U.S. patent application number 13/220928 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-22 for wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system and method with a matching symbols bonus trigger.
This patent application is currently assigned to Multimedia Games, Inc.. Invention is credited to JP Cody, Clint Owen, Brian A. Watkins.
Application Number | 20120295689 13/220928 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47175321 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120295689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Owen; Clint ; et
al. |
November 22, 2012 |
WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD
WITH A MATCHING SYMBOLS BONUS TRIGGER
Abstract
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with a first set
of reels operable to randomly determine a primary game outcome and
a pair of reels positioned about the first set of reels and
operable to randomly determine an indicia pair outcome, the indicia
pair outcome operable to modify the primary game outcome. In the
event that the indicia pair outcome includes a matching pair of
designated indicia, then a bonus (or feature) game may be triggered
wherein the matching pair are locked in place while one or more
free spins of the first set of reels occurs, and, awards are
provided for each winning outcome.
Inventors: |
Owen; Clint; (Austin,
TX) ; Watkins; Brian A.; (Austin, TX) ; Cody;
JP; (Austin, TX) |
Assignee: |
Multimedia Games, Inc.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
47175321 |
Appl. No.: |
13/220928 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61413467 |
Nov 14, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101;
G07F 17/3267 20130101; G07F 17/326 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A wagering game including: (a) a processor; (b) a set of primary
reels operable to randomly or pseudo-randomly obtain a first set of
possible primary game outcomes along one or more paylines; (c) a
pair of reels positioned on either side of the set of primary reels
and operable by the processor to randomly or pseudo-randomly obtain
a second set of possible outcomes comprising an indicia from each
of the pair of reels; (d) wherein a first game result includes an
outcome from the first set and an outcome from the second set; and
(e) wherein designated outcomes from the second set having
designated pairs of symbols are operable to (i) lock the pair of
reels while (ii) re-spinning the set of primary reels a designated
number of times and paying awards for winning patterns formed by
the re-spinning process.
2. The wagering game of claim 1, wherein the outcomes are
collectively determinable by the processor using a random number
generator.
3. The wagering game of claim 1, wherein each of the outcomes are
determinable by the processor using a random number generator.
4. The wagering game of claim 1, wherein both outcomes are
activated by a single wager.
5. The wagering game of claim 1, wherein the one or more free spins
can be saved for later use by the player.
6. The wagering game of claim 1, wherein the set of primary reels
include indicia of one or more secondary free spin symbols and the
one or more secondary free spin symbols can increase the number of
designated times that the primary reels are re-spun while the pair
of reels are locked.
7. A method for conducting a wagering game including: (a) providing
a set of primary reels operable by the processor to randomly or
pseudo-randomly obtain a first set of possible primary game
outcomes along one or more paylines; (b) providing a pair of reels
positioned on either side of the set of primary reels and operable
by the processor to randomly or pseudo-randomly obtain a second set
of possible outcomes comprising an indicia from each of the pair of
reels; (c) providing a first game result including an outcome from
the first set and an outcome from the second set; and (d) wherein
designated outcomes from the second set having designated pairs of
symbols are operable to (i) lock the pair of reels while (ii)
re-spinning the set of primary reels a designated number of times
and paying awards for winning patterns formed by the re-spinning
process.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the outcomes are collectively
determinable by the processor using a random number generator.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the outcomes are
determinable by the processor using a random number generator.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein both outcomes are activated by a
single wager.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more free spins can
be saved for later use by the player.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the set of primary reels include
indicia of one or more secondary free spin symbols and the one or
more secondary free spin symbols can increase the number of
designated times that the primary reels are re-spun while the pair
of reels are locked.
13. A program product embodied in one or more tangible computer
readable media, the program product including code executable by a
gaming machine and at least one gaming server for: (a) providing a
set of primary reels operable by the processor to randomly or
pseudo-randomly obtain a first set of possible primary game
outcomes along one or more paylines; (b) providing a pair of reels
positioned on either side of the set of primary reels and operable
by the processor to randomly or pseudo-randomly obtain a second set
of possible outcomes comprising an indicia from each of the pair of
reels; (c) providing a first game result including an outcome from
the first set and an outcome from the second set; and (d) wherein
designated outcomes from the second set having designated pairs of
symbols are operable to (i) lock the pair of reels while (ii)
re-spinning the set of primary reels a designated number of times
and paying awards for winning patterns formed by the re-spinning
process.
