U.S. patent application number 13/343154 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for gaming device having a predetermined result poker game.
This patent application is currently assigned to IGT. Invention is credited to Michael J. Mason, John M. Montross.
Application Number | 20120122534 13/343154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36653952 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120122534 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Montross; John M. ; et
al. |
May 17, 2012 |
GAMING DEVICE HAVING A PREDETERMINED RESULT POKER GAME
Abstract
An interactive poker game which provides a predetermined outcome
to a player. The gaming device determines, based on an obtained
predetermined game outcome, one or more playing cards to display
for one or more individual hands of playing cards. The gaming
device then enables the player to select one of the individual
poker hands to actively play. The gaming device determines which
playing cards must be provided to the actively played poker hand to
provide the player the predetermined game outcome. The active poker
hand is provided any determined cards which when combined with any
previously revealed playing cards results in a poker hand with an
associated payout equal to the payout associated with the
predetermined game outcome. The gaming device determines and
displays one or more playing cards for each of the non-selected
hands of playing cards and provides the predetermined game outcome
to the player.
Inventors: |
Montross; John M.; (Reno,
NV) ; Mason; Michael J.; (Reno, NV) |
Assignee: |
IGT
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
36653952 |
Appl. No.: |
13/343154 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12882708 |
Sep 15, 2010 |
8100748 |
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13343154 |
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11031663 |
Jan 7, 2005 |
7815500 |
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12882708 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3293 20130101;
G07F 17/3227 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/13 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at
least one input device; at least one processor; 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: (a) simultaneously display a
plurality of plays of a poker game, each of the plays of the poker
game having a plurality of playing cards and the plurality of plays
of the poker game being associated with a predetermined game
outcome, said predetermined game outcome being one of: (i) a losing
game outcome having a value of zero, or (ii) one of a plurality of
different winning game outcomes, each having a value greater than
zero, and (b) for each of the plurality of simultaneously displayed
plays of the poker game: (i) display a plurality of separate hands
of playing cards, each of said hands of playing cards including a
plurality of said playing cards, wherein at least one of said
playing cards of at least one of said hands of playing cards is
determined and displayed based at least in part on said
predetermined game outcome and at least one of said playing cards
of at least one of said hands of playing cards is masked; (ii)
after displaying the plurality of hands of playing cards, enable a
player to select less than all of said plurality of hands of
playing cards, wherein the selection of less than all of said
plurality of hands of playing cards occurs distinct from any
placement of any wager; (iii) determine, based at least in part on
said predetermined game outcome, which of the playing cards to
reveal for any masked playing cards in said selected hand of
playing cards; (iv) reveal said playing cards determined to be
revealed in said selected hand of playing cards; (v) after the
selection of less than all of said plurality of hands of playing
cards, randomly determine, regardless of the predetermined game
outcome, which of the playing cards to reveal for at least one
masked playing card in at least one non-player selected hand of
playing cards; and (vi) display said at least one playing card
determined to be revealed in said non-player selected hand of
playing cards; and (c) after the playing cards of the selected
hands of playing cards are revealed for each of the plurality of
simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game, provide the
player an award having a value equal to the value of said
predetermined game outcome, wherein said value of said
predetermined game outcome is provided to the player regardless of
which hand of playing cards is selected for each of the plurality
of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game and the value
of the provided award is equal to a sum of a plurality of award
values associated with the selected hands of playing cards of the
plurality of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game.
2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to, for each of the plurality of simultaneously
displayed plays of the poker game: determine which of the playing
cards to reveal for any remaining masked playing cards for at least
one non-player selected hand of playing cards, and reveal said
playing cards determined to be revealed in said non-player selected
hand of playing cards.
3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to, for each of the plurality of simultaneously
displayed plays of the poker game: determine at least one of said
playing cards for a plurality of said hands of playing cards,
wherein said determined playing cards are based, at least in part,
on said predetermined game outcome, and display said determined
playing cards.
4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to, for each of the plurality of simultaneously
displayed plays of the poker game: determine at least one of said
playing cards for each of said hands of playing cards, wherein said
determined playing cards are based, at least in part, on said
predetermined game outcome, and display said determined playing
cards.
5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to, for each of the plurality of simultaneously
displayed plays of the poker game: determine a plurality of said
playing cards for at least one of said hands of playing cards,
wherein said determined playing cards are based, at least in part,
on said predetermined game outcome, and display said determined
playing cards.
6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to select said predetermined game outcome from
a plurality of predetermined game outcomes.
7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to select said predetermined game outcome from
a memory device.
8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to receive said predetermined game outcome from
a central controller.
9. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
(a) causing at least one display device to simultaneously display a
plurality of plays of a poker game, each of the plays of the poker
game having a plurality of playing cards and the plurality of plays
of the poker game being associated with a predetermined game
outcome, said predetermined game outcome being one of: (i) a losing
game outcome having a value of zero, or (ii) one of a plurality of
different winning game outcomes, each having a value greater than
zero, and (b) for each of the plurality of simultaneously displayed
plays of the poker game: (i) causing the at least one display
device to display a plurality of separate hands of playing cards,
each of said hands of playing cards including a plurality of said
playing cards, wherein at least one of said playing cards of at
least one of said hands of playing cards is determined and
displayed based at least in part on said predetermined game outcome
and at least one of said playing cards of at least one of said
hands of playing cards is masked; (ii) after displaying the
plurality of hands of playing cards, enabling a player to select
less than all of said plurality of hands of playing cards, wherein
the selection of less than all of said plurality of hands of
playing cards occurs distinct from any placement of any wager;
(iii) causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of
instructions to determine, based at least in part on said
predetermined game outcome, which of the playing cards to reveal
for any masked playing cards in said selected hand of playing
cards; (iv) causing the at least one display device to reveal said
playing cards determined to be revealed in said selected hand of
playing cards; (v) after the selection of less than all of said
plurality of hands of playing cards, causing the at least one
processor to execute the plurality of instructions to randomly
determine, regardless of the predetermined game outcome, which of
the playing cards to reveal for at least one masked playing card in
at least one non-player selected hand of playing cards; and (vi)
causing the at least one display device to display said at least
one playing card determined to be revealed in said non-player
selected hand of playing cards; and (c) after the playing cards of
the selected hands of playing cards are revealed for each of the
plurality of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game,
providing the player an award having a value equal to the value of
said predetermined game outcome, wherein said value of said
predetermined game outcome is provided to the player regardless of
which hand of playing cards is selected for each of the plurality
of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game and the value
of the provided award is equal to a sum of a plurality of award
values associated with the selected hands of playing cards of the
plurality of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game.
10. The method of claim 9, which includes, for each of the
plurality of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game:
causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of
instructions to determine which of the playing cards to reveal for
any remaining masked playing cards for at least one non-player
selected hand of playing cards, and causing the at least one
display device to reveal said playing cards determined to be
revealed in said non-player selected hand of playing cards.
11. The method of claim 9, which includes, for each of the
plurality of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game:
causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of
instructions to determine at least one of said playing cards for a
plurality of said hands of playing cards, wherein said determined
playing cards are based, at least in part, on said predetermined
game outcome, and causing the at least one display device to
display said determined playing cards.
12. The method of claim 9, which includes, for each of the
plurality of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game:
causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of
instructions to determine at least one of said playing cards for
each of said hands of playing cards, wherein said determined
playing cards are based, at least in part, on said predetermined
game outcome, and causing the at least one display device to
display said determined playing cards.
13. The method of claim 9, which includes, for each of the
plurality of simultaneously displayed plays of the poker game:
causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of
instructions to determine a plurality of said playing cards for at
least one of said hands of playing cards, wherein said determined
playing cards are based, at least in part, on said predetermined
game outcome, and causing the at least one display device to
display said determined playing cards.
