounds of game application software (making integrity checking
easier), all game applications interact with gaming kernel 600
using a single API 602 in game manager 603. This enables game
applications to make use of a well-defined, consistent interface,
as well as making access points to gaming kernel 600 controlled,
where overall access is controlled using separate processes.
[0059] For example, game manager 603 parses an incoming command
stream and, when a command dealing with I/O comes in (arrow 604),
the command is sent to an applicable library routine 612. Library
routine 612 decides what it needs from a device, and sends commands
to I/O Board Server 615 (see arrow 608). A few specific drivers
remain in operating system 610's kernel, shown as those below line
606. These are built-in, primitive, or privileged drivers that are
(i) general (ii) kept to a minimum and (iii) are easier to leave
than extract. In such cases, the low-level communications is
handled within operating system 610 and the contents passed to
library routines 612.
[0060] Thus, in a few cases library routines may interact with
drivers inside operating system 610, which is why arrow 608 is
shown as having three directions (between library utilities 612 and
I/O Board Server 615, or between library utilities 612 and certain
drivers in operating system 610). No matter which path is taken,
the logic needed to work with each device is coded into modules in
the user layer of the diagram. Operating system 610 is kept as
simple, stripped down, and common across as many hardware platforms
as possible. The library utilities and user-level drivers change as
dictated by the game cabinet or game machine in which it will run.
Thus, each game cabinet or game machine may have an base game
integrated circuit board 503 connected to a unique, relatively
dumb, and as inexpensive as possible I/O adapter board 540, plus a
gaming kernel 600 which will have the game-machine-unique library
routines and I/O Board Server 615 components needed to enable game
applications to interact with the gaming machine cabinet. Note that
these differences are invisible to the game application software
with the exception of certain functional differences (i.e., if a
gaming cabinet has stereo sound, the game application will be able
make use of API 602 to use the capability over that of a cabinet
having traditional monaural sound).
[0061] Game manager 603 provides an interface into game kernel 600,
providing consistent, predictable, and backwards compatible calling
methods, syntax, and capabilities by way of game application API
602. This enables the game developer to be free of dealing directly
with the hardware, including the freedom to not have to deal with
low-level drivers as well as the freedom to not have to program
lower level managers 630, although lower level managers 630 may be
accessible through game manager 603's interface 602 if a programmer
has the need. In addition to the freedom derived from not having to
deal with the hardware level drivers and the freedom of having
consistent, callable, object-oriented interfaces to software
managers of those components (drivers), game manager 603 provides
access to a set of upper level managers 620 also having the
advantages of consistent callable, object-oriented interfaces, and
further providing the types and kinds of base functionality
required in casino-type games. Game manager 603, providing all the
advantages of its consistent and richly functional interface 602 as
supported by the rest of game kernel 600, thus provides a game
developer with a multitude of advantages.
[0062] Game manager 603 may have several objects within itself,
including an initialization object (not shown). The initialization
object performs the initialization of the entire game machine,
including other objects, after game manager 603 has started its
internal objects and servers in appropriate order. In order to
carry out this function, the kernel's configuration manager 621 is
among the first objects to be started; configuration manager 621
has data needed to initialize and correctly configure other objects
or servers.
[0063] The upper level managers 620 of game kernel 600 may include
game event log manager 622 which provides, at the least, a logging
or logger base class, enabling other logging objects to be derived
from this base object. The logger object is a generic logger; that
is, it is not aware of the contents of logged messages and events.
The log manager's (622) job is to log events in non-volatile event
log space. The size of the space may be fixed, although the size of
the logged event is typically not. When the event space or log
space fills up, one embodiment will delete the oldest logged event
(each logged event will have a time/date stamp, as well as other
needed information such as length), providing space to record the
new event. In this embodiment, the most recent events will thus be
found in the log space, regardless of their relative importance.
Further provided is the capability to read the stored logs for
event review.
[0064] In accordance with one embodiment, meter manager 623 manages
the various meters embodied in the game kernel 600. This includes
the accounting information for the game machine and game play.
There are hard meters (counters) and soft meters; the soft meters
may be stored in non-volatile storage such as non-volatile
battery-backed RAM to prevent loss. Further, a backup copy of the
soft meters may be stored in a separate non-volatile storage such
as EEPROM. In one embodiment, meter manager 623 receives its
initialization data for the meters, during startup, from
configuration manager 621. While running, the cash in (624) and
cash out (625) managers call the meter manager's (623) update
functions to update the meters. Meter manager 623 will, on
occasion, create backup copies of the soft meters by storing the
soft meters' readings in EEPROM. This is accomplished by calling
and using EEPROM manager 631.
