U.S. patent application number 13/232885 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for wagering game, gaming machine, gaming network, and methods including a dynamic wheel.
Invention is credited to Jp Cody, Frank DeSimone, Clint Owen, Brian A. Watkins.
Application Number | 20120122545 13/232885 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46048252 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120122545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watkins; Brian A. ; et
al. |
May 17, 2012 |
WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, GAMING NETWORK, AND METHODS
INCLUDING A DYNAMIC WHEEL
Abstract
A wagering game, gaming machine, gaming network, and associated
methods are disclosed including a dynamic wheel wherein a wheel
game includes re-programming the wheel display and associated
awards during successive plays. The dynamic wheel may be displayed
in a wheel display area of a flat panel display device. The wheel
display area along with other display areas may be defined by a
bezel positioned over the display surface of the flat panel display
device.
Inventors: |
Watkins; Brian A.; (Austin,
TX) ; Owen; Clint; (Austin, TX) ; DeSimone;
Frank; (Henderson, NE) ; Cody; Jp; (Austin,
TX) |
Family ID: |
46048252 |
Appl. No.: |
13/232885 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61413468 |
Nov 14, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ;
463/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ;
463/27 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine including: a wheel display apparatus comprising
a flat panel display device and a bezel structure overlaying the
flat panel display device, the bezel structure overlaying the flat
panel display device such that a wheel display area and a paytable
display area of the flat panel display device are visible through
openings or transparent areas of the bezel structure; and one or
more processors configured to (i) instruct the flat panel display
device to display a wheel and indicator within the wheel display
area and to display a paytable within the paytable display area,
the wheel including two or more segments, at least one segment
associated with a value, (ii) randomly or pseudo-randomly determine
a wheel game outcome, (iii) instruct the flat panel display device
to display a wheel game presentation wherein the wheel and the
indicator appear to spin relative to each other until coming to
rest to display the wheel game outcome, and (iv) present an award
in accordance with the wheel game outcome.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors
instruct the flat panel display device to cause the wheel to appear
to spin relative to the indicator in the wheel game
presentation.
3. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors
instruct the flat panel display device to cause the indicator to
appear to spin relative to the wheel in the wheel game
presentation.
4. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors
instruct the flat panel display device to cause both the wheel and
the indicator to appear to spin in the wheel game presentation.
5. The gaming machine of claim 1 further including a primary
display device and wherein the one or more processors are also
configured to randomly or pseudo-randomly determine a primary game
outcome from a set of possible primary game outcomes including at
least one primary game outcome triggering the wheel game, the
primary game outcome being displayed through the primary display
device under control of the one or more processors.
6. The gaming machine of claim 1 further including a primary
display device and wherein the one or more processors determine the
wheel game outcome from an overall outcome for a play at the gaming
machine and wherein the one or more processors are also configured
to instruct the primary game display device to display a primary
game outcome also determined from the overall outcome.
7. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the wheel includes
multiple wheel segments and the one or more processors are also
configured to modify one or more of the wheel segments after
instructing the flat panel display device to display the game
presentation.
8. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein one of the first wheel
segment and the second wheel segment is associated with a first
level progressive award and the other one of the first wheel
segment and the second wheel segment is not associated with a
progressive award.
9. A gaming machine including: a wheel display apparatus; one or
more memory devices storing wagering game program code; and one or
more processors configured to execute the wagering game program
code to (i) instruct the wheel display apparatus to display a first
wheel event in which a first wheel segment is identified from two
or more wheel segments of a wheel displayed through the wheel
display apparatus, one or more of the wheel segments of the wheel
being respectively associated with one or more awards, to (ii)
instruct the wheel display apparatus to modify one or more of the
one or more wheel segments of the wheel following the first wheel
event to produce a modified wheel with two or more wheel segments,
(iii) instruct the wheel display apparatus to display a second
wheel event in which a second wheel segment is identified from two
or more wheel segments of the modified wheel, and to (iv) present
any award associated with the first wheel segment or any award
associated with the second wheel segment, or to present any award
associated with the first wheel segment and any award associated
with the second wheel segment.
10. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein the wagering game program
code includes primary game program code and further including: a
user interface operable to receive a player input and transmit a
request to initiate a primary game; a primary display apparatus
operable to present the primary game in accordance with one or more
instructions from the one or more processors executing the primary
game program code; and a meter operable to display an award
associated with any winning outcomes in the primary game.
11. The gaming machine of claim 10 wherein the one or more
processors execute the primary game program code to display the
first wheel event in response to a triggering event in the primary
game.
12. The gaming machine of claim 11 wherein the appearance of a
special symbol on the primary display apparatus during the primary
game represents the triggering event.
13. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein a triggering event to
initiate the first wheel event is produced by a random or
pseudo-random determination by the one or more processors.
14. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein one of the first wheel
segment and the second wheel segment is associated with a first
level progressive award and the other one of the first wheel
segment and the second wheel segment is not associated with a
progressive award.
15. A method of operating a gaming machine, the method including:
receiving a wager at a gaming machine and initiating a play at the
gaming machine; in the play at the gaming machine, displaying a
wheel on a wheel display device at the gaming machine, the wheel
including two or more wheel segments; displaying a first wheel
event in which a first wheel segment is identified from the two or
more wheel segments of the wheel; following the first wheel event,
displaying a modification of one or more of the wheel segments to
display a modified wheel on the wheel display device, the modified
wheel including two or more wheel segments; displaying a second
wheel event in which a second wheel segment is identified from the
two or more segments of the modified wheel; and presenting an award
associated with at least one of the first wheel segment or the
second wheel segment.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein displaying the wheel and the
modified wheel on the wheel display device includes displaying the
wheel and the modified wheel in a wheel display area of the wheel
display device, the wheel display area being defined by a bezel
positioned over a planar surface of the wheel display device.
17. The method of claim 16 further including displaying a paytable
within a paytable display area of the wheel display device at the
gaming machine, the paytable being defined by the bezel positioned
over the planar surface of the wheel display device.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the first wheel event is
displayed in response to the wager received at the gaming
machine.
19. The method of claim 15 further including: displaying a primary
game presentation on a primary game presentation display device;
and presenting an award associated with an outcome of the primary
game presentation.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first wheel event is
displayed in response to the occurrence of a trigger associated
with the primary game presentation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The Applicants claim the benefit, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/413,468
filed Nov. 14, 2010, and entitled "Wagering Game, Gaming Machine,
Gaming Network, And Methods Including a Dynamic Wheel." The entire
content of this provisional application is incorporated herein by
this reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent
document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all rights of copyright whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to wagering games, gaming machines,
gaming networks, and associated methods. More particularly, the
invention relates to wagering games, gaming machines, gaming
networks, and methods wherein a wheel-based game includes a
programmable wheel display which may vary the wheel characteristics
during play of a game.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] A variety of wagering games have been developed wherein a
wheel-based primary or feature game may include spinning a wheel
and providing an award based on the stopping position of the
wheel.
