U.S. patent application number 14/259508 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for universal overlay games in an electronic gaming environment.
This patent application is currently assigned to BALLY GAMING, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is BALLY GAMING, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert A. Luciano, Warren R. White.
Application Number | 20140235340 14/259508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38606977 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140235340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luciano; Robert A. ; et
al. |
August 21, 2014 |
Universal Overlay Games in an Electronic Gaming Environment
Abstract
A method is disclosed herein for displaying winning and
non-winning game results in a traditional gaming environment. The
system uses an overlay game to present an entertaining display to a
player upon the occurrence of a win or trigger event. An overlay
game has limited capabilities and additionally is engineered to be
usable on a variety of gaming machines. To be usable on a variety
of gaming machines, the overlay game is intentionally kept simple;
in one case, it comprises a visual display that is shown to a
player upon the occurrence of a trigger event. In another
embodiment, it requires a simple button press to start the overlay
game. The overlay games are downloaded on an as-needed basis, run
on the gaming machine, and then discarded.
Inventors: |
Luciano; Robert A.; (Reno,
NV) ; White; Warren R.; (Reno, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BALLY GAMING, INC. |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BALLY GAMING, INC.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
38606977 |
Appl. No.: |
14/259508 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12696981 |
Jan 29, 2010 |
8715084 |
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14259508 |
|
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|
11877584 |
Oct 23, 2007 |
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12696981 |
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10437867 |
May 15, 2003 |
7285049 |
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11877584 |
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60381476 |
May 17, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/323 20130101;
A63F 13/12 20130101; A63F 13/50 20140902; G07F 17/3227 20130101;
A63F 2300/303 20130101; G07F 17/3211 20130101; G07F 17/3209
20130101; G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/31 |
International
Class: |
A63F 13/30 20060101
A63F013/30 |
Claims
1. A method for presenting a displayable event on a display of a
gaming device, the method comprising: providing a gaming device
comprising a display for displaying a base game and the displayable
event thereon; under control of an overlay module resident in the
gaming device: after initiation and during play of a base game and
in response to a triggering event in the base game, receiving the
displayable event from a server operatively connected to the gaming
device, wherein the overlay module utilizes a memory of the gaming
device to store the displayable event; suspending further play of
the base game; presenting the displayable event on the display of
the gaming device, wherein the displayable event is presented
independent of the base game and has associated therewith a result
that is a winning or a non-winning event; and resuming further play
of the base game.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the overlay event is a different
theme than the base game, and wherein the overlay event is
displayed at least partially over the display of the base game.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the overlay event is an overlay
game.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the overlay module is enabled to
use input and output devices of the gaming device for operation of
the overlay game.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the input and output devices
comprise a touch screen.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the input and output devices
comprise at least one speaker.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the server allows automatic
transfer of funds to and from the gaming device in response to
overlay event awards and overlay event wagers placed by a
player.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of deleting
the overlay event from the memory of the gaming device once it has
been presented.
9. A method for presenting a displayable event on a display of a
gaming device, the method comprising: providing the gaming device
including a display for displaying a base game and the displayable
event thereon; under control of an overlay module resident in the
gaming device: after initiation and during play of a base game,
receiving the displayable event from a server operatively connected
to the gaming device, wherein the overlay module utilizes a memory
of the gaming device to store the displayable event; suspending
further play of the base game; presenting the displayable event on
the display of the gaming device, wherein the displayable event is
presented independent of the base game and has associated therewith
a result that is a winning or a non-winning event; and resuming
further play of the base game.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the overlay event is a different
theme than the base game, and wherein the overlay event is
displayed at least partially over the display of the base game.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the overlay event is an overlay
game.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the overlay module is enabled
to use input and output devices of the gaming device for operation
of the overlay game.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the input and output devices
comprise a touch screen.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the input and output devices
comprise at least one speaker.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the server allows automatic
transfer of funds to and from the gaming device in response to
overlay event awards and overlay event wagers placed by a
player.
16. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of deleting
the overlay event from the memory of the gaming device once it has
been presented.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/696,981, filed Jan. 29, 2010, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/877,584, filed
Oct. 23, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/437,867, filed May 15, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,285,049, issued Oct. 23, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/381,476, filed May 17, 2002, which
are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. This
application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/696,945 concurrently filed on Jan. 29, 2010, entitled
UNIVERSAL OVERLAY GAMES IN AN ELECTRONIC GAMING ENVIRONMENT, which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] 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.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention pertains generally to networked gaming
devices and networked gaming systems. More particularly, the
invention is a system and method for dynamically downloading
"overlay" games that can be played on a variety of gaming machine
devices from a central server.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Gaming devices of various types are well known in the casino
and gaming industry. In general, gaming devices such as slot
machines, video poker machines, video keno machines, video lottery
games, among others, allow users to play a game of chance or a
lottery game in exchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of
the game, the player may be entitled to a prize, monetary or
otherwise, which is paid to the player.
[0005] In some cases, a gaming device may provide a plurality of
games for play by the player from a single machine. For example,
certain video poker machines may provide various versions of video
poker. In such cases, the player may select and play a game of
choice from a menu of games. Game play is then carried out in
accordance with the selected game. This arrangement provides the
added advantage of providing play of more than one "base" or
primary game from a single gaming device thereby providing the
player with a more diverse gaming experience and encouraging more
game play. Typically, the programming for these games is provided
on a memory residing within the gaming device. Upon selection of a
game by the player, the associated programming is loaded and
executed by a processor of the gaming device.
[0006] Another arrangement which provides the selection and play of
multiple base games from a single gaming device utilizes a
centralized server which is networked to one or more of the gaming
devices. In this arrangement, the programming for the games is
stored on the central server rather than residing locally on the
gaming device. Upon selection of a game by the player on a gaming
device, the selected game is distributed from the central server to
the gaming device for execution thereon. Game play is then carried
out in accordance with the selected game on the gaming device. This
arrangement provides the added advantage that the library of games
available for play may be provided centrally from a server, rather
than locally on the gaming device. Accordingly, a larger library of
games may be practically provided from a central storage source
(the server) due to cost considerations.
[0007] While the prior art systems and methods provide more diverse
game play of gaming devices by providing selection and play from a
plurality of base games from a single device, several disadvantages
are presented. First, marketing considerations prevent providing
diversity of base games on the gaming devices because the artwork
and presentation of a gaming device which is closely tied to the
"theme" of the gaming device cannot be dynamically changed in
response to the game selected by the player. Thus, it would be
inappropriate to provide artwork to a slot machine game on a gaming
device which provides play of video poker, for example. Such
marketing would create confusion and thus frustration in the
players of gaming devices. Second, controls for underlying base
games are generally specific to each game. Thus, controls for a
slot machine game would generally not be appropriate for controls
for a video poker game or a video keno game, for example. Third,
many base games incorporate bonus or secondary features requiring
either specific mechanical controls and/or displays (e.g., a
secondary bonus wheel, or a secondary board game). Furthermore,
these secondary features tend to vary from game to game. Thus,
while it may be possible to incorporate a base feature across
multiple devices, it often becomes impractical or impossible to
incorporate the associated bonus features of a based game across
multiple devices.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method which
provides for the dynamic distribution of overlay games to gaming
devices from a central server, where the overlay game may be
independent from the base game. The described embodiments satisfy
these needs, as well as others, and generally overcome the
deficiencies found in the background art.
SUMMARY
[0009] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
following description of the embodiments is illustrative only and
not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will
readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the
benefit of this disclosure.
[0010] In general terms, one embodiment is a system and method for
dynamically distributing and downloading "overlay games" to gaming
devices which are networked to a central server. Unlike prior art
games for gaming machines, the overlay game is generally
independent from the base game or its associated secondary or bonus
features. The overlay game is also gaming device independent, and
thus does not require complex mechanical displays or controls.
Instead, the overlay game may be played using the display and
controls of the underlying base game (including, for one preferred
embodiment, no player controls).
[0011] A gaming system in accordance with one embodiment will have
a set of gaming machines (gaming devices) that have an additional
software module therein that enables the gaming machine to (i)
request an overlay game, (ii) receive the executable code or
executable image of an overlay game from a server, (iii)
temporarily store the image or code until the primary game ends
(the current game cycle ends) so as to not interfere with any
on-going primary game, (iv) start the overlay game, (v) let the
overlay game finish, and then (vi) erase the overlay game and/or
reload the primary game and/or restart the primary game (by
providing a starting execution address to the CPU or some similar
action, as required by the specific installation and configuration
of the gaming machine and the overlay game). As will be clear to a
person having skill in the art and with the benefit of the present
disclosure, the exact procedure used by an engineer to get the
overlay game ready to execute after it is downloaded, and then to
restart or reinitialize the primary game after the overlay game is
finished, will depend on the architecture of each particular gaming
machine. The exact procedures will be incorporated into the overlay
game module, which will be specific to each gaming machine.
