U.S. patent application number 13/625344 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system and method with a simultaneous secondary scratch-off-style game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Multimedia Games, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Multimedia Games, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rogelio Badillo-Gaitan, Jp Cody, Bradley W. Johnson, Clint Owen, Allison L. Pope, Brian A. Watkins.
Application Number | 20130072293 13/625344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47881175 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130072293 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Bradley W. ; et
al. |
March 21, 2013 |
WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE, NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD
WITH A SIMULTANEOUS SECONDARY SCRATCH-OFF-STYLE GAME
Abstract
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaining
machine provides both a base game and a scratch-off-style side game
which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to
some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed
on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the
side game may be a ticket or number-based type of game, such as a
lottery or sweepstakes style game, displayed on a remaining portion
of the primary display wherein a player may be able to directly
purchase chances to win one or more prizes in the
ticket/number-based side game and/or be awarded a selected number
of tickets/numbers/win-opportunities based on the amount of the
player's wager in the primary game. The potential prizes may be
stand-alone as with a prize table or networked as with a prize
pool, such as in the case of a lottery or sweepstakes style
game.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Bradley W.;
(Austin, TX) ; Badillo-Gaitan; Rogelio; (Austin,
TX) ; Pope; Allison L.; (Austin, TX) ;
Watkins; Brian A.; (Austin, TX) ; Owen; Clint;
(Austin, TX) ; Cody; Jp; (Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Multimedia Games, Inc.; |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Multimedia Games, Inc.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
47881175 |
Appl. No.: |
13/625344 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13221819 |
Aug 30, 2011 |
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13625344 |
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12972487 |
Dec 19, 2010 |
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13221819 |
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11365058 |
Mar 1, 2006 |
7878900 |
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12972487 |
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61413433 |
Nov 13, 2010 |
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60750144 |
Dec 14, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/329 20130101;
G07F 17/34 20130101; G07F 17/3258 20130101; A63F 9/24 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for operating a dual wagering game, the method
including: displaying a base game and a scratch-off style side game
together at a gaming machine, the base game and side game being
operable simultaneously through a game processor; accepting a wager
by a player to initiate the base game and the side game; responsive
to the wager, providing the player one or more covered prize
opportunities in the side game from a set of prize opportunities;
determining the base game outcome from a set of base game outcomes,
wherein the base game outcome is determined randomly or
pseudo-randomly by the game processor: uncovering the prize
opportunities; and awarding any prize or award associated with the
base game outcome and awarding any prize associated with one or
more side game outcomes and the prize opportunities.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the base game and side game
outcomes and the prize opportunities are determined
independently.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the prize opportunities
comprise a set of numbers and the side game outcomes comprise a set
of winning numbers; matching the set of numbers of each prize
opportunity with the set of winning numbers to determine the
respective number of matching numbers; displaying a paytable
associating one or more numbers of matching numbers with respective
prizes or awards; and the awarding step including paying awards on
each of the prize opportunities in accordance with the
paytable.
4. The method of claim 1 including the steps providing one or more
prize opportunities including: responsive to a player save request,
storing one or more of the covered prize opportunities provided
following a first wager; and responsive to a player play request,
activating one or more of the stored prize opportunities for play
subsequent to the first wager.
5. The method of claim 1 including the steps providing one or more
prize opportunities including: responsive to a player save request,
storing one or more of the covered prize opportunities provided
following a first wager; responsive to a player play request,
activating one or more of the stored prize opportunities for play
following a second wager.
6. The method of claim 1 the step providing one or more prize
opportunities including providing a predetermined number of the
prize opportunities according to the amount wagered.
7. The method of claim 1 the step providing one or more prize
opportunities including providing a random or pseudo-random number
of the prize opportunities according to the amount wagered.
8. The method of claim 5 the step providing one or more prize
opportunities including providing a first predetermined number of
the prize opportunities according to the first wager and providing
a second predetermined number of the prize opportunities according
the second wager; and the awarding step including awarding any
prize associated with one or more side game outcomes and the first
and second predetermined number of prize opportunities
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the base game and the side game
are activated by a single wager.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the base game and the side game
are activated by separate wagers.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the side set of possible side
game outcomes includes one or more high reward winning outcomes and
Further including producing a celebratory presentation at one or
more display devices at the gaming machine when the selected side
game outcome comprises one of the high reward winning outcomes.