[0007] There continues to be a need to provide new game aspects to
improve wheel-based wagering games, increase player interest, and
generate excitement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One or more embodiments of the present invention include a
variable wheel-based game and method wherein one or more segments
on a wheel may be varied during play of a game to provide one or
more enhanced awards.
[0009] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a
first wheel spin and one or more additional spins. Each wheel spin
may be referred to herein as a "wheel event." During each
additional wheel spin, the potential awards of one or more segments
of the displayed wheel may be incremented. The sequence
incrementing potential awards displayed on the wheel may be
repeated until no additional spins remain.
[0010] In one or more implementations of the invention, the award
for a given wheel spin may be a progressive award, and this
progressive award may be one tier of a series of increasing
progressive awards.
[0011] These and other features of the invention will be apparent
from the following description of illustrative embodiments,
considered along with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is front view of an example gaming machine including
a variable wheel top box in accordance with one or more embodiments
of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is front view of an example variable wheel top box
with two jackpot segments shown on the wheel and a paytable
displayed in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 2A is a representation of just the variable wheel
display shown in FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 2B is a representation of the variable wheel display of
FIG. 2A, but with two additional jackpot segments for a total of
four jackpot segments.
[0016] FIG. 2C is a representation of the variable wheel display of
FIG. 2A, but with four additional jackpot segments for a total of
six jackpot segments.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an example logic diagram of the gaming machine
shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an example gaming network including one or more
gaming machines including a variable wheel top box in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an example gaming machine 100 including top box
101 with a dynamic wheel display area 103 and a paytable display
area 105. Gaming machine 100 also includes a primary display device
107 and a user interface shown generally at reference numeral 109.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, wheel display area 103 and
paytable display area 105 are areas of a display device 102 and are
defined by a bezel structure of top box 101. Further details of the
bezel structure will be described below with particular reference
to FIG. 2. Primary display 107 may be instructed by a game
processor (described further below in connection with FIG. 3) to
display a primary game (such as the Multimedia Games.TM. 3-Reel
Mechanical Wild Wheel.TM. Game). A wheel game displayed in wheel
display area 103 may be triggered by some event or occurrence in
the primary game, such as by the appearance of a Wild Wheel symbol
in an active payline, for example. In the example of FIG. 1, a
"Cherry," "Wild," and "Wild Wheel" symbol are shown on the active
payline. The "Wild Wheel" symbol in this example triggers the wheel
game to cause an image of a wheel displayed in wheel display area
103 to spin (or produce the appearance of spinning) Each wheel
segment of the wheel image shown in FIG. 1 is shown associated with
a multiplier. An arrow indicator 110 is shown at the 12 o'clock
position of wheel display area 103. The example wheel image shown
in the wheel display area 103 in FIG. 1 is portrayed in the stopped
position with arrow indicator 110 pointing to a "10.times."
multiplier segment. According to the paytable shown in paytable
display area 105, a single Cherry is paid either 2, 4, or 6 credits
depending upon whether the player wagered 1, 2, or 3 credits (a
credit equal to $0.25 in the example game). A 4th credit may be
wagered in this example game to activate the wheel game, that is,
cause the wheel image in wheel display area 103 to spin when the
wheel game is triggered. In this example, the reel stop would pay
as 3 Cherries (awards 10/20/30 for 1/2/3 coins wagered) rather than
1 Cherry due to the "Wild" and "Wild Wheel" symbols appearing on
the payline. If the player had wagered four credits to activate the
wheel game, and if the illustrated position of the wheel image in
wheel display area 103 is the position after coming to a rest, then
the wheel game resulted in a "10.times." multiplier. The player may
thus be paid ten times the credits shown in the paytable for the
payline win on primary display 107, and this total credit amount
may be credited to the credit meter on gaming machine 100.
[0020] In one or more alternative embodiments, additional credits
may be wagered by a player to increase the awards payable through
the wheel game displayed in wheel game display area 103 in FIG. 1.
For example, a player may be provided the option to wager 4, 5, or
6 credits. Responsive to the credits wagered, the game processor
may transmit display information to the wheel display increasing
multiples associated with one or more segments (for example,
2.times., 3.times., or 4.times. the original credit award or
multiple associated with given segments). In another alternative,
one or more segments may display a jackpot segment when a player
wagers the maximum bet including a maximum bet for the wheel game
option. Additionally, segments may be modified, depending upon the
amount wagered, to provide additional benefits, such as a credit
award (or a multiple of the primary game award) plus another spin
of the wheel or in the primary game.
[0021] In other embodiments, a random or pseudo-random trigger
unassociated with the primary game may occur (such as by a game
processor or server periodically executing an random number
generator (RNG)). In these embodiments the display device providing
wheel display area 103 may be instructed to display a special (or
mystery) award presentation, such as by displaying a spinning ball
or globe or alternative wheel (which may be different or the same
as the wheel displayed during a wheel game feature triggered by the
primary game). Once the alternative spinning display has stopped,
the display device may be operated to display and/or repetitively
flash the award amount. Gaming machine 100 may also provide
accompanying audio through speakers 111 during the visual
presentation in any embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, example wheel display area 103 and
paytable display area 105 provided in top box 101 may be display
areas of a single underlying display device 102, such as a flat
panel video display device, which is covered with a bezel structure
201. Alternatively, more than one underlying display devices may be
used to provide the different display areas of top box 101. Whether
a single display device 102 or multiple display devices are used,
wheel display area 103 may be defined by an overlaying circular
bezel 206 of bezel structure 201, and paytable display area 105 may
be defined by an overlaying rectangular bezel 207 of the bezel
structure. As shown in FIG. 1, top box 101 may be affixed at the
top of gaming machine 100. In one or more alternative embodiments,
top box 101 may be implemented as a stand-alone device, separate
from any primary game and configured to accept wagers and provide
one or more wheel games using a suitable player interface. When top
box 101 forms a part of gaming machine 100, the wheel game
displayed in wheel display area 103 may be triggered by one or more
events, such as by the appearance of a special symbol in the
primary game or by a random or pseudo-random determination of a
game processor. In one or more alternative embodiments, the wheel
game shown in wheel display area 103 may be initiated directly by a
player's wager.