14. The program product of claim 13, wherein the outcomes are
collectively determinable by a random number generator.
15. The program product of claim 13, wherein each of the outcomes
are determinable by a random number generator.
16. The program product of claim 13, wherein both outcomes are
activated by a single wager.
17. The program product of claim 13, wherein the one or more free
spins can be saved for later use by the player.
18. The program product of claim 13, wherein the set of primary
reels include indicia of one or more secondary free spin symbols
and the one or more secondary free spin symbols can increase the
number of designated times that the primary reels are re-spun while
the pair of reels are locked.
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. 61/413,467
filed Nov. 14, 2010, and entitled "Wagering Game, Gaming Machine,
Networked Gaming System and Method With a Matching Symbols Bonus
Trigger."
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 by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all rights of copyright whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to wagering games, gaming machines,
networked gaming systems and associated methods. More particularly,
the invention relates to wagering games, gaming devices, networked
gaming systems, and associated methods including a set of matching
symbols to modify a base game outcome.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A large number of different reel-type gaming machines have
been developed to provide various formats and graphic presentations
for conducting games and presenting game results. Many reel type
games offer various free spin features to players in which a bonus
round is provided including multiple free spins. There continues to
be a need to generate more player interest and excitement by
providing new aspects to games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention includes wagering games, gaming
machines, networked gaming systems and methods with a first set of
reels operable to randomly determine a primary game outcome and a
pair of reels positioned about the first set of reels and operable
to randomly determine an indicia pair outcome, the indicia pair
outcome operable to modify the primary game outcome.
[0006] In the event that the indicia pair outcome includes a
matching pair of designated indicia, then a bonus (or feature) game
may be triggered wherein the matching pair are locked in place
while one or more free spins of the first set of reels occurs, and,
awards are provided for each winning outcome.
[0007] These and other features of the invention will be apparent
from the following description of the preferred embodiments,
considered along with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is an example screenshot of primary display 100
including example reel game 103 (Multimedia Games' Smokin' 7s with
Maximum Lockdown) with a lockdown pair of reels positioned about a
primary set of reels and informational banner 108 indicating the
designated symbols on the outer reel pair triggering a bonus or
feature game (Lockdown Bonus) in accordance with one or more
embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 1B is an example screenshot of upper display 110
including example paytable 107 (Smokin' 7s with Maximum Lockdown)
listing various outcome combinations and associated awards in
accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 1C is an example screenshot of primary display 100
including another example reel game 103 (Multimedia Games' Maximum
Lockdown) with a lockdown pair of reels positioned about a primary
set of reels in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1D is an example screenshot of upper display 110
including another example paytable 107 (Maximum Lockdown) listing
various outcome combinations and associated awards in accordance
with one or more embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 2A illustrates example upright gaming machine 200
(Multimedia Games Smokin' 7s with Maximum Lockdown) in accordance
with one or more embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 2B illustrates another example upright gaming machine
200 (Multimedia Games Maximum Lockdown) in accordance with one or
more embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 2C illustrates another example upright gaming machine
200 (Multimedia Games Smokin' 7s with Maximum Lockdown and Wheel
Top Box) in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 2D illustrates an example slant-top gaming machine
according to one or more embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an example logic diagram of a gaming
machine in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an example gaming network including one
or more gaming machines with dual game play in accordance with one
or more embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1A (and generally FIGS. 1C-1D), example
primary display 100 is shown displaying reel game 103 (Multimedia
Games' Smokin' 7s with Maximum Lockdown) with lockdown pair of
(outer) reels 104 positioned about reel set 106 in a primary game
display area and informational banner 108 indicating the designated
symbols on the outer reel pair triggering a bonus or feature game
(Lockdown Bonus) displayed in an informational display area in
accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0019] In one or more embodiments, an example reel configuration
may comprise a 1.times.4.times.4.times.4.times.1 configuration,
which is defined to mean that the outside reels (e.g. reels 1 and
5, counting in order from left to right) show only a single visible
symbol (or indicia), whereas the middle 3 reels (or inside reels)
have 4 visible positions apiece. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A
and 1C, the reel configurations comprise a
1.times.3.times.3.times.3.times.1 configuration. In one or more
embodiments, available paylines for each configuration include an
indicia location associated with each reel, so that for a 5-reel
game, each payline has 5 associated symbol (or indicia) locations.
