U.S. patent application number 14/180435 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for wagering game with a randomly-selected feature game triggered by a table game result.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bally Gaming, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Bally Gaming, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dougal Austin, Michael DePalma, Ryan Leach, Loren T. Nelson.
Application Number | 20140162770 14/180435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40624229 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140162770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; Loren T. ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
WAGERING GAME WITH A RANDOMLY-SELECTED FEATURE GAME TRIGGERED BY A
TABLE GAME RESULT
Abstract
Wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and
associated methods that include a randomly selected feature game
are disclosed. One disclosed aspect provides for a wagering game
including a primary game and a plurality of feature games. One or
more of the plurality of feature games is selected for play upon a
triggering event associated with the primary game. In another
disclosed aspect, the wagering game may also include at least two
types of progressives including wide-area progressives, casino-wide
progressives, bank progressives and stand-alone progressives.
Another disclosed aspect provides a pay table, wherein the pay
table changes dynamically according to the size of a wager.
Inventors: |
Nelson; Loren T.; (Reno,
NV) ; DePalma; Michael; (Reno, NV) ; Leach;
Ryan; (Reno, NV) ; Austin; Dougal; (Reno,
NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bally Gaming, Inc. |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bally Gaming, Inc.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
40624229 |
Appl. No.: |
14/180435 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13894715 |
May 15, 2013 |
8657659 |
|
|
14180435 |
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|
12102586 |
Apr 14, 2008 |
8545303 |
|
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13894715 |
|
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|
60987390 |
Nov 12, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/27 ;
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/326 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3267 20130101; G07F 17/3258 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/27 ;
463/25 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32 |
Claims
1. A wagering game for a gaming machine and playable by a player,
the gaming machine comprising a non-transitory memory device, a
display and a processor, the game comprising: a primary game
including a set of possible outcomes determined by the host
computer and displayed on the display by the processor under
control of instructions stored in the non-transitory memory device
and a plurality of three or more feature games determined by the
host computer and displayed on the display by the processor under
control of instructions stored in the non-transitory memory device,
wherein two or more of the plurality of feature games are randomly
selected for play by the host computer upon the occurrence of a
single triggering event, wherein display of each of the selected
two or more feature games is distinct and independent from display
of the first game in an order based at least in part on a potential
award value of each of the two or more selected feature games; and
wherein the triggering event comprises a result of an outcome of an
associated table game.
2. The wagering game of claim 1 wherein there is an equal
probability of randomly selecting any one of the feature games for
play.
3. The wagering game of claim 1 wherein there is an unequal
probability of randomly selecting any one of the feature games for
play.
4. The wagering game of claim 1 wherein each randomly selected two
or more of the plurality of feature games is played a single
time.
5. The wagering game of claim 1 wherein each randomly selected two
or more of the plurality of feature games is played multiple
times.
6. The wagering game of claim 5 wherein the number of times each
selected feature game is played is predetermined.
7. The wagering game of claim 5 wherein the number of times each
selected feature game is played is randomly determined.
8. The wagering game of claim 5 wherein number of times each
selected feature game is played is determined by a controller
external to the gaming machine.
9. The wagering game of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
progressive awards associated with the game.
10. The game of claim 9 wherein the progressive awards comprise at
least one type of progressive including a wide-area progressive,
casino-wide progressive, bank progressive, stand-alone progressive,
or a combination thereof.
11. A wagering game for a gaming machine and playable by a player,
the gaming machine comprising a non-transitory memory device, a
display and a processor connected by a network to a host computer,
the game comprising: a primary game including a set of possible
outcomes determined by the host computer and displayed on the
display by the processor under control of instructions stored in
the non-transitory memory device and a plurality of three or more
feature games determined by the host computer and displayed on the
display by the processor under control of instructions stored in
the non-transitory memory device, wherein two or more of the
plurality of feature games are randomly selected for play by the
host computer upon the occurrence of a single triggering event,
wherein display of each of the selected two or more feature games
is distinct and independent from display of the first game in an
order based at least in part on a potential award value of each of
the two or more selected feature games; and wherein the triggering
event comprises a result of an outcome of an associated table
game.