14. The method of claim 9, which includes causing the at least one
processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select said
predetermined game outcome from a plurality of predetermined game
outcomes.
15. The method of claim 9, which includes causing the at least one
processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select said
predetermined game outcome from a memory device.
16. The method of claim 9, which includes receiving said
predetermined game outcome from a central controller.
17. The method of claim 9, which is provided through a data
network.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the data network is an
internet.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application is a continuation of, claims priority to
and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/882,708,
filed on Sep. 15, 2010, which is a divisional of, claims priority
to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/031,663,
filed on Jan. 7, 2005, the entire contents of each are incorporated
by reference herein.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] 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
[0003] The present invention relates in general to a card game and
more particularly to a gaming device having a predetermined result
poker game.
[0004] The majority of the contemporary wagering gaming devices or
gaming terminals, such as slot machines or poker games, randomly
generate awards and other outcomes. Such gaming terminals typically
include a relatively low probability associated with obtaining the
highest award, relatively medium probabilities associated with
obtaining medium range awards and relatively higher probabilities
associated with obtaining low range awards. These gaming terminals
also include probabilities associated with obtaining losses or no
award at all. 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 completely randomly determined, there
is no certainty that a player will ever obtain any particular
award. No matter how many times a player plays the game, since the
gaming terminal generates outcomes randomly or 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
poker 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 poker 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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. Alternatively, each electronic ticket could
be assigned to a random number or game play seed which is
deterministic of a predetermined outcome. In this embodiment, the
gaming terminal utilizes the random number or game play seed in a
random number generating algorithm to generate random numbers that
the gaming terminal then uses to determine and provide the
predetermined outcome. 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 removed from the pool or set, 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.
[0007] Since an instant-type lottery gaming machine has a finite
pool of predetermined win/loss outcomes, it is possible to
configure the pool to specific conditions or criteria requested by
the casino or gaming establishment. An example of these conditions
or criteria are the number of tickets included in the pool and the
exact payback percentage or payback sum for the pool as a whole.
The payback percentage or sum represents the guaranteed payout for
the entire pool of predetermined outcomes. Other examples of
conditions or criteria are what prizes will be awarded and the
frequency of winning outcome tickets amongst the total number of
tickets for the pool. For example, if a predetermined pool includes
twenty $1 tickets and the pool has a payback sum of $10, then the
pool might consist of one $5 win outcome, one $2 win outcome, three
$1 win outcomes and fifteen $0 loss outcomes and may be represented
as the following outcomes: 5, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0. It should be appreciated that the above
described pool of twenty tickets is for illustration purposes only
and a pool could include any suitable desired number of tickets
including a large number such as one million or more.
[0008] It should be appreciated that even though a pool may contain
more than one of the same game outcome (i.e., the loss or the win
and if a win, the value), the presentation to the player (such as
the cards dealt or drawn in the case of simulated card games) is
preferably varied for each sequential game outcome. For example, in
the twenty ticket pool described above, while three game outcomes
may each determine a win game outcome with a value of $1, in a
poker game machine each game outcome will be preferably presented
to the player as one of a plurality of different card combinations
that all yield the same $1 win outcome.
[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, a game outcome is randomly generated based
on probability data by the central controller. The generated game
outcome and how the game outcome is to be presented or displayed to
the player are communicated from the central controller to the
individual gaming terminal and then provided to the player. It
should be appreciated that one central processor may continuously
run hundreds or thousands of individual gaming terminals at once.
Additionally, each individual gaming terminal may include a
plurality of different types of games played at a plurality of
different denominations.
[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 system maintains one or more predetermined pools or
sets of game outcomes. Each game outcome in each set or pool
includes a game outcome component (i.e., a win, a loss, a secondary
game trigger or other suitable outcome) with an associated value or
payout amount, if any, and a game presentation component (i.e., how
the game outcome is displayed or presented to the player). In these
systems, when a player makes a wager on one of the gaming devices,
the central system independently selects a game outcome from a set
or pool of game outcomes and flags or marks the selected game
outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is
prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be
selected by the central controller upon another wager. The selected
game outcome is communicated to the individual gaming terminal. The
individual gaming terminal displays or presents the game
presentation component and provides the player the game outcome
component with the associated value, if any, for the selected game
outcome. 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.
[0011] Central production or control can assist a casino or other
entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming,
reducing and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors,
reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like. However,
it should be appreciated that some existing central determination
gaming systems involve minimal to no player interaction other than
initiating a game play at a gaming terminal. That is, similar to an
instant type lottery game, the central controller selects a game
outcome from the pool and the selected game outcome is provided to
the player with the player unable to influence the provided game
outcome. Therefore, a need exists for a central determination
gaming system that provides an increased level of player
interaction while still providing a predetermined game outcome to a
player.
[0012] As described above, in addition to central determination
gaming systems, other known gaming devices are operable to provide
a player a predetermined outcome. In these gaming devices, rather
than receiving an outcome from a central controller, the gaming
device stores a plurality of predetermined outcomes in a memory
device. Upon a player initiating a game at the gaming device, the
predetermined outcome which will ultimately be provided to the
player is selected and flagged or marked as used. The gaming device
then proceeds with one or more game sequences and upon the
conclusion of the game sequences, the selected predetermined
outcome is provided to the player.
[0013] Poker games such as draw poker games are also well known. In
a draw poker game, a gaming device initially deals five cards all
face up from a conventional virtual deck of fifty-two playing
cards. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in
the case of the gaming device, may also include that the cards are
randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the
player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one
or more input device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via
the touch screen. The player then presses the deal button and the
unwanted or discarded cards are removed from the display and
replacement cards are dealt from the remaining cards in the deck.
This results in a second five-card hand. The second five-card hand
is compared to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker
hand rankings to determine the winning hands. The player is
provided with an award based on a winning hand and the credits the
player wagered.
[0014] In another embodiment, the poker game may include multiple
hands of poker played simultaneously. In this embodiment, the
player is dealt at least two hands of cards. In one such
embodiment, the cards are the same cards. In one embodiment each
hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player
chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the
primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The
remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayed and
for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand.
Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for
each hand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be
different. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand
compared to a payout table and awards are provided to the
player.
[0015] Some known gaming devices have attempted to provide a poker
game wherein the outcome is predetermined. In these known games, a
player is shown a first hand of cards and invited to select one or
more cards to be discarded. The player is then shown a second hand
and a payoff is provided if the second hand is a winning hand
according to a predetermined payout schedule. In these games, the
initial hand and the second hand are both predetermined prior to
the time the game is started. For this reason, there can often be
an inconsistency between the player's selection of cards that are
to be discarded and the transition from the initial hand to the
second hand. This inconsistency can interfere with the desired
simulation of a card game which provides a predetermined
outcome.
[0016] One known gaming device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,961
includes a poker game wherein an initial hand of cards is displayed
to a player. The player designates which of the initial hand of
cards are to be held and which are to be discarded and the game
displays an intermediate hand generated in accordance with the
player-specified designations. In this gaming device, a second hand
which is associated with a value equal to the value associated with
the predetermined game outcome is shown and in those cases where
the player-specified designation (Hold/Discard) is inconsistent
with a transition from the intermediate hand to the second hand, an
entertaining display is shown and the predetermined game outcome is
provided to the player.
[0017] Additionally, if there is an inconsistency between the award
provided for the player's second hand which is based on the
player's selections of cards to be discarded and the award
associated with the predetermined outcome, other known gaming
devices employ a mystery win card to increase the provided win
amount up to the win amount associated with the predetermined game
outcome. In other known gaming devices, any inconsistency between
the award provided for the player's second hand which is based on
the player's selections of cards to be discarded and the award
associated with the predetermined outcome is held in an escrow or
progressive pool to be subsequently provided to a player.