[0012] Note that it is currently expected that the image or code
that was in the overlay game will be erased, overwritten, or
otherwise be made unusable upon restart of the primary game in most
gaming machines, as few will have the storage space needed to keep
an overlay image on-board. However, in the future as memory and
storage costs continue to drop, it may be possible to keep one of
more overlay games locally as well as downloading them when an
overlay game trigger occurs.
[0013] The overlay games are intentionally different than the
primary games or secondary games in gaming machines. First, they
are intended to be universal; that is, they are intended to be
viewed by a player on any gaming machine having a video display.
Thus, the symbols or visual sequences must have universally
understandable meanings. There can be no "learning curve," as is
the case with primary games. Second, the interactions with players
are intentionally limited. To be able to use it universally (i.e.,
on as many gaming machines as possible in any particular casino),
it must be the case that the overlay game has (i) no player
interactions (shows a visual sequence and awards any winnings
without the player touching any player input) or (ii) limited
player input. Limited player input means a simple button touch to
start an overlay game, or something similar; no complex options, no
settings, and no preferences as are found in primary games.
[0014] The purpose of the overlay game is to add additional novelty
to the gaming floor by having universal entertaining visual (and
audio) sequences shown to the player upon either a winning event or
an overlay game trigger event (in the later case, the win may be
predetermined or not). This is always in addition to a primary
game; the overlay game cannot replace a primary or secondary game
as a main game; it doesn't have the required complexity to act as
the regular player game. For example, not only do overlay games not
have the normal player input choices, the overlay game will not
have a complete pay table of its own. It is expected that one
preferred embodiment of overlay games will have no paytables at
all. The overlay game will be used as an entertaining way to
present a known outcome (with all calculations and the like, done
in the primary game or on a backend system using the overlay game
as an additional source of player winnings over and above the
primary game), or, the overlay game will use a single random event
to determine a single winning amount. In the first case, the
overlay game will have no capability to generate any winning event;
it acts as a display mechanism for a known result. In the second
case, the overlay game may have straightforward, simple mappings
from a random event to a limited number of specific winning
amounts; no primary-game-style full paytable is required. Thus,
overlay games will have code devoted primarily to show an
entertaining visual display to a player; there will be little, if
any, code for calculating winnings nor will there be code for all
the other control mechanisms required in the primary game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming machine in accordance
with one embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating overlay game usage
during game play.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example
system 10 arrangement suitable for use with the one embodiment.
System 10 comprises a main central server 12 which distributes the
overlay games in accordance with one embodiment to a plurality of
gaming devices 16 through a network connection (wired or wireless,
electronic or photonic). As shown in FIG. 1, groups of gaming
devices 16 may be first networked to a local central server 14,
each of which are then networked to the main central server 12. As
would readily be apparent to one skilled in the art having the
benefit of this disclosure, the local central servers 14 may carry
out the operations of the main central server 12 at a local level,
such as local distribution of overlay games. Thus, network 18 may
identify a wide area network connection, whereas networks 20
identify local area networks at individual gaming sites. In the
alternative, the entire system 10 may be provided in a single
gaming site, where the local networks 20 identify certain sections
(e.g., banks of machines) within the site.
[0019] The gaming devices 16 comprise hardware and software for
carrying out one or more base games 22, such as slot games, video
poker games, video keno games, bingo games, video lottery games, or
any other game where the game's outcome is based at least partially
on chance. Additionally, each gaming device 16 further comprises an
overlay game module 24 for carrying out the overlay game 26
distributed by the central server for play on the gaming device 16.
The overlay module 24 may be incorporated as part of the base game
22 or may be a separately executed module by the gaming device
16.
[0020] Each gaming device 16 further comprises artwork and other
presentation features associated with the particular base game 22
implemented thereon. Gaming device 16 further comprises bonus or
secondary features associated with the particular base game 22.