[0065] In accordance with still other embodiments, progressive
manager 626 manages progressive games playable from the game
machine. Event manager 627 is generic, like log manager 622, and is
used to manage various gaming machine events. Focus manager 628
correlates which process has control of various focus items. Tilt
manager 632 is an object that receives a list of errors (if any)
from configuration manager 621 at initialization, and during game
play from processes, managers, drivers, etc. that may generate
errors. Random number generator manager 629 is provided to allow
easy programming access to a random number generator (RNG), as a
RNG is required in virtually all casino-style (gambling) games. RNG
manager 629 includes the capability of using multiple seeds.
[0066] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a credit manager
object (not shown) manages the current state of credits (cash value
or cash equivalent) in the game machine, including any available
winnings, and further provides denomination conversion services.
Cash out manager 625 has the responsibility of configuring and
managing monetary output devices. During initialization, cash out
manager 625, using data from configuration manager 621, sets the
cash out devices correctly and selects any selectable cash out
denominations. During play, a game application may post a cash out
event through the event manager 627 (the same way all events are
handled), and using a callback posted by cash out manager 625, cash
out manager 625 is informed of the event. Cash out manager 625
updates the credit object, updates its state in non-volatile
memory, and sends an appropriate control message to the device
manager that corresponds to the dispensing device. As the device
dispenses dispensable media, there will typically be event messages
being sent back and forth between the device and cash out manager
625 until the dispensing finishes, after which cash out manager
625, having updated the credit manager and any other game state
(such as some associated with meter manager 623) that needs to be
updated for this set of actions, sends a cash out completion event
to event manager 627 and to the game application thereby. Cash in
manager 624 functions similarly to cash out manager 625, only
controlling, interfacing with, and taking care of actions
associated with cashing in events, cash in devices, and associated
meters and crediting.
[0067] In a further example, in accordance with one or more
embodiments, I/O server 615 may write data to the gaming machine
EEPROM memory, which is located in the gaming machine cabinet and
holds meter storage that must be kept even in the event of power
failure. Game manager 603 calls the I/O library functions to write
data to the EEPROM. The I/O server 615 receives the request and
starts a low priority EEPROM thread 616 within I/O server 615 to
write the data. This thread uses a sequence of 8 bit command and
data writes to the EEPROM device to write the appropriate data in
the proper location within the device. Any errors detected will be
sent as IPC messages to game manager 603. All of this processing is
asynchronous.
[0068] In accordance with one embodiment, button module 617 within
I/O server 615, polls (or is sent) the state of buttons every 2 ms.
These inputs are debounced by keeping a history of input samples.
Certain sequences of samples are required to detect a button was
pressed, in which case the I/O server 615 sends an inter-process
communication event to game manager 603 that a button was pressed
or released. In some embodiments, the gaming machine may have
intelligent distributed I/O which debounces the buttons, in which
case button module 617 may be able to communicate with the remote
intelligent button processor to get the button events and simply
relay them to game manager 603 via IPC messages. In still another
embodiment, the I/O library may be used for pay out requests from
the game application. For example, hopper module 618 must start the
hopper motor, constantly monitor the coin sensing lines of the
hopper, debounce them, and send an IPC message to the game manager
603 when each coin is paid.
[0069] Further details, including disclosure of lower level fault
handling and/or processing, are included in U.S. Pat. No. 7,351,151
entitled "Gaming Board Set and Gaming Kernel for Game Cabinets" and
provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/313,743, entitled
"Form Fitting Upgrade Board Set For Existing Game Cabinets," filed
Aug. 20, 2001; said patent and provisional are both fully
incorporated herein by explicit reference.
[0070] A logical flow diagram generally depicting the steps
associated with a method 700 for carrying out a game having
collapsible reels, in accordance with one aspect of the invention,
is presented in FIG. 7. The order of actions as shown in FIG. 7 is
only illustrative, and should not be considered limiting. For
example, the order of the actions may be changed, additional steps
may be added or some steps may be removed without deviating from
the scope and spirit of the invention.
[0071] First at block 710, a primary game play is played by a
player as described above. In one embodiment, the player places a
wager and starts the game, whereby each reel then displays a
representation of a slot machine reel spin before stopping with
particular indicia displayed to the player. A win occurs if a
series of indicia (BAR, BAR, BAR, for example) appears on one or
more pay lines or scattered, as described above, and the player may
be paid for any winning symbol combinations at block 720. At block
730, it is determined whether a feature game has been triggered. If
not, primary game play continued at Box 710.