For example, one payline may extend straight across each reel;
another payline may extend through the sole visible indicia of reel
1, the top visible indicia of each of reels 2-4, and the sole
visible indicia of reel 5; another payline may extend through the
sole visible indicia of reel 1, the bottom visible indicia of each
of reels 2-4, and the sole visible indicia of reel 5; and other
paylines may extend through the sole visible indicia of reel 1, zig
and zag through indicia of reels 2-4, and through the sole visible
indicia of reel 5.
[0020] An active payline is one that is wagered upon by a player
during a game play; and a winning outcome (or payline) is an active
payline upon which a game outcome is associated with an award, such
as the game outcomes and associated awards shown in paytable 107.
In example reel game 103, winning outcomes are three, four, or five
sequential symbols as identified in paytable 107 which occur on any
active payline and may include wild symbols that may substitute for
any symbol except designated lockdown symbols. The middle reels may
have up to three of a kind on any payline and the outside reels may
modify the outcome of the inner reels to increase the number of a
kind on any payline to four or five of a kind In the event that the
inner reels have two of a kind adjacent either outer reel, this
would not be a winning outcome, except that the outer reel may
increase the number of a kind to three which may be a winning
outcome if the player wagered upon the associated payline and an
award was associated with the three of a kind symbol.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, the inner and outer reels may be
spun simultaneously during a game play and sequentially or
substantially simultaneously brought to a stop by a game processor.
If the outer reels are brought to a stop sequentially, the first
reels may stop and then if there is a potential large winning
outcome, the last and/or next-to-last reels may be brought slowly
to a stop together with anticipatory sounds and reel lighting (e.g.
change the normal white reel lighting to a green or red color). For
example, if a designated symbol is displayed on the first reel
(e.g. Wild, Free Spin, Diamonds, Gold or Money Bag symbol), the
reel may be highlighted with a red light effect (e.g. in the case
of mechanical reels, overhead lighting may illuminate the first
reel with a colored lighting, such as red or green, and the
backlighting of the reel may be illuminated at a high intensity; a
sound or sounds associated with a maximum lockdown bonus may sound;
inner reels 106 may stop normally and the remaining lockdown
(outer) reel may slow down in anticipation prior to stopping). One
or more designated symbols may slow down and stop differently. For
example, when the first reel shows a Diamonds, Gold or Money Bag
symbol, the fifth reel may have a shorter spin and slowdown than
the Wild symbol. Red or green lighting may fade in about the
remaining outer reel during an anticipation spin. If a non-matching
symbol appears, then all reels may revert to normal (e.g. white)
lighting and awards are paid on any winning outcomes. If a matching
symbol lands, than all reels may be illuminated red or green and
back lighting may be fully illuminated to enhance the lighting
effect. A re-spin or lockdown celebration sound or sounds may play,
one or more displays may play one or more re-spin or lockdown
celebratory animations, winning paylines may be paid and re-spins
may be initiated. As re-spins are completed, awards may be paid or
accumulated, and the process may continue until all re-spins are
completed. In one or more embodiments, display 110 may include
highlighting payline wins with animations of winning symbols on
paytable 107, a coin fountain may be emitted during a large win or
jackpot, and during lockdown bonus games, one or more lockdown
animations may be displayed.