[0023] In the example of FIG. 2, the image shown in wheel display
area 103 includes a number of segments 208 which may each be
presented in different colors and may be associated with various
award amounts. Two segments 208 are shown with a "Jackpot" prize.
The Jackpot segments may be associated with a top award, such as a
progressive or fixed value award. There may be a series (or ladder)
including two or more levels (or tiers) of increasing progressive
or fixed value awards that may be associated with the jackpot
segments and won during a wheel game. The series of progressive
awards may be shown in a paytable display such as at display area
105 either simultaneously with the primary game paytable or in an
alternate manner. For example, while the primary game is being
played (displayed through display apparatus 107 in FIG. 1 for
example), the primary game paytable may be shown in paytable
display area 105, and when the wheel game is triggered the
progressive ladder may be shown in paytable display area 105. In
another alternative, the progressive ladder may be displayed in
wheel display area 103 during primary game play and/or while the
gaming machine is in attract mode, and when the wheel game is
triggered, the progressive ladder may be displayed in paytable
display area 105 and wheel display area 103 may display the wheel
segments and associated awards. The progressive awards may have
distinct color lighting associated with each level, such as ruby,
emerald, sapphire, silver, gold, and platinum. Also, each
progressive award may be separately displayed in the center area of
the wheel in alternate fashion.
[0024] In one or more embodiments, a wheel feature game may be
triggered by the appearance of a special symbol on an active
payline of the primary game to activate a spin of the top wheel in
wheel display area 103. The wheel feature game may require a wager
in addition to wagers on one or more paylines or may require a
maximum permissible bet. When not betting a sufficient amount to
activate the wheel feature game, the bonus trigger on an active
payline may pay a flat credit value without spinning the wheel. In
the example as shown in FIG. 2, the wheel image shown in wheel
display area 103 has 16 segments 208, 2 of which are marked
"Jackpot" (the rest of segments 208 have one or more different
fixed credit values respectively associated with them and
characterized in the display by the "$" symbol). If the wheel hits
a credit value (that is, a segment 208 associated with a fixed
credit value is indicated by indicator 110 or otherwise selected in
the wheel game), that value is awarded and the bonus is over. If
the wheel image stops with the indicator 110 pointing to a Jackpot
segment 208, several things may occur. For example, the lowest
progressive tier may be highlighted, one or more additional Jackpot
segments may be added to the wheel (such as by adding two jackpot
segments or replacing two segments originally associated with fixed
credit values), and the wheel image may be animated to spin again.
If on a subsequent spin, the wheel hits a Jackpot segment 208 again
(that is, stops with indicator 110 pointing to a Jackpot segment),
then: (a) the next progressive tier (or level) may be highlighted,
(b) one or more additional Jackpot segments may be added to the
wheel (such as by adding a jackpot segment or replacing a segment
originally associated with a fixed credit value), and (c) the wheel
may be animated to spin again. The process may be repeated until
either a credit value is hit or the top-tier progressive is
attained. If the last spin hits a credit value segment 208 then the
player may be awarded the credit value amount along with the
progressive associated with the highest progressive-tier that the
player achieved). Alternatively, if the top progressive tier is
achieved, then the player may be awarded the top progressive.
[0025] In one or more embodiments, the values associated with each
progressive award may be accumulated as an award to a player such
that a player may win multiple progressive prizes during a single
play of the wheel game (which may include multiple spins as
described above).
[0026] In some embodiments, two or more spins of the wheel shown in
wheel display area 105 in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be provided to a player
when the wheel game is triggered. For example, the number of spins
may be predetermined by the game programming with a fixed amount of
spins each time the wheel game is triggered, or the number of spins
may be determined by the game processor using a random number
generator. Alternatively, the number of spins may be determined by
the amount of credits played (e.g. 4 credits=2 spins; 5 credits=3
spins; 6 credits=4 spins), or the number of spins may be determined
based on the number of wheel game triggering ("special") symbols
appearing, either scattered or on an active payline depending upon
the game programming, (e.g. 1, 2, or 3 special symbols corresponds
to 2, 4, or 6 wheel spins).
[0027] In some implementations, any one of multiple progressive
awards may be winnable during a single spin of the wheel game
displayed through wheel display area 103. For example, each
available progressive award may be associated with a distinct
special symbol, and one or more of the special symbols may appear
on one or more wheel segments such as segments 208. The highest
progressive award's special symbol may appear on one segment, while
the smallest progressive award's special symbol may appear on
multiple wheel segments. In the case where only one spin is
provided when the wheel game is triggered, the wheel display may be
static in the sense that the awards associated with the various
segments 208 are not modified for the single spin. Alternatively,
the wheel display may be dynamically determined for each spin such
as by the game processor (described further below) using a RNG to
determine the award associated with each segment 208. In the case
where more than one spin is provided when the wheel game is
triggered, if a progressive award is selected during a spin, then
for subsequent spins, the segments associated with the progressive
award that has been won may be changed to a fixed and/or
alternative award (e.g. an enhancement provision and/or additional
wheel spins).
[0028] In some embodiments, when the wheel game is triggered a
player may be provided an opportunity to win a different one of the
progressive awards on each of a series of wheel spins. For example,
four progressive awards may be available and associated
respectively with a diamond, sapphire, emerald, and ruby symbol.
During a first wheel spin, the ruby symbol may appear on one or
more segments. During a next spin, the emerald symbol may appear on
one or more segments and so forth, during successive spins until
the player has had an opportunity to win each of the progressive
awards. In various alternatives, more than one progressive award
may be winnable during a single spin. For example, if the ruby
associated progressive is not won during the first spin, the ruby
symbol may be displayed on one or more wheel segments and the
emerald symbol may appear on one or more other of the wheel
segments. The player may be provided at least one opportunity to
win each of the progressive awards during a single play of the
wheel game with multiple spins. However, in other alternatives, the
player may be required to win a progressive award on a given spin
to be eligible to progress and have an additional spin and
opportunity to win a next higher progressive award. For example, if
a player doesn't win the sapphire associated progressive award, the
wheel game may end without providing the player a chance to win the
diamond associated progressive award. In other embodiments the
player may be provided an additional spin if the player doesn't win
the ruby or emerald associated progressive award.
[0029] In one or more alternative embodiments, a three reel
mechanical primary game may be implemented with multiple paylines.
In additional embodiments, the example gaming machine may be
implemented with a video primary display. Additional reels may be
added as well as additional visible symbols on each reel, such as
by implementing 5 reels, each reel displaying 4 symbols to produce
a 5.times.4 matrix of reel symbols.