12. The wagering game of claim 11 wherein there is an equal
probability of randomly selecting any one of the feature games for
play.
13. The wagering game of claim 11 wherein there is an unequal
probability of randomly selecting any one of the feature games for
play.
14. The wagering game of claim 11 wherein each randomly selected
two or more of the plurality of feature games is played a single
time.
15. The wagering game of claim 11 wherein each randomly selected
two or more of the plurality of feature games is played multiple
times.
16. The wagering game of claim 15 wherein the number of times each
selected feature game is played is predetermined.
17. The wagering game of claim 15 wherein the number of times each
selected feature game is played is randomly determined.
18. The wagering game of claim 15 wherein an external controller
determines the number of times each selected feature game is
played.
19. The wagering game of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of
progressive awards associated with the game.
20. The game of claim 19 wherein the progressive awards comprise at
least one type of progressive including a wide-area progressive,
casino-wide progressive, bank progressive, stand-alone progressive,
or a combination thereof.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/894,715, filed May 15, 2013 which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/102,586, filed
Apr. 14, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,545,303, issued Oct. 1, 2013
which claimed priority from U.S. provisional patent application
60/987,390 filed on Nov. 12, 2007.
[0002] This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/102,603 entitled "GAMING MACHINE AND METHOD
WITH A RANDOMLY SELECTED FEATURE GAME," filed on Apr. 14, 2008,
which claims priority from provisional application 60/987,390 filed
on Nov. 12, 2007.
[0003] This application is also related to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/102,620 entitled "NETWORKED GAMING SYSTEMS AND METHOD
WITH A RANDOMLY SELECTED FEATURE GAME," filed on Apr. 14, 2008, now
abandoned, which claimed priority from provisional application
60/987,390 filed on Nov. 12, 2007.
[0004] All of the above referenced applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0005] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that 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 copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 1. Field of the Invention
[0007] The present invention is directed to wagering games and,
more particularly, to wagering games and methods with a randomly
selected feature game.
[0008] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0009] In the prior art, various types of gaming machines have been
developed with different features to captivate and maintain player
interest. In general, a gaming machine allows a player to play a
game in exchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of the game,
the player may be entitled to an award which is paid to the player
by the gaming machine, normally in the form of currency or game
credits. Gaming machines may include flashing displays, lighted
displays, or sound effects to capture a player's interest in a
gaming device.
[0010] Another important feature of maintaining player interest in
a gaming machine includes providing the player with many
opportunities to win awards, such as cash or prizes. For example,
in some slot machines, the display windows show more than one
adjacent symbol on each reel, thereby allowing for multiple-line
betting. Some gaming machines offer a player the opportunity to win
millions of dollars by providing progressive jackpots.
Additionally, feature games of various types have been employed to
reward players above the amounts normally awarded on a standard
game pay schedule. Generally, such feature games are triggered by
predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certain
combinations of indicia in a primary game. In order to stimulate
interest, feature games are typically set to occur at a gaming
machine on a statistical cycle based upon the number of primary
game plays.
[0011] These and other examples in the prior art have been
described to provide a player with more excitement. There continues
to be a need for more innovative games and gaming machines to
stimulate and excite players.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a wagering game includes a primary game and a plurality of feature
games playable on a gaming machine connected by a network to a host
computer. One or more of the plurality of feature games is randomly
selected for play by the host computer upon a triggering event
associated with the primary game.
[0013] In accordance with one or more other embodiments, the
wagering game may include a wager, wherein an award payable to a
player of the game is scaled according to the wager. In one or more
embodiments, the amount of the wager may influence which of the
plurality of feature games is selected for play and/or the number
of time each selected feature game is played. In still other
embodiments, the wagering game also includes a pay table, wherein
the pay table changes dynamically according to the size of the
wager.