[0022] In other embodiments, the inner reels may first spin and
stop, and the player may view any initial game outcomes. Then the
outer symbols may be spun either in the same direction as the inner
reels or in the opposite direction, and the reels may be brought to
a stop either sequentially or simultaneously. If the outer reels
are brought to a stop sequentially, the first reel may stop, and
then if there is a potential large winning outcome, the final reel
may be brought slowly to a stop together with anticipatory sounds
and reel lighting (e.g. change the normal white reel lighting to a
green or red color). In one or more embodiments, a processor may
randomly or pseudo-randomly obtain a game outcome using a random
number generator and the game outcome may be inclusive, so that the
processor may direct the stopping of the inner and outer reels in
accordance with the determined game outcome. Alternatively, the
game outcome may be bifurcated such that the processor may
determine the game outcome associated with the inner reels and
separately determine the game outcome associated with the outer
reels. In one or more further alternatives, a player may wager on
paylines associated with the inner reels and may optionally make a
second wager to activate operation of the outer reels. For example,
one or more buttons may be provided for betting on paylines
including the outer reels; and a paytable may be provided that
includes winning outcomes based on the inner reels and an optional
set of winning outcomes based on the inner and outer reels.
[0023] In one or more embodiments, a lockdown bonus or feature may
be triggered during reel game 103 when matching designated lockdown
symbols appear on outer reels 104. In one or more embodiments,
designated lockdown symbols may comprise one or more upper-tier
symbols (i.e. symbols associated with large awards on paytable
107). When the lockdown bonus is triggered, outer reels 104 lock
with the matched symbols displayed while inner reels 106 are spun
and stopped during one or more additional plays. Awards during each
play are either paid at the end of each play or accumulated until
the additional plays are completed, at which time the accumulated
award is paid to the player (e.g. directly or by crediting the reel
game credit meter or player's account).
[0024] In a preferred Maximum Lockdown game, there are no free spin
symbols on the inner reels, rather the free-spin bonus is triggered
by matching free spin symbols on the outer reels 104. Both respins
and free spins are triggered by matching symbols on the outer
reels. In this embodiment, during respins the outer reels lock on
the triggering match, whereas during free spins all 5 reels spin.
In one or more alternative embodiments, reel game 103 may also have
a free spin bonus which may be triggered by scattered bonus symbols
on inner reels 106, and wherein one or more free plays may be won.
Depending upon the embodiment, inner reels 106 may be spun while
outer reels 104 may remain locked with whichever symbols previously
displayed remaining in place. Alternatively, both inner and outer
reels 106, 104 may be spun, in which case the player may have an
opportunity to trigger a lockdown bonus. In the event that the free
spin bonus is triggered during a lockdown bonus, one or more
additional plays may be added to the lockdown bonus. In the event
that the lockdown bonus is triggered during a free spin bonus, then
the remaining free plays may be added to the lockdown bonus free
plays or the free spin bonus may be stayed while the lockdown bonus
proceeds, and once the lockdown bonus is completed, reel game 103
may return to complete any remaining free plays in the free spin
bonus.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1A, lockdown reels 104 do not have matching
lockdown reel indicia, so the feature game (lockdown bonus) is not
triggered. However, reel 1 shows a wild which may be used to
complete three or four of a kind on an active payline and pays an
award in cases where pays are made for any three, four or five of a
kind The outcome of reel set 106 shows a two symbol stacked wild on
reel 3 which may also be used to complete three or four of a kind
on an active payline. For example, on payline 1 (horizontal
payline), reel 2 shows gold bells and reel 3 shows a wild (which
may substitute for gold bells), reel 1 shows a wild (which may
substitute for gold bells) which makes three gold bells which is a
combination found on paytable 107 for which an award may be
paid.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1B, an example screenshot of upper display
110 including example paytable 107 (Smokin' 7s with Maximum
Lockdown) listing various outcome combinations and associated
awards is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1C, an example screenshot of primary
display 100 including another example reel game 103 (Multimedia
Games' Maximum Lockdown) with a lockdown pair of reels 104
positioned about a primary set of reels 106 is shown in accordance
with one or more embodiments.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1D, an example screenshot of upper display
110 including another example paytable 107 (Maximum Lockdown)
listing various outcome combinations and associated awards is shown
in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2A (and generally, FIGS. 2B-2C), gaming
machine 200, such as Multimedia Games' Smokin' 7s with Maximum
Lockdown M11 Video gaming machine, is shown including primary
display 100 with which inner set of reels 106 are shown or
displayed in a base game display area with lockdown reel pair 104
in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, upper display
110 may be shown with paytable 107 displayed. Alternatively, upper
display 110 may be replaced such as with wheel top box 227 and
paytable 107 may be displayed on display 100 in the informational
display area (or on another available display), such as by rotating
content periodically or be provided through the help screen.
