U.S. patent application number 12/793819 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for gaming system and a method of gaming.
Invention is credited to Christer Hutchinson-Kay.
Application Number | 20100311491 12/793819 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43301129 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100311491 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hutchinson-Kay; Christer |
December 9, 2010 |
Gaming System and A Method of Gaming
Abstract
A gaming system is disclosed which is arranged to identify a
player and to display a player game menu specific to the player
when the player is identified at a gaming device. The gaming system
comprises a game selector arranged to facilitate selection by a
player of a game from a plurality of available games using the
player game menu, and a game implementer arranged to implement the
game selected by the player. A corresponding method is also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Hutchinson-Kay; Christer;
(Taby, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET, SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
43301129 |
Appl. No.: |
12/793819 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 ; 463/42;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/323 20130101;
G07F 17/3206 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 ; 463/42;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2009 |
AU |
2009902592 |
Claims
1. A gaming system arranged to identify a player and to display a
player game menu specific to the player when the player is
identified at a gaming device, the gaming system comprising: a game
selector arranged to facilitate selection by a player of a game
from a plurality of available games using the player game menu; and
a game implementer arranged to implement the game selected by the
player.
2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a game menu
controller, the game menu controller being arranged to enable a
person to select at least one game for inclusion in a player game
menu from a plurality of games.
3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the game menu
controller is arranged to enable a person to select at least one
game for inclusion in a player game menu from a plurality of games
from a remote location.
4. A gaming system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the game menu
controller is arranged to enable a person to select at least one
game for inclusion in a player game menu from a plurality of games
through the Internet.
5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the game menu
controller is arranged to store player specific game menus for a
plurality of players.
6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the game menu
controller is arranged to enable a person to select characteristics
for at least one game included in the player specific game
menu.
7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
characteristics comprise game denominations and available win
lines.
8. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming system
is arranged to enable data indicative of one or more games
identified in a player game menu to be downloaded to a gaming
device from a remote game repository.
9. A gaming system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the game menu
controller comprises the game repository and a game server arranged
to facilitate downloading of games to a gaming device.
10. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a player
identification device arranged to facilitate identification of a
player at a gaming device.
11. A gaming system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the player
identification device is located at the gaming device.
12. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming
system is arranged to download a player game menu to the gaming
device when the player associated with the player game menu is
identified at the gaming device.
13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming
system is arranged to download the or each game in the player game
menu to the gaming device when the player is identified at the
gaming device.
14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming
system is arranged to enable a player to nominate at least one
gaming machine or to nominate at least one gaming venue at which
the player desires to play one or more games identified in the
player game menu associated with the player.
15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gaming
system is arranged to download a player game menu to the player
nominated gaming device or the player nominated gaming venue in
response to creation of a game menu.
16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the gaming
system is arranged to download data indicative of the or each game
identified in the player game menu to the player nominated gaming
device or the player nominated gaming venue in response to creation
of the player game menu.
17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the gaming
system is arranged to send a communication to a player when the
data indicative of the or each game identified in the player
specific game menu has been downloaded to the player nominated
gaming device or to the player nominated gaming venue.
18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming
system comprises at least one gaming device in the form of a gaming
machine.
19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a gaming
terminal and a gaming server in networked communication with the
gaming terminal.
20. A method of gaming comprising: identifying a player; displaying
a player game menu specific to the player when the player is
identified at a gaming device; facilitating selection by a player
of a game from a plurality of available games using the player game
menu; and implementing the game selected by the player.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising enabling a person
to select at least one game for inclusion in a player game menu
from a plurality of games.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21, comprising enabling a person
to select at least one game for inclusion in a player game menu
from a plurality of games from a remote location.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, comprising enabling a person
to select at least one game for inclusion in a player game menu
from a plurality of games through the Internet.
24. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising storing player
specific game menus for a plurality of players.
25. A method as claimed in claim 21, comprising enabling a person
to select characteristics for at least one game included in the
player specific game menu.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the characteristics
comprise game denominations and available win lines.
27. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising enabling data
indicative of one or more games identified in a player game menu to
be downloaded to a gaming device from a remote game repository.
28. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising identifying a
player at a gaming device.
29. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising downloading a
player game menu to the gaming device when the player associated
with the player game menu is identified at the gaming device.
30. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising downloading the or
each game in the player game menu to the gaming device when the
player is identified at the gaming device.
31. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising enabling a player
to nominate at least one gaming machine or to nominate at least one
gaming venue at which the player desires to play one or more games
identified in the player game menu associated with the player.
32. A method as claimed in claim 31, comprising downloading a
player game menu to the player nominated gaming device or the
player nominated gaming venue in response to creation of a game
menu.
33. A method as claimed in claim 32, comprising downloading data
indicative of the or each game identified in the player game menu
to the player nominated gaming device or the player nominated
gaming venue in response to creation of the player game menu.
34. A method as claimed in claim 33, comprising sending a
communication to a player when the data indicative of the or each
game identified in the player specific game menu has been
downloaded to the player nominated gaming device or to the player
nominated gaming venue.
35. A gaming device comprising: a player identification device
arranged to identify a player; a display arranged to retrieve and
display a player game menu specific to the player when the player
is identified at the gaming device; a game selector arranged to
facilitate selection by a player of a game from a plurality of
available games using the player game menu; and a game implementer
arranged to implement the game selected by the player.
36. A game menu controller comprising: a player interface usable to
facilitate selection by a player of at least one game for inclusion
in a player game menu from a plurality of games; the game menu
controller being arranged to produce a player menu identifying the
at least one selected game, and to communicate the game menu
associated with a player to a gaming device in response to
identification of the player at the gaming device.
37. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
computer program arranged when loaded into a computer to instruct
the computer to operate in accordance with said gaming system.
38. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
computer readable medium having computer readable program code
embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordance
with said gaming system.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Australian Patent
Application No. AU2009902592, filed Jun. 5, 2009, which is also
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable]
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0003] [Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a
method of gaming.
[0005] It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a
game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a
predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such
as a game win based on the displayed symbols. In some arrangements,
a win outcome is defined on the basis of occurrence of symbols
along defined win lines which may be preselected or selected by a
player prior to display of symbols by the gaming system.
[0006] Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a stepper
machine provided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols
of the set, or a video machine wherein selected symbols are
displayed on virtual reels on a graphical display device.
[0007] In some gaming arrangements, multiple games are available at
a gaming device for selection and play by a player.
[0008] However, while such gaming systems provide users with
enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to
maintain or increase player enjoyment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gaming system arranged to identify a player and
to display a player game menu specific to the player when the
player is identified at a gaming device, the gaming system
comprising: [0010] a game selector arranged to facilitate selection
by a player of a game from a plurality of available games using the
player game menu; and [0011] a game implementer arranged to
implement the game selected by the player.
[0012] In one embodiment, the gaming system comprises a game menu
controller, the game menu controller being arranged to enable a
person to select at least one game for inclusion in a player game
menu from a plurality of games.
[0013] The game menu controller may be arranged to enable a person
to select at least one game for inclusion in a player game menu
from a plurality of games from a remote location.
[0014] The game menu controller may be arranged to enable a person
to select at least one game for inclusion in a player game menu
from a plurality of games through the Internet.
[0015] The game menu controller may be arranged to store player
specific game menus for a plurality of players.
[0016] The game menu controller may be arranged to enable a person
to select characteristics for at least one game included in the
player specific game menu.
[0017] In one embodiment, the characteristics comprise game
denominations and available win lines.
[0018] In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to enable
data indicative of one or more games identified in a player game
menu to be downloaded to a gaming device from a remote game
repository. The game menu controller may comprise the game
repository and a game server arranged to facilitate downloading of
games to a gaming device.
[0019] In one embodiment, the gaming system comprises a player
identification device arranged to facilitate identification of a
player at a gaming device.
[0020] In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to download
a player game menu to the gaming device when the player associated
with the player game menu is identified at the gaming device.
[0021] In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to download
the or each game in the player game menu to the gaming device when
the player is identified at the gaming device.