12. The method of claim 1 further including displaying side game
information in a display area for displaying the side game while
continuing to display the base game in a display area for
displaying the base game.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the side game comprises a lottery
game distinct from the base game.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the side game comprises a
sweepstakes game distinct from the base game.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the side game prize opportunities
are randomly or pseudo-randomly generated from a network server
communicatively connected to the game processor.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the covered prize opportunities
are determined randomly or pseudo-randomly by the game
processor.
17. The method of claim 4 wherein the stored prize opportunities
when activated are determined randomly or pseudo-randomly by the
game processor.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the uncovered prize
opportunities comprise a set of reels displaying a game outcome;
and the awarding step includes paying one or more awards on the
prize opportunities in accordance with a side game paytable and the
respective game outcomes.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the uncovering step is
responsive to a player action.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. Non-Provisional patent application. Ser. No. 13/225,819 filed
August 30, 1031 and entitled "WAGERING GAME, GAMING MACHINE,
NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A SIMULTANEOUS SECONDARY
GAME" which claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e), of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/413,433 filed November
13, 1030, and entitled "Wagering Game, Gaming Machine, Networked
Gaming System And Method With A Simultaneous Secondary Game."
[0002] This application is also a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.
12/972,487 filed December 19, 1030 and entitled "ELECTRONIC
SWEEPSTAKES SYSTEM PROVIDING MULTIPLE GAME PRESENTATIONS FOR
REVEALING RESULTS FROM A SINGLE SWEEPSTAKES GAME", which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/365,058, filed
March 1, 1006 (now, U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,900), which claims the
benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/750,144 filed December 14, 1005, and entitled
"ELECTRONIC SWEEPSTAKES SYSTEM PROVIDING MULTIPLE GAME
PRESENTATIONS FOR REVEALING RESULTS FROM A SINGLE SWEEPSTAKES
GAME."
[0003] The entire content of these applications are incorporated
herein by this reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0004] 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
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] 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 simultaneously
operable and distinct primary and secondary scratch-off or numbers
style games including sweepstakes and lottery-style games.
[0007] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0008] A large number of different gaming machines have been
developed to provide various formats and graphic presentations for
conducting wagering games and presenting wagering game results.
[0009] There continues to be a need for wagering games which
maintain the player's interest and generate excitement to enhance
the player's gaming experience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with one or more embodiments, wagering games,
gaming machines, networked gaming systems and methods include a
secondary (or side) scratch-off or numbers style game operable
simultaneously with the primary game.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, additional opportunities or
tickets may be provided depending upon the wager in the primary
game.
[0012] In one or more embodiments, a player may purchase additional
opportunities as part of an increased wager over the primary (base)
game or the player may be able to purchase additional opportunities
independent of a base game wager.
[0013] These and other features of the invention will be apparent
from the following description of the illustrative embodiments,
considered along with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Of THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example upright
gaining machine according to one or more embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an example side action game display of a gaming
machine showing covered tickets in accordance with one or more
embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an example side action game display of a gaming
machine showing uncovered tickets, a side action game outcome, and
a paytable in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an example gaming
network including one or more gaming machines with dual game play
in accordance with one or more embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, gaming machine 100 is shown including
primary display device 101 with which a set of reels 103 are shown
or displayed in a base game display area 105 and a set of covered
tickets are shown or displayed in a side game display area 107 as
part of a scratch-off side game in accordance with one or more
embodiments.
[0019] In an example embodiment, a player may initiate the base
game and the side game with either one or two wagers. In the case
of a game that is activated by a single wager, a player may select
the number of lines and credits per line in order to make a wager
on the base game, the game processor may then determine the number
of tickets to provide to the player based on the size of the wager
on the base game. In one example, the number of tickets may be
determined linearly; for example, for a one credit bet per line
wager, a player may be given one ticket and for a three credit per
line wager, a player may be given three tickets. In another
example, the number of tickets may be determined non-linearly; for
example, for a one credit bet per line wager, a player may be given
one ticket; a two credit bet per line wager may yield four tickets;
and a three credit per line wager, may yield nine tickets.