[0018] A need exists for new and different cards games and in
particular, poker games which provide a predetermined game outcome
to the player.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention relates to a gaming device having a
predetermined result interactive game. In one embodiment, a
plurality of individual sets or hands of playing cards are
initially displayed to a player. Based on a selected predetermined
game outcome, one or more playing cards are determined to be
displayed to the player for one or more of the individual hands of
playing cards and the remaining cards are not displayed (i.e.,
initially dealt face down). The gaming device enables the player to
select one of the individual poker hands to play as the player's
active poker hand. The gaming device then determines which playing
cards must be provided to the actively played poker hand to provide
the player the selected predetermined game outcome. The active
poker hand is provided any determined cards which when combined
with any previously revealed playing cards in the player selected
poker hands results in a poker hand with an associated payout equal
to the payout associated with the predetermined game outcome. The
gaming device determines, preferably randomly, and displays one or
more playing cards for each of the non-selected hands of playing
cards and provides the predetermined game outcome to the
player.
[0020] In one embodiment, the predetermined game outcome is stored
in a central controller. In this embodiment, upon a player
initiating game play at the gaming device, the initiated gaming
device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or
controller. Upon receiving the game outcome request, the central
controller independently selects a game outcome from a set or pool
of game outcomes and flags or marks the selected game outcome as
used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from
further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by
the central controller upon another wager. The selected game
outcome is communicated to the individual gaming device to be
utilized in the initiated poker game. In another embodiment, the
predetermined game outcome is stored in a memory device of the
gaming device. In this embodiment, the gaming device selects a game
outcome from a set or pool of stored game outcomes and flags the
selected game outcome as used.
[0021] In one embodiment, each predetermined game outcome includes
an outcome component, such as a win, a lose, a secondary game
triggering or other suitable outcome, with an associated value or
pay amount, if any. For example, a predetermined game outcome of
win $100 is selected. It should be appreciated that the payout or
value associated with the selected predetermined game outcome
corresponds to or equals the payout or value associated with one of
the poker outcomes which may be obtained in a poker game. For
example, if a game outcome of win $100 is selected, the gaming
device determines that according to an appropriate paytable, a $100
payout is associated with the player obtaining a full house poker
hand and thus, as described in more detail below, the gaming device
determines that a full house poker hand must be provided to the
player in the poker game. In another embodiment, each game outcome
also includes a presentation component. A presentation component is
how the game outcome is presented or displayed to the player, such
as which specific playing cards will form the hand of cards dealt
in a card game.
[0022] In one embodiment, after obtaining the selected
predetermined game outcome, the gaming device initially displays or
deals a plurality of individual sets or hands of playing cards. The
rank and suit of each playing card is not initially displayed to
the player (i.e., each card is initially dealt face down). The
gaming device then determines, based on the selected predetermined
game outcome, one or more playing cards to display to the player
for one or more of the individual hands of playing cards. In an
alternative embodiment, the rank and suit of one or more of the
playing cards in one or more of the hands of playing cards are
initially displayed to the player (i.e., one or more cards are
initially dealt face up) wherein each displayed playing card is
based on the selected predetermined game outcome. Thus, the gaming
device teases or partially reveals one or more playing cards of one
or more poker hands to the player prior to enabling the player to
decide which poker hand to player.
[0023] As described below, the displayed playing cards for each
individual poker hand may be part of the poker hand ultimately
provided to the player. Accordingly, the displayed playing cards
for each individual poker hand must, when combined with one or more
subsequently displayed playing cards, form a poker hand which is
associated with a payout equal to the payout associated with the
selected predetermined game outcome. For example, if the
predetermined game outcome is associated with a value that,
according to an appropriate paytable, is associated with a full
house poker hand and the gaming device displays three playing cards
from one of the individual hands of playing cards, the gaming
device determines that at least two of the displayed cards must be
of the same rank. If three different ranked cards are displayed to
the player, a full house poker hand cannot be formed from three
different ranked playing cards and thus the selected predetermined
game outcome could not be provided to the player. Accordingly, in
this example, the gaming device must determine the appropriate
playing cards (i.e., at least two same ranked playing cards) to
display part of a poker hand that provides the player the selected
predetermined game outcome. It should be appreciated that if the
gaming device displays one or more cards for a plurality of the
poker hands, a separate determination is made for each of the
individual poker hands.
[0024] In one embodiment, after displaying one or more determined
playing cards from one or more of the individual poker hands, the
gaming device enables the player to select one of the individual
poker hands to play as the player's active poker hand. In this
embodiment, the player may select a poker hand with one or more
revealed playing cards or the player may select a poker hand
without any revealed playing cards. For example, if a partially
revealed poker hand displays a pair of jacks, then knowing that a
pair of jacks results in a win according to a appropriate paytable,
the player may decide to take the poker hand with the revealed pair
of jacks. On the other hand, if the partially revealed poker hand
displays three unrelated playing cards such as the three of clubs,
five of hearts and seven of diamonds, then knowing that the
revealed playing cards do not correspond to a win according to the
appropriate paytable, the player may decide to select one of the
poker hands without any revealed cards.
[0025] After the player selects one of the individual poker hands
to be actively played, the gaming device determines which playing
cards must be provided to the actively played poker hand to provide
the player the selected predetermined game outcome. In other words,
the gaming device will determine which playing cards to determine
and display for the player selected individual poker hand to insure
that the player selected individual poker hand is associated with a
payout equal to the payout associated with the selected
predetermined game outcome. In one embodiment, the gaming device
utilizes a look-up table of possible poker hands to determine,
based on any previously displayed playing cards for the selected
poker hand, which non-displayed playing cards remaining in the deck
may be combined with any previously displayed playing cards to form
a poker hand which corresponds with the selected predetermined game
outcome.
[0026] If the player selected a poker hand without any previously
displayed playing cards, the gaming device determines a poker hand
which is associated with a payout equal to the payout associated
with the predetermined game outcome. For example, if the
predetermined outcome is associated with a payout equal to a full
house and the player selects a poker hand without any previously
displayed playing cards, the gaming device determines that to
provide the selected poker hand with a full house, any playing card
combination which results in a full house may be displayed to the
player.
[0027] If the player selected a poker hand with at least one
previously displayed playing card, the gaming device determines a
poker hand which includes the previously displayed playing card(s)
and also is associated with a payout equal to the payout associated
with the predetermined game outcome. For example, if the
predetermined outcome is associated with a payout equal to a full
house and the player selects a poker hand which previously
displayed a pair of jacks, the gaming device determines that to
provide the selected poker hand with a full house, the remaining
cards which must be displayed in the selected poker hand are either
another jack and a pair of non-jack playing cards or three equally
ranked non-jack playing cards.
[0028] In one embodiment, in addition to determining which playing
cards to display to the player in the actively played hand to
guarantee that a poker hand with a payout equal to the selected
predetermined game outcome value is provided to the player, the
gaming device determines, preferably randomly, one or more playing
cards for each of the non-selected hands of playing cards. For each
playing card in each non-selected hand that is not yet displayed to
the player during a previous reveal sequence, the gaming device
determines a playing card and displays the determined playing card
to the player. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, as
each non-selected hands of playing cards is randomly selected, one
or more of the non-selected hands may be associated with a greater
payout than the selected poker hand and one or more of the
non-selected hands may be associated with a lesser payout than the
selected poker hand. This feature provides increased excitement and
entertainment for the player because while regardless of which
poker hand the player actively plays the player will obtain a poker
hand with a payout equal to the payout associated with the selected
predetermined game outcome, the player will view the randomly
determined outcomes they think they would have received if they
picked a different poker hand to actively play.
[0029] Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention
provides a poker game which provides predetermined game outcomes to
a player wherein a player is enabled to make one or more choices or
decisions during the poker game while the predetermined game
outcome is still provided to the player. Additionally, the present
invention provides an interactive poker game wherein at least one
of the cards of at least one of the poker hands is displayed to the
player to tease the player regarding which poker hand to actively
play.