[0022] In one arrangement, the gaming system is arranged to enable
a player to nominate at least one gaming machine or to nominate at
least one gaming venue at which the player desires to play one or
more games identified in the player game menu associated with the
player.
[0023] The gaming system may be arranged to download a player game
menu to the player nominated gaming device or the player nominated
gaming venue in response to creation of a game menu.
[0024] The gaming system may be arranged to download data
indicative of the or each game identified in the player game menu
to the player nominated gaming device or the player nominated
gaming venue in response to creation of the player game menu.
[0025] In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to send a
communication to a player when the data indicative of the or each
game identified in the player specific game menu has been
downloaded to the player nominated gaming device or to the player
nominated gaming venue.
[0026] In one arrangement, the gaming system comprises at least one
gaming device in the form of a gaming machine.
[0027] The gaming system may comprise a gaming terminal and a
gaming server in networked communication with the gaming
terminal.
[0028] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of gaming comprising: [0029] identifying
a player; [0030] displaying a player game menu specific to the
player when the player is identified at a gaming device; [0031]
facilitating selection by a player of a game from a plurality of
available games using the player game menu; and [0032] implementing
the game selected by the player.
[0033] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gaming device comprising: [0034] a player
identification device arranged to identify a player; [0035] a
display arranged to retrieve and display a player game menu
specific to the player when the player is identified at the gaming
device; [0036] a game selector arranged to facilitate selection by
a player of a game from a plurality of available games using the
player game menu; and [0037] a game implementer arranged to
implement the game selected by the player.
[0038] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided game menu controller comprising: [0039] a player
interface usable to facilitate selection by a player of at least
one game for inclusion in a player game menu from a plurality of
games; [0040] the game menu controller being arranged to produce a
player menu identifying the at least one selected game, and to
communicate the game menu associated with a player to a gaming
device in response to identification of the player at the gaming
device.
[0041] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a computer program arranged when loaded into a
computer to instruct the computer to operate in accordance with a
gaming system according to the first aspect of the present
invention.
[0042] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a computer readable medium having computer
readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer to
operate in accordance with a gaming system according to the first
aspect of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of core components of a gaming
device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of functional components
of a gaming device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming device
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the
gaming device implemented in the form of a stand alone gaming
machine;
[0048] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of operative components
of the gaming device shown in FIG. 4;
[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of components of a
memory of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 4;
[0050] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of gaming in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
[0051] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in
accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention
with the gaming system implemented over a network; and
[0052] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of gaming in
accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] The present gaming system operates such that a player is
able to create a customized game menu of games which have been
selected by the player, and to use the game menu at a gaming device
to select a game for implementation by the gaming device. In this
way, the player is provided with more control as to the range of
games which are available for play at a gaming device, and player
enjoyment and satisfaction is thereby increased.
[0054] Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a gaming
system 10 comprising a game menu controller 12 arranged to enable a
person to define a customised game menu specific to the person by
selecting from a plurality of available games, in this example
using a computing device 14, and to subsequently play one or more
of the games associated with the game menu at a gaming venue
16.
[0055] In this example, the game menu controller 12 is accessible
through a communications network, such as the Internet 20, although
it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For
example, a person may interact directly with the game menu
controller 12 using a computing device 14 or any other suitable
interactive terminal disposed locally relative to the game menu
controller 12.
[0056] The game menu controller 12 in this embodiment comprises a
web server 22 arranged to serve web pages to and facilitate
communication with a computing device 14 for the purpose of
enabling a person to create a customised game menu. By connecting
the computing device 14 to the web server 22, a person is able to
create a customised game menu, which for example identifies the
person's favourite games. The created game menu in this example is
stored in a game menu database 24 as a game menu record 26.
[0057] In the present embodiment, components of the game menu
controller 12 are interconnected through a communications network,
in this example a LAN 28.
[0058] Selection by a person of games to include in the game menu
may be carried out by displaying on a computing device 14
information indicative of all games available for inclusion in the
game menu, and facilitating selection of games, for example using a
mouse.