[0030] Gaming machine 200 is also shown to include middle display
213 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; and,
user interface 209 with which a patron may place wagers and
initiate play of one or more games at gaming machine 200, all of
which is housed in or about a gaming machine cabinet. User
interface 209 may include: a commercially available player tracking
interface unit, such as a Bally iView unit; a button deck including
buttons for selecting paylines and wagers per payline on base game
103, one or more additional buttons for selecting wagers associated
with any side game that may be included, and, a `Play` button
and/or handle with which the player may use to initiate play of the
games selected by the player. The button deck may be provided on a
touch panel (such as on the lower portion of display 100) in
addition to or in the alternative to a physical button deck. The
`Play` button may also be used simultaneously with base game 103 or
separately (if the option is provided to play only a side game)
initiate play of a side game. The player tracking unit may include
a card reader, a bill acceptor/printer, and player display which
may include a greeting to the player, player points, a menu for
communicating with player account server 409 (FIG. 4), and other
casino operator content.
[0031] While gaming machine 200 is shown as an upright gaming
machine cabinet style (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C), various cabinet styles or
device types may be utilized including a slant top cabinet style
(see e.g. FIG. 2D), a bar top cabinet style (where the cabinet may
be part of a bar/table top and/or housed therein), a personal
computer, or a tablet, cell phone or other handheld device.
[0032] FIG. 2D shows a gaming machine having a slant top style
cabinet according to one or more alternative embodiments. The
depicted gaming machine 200 includes a slant top style cabinet 220,
housing an upper display 110 and a primary display 100, each having
the functions already described above. In some slant top style
embodiments, primary display 100 is movable or adjustable between
two positions indicated by the two dotted outlines depicting
primary display 100.
[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 2A-2D, as in the reel games shown
in the figures, each reel includes a series of symbols (for
example, as shown in FIG. 1A) viewable in display 100 (e.g. through
a glass window or transparent display, in the case of mechanical
reels, or, as displayed in a video format). With the reels in a
stationary position, the symbols visible on inner reels 106 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.
[0034] One or more paylines, combinations, or patterns of the
symbols including those visible in display 100 may be correlated to
one or more game outcomes on active paylines and payable in
accordance with paytable 107 (FIG. 1D). A patron may wager on one
or more of the paylines during each game play (active paylines).
Display 100 may thereby be used to display game results to one or
more patrons who may view gaming machine 200 (FIG. 2A), and the
game processor may make payment to the patron by incrementing a
credit meter (or a player's account or directly paying) for winning
outcomes of paylines in accordance with the paytable and upon which
the patron has wagered. In example gaming machine 200, various
paylines are provided across the five reels; a player may be
provided the option to bet one, two, three, or more credits on each
payline to play base game 103. In an alternative embodiment,
players may be provided the option to wager on inner reels 106 with
an optional wager activating outer reels 104 (i.e. providing the
possibility of the maximum lockdown bonus and enhanced base game
awards). While example gaming machine 200 includes a set of three
inner reels 106, 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, or seven
reels, and so forth.
[0035] Primary display 100 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
100 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 100
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 100 (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 reel game 103.
[0036] In one or more alternative embodiments, primary display 100
may be programmed to display a bonus or feature game that may be
triggered by the appearance of one or more special symbols or other
random event. In one or more embodiments, when a bonus or feature
game is triggered, primary display 100 (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 100 may revert to the primary game display
state.