Overlay games 26 are designed to be suitable for use with any
gaming device 16 which executes the overlay module 24 thereon.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows more details of a gaming device ("gaming
device," "game device," "game machine," and "gaming machine" are
used interchangeably in this disclosure) configured for use with
one embodiment. Game device 200 may be any type of electronic
gaming machine having at least one video display 202, a SMIB (Slot
Machine Interface Board) 216, a serial-protocol-based
communications means 218 connected to a floor game controller 220
(this would be primarily used with legacy gaming machines), or the
floor game controller 220 also having other serial ports 214. Game
machine 200 also has one or more player-usable input devices shown
generally as 204 (could be an RFID reader, smart card dock, memory
card dock, traditional player card reader, bill and/or coin
acceptors, a small touch-screen panel for programmable player
buttons and custom messages, or a voucher printer/reader 206). Also
shown are typical player buttons 208.
[0022] As will be understood by a person having knowledge in this
art, there will also be internal electronic/photonic controls
associated with I/O devices 204 and 206, and player game I/O
devices 208. These will be operably connected to a main game board
having a CPU, memory, and programming to run the primary game (and
a secondary or bonus game, if there is one) in the game cabinet or
game box. The primary and secondary games will be consistent with
the game box artwork including all the glass, top box (if there is
one), and displays. Internals, other than overlay module 210, are
not shown.
[0023] Shown are two currently available network connections to
overlay module 210. The first, through SMIB 216, was described
above. This would be the connection used with legacy games.
Connection 212 is an ethernet connection usable by the game overlay
module 210. Ethernet connection 212 is shown as connected to floor
game controller 220, which acts as a hub for connection to back-end
ethernet 222. Please note that floor game controller 220 is only
needed when legacy gaming machines are used; new installations can
do away with floor controller 220, and the overlay game
distribution manager 224 shown in floor controller 220 would reside
entirely on a back-end server used to distribute overlay games
(back-end or main server not shown), connected through an ethernet
(SMIB 216 would not be used in such a case).
[0024] Whatever network connection is used, overlay module 210 is a
software package that interfaces the overlay game into the gaming
machine. This includes the halting of the primary game (always at a
play boundary, i.e., between game plays or at the end of a game
cycle), receiving the overlay game executable code, placing the
image/code in memory, starting the overlay game (pointing to the
right place in memory), and upon completion and restoration of the
primary game.
[0025] In one preferred embodiment, the game device will include a
player interface having a high-resolution touchscreen,
approximately 6'' square, in a bezel fitted into the portion of the
cabinet below the bolster area (below where the play buttons are
found), slanted up at the player at an angle to allow for easy
reading and touching (ranging from approximately 25-45 degrees from
vertical). The touchscreen would be usable by the primary game and
the overlay game, allowing for distinct player input labels for
each game.
[0026] Returning to FIG. 1, overlay game 26 is a new or added layer
of promotional play on the gaming device 16. The overlay game 26 is
played by the player using the display, controls and other I/O
devices of the based game 22, and is distributed for play on the
gaming device 16 through the network connections 18, 20 by the
central servers 12, 14. This arrangement allows new or modified
overlay games 26 to be operated and loaded centrally and
distributed centrally without affecting the integrity or operation
of the base game.
[0027] Game play of the overlay game 26 may be triggered or
initiated in various ways in accordance with the invention. For
example, game play may be initiated pursuant to activity at a
gaming device 16 (e.g., triggered by a game event on the base game
or its associated secondary game, triggered after a preset number
of plays, triggered after a preset number of plays within a time
period, and the like). In other embodiments, play for the overlay
game 26 may be centrally determined from predefined criteria (e.g.,
time of day, size of prize fund). In yet other embodiments, the
overlay game 26 may be triggered by the status or identity of the
player (e.g., via a player tracking identification means). As would
be readily apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of
this disclosure, various other triggering events may be used, such
as any combination of the above, to trigger the play of the overlay
game.