[0030] In addition to different award values that may be associated
with each segment 208 of the wheel display shown in wheel display
area 103, enhancement features may be associated with one or more
segments which, when selected, may initiate an event and/or
modification on the primary game (for example, an instruction to
modify one or more reel symbols in the primary game). When the
wheel game is played and the wheel stops at a segment with an
enhancement provision (such as to modify one or more reel symbols
of the primary game to wild symbols and play a number of free game
plays with the modified wild symbols), a corresponding instruction
may be executed by the game processor modifying one or more reel
symbols to wild and initiating play of the primary game until the
number of free game plays have been completed. Following each free
play, the player may be awarded in accordance with the primary game
paytable which awards may be enhanced depending upon the
enhancement provision. Following the free play, the primary game
reel symbols may be returned to their original condition by the
game processor and the primary game may then be ready for
additional play by the player. In an alternative embodiment, the
reel symbols of the primary game may not physically or visibly
change, but may simply be treated as a "wild" and/or a line payout
doubler or tripler symbol by the game processor in determining the
award to be paid to the player. Another example enhancement
provision may simply provide one or more free spins in the primary
game. Additionally, when an enhancement provision is triggered or
selected through a wheel game, an additional enhancement may be
provided through the primary game based on the number of credits
played by the player when the wheel game is triggered. For example,
if a player may wager 4, 5, or 6 credits to be eligible to play the
wheel game, and, if a segment with an enhancement provision
including two free primary game plays is selected in the wheel
game, then if a player has wagered 4 credits, the player may
receive the two free primary game plays, but if the player has
wagered 5 credits, this may trigger the game processor to provide
two additional free primary games for a total of four free games.
Going further with this example, if the player has wagered 6
credits to be eligible to play the wheel game, this may trigger the
game processor to provide four additional free primary games for a
total of six free games. In one or more embodiments, the colors of
the wheel segments (or rings, etc.), may enhance payouts on winning
combination of the primary game. For example, when landing on a
blue wheel segment, if the color matches the color of a winning
combination of say Blue 7 symbols on an active payline of the
primary game, then the primary game may pay a multiple of the award
designated by the paytable, such as by doubling or tripling the
paytable designated award. This award may be in addition to an
amount or multiple displayed on the selected wheel segment. For
example, assume three Blue 7 symbols pays 10 credits according to
the paytable, the primary game result that triggered the wheel game
includes three Blue 7 symbols on an active payline plus three Bars
on another active payline, where three Bars pays 5 credits
according to the paytable. Further assume a Blue colored wheel
segment is selected which has a "2.times." multiple associated with
it and matching a wheel color segment with a color on an active
payline of the primary game triples the primary game award on the
payline. In this case the game processor may award the player as
follows: (3.times.10+5).times.2=70 credits. As in any win at the
gaming machine these credits may be presented by crediting the
credit meter of the gaming machine, or presented by paying out
directly to the player in the form of a coupon, cash, or credit to
the player's account.
[0031] In some embodiments, an enhancement provision associated
with a wheel segment 208 may trigger a feature game to be displayed
in a display window, such as primary display 107 (in FIG. 1),
paytable display area 105, or wheel display area 103, which may
include payment of an award depending upon the outcome. Once
completed, the display may revert to its previous state. For
example, a set of reels may be displayed with one or more special
symbols appearing on each of the reels where at least one of the
special symbols on each reel may be associated with a progressive
award which, if appearing on a payline when the reels are spun and
stopped, results in the player winning the progressive award.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1, during primary game operation or
attract mode, paytable display area 105 may display a paytable with
various winning outcomes associated with various awards and may
also display criterion for qualifying for the wheel game. During
the wheel game, however, paytable display area 105 may display
content related to the wheel game, such as progressive awards and
associated symbols.
[0033] The gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes middle
display 113 which may display a server-based game (such as bingo,
in the case of a Class II gaming machine), advertising or other
content as may be provided over a network or through the gaming
machine. User interface 109 provides various controls to allow a
patron to place wagers and initiate play of one or more games at
gaming machine 100. User interface 109 may include a commercially
available player tracking interface unit, such as a Bally iView.TM.
unit, a button deck with buttons for selecting paylines, wagers per
payline, and additional wagers associated with the wheel game or
eligibility thereto, and a "Play" button and/or handle with which
the player may initiate play of the primary game. The button deck
may be provided on a touch panel in addition to or in the
alternative to a physical button deck. The Play button may be also
useable to initiate spinning of the wheel shown in the wheel
display area 103 when the wheel game is triggered. The player
tracking unit may include a card reader, a bill acceptor/printer,
and player display graphic which may include a greeting to the
player, player points, a menu for communicating with a player
tracking server, and other casino operator content.
[0034] While gaming machine 100 is shown as an upright gaming
machine cabinet style, various cabinet styles or device types may
be utilized including a slant top cabinet style, a bar top cabinet
style (where the cabinet may be part of a bar/table top and/or
housed therein), a personal computer or handheld device. For
example, in cases where only a single display is available for use
with a device, a user interface, primary display, and paytable may
be predominantly displayed to initiate and during primary game
play. When a triggering event occurs, the display content may
change (or be transformed) to display the wheel and any associated
paytable or related content, such as available progressive awards
and number of wheel spins remaining
[0035] Each reel 114 shown in FIG. 1 includes a series of symbols
viewable in display 107 (for example, through a glass window or
transparent display, in the case of mechanical reels, or, as
displayed in a video format). With the reels 114 in a stationary
position, the symbols visible in display device 107 may be viewed
as an array of symbols. During a wagering game (as may be initiated
by a player by placing a wager and pressing a Play button), the
reels may be simulated to spin (or electro-mechanically spun in the
case of mechanical reels) about an axle under the control of a game
processor which randomly or pseudo-randomly determines the game
outcome and causes the reels to stop in accordance with the
determined game outcome.
[0036] One or more paylines, combinations, or patterns of the
symbols including those visible in display device 107 may be
correlated to a game result payable in accordance with a paytable
such as may be displayed in paytable display area 105. For example,
a game with five reels and displaying four symbol locations per
reel may have four paylines which extend horizontally across each
reel and many others which may zig and zag across the various reel
symbol locations both on and off the viewable display area. A
patron may wager on one or more of the paylines during each game
play. Display device 107 may thereby be used to display game
results to one or more patrons who may view gaming machine 100 and
the game processor may make payment to the patron by incrementing a
credit meter for winning outcomes of paylines in accordance with
the paytable and upon which the patron has wagered. In example
gaming machine 100, only one payline is provided horizontally
across the three reels. A player may be provided the option to bet
one, two, or three credits on the payline to play the primary game,
and a fourth credit to be eligible for the wheel game, if
triggered. While example gaming machine 100 includes a set of three
reels, various numbers of reels and paylines may be selected or
utilized in an implementation of one or more embodiments, such as
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven reels, and so forth.