[0030] In alternative embodiments, the gaming device of the present
invention may be employed with other suitable types of poker games,
such as Texas Hold'em. In other embodiments, the gaming device of
the present invention may be employed with other suitable non-poker
cards games, such as blackjack or other suitable games, such as
slot games.
[0031] 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
[0032] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternative
embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of an electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming terminal of the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central
controller.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of the present invention wherein a predetermined game
outcome is selected and the player plays an interactive poker game
wherein the selected predetermined game outcome is provided to the
player.
[0036] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F are top plan views of one
embodiment of the present invention illustrating one interactive
poker game sequence of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention illustrating a player selecting one of a
plurality of different types of games to play.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] Referring now to the drawings, two alternative embodiments
of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B as gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b,
respectively. Gaming device 10a and/or gaming device 10b are
generally referred to herein as gaming device 10.
[0039] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming
device 10 has a support structure, housing or cabinet which
provides support for a plurality of displays, inputs, controls and
other features of a conventional gaming machine. It is configured
so that a player can operate it while standing or sitting. The
gaming device may be positioned on a base or stand or can be
configured as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which a player
can operate preferably while sitting. As illustrated by the
different configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gaming
device can be constructed with varying cabinet and display
configurations.
[0040] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming
device preferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a
microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable
integrated circuit or one or more application-specific integrated
circuits (ASIC's). The processor is in communication with or
operable to access or to exchange signals with at least one data
storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment, the processor and
the memory device reside within the cabinet of the gaming device.
The memory device stores program code and instructions, executable
by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memory device
also stores other data such as image data, event data, player input
data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or
information and applicable game rules that relate to the play of
the gaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device stores a
pool of predetermined outcomes which will be provided to the
players during the play of the interactive poker game of the
present invention.
[0041] In one embodiment, the memory device includes random access
memory (RAM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes read
only memory (ROM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes
flash memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read
only memory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical and/or
semiconductor memory may be implemented in conjunction with the
gaming device of the present invention.
[0042] In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or
operating data described above can be stored in a detachable or
removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable
cartridge, disk or CD ROM. A player can use such a removable memory
device in a desktop, a laptop personal computer, a personal digital
assistant (PDA) or other computerized platform. The processor and
memory device may be collectively referred to herein as a
"computer."
[0043] In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the
gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of
awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or
other game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device
removes the provided award or other game outcome from the
predetermined set or pool. Once removed from the set or pool, the
specific provided award or other game outcome cannot be provided to
the player again. This type of gaming device provides players with
all of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course
of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actual wins and
losses.
[0044] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming
device includes one or more display devices controlled by the
processor. The display devices are preferably connected to or
mounted to the cabinet of the gaming device. The embodiment shown
in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 16 which displays a
primary game. This display device may also display any secondary
game associated with the primary game as well as information
relating to the primary or secondary game. The alternative
embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display device 16
and an upper display device 18. The upper display device may
display the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated
with the primary game and/or information relating to the primary or
secondary game. In another embodiment, at least one display device
may be a mobile display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that
enables at least a portion of the primary or secondary game to be
played at a location remote from the gaming device. As seen in
FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, the gaming device includes a
credit display 20 which displays a player's current number of
credits, cash, account balance or the equivalent. In one
embodiment, gaming device includes a bet display 22 which displays
a player's amount wagered.
[0045] The display devices may include, without limitation, a
monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal
display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LED) or any
other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one
embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device
includes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller.
The display devices may be of any suitable configuration, such as a
square, rectangle, elongated rectangle.
[0046] The display devices of the gaming device are configured to
display at least one and preferably a plurality of playing cards
204, game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any
visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such
as mechanical, virtual or video reels 54, mechanical, virtual or
video wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people,
characters, places, things and faces of cards, tournament
advertisements and the like.
[0047] In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and
indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical
form. The display device may include any electromechanical device,
such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more
rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one
and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images,
symbols or indicia.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming
device includes at least one payment acceptor 24 in communication
with the processor. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the payment
acceptor may include a coin slot 26 and a payment, note or bill
acceptor 28, where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. The
player can place coins in the coin slot or paper money, ticket or
voucher into the payment, note or bill acceptor. In other
embodiments, devices such as readers or validators for credit
cards, debit cards or credit slips could be used for accepting
payment. In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification
card into a card reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment,
the identification card is a smart card having a programmed
microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification,
credit totals and other relevant information. In one embodiment,
money may be transferred to a gaming device through electronic
funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device, the
processor determines the amount of funds entered and the
corresponding amount is shown on the credit or other suitable
display as described above.
[0049] As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, in one embodiment the gaming
device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of input
devices 30 in communication with the processor. The input devices
can include any suitable device which enables the player to produce
an input signal which is read by the processor. In one embodiment,
after appropriate funding of the gaming device, the input device is
a game activation device, such as a play button 34 which is used by
the player to start any primary game or sequence of events in the
gaming device. The play button can be any suitable play activator
such as a bet one button, a max bet button or a repeat the bet
button. In one embodiment, upon appropriate funding, the gaming
device begins the game play automatically. In another embodiment,
upon the player engaging one of the play buttons, the gaming device
automatically activates game play.
[0050] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, one input
device is a bet one button 36. The player places a bet by pushing
the bet one button. The player can increase the bet by one credit
each time the player pushes the bet one button. When the player
pushes the bet one button, the number of credits shown in the
credit display preferably decreases by one, and the number of
credits shown in the bet display preferably increases by one. In
another embodiment, one input device is a bet max button (not
shown) which enables the player to bet the maximum wager permitted
for a game of the gaming device.
[0051] In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38.
The player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a
cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the
number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player
cashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin
payout tray 40. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the
player may receive other payout mechanisms such as tickets or
credit slips redeemable by a cashier or funding to the player's
electronically recordable identification card.
[0052] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1B, the gaming device also
includes a plurality of hold/discard buttons 60. The player may
designate each of the plurality of playing cards dealt to the
player as either a hold or discard by using the hold/discard
buttons. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes one
hold/discard button for all of the playing cards. In another
embodiment, the gaming device includes an individual hold/discard
button for each of the dealt playing cards.
[0053] In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in FIG. 2A,
one input device is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen
controller 44, or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to
allow for player interaction with the images on the display. The
touch-screen and the touch-screen controller are connected to a
video controller 46. A player can make decisions and input signals
into the gaming device by touching touch-screen at the appropriate
places.
[0054] The gaming device may further include a plurality of
communication ports for enabling communication of the processor
with external peripherals, such as external video sources,
expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key
pad.
[0055] In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device
includes a sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds
cards 48 which function in conjunction with the processor. In one
embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least one and
preferably a plurality of speakers 50 or other sound generating
hardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as playing
music for the primary and/or secondary game or for other modes of
the gaming device, such as an attract mode. In one embodiment, the
gaming device provides dynamic sounds coupled with attractive
multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices
to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display
full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming
device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display a
sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract
potential players to the gaming device. The videos may also be
customized for or to provide any appropriate information.
[0056] In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor,
such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly
controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to
acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device
and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one
embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire
still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to
acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable
format. The display devices may be configured to display the image
acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation
of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For
example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and that
image can be incorporated into the primary and/or secondary game as
a game image, symbol or indicia.
[0057] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of
the gaming devices 10 of the present invention may be connected to
each other through a data network or a remote communication link 58
with some or all of the functions of each gaming device provided at
a central location such as a central server or central controller
56. More specifically, the processor of each gaming device may be
designed to facilitate transmission of signals between the
individual gaming device and the central server or controller.