[0037] In one or more alternative embodiments, a touch sensitive
portion of the display 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` which is implemented to enable player interactivity with
the game, such as to select a displayed button or item, in order to
cause the game to perform additional steps and/or provide one or
more bonus or feature game outcomes and awards to the player.
[0038] In one or more alternative embodiments, gaming machine 200
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.
[0039] In the event that the payment is a progressive payment, 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; and the progressive pool may be
maintained by progressive server 407 (FIG. 4). In cases when a
progressive is associated with an individual gaming device, the
progressive pool may be maintained through a processor (such as the
game processor) associated with the device. In cases when the
progressive associated with a game is personal to the player, the
amount of the progressive award may be maintained by a processor
associated with the game while the player is playing the particular
device, and when the player's gaming session ends, the amount
accumulated towards the personal progressive award, if not won, may
be forwarded to a server, such as player account server 409, which
may forward the information to a subsequent device when the player
returns to play or selects another gaming machine on which to
play.
[0040] Another conventional game display approach is to implement
reels virtually (video reels) on a display, such as primary display
100 as shown in the figures discussed herein. In the case of
virtual displays of the reels, 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 in inner reels 106 may trigger a
re-spin of outer reel 104 and provide an award according to the
standard paytable both for the original outcome and the re-spin
outcome. In one or more embodiments, a multiplier symbol may appear
on a winning payline or as a scatter symbol in reel game 103, which
may trigger another game (such as wheel top box 227, FIG. 2C, or a
game displayed on one of the associated displays) to modify one or
more awards associated with an original game outcome with a
multiplier value (e.g. 1.times., 2.times., 3.times., etc.) and/or
one or more free base game spins. For example, a multiplier game
may provide a game presentation and outcome, and based on the
outcome, an associated multiplier award may be applied to one or
more paylines on reel game 103 to determine the award that is paid
to the player (e.g. credited to a credit meter on the gaming
machine), which may based on the currently displayed outcome and/or
one or more free base game plays. If two or more multiplier symbols
appear in reel (or base) game 103, the multipliers associated with
the multiplier game paytable may be multiplied by two or more. In
another example, one or more free spin symbols may appear on base
game 103 which may trigger a free spin game to award a number of
free spins of base game 103 depending on the free spin game
outcome. The associated number may be multiplied by the number of
free spin symbols that appeared on base game 103 to trigger the
free spin game; and, the free spin game process may be repeated to
add to the number of remaining base game free reel spins, if one or
more free spin symbols appear on subsequent base game plays.
[0041] In one or more embodiments, a player may be provided an
option to save a multiplier or number of free spins, as described
above, for use at a later time in the gaming session. Or, if the
player doesn't use the multiplier or number of free spins during
the gaming session, the multiplier and free spin information may be
transmitted to a server, such as player account server 409, stored,
and then transmitted from the server to a gaming device selected by
the player at a later time (e.g. the player may enter a player card
into a gaming device card reader, which then communicates with
player account server 409 to receive player information including
any saved game information). In one or more embodiments, the
multiplier and free spins may be used with the same game as
previously played or, in some cases, may be used with one or more
other games (such as games of the same denomination). In one or
more embodiments, saved multipliers and/or free spins may be
increased, such as by hitting a multiplier or free spin win
additional times. For example, a player may win a 2.times.
multiplier on a first win and subsequently win a 3.times.
multiplier on a second win. A player may be able to then play a
game with the 2.times. multiplier and play another game with the
3.times. multiplier. Alternatively, the multipliers may accumulate
2.times.+3.times.=5.times. and the player may play a single game
with a 5.times. multiplier; in one or more embodiments, the player
may be provided the option to split up the multipliers in two or
more games or play the multipliers in a single game. In a case when
a player has accumulated multipliers totaling 6.times. or more, a
player may have the option to split the multipliers into two games
(e.g. 2.times., 4.times. or 3.times., 3.times.) or three (e.g.
2.times., 2.times., 2.times.) games or to play the accumulated
multiplier in a single game.
