U.S. patent application number 13/295727 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for central determination gaming system with a central controller providing a game outcome and a gaming terminal determining a presentation of the provided game outcome.
This patent application is currently assigned to IGT. Invention is credited to Mark W. Bansemer, Richard E. Michaelson, Bryan D. Wolf.
Application Number | 20120058810 13/295727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32868397 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120058810 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michaelson; Richard E. ; et
al. |
March 8, 2012 |
CENTRAL DETERMINATION GAMING SYSTEM WITH A CENTRAL CONTROLLER
PROVIDING A GAME OUTCOME AND A GAMING TERMINAL DETERMINING A
PRESENTATION OF THE PROVIDED GAME OUTCOME
Abstract
A central determination gaming system with a central controller
providing a game outcome to an individual gaming terminal and the
gaming terminal determining the presentation of the provided game
outcome. In one embodiment of the present invention, a gaming
terminal receives a predetermined game outcome from a central
controller. The gaming terminal determines a game outcome
presentation, (i.e., how the game outcome is displayed or presented
to the player) for the provided game outcome by selecting a game
outcome presentation seed for the received game outcome. The gaming
terminal utilizes the selected game outcome presentation seed to
determine a game outcome presentation. The determined game outcome
presentation is displayed to the player and the received game
outcome is provided to the player.
Inventors: |
Michaelson; Richard E.;
(Reno, NV) ; Bansemer; Mark W.; (Reno, NV)
; Wolf; Bryan D.; (Reno, NV) |
Assignee: |
IGT
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
32868397 |
Appl. No.: |
13/295727 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11303585 |
Dec 15, 2005 |
8070578 |
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13295727 |
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10371723 |
Feb 21, 2003 |
6988946 |
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11303585 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 ;
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101;
A63F 2300/407 20130101; A63F 13/50 20140902; A63F 13/12 20130101;
A63F 2300/50 20130101; G07F 17/3272 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3223 20130101; G07F 17/3225 20130101; G07F 17/3258
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 ;
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system comprising: at least one controller configured
to operate to: (i) maintain a game outcome set including a
plurality of predetermined game outcomes, (ii) select at least one
of said game outcomes from the game outcome set, (iii) flag said
selected game outcome, and (iv) output the selected game outcome;
and a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including: at
least one input device, at least one display device, at least one
gaming device processor, and at least one memory device which
stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at
least one gaming device processor, cause the at least one gaming
device processor to operate with the at least one controller, the
at least one display device and the at least one input device to
control a play of a game by: (a) enabling a player to place a wager
to initiate the game, (b) receiving the game outcome outputted from
the at least one controller, (c) selecting a game outcome
presentation seed, wherein said selected game outcome presentation
seed is based on said received game outcome, (d) determining a game
outcome presentation based on the selected game outcome
presentation seed, (e) displaying the determined game outcome
presentation, and (f) providing the received game outcome to the
player.
2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the gaming
devices is remote from the at least one controller.
3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein for at least one of the
gaming devices, the at least one memory device of said gaming
device is configured to store a cache of a plurality of game
outcome presentation seeds.
4. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein when executed by the at
least one gaming device processor of said gaming device, the
plurality of instructions cause the at least one gaming device
processor to select the game outcome presentation seed from said
stored cache of game outcome presentation seeds.
5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of different
game outcome presentations are each associated with the same game
outcome.
6. A gaming device configured to operate under control of at least
one processor, said gaming device comprising: at least one input
device; at least one display device; and at least one memory device
which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by
the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to
operate with the at least one display device and the at least one
input device to control a play of a game by: (a) enabling a player
to place a wager to initiate the game; (b) receiving a game outcome
from at least one controller; (c) selecting a game outcome
presentation seed, wherein said selected game outcome presentation
seed is based on said received game outcome; (d) determining a game
outcome presentation based on the selected game outcome
presentation seed; (e) displaying the determined game outcome
presentation; and (f) providing the received game outcome to the
player.
7. The gaming device of claim 6, wherein the at least one
controller is distinct from the at least one processor.
8. The gaming device of claim 6, wherein the at least one memory
device is configured to store a cache of a plurality of game
outcome presentation seeds.
9. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to select the game outcome presentation seed
from said stored cache of game outcome presentation seeds.
10. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of different
game outcome presentations are each associated with the same game
outcome.
11. A method of operating a gaming system, said gaming system
including at least one controller configured to communicate with a
plurality of gaming devices, said method comprising: (a) enabling a
player to place a wager at a first one of the gaming devices; (b)
causing the at least one controller to: (i) maintain a game outcome
set including a plurality of predetermined game outcomes, (ii)
select at least one game outcome from the game outcome set, (iii)
flag said selected game outcome, and (iv) output the selected game
outcome to the first one of the gaming devices; and (c) causing the
first one of the gaming devices to: (i) receive the game outcome
outputted from the at least one controller, (ii) select a game
outcome presentation seed based on said received game outcome,
(iii) determine a game outcome presentation based on the selected
game outcome presentation seed, (iv) display the determined game
outcome presentation, and (v) provide the received game outcome to
the player.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein for the first one of the gaming
devices, the game outcome presentation seed is selected from a
cache of a plurality of game outcome presentation seeds.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a plurality of different game
outcome presentations are each associated with the same game
outcome.
14. The method of claim 11, which is provided through a data
network.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the data network is an
internet.
16. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:
(a) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate a game; (b)
receiving a game outcome from at least one controller; (c) causing
at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to
select a game outcome presentation seed, wherein said selected game
outcome presentation seed is based on said received game outcome;
(d) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of
instructions to determine a game outcome presentation based on the
selected game outcome presentation seed; (e) causing at least one
display device to display the determined game outcome presentation;
and (f) providing the received game outcome to the player.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the game outcome presentation
seed is selected from a cache of a plurality of game outcome
presentation seeds.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of different game
outcome presentations are each associated with the same game
outcome.