[0058] In one embodiment, the predetermined game outcome provided
to the player is selected by a central server or controller and
provided to the player at the gaming device of the present
invention. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming
devices are in communication with the central server or controller.
Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices,
the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to
the central server or controller. Upon receiving the game outcome
request, the central controller independently selects a game
outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes and flags or marks the
selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as
used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool
and cannot be selected by the central controller upon another
wager. The selected game outcome is communicated to the individual
gaming device to be utilized in the interactive poker game.
[0059] In one embodiment, the central controller maintains at least
one predetermined set or pool of predetermined game outcomes for
each type of game provided on the gaming terminals. In an
alternative embodiment, the central controller maintains a
plurality of predetermined sets or pools of predetermined game
outcomes for each type of provided game. In another embodiment, the
central controller maintains a predetermined set or pool of
predetermined game outcomes for each denomination of each type of
game provided on the gaming terminals. In another embodiment, the
central controller maintains at least one predetermined set or pool
of predetermined game outcome seeds. Each game outcome seed is
deterministic of a predetermined game outcome. Other methods for
storing the pool or set of predetermined game outcomes may be
employed in accordance with the present invention.
[0060] Each predetermined game outcome includes an outcome
component, such as a win, a loss, a secondary game triggering or
other suitable outcome, with an associated value or pay amount, if
any. For example, one game outcome may be a win $5 game outcome and
another game outcome may be a loss or $0 game outcome. Each set or
pool of predetermined game outcomes may include a plurality of each
type of predetermined game outcome. For example, a pool of one
thousand game outcomes may include hundreds of a lower range award
(i.e., a win $1 game outcome) and one or few of the highest award
(i.e., a win $1000 game outcome). In one embodiment, a plurality of
the game outcomes in the predetermined set or pool are different.
In another embodiment, all of the game outcomes in the set or pool
are different.
[0061] In one embodiment, each game outcome may also include a
presentation component. A presentation component is how the
predetermined game outcome is presented or displayed to the player,
such as a specific hand of cards dealt. In order to increase player
entertainment, a plurality of game outcomes with the same outcome
component and associated value have different presentation
components. That is, the same win $5 game outcome is presented or
displayed to the player in a different way. For example, in a poker
style game, each of the same game outcomes are displayed or
presented to the player as a different hand of cards.
[0062] In one embodiment, all of the gaming terminals which are
coupled to the central processor 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. For example, some
gaming terminals may be used for playing a slot machine style 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.
[0063] In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of
the present invention are in communication with a central server or
controller for monitoring purposes only. In this embodiment, each
gaming device stores a pool of predetermined outcomes to be
provided to the player in a memory and the central server or
controller monitors the activities and events occurring on the
plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network
includes a real-time or on-line accounting and gaming information
system operably coupled to the central server or controller. The
accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment
includes a player database for storing player profiles, a player
tracking module for tracking players and a credit system for
providing automated casino transactions.
[0064] In one embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the
present invention are connected together through a data network. In
another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the
present invention are connected to the central controller through a
data network. In one embodiment, the data network is a local area
network (LAN), in which one or more of the gaming devices are
substantially proximate to each other and an on-site central server
or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishment or a
portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the data
network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the
gaming devices are in communication with at least one off-site
central server or controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of
gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gaming
establishment or within a different gaming establishment than the
off-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an
off-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming device
located within gaming establishments in the same geographic area,
such as a city or state. The WAN gaming system of the present
invention may be substantially identical to the LAN gaming system
described above, although the number of gaming devices in each
system may vary relative to each other.
[0065] In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or
intranet. In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming device
can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet
browser. In this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and
accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection
to the central server or controller (the internet/intranet server)
through a conventional phone or other data transmission line,
digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic
cable, or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players
may access an internet game page from any location where an
internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitator are
available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and
speed of internet connections in recent years increases
opportunities for players to play from an ever-increasing number of
remote sites. It should be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of
digital wireless communications may render such technology suitable
for some or all communications according to the present invention,
particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher data
transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication
and response of the display and interaction with the player.
[0066] In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one
or more gaming sites may be networked to a central server and
operable to provide one or more progressive awards to one or more
players. A progressive award is an award amount which includes an
initial amount funded by a casino and an additional amount funded
through a portion of each wager made on the progressive gaming
device. For example, 1% of each wager on the primary game of the
gaming device may be allocated to the progressive award or
progressive award fund. The progressive award grows in value as
more players play the gaming device and more portions of the
players' wagers are allocated to the progressive award. When a
player obtains a winning outcome which results in or is associated
with the progressive award, the accumulated progressive award is
provided to the player. After the progressive award is provided to
the player, the amount of the next progressive award is reset to
the initial value and a portion of each subsequent wager is
allocated to the next progressive award as described above. In one
embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the
central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites for
providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system.
In one embodiment, a host site computer may serve gaming devices
distributed throughout a number of properties at different
geographical locations including, for example, different locations
within a city or different cities within a state.
[0067] In one embodiment, the host site computer is maintained for
the overall operation and control of the system. In this
embodiment, a host site computer oversees the entire progressive
gaming system and is the master for computing all progressive
jackpots. All participating gaming sites report to, and receive
information from, the host site computer. Each central server
computer is responsible for all data communication between the
gaming device hardware and software and the host site computer.
[0068] In one embodiment, the interactive game of the present
invention may be employed as either a primary game or a base game.
If the interactive game is implemented as a secondary game, then
the gaming device can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or
base game. The gaming machine or device of the present invention
may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming
machines or devices. The primary or base interactive game may
comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, number game or
other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic
or electromechanical form which produces a predetermined outcome
upon activation from a wager. Different primary wagering games,
such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video Keno, video
bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented
into the present invention.
[0069] In another embodiment, if the interactive game is
implemented as a primary game, then in addition to winning credits
in the primary interactive game, the gaming device may also give
players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game
or bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables
the player to obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or
payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game.
[0070] In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any
type of suitable game, either similar to or completely different
from the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the bonus game is
one or more hands of an interactive poker game. In another
embodiment, the bonus game is a plurality of simultaneously played
hands of an interactive poker game. In one embodiment, the gaming
device includes a program which will automatically begin a bonus
round when the player has achieved a triggering event or qualifying
condition in the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the
triggering event or qualifying condition may be a selected outcome
in the primary game or a particular arrangement of one or more
indicia on a display device in the primary game. In another
embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be by
exceeding a certain amount of game play (number of games, number of
credits, amount of time), reaching a specified number of points
earned during game play or as a random award.
[0071] In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus
game, the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game
participation through continued play on the base or primary game.
Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that
the player obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or
credits may be accumulated in a "bonus meter" programmed to accrue
the bonus wagering credits or entries toward eventual participation
in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple such bonus qualifying
events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic or geometric
increase in the number of bonus wagering credits awarded. In one
embodiment, extra bonus wagering credits may be redeemed during the
bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.
[0072] It should be appreciated that if the gaming device enables
the player to play a secondary game in addition to the interactive
game, then regardless of how the game outcome is ultimately
provided to the player, either as a value or payout from the
primary or base game, as a value or payout from the secondary or
bonus game, as a loss from the primary or base game or as a loss
from the secondary or bonus game, the game outcome is
predetermined. That is, if the predetermined game outcome is a win
outcome and the value or payout provided in the primary or base
game do not reach the value or payout associated with the
predetermined game outcome, then the gaming device utilizes the
secondary or bonus game to supplement any value or payout provided
in the base game to sum the total value or payout from the primary
and secondary game to the value or payout associated with the
predetermined game outcome. For example, if the particular game
outcome associated with the player's choice or decision is a win
outcome with an associated value or payout of $10, the outcome may
be presented to the player as a $10 win outcome in the primary or
base game, a $10 secondary or bonus game win outcome or any
combination of payouts in the primary or base game and secondary or
bonus game that result in a total payout of $10. Either way, the
player is provided $10 and that particular game outcome is removed
from the set of game outcomes.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 3, the game play of an interactive game of
the present invention, such as an interactive poker game is
initiated by a player inserting the appropriate amount of money or
tokens at the gaming device as indicated in block 102. After the
interactive poker game is initiated, a predetermined outcome is
selected as indicated in block 104.