[0020] While conceptually, tickets are shown in side game display
107, any game opportunity artifice may be used: for example,
instead of a ticket a number string may be displayed initially
covered (e.g. FIG. 2 showing an example side action display area
107 with covered tickets) and then uncovered (e.g. FIG. 3 showing
an example side action display area 107 with uncovered tickets and
a ball draw side action game outcome). In order to uncover, the
tickets or artifice, a player may be requested to `scratch-off` the
ticket or field area (e.g. such as by tapping the ticket area) in
order to uncover a number (as shown in FIG. 3), a prize, or a
symbol combination, where the number or symbol combination that may
correspond to a prize if it matches a prize (for example, a
paytable may list winning numbers or symbol combinations and
associated prizes). The `scratch-off` may be accomplished simply by
touching the respective ticket or prize opportunity artifice
display area in the case where the display is a touch panel. In
cases, where the display is not a touch panel, there may be buttons
located along a perimeter of the side game display area and
associated with respective tickets or prize opportunity artifices.
In one or more embodiments, various prizes may be displayed on the
various tickets including money or physical prizes where physical
prizes may include objects such as marketing mementos and high
value items such as shirts, caps, and a car, or, services such as
accommodations, meals, spa treatments, air tickets, and an
all-inclusive vacation. In one or more embodiments, symbol
combinations may be displayed and evaluated for winning tickets
according to a side action game paytable. In one or more
embodiments, the covered tickets may automatically uncover without
player interaction beyond placing a wager and initiating play as by
pressing the `Play` button.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, the scratch-off side game may be
self-contained on gaming machine 100 such that prizes and tickets
are generated by the game processor or a processor with executable
coding to randomly or pseudo-randomly generate each of the tickets
or prize opportunities, compare the tickets or prize opportunities
with a paytable (or prize list) to determine whether the generated
tickets or prize opportunities correspond to winning outcomes in
the paytable, and pay the corresponding award or prize. The awards
or prizes may be fixed or may be progressive awards which may
increase as a percent or portion of the wagers.
[0022] In other embodiments, the scratch-off side game may utilize
network resources, such as a server with executable coding
operative to generate one or more aspects of the scratch-off side
game. For example, when a base game is initiated on gaming machine
100, the game processor may transmit a message or cause a
transmission through a network controller to the external server
which may determine one or more of: the number of tickets to
generate, the indicia on each ticket (i.e. randomly determining the
numbers, prize, or symbol set for each ticket), and a corresponding
prize designation for each ticket (for example, including
non-winning prize designations). After determining the tickets
and/or corresponding side-game outcomes, the server processor may
transmit the information to gaming machine 100 which may in turn
display the side-game game presentation on one of the displays,
such as primary display device 101.
[0023] In the case of networked side-games, one or more networked
gaming machines 100 may participate in one or more networked
side-games. Multiple gaming machines 100 may connect or be
connected to a server configured to execute one or more networked
gaming machines sequentially or simultaneously. For example, the
server may manage and/or maintain multiple scratch-off games
wherein a portion of wagers and/or operator money may be utilized
to fund the various different prize levels similar to a
lottery-style or sweepstake-style game so that each of the players
at the various connected gaming machines may play for opportunities
to win the various prizes which may be updated and maintained
through the server. Similar to the display tables in local stores,
players may view various different scratch-off games on the side
panel display and select one or more which they may play along with
the base game; in such case, the players may elect for one or more
of their tickets on a given play to be used to play one or more
side games which may be displayed on the side panel (e.g. games
similar to the Texas Lottery's Cash Five, Pick 3, Daily 4, Lotto,
Texas Two Step and Scratch-Offs). In addition to offering multiple
game choices, the server may simultaneously manage multiple of the
same style game playable on the various gaming machine 100.
[0024] In one or more embodiments, a player may have the option to:
1) elect to receive and play the tickets provided in a given play
at the same time as the current base game play, or, 2) save the
number of tickets obtained to be played in a subsequent game play.