19. The method of claim 16, which is provided through a data
network.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the data network is an
internet.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application is a continuation application of, claims
priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/303,585, filed on Dec. 15, 2005, which is a continuation
application of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/371,723, filed on Feb. 21, 2003, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,988,946, the contents of which are each incorporated by
reference herein.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application relates to the following co-pending
commonly owned patent applications: "CENTRAL DETERMINATION GAMING
SYSTEM WITH A CENTRAL CONTROLLER PROVIDING A GAME OUTCOME AND A
GAMING TERMINAL DETERMINING A PRESENTATION OF THE PROVIDED GAME
OUTCOME," Ser. No. 13/______, Attorney Docket No.
3718611-06323.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection.
The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction
by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in
exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights
whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates in general to a central
determination gaming system, and more particularly to a central
determination gaming system with a central controller providing a
game outcome and a gaming terminal determining a presentation of
the provided game outcome. The majority of the contemporary
wagering gaming terminals or gaming devices, such as slot machines,
randomly generate a game presentation, such as a plurality of
symbols displayed on the reels of a slot machine to be presented or
displayed to the player. The gaming terminal then analyzes the
randomly generated game presentation in view of a predetermined pay
table of all possible game presentations for the specific game
played to determine the appropriate award and other outcome that
corresponds with the generated game presentation. The determined
game presentation is provided to the player. It should be
appreciated that other contemporary gaming terminals also use
probability data to directly generate awards or other outcomes.
[0005] Such probability-based gaming terminals typically include a
relatively low probability associated with obtaining the highest
award or obtaining a game presentation that corresponds to the
highest award, relatively medium probabilities associated with
obtaining medium range awards or obtaining game presentations that
corresponds to medium range awards and relatively higher
probabilities associated with low range awards or obtaining game
presentations that corresponds to obtaining low range awards. These
gaming terminals also include probabilities associated with
obtaining losses or no award at all.
[0006] The probabilities of obtaining the awards and the amount of
the awards determine the average expected pay out percentage of
these wagering gaming terminals. Because the outcomes of these
gaming terminals are randomly determined or completely based upon a
probability calculation, there is no certainty that a player will
ever obtain any particular award. That is, no matter how many times
a player plays the game, since the gaming terminal generates
outcomes completely based upon a probability calculation, there is
no certainty that the game will ever provide the player with a rare
outcome, such as a jackpot award, or any other specific value for
that matter. On the other hand, due to the random determination,
the gaming terminal can provide the rare outcomes, such as jackpot
awards, numerous times in a small number of plays. For example, a
probability-based $1 slot machine gaming terminal may be programmed
to payback 95% of all wagers placed with a 1% chance of generating
a $10 win outcome, a 5% chance of generating a $5 win outcome, a
10% chance of generating a $2 win outcome, a 40% chance of
generating a $1 win outcome and a 44% chance of generating a $0
loss outcome. However, when one hundred game outcomes are generated
by the probability-based slot machine gaming terminal, the actual
payback may be 137% of all wagers placed and the actual generated
outcomes may be six $10 win outcomes, one $5 win outcome, eighteen
$2 win outcomes, thirty-six $1 win outcomes and thirty-nine $0 loss
outcomes.
[0007] This uncertainty is faced by players and casinos or other
gaming establishments. For example, certain casinos prefer that a
relatively high number of players hit low awards while a relatively
low number of players hit high awards. When players hit high awards
periodically, casinos attract more players, because of the positive
publicity large wins generate. By using desired payback percentages
or probabilities, the casinos can also expect to make a certain
level of profit. The random determinations can, however,
unexpectedly cause casinos to suffer a loss or, on the other hand,
to reap great profit in the short run and lose business in the long
run due to a reputation for only paying out low awards.
[0008] Regulatory bodies in certain jurisdictions do not permit the
use of probability-based gaming terminals in-part for these
reasons. These regulatory bodies permit the use of wagering gaming
terminals which are guaranteed to provide certain or definite
awards, so that, for example, a certain number of wins is
guaranteed and the overall amount paid back to players is
guaranteed. That is, the payback percentage is fixed and not an
average expected amount. One type of gaming terminal which complies
with this requirement is an instant-type lottery gaming terminal.
An instant-type lottery gaming terminal includes a finite pool or
set of electronic tickets with each electronic ticket assigned to a
predetermined outcome. Furthermore, each electronic ticket contains
an indication of how the predetermined outcome is presented or
displayed to the player. Alternatively, each electronic ticket
could be assigned to a random number or game play seed. Each seed
is deterministic of a predetermined outcome and how the
predetermined outcome is presented or displayed to the player. That
is, the gaming terminal utilizes the random number or game play
seed in a random number sequence generator to generate random
numbers. The gaming terminal uses the generated random numbers to
determine, present and provide the predetermined outcome to the
player. In an instant-type lottery gaming terminal, as the
predetermined outcome for each electronic ticket is revealed to a
player on the gaming terminal, the ticket is removed (i.e., flagged
as used) from the finite pool or set of electronic tickets. Once
flagged, a ticket cannot be used again to determine another game
outcome. This type of gaming terminal provides players with all of
the available outcomes over the course of the play cycle and
guarantees the actual wins and losses.
[0009] Central determination gaming systems are also generally
known. A central determination gaming system provides a plurality
of individual gaming terminals, located in a gaming establishment,
such as a casino, coupled by one or more communication links, to a
central processor or controller. When a player plays a game on one
of the gaming terminals, the game outcome and how the game outcome
is presented or displayed to the player is communicated from the
central processor or controller to the individual gaming terminal
and then provided to the player. It should be appreciated that the
central processor or controller may continuously run hundreds or
thousands of individual gaming terminals at once. There are a
number of advantages to providing for centralized production of
game outcomes to be used at individual gaming terminals. For
example, central production or control can assist a casino or other
entity in maintaining proper records, controlling gaming, reducing
and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or
eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.