[0014] In accordance with still other embodiments, the wagering
game may include at least one of a wide-area progressive,
casino-wide progressive, bank progressive, stand-alone progressive
or a combination thereof. Other features and advantages will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way
of example, the features of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example game in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an example schematic block diagram showing the
hardware elements of a multi-type progressive gaming system in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an example game screen in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an example functional block diagram depicting the
steps associated with carrying out a method in accordance of one or
more aspects of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example gaming machine in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the physical and logical
components of an example motherboard as may be implemented within
the gaming machine of FIG. 5.
[0021] FIG. 7 is an example schematic block diagram showing the
hardware elements of a networked gaming system in accordance with
one or more aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Various embodiments are directed to games, gaming machines,
gaming systems and associated methods. In accordance with one or
more embodiments of the invention, a gaming machine has a primary
game and one or more feature games. Within the primary game, at
least one primary game outcome will initiate a feature game. In one
or more embodiments, which feature games are played is randomly
chosen by a control program or an external controller each time a
feature play is triggered. Embodiments of the invention are
illustrated and described herein, by way of example only, and not
by way of limitation. Referring now to the drawings, and more
particularly to FIGS. 1-7, there are shown illustrative examples of
games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and associated
methods in accordance with various aspects of the invention.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with one aspect of the
invention, an example slot machine game 100 is implemented using
five spinning reels 101-105. Each of 20 pay line patterns (not
shown) passes through one indicium on each of the five reels
101-105. The number of pay lines and associated pay line patterns
are by way of example only and may vary. The player selects the
number of played pay lines and the number of credits or coins
wagered on each line using slot machine controls such as touch
screen or electro-mechanical control buttons. The player may also
collect the balance of his credits by pressing a collect
button.
[0024] A credit meter may display the player's current credit
balance, while other meters may display, for example, the number of
credits or coins wagered and the last amount paid by a payout
mechanism. Other meters containing other information may be
displayed. The amount wagered on each pay line may additionally be
indicated in a bet tag (not shown) corresponding to each pay
line.
[0025] The player initiates game play by pressing a button, pulling
a lever, etc. In some embodiments, the player may simultaneously
select all pay lines at the maximum number of coins or credits
allowed per line by pressing a MAX BET button. Touchscreen buttons
(not shown) may be used to perform the actions described here
without deviating from the scope of the invention. Reels 101-105
are made to spin and stop in predetermined stop positions and then
indicate whether the stop positions of the reels resulted in a
winning game outcome.
[0026] In various embodiments, winning combinations may be
evaluated across adjacent reels from left-to-right, from
right-to-left or both. Additional winning combinations may be
awarded when certain indicia do not necessarily accumulate
adjacently on a pay line, but rather, appear anywhere on the reels
(i.e., "scatter pays"). In addition, "wild" indicia may be used to
complete winning combinations. Some "wild" indicia may also cause
completed winning combinations to be result in pay amounts in
excess of the normal winning combination by way of multiplication
or addition, for example, a wild doubler symbol may be used.
[0027] Various primary game outcomes may be utilized to trigger the
play of a feature game, including, but not limited to, awarding
bonus play when certain symbols appear on a pay line, when certain
symbols are scattered, when no symbols of a certain type appear,
when a certain winning combination occurs or, regardless of the
visible symbols, at random or fixed intervals. The availability of
the feature game may be restricted based on the size of the wager.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, the
feature game may be a randomly selected one of a set of feature
games 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170 and 180. In one or more
embodiments, various factors may influence the random selection
such as amount wagered, rate of play, player tracking status, or
other such variables or combinations thereof. The probabilities
associated with randomly selecting each specific feature game may
vary from one feature game to the next and do not necessarily have
to have equal probability.
[0028] In accordance with one or more embodiments, two or more
feature games may be played as a result of a single triggering
event in the primary game. If two or more feature games are played,
the order in which the feature games are played may be in the order
shown on the gaming machine's display device, in the order the
feature games were randomly selected, in the order of potential
award value, or the order may be randomly selected by the control
program or external controller. The number of times each feature
game is played as a result of the triggering event may be limited
to one time each, may be defined within the control program, may be
determined randomly by the control program, or may be determined by
an external controller. Other factors may influence this selection
such as the amount wagered, rate of play, player tracking status,
or other such variables or combinations thereof.