[0072] In the case where a feature game has been triggered as the
result of a triggering event, the feature reels are displayed and
spun. As with the primary game, any winning combinations of symbols
on the feature reels results in a corresponding win amount to be
added to a feature game award at box 750.
[0073] At box 760, it is further determined whether a reel collapse
triggering event has occurred. As described above, this may include
the display of one or more symbols, the lack of particular symbols,
or be the result of a condition other than the display indicia. For
example, each level may be limited to a certain number of spins, at
which time a reel collapse is automatically triggered.
[0074] If a reel collapse triggering event has occurred, one row of
reels is "collapsed" or otherwise removed from play at box 765.
[0075] At box 770, it is determined whether the feature game is
over, either as the result of all rows having been removed from
play or from some other condition, such as, but not limited to,
display of a feature termination symbol, a certain number of spins
having been exceeded, or a certain time elapsed. If the feature
game has not been completed, the feature game continues at box 740.
If the feature game is over, the total feature award is paid to the
player at box 780 and the game continues at box 710 with the start
of a new primary game.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 8, enterprise gaming system 801 is shown
in accordance with one or more embodiments. Enterprise gaming
system 801 may include one casino or multiple locations and
generally includes a network of gaming machines 803, floor
management system (SMS) 805, and casino management system (CMS)
807. SMS 805 may include load balancer 811, network services
servers 813, player interface (iVIEW) content servers 815,
certificate services server 817, floor radio dispatch
receiver/transmitters (RDC) 819, floor transaction servers 821 and
game engines 823, each of which may connect over network bus 825 to
gaming machines 803. CMS 807 may include location tracking server
831, WRG RTCEM server 833, data warehouse server 835, player
tracking server 837, biometric server 839, analysis services server
841, third party interface server 843, slot accounting server 845,
floor accounting server 847, progressives server 849, promo control
server 851, bonus game (such as Bally Live Rewards) server 853,
download control server 855, player history database 857,
configuration management server 859, browser manager 861,
tournament engine server 863 connecting through bus 865 to server
host 867 and gaming machines 803. The various servers and gaming
machines 803 may connect to the network with various conventional
network connections (such as, for example, USB, serial, parallel,
RS485, Ethernet). Additional servers which may be incorporated with
CMS 807 include a responsible gaming limit server (not shown),
advertisement server (not shown), and a control station server (not
shown) where an operator or authorized personnel may select options
and input new programming to adjust each of the respective servers
and gaming machines 803. SMS 805 may also have additional servers
including a control station (not shown) through which authorized
personnel may select options, modify programming, and obtain
reports of the connected servers and devices, and obtain reports.
The various CMS and SMS servers are descriptively entitled to
reflect the functional executable programming stored thereon and
the nature of databases maintained and utilized in performing their
respective functions.
[0077] Gaming machines 803 include various peripheral components
that may be connected with USB, serial, parallel, RS-485 or
Ethernet devices/architectures to the system components within the
respective gaming machine. The GMU has a connection to the base
game through a serial SAS connection. The system components in the
gaming cabinet may be connected to the servers using HTTPs or G2S
over Ethernet. Using CMS 807 and/or SMS 305 servers and devices,
firmware, media, operating systems, and configurations may be
downloaded to the system components of respective gaming machines
for upgrading or managing floor content and offerings in accordance
with operator selections or automatically depending upon CMS 807
and SMS 805 master programming. The data and programming updates to
gaming machines 803 are authenticated using conventional techniques
prior to install on the system components.
[0078] In various embodiments, any of the gaming machines 803 may
be a mechanical reel spinning slot machine, video slot machine,
video poker machine, keno machine, video blackjack machine, or a
gaming machine offering one or more of the above described games
including a group play game. Alternately, gaming machines 803 may
provide a game with collapsing reels as one of a set of multiple
primary games selected for play by a random number generator, as
described above. A gaming system of the type described above also
allows a plurality of games in accordance with the various
embodiments of the invention to be linked under the control of a
group game server (not shown) for cooperative or competitive play
in a particular area, carousel, casino or between casinos located
in geographically separate areas. For example, one or more examples
of group games under control of a group game server are disclosed
in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/938,079, entitled "Networked System
and Method for Group Play Gaming," filed on Nov. 9, 2007, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
[0079] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claimed invention. For example, it may further be appreciated that
a game in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention may
be associated with a table game such a poker or blackjack. For
example, a player may receive a chance to win one or more game
plays on a gaming machine located adjacent the table, the
opportunity based on cards or hands received during play of the
table game. The game plays would provide multiple opportunities to
win an award according to results achieved by spinning a set of
collapsible reels as described above.
[0080] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various
modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth
in the following claims.
* * * * *