[0042] 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. Bally's 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's PureDepth 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.
[0043] 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 microprocessor, or on a printed circuit board including one
or more memory devices positioned within gaming machine 200. In
alternative implementations, the game processor may be remote from
gaming machine 200, such as on a server network (e.g. game server
403) connected to gaming machine 200, 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
200.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, example logical diagram 300 of gaming
machine 100 is shown including CPU 301, memory 303 with wagering
game 304, user interface 305, network controller 307, audio/visual
controllers, and reel assembly 313 (if mechanical reel
configuration). Game processor (CPU) 301 may comprise a
conventional microprocessor, such as an Intel Pentium
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.
[0045] Game processor 301 also may connect through network
controller 307 to a gaming network, such as example casino server
network 400 (referring generally to FIG. 4) which may be
implemented over one or more site locations and include host server
401, remote game play server 403 (which may be configured to
provide game processor functionality including determining game
outcomes and providing audio/visual instructions to a remote gaming
device), central determinant server 405 (which may be configured to
determine lottery, bingo, or other centrally determined game
outcomes and provide the information to networked gaming machines
200 providing lottery and bingo-based wagering games to patrons),
progressive server 407 (which may be configured to accumulate a
progressive pool from a portion of wagering proceeds or operator
marketing funds and to award progressive awards upon the occurrence
of a progressive award winning event to one or more networked
gaming machines 200), player account server 409 (which may be
configured to collect and store player information and/or awards
and to provide player information to gaming machines 200 after
receiving player identification information such as from a player
card), and accounting server 411 (which may be configured to
receive and store data from networked gaming machines 200 and to
use the data to provide reports and analyses to an operator).
Through its network connection, gaming machine 200 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 200 and a respective one 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.
[0046] Generally, activity at gaming machine 200 is initiated by a
player inserting currency and/or a player card into a bill acceptor
and card reader, respectively. 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. Player data is transmitted to gaming
machine 200. Responsive to the data, game processor 301 may execute
coding causing player data and a display (and possibly an audio)
command to be transmitted to one of the video and/or audio
controllers instructing the controllers to display player
information on a respective display and possibly issue an audio
greeting through one or more respective speakers. 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", e.g. FIG.
1A). 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 coding, 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, transmits an update to
the credit meter and display ("Credits") deducting the amount of
the total bet, and initiates the wagering game.
[0047] In the case of a Class III gaming devices, when a game is
initiated, a random number generator (RNG) is operated by game
processor 301 to determine the game outcome. Commonly, game
processor 301 is positioned within gaming machine 200 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 or gaming
specific tablet), personal data assistant (PDA), cellular telephone
(e.g. Blackberry or Apple iPhone), surface table (e.g.
Microsoft/IGT 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 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.
[0048] 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 employing electronic lottery tickets 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.
[0049] Additionally, Class II gaming devices, such as a bingo-based
gaming device may have multiple displays, such as are shown in FIG.
2A wherein one of the displays, such as display 213 of FIG. 2A, 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 determinant server. In the case, as in FIG. 2A, 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. 2A and
operates the reel-based game as described above and with respect to
the figures. In one or more embodiments, when a player both enters
a wager on base game 103 and enters `PLAY`, a game play request may
be transferred to central determinant server 405 which may provide
a single game outcome to the respective gaming machine 200, and
game processor 301 may initiate a game presentation corresponding
to the game outcome provided by server 405.
[0050] In one or more embodiments, coding may be implemented and
stored in memory 303 and/or RAM, 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.
[0051] While the primary display has been depicted as displaying a
set of reels, in one or more base game embodiments, base game 103
may comprise a card-based game (e.g. various poker variations)
wherein each indicia location corresponds to a card that may be
randomly or pseudo-randomly drawn (in which case, inner reels as
shown may comprise three reels with three cards displayed per reel
or nine reels with one symbol displayed per reel. As described
above, lockdown reels 104 may have specially designated symbols on
various playing cards that trigger various events including the
lockdown bonus, re-spins, multipliers, etc.