[0037] Primary display device 107 may comprise a single display or
may comprise two or more displays (e.g. two displays in over- or
under-laying relation to each other). For example, primary display
device 107 may comprise a touch-sensitive display panel, such as a
flat panel LCD or LED display, which may be programmed to display
an opaque or thematic frame image (which may include video and/or
still images) except over a reel display area. Primary display 107
may be programmed to be transparent or translucent during game play
of the primary wagering game, so that the patron may view the game
presentation in the reel display area where a set of mechanical
reels may be viewable or a set of video reels may be displayed by
an underlying display. In addition, the entire display surface of
primary display device 107 (or a portion thereof) may be configured
to respond to the patron's touch such as to select paylines, select
credits wagered per payline, and/or play the primary game (or wheel
game if triggered or activated).
[0038] In one or more alternative embodiments, primary display
device 107 may be programmed to display a bonus or feature game,
such as a wheel game, that may be triggered by the appearance of
one or more special symbols or other random event. For example,
when a bonus or feature game is triggered, primary display device
107 (or a portion thereof) may be transformed to display content
associated with the bonus or feature game and once the bonus or
feature game is complete, primary display device 107 may revert to
the primary game display state. In the case of a wheel game, the
display content on primary display device 107 may include a "look
up" indicator, a "press" button to spin the wheel, and/or a "spin
the wheel" surface to slide a hand and impart a corresponding
energy level to the spin of the wheel. Wheel display area 103 may
additionally or alternatively include a touch sensitive surface
configured to transmit a signal to initiate spinning of the wheel
responsive to a touch or slide of a player's hand.
[0039] In one or more alternative embodiments, a touch sensitive
portion of display device 107 may be programmed to display a player
interactive element such as, for example, by displaying a selection
of buttons and displaying a message to the player to "choose a
button" implemented to enable player interactivity with the game.
Selecting the displayed button or item may cause the game to
perform additional steps and/or provide one or more bonus or
feature game outcomes and awards to the player.
[0040] In one or more alternative embodiments, gaming machine 100
may include mechanical reels with fixed or dynamic symbols.
Conventionally, mechanical reels include reel strips with fixed
symbols. However, reel strips may be, for example, implemented
using FOLED (flexible organic LED) or comparable reel strips
wherein one or more symbols may be programmed dynamically to vary
the symbol and/or its appearance, either from one fixed image to
another (such as changing a symbol to a wild symbol or changing a
series of symbols to wild symbols), or, from a fixed image to a
dynamic (e.g. animated or video) image or a set of miniature video
reels. In various instances when a symbol changes to another
symbol, a bonus or enhanced award may be paid in accordance with
the paytable or a multiple thereof or may be a bonus (a fixed or
progressive amount) paid separate from the paytable. In the event
that the payment is a progressive, a progressive pool may be
generated from an operator's marketing dollars or from play at one
or more gaming machines which may be eligible for the progressive
award. When reels of a primary game are produced virtually (via
video-generated reels) on a video display device in the position of
primary display device 107 in FIG. 1, the symbols may be fixed or
animated on each of the reels. In one or more embodiments, the
appearance of one or more special symbols may trigger the wheel
display in wheel display area 103 to transform, spin, and provide
an interactive element with the primary game. For example, a
multiplier symbol may appear on a winning payline or as a scatter
symbol, which may trigger the wheel display in wheel display area
103 to display each of the segments with a multiplier value (e.g.
1.times., 2.times., 3.times., etc.), spin, and based on the segment
selected, the associated multiplier may be applied to one or more
paylines on the primary game to determine the award that is paid to
the player (e.g. credited to a credit meter on the gaming machine).
If two multiplier symbols appear, the multiplier associated with
the selected wheel segment may itself be multiplied by two. If
three multiplier symbols appear, the multiplier may be multiplied
by three, and so forth. In another example, one or more free spin
symbols may appear on the primary game which may trigger a wheel
display in display area 103 to display wheel segments with
associated numbers of free spins and depending on the wheel segment
selected after spinning the wheel, the associated number of free
spins may be applied to the primary game. The associated number may
also be multiplied by the number of free spin symbols that appeared
on the primary display to trigger the wheel game. Further, the
wheel game process may be repeated to add to the number of
remaining primary game free reel spins, if one or more free spin
symbols appear on subsequent primary game reel spins.
[0041] In one or more alternative embodiments, overlapping display
panels may be implemented to generate video or display effects over
the primary game reels; for example, the reel display area may be
implemented as a transmissive (e.g. Aruze or WMS transmissive
display panels) display or a transparent (e.g. a Bally.RTM.
transparent display panels) display configured to display visual
effects together (or cooperatively) with the primary reels under
the control of the game processor during the operation of a
wagering game. In the case of virtual reels, the virtual reels may
be recessed a distance from an overlaying display and segregated by
dividers similar to dividers separating mechanical reels, which may
provide a spatial characteristic (e.g. IGT PureDepth.RTM. display
panels). In either case, the overlapping display may be touch
sensitive and configured to interact with the player by
transmitting and receiving signals as described above.
[0042] In one or more embodiments, the game processor operating the
wagering game and interacting with various peripheral components in
many instances is implemented as a microprocessor, such as an Intel
Pentium.RTM. or Core.RTM. microprocessor, on a printed circuit
board including one or more memory devices positioned within gaming
machine 100. In alternative implementations, the game processor may
be remote from gaming machine 100, such as on a server network
(game server 403 shown in FIG. 4 for example) connected to gaming
machine 100, in which case the game operation as described herein
may be accomplished through network communications to control the
display of the game on gaming machine 100.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows an example logical diagram of gaming machine
100 and includes a CPU or game processor 301, memory 303 with
wagering game 304, user interface 305, network controller 307,
audio controller 308, graphics processors 309 and 310, and reel
assembly 313. The reel assembly 313 will be included in gaming
machine 100 if the gaming machine employs mechanical reels rather
than or in addition to video-generated reels. Game processor 301 in
this example implementation may comprise a conventional
microprocessor, such as an Intel Pentium.RTM. or Core.RTM.
microprocessor, mounted on a printed circuit board with supporting
ports, drivers, memory, and coding to communicate with and control
gaming machine operations, such as through the execution of coding
stored in memory 303 including one or more wagering games 304. Game
processor 301 connects to user interface 305 such that a player may
enter input information, and game processor 301 may respond
according to its programming, such as to apply a wager and initiate
execution of a game.
[0044] Game processor 301 also may connect through network
controller 307 to a gaming network, such as example casino server
network 400 which will be described below in connection with FIG.