[0010] In order to comply with the above mentioned regulatory rules
that do not permit the use of probability-based gaming terminals,
central determination gaming systems have been implemented wherein
the central processor or controller maintains one or more
predetermined pools or sets of game outcomes. Additionally, certain
central determination gaming systems have also been implemented
wherein the central system maintains one or more predetermined
pools or sets of random number or game outcome seeds. However, this
requires a great deal of memory for the central processor or
controller because in addition to storing each game outcome, the
central processor or controller must also store how each game
outcome in each pool or set of game outcomes is presented or
displayed to the player, such as how the reels stop in the case of
a slot machine, how the cards are dealt or drawn in the case of a
card game and the like.
[0011] Gaming devices having a primary or base game and a secondary
or a bonus game are also well known. A secondary or bonus game may
be any type of suitable game, either similar to or completely
different from the primary game, which is entered upon the
occurrence of a triggering event or a selected outcome in the
primary game. The secondary or bonus game enables the player to
obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if
any, obtained from the primary game. A secondary or bonus game
produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the
primary game because it provides a greater expectation of winning
than the primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or
unusual features than the primary game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention relates to a central determination
gaming system with a central controller providing a game outcome to
an individual gaming terminal and the gaming terminal determining
the presentation of the provided game outcome.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of
gaming terminals or gaming devices are in communication with a
central controller. Upon a player initiating a game at one of the
gaming terminals, the initiated gaming terminal communicates a
request for a game outcome to the central controller. The central
controller receives the request and selects a game outcome from a
set or pool of predetermined game outcomes. Each game outcome
includes an outcome component (i.e., a win game, a lose game or a
bonus game trigger) and a value component (i.e., the pay amount, if
any). It should be appreciated that, in this embodiment, each game
outcome does not include how the game outcome will be presented or
displayed to the player. The central controller flags the selected
game outcome as used (prohibiting it from being selected again by
the central controller) and communicates the selected game outcome
to the requesting gaming terminal.
[0014] With a game outcome provided by the central controller, the
requesting gaming terminal proceeds to determine a game outcome
presentation for the provided game outcome. A game outcome
presentation includes how the provided game outcome is displayed or
presented to the player, such as the displayed reel symbol
combination of a slot machine or the displayed cards drawn in a
card game. It should be appreciated that with reference to an
appropriate pay table for the specific game played, each game
outcome presentation is associated with a game outcome.
[0015] To determine a game outcome presentation for the provided
game outcome, the processor of the gaming terminal accesses a
gaming terminal generated table or cache of game presentation seeds
for the specific game played. Each game presentation seed is
deterministic of a game outcome presentation. That is, the
processor of the gaming terminal is operable to utilize each game
presentation seed in a random number generating algorithm to
generate at least one and preferably a plurality of random numbers.
The generated random numbers are used to determine a game outcome
presentation. It should be appreciated that since each game
presentation seed is deterministic of a game outcome presentation
and each game outcome presentation is associated with or
corresponds to a game outcome, each game presentation seed is
associated with or corresponds to a game outcome.
[0016] The processor of the gaming terminal determines if the table
or cache includes at least one game presentation seed that
corresponds to the provided game outcome. For example, if the
provided game outcome is a win $3 outcome, the processor determines
if the table or cache includes any game presentation seeds that are
deterministic of a game presentation that corresponds to a win $3
outcome. If the table or cache does include at least one game
presentation seed that corresponds to the provided game outcome,
the processor of the gaming terminal randomly selects a game
presentation seed that corresponds to the provided game outcome.
The processor of the gaming terminal utilizes the selected game
presentation seed in a random number generating algorithm to
generate at least one and preferably a plurality of random numbers
that are used to determine the game outcome presentation. The
determined game outcome presentation is displayed or presented to
the player. If the provided game outcome is a win game outcome or a
lose game outcome, the player is provided the pay amount, if any,
and the game ends. If the provided game outcome is a bonus or
secondary game triggering outcome, the game proceeds to enable the
player to play the bonus or secondary game.
[0017] If the table or cache does not include at least one game
presentation seed that corresponds to the provided game outcome,
the processor of the gaming terminal accesses a stored
predetermined or hard-copied list of game presentation seeds for
the specific game played. The processor randomly selects a game
presentation seed that corresponds to the provided game outcome and
utilizes the selected game presentation seed in a random number
generating algorithm to generate at least one and preferably a
plurality of random numbers that are used to determine the game
outcome presentation. The determined game presentation is displayed
or presented to the player. If the provided game outcome is a win
game outcome or a lose game outcome, the player is provided the
associated pay amount, if any, and the game ends. If the provided
game outcome is a bonus or secondary game triggering outcome, the
game proceeds to enable the player to play the bonus or secondary
game.
[0018] In this embodiment of the present invention, the central
controller provides a predetermined game outcome and the gaming
terminal determines how the provided game outcome is presented or
displayed to the player. It should be appreciated that if the
provided game outcome is a bonus or secondary game triggering
outcome, the bonus or secondary game proceeds as described above.
That is, in the bonus or secondary game, the central controller
provides a predetermined bonus or secondary game outcome and the
gaming terminal determines how the provided bonus or secondary game
outcome is presented or displayed to the player. It should be
appreciated that to increase player interest, each game outcome
includes a plurality of different game outcome presentations that
are each associated with the same game outcome. This provides that
the same game outcome, such as a win $5 outcome, is displayed or
presented to the player a plurality of different ways, such as
thirty different reel combinations.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
central controller includes at least one set or pool of
predetermined game outcome seeds. Each game outcome seed is
deterministic of a game outcome. That is, the gaming terminal
utilizes the game outcome seed to determine a game outcome. In this
embodiment, the central controller selects a game outcome seed,
flags the selected game outcome seed as used (thus preventing the
selected game outcome from a subsequent selection from the same set
or pool) and communicates the selected game outcome seed to the
requesting gaming terminal as described above. Upon receiving the
selected game outcome seed, the processor of the gaming terminal
utilizes the game outcome seed in a random number generating
algorithm to generate at least one and preferably a plurality of
random numbers. The gaming terminal uses the generated random
numbers to determine a game outcome. With a determined game
outcome, the gaming terminal proceeds with determining a game
outcome presentation for the determined game outcome as described
above. In this embodiment, each game outcome seed is deterministic
of a game outcome, but not how that game outcome is displayed or
presented to the player. It should be appreciated that for any two
or more gaming terminals configured for playing the same game, the
random numbers generated (and thus the game outcomes determined) by
those two or more gaming terminals will be the same for the same
game outcome seed because the same algorithm is employed.