For example, a player may place a wager on the base game and the
scratch-off side game; the player may be awarded four tickets in
the scratch-off side game; the player may be provided an option to
play the scratch-off tickets during the current game play or save
the scratch-off tickets for play in a subsequent game as with a
`Save` button that may be provided in or about the vicinity of side
game display 107. In the case of a save option, a side game ticket
meter may be incremented to indicate the stored number of
scratch-off tickets and a `Play` button may further include a
quantity to play. For example, a player may have saved ten tickets
and elect to play five tickets by selecting the quantity to play
and pressing the `Play` button associated with the side game. In
one or more embodiments, the game processor or side game server may
then randomly determine the tickets to be provided to the player
during the current base game play, determine the side game outcome
(such as a lottery-style ball draw), cause the covered tickets to
be displayed and enabled for the player to scratch-off and uncover
the ticket values or indicia, and pay any awards on winning tickets
in accordance with the side game outcome and paytable. In one or
more embodiments, the player may have the option to play the side
game tickets subsequent to any base game play. In one or more
embodiments, the player may have the option to save the accrued
number of tickets for use in a subsequent gaming session; for
example, when a player cashes out, a ticket may be provided from
ticket printer/reader 119 which indicates the number of saved
scratch-off side action tickets, and in a subsequent gaming
session, the player may insert the ticket into ticket
printer/reader 119 which may be read by the associated controller
and the information transferred to the game processor for crediting
onto an associated side action ticket meter; thereafter, the player
may elect to play the tickets as the player may choose. In one or
more embodiments, the saved tickets may be stored on a server, such
as player account server 409, in connection with a player card
inserted in card reader 121, thereby enabling a player to access
the stored tickets during one or more subsequent gaming sessions by
inserting the player card into a respective gaming machine 100.
[0025] In one or more embodiments, the pool of tickets may be
essentially infinite (defined to mean a pool that essentially has a
constant or substantially constant number of elements that does not
change with each game play, such as by replacing a removed number
of elements by a like number of elements) as for example in a
lottery-style game; whereas in other embodiments, the pool may be
finite in the sense that it has an initial number of elements, as
for example in a sweepstakes-style game, where the size of the pool
may be reduced with each game play, so that removed elements are
not replaced. In the case of an infinite pool, a particular set of
numbers may be randomly selected one or more times. For example, in
a sweepstakes-style game, a paytable may be generated by u server
(or game processor of a gaming machine if the game is a
stand-alone) wherein respective sets of numbers may be associated
with respective win levels (or prizes/awards); the server may
generate an entire list (pool) of possible sets of numbers from
which to obtain each set of numbers for each ticket to be used by a
player in the side game; as each set of numbers is drawn by the
server for use by the player, the drawn sets may be eliminated from
the pool of possible sets in the case of a finite pool, or in the
case of an infinite pool, the pool remains unchanged.
[0026] In one or more embodiments, the scratch-off side game may be
a lottery-style game where each ticket has a set of numbers (for
example, six numbers, each between the numbers one and thirty-six)
and a lottery-style numbered ball device may be displayed to show a
drawing. As the balls are drawn, the numbers on the displayed
tickets which match may be highlighted. The paytable may award a
nominal prize for three matching numbers and the prizes for larger
numbers of matching numbers may increase significantly through six
matches in a manner similar to a conventional lottery. When
progressive prizes are won, the associated prize levels may be
reset at a starting default level; in which case, the funds for the
default level may be advanced or contributed by the casino operator
(or casino operators in the case where the side game is networked
over multiple gaming facilities).
[0027] In one or more embodiments, instead of randomly generated
tickets, a player may be given an opportunity to select the numbers
on each ticket prior to the drawing (such as, in the case of an
infinite pool); in such case, the selected numbers may be
persistent for additional game plays. For example, a player may
fill out numbers for ten tickets, and as the player plays, the
player may be awarded four tickets for a given play, so the first
four sets of numbers that the player had selected may be utilized
or the player may be given an opportunity to select four of the
sets or select a randomly generated set for one or more of the
tickets.
[0028] In one or more embodiments, the scratch-off side game may be
a sweepstakes-style game, such as is more fully described in the
incorporated sweepstakes patent application, wherein the
sweepstakes-style game may have a prize list along with
corresponding winning numbers. The numbers on the scratch-off
tickets may be generated randomly by the game processor or by a
server from a pool of possible tickets and compared against the
prize list (paytable) and stored by the game processor or server in
an associated memory accessible by a processor upon the initiation
of a side game play by a player in order to randomly or
pseudo-randomly select one or more of the tickets from the pool.
The generating of the pool and development of the prize list may be
done by a respective processor prior to an initial play of the
respective side action game.