[0074] In one embodiment, the gaming device selects one of the
predetermined game outcomes stored in a memory device of the gaming
device. In another embodiment, as described above, the gaming
device is in communication with the central controller and the
central controller selects a predetermined game outcome. The
central controller then flags the selected game outcome as used
(i.e., preventing the selected game outcome from being subsequently
selected by the central controller) and communicates the
predetermined game outcome to the gaming device.
[0075] In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome is
determined for each of a plurality of linked or networked gaming
devices based on the results of a multi-gaming device Bingo game.
In this embodiment, each individual gaming device utilizes the game
outcome provided to that gaming device in a Bingo game as the
predetermined game outcome for a displayed poker game at that
gaming device. In one embodiment, the game outcomes determined in
the Bingo game are utilized in the poker game and the Bingo game is
displayed to the player.
[0076] In these embodiments, as each gaming device is enrolled in
the Bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or engaging an
input device, the enrolled gaming device is provided a different
Bingo card. Each Bingo card consists of a matrix or array of
elements, wherein each element is designated with a separate
indicia, such as a number. It should be appreciated that each
different Bingo card includes a different combination of elements.
For example, if four Bingo cards are provided to four enrolled
gaming devices, the same element may be present on all four of the
Bingo cards while another element may solely be present on one of
the Bingo cards.
[0077] In operation of this embodiment, upon providing a different
Bingo card to each of a plurality of enrolled gaming devices, the
central controller randomly selects or draws, one at a time, a
plurality of the elements. As each element is selected, each gaming
device determines if the selected element is present on the Bingo
card provided to that enrolled gaming device. If the selected
element is present on the Bingo card provided to that enrolled
gaming device, that gaming device marks or flags the selected
element on the provided Bingo card. This process of selecting
elements and marking any selected elements on the provided Bingo
cards continues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked
on one or more of the provided Bingo cards. It should be
appreciated that in one embodiment, the gaming device requires the
player to engage a "daub" button (not shown), in order to initiate
the process of the gaming device marking or flagging any selected
elements.
[0078] After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one
or more of the provided Bingo cards, a game outcome is determined
for each of the enrolled gaming devices based, at least in part, on
the selected elements on the provided Bingo cards. As described
above, the game outcome each gaming device determines for the Bingo
game is utilized by that gaming device as the predetermined game
outcome provided to the player in the displayed poker game. For
example, a first gaming device to mark selected elements in a
predetermined pattern is provided a first outcome of win $10 which
will be provided to the player in the poker game regardless of how
the player plays the provided initial poker hand and a second
gaming device to mark selected elements in a different
predetermined pattern is provided a second outcome of win $2 which
will be provided to the player in the poker game regardless of how
the player plays the provided initial poker hand. It should be
appreciated that as the process of marking selected elements
continues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked, this
embodiment insures that at least one Bingo card will win the Bingo
game and thus at least one enrolled gaming device will provide a
predetermined winning game outcome to a player in at least one
poker game.
[0079] After selecting, receiving or determining the predetermined
game outcome, the gaming device displays a plurality of individual
poker hands of masked playing cards as indicated in block 106. In
one embodiment, the gaming device only displays to the player an
image of the playing cards dealt without providing any playing
cards to the plurality of individual poker hands. It should be
appreciated that in this embodiment, no playing cards are initially
dealt to any of the individual poker hands, but rather, the gaming
device merely displays an image of a plurality of face down cards
which are apparently initially dealt.
[0080] In one embodiment, the number of displayed individual poker
hands is predetermined. In another embodiment, the number of
displayed individual poker hands is randomly determined. In another
embodiment, the number of displayed individual poker hands is based
on the player's wager. In one embodiment, the larger the player's
wager, the more displayed individual poker hands. In this
embodiment, the player may perceive that the larger the player's
initial wager, the more displayed poker hands the player may select
from to play as their active poker hand. In another embodiment, the
larger the player's initial wager, the less displayed individual
poker hands. It should be appreciated that any suitable method of
determining the number of displayed individual poker hands may be
employed in accordance with the present invention.
[0081] In one embodiment, the number of playing cards in each
individual poker hand is the same. In another embodiment, the
number of playing cards in a plurality of the individual poker
hands is different. In another embodiment, the number of playing
cards in each individual poker hand is different. In different
embodiments, the number of playing cards in the individual poker
hands is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on
the player's wager, determined based on play of a sub-game or
determined based on any other suitable manner. It should be
appreciated that in different embodiments wherein the number of
cards in each hand are different, any paytable is appropriately
adjusted for the different numbers of cards.
[0082] In one embodiment, the gaming device initially displays a
partial poker hand for one or more of the individual poker hands.
For example, in a five card poker game, the gaming device may
initially display (or display an image of a dealt, face down
playing card) three playing cards for one or more of the individual
poker hands. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, as
the game progresses, the gaming device subsequently provides each
individual partial poker hand with the number of cards necessary to
form a complete individual poker hand. In another embodiment, the
gaming device initially displays a complete or full poker hand for
one or more of the individual poker hands.
[0083] After displaying a plurality of individual poker hands, the
gaming device determines and displays at least one playing card for
at least one of the individual poker hands as indicated in block
108. Each of the displayed playing cards is based on the selected
predetermined game outcome. Since the displayed playing cards may
be part of the poker hand selected by the player (i.e., the poker
hand which any award or payout is determined based on), the
displayed playing cards must, when combined with one or more
subsequently determined and displayed playing cards, form a poker
hand which, with reference to an appropriate paytable, is
associated with a payout equal to the payout associated with the
selected predetermined game outcome. It should be appreciated that
if the selected predetermined game outcome is provided to the
player as a combination of the payouts from one or more primary
games and one or more secondary games, then in the interactive
poker game, the gaming device provides the player a portion of the
payout of the selected predetermined game outcome allocated for the
interactive poker game.
[0084] In one embodiment, upon selecting the predetermined game
outcome, the gaming device determines according to an appropriate
paytable which possible poker hands are associated with payouts
that equal the payout associated with the selected game outcome. In
this embodiment, the gaming device then displays one or more of the
playing cards of one or more of the determined possible poker hands
to the player for one or more of the individual poker hands. It
should be appreciated that if the gaming device displays one or
more cards for a plurality of the poker hands, a separate
determination is made for each of the individual poker hands.
[0085] In one embodiment, at least one individual poker hand
displays one or more playing cards. In another embodiment, a
plurality of individual poker hands each display one or more
playing cards. In another embodiment, each of the individual poker
hands display one or more playing cards. In another embodiment, the
gaming device enables a player to pick or select one or more of the
individual poker hands wherein the player picked poker hands
display one or more playing cards. In different embodiments, the
number of individual poker hands which display one or more playing
card is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the
player's wager or determined based on any other suitable manner. It
should be appreciated that regardless of how many playing cards
each individual poker hand displays, each playing card for each
poker hand is based on the selected predetermined outcome as
described above.
[0086] In one embodiment, the playing cards for each individual
poker hand are determined and displayed from a single fifty-two
card deck. In another embodiment, the playing cards for each
individual poker hand are determined and displayed from a plurality
of fifty-two card decks. In another embodiment, the playing cards
for each individual poker hand are selected from a predetermined
number of cards. In another embodiment, the playing cards for each
individual poker hand are selected from a deck of more than
fifty-two playing cards, such as a deck including one or more
"joker" or wild playing cards. In this embodiment, a joker or wild
playing card may substitute for any other playing card.