[0059] In this example, the computing device 14 is a personal
computer. However, it will be understood that any computing device
capable of communicating with the game menu controller 12 and
enabling a player to select games for inclusion in the player game
menu is envisaged.
[0060] The game menu controller 12 also includes a control unit 30
arranged to extract the game menu record 26 associated with a
prospective player from the game menu database 24 and send the game
menu record 26 to a gaming device desired to be played by the
player, and a game download server 32 arranged to control and
coordinate distribution of games 34 from a game repository 36 to
gaming devices in accordance with the game menus and the gaming
devices desired to be played by players.
[0061] In this embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices 40 are
provided at a gaming venue 16, the gaming devices 40 being in
communication with the game menu controller 12 through a local
communications network such as a LAN 41 and the Internet.
[0062] A schematic block diagram of a gaming device 40 which may be
used with the present gaming system 10 is shown in FIG. 2.
[0063] In the present example, the gaming device, either alone or
in association with a remote server, is arranged to implement a
probabilistic game of the type wherein several symbols from a set
of symbols are randomly displayed, and a game outcome is determined
on the basis of the displayed symbols.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of core components
of a gaming device 40 in accordance with the present embodiment is
shown. The core components comprise a player interface 42 and a
game controller 44. The player interface 42 is arranged to enable
interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this
purpose includes input/output components required for the player to
enter instructions and play the game.
[0065] Components of the player interface 42 may vary but will
typically include a credit mechanism 46 to enable a player to input
credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 48 which may
comprise a touch screen, and a game play mechanism 50 arranged to
enable a player to input game play instructions.
[0066] The game controller 44 is in data communication with the
player interface 42 and typically includes a processor 51 arranged
to process game play instructions and output game player outcomes
to the display 48, which may be in the form of a touch screen.
Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in
a memory 52 that can also be hardwired. It will be understood that
in this specification the term "processor" is used to refer
generically to any device that can process game play instructions
and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable
logic device or other computational device such as a personal
computer or a server.
[0067] A functional diagram illustrating operative components of
the gaming device 40 is shown in FIG. 3.
[0068] The memory 52 is arranged to store game data 53 indicative
of a plurality of games which are implementable by the gaming
device, and game menu data 57 indicative of one or more game menus
associated with prospective players of the gaming device 40.
[0069] The game controller 44 includes a game implementer 54 which
is arranged to implement a game after selection by a player from
the game menu associated with the player. In this example, the game
is implemented using a random number generator 55.
[0070] It will be appreciated that the random number generator 55
may be of a type which is arranged to generate pseudo random
numbers based on a seed number, and that in this specification the
term "random" will be understood accordingly to mean truly random
or pseudo random.
[0071] The game controller 44 communicates with a network interface
56 arranged under control of the processor 51 to receive a game
menu associated with a prospective player, either in response to
identification of the player at the gaming device, or automatically
after the game menu has been created by the player. In this
example, the received game menu 58 is stored in the memory 52.
[0072] The gaming system 40 also includes a player identification
device 58 arranged to identify a player and provide the game
controller with a player identifier usable to determine the
appropriate game menu to display to the player. The player
identification device 58 may be implemented using a player
marketing module, such as a Sentinel III device produced by
Aristocrat Technologies Pty Ltd.
[0073] The game controller 44 also includes a game selector 59
which in association with a touch screen display 48 and/or a game
play mechanism 50 enables a prospective player to select a game to
be implemented by the gaming device 40 from a game menu associated
with the player.
[0074] The game controller 44 also comprises an outcome evaluator
70 which determines game outcomes based on the game data 54 and the
random number generator 56.
[0075] In the embodiments described below, the game implementer 55,
the game selector 59, and the outcome evaluator 70 are at least
partly implemented using the processor 51 and associated software,
although it will be understood that other implementations are
envisaged.
[0076] The gaming device 40 can take a number of different
forms.
[0077] In a first form, a gaming device in the form of a stand
alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components
required for implementing a game, storing video information related
to winning outcomes, and making the video information available to
a player are present in a player operable gaming machine.