[0029] Referring again to FIG. 1, primary display device 101 and
the other components of gaming machine 100 may be mounted on or
about a cabinet 109; although, in some implementations, gaming
device 100 may be a portable gaming device, such as a tablet,
laptop computer, or phone, network connected to a remote game
processor. During primary game operation or attract mode, a base
game paytable may be displayed on display 100 (or another available
display) and/or may be accessed through a help button and screen,
to view various base game winning outcomes associated with various
awards and additional information regarding game play including
criteria or requirements to activate and/or play the side game
shown inside game area 107. A side game paytable may also be shown
through the base game help screen, through a separate help screen,
or be directly viewable in the side game display area 107. In an
alternative embodiment, a top box display may display the
respective paytables of the base game, side game, or both.
[0030] Gaining machine 100 is also shown to include 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.
Gaming machine 100 further includes user interface 115 with which a
patron may place wagers and initiate play of one or more games at
gaming machine 100. User interface 115 may include: a commercially
available player tracking interface unit, such as a Bally iView.TM.
unit, a button deck including buttons for selecting paylines and
wagers per payline in the base game shown in base game area 105,
one or more additional buttons for selecting wagers associated with
the side game shown inside game area 107, and a "Play" button
and/or handle with which the player may initiate play of the games
selected by the player. The button deck may be provided on a touch
panel (such as on the tower portion of display device 100) in
addition to or in the alternative to a physical button deck. The
"Play" button/control may be also useable to simultaneously
initiate a play in the base game shown in base game display area
105 and a play in the side game shown inside game area 107. The
"Play" button/control may also or alternatively be operable to
separately initiate play of the side game in side game display area
107 if the option is provided to play only the side game. The
player tracking unit may Include a card reader 121, a ticket
printer/reader (and/or bill acceptor) 119, and player display which
may display a greeting to the player, player points, a menu for
communicating with player account (and/or tracking) server 409, and
other casino operator content.
[0031] 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, a tablet, cell phone or
other handheld device.
[0032] As in the reel games shown in the figures, each reel
includes a series of symbols 117 viewable on display device 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 display
device 100 represent an array of symbols through which various
paylines may be defined. 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. Alternatively,
a game processor may randomly or pseudo-randomly stop the reels and
then evaluate the displayed symbols in light of the applicable
paytable to identify the reel-type game outcome. Further
alternatives in providing outcomes for the reel-type base game and
side game will be described further below.
[0033] One or more paylines, combinations, or patterns of the
symbols including those visible in display 100 may be correlated to
a game result payable in accordance with a paytable such as may be
displayed with respect to base game shown in base game 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 reef 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 100 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 wish
the paytable and the player's wager. In example gaming machine 100,
only one payline may be provided horizontally across the three
reels 103, and a player may be provided the option to bet one, two,
or three credits on the payline to play the base game in base game
display area 105, and a fourth or additional credits to the play
side game displayed in side game display area 107. While example
gaming machine 100 includes a set of three reels 103, 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.
[0034] Primary display device 100 may comprise a single display
device or may comprise two or more display devices (for example,
two flat panel display devices in over- or under-laying relation to
each other, or in a side-by-side arrangement). In some
implementations, primary display device 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 device 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 device 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 the base game and/or side
game.
[0035] In one or more alternative embodiments, primary display
device 100 may be programmed to display a bonus or feature game,
such as 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 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 device 100 may revert to the primary game
display state. A touch sensitive portion of display device 100 may
be programmed to display player interactive elements such as, for
example, a selection of buttons to enable player interactivity with
the game. In particular, a player may use such touch screen portion
to select the 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.
[0036] 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 implemented using FOLED
(flexible organic LED), for example, or comparable feel 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 bonus (a fixed or progressive amount) may be
paid separate from the paytable.
[0037] 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. The progressive pool may be
maintained by a progressive server (such as server 407 shown in
FIG. 4). In cases when a progressive prize is associated with an
individual gaining device, the progressive pool may be maintained
through a processor (such as the game processor) associated with
the gaming 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 tracking server 409 in FIG. 4, which may forward the
information to a subsequent device when the player returns to play
or selects another gaming machine on which to play.
[0038] Another conventional game display approach is to implement
reels virtually (video reels) on a display, such as primary display
device 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 the base game shown in base game
display area 105 may trigger a free play of the side game shown
inside game display area 107 and provide an award according to the
standard paytable. Alternatively, the side game paytable may be
modified to provide an interactive element with the base game. For
example, a multiplier symbol may appear on a winning payline or as
a scatter symbol in the base game shown in base game display area
105, which may trigger the side game shown inside game display area
107 to modify one or more awards with a multiplier value (e.g.