[0087] After displaying one or more determined playing cards from
one or more of the individual poker hands, the gaming device
enables the player to select one of the individual poker hands to
play as the player's active poker hand as indicated in block 110.
In this embodiment, the player may select a poker hand with one or
more revealed playing cards or the player may select a poker hand
without any revealed playing cards. For example, if a partially
revealed poker hand displays a pair of aces, then knowing that a
pair of aces results in a win according to the appropriate
paytable, the player may decide to take the poker hand with the
revealed pair of aces. On the other hand, if the partially revealed
poker hand displays two different ranked, different suited playing
cards, then knowing that the revealed playing cards do not
correspond to a win according to the appropriate paytable, the
player may decide to select one of the poker hands without any
revealed cards. As described below, regardless of which individual
poker hand the player selects to play as an active hand, the gaming
device will determine and display the player selected poker hand
with the appropriate playing cards to form a poker hand with a
payout equal to the predetermined game outcome.
[0088] After the player selects one of the individual poker hands
to be actively played, the gaming device determines if the player
selected a poker hand with at least one previously displayed
playing card as indicated in diamond 112.
[0089] If the player selected a poker hand without any previously
displayed playing cards, the gaming device determines and displays
a plurality of playing cards to form a poker hand that is
associated with a payout equal to the payout associated with the
predetermined game outcome as indicated in block 114. Each of the
determined and displayed playing cards is based on the selected
predetermined game outcome. In other words, the gaming device will
determine which playing cards to determine and display for the
player selected individual poker hand to insure that the player
selected individual poker hand is associated with a payout equal to
the payout associated with the selected predetermined game outcome.
In one embodiment, the gaming device utilizes a look-up table of
possible poker hands to determine which poker hand to determine and
display for the player selected individual poker hand. A look-up
table is a table with all of the possible different poker hands
possible and the associated payouts associated with each. In this
embodiment, the gaming device scrolls through all the possible
poker hands with a payout equal to the selected predetermined game
outcome and randomly selects one of the possible poker hands with a
payout equal to the selected predetermined game outcome. For
example, if the predetermined outcome is associated with a payout
equal to a flush, the gaming device determines that to provide the
selected poker hand with a flush, any playing card combination
which results in a flush may be determined and displayed to the
player.
[0090] On the other hand, if the player selected a poker hand with
at least one previously displayed playing card, the gaming device
determines and displays at least one playing card which, when
combined with the previously displayed playing card(s), form a
poker hand that is associated with a payout equal to the payout
associated with the predetermined game outcome as indicated in
block 116. Each of the determined and displayed playing cards is
based on the selected predetermined game outcome. In other words,
the gaming device will determine which playing cards that when
combined with any previously displayed playing cards for the player
selected individual poker hand to determine and display for the
player selected individual poker hand in order to insure that the
player selected individual poker hand is associated with a payout
equal to the payout associated with the selected predetermined game
outcome. For example, if the predetermined outcome is associated
with a payout equal to a flush and the player selects a poker hand
which previously displayed a jack of clubs, the gaming device
determines that to provide the selected poker hand with a flush,
the remaining cards which must be displayed in the selected poker
hand must all be suited as clubs. It should be appreciated that if
the player selected a poker hand with each playing card previously
displayed, the gaming device does not display any additional cards
for the selected individual poker hand because the previously
displayed playing cards form a poker hand which is associated with
a payout equal to the predetermined game outcome.
[0091] In addition to determining the appropriate playing cards to
display to the player to form a poker hand that corresponds with
the predetermined game outcome value, the gaming device determines,
preferably randomly, one or more playing cards for each of the
non-selected hands of playing cards as indicated in block 118. For
each playing card in each non-selected hand that is not yet
displayed to the player during a previous reveal sequence, the
gaming device determines a playing card and displays the determined
playing card to the player. In different embodiments, the random
determination and display for each non-displayed card in the
non-selected poker hands occurs simultaneously, sequentially or in
an overlapping manner to the determination and display of the
non-displayed card in the selected poker hand. It should be
appreciated that as each non-selected hands of playing cards is
randomly selected, one or more of the non-selected hands may be
associated with a greater payout than the selected poker hand and
one or more of the non-selected hands may be associated with a
lesser payout than the selected poker hand.
[0092] After randomly determining and displaying playing cards for
the non-player selected poker hands, the gaming device provides the
selected predetermined game outcome to the player and ends the
poker game as indicated in block 120. It should be appreciated that
as described above, the provided payout associated with the player
selected poker hand equals the payout associated with the selected
game outcome.
[0093] In one embodiment, for one or more of the non-selected poker
hands, the gaming device displays playing cards which form a poker
hand that corresponds to a greater payout than the payout provided
to the player for the selected poker hand. In another embodiment,
for one or more of the non-selected poker hands, the gaming device
displays playing cards which form a poker hand that corresponds to
a lesser payout than the payout provided to the player for the
selected poker hand. In different embodiments, the determination of
whether to provide a higher or lower payout for one or more of the
non-selected poker hands is predetermined, randomly determined,
determined based on the player's wager, determined based on play of
a sub-game or determined based on any other suitable manner.
[0094] Referring now to FIGS. 4A to 4F, in one embodiment of the
present invention, the gaming device provides a screen or display
16 wherein the player will play an interactive poker game. As seen
in FIG. 4A, upon the initiation of the poker game, a predetermined
outcome 206 of win $100 is selected. With reference to an
appropriate paytable (not shown), the selected predetermined game
outcome of win $100 corresponds to the payout associated with a
full house. It should be appreciated that during game play the
selected predetermined outcome is not displayed to the player but
is only displayed here for illustration purposes.
[0095] In addition to obtaining the selected predetermined game
outcome, the gaming initially displays or deals a number of
individual pluralities or hands of playing cards. Each hand
includes a plurality of playing cards 204. The rank and suit of
each playing card is not initially displayed to the player (i.e.,
each card is initially dealt face down). In this example, the
gaming device displayed three individual sets of playing cards,
Hand One, Hand Two and Hand Three, 202a, 202b and 202c,
respectively. It should be appreciated that each individual hand of
playing cards is independent of the other hands of playing
cards.
[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, after the predetermined outcome
is selected and a plurality of individual hands of face down
playing cards are displayed, the gaming device determines and
displays, based on the selected predetermined game outcome, at
least one playing card from at least one of the individual poker
hands. In one embodiment, the gaming device determines, according
to an appropriate paytable, which possible poker hands are
associated with payouts that equal the payout associated with the
selected game outcome. In this embodiment, the gaming device then
determines and displays one or more of the playing cards of one or
more of the determined possible poker hands to the player for one
of more of the individual poker hands. In this example, the gaming
device displayed the three playing cards of the king of hearts
208a, the two of diamonds 208b and the king of spades 208c for Hand
Two. It should be appreciated that the three displayed playing
cards, when combined with two additional playing cards, can form a
full house poker hand which is associated with a payout equal to
the predetermined game outcome.
[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 4C, after displaying one or more
cards to the player for one or more of the individual poker hands,
the gaming device enables the player to select one of the
individual poker hands to play as the player's active poker hand.
Knowing that a pair of kings results in a win according to the
appropriate paytable, the player may decide to take the poker hand
with the revealed pair of kings and be assured of a winning poker
hand. In this example, the player selected Hand Two 202b.
[0098] After the player selects a hand of playing cards to play,
the gaming device determines, based on the selected predetermined
game outcome and the previously displayed playing cards for Hand
Two, which two additional playing cards will result in a full house
poker hand for Hand Two (and thus a payout equal to the payout of
the selected predetermined game outcome). In this example, the
gaming device determined that a full house poker hand may be
provided to the player by either providing an additional king
playing card and an additional "two" playing card or by providing
two additional "two" playing cards. Accordingly, the gaming device
selects the appropriate playing cards, as illustrated in FIG. 4C,
of a two of hearts 208d and a two of clubs 208e and displays the
appropriate playing cards to the player. As described above, the
player selected poker hand is, according to an appropriate
paytable, associated with an payout or outcome equal to the
selected predetermined game outcome.