[0020] In another embodiment, the central controller provides a
selected game outcome seed to the gaming terminal and the gaming
terminal determines the game outcome based on the selected game
outcome seed. In this embodiment, if the determined game outcome is
a win game outcome or a secondary game triggering outcome, the
gaming terminal utilizes the selected game outcome seed to
determine a game outcome presentation for the determined win game
outcome or the determined secondary game triggering outcome. On the
other hand, if the determined game outcome is a lose game outcome,
the gaming terminal proceeds with determining how the determined
lose game outcome is displayed or presented to the player as
described above. It should be appreciated that since the gaming
terminal determines the game outcome presentation for lose game
outcomes only, the generated cache and predetermined list both only
include game presentation seeds that correspond to lose game
outcomes. In this embodiment, the central controller (through the
communicated game outcome seed) provides not only a game outcome
but also how a win game outcome or a secondary game triggering
outcome is presented or displayed to the player while the gaming
terminal determines how a lose game outcome is presented or
displayed to the player.
[0021] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed
Description of the Invention and the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the
distribution of the game outcome seeds from the central controller
to the individual gaming terminals in the central determination
gaming system of the present invention.
[0023] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of alternative
embodiments of the gaming terminal of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming terminal of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of how the table or cache is generated and maintained by
a gaming terminal of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of the present invention wherein the central controller
determines a game outcome and the gaming terminal determines a
presentation for the determined game outcome.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an
alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the central
controller dictates a win game outcome or secondary game triggering
outcome presentation and the gaming terminal determines a
presentation of a determined lose game outcomes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring now to the drawings, as illustrated in FIG. 1, one
embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of gaming
terminals 10a, 10b and 10c located in a gaming establishment, such
as a casino, coupled by one or more communication links 12a, 12b
and 12c to a central controller 14. Although three gaming terminals
are shown in FIG. 1, any suitable number of gaming terminals may be
implemented in the present invention. The communication links 12
can be any of a plurality of devices known to those of skill in the
art for receiving data transmissions to and from the gaming
terminals.
[0029] The central controller includes a central processor and a
memory storage device. The memory storage device is capable of
storing a set or pool of predetermined game outcomes. In an
alternative embodiment, the memory storage device is capable of
storing a set or pool of predetermined game outcome seeds. The
central controller maintains supervision over the entire network of
gaming terminals 10 handling, for example, accounting, validation,
security and selection of game outcomes (discussed in more detail
below).
[0030] In one embodiment, all of the gaming terminals which are
coupled to the central controller are configured to play the same
type of game. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of the
gaming terminals are configured so that different gaming terminals
may be used to play different types of games. That is, some gaming
terminals may be used for playing a slot machine game, others may
be used for playing a poker style game, others may be used for
playing a blackjack style game, and the like. In another
embodiment, a plurality of gaming terminals may each be configured
for playing a plurality of different games.
[0031] Two embodiments of the gaming terminal of the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B as gaming terminal 10a and
gaming terminal 10b, respectively. Gaming terminal 10a and/or
gaming terminal 10b are generally referred to herein as gaming
terminal 10. Gaming terminal 10 is in one embodiment a slot machine
having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot
machine. It is constructed so that a player can operate it while
standing or sitting, and gaming terminal 10 is preferably mounted
on a console. However, it should be appreciated that gaming
terminal 10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top game (not
shown) which a player can operate preferably while sitting.
Furthermore, gaming terminal 10 can be constructed with varying
cabinet and display designs, as illustrated by the designs shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0032] Gaming terminal 10 can incorporate any primary game such as
slot, poker or keno, any of their bonus triggering events and any
of their bonus round games. The symbols and indicia used on and in
gaming terminal 10 may be mechanical, electrical or video form.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, gaming terminal 10
includes a coin slot 112 and bill acceptor 114 where the player
inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the
coin slot 112 or paper money in the bill acceptor 114. Other
devices could be used for accepting payment such as readers or
validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts
money in gaming terminal 10, a number of credits corresponding to
the amount deposited is shown in a credit display 116. After
depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the
game by pulling arm 118 or pushing play button 120. Play button 120
can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game
or sequence of events in the gaming terminal.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, gaming terminal 10 also
includes a bet display 122 and a bet one button 124. The player
places a bet by pushing the bet one button 124. The player can
increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet
one button 124. When the player pushes the bet one button 124, the
number of credits shown in the credit display 116 decreases by one,
and the number of credits shown in the bet display 122 increases by
one.
[0035] A player may cash out and thereby receive a number of coins
corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash
out button 126. When the player cashes out, the player receives the
coins in a coin payout tray 128. The gaming terminal 10 may employ
other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a
cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the
player's credits.
[0036] Gaming terminal 10 also includes one or more display
devices. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2A includes a central display
device 130, and the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2B
includes a central display device 130 as well as an upper display
device 132. Gaming terminal 10 preferably displays a plurality of
reels 134, preferably three to five reels 134 in mechanical or
video form at one or more of the display devices. A display device
can be any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or
screen, a liquid crystal display or any other display mechanism. If
the reels 134 are in video form, the display device for the video
reels 134 is preferably a video monitor.
[0037] Each reel 134 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells,
hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which
preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming
terminal 10. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming terminal
10 may be in mechanical, electronic, electrical or video form.