[0078] In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided
wherein some of the components required for implementing a game are
present in a gaming device in the form of a player operable gaming
terminal and some of the components required for implementing the
game are located remotely relative to the gaming terminal.
[0079] For example, a "thick client" architecture may be used
wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming
terminal and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a
gaming server; or a "thin client" architecture may be used wherein
most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server
and a player operable gaming terminal is used only to display
audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive
gaming inputs from the player.
[0080] However, it will be understood that other arrangements are
envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a
gaming device is networked to a gaming server and the respective
functions of the gaming device and the gaming server are
selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate
in stand alone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin
client" mode depending on the game being played, operating
conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons
skilled in the art.
[0081] A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine
61 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The gaming machine 61 includes a
console 62 having a display 64 on which is displayed
representations of a game 66 that can be played by a player. A
mid-trim 70 of the gaming machine 61 houses a bank of buttons 72
for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in
particular during gameplay. The mid-trim 70 also houses a credit
input mechanism 74 which in this example includes a coin input
chute 74A and a bill collector 74B. Other credit input mechanisms
may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a
smart card, debit card or credit card.
[0082] A top box 76 may carry artwork 78, including for example pay
tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images
relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be
provided on a front panel 79 of the console 62. A coin tray 80 is
mounted beneath the front panel 79 for dispensing cash payouts from
the gaming machine 61.
[0083] The display 64 is in the form of a video display unit,
particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the
display 64 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, or any
other suitable video display unit. The top box 76 may also include
a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the
same type as the display 64, or of a different type. The display 64
may comprise a touch screen usable by a player to interact with the
gaming machine, in particular during game play.
[0084] A player marketing module (PMM) 82 having a display 84 is
connected to the gaming machine 61. The PMM 82 allows a player to
interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magnetic card
reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for
example as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices
may be employed and the player tracking device may be in the form
of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable
of being read by the reading device. In this example, the PMM 82 is
a Sentinel III device produced by Aristocrat Technologies Pty
Ltd.
[0085] In this embodiment, the PMM 82 also functions to identify a
player and to generate an identifier usable by the gaming device to
determine the appropriate game menu to display to the player.
[0086] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of operative components of a
gaming machine 100 which may be the same as or different to the
gaming machine shown in FIG. 4.
[0087] The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having
a processor 102. Instructions and data to control operation of the
processor 102 in accordance with the present invention are stored
in a memory 103 which is in data communication with the processor
102.
[0088] Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile
and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory,
with such memories being collectively represented by the memory
103.
[0089] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the main components of an
exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B
and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily
holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related
data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain
some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is
typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may
be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using
protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere, and in an
embodiment wherein video information is stored locally, video
information indicative of winning outcomes.
[0090] The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes
including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player
credit, an input/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with
a player interface 120 of the gaming machine 100, the player
interface 120 having several peripheral devices. The input/output
interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent
devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions
and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral
devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random
numbers for use by the processor 102. the gaming machine also
includes a player identification device 114 usable to identify a
player.
[0091] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral devices that
communicate with the game controller 101 comprise one or more
displays 106, a touch screen and/or bank of buttons 107, a card
and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or
coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111.
Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine
100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific
implementation.
[0092] In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a
communications interface, for example a network card 112. The
network card may, for example, send status information, accounting
information or other information to a central controller, server or
database and receive data or commands from the central controller,
server or database. The network card 112 is also arranged in this
embodiment to facilitate access to video information indicative of
winning outcomes from a remote location, for example through the
Internet.
[0093] It is also possible for the operative components of the
gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output
devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 may be provided remotely from the
game controller 101.
[0094] A specific example will now be described in relation to flow
diagram 140 shown in FIG. 7 which illustrates steps 142 to 164 of a
method of gaming implemented by a gaming machine 40, 71.
[0095] With this embodiment, a prospective player first connects to
the web server 22 by directing an Internet browser to an
appropriate web page and logs onto 142 the game menu controller 12,
for example by entering a username and password associated with the
player. Using the website, the player is able to select games 144
from a plurality of available games for inclusion in a game menu,
and in this embodiment the player is also able to select desired
configurations for the selected games, such as the available
denominations, available win lines, and so on. When the player has
finalized selection of the games, the game menu and game
configurations are stored 148 in the database 24 as a game menu
record 26.