1.times., 2.times., 3.times., etc.). Alternatively or additionally,
one or more free base game spins 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 the base game to
determine the award that is paid to the player (e.g. credited to a
credit meter on the gaming machine), which may be based on the
currently displayed outcome and/or one or more subsequent base game
plays. If two or more multiplier symbols appear in the base game,
the multipliers associated with the side game paytable may be
multiplied by two or more. In another example, one or more free
spin symbols may appear in the base game which may trigger the side
game to modify one or more awards in its paytable to include a
number of free spins and depending on the side game outcome, the
associated number of free spins may be applied to the base game.
The associated number may be multiplied by the number of free spin
symbols that appeared in the base game to trigger the side game,
and the side game process may be repeated so add to the number of
remaining base game free reel spins, if one or more free spin
symbols appear on subsequent base game plays.
[0039] In one or more embodiments, a multiplier or number of free
spins, as described above, may be saved 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 tracking server 409 shown in FIG. 4), stored, and then
transmitted from the server to a gaming device selected by the
player at a later time. For example, the player may enter a player
card into a gaming device card reader, which then communicates with
player tracking 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. The 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
(for example, 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, the player may have the option to split the multipliers into
two games (for example, 2.times., 4.times. or 3.times., 3.times.)
or three games (for example 2.times., 2.times., 2.times.) or to
play the accumulated multiplier in a single game.
[0040] 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 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] Gaming machine 100 generally includes a CPU or game
processor, memory with wagering game/s, user interface 115, network
controller, audio controller, graphics processors, and reef
assembly. The reel assembly 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 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 including
one or more wagering games. Game processor connects to user
interface 115 such that a player may enter input information and
game processor may respond according to its programming, such as to
apply a wager and initiate execution of a game.
[0043] Game processor also may connect through network controller
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 gaining
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.
[0044] 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. In the case of the insertion of a player card, card
reader 121 transmits card information which is directed through
network controller to player tracking server 409 connected to the
network in which gaming machine 100 is included. Player data is
transmitted to gaming machine 100 and, responsive to the data, game
processor may execute coding causing player data and a display
command to be transmitted to one of the graphics processors
instructing the graphics processors to cause player information to
be displayed on a respective display. Game processor may also
transmit commands to audio controller 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
119 sends a signal to game processor which may include an
identification of the currency that has been read, and game
processor 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", on or about
primary display area 105 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, in accordance with its program code,
receives the wager information from user interface 115, 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 gaining machine, transmits an update to
the credit meter and display ("Credits") deducting the amount of
the total bet, and initiates the wagering game.
[0045] 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 to determine the game outcome (either directly or by
randomly selecting reel slop positions and evaluating those
positions to identify an outcome). Commonly, game processor is
positioned within gaming machine 100 and configured to manage the
operation of the gaming machine components; 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 115 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.
[0046] 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 bail 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 a 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.
[0047] Additionally, Class II gaming devices, such as a bingo-based
gaining 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
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 both the base game 103 and side game 105 described above,
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 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 base game 103 and one associated with side game
105), and game processor may initiate corresponding game
presentations of base game 103 and side game 105.
[0048] In one or more embodiments, coding may be implemented and
stored in memory, executable by game processor to control game
operation, display content, lighting, and audio through video,
audio, reel drive motor controllers (for mechanical reels), and
lighting controllers.
[0049] 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 other types of games. For example, base game 103 may
comprise a playing card-based game such as poker or blackjack, a
dice-based game such as craps or a board game such as the
Monopoly.RTM. game, a wheel-based game such as roulette or
Wheel-of-Fortune.RTM. type prize wheel, or a competition-based game
such as a car or horse race.
[0050] 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 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 100 may be
networked connected to an overhead display which may display a
feature game and when triggered, the player triggering the feature
game may be indicated on the overhead display as the wheel-based
game is played. In another example, side game 105 may be played
conventionally with payouts according to the side game paytable 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 scoring tickets may
receive a first award and a player with the second highest scoring
ticket may receive a second award during a predetermined span of
time or game plays; wherein the additional awards may be credited
to player accounts on player account server 409. In one or more
embodiments, the side 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. For example, a network inquiry to
play in the community game may be made on a player tracking display
from a server, such as player account server 409 or a community
game server. If the player accepts the invitation for the community
game, the player's account or gaming device credit meter may be
debited accordingly. A community game controller may transmit a
message lo each participating player advising of their
participation. In one or more embodiments, a player's highest side
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. Base game 103 may be used as
opposed to side game 105 for the community game and the same
concepts may be applied as described above.