Furthermore, gaming terminal 10 preferably includes speakers 136
for making sounds or playing music.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the general electronic
configuration of gaming terminal 10 preferably includes: a
processor 138; a memory device 140 for storing program code or
other data; a central display device 130; an upper display device
132; a sound card 142; a plurality of speakers 136; and one or more
input devices 144. The processor 138 is preferably a microprocessor
or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying
images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people,
characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device
140 can include random access memory (RAM) 146 for storing event
data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The
memory device 140 can also include read only memory (ROM) 148 for
storing program code which controls the gaming terminal 10 so that
it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules
and pay tables.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the player preferably uses the
input devices 144, such as pull arm 118, play button 120, the bet
one button 124 and the cash out button 126 to input signals into
gaming terminal 10. In certain instances it is preferable to use a
touch screen 150 and an associated touch screen controller 152
instead of a conventional video monitor display device. Touch
screen 150 and touch screen controller 152 are connected to a video
controller 154 and processor 138. A player can make decisions and
input signals into the gaming terminal 10 by touching touch screen
150 at the appropriate places. As further illustrated in FIG. 3,
the processor 138 can be connected to coin slot 112 or bill
acceptor 114. The processor 138 can be programmed to require a
player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to start the
game.
[0040] It should be appreciated that although a processor 138 and
memory device 140 are preferable implementations of the present
invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one
or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other
hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively
and/or alternatively referred to herein as a "processor").
Furthermore, although the processor 138 and memory device 140
preferably reside on each gaming terminal 10 unit, it is possible
to provide some or all of their functions at a central location
such as a network server for communication to a playing station
such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN),
Internet connection, microwave link, and the like.
[0041] In addition to winning base game credits, the gaming
terminal 10, including any of the base games disclosed above, also
includes bonus games that give players the opportunity to win
credits. The gaming terminal 10 preferably employs a video-based
display device 130 or 132 for the bonus games. The bonus games
include a program that automatically begins when the player
achieves a qualifying condition or a bonus game triggering outcome
in the base game.
[0042] In the slot machine embodiment, the qualifying condition or
a bonus game triggering outcome includes a particular symbol or
symbol combination generated on a display device. As illustrated in
the five reel slot game shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the qualifying
condition or bonus game triggering outcome includes the number
seven appearing on three adjacent reels 134 along a payline 156. It
should be appreciated that the present invention includes one or
more paylines, such as payline 156, wherein the paylines can be
horizontal, diagonal or any combination thereof.
[0043] In addition to enabling a player to play a game, the gaming
terminal and specifically the processor is operable to generate and
maintain a table or cache of game presentation seeds. Each game
presentation seed is unique and deterministic of a specific game
outcome presentation provided to the player. That is, the gaming
terminal utilizes each game presentation seed in a random number
generating algorithm to determine a game outcome presentation. A
game outcome presentation is how each game outcome is presented or
displayed to the player, such as a specific reel symbol combination
displayed on a slot machine game.
[0044] To increase player excitement, in one embodiment, the number
of different game outcome presentations generated and maintained in
the table or cache preferably exceeds the number of different game
outcomes. Each game outcome is preferably presented or displayed to
a player a plurality of different ways, thus keeping the player
interested in the game even though the player may be repeatedly
provided the same game outcome. For example, the table or cache of
the gaming terminal may include fifty different game presentation
seeds that each correspond to the same win $5 outcome and are each
deterministic of a different reel symbol combination of a slot
machine.
[0045] FIG. 4 generally illustrates how the processor of the gaming
terminal generates the table or cache of game presentation seeds.
As seen in FIG. 4, the processor of the gaming terminal randomly
generates a game presentation seed as illustrated in block 202. The
generated game presentation seed is deterministic of a specific
game outcome presentation. For example, in a slot machine game, a
game presentation seed is deterministic of a reel symbol
combination presented to the player. In a poker style game, a game
presentation seed is deterministic of a hand of cards presented to
the player including the cards presented to the player during
multiple draws of the same game. It should be appreciated that for
a multiple draw poker game, the game presentation seed used is
deterministic of a plurality of numbers and the gaming terminal
would continuously draw the determined numbers in sequence to fill
the multiple draw hands.
[0046] The processor of the gaming terminal selects a first bet
combination as indicated in block 204. Each bet combination
represents a different paytable the gaming terminal will utilize
for each game to be played on the gaming terminal. For example, if
the gaming terminal is operable to play a blackjack type game and a
poker type game, the paytables for each type of game would be
different bet combinations. In another example, if the gaming
terminal is operable to play a 9-line slot type game, each
different active payline (and its associated different paytable)
would be a different bet combination.
[0047] The processor of the gaming terminal utilizes the generated
game presentation seed to determine a game outcome presentation
(i.e., the specific reel symbol combination or hand of cards
drawn). The determined game outcome presentation is evaluated in
view of the selected bet combination to determine the corresponding
game outcome (pay amount) that the generated presentation seed is
deterministic of as indicated in block 206. For example, in a slot
machine, if the processor of the gaming terminal determines that
the generated game presentation seed is deterministic of the reel
symbol combination of X-O-X, then using the selected bet
combination, the gaming terminal determines that the reel symbol
combination of X-O-X corresponds to a win $3 game outcome.
[0048] The processor of the gaming terminal next determines if the
table or cache is already at or above a predetermined number or
level of generated game presentation seeds for the selected bet
combination and pay amount as indicated by diamond 208. In one
embodiment, the table or cache is capable of storing one game
presentation seed for each bet combination and pay amount. In
another embodiment, the table or cache is capable of storing a
plurality of each of the same game presentation seeds for each bet
combination and pay amount.
[0049] If the table or cache is not already at or above the
predetermined number or level of game presentation seeds for the
selected bet combination and pay amount, the processor of the
gaming terminal determines if the table or cache already contains
at least one of the same generated game presentation seeds for the
selected bet combination as indicated by diamond 210. That is, if
the game presentation seed is deterministic of an X-O-X reel symbol
combination, the gaming terminal determines if the table or cache
already contains at least one X-O-X reel symbol combination for the
selected bet combination. In another embodiment, the processor of
the gaming terminal determines if the table or cache already
contains a predetermined number of the generated game presentation
seed for the selected bet combination. If the table or cache does
not already contain the predetermined number of the generated game
presentation seed for the selected bet combination and pay amount,
the generated game presentation seed is added to the table or cache
for the selected bet combination and pay amount as indicated by
block 212. For example, if the table or cache is operable to
include twenty X-O-X reel symbol combination game presentation
seeds, the gaming terminal determines the number of existing X-O-X
reel symbol combination game presentation seeds and adds the
generated X-O-X game presentation seed to the table or cache if the
determined number is less than twenty.