[0029] In one embodiment, a gaming machine has a primary game
comprised of a slot-based game of five spinning reels 101-105 and
one or more feature games comprised of a miniature slot-based game
of three spinning reels each. Examples of these types of games are
disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/233,923, entitled
"Embedded Reel Games with Progressives," filed on Sep. 22, 2005,
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all
purposes. Within the primary game, one of the slot symbols is
designated as the initiating symbol for the bonus game whenever the
primary game outcome visibly contains a minimum number of these
triggering symbols. Whenever the minimum number of these slot
symbols is visible, a like number of the feature games will be
played one or more times. The selection of which feature games that
will be played in any individual feature round are randomly chosen
by the control program each time the feature is initiated. The
order in which the feature games are played is in the order shown
on the display device. In the example of FIG. 1, the initiating
symbol is the smiley-face 190. As the example shows, there are five
smiley-faces 190 visible. Therefore, five feature games from the
choices of eight games, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170 and 180
(Games A through H), each having a potential progressive prize 111,
121, 131, 141, 151, 161, 171 and 181, will be randomly selected by
the control program for the player to play. In accordance with one
or more aspects of the invention, each progressive 111, 121, 131,
141, 151, 161, 171 and 181 may be simultaneously operatively
connected to one or more types of progressive controller.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the invention, a slot machine 200 may be connected
to a plurality of progressive controllers or progressive systems
including wide-area progressive systems 210, casino-wide
progressive systems 220 and a local bank progressive system 230. A
wide-area progressive system 210, such as the MAPS system by Bally
Technologies, may encompass a large number of gaming machines
across an entire state, region or set of regions and will generally
offer the highest value progressive jackpots, typically in the
millions of dollars. A casino-wide progressive system 220 may be
local to a specific property and have several connected gaming
machines and offer progressive jackpots in the thousands of
dollars. Still other progressive systems, such as a local bank
progressive system 230, are much smaller and typically link a bank
of gaming machines together for a progressive jackpot in the
hundreds of dollars. Local bank progressive systems 220 may be
connected to a known industry-standard progressive controller (not
shown) such as a controller manufactured by Mikohn, Inc. The
progressive controller monitors wagering during regular play at
each of the gaming machines connected to the controller, calculates
a current value for one or more progressive jackpot pools and
transmits the current pool values to the gaming machines. In one or
more embodiments, progressive awards are accumulated during regular
play as a percentage, such as three percent, of the regular game
play take. The prizes may be sized according to the preferences of
the casino operator. The number of prizes may vary without
deviating from the scope of the invention. The size of the prizes
is dependent on the amount of play prior to initiating feature game
play. In another aspect, the prizes may be set amounts established
by the casino operator from non-coin-in funds, such as marketing
funds. The smallest of the progressive systems are a single gaming
machine which manages its own progressive jackpot, typically in the
tens of dollars. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the
various types of progressives may also be operated by a player
tracking host computer or a server on a network connected to the
various slot machines.
[0031] Winning game outcomes may be indicated on a pay table. The
pay table may be accessible through a help button. In alternate
embodiments, the pay table may be presented on a video or printed
display attached to the gaming device. A winning combination, for
example, could be three or more dollar sign symbols adjacent to one
another on an active pay line. For each winning combination, the
game device awards the player the award in the pay table, adjusted
as necessary based on the number of credits wagered on the pay line
on which the win occurred.
[0032] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a slot-based gaming device continually displays all payout
information to the player. All payout information is interactively
updated responding to changes in the player's bet and the current
results of the game outcome. A portion of the display device is
reserved for an area detailing the current results of a game
outcome and an area for detailing possible winning
combinations.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, an example game display 300 in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention may
include five reels 301-305 and a number of game meters including a
win paid meter 310, lines bet meter 320, bet per line meter 330,
total bet meter 340 and credit meter 350. The current denomination
360 for the game may also be displayed.