[0051] 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 gaming machines 100 connected in a
network with host server 401 and floor server 402. One or more of
the gaming machines 100 may provide a base game 103 and side game
105 as discussed above. While a few servers have been shown
separately in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the servers may
be combined or split into additional servers having additional
capabilities.
[0052] As shown, networked gaming machines 100 (Egm 1-Egm N) and
one or more overhead displays 413 may be network connected so as to
enable the content of one or more displays of gaming machines 100
to be mirrored or replayed on overhead display. For example, the
primary display content may be stored by the display controller or
game processor and transmitted through a network controller to the
overhead display controller either substantially simultaneously or
at a subsequent time according to cither programming executed by
the game processor or a triggering event, such as a jackpot or
large win, at a respective gaming machine 100. In the event that
gaming machines 100 have cameras installed, the respective players'
video images may be displayed on overhead display 413 along with
the content of the player's display 100 and any associated audio
feed.
[0053] 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 ivy 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 (to provide a large potential award to players
playing the community feature game for example). 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. Central
determination server 405 may be configured to determine lottery,
bingo, or other centrally determined game outcomes and provide the
information to networked gaming machines 100 providing lottery and
bingo-based wagering games to patrons.
[0054] Player account server 409 may maintain player account
records, and store persistent player data such as 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.
[0055] 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 is inserted, an identification code may
be read from the card and transmitted to player account server 409.
Player account server 409 may risen cause player information to be
transmitted through a network controller 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 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 at the gaming machine
(which may be touch sensitive or have player-selectable buttons
associated with the various display selections).
[0056] In one or more embodiments, a gaming website 421 may be
accessible to players to allow players to play one or more games as
described herein through the use of 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 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). Once logged in
the player may play various games on the website. The play may also
use the website to make various personalizing selections and save
the informal ion 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 100.
[0057] Referring generally to the forgoing description and the
following claims, 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
slated 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).
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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. In
another example, one of the base game and side game may be
determinable by one processor (e.g. a local processor) and the
other game may be determinable by another processor (e.g. a remote
processor) while one of the processors or another processor may
drive a presentation to be displayed on a primary display of gaming
machine 100 including the base game and side game and culminating
in outcomes according to the determinations.
[0060] In addition to the variations described above, the following
variations also apply to the side game arrangement disclosed
herein. For example in one or more embodiments, the more a player
plays the side game (such as in one or possibly more sessions of
play) the easier winning the biggest prize gets or the bigger the
awards get. That is, the paytable and the probabilities associated
with each award level may change depending upon how many times the
side game is played in a given gaming session and/or multiple
gaming sessions by a player. The side game could be linked with
other side games provided at different gaming machines and may pay
progressive or mystery awards. The gaming machine may provide the
player with a menu of side games from which the player may choose.
The player may decide to remove side action completely from the
screen, or they could elect to add side games to their primary
game. A side game could be added to a video poker base game where
the side game is a reel-type game. Several windows may be added to
a base game display (video display) with a respective side game
being played concurrently with the base game and each other side
game. A side game may include a pop-n-win type game feature where a
balloon (or something similar) appears in the side game area during
the course of the base and/or side game and the player has to do
something to win the bonus or prize for the game, such as popping a
video-generated balloon. The side game could be connected to
overhead signage and the results could be broadcasted on the bigger
display or used for progressives. The live cameras on the gaming
machines could be used within the side game. For example, a side
game could display camera feeds showing players in the gaming
network. The side game could be added on a second or other display
device rather than the display used to show the base game. For
example, the side game could be shown on a topbox display of the
gaming machine, or a side game could be on a display next to or
overlaying mechanical reels. In other embodiments, a certain
percentage of money played on the base game is accrued and can be
used for awards in the side action game or games. Also, in some
instances, the amount of the side wager for the side game may be
selectable by the player so that the player may receive additional
tickets, the paytable awards may be increased, and/or the
likelihood of winning outcomes is increased.
* * * * *