[0050] In one embodiment, the generated game presentation seed is
indexed in the table or cache for the selected bet combination
according to the different game outcome (pay amount) that the game
presentation seed corresponds to. In the above X-O-X game
presentation seed example, if according to the selected bet
combination, the X-O-X game presentation seed corresponds to a win
$3 game outcome, then the X-O-X game presentation seed is indexed
for the selected bet combination as a win $3 game outcome. In an
alternative embodiment, each game presentation seed is indexed in
the table or cache for the selected bet combination according to
the different game outcome that the game presentation seed
corresponds to as well as the different game presentation that the
game presentation seed is deterministic of. For example, if the
generated game presentation seed is deterministic of a X-O-X reel
symbol combination which corresponds to a win $3 game outcome, then
the generated game presentation seed is indexed in the table or
cache as a win $3 X-O-X reel symbol combination.
[0051] If the table or cache is already at or above the
predetermined level of game presentation seeds for the selected bet
combination and pay amount or the table or cache already contains
the predetermined number of the same generated game presentation
seed for the selected bet combination, the processor of the gaming
terminal determines if the selected bet combination is the last
possible bet combination as indicated by diamond 214.
[0052] If the selected bet combination is not the last possible bet
combination, the processor of the gaming device selects another bet
combination as indicated by block 216. The processor of the gaming
device evaluates the determined game outcome presentation in view
of the next selected bet combination to determine the corresponding
game outcome as indicated by block 206. The above described process
is then continued until the table or cache is at or above the
predetermined number or level of game presentation seeds for each
bet combination. It should be appreciated that other suitable
methods for generating the table or cache of game presentation
seeds may be employed in the present invention.
[0053] In one embodiment, the gaming terminal is continuously
selecting and flagging game presentation seeds from the table or
cache (i.e., preventing the flagged game presentation seeds from
subsequent selections) as each game is played on the gaming
terminal. In this embodiment, the gaming terminal is continuously
generating, indexing and maintaining new game presentation seeds to
replace the previously used or flagged game presentation seeds.
Thus, in this embodiment, even if the selected bet combination is
the last possible bet combination (i.e., the table or cache is at
or above the predetermined number or level of game presentation
seeds for each bet combination), the processor of the gaming device
randomly generates a new game presentation seed to replace the
flagged game presentation seed and the process continues as
described above. In another embodiment, even if the selected game
presentation seeds are not flagged in the table or cache, the
gaming terminal continues generating, indexing and maintaining new
presentation seeds. In this embodiment, each new generated game
presentation seed replaces a randomly selected existing game
presentation seed.
[0054] In addition to generating and maintaining a table or cache
of game presentation seeds for each possible game presentation, the
gaming terminal also stores a hard-copied or predetermined list of
at least one game presentation seed for each game presentation for
each bet combination. This list is utilized in the event that the
gaming terminal needs access to the table or cache prior to the
table or cache having generated an appropriate game presentation
seed as discussed in more detail below. In one embodiment, the
stored predetermined or hard-copied list includes at least one game
presentation seed that corresponds to each game outcome. In another
embodiment, the stored predetermined list or hard-copied list
includes at least one game presentation seed that is deterministic
of each game outcome presentation. For example, if a slot machine
game has one-thousand different reel symbol combinations, the
stored predetermined or hard-copied list includes at least one game
presentation seed which is deterministic of each of the
one-thousand different reel symbol combinations.
[0055] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not
shown), each game presentation seed generated and maintained by the
gaming terminal is deterministic of a game outcome presentation
that corresponds to a $0 lose game outcome. In this embodiment, if
the generated game presentation seed is deterministic of a game
outcome presentation that corresponds to a lose game outcome (a $0
pay amount) for the selected bet combination, the processor of the
gaming terminal continues as described above. However, if the
generated game presentation seed is not deterministic of a game
outcome presentation that corresponds to a lose game outcome for
the selected bet combination (i.e., the game presentation seed is
deterministic of a game outcome presentation that corresponds to a
win game outcome or a secondary game triggering outcome for the
selected bet combination), the processor discards the generated
game presentation seed and repeats the process as described above.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the table or cache for each bet
combination only includes game presentation seeds that are
deterministic of game outcome presentations that corresponds to
lose game outcomes.
[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the central controller
providing a game outcome to an individual gaming terminal and the
gaming terminal determining how the provided game outcome is
presented or displayed to the player. In this embodiment, a player
initiates game play at one of the plurality of gaming terminals in
the network as indicated in block 302. For example, in the
embodiment illustrating a slot machine gaming terminal, the player
inserts the appropriate amount of money or tokens and then pulls
the arm or pushes the play button. The reels will then begin to
spin. As the reels are spinning, the gaming terminal sends a game
play request for a game outcome to the central controller as
indicated in block 304. In an alternative embodiment, the gaming
terminal sends a game play request for a game outcome upon the
player inputting a wager amount. The central controller receives
the game play request as indicated in block 306. The central
controller randomly selects an available game outcome from a set or
pool of predetermined game outcomes as indicated in block 308.
[0057] Each predetermined game outcome includes a predetermined
outcome component and a predetermined value component. An outcome
component is either a win, a lose or a secondary or bonus game
triggering event. A value component is the pay amount which can
include any positive number of credits or currency units, zero
credits or currency units or any negative number of credits or
currency units. It should be appreciated that the negative value
component is preferably employed in a bonus or secondary game of
the present invention.