4. Through its network connection, gaming machine 100 may be
monitored by an operator through one or more servers such as to
assure proper operation, and, data and information may be shared
between gaming machine 100 and respective of the servers in the
network such as to accumulate or provide player promotional value,
to provide server-based games, or to pay server-based awards.
[0045] Generally, activity at gaming machine 100 is initiated by a
player inserting currency and/or a player card into an appropriate
receiving device such as a bill acceptor for currency and card
reader for the player card. Upon insertion, a signal is sent to
game processor 301. In the case of the insertion of a player card,
the card reader transmits card information which is directed
through network controller 307 to a player tracking server
connected to the network in which the gaming machine is included.
Player data is transmitted to gaming machine 100 and, responsive to
the data, game processor 301 may execute coding causing player data
and a display command to be transmitted to one of the graphics
processors 309 or 310 instructing the graphics processors to cause
player information to be displayed on a respective display. Game
processor 301 may also transmit commands to audio controller 308 to
direct the controller to cause an audio greeting to be produced
through one or more speakers associated with the gaming machine.
Concurrently, the bill acceptor sends a signal to game processor
301 which may include an identification of the currency that has
been read, and game processor 301 in accordance with its coding may
convert the currency amount to credits and transmit a store and
display signal to a credit meter and its associated display
("Credits", in FIG. 1 for example). Once credits have been
associated with the credit meter, the player may select the number
of paylines and credits per line that the player wishes to wager,
whereupon game processor 301, in accordance with its program code,
receives the wager information from user interface 305, transmits
accounting and display information to the payline ("Lines"),
credits per payline ("Bet per Line), and total bet ("Total Bet")
meters and displays of the gaming machine, transmits an update to
the credit meter and display ("Credits") deducting the amount of
the total bet, and initiates the wagering game.
[0046] In the case of a Class III gaming devices, when a game is
initiated, a random number generator (RNG) may be operated by game
processor 301 to determine the game outcome (either directly or by
randomly selecting reel stop positions and evaluating those
positions to identify an outcome). Commonly, game processor 301 is
positioned within gaming machine 100 and configured to manage the
operation of the gaming machine components, such as shown in FIG.
3. However, the game processor may be either onboard or external to
a gaming device played by a player, such as an electronic tablet
(e.g. Apple iPad.RTM. or gaming specific tablet), personal data
assistant (PDA), cellular telephone (e.g. Blackberry.RTM. or Apple
iPhone.RTM.), surface table (e.g. Microsoft.RTM./IGT.RTM. touch
sensitive gaming surface table), etc. In such case, when the player
places a wager and initiates play of the game through user
interface 305 of the gaming device, the game processor may be
onboard the device or remotely located, such as within a network
gaming server. In the latter case, an onboard microprocessor,
controller, or digital signal processor may execute coding to
transmit the wager and game request information through the
network, and the remote game processor may operate an RNG to
determine the game outcome.
[0047] In the case of Class II gaming devices, the overall
structure of the various devices as discussed above is essentially
the same with the major difference being the method of determining
the game outcome. Commonly, Class II gaming devices utilize the
game of bingo as the basis for determining a winning outcome where
the ball draw is performed remotely by a network or central
determination server (alternative games may be used for determining
game outcomes, such as through a lottery drawing of a finite set of
numbers, if permitted by the licensing jurisdiction). Class II
gaming systems are commonly referred to as central determination
systems wherein pools and sub-pools of game outcomes are determined
by a central server (or gaming device) and distributed amongst a
set of networked gaming devices. The distribution step may be on
demand, such as when a gaming device receives a game request, or
sets of game outcomes may be distributed to the various networked
gaming devices in which case the game processor of the requesting
gaming device may select a game outcome from the set of game
outcomes, such as by using an RNG or other selection process.
[0048] Additionally, Class II gaming devices, such as a bingo-based
gaming device may have multiple displays, such as are shown in FIG.
1 wherein one of the displays, such as display 113 in FIG. 1, may
be used to display one or more electronic bingo cards and one or
more ball drawings after a game has been initiated in accordance
with the game outcome that has been provided to the gaming device
by a central determination server. In the case, as in FIG. 1, where
the primary display comprises a set of reels, game processor 301
converts the centrally-determined game outcome to a corresponding
value outcome of the reel-based game as shown in FIG. 1 and
operates the reel-based game as described above and with respect to
the figures. In one or more embodiments, when a player enters a
wager on the primary game which is a qualifying wager for the wheel
game, and enters "PLAY" through an appropriate player control, a
game play request may be transferred to central determination
server 405 (discussed below in connection with FIG. 4) which may
provide a single game outcome to the respective gaming machine 100.
Game processor 301 may then initiate game presentations of both
games concluding with outcomes corresponding to the game outcome
provided by central determination server 405. In an alternative
embodiment, central determination server 405 may provide two game
outcomes (one associated with the primary game and one associated
with the wheel game), and game processor 301 may initiate
corresponding game presentations through primary display 107 and in
wheel game display area 105.
[0049] In one or more embodiments, coding may be implemented and
stored in memory 303 and/or 304, executable by game processor 301
to control game operation, display content, lighting, and audio
through video, audio, reel drive motor controllers (for mechanical
reels), and lighting controllers.
[0050] While the primary display 107 in FIG. 1 has been described
as displaying a set of reels, in one or more embodiments, the
primary game may be a card-based (e.g. poker or blackjack),
dice-based (e.g. craps), wheel-based (e.g. roulette or
Wheel-of-Fortune type), or competition-based (e.g. car or horse
race) game.
[0051] Also, while gaming machine 100 has been described as a
stand-alone or networked game device, in one or more embodiments
gaming machine 100 may be operable in a tournament or community
gaming mode wherein players may compete to trigger the wheel-based
game which may include competing for one or more progressive
awards. For example, in one or more example configurations, one or
more banks of gaming machines 100 may be networked connected to an
overhead display as will be described below in connection with FIG.
4 which may display the wheel game. When the wheel game is
triggered, the player triggering the wheel game may be indicated on
the overhead display as the wheel game is played.
[0052] Top box 101 shown in FIG. 2 may include one or more flat
panel displays mounted on a rectangular shaped cabinet top box
structure. Bezel structure 201 (which includes circular bezel 206
and paytable bezel 207) may overlay the flat panel display or
displays, such that wheel display area 103 is framed by circular
bezel 206 and paytable display area 105 is framed by paytable bezel
207. The video display device visible through bezel 206 allows
various images (e.g. wheel segments, associated awards or prizes,
and indicator) to be displayed in that area. In one or more
alternative embodiments, the flat panel displays may, in fact, be
constructed into three-dimensional shapes such as by implementing a
FOLED in a hollow, inward or outward extending semi-spherical,
-conical, -cylindrical, -prism, or -pyramid shape whereon various
shaped segments may be displayed and spun to provide the illusion
of a spinning device as otherwise described herein.