[0028] The prize of the overlay game 26 may be funded in various
ways as well. One way to fund the overlay game prize is to allocate
a certain percentage of wagers placed at the gaming devices 16. In
other embodiments, the prize may be funded by a separate wager for
a specific overlay game 26 in response to a prompt from the central
servers 12, 14 to participate in the play of overlay game 26. The
overlay game prize could also be funded from other casino sources
such as a marketing promotion. Under this arrangement, the prizes
may comprise cash, merchandise, or other services, changeable
centrally per overlay game 26. Limited availability prizes or
merchandise may be made available to select groups of players
(e.g., players having high levels of player points as tracked by a
player tracking system).
[0029] An important advantage to one embodiment is the ability to
easily modify the overlay game 26 including its triggering events
as well as its funding method as determined by the casino operator.
Prior art implementations were strictly limited by the gaming
arrangement of the base game 22. Another important advantage is the
ability to utilize existing game terminal display, controls,
printers, bill validators, coin acceptors, and coin payout hoppers
for operation of the overlay games. The overlay game 26 is simply
communicated from the central server to the gaming device 16 for
execution by the overlay module 24. The overlay module 24 provides
an interface to existing I/O devices for play of the overlay game
26 thereon. The system arrangement 10 allows the central servers
12, 14 to automatically transfer funds to and from the gaming
devices 16 in response to overlay game awards, as well as overlay
game wagers placed by the players.
[0030] The outcome of the overlay game 26 may be determined by the
local gaming device 16 or may be determined locally by the central
servers 14, 12. In either case, the presentation of the game is
provided directly on the gaming device 16 using existing I/O
devices by the overlay module 24. According to one embodiment, the
display of the overlay game 26 may utilize the entire real estate
of the gaming device display. In other embodiments, the display of
the overlay game 26 may be presented in a smaller window (e.g.,
picture-in-picture mode) on the gaming device display.
[0031] One embodiment of an overlay game 26 may enable entry into a
centralized multi-player "bonus" feature independent from the base
game, which may or may not require additional payment. For example,
one of fifty currently-participating players may win a $1000 prize
depending on the result of the overlay game. The winner may be
determined by the central server 12 by randomly selecting one of
the eligible players, for example.
[0032] According to another embodiment, eligible players are
notified that they have been entered into a centralized lottery
drawing to win a prize to be drawn at a predetermined time. The
player remains eligible so long as the player remains actively
playing the gaming device 16.
[0033] According to yet other embodiments of the invention, players
may be grouped into teams to allow for competition among groups of
players in a team format. The state of the overlay game may be
preserved by the central servers 12, 14 and later restored either
at the same or different gaming device 16. For example, the
player's state may be preserved based on the players ID information
(e.g., player tracking ID, customer ID). Alternatively, the
player's state may be preserved through the use of printed vouchers
or other tangible media (e.g., magnetic or smart cards) bearing
unique identification information.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows an example of game play according to one
embodiment. Box 300 corresponds to a player going into a casino (or
a bingo hall, keno hall, and the like) and starting game play at
any electronic game machine. Game play will continue as "normal,"
where normal is the game play associated with the primary and
secondary game (if any) installed on the game machine. Box 300 is
left for box 302, which corresponds to the occurrence of a trigger
event.
[0035] As discussed above, a triggering event may be an event that
occurs in the primary game (a particular bonus or win event causes
the overlay game to be called), or the trigger may be an external
one (from a random selection of time or place, to a reward for a
certain number of plays, to any other criteria the casino chooses
to use). One embodiment fully contemplates internal, external, or
combinations of events usable to trigger the overlay game. In each
case, the actions correspond to the overlay game software in the
game device being invoked and action continuing into box 304.
[0036] The actions corresponding to box 304 are those needed to
start the overlay game. It is expected that most embodiments will
have an introductory screen to alert the player that they have been
chosen (alternatively, that they won) a special game play with a
special game. In one embodiment players will be shown a graphic
illustrating the game and their interactions with the game (if
any--not a requirement for this invention). In other embodiments,
especially those where the overlay game has no player interactions
and is designed to be shown very quickly, there will be no
introductory visual sequence. The game will be shown; any awards
won credited to the player, and are over in a few minutes. In such
cases, there is no need for an introductory sequence.
[0037] The overlay game itself will be requested and received by
the overlay game module in the gaming machine. It is also possible
to configure the system such that the overlay game download begins
at the instigation of the server and the overlay game module in the
gaming machine receives the overlay game code. In either case, the
overlay game module will wait until any current primary game cycle
is over and will then load and start the overlay game.