[0034] Pay table 370 may graphically show, in explicit detail, each
possible winning combination for the game. The pay table 370
depicts each symbol, the number of symbols required for a winning
combination, and the amount of the award of the winning
combination. As the player increases or decreases the bet amount,
the award amount for each combination is automatically adjusted
relative to the new bet amount.
[0035] Win description area 360 graphically shows any winning
combinations resulting from game play. When there are multiple
winning pay lines, the winning combinations are cycled in area 310,
one at a time. Area 310 depicts the symbol involved, how many
symbols were involved, the amount of the award, and on which pay
line the winning combination occurred. In the example shown, 4
lightning bolts appearing on pay line 1 pays 10 credits. In one or
more embodiments, the corresponding pay 375 may be highlighted in
pay table 370.
[0036] A logical flow diagram generally depicting the steps
associated with an example method 400 for carrying out a game in
accordance with one aspect of the invention is presented in FIG. 4.
In one example implementation, a gaming program executable on a
gaming processor may be prepared in accordance with conventional
programming techniques and software to produce the desired affect
as described by the blocks and flow paths in the flow diagram
below. In another example implementation, the desired effect as
described by the flow diagram below may be produced by utilizing an
electro-mechanical apparatus, such as one using spinning reels
together with an LCD top box display which may be implemented
together with a random number generator configured in accordance
with conventional mathematical modelling methods. The order of
actions as shown in FIG. 4 and described below is only
illustrative, and should not be considered limiting. For example,
the order of the actions may be changed, additional steps may be
added or some steps may be removed without deviating from the scope
and spirit of the invention.
[0037] First at block 410, a player places a wager and starts the
game, whereby, for example, each reel then spins or displays a
representation of a slot machine reel spin before stopping with a
combination of indicia displayed to the player. Flow continues at
block 420, where the indicia displayed on the reels are examined to
determine whether any winning outcomes occurred. If not, flow
returns to block 410 for play of another primary game.
[0038] If a winning outcome was determined at block 430, it is
further determined if a feature trigger has occurred. If not, the
player is paid for a normal win at block 440 and flow returns to
block 410 for play of another primary game.
[0039] If a feature game trigger was determined at block 430, one
of a set of feature games is randomly selected for play at block
450. Various factors may influence the random selection such as
amount wagered, rate of play, player tracking status, or other such
variables or combinations thereof. The probabilities associated
with randomly selecting each specific feature game may vary from
one feature game to the next and do not necessarily have to have
equal probability.
[0040] At block 460, the selected feature game is presented for
play and, if a winning outcome occurs, the player is paid
accordingly. The number of times the selected feature game in
played as a result of the triggering event may be limited to one
time, may be defined within the game program, may be determined
randomly by the game program, or may be determined by an external
controller. Other factors may influence this selection such as
amount wagered, rate of play, player tracking status, or other such
variables of combinations thereof.
[0041] In accordance with one or more embodiments, two or more
feature games may be played as the result of a single triggering
event in the primary game. Accordingly, at block 470, a
determination is made to determine whether another feature game
should be played. If not, flow returns to block 410 for play of
another primary game.
[0042] If a determination is made at block 470 that another feature
game is to be played, control returns to block 450 for selection of
another feature game. If two or more feature games are played as a
result of a feature game trigger, the order in which the feature
games are played may be in the order shown on the gaming machine's
display device, in the order the feature games were randomly
selected, in the order of potential award value, or the order may
be randomly selected by the control program or an external
controller.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, an example gaming machine 500 is shown
including cabinet housing 520, primary game display 540,
player-activated buttons 560, player tracking panel 536,
bill/voucher acceptor 580 and one or more speakers 590. Cabinet
housing 520 is a self-standing unit that is generally rectangular
in shape and may be manufactured with reinforced steel or other
rigid materials which are resistant to tampering and vandalism.