[0053] Indicator 110 may be programmed to display in an overlaying
manner with respect to a wheel image which may be shown in wheel
display area 103. The wheel image may be provided apparent rotating
motion about its center axis while indicator 110 may be displayed
in a fixed location, or vice-a-versa where indicator 110 may
apparently rotate about the circumference of the wheel image. In an
alternative embodiment, indicator 110 may be a physical element
portion of circular bezel 206.
[0054] In another example embodiment, an indicator performing the
function of indicator 110 may be a light indicator which may
illuminate one segment 208 at a time. In such case, the wheel image
may be provided apparent rotating motion, and the light indicator
may remain in one position (for example, at or about the 12 o'clock
position). In one or more examples, a light indicator may be
implemented as a single light source, such as a single bright white
LED, or several closely grouped lights located at or about a
position at the perimeter of the wheel display. Alternatively,
light indicators may be located at numerous different points around
the perimeter of the reel display.
[0055] In yet another embodiment, an indicator performing the
function of indicator 110 may be implemented through programming to
add additional illumination to the pixels of a selected area of the
display which may correspond to a segment area. In this case, the
wheel image may be programmed to stop so that a single wedge
segment corresponds to the illuminated portion. Alternatively, the
programming of the wheel may include specific display instructions
for each wedge segment, so that each wedge segment may sequentially
be programmed to illuminate at a higher light intensity or
color-coded to provide an image of apparent illumination greater
than their normal state. The cycle associated with the sequential
illumination of each wedge may be programmed to be a constant speed
until stopped, or the cycle may have a variable speed, such as fast
to slow to provide the appearance of a wheel and/or the
illumination slowing down to a stop. In one example, the wheel
image may remain fixed in place with the illumination effect
rotating from wedge to wedge according to the programmed cycle. In
another example, the wheel image may rotate as the segment
illumination effect cycles. For instance, the wheel image may have
apparent rotation in the clock-wise direction while the
added-illumination type indicator may have apparent rotation in the
counter-clockwise direction. If both have the same rotational
speed, then the illuminated segment may appear to be stationary
such as at the top of the wheel. In another embodiment, the
illumination effect may be non-sequential and random or
quasi-random, and the cycle of illuminating segments 208 may be
constant until stopped or may be gradually slowed.
[0056] In one or more embodiments, a first display may overlay a
second display. In such an example, the wheel image may be
displayed on the second display while indicator 110 may be
displayed on the first display. Additional special effects such as
fireworks and other celebratory images may be programmed onto the
first display once wheel and indicator images come to apparent
rest. Such special effects may also be programmed with a single
display. A spatial effect may be obtained through programming or by
implementation of a PureDepth.RTM. type display wherein the
displays are separated by a divider. Audio effects may also be
programmed to transmit sound effects through available speakers
both during the game presentation and during a celebratory
presentation.
[0057] Various wheel or other-shaped images may be programmed to be
displayed in the wheel display area 103. FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C
show only examples of the types of wheel shapes that may be
displayed in wheel display area 103. While the number of possible
jackpot opportunities may be fixed depending upon the game with
which the wheel image is associated, the programmability and use of
display devices to provide the wheel graphics enables a gaming
machine embodying principles of the present invention to introduce
additional jackpot segments onto the wheel image depending upon the
triggering event for the wheel game or depending upon other
factors. For example, two jackpot segments 208 (as shown in FIGS. 2
and 2A) may be programmed to be included in the wheel image when a
triggering event includes one special symbol appearing in the
primary game (presented, for example through primary display 107 in
FIG. 1). The programming for the display (102 in FIGS. 1 and 2) may
cause the wheel image to include four jackpot segments 208 (as
shown in FIG. 2B) when two special symbols appear in the primary
game. Alternatively, the number of jackpot segments 208 displayed
may depend on the amount wagered. For example, six jackpot segments
208 may be displayed (as shown in FIG. 2C) when a player wagers a
maximum bet qualifying for the wheel game feature (which may be an
additional bet), whereas two jackpot segments 208 (as shown in FIG.
2A) may be displayed when a player wagers a minimum threshold bet
plus any qualifying bet for the wheel game feature. Similarly, the
value of the additional segments 208 may be increased based upon
the amount wagered or the amount of special symbols appearing in
the base game.
[0058] In another example, a wheel image may be programmed to be
displayed with the appearance of a roulette wheel, and the segment
indicator performing the function of indicator 110 in FIGS. 1 and 2
may be programmed with the appearance of a ball. Both wheel and
indicator images may be provided apparent rotation in opposite
directions and be programmed to apparently slow down until the ball
(indicator) comes to rest on one segment of the wheel image.
Additionally, sound effects may be incorporated such as the sound
of a spinning wheel and ball bouncing.
[0059] In another example, programming may cause a wheel image to
be displayed with a tunnel effect wherein each segment is a ring
segment and the segments may have graduated circumference from the
center to the outer radius of the wheel image. In such case, each
circular or annular segment may be sequentially illuminated or
programmed to display as an illuminated segment, and the sequence
may be initiated from the center (e.g. the bulls-eye of a dart
board) to the outer segment (outer circumference) and/or from the
outer segment to the center segment. The segments may respectively
be associated with different award values similar to a dartboard.
Segments may have smaller and greater widths, such as from the
center to the outer segments, and the illumination cycle may vary
faster to slower as the illumination effect progresses from the
inner to outer segment.
[0060] In another example, programming may cause a wheel image to
be displayed as a dartboard with both radially extending wedge
segments (such as segments 208 in FIG. 2) and circular or annular
segments. An illumination indicator may cycle from the bulls-eye to
the outer annular segments in a pattern, randomly, or
pseudo-randomly and another illumination indicator may cycle
through the radially extending segments. For example, an
illumination effect may illuminate portions of each wedge in a
sequence, such as from the bulls-eye (which may be the jackpot
award) to the next segment (example award 50) to a doubler segment
(example award 50.times.2) to a next outer segment (example award
25) to a doubler segment (example award 25.times.2) and to an outer
segment (example award 10). Alternatively, the illumination effect
may randomly or pseudo-randomly illuminate one wedge portion at a
time anywhere on the displayed dartboard. In one example, the game
presentation ends when the illumination stops moving from location
to location. At this stopping point, some celebratory display may
occur across a portion of the display area. Such a celebratory
display may include a graphic of the amount won. In another
example, the game presentation may include more than one award
selection, so that after a first award, the illumination effect may
re-commence until another selection is made, and so forth. The same
may be the case in the various other wheel game examples.