[0099] As illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D, in addition to providing
the player selected poker hand with one or more playing cards based
on the selected predetermined game outcome, the gaming device
determines, preferably randomly, one or more playing cards for each
of the non-selected hands of playing cards. As illustrated in FIG.
4D, for the non-selected Hand One, the gaming device randomly
determined and displayed the playing cards of the three of diamonds
210a, four of hearts 210b, king of hearts 210c, three of spades
210d and jack of clubs 210e. For the non-selected Hand Three, the
gaming device randomly determined and displayed the playing cards
of the jack of hearts 212a, ace of spades 212b, jack of spades
212c, jack of diamonds 212d and the jack of clubs 212e. As
illustrated in FIG. 4D, the gaming device randomly determined and
displayed a non-winning poker hand for non-selected Hand One and a
winning poker hand of four jacks for non-selected Hand Three. It
should be appreciated that as each individual hand of cards is
independent from the other hands of cards and utilizes a separate
deck of playing cards, one or more playing cards may be dealt to a
plurality of the hands of cards. In this example, the king of
hearts playing card was displayed for both Hand One and Hand Two
and the jack of clubs playing card was displayed for both Hand One
and Hand Three.
[0100] After displaying the randomly determined cards for the
non-selected poker hands, the player is provided an outcome based
on the playing cards of the selected hand of playing cards, in this
example, an award of $100. Appropriate messages such as "YOU GOT A
FULL HOUSE" and "YOU WON $100" may provided to the player visually,
or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 4E, if the player alternatively
selected to play Hand One as their active hand of playing cards
rather than Hand Two, then as described above, the gaming device
determines, based on the selected predetermined game outcome which
five playing cards will result in a full house poker hand for Hand
One (and thus a payout equal to the payout of the selected
predetermined game outcome). In this embodiment, the gaming device
utilizes a look-up table of possible poker hands (not shown) to
determine which combination of playing cards with a payout equal to
the selected predetermined game outcome to display for the player
selected individual poker hand. In this example, for selected Hand
One the gaming device determines and displays the playing cards of
the seven of hearts 214a, four of diamonds 214b, seven of spades
214c, seven of clubs 214d and four of clubs 214e. As described
above, the player selected poker hand is, according to an
appropriate paytable, associated with an payout or outcome equal to
the selected predetermined game outcome.
[0102] As illustrated in FIGS. 4E and 4F, as described above, the
gaming device determines, preferably randomly, one or more playing
cards for each of the non-selected hands of playing cards.
Accordingly, for the non-selected Hand Two, the gaming device
randomly determined and displayed the playing cards of the six of
clubs 108f and the seven of spades 108g in addition to the
previously displayed playing cards for Hand Two. For the
non-selected Hand Three, the gaming device randomly determined and
displayed the playing cards of the three of clubs 216a, ace of
hearts 216b, king of clubs 216c, eight of diamonds 216d and the
five of spades 216e. As illustrated in FIG. 4F, the gaming device
randomly determined and displayed non-winning poker hands for
non-selected Hand One and non-selected Hand Three.
[0103] The player is provided an outcome based on the playing cards
of the selected hand of playing cards, in this case, an award of
$100. Appropriate messages such as "YOU GOT A FULL HOUSE" and "YOU
WON $100" may provided to the player visually, or through suitable
audio or audiovisual displays. It should be appreciated that as
described above, the same result is ultimately provided to the
player regardless of if the player selected to player individual
hand one or individual hand two.
[0104] In another embodiment, the gaming device is operable to
enable a player to play a plurality of interactive poker games
simultaneously wherein the gaming device provides one or more
predetermined game outcomes to the player. In one embodiment, a
predetermined game outcome is selected for each individual poker
game and while played simultaneously, the gaming device provides
the player a separate predetermined game outcome for each
individual poker game. In another embodiment, one or more of the
simultaneously played poker games may be linked wherein the total
outcome provided to the player for the sum of all the played poker
games is equal to the selected predetermined game outcome. In
another embodiment, the player is enabled to select a plurality of
individual poker hands to actively play wherein each selected poker
hand is provided the appropriate playing cards to correspond to a
different predetermined game outcome.
[0105] In addition to providing a five card draw poker game which
provides one or more predetermined game outcomes to a player, the
present invention may be employed with other suitable types of
poker games, such as Texas Hold'em. For example, in one Texas
Hold'em embodiment, a player may be enabled to select which
community cards to play with. In another embodiment, the gaming
device may be employed in any other suitable non-poker interactive
cards game, such as blackjack. In this embodiment, the gaming
device displays at least one card of a plurality of initial
blackjack hands, enables the player to select one of the initial
blackjack hands and then determines and displays, based on the
selected predetermined game outcome, zero, one or more playing
cards for the selected blackjack hand. In one embodiment, the
gaming device utilizes one or more automatic play rules or
algorithms for the dealer to insure that the payout provided to the
player for the selected blackjack hand corresponds with the
selected predetermined game outcome.
[0106] In another embodiment, the gaming device is operable to
provide a player a selected predetermined game outcome via a slot
game. In this embodiment, a plurality of reels spin to generate,
based on the selected predetermined game outcome, one or more
symbols. Each symbol generated may be part of a symbol combination
associated with a payout which corresponds with the payout of the
selected predetermined game outcome. The gaming device enables the
player to select a reel with a generated symbol or select a reel
without a generated symbol. If the player selects a reel with a
generated symbol, that generated symbol is held and will be part of
the player's complete symbol combination. If the player selects a
reel without a generated symbol, no generated symbols are held over
to be part of the player's complete symbol combination. In this
embodiment, the gaming device determines and generates, based on
the selected predetermined game outcome, one or more symbols to
form a symbol combination associated with a payout equal to the
selected predetermined game outcome. For example, if the selected
predetermined game outcome is a win $10 game outcome, the gaming
device may initially reveal two different symbols on two selectable
reels wherein each different symbol may be combined with zero, one
or more other symbols to form a symbol combination associated with
a payout equal to the selected predetermined win $10 game
outcome.
[0107] In another embodiment, the gaming device is operable to
enable a player to choose between which of a plurality of different
games to play, wherein the selected predetermined game outcome is
provided to the player regardless of which game the player picks to
play. In this embodiment, one or more game elements of one or more
of the games may be displayed to the player prior to enabling the
player to select a game to play, wherein each displayed game
element is based on the selected predetermined game outcome. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the player is enabled to select
to play either a slot game 218a, a draw poker game 218b or a
blackjack game 218c. In this example, one or more symbols 220 are
determined and generated on one or more of the reels 54 of the reel
game and a eight of hearts playing card 222a is determined and
displayed for the blackjack game. It should be appreciated that one
or more game elements, in this example playing cards or reel
symbols, may be determined and displayed based on the selected
predetermined game outcome for one, more or each of the available
games wherein each displayed symbol/playing card is determined
based on the selected predetermined game outcome. In this
embodiment, as described above, the player selects one of the
plurality of available games and based on the selected game
outcome, the gaming device provides the player an outcome for the
selected game which corresponds with the selected predetermined
game outcome.
[0108] In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device of the
present invention is operable with a randomly determined game
outcome. In this embodiment, upon the initiation of the gaming
device, a randomly determined game outcome is determined using one
or more random number generating algorithms. The gaming device then
proceeds as described above via controlling each of the playing
cards of the individual hands of playing cards to provide the
player the randomly determined game outcome.
[0109] 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.
* * * * *