[0058] Each set or pool of predetermined game outcomes includes a
plurality of predetermined game outcomes. In one embodiment, the
central controller maintains at least one set or pool of
predetermined game outcomes. In another embodiment, the central
controller maintains a plurality of sets or pools of predetermined
game outcomes. In an alternative embodiment, the central controller
maintains at least one set or pool of predetermined game outcomes
for each game provided on the gaming terminals. In another
alternative embodiment, the central controller maintains at least
one set or pool of predetermined game outcome seeds that the gaming
terminal utilizes to determine a game outcome. In this embodiment,
a plurality of different seeds in the same set or pool may each
determine the same game outcome. Other suitable methods for storing
the pool or set of predetermined may be employed in accordance with
the present invention.
[0059] After randomly selecting an available game outcome, the
central controller flags the selected game outcome as marked or
used as indicated in block 310. Once flagged, a game outcome cannot
be selected from the same pool or set by the central controller
upon a subsequent game outcome selection. It should be appreciated
that if the pool or set includes more than one of the same game
outcome, then only the flagged game outcome cannot be selected upon
a subsequent game outcome selection. For example, if a pool or set
includes thirty win $5 game outcomes and one is selected and
flagged, the flagged win $5 game outcome cannot be selected again
but the other twenty-nine non-selected win $5 game outcomes remain
available for subsequent game outcome selections.
[0060] The central controller sends the selected game outcome to
the requesting gaming terminal as indicated in block 312. It should
be appreciated that other suitable methods of communicating a game
outcome to a requesting gaming terminal may be employed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0061] Upon receiving the selected game outcome, as indicated in
block 314, the gaming terminal determines how the provided game
outcome will be presented or displayed to the player. For example,
in a slot machine game, the gaming terminal determines what reel
symbol combination that corresponds to the selected game outcome
will be displayed or presented to the player. This determination is
accomplished by the gaming terminal accessing the generated table
or cache of game presentation seeds for the specific game played
(i.e., for a specific bet combination) to determine whether there
is a game presentation seed stored in the table or cache that
corresponds to the selected game outcome as indicated in diamond
316. For example, if the selected game outcome is a $5 win outcome,
the gaming terminal determines if there is at least one game
presentation seed stored in the table or cache that is indexed as a
$5 win outcome for the bet combination played.
[0062] If at least one game presentation seed that corresponds to
the selected game outcome is stored and indexed in the table or
cache (that is, at least one game presentation seed is
deterministic of a game outcome presentation that is associated
with or corresponds to the selected game outcome), the gaming
terminal randomly selects a game presentation seed that corresponds
to the selected game outcome as indicated in block 318. For
example, in a slot machine game, if the selected game outcome is a
$5 win outcome and the table or cache includes thirty different
game presentation seeds that each correspond to a $5 win outcome,
such as thirty different reel symbol combinations that each result
in a $5 win game outcome, the gaming terminal randomly selects one
of the thirty stored game presentation seeds. It should be
appreciated that there may be a plurality of each different game
presentation seed stored in the table or cache, thus the gaming
terminal may select one of hundreds or thousands of game
presentation seeds for each specific game outcome. By the gaming
terminal providing a plurality of game outcome presentations (based
on the plurality of game presentation seeds) for each game outcome
and randomly selecting each provided game outcome presentation, the
present invention retains the random feel of a probability based
gaming terminal while still providing predetermined game outcomes.
Moreover, enabling the gaming terminal to determine how each
selected game outcome is displayed or presented to the player
significantly reduces the computational load on the central
controller.
[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, as each game
presentation seed is selected by the gaming terminal it is flagged
as marked or used in the table or cache. Once flagged, a game
presentation seed cannot be selected again in a subsequent
selection. In this embodiment, in order to avoid the table or cache
from being depleted of available game presentation seeds, the
gaming terminal is continuously generating and indexing additional
game presentation seeds to replace the flagged game presentation
seeds.
[0064] If a game presentation seed that corresponds to the selected
game outcome is not stored in the cache, the gaming terminal
accesses the hard-copied or predetermined list of game presentation
seeds as indicated in block 320. The gaming terminal randomly
selects a game presentation seed from the hard-copied or
predetermined list that corresponds to the selected game outcome.
The hard-copied list enables the continuous operation of the gaming
terminal by providing a game presentation seed if a game
presentation seed is unavailable from the generated cache or table.
For example, if a game is initiated on the gaming terminal prior to
the gaming terminal generating a game presentation seed for the
selected game outcome, such as a player initiates a game
immediately after the gaming terminal becomes operational for game
play, the hard-copied or predetermined list enables the gaming
terminal to select an appropriate game presentation seed to present
or display the provided game outcome to the player.
[0065] Regardless of the source of the selected game presentation
seed (from the gaming terminal generated cache or the hard-copied
list), the gaming terminal utilizes the selected game presentation
seed in a random number generating algorithm to generate at least
one and preferably a plurality of random numbers. The generated
random numbers are used to determine a game outcome presentation.
For example, using the selected game presentation seed indexed as a
$10 win outcome, the gaming terminal generates three random
numbers. The gaming terminal utilizes the first generated random
number to determine that the first reel stops displaying a X
symbol. The gaming terminal utilizes the second generated random
number to determine that the second reel stops displaying a O
symbol. The gaming terminal utilizes the third generated random
number to determine that the third reel stops displaying a X
symbol. Thus, the selected game presentation seed corresponds to a
game outcome presentation of an X-O-X reel symbol combination. It
should be appreciated that with reference to the pay table of the
played game, the game outcome presentation of an X-O-X reel symbol
combination corresponds to a $10 win outcome.
[0066] The gaming terminal presents or displays the determined game
outcome presentation to the player as indicated in block 322. The
payout amount, if any, for the selected game outcome is provided to
the player as indicated in block 324. If the provided game outcome
is a win game outcome or a lose game outcome, the game ends as
indicated in block 326. If the provided game outcome is a bonus or
secondary game triggering outcome (not shown), the game proceeds to
enable the player to play at least one bonus or secondary game. It
should be appreciated that if the provided game outcome is a bonus
or secondary game triggering outcome, the bonus or secondary game
proceeds as described above. That is, in the bonus or secondary
game, the central controller provides a predetermined secondary
game outcome and the gaming terminal determines how the provided
secondary game outcome is presented or displayed to the player.