[0061] A display controller may be configured to control display
content on the flat panel display or displays visible through wheel
display area 103 and/or paytable display area 105 shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 and accent lights which may be provided in bezel structure
201. Alternatively, there may be separate controllers that may be
operable under the control of another processor, such as a game
processor which may be local to the gaming machine or remote from
the gaming machine (e.g. network server).
[0062] In addition to including the bezels 206 and 207 which frame
the wheel display area 103 and paytable display area 105,
respectively, bezel structure 201 may further include a circular
pattern of single- or multi-color LEDs. The location of these
additional LED accent lights is indicated at reference number 210
in FIG. 2. These accent lights may be operated synchronously or
quasi-synchronously with the wheel and indicator images. For
example, in the case of a rotating wheel or indicator image, the
bezel structure accent lighting may rotate lighting about the
perimeter of wheel display area 103. In the case of a tunnel wheel,
the bezel lighting may light or change color from the outer
circumference of LEDs to the inner circumference and/or
vice-a-versa. In the case of a random indicator, the bezel accent
LEDs may illuminate portions of the bezel corresponding to the
location of the illumination effect.
[0063] In another embodiment, bezel structure 201 may include a
FOLED display instead of the individual LEDs indicated at locations
210. FOLED display film may be shaped in a circular pattern to
cover the entire area having LED locations 210 shown in FIG. 2, and
may be controlled through suitable instructions executed by a
controller to display a similar pattern of lighting as the discrete
LEDs. Additionally, the FOLED display film may be programmed to
display additional images such as an undulating flashing lighting
when a big win occurs during a wheel game presentation. Also,
various video features may be displayed in the area of locations
210, such as cartoon characters displayed running around the
circumference of wheel display area 103 or celebratory
performances.
[0064] A wheel game using wheel top box 101 may be initiated by a
processor or by a processor in combination with a player touching a
"PLAY" button or touching (or sliding a finger or hand along) a
touch sensitive primary game display 107 in FIG. 1. Alternative
arrangements within the scope of the present invention may
facilitate player interaction through displays included in top box
101 itself. For example, the display visible through wheel display
area 103 may comprise a touch panel display enabling an interaction
of the player with the wheel by the player touching (or sliding a
finger or hand along) a portion of wheel image in area 103 to
initiate spinning of the wheel.
[0065] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of example networked gaming
system 400 associated with one or more gaming facilities, and
including one or more networked gaming machines 100, one or more of
which may include a dynamic wheel top box such as top box 101. It
should be appreciated that although FIG. 4 shows several separate
servers, the various server functions may be combined or split into
additional servers having additional capabilities.
[0066] Networked gaming machines 100 (Egm 1-Egm N) and one or more
overhead displays 413 may be network connected to enable the
content of one or more displays of the gaming machines to be
mirrored or replayed on the overhead display. For example, the
primary display content for a given gaming machine 100 may be
stored by the display controller or game processor 301 and
transmitted through network controller 307 (FIG. 3) to a controller
for overhead display 413 either substantially simultaneously or at
a subsequent time according to either periodic programming executed
by game processor 301 or a triggering event, such as a jackpot or
large win, at the respective gaming machine 100. In the event that
gaming machines 100 have cameras installed, the respective player's
video images may be displayed on overhead display 413 along with
the content of the player's primary display 107 or the content
shown in any of the top box display areas (103 and 105 in FIGS. 1
and 2).
[0067] In one or more embodiments, game server 403 may provide
server-based games and/or game services to network connected gaming
devices, such as gaming machines 100 (which may be connected by
network cable or wirelessly). Progressive server 407 may accumulate
progressive awards by receiving defined amounts (such as a
percentage of the wagers from eligible gaming devices or by
receiving funding from marketing or casino funds) and provide
progressive awards to winning gaming devices upon a progressive
event, such as a progressive jackpot game outcome or other
triggering event such as a random or pseudo-random win
determination at a networked gaming device or server. Accounting
server 411 may receive gaming data from each of the networked
gaming devices, perform audit functions, and provide data for
analysis programs, such as the IGT Mariposa.TM. program bundle.
[0068] Player account server 409 may maintain player account
records, and store persistent player data including accumulated
player points and/or player preferences such as game personalizing
selections or options. For example, the player tracking display may
be programmed to display a player menu that may include a choice of
personalized gaming selections that may be applied to a gaming
machine 100 being played by the player.
[0069] In one or more embodiments, a player menu may be programmed
to display after a player inserts a player card into the card
reader. When the card reader is inserted, an identification may be
read from the card and transmitted to player account server 409. In
response to the received identification, player account server 409
transmits player information across the network back to the
respective gaming machine and some or all of this player
information may then be displayed on the player tracking display of
the gaming machine. The player tracking display may provide a
personalized welcome to the player, the player's current player
points, and any additional personalized data. If the player has not
previously made a selection, then this information may or may not
be displayed. Once the player makes a personalizing selection, the
information may be transmitted to game processor 301 (FIG. 3) for
storing and use during the player's game play. Also, the player's
selection may be transmitted to player account server 409 where it
may be stored in association with the player's account for
transmission to the player in future gaming sessions. The player
may change selections at any time using the player tracking display
(which may be touch sensitive or have player-selectable buttons
associated with the various display selections).
[0070] In one or more embodiments, a gaming website 421 may be
accessible by players to allow players to play one or more games as
described herein through a personal computer 423 or handheld
wireless device 425 (e.g. Blackberry.RTM. cell phone, Apple
iPhone.RTM., personal data assistant (PDA), iPad.RTM., etc.). To
enter website 421, a player may log in with a user name that may be
associated with the player's account information stored on player
account server 409 or may be accessible by a casino operator to
obtain player data and provide promotional offers. Once logged on
to the website, the player may play various games on the website,
make various personalizing selections, and save the information for
use during a next gaming session at a casino establishment.
[0071] Referring generally to the forgoing description, as used
herein the terms "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having,"
"containing," "involving," and the like are to be understood to be
open-ended, that is, to mean including but not limited to. Any use
of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., in the
claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any
priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another,
or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed.
Rather, unless specifically stated otherwise, such ordinal terms
are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a
certain name from another element having a same name (but for use
of the ordinal term). The term "presentation" as used herein is
meant to refer to the display of any image and/or video performance
and/or the performance of one or more sound bites or audio tracks
whether in an attract mode or as part of a game.
[0072] The above described example embodiments are intended to
illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the
scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications
to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
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