Cabinet housing 520 houses a processor, circuitry, and software
(not shown) for receiving signals from the player-activated buttons
560, operating the games, and transmitting signals to the
respective displays and speakers. Any shaped cabinet may be
implemented with any embodiment of gaming machine 500 so long as it
provides access to a player for playing a game. For example,
cabinet 520 may comprise a slant-top, bar-top, or table-top style
cabinet. The operation of gaming machine 500 is described more
fully below.
[0044] The plurality of player-activated buttons 560 may be used
for various functions such as, but not limited to, selecting a
wager denomination, selecting a game to be played, selecting a
wager amount per game, initiating a game, or cashing out money from
gaming machine 500. Buttons 560 function as input mechanisms and
may include mechanical buttons, electromechanical buttons or touch
screen buttons. Optionally, a handle (not shown) may be rotated by
a player to initiate a game.
[0045] In other embodiments, buttons 560 may be replaced with
various other input mechanisms known in the art such as, but not
limited to, a touch screen system, touch pad, track ball, mouse,
switches, toggle switches, or other input means used to accept
player input. For example, one input means is a universal button
module as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/106,212,
entitled "Universal Button Module," filed on Apr. 14, 2005, which
is hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, the universal
button module provides a dynamic button system adaptable for use
with various games and capable of adjusting to gaming systems
having frequent game changes. More particularly, the universal
button module may be used in connection with playing a game on a
gaming machine and may be used for such functions as selecting the
number of credits to bet per hand.
[0046] Player tracking panel 536 includes player tracking card
reader 534 and player tracking display 532. Voucher printer 530 may
be integrated into player tracking panel 536 or installed elsewhere
in cabinet housing 520 or top box 550.
[0047] Game display 540 presents a game of chance wherein a player
receives one or more outcomes from a set of potential outcomes. For
example, one such game of chance is a video slot machine game. In
other aspects of the invention, gaming machine 500 may present a
mechanical reel slot machine, a video keno game, a lottery game, a
bingo game, a Class II bingo game, a roulette game, a craps game, a
blackjack game, a mechanical or video representation of a wheel
game or the like. In alternative embodiments, it may further be
appreciated that games of skill or games of chance involving some
player skill may be implemented with gaming machine 500.
[0048] Cabinet housing 520 includes top box 550 which contains "top
glass" 552 comprising advertising or payout information related to
the game or games available on gaming machine 500. Mechanical or
video/mechanical embodiments may include game displays such as
mechanical reels, wheels, or dice as required to present the game
to the player. In video/mechanical or pure video embodiments, game
display 540 is, typically, a CRT or a flat-panel display in the
form of, but not limited to, liquid crystal, plasma,
electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, field emission, or any
other type of panel display known or developed in the art. Game
display 540 may be mounted in either a "portrait" or "landscape"
orientation and be of standard or "widescreen" dimensions (i.e., a
ratio of one dimension to another of at least 16.times.9). For
example, a widescreen display may be 32 inches wide by 18 inches
tall. A widescreen display in a "portrait" orientation may be 32
inches tall by 18 inches wide. Additionally, game display 540
preferably includes a touch screen or touch glass system (not
shown) and presents player interfaces such as, but not limited to,
credit meter (not shown), win meter (not shown) and touch screen
buttons (not shown). An example of a touch glass system is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,571, entitled "Gaming Device with
Direction and Speed Control of Mechanical Reels Using Touch
Screen," which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0049] Game display 540 may also present information such as, but
not limited to, player information, advertisements and casino
promotions, graphic displays, news and sports updates, or even
offer an alternate game. This information may be generated through
a host computer networked with gaming machine 500 on its own
initiative or it may be obtained by request of the player using
either one or more of the plurality of player-activated buttons
560; the game display itself, if game display 540 comprises a touch
screen or similar technology; buttons (not shown) mounted about
game display 540 which may permit selections such as those found on
an ATM machine, where legends on the screen are associated with
respective selecting buttons; or any player input device that
offers the required functionality.