[0096] The player then selects 150 the desired gaming place, which
may be one or more specific gaming devices or a specific gaming
venue, and the games referred to in the created game menu are
downloaded 152 to the specific gaming devices or the specific
gaming venue by the game download server 32 under control of the
control unit 30. When all games have successfully been downloaded,
a confirmation communication is sent 154 to the player, for example
by SMS, email or in any other way.
[0097] After receiving confirmation that the selected games listed
in the player's game menu are available for play at the designated
gaming place, the player then logs into a designated gaming device
or logs into a gaming device at a designated gaming venue and using
the player's login details the gaming device retrieves the game
menu associated with the player, for example directly from the
database 24 or from the memory 52 of the gaming device.
[0098] The game menu is then displayed 160 to the player and the
player selects 162 a game desired to be played. Based on the game
selected, the gaming device implements the game.
[0099] An alternative embodiment of the gaming system 200 is shown
in FIG. 8. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for
example may be an Ethernet network, a LAN or a WAN. In this
example, three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 are connected
to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 are in the form of
gaming terminals and provide a player operable interface. While
banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in FIG. 8, banks
of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.
[0100] One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the
network 201. The displays 204 may, for example, be associated with
one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be
used to display representations associated with game play on the
gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations,
for example promotional or informational material.
[0101] In a thick client embodiment, a game server 205 implements
part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and
the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this
embodiment, as both the game server 205 and the gaming machine 202
implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game
controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of
game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the
gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming
system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot
server 207 will be provided to monitor and carry out the Jackpot
game.
[0102] In a variation of the above thick client embodiment, the
gaming machine 202 may implement the game, with the game server 205
functioning merely to serve data indicative of a game to the gaming
machine 202 for implementation.
[0103] With this implementation, a data signal containing a
computer program usable by the client terminal to implement the
gaming system may be transferred from the game server to the client
terminal, for example in response to a request by the client
terminal.
[0104] In a thin client embodiment, the game server 205 implements
most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine
202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player
interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the
game controller. The gaming machine will receive player
instructions, and pass the instructions to the game server which
will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming
machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming
machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software
that provides a player interface operable using standard computer
input and output components.
[0105] Servers are also typically provided to assist in the
administration of the gaming system 200, including for example a
gaming floor management server 208 and a licensing server 209 to
monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An
administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to
monitor the network 201 and the devices connected to the
network.
[0106] The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming
systems, other local networks such as a corporate network, and/or a
wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a
firewall 211.
[0107] A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.
[0108] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in
accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side
of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different
computers. For example, elements may be run as a single "engine" on
one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the
game server 205 could run a random number generator engine.
Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be
provided.
[0109] A specific example will now be described in relation to flow
diagram 230 shown in FIG. 9 which illustrates steps 232 to 250 of a
method of gaming implemented by the gaming system 200.
[0110] With this embodiment, a prospective player first connects to
the web server 22 by directing an Internet browser to an
appropriate web page and logs onto the game menu controller 12, for
example by entering a username and password associated with the
player. Using the website, the player is able to select games from
a plurality of available games for inclusion in a game menu, and in
this embodiment the player is also able to select desired
configurations for the selected games, such as the available
denominations, available win lines, and so on. When the player has
finalized selection of the games, the game menu and game
configurations are stored in the database 24 as a game menu record
26.
[0111] The player then logs into any gaming device associated with
the gaming system 200 and using the player's login details the
gaming device retrieves the game menu associated with the player,
for example directly from the database 24 or from the memory 52 of
the gaming device.
[0112] The game menu is then displayed to the player and the player
selects a game desired to be played. Based on the game selected,
the gaming terminal 202 downloads the game from the game repository
34 through the game download server 32 and implements the game.
[0113] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is
referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission
that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge
in the art, in Australia or any other country.
[0114] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a
skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present
invention.
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