[0052] Also, while gaming machine 200 has been described as a
stand-alone or networked game device, in one or more embodiments,
gaming machine 200 may be operable in a tournament or community
gaming mode wherein players may compete for one or more awards or
triggering of special features. For example, in one or more example
configurations, one or more banks of gaming machines 200 may be
network connected to an overhead display 413 which may display a
feature game and when triggered, the player triggering the feature
game may be indicated on the overhead display 413 as the
wheel-based game is played. For example, an additional wager may be
required to activate and potentially win a wheel bonus which may be
triggered by a specially designated symbol on outer reels 104, and
when triggered, the wheel bonus may provide an opportunity to win
additional awards or provide interactive features with base game
103 (e.g. multipliers, free spins, etc.)
[0053] In another example, base game 103 may be played
conventionally with payouts according to paytable 107 and players
who are linked in a community game may compete against each other
during each play for additional awards. For instance, of the
competing players, the player with the highest award on a single
play or cumulative play during a selected period may receive a
first award, a player with the second highest award may receive a
second award, etc. In one or more embodiments, the base game
outcome (e.g. reel or card game outcome) and respective player
identifiers may be displayed on an overhead screen, along with the
awards paid to each participating player. In one or more
embodiments, the participating players may be required to pay an
additional fee to participate (e.g. a network inquiry to play in
the community game may be made on a player tracking display, player
acceptance including a debit of the player's account or gaming
device credit meter, and a community game controller may transmit a
message to each participating player advising of their
participation). In one or more embodiments, a player's highest game
outcome occurring during a selected time span may be used by the
community game controller as the player's entry into the community
competition or tournament.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of example networked
gaming system 400 associated with one or more gaming facilities is
shown including one or more networked gaming machines 200 with reel
game 103 in accordance with one or more embodiments. With reference
to FIG. 4, while a few servers have been shown separately, they may
be combined or split into additional servers having additional
capabilities.
[0055] As shown, networked gaming machines 200 (EGM1-EGMN) and one
or more overhead displays 413 may be network connected and enable
the content of one or more displays of gaming machines 200 to be
mirrored or replayed on an overhead display. For example, the
primary display content may be stored by the display controller or
game processor 301 and transmitted through network controller 307
to the overhead display controller 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 a respective gaming machine 200.
In the event that gaming machines 200 have cameras installed, the
respective player's video images may be displayed on overhead
display 413 along with the content of the player's display 100 and
any associated audio feed.
[0056] 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 200 (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 (such as to
provide a large potential award to players playing the community
feature game). 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
program bundle.
[0057] Player account server 409 may maintain player account
records, and store persistent player data such as accumulated
player points and/or player preferences (e.g. 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 200 being played by the player.
[0058] In one or more embodiments, the 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. Player account server 409 transmits player information through
network controller 307 to user interface 209 for display on the
player tracking display. 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 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).
[0059] In one or more embodiments, a gaming website may be
accessible by players, e.g. gaming website 421, whereon one or more
games may be displayed as described herein and played by a player
such as through the use of personal computer 423 or handheld
wireless device 425 (e.g. Blackberry cell phone, Apple iPhone,
personal data assistant (PDA), iPad, etc.). To enter the website, 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
be accessible by a casino operator to obtain player data and
provide promotional offers), play various games on the website,
make various personalizing selections and save the information, so
that during a next gaming session at a casino establishment, the
player's playing data and personalized information may be
associated with the player's account and accessible at the player's
selected gaming machine 200.
[0060] 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. Only the
transitional phrases "consisting of and "consisting essentially
of," respectively, shall be considered exclusionary transitional
phrases, as set forth, with respect to claims, in the United States
Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures (Eighth
Edition, August 2001 as revised September 2007), Section 2111.03.
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 (such as digital or analog sound tracks or
information stored on a memory device and processed by an audio
controller to emit sound through a speaker) whether in an attract
mode or as part of a game presentation or outcome.
[0061] 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. For
example, base game 103 may be centrally determined based on a
lottery game.
* * * * *