[0038] When describing the overlay games and their visual sequences
to a player, it is to be understood that the overlay game may make
use of other output devices as well, such as speakers for added
dramatic effect. Overlay games must have visual output (video out)
in order to work. Audio and other output is preferable but not
required.
[0039] Box 304 is left for box 306. The first action is to start
the overlay game. Since the overlay games must work with all game
machines on a casino floor, they will be designed to require either
no player input or limited player input. In the case of no player
input, it will be a display-only game showing a gaming sequence on
the screen to the player with no player interaction; the results
will be a winning or non-winning event. In the case of some player
input, the overlay game is designed to require player input that
can be made visually distinguishable to a player using a simple
blinking buttons approach. The "blinking buttons approach"
includes, but is not limited to, having one of more of the primary
game buttons blink or otherwise be visually distinguishable to a
player from the other buttons (could turn off the backlights in all
buttons except one, for example, instead of blinking), because the
overlay game cannot assume anything about the button's physical
labels. It is expected that the preferred embodiment of the overlay
games will be to make use of the "play" or "start" button, as
almost every game machine in a casino has a version of this button.
The screen will make it obvious to the player that to start an
action (some kind of action sequence on the game display, which
will result in a game outcome); the player must touch the blinking
(or otherwise distinguishable) button. If there is a touchscreen
display, the player will be shown customized areas to touch on the
touch screen.
[0040] In any event, the player will initiate game play if
applicable. Box 306 is left for box 308. Box 308 corresponds to the
overlay game being "run" or "played," which means a visual sequence
is shown on the gaming machine's video display. Game play, for the
overlay games, is intentionally simple and fast. The visual
sequence shown to a player will end in a result that has already
been determined before the visual sequence is shown to the player,
or, a visual sequence in conjunction with a randomly-generated
result to determine a winning (or non-winning) game play result.
The overlay game visual sequence will be different from the primary
or secondary game, and in most cases will not be themed like the
primary game (because the overlay game can be shown on any gaming
machine in the casino). "Themed" gaming machines include all the
artwork on the cabinet, glass, and symbols shown to a player
playing the primary game will have a theme, such as those using
popular TV programs, those emphasizing a number or combination and
named something like "Lucky 7s", and other themes such as pirates,
ancient Egypt, a denomination such as Penny Pigout.TM., and the
like. In each case, the artwork matches the theme of the game and
its name.
[0041] An example of an overlay game visual sequence would be a
screen shot of two dice; upon touching the "start" button, the dice
are visually shown as rolling around until they stop, resulting in
a payout or no payout. Another example would be a dart board with
the tip of a dart in the foreground. The dart tip would be shown
slowly traversing back and forth across a small area, visually
appearing to traverse a target. The player would touch the "start"
button when they think they are most likely to hit a high score on
the dart board. The visual image then shows the dart projected
forward in flight and hitting the target for a win or a no-win.
Note that it is not necessary for the player to be using actual
skill; where the dart lands on the target may be entirely
determined by a random number draw.
[0042] Alternatively, the player's action could be programmed to
partially affect the dart's path, such that an obviously off-target
"start" results in a no-win for that throw and where a possible
target hit is still determined by a random event. Whatever
implementation is used (all are possible, including the use of a
pre-determined outcome), the player uses the indicated input, the
game's visual sequence is displayed, and any winning is credited to
the player. Box 308 is left for box 310.
[0043] The actions corresponding to box 310 are those associated
with finishing the overlay game visual sequence, pulling into
memory the primary game (if needed), and re-initializing the
primary game and gaming machine to restart and run the primary
game.
[0044] The invention further relates to machine-readable media on
which are stored embodiments of the present invention. It is
contemplated that any media suitable for retrieving instructions is
within the scope of the embodiments. By way of example, such media
may take the form of magnetic, optical, or semiconductor media. The
invention also relates to data structures that contain embodiments
of the present invention and to the transmission of data structures
containing embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] Although the description above contains much specificity,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing an illustration of the presently
preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0046] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not
all of the above-described system and/or methods have all these
components and may have other components in addition to, or in lieu
of, those components mentioned here. Furthermore, while these
components are viewed and described separately, various components
may be integrated into a single unit in some embodiments.
[0047] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claimed invention. 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.
* * * * *