[0050] Cabinet housing 520 incorporates a single game display 540.
However, in alternate embodiments, cabinet housing 520 or top box
550 may house one or more additional displays or components used
for various purposes including additional game play screens,
animated "top glass," progressive meters or mechanical or
electromechanical devices such as, but not limited to, wheels,
pointers or reels. The additional displays may or may not include a
touch screen or touch glass system.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 6, a block diagram of an example gaming
motherboard 600 is shown to include a functional interconnection of
physical and logical components of gaming machine 500. Currency
acceptor 610 is typically connected to a conventional central
processing unit ("CPU") 605, such as an Intel Pentium
microprocessor mounted on a gaming motherboard, by a serial
connection such as RS-232 or USB. The gaming motherboard may be
mounted with other conventional components, such as are found on
conventional personal computer motherboards, and loaded with a
gaming machine operating system (OS), such as an Alpha OS installed
within a Bally S9000, M9000 or CineVision.TM. slot machine. CPU 605
executes game program 620 that causes video display 630 to display
a game.
[0052] When a player has inserted a form of currency such as, for
example and without limitation, paper currency, coins or tokens,
cashless tickets or vouchers, electronic funds transfers or the
like into currency acceptor 610, a signal is sent to CPU 605 which,
in turn, assigns an appropriate number of credits for play. The
player may further control the operation of gaming machine 600, for
example, to select the amount to wager via electromechanical or
touchscreen buttons 650. The game starts in response to the player
pushing one of buttons 650 or an alternate start mechanism, for
example, a handle or touch screen button. Random number generator
640 responds to instructions from CPU 605 to provide a display of
randomly selected indicia on video display screen 630. Thereafter,
the player may or may not interact with the game through
electromechanical or touchscreen buttons 650 to change the
displayed indicia. Finally, CPU 605 under control of game program
620 compares the final display of indicia to a pay table. The set
of possible game outcomes may include a subset of outcomes related
to the triggering of a feature game. In the event the displayed
outcome is a member of this subset, CPU 605, under control of game
program 620, causes additional game play to be presented on video
display screen 630 as described above.
[0053] Predetermined payout amounts for certain outcomes, including
feature game outcomes, are stored as part of game program 620. Such
payout amounts are, in response to instructions from CPU 605,
provided to the player in the form of coins, credits or currency
via payout mechanism 660, which may be one or more of a credit
meter, a coin hopper, a voucher printer, an electronic funds
transfer protocol or any other payout means known or developed in
the art.
[0054] In some embodiments of gaming motherboard 600, game program
620 is stored in a memory device (not shown). By way of example,
but not by limitation, such memory devices include external memory
devices, hard drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and flash memory cards. In an
alternative embodiment, the game programs are stored in a remote
storage device. In one embodiment, the remote storage device is
housed in a remote server. The gaming machine may access the remote
storage device via a network connection, including but not limited
to, a local area network connection, a TCP/IP connection, a
wireless connection, or any other means for operatively networking
components together. Optionally, other data including graphics,
sound files and other media data for use with gaming motherboard
600 are stored in the same or a separate memory device (not
shown).
[0055] Referring to FIG. 7, in accordance with one aspect of the
invention, gaming system 700 includes host computer or server 710,
gaming machines 750, and network 740 connecting gaming machines 750
to server 710. Additionally, gaming display computer 730 is shown
connected to network 740. Server 710 may be selected from a variety
of conventionally available servers. The type of server used is
generally determined by the platform and software requirements of
the gaming system. Examples of suitable servers are an IBM
RS6000-based server, an IBM AS/400-based server or a Microsoft
Windows-based server, but it should be appreciated that any
suitable server may be used. It may also be appreciated that server
710 may be configured as a single "logical" server that comprises
multiple physical servers. Gaming machines 750 operate similar to
conventional peripheral networked terminals. Gaming machines 750
have a player interface such as a display, a card reader, and
selection buttons through which gaming machines 750 interact with a
player playing a wagering game with a randomly selected feature
game in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The
player interface is used for making choices such as the amount of a
bet or the number of lines to bet. Gaming machines 750 also provide
information to server 710 concerning activity on gaming machines
750 and provide a communication portal for players with server 710.
For example, the player interface may be used for selecting
different server-related menu options such as, but not limited to,
transferring a specified number of credits from a player account
onto the credit meter of the gaming machine, or for transferring
credits from the gaming machine to a central player account.
[0056] In various embodiments, any of the gaming machines 750 may
be a mechanical reel spinning slot machine, video slot machine,
video poker machine, keno machine, video blackjack machine, or a
gaming machine offering one or more primary games including a
randomly selected feature game in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the invention. Networking components (not shown)
facilitate communications across network 740 between the system
server 710 and game management units 720 and/or gaming display
control computers 730 that control displays for carousels of gaming
machines. Game management units (GMU's) 720 connect gaming machines
to networking components and may be installed in the gaming machine
cabinet or external to the gaming machine. The function of the GMU
is similar to the function of a network interface card connected to
a desktop personal computer (PC) and it may contain tracking
software which provides notification to the casino of certain
events on a gaming machine 750, including wins. These events may be
associated with a player account to determine a player tracking
status, such as a bronze player, a silver player or a gold player,
with each player tracking status level associated with varying
eligibility for promotional or other awards including varying game
play characteristics. Depending upon the casino management system,
payouts on large wins at gaming machines 750 may be made directly
to a player account managed by the host computer; in which case,
the player is notified by way of the GMU at gaming machine 750 that
the player's account has been credited.
[0057] Some GMU's have much greater capability and can perform such
tasks as presenting and playing a game having a randomly selected
feature game using a display 725 operatively connected to GMU 720.
In one embodiment, GMU 720 is a separate component located outside
the gaming machine. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the GMU
720 is located within the gaming machine. Optionally, in an
alternative embodiment, one or more gaming machines 750 connect
directly to the network and are not connected to a GMU 720.
Displays related to games offering a randomly selected feature game
on gaming machines 750 or GMU displays 725 may also be presented on
gaming display 735 by gaming display control computer 730. An
example of a display control computer is disclosed in U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/463,793, entitled "Reconfigurable Gaming
Display and System," filed on Aug. 10, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0058] A gaming system of the type described above also allows a
plurality of games in accordance with the various embodiments of
the invention to be linked under the control of server 710 for
cooperative or competitive play in a particular area, carousel,
casino or between casinos located in geographically separate
areas.
[0059] One will appreciate that a gaming system may also comprise
other types of components, and the above illustrations are meant
only as examples and not as limitations to the types of components
or games having a randomly selected feature game. Additionally, it
may further be appreciated that each of the games could be operated
on a remote host computer such that a player initiates play with
the host computer over a network via the player interface and
gaming machine 750 operates the respective gaming and video
displays in conjunction with the game whose play is controlled by
the remote computer.
[0060] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
invention. For example, the availability of the feature games for
play may be restricted based on the size or nature of the player's
wager. In some embodiments, each feature game may not be associated
with a primary game trigger, but may be one of a set of primary
games randomly selected for play following initiation of play by
the player. For example, multiple primary games are disclosed in
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/428,220, entitled "Multiple Primary
Games Triggered by Random Number Generator," filed on Jun. 30,
2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference, in which a gaming
machine has at least two distinct primary games. After receiving a
wager, the gaming machine determines which primary game to
activate. The selected primary game is activated and a game outcome
is presented to the player on a game display. A payout may be
awarded according to the game outcome. The availability of the game
may be restricted based on the size of the wager. A game in
accordance with one or more aspects of the invention may be
associated with a table game such a poker or blackjack. For
example, a player may receive a chance to play a randomly selected
feature game on a gaming machine located adjacent to a gaming table
as a result of a hand of cards dealt to him during play of the
table game.
[0061] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various
modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth
in the following claims.
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