[0067] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
central controller is operable to maintain one pool or set of
predetermined game outcomes for a plurality of gaming terminals
that are each playing a different game. In this embodiment, since
the central controller determines the game outcome and the
individual gaming terminal determines how the game outcome is
displayed or presented to the player, a plurality of gaming
terminals playing a plurality of different games can each utilize
the same set or pool of game outcomes (assuming each gaming
terminal playing a different game is utilizing the same algorithm
to generate the same random numbers from the same game presentation
seed). That is, the game outcome selected by the central controller
can be implemented into a plurality of different games because the
individual gaming terminals each determine how the selected game
outcome is displayed or presented to the player. For instance,
while a slot machine gaming terminal presents a $2 win as a
specific reel symbol combination, a poker style gaming terminal
presents the same $2 win as a specific hand of cards. In either
case, the central controller selects a $2 win game outcome, flags
the selected game outcome in the pool or set and sends the selected
game outcome to the appropriate gaming terminal. The gaming
terminal determines how the $2 win game outcome is presented to the
player with no input from the central controller. In this
embodiment, the pay table or payout percentage must be the same for
each game utilizing the same set or pool of predetermined game
outcomes.
[0068] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
central controller maintains at least one pool or set of
predetermined game outcome seeds. Each game outcome seed is a
unique random number seed which is deterministic of a game outcome,
such as a win outcome, a lose outcome or a secondary or bonus game
triggering outcome. In this embodiment, each game outcome seed that
is deterministic of a win game outcome or a secondary or bonus game
triggering outcome is also deterministic of a game outcome
presentation. That is, the gaming terminal utilizes the same game
outcome seed to determine both a win game outcome or secondary game
triggering outcome and how the win game outcome or secondary game
triggering outcome is presented or displayed to the player. In this
embodiment, as the central controller is determining how each of
the win game outcomes and secondary game triggering outcomes are
presented or displayed to the player, the table or cache of game
presentation seeds generated and maintained by the gaming terminal
includes game presentation seeds that correspond only to lose game
outcomes with a payout value of $0. This embodiment enables the
gaming terminal to determine how each lose outcome is presented,
while enabling the central controller to determine how each win
outcome is displayed or presented to the player.
[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 6, this embodiment proceeds as
described above, wherein upon a request for a game outcome seed by
a gaming terminal as indicated in block 404, the central controller
selects a game outcome seed from a set of predetermined game
outcome seeds as indicated in block 406. The central controller
flags the selected game outcome seed (thus preventing it from
further selection from the same pool or set) as indicated in block
408. The central controller then communicates the selected game
outcome seed to the gaming terminal as indicated in block 410. Upon
receiving the selected game outcome seed, the gaming terminal
determines the game outcome for the selected game outcome seed as
indicated in block 414. The gaming terminal determines the game
outcome for the selected game outcome seed by the gaming terminal
utilizing the selected game outcome seed in a random number
generating algorithm to generate at least one and preferably a
plurality of random numbers. The gaming terminal uses the generated
random numbers to determine a game outcome to be provided to the
player. Procedures for generating random numbers from a given
random number seed and utilizing the generated random numbers to
determine a game outcome are well known in the art.
[0070] After the gaming terminal determines the appropriate game
outcome, the gaming terminal determines if the determined game
outcome is a lose game outcome with a payout amount of $0 as
indicated in diamond 416. If the determined game outcome is a lose
game outcome with a payout amount of $0, the gaming terminal
proceeds by randomly selecting a game presentation seed from the
generated cache or hard-copied list and provides the selected game
presentation seed as indicated in blocks 418 to 426 and as
described above.
[0071] If the determined game outcome is not a lose game outcome
with a value of $0 but rather is a win game outcome or a bonus game
triggering outcome, the gaming terminal utilizes the selected game
play seed to determine a game outcome presentation for the
determined game outcome as indicated in block 428. This
determination is accomplished by the gaming terminal utilizing the
selected game play seed to further generate at least one and
preferably a plurality of additional random numbers that are then
used to determine the presentation of the determined game outcome.
For example, in a slot machine gaming terminal, if the gaming
terminal determines that the game outcome is a win $10 outcome, the
gaming terminal may generate three additional random numbers using
the selected game play seed. The three additional random numbers
are used to determine the stop positions of the reels. It should be
appreciated that even though the gaming terminal is generating
random numbers to determine how the game outcome is displayed or
presented to the player, the generated random numbers are based on
the predetermined game outcome seed. Thus, the central controller
is indirectly determining how each win game outcome and each bonus
or secondary game triggering outcome is displayed or presented to
the player. The determined game presentation and the determined
game outcome are provided to the player as indicated in block 430.
If the provided game outcome is a win game outcome or a lose game
outcome, the game ends as indicated in block 426. If the provided
game outcome is a bonus or secondary game triggering outcome (not
shown), the game proceeds to enable the player to play at least one
bonus or secondary game. In the bonus or secondary game, the
central controller provides a predetermined secondary game outcome
and the gaming terminal determines how the provided secondary game
outcome is presented or displayed to the player.
[0072] In an alternative embodiment, the central controller
maintains a set or pool of game outcomes wherein each win game
outcome and each bonus or secondary game triggering outcome is
associated with a game presentation. In this embodiment, the gaming
terminal randomly selects a game outcome and if the selected game
outcome is a win game outcome or a secondary game triggering
outcome, the central controller communicates the selected game
outcome and the game presentation associated with the selected game
outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal displays the
associated game presentation and provides the player the selected
game outcome. If the provided game outcome is a win game outcome,
the game ends. If the provided game outcome is a secondary game
triggering outcome, the gaming terminal enables a player to play a
secondary or bonus game. If the game outcome is a lose game
outcome, the central controller communicates the selected lose game
outcome to the gaming terminal and the gaming terminal determines a
game presentation for the selected game outcome based on a game
presentation seed as described above.
[0073] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *