U.S. patent application number 15/443313 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-15 for entertainment apparatus with preview feature.
The applicant listed for this patent is Grant F. Kowell. Invention is credited to Grant F. Kowell.
Application Number | 20170169669 15/443313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38575994 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170169669 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kowell; Grant F. |
June 15, 2017 |
Entertainment Apparatus with Preview Feature
Abstract
A skill game rewards a player after a round of play only upon
the entry of a "correct play" that is based on the rules of the
game being played. A "correct play" is determined under the rules
of the particular game being played and is one that gives the
player a better chance to obtain the outcome desired by the player.
In some games, the "correct play" is defined mathematically. In
other games, the "correct play" is determined by knowing the rules
of the game being played. A combination of both methods is typical.
The execution by the player of a correct play is a skill. If the
player enters the correct play, the player is rewarded. The reward
may be to continue the play of the game and to reward a prize to
the player based on the outcome of the game.
Inventors: |
Kowell; Grant F.; (Canton,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kowell; Grant F. |
Canton |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
38575994 |
Appl. No.: |
15/443313 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13947476 |
Jul 22, 2013 |
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15443313 |
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11696185 |
Apr 3, 2007 |
8491369 |
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13947476 |
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60789684 |
Apr 5, 2006 |
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60813786 |
Jun 14, 2006 |
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60815352 |
Jun 21, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3295 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3293 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3255 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32 |
Claims
1. A method for operating an electronic entertainment device, said
method comprising the steps of: (a) displaying on a video display
device the next event that will be played in an entertainment game
before the player elects to play the entertainment game by paying
money to initiate the entertainment game; (b) allowing a potential
player to view the next event as a previewed event that is
displayed in step (a) before the play decides to pay to play the
entertainment game; (c) accepting payment from the player after
step (b); and (d) after step (c), displaying the previewed event as
the next actual event to be played by the player.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling a
player to input a game play decision using a player interface after
step (d).
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing
the player to initiate the preview of the next event to be
played.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of initiating
the preview by pressing a preview button.
5. A machine for playing an entertainment game, the entertainment
machine comprising: a body; an output device carried by the body;
the output device communicating a preview next play event that will
be played in an entertainment game before the player elects to play
the entertainment game by paying money to initiate the
entertainment game; a payment input mechanism configured to receive
a physical item representing a monetary value for establishing a
credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and
decreasable based at least on playing activity; an output mechanism
configured to provide payouts to a player; and a game controller
configured, after a payment made from the established credit
balance, to communicate the same preview next play event that was
communicated to the player prior to payment as the actual active
play event that determines at least a portion of the outcome of the
entertainment game.
6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the output device is a viewable
display screen.
7. The machine of claim 5, wherein the output device is a
speaker.
8. The machine of claim 5, wherein the next event is the final
result of the game.
9. The machine of claim 5, further comprising an input device that
allows the player to input a play decision into the game
controller.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application claiming
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/947,476 filed Jul.
22, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,491,369 which
issued Jul. 23, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/789,684, filed Apr. 5, 2006, and also claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/813,786, filed Jun.
14, 2006, and further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/815,352, filed Jun. 21, 2006. The disclosures of
these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention generally relates to amusement
devices. More particularly, the invention relates to an amusement
device and a method for conducting a game wherein the player must
properly demonstrate a skill in order to advance to a subsequent
round of play. The determination of whether the player has properly
demonstrated the skill is determined by the statistically correct
play.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Many people are entertained by the excitement of games such
as blackjack, poker, backgammon, and other such games where the
player must make a decision during the game that influence the
outcome of the game. Although one part of the appeal of these games
is the possibility of winning a prize, another part of the appeal
of these games is the pleasure one derives from playing the act of
playing the games as evidenced by the numerous people who play them
for fun. Many games, such as blackjack, baccarat, poker,
backgammon, and the like, have rules and numerical odds that define
the next best play for any player. The player has the best chance
at a favorable outcome if he plays by these odds. When playing for
fun or for stakes, most players will, however, gamble--or play by
"instinct"--even if they logically know that such play increases
the likelihood they will fail over time. Although this type of play
can lend fun to the game and increase enjoyment, it significantly
decreases the player's ability to win the game over time.
[0006] Many local governments use gambling laws to restrict the
play of casino games for stakes. Commonly, a casino game may be
played for the entertainment that the game itself provides, but
play of such games is prohibited when coupled with stakes. Under
many gambling laws, however, it is permissible to award a cash
prize to a winner of a game requiring skill, such as a basketball
free-throw shooting contest, a pool shooting contest, or a dart
throwing contest. Similarly, many local governments permit a cash
prize to be awarded to a winner of a game requiring mental skill,
such as a trivia contest. Thus, it appears that it is not the award
of cash prizes that most local communities find needs to be
restricted, but rather the potential for abuse when a cash prize is
awarded for success in a game of chance.
[0007] As the success of numerous casinos indicates, entertainments
that combine the games with the excitement of cash prizes are of
great entertainment value to many people. The problem has been to
develop a form of entertainment that combines both types of
excitement while protecting the concerns of local governments by
refraining from the award of cash prizes for success in a game of
chance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides a game wherein the player is only
rewarded after a round of play upon the entry of a "correct play"
that is based on the rules of the game being played. A "correct
play" is determined under the rules of the particular game being
played and is one that gives the player a better chance to obtain
the outcome desired by the player. In some games, the "correct
play" is defined mathematically. In other games, the "correct play"
is determined by knowing the rules of the game being played. A
combination of both methods is typical. The execution by the player
of a correct play is a skill. If the player enters the correct
play, the player is rewarded.
[0009] In one configuration of the invention, once the player has
executed a correct play, the player may be rewarded by being
allowed to participate in an additional round of play where the
game proceeds until an outcome is achieved. The only way the player
will reach the end of the game is to continue to make correct
plays. In another configuration of the invention, the player, after
executing a correct play, participates in a bonus round where a
prize is awarded to the player based on some mechanism that may
include chance.
[0010] The invention provides a game machine that allows players to
play games according to the method of the invention. The machines
may be designed to instantly award the prizes to the players.
[0011] In another configuration of the invention, the game includes
a timer that stops the game if the player does not answer the play
decision within a set period of time. The time limit discourages
the player from using outside sources to obtain the answers to the
play decision.
[0012] The invention also provides a configuration wherein the
player may preview the game to be played. In this configuration,
the player may evaluate if he wishes to play the game by pressing a
preview button that shows the player the first step of the game to
be played as well as the prize that he will be playing for. If the
player decides he wishes to play the game as a result of the
evaluation, the player will initiate the game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary game machine.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic of the elements of the game
machine.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a chart of the correct plays for an exemplary
blackjack game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT
[0016] The apparatus and method of the present invention may be
based on any game having at least one round of play wherein the
player must make a play decision and a definable correct play (such
as a statistically correct play or a play that is correct in
accordance with the rules of the game) exists for each play
decision. The definable correct play identifies which play gives
the player a better chance of winning. Such games include a variety
of card games (poker, blackjack, baccarat), dice games, and games
traditionally associated with gambling such as backgammon and
cribbage. A play in one of these games may be any of the actions
that a player normally makes while playing the game--such as moving
a playing piece, discarding cards, requesting additional cards,
laying down a particular card or cards, and the like. One
configuration of the invention involves only a single play chance
for the player. Two exemplary games that play well with a single
play chance are blackjack and draw poker. If the player makes the
correct play, then the player is rewarded by proceeding to a bonus
or reward round. If the player makes an incorrect play, the game
ends. In another configuration of the invention, the player
continues playing the game to the conclusion of the game as long as
he executes correct game plays.
[0017] The invention may be applied to any game that has at least
one round of play requiring a decision from the player wherein
statistics define the correct play. The method rewards the player
when the player makes the correct game play and punishes the player
by ending the game when the player makes an incorrect play. The
skill of this game is to play the game in a way that gives the
player the best chance--under previously defined statistics or game
rules--to win. If the player makes a play that is not favored by
the statistics or allowed by the game rules, then the game is over
and the player must start again. When the player succeeds in making
the correct play, the player may continue playing the game's next
step or continue playing the game to its conclusion with the
outcome of the game deciding the prize awarded to the player. In
another embodiment, the player proceeds to play a bonus round where
a prize is awarded by some random manner (such as a completely
random selection, a spinning wheel-type round where the player
pushes a button to stop on a prize, or the like). The game may
reward the player for each correct play.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary gaming machine 10 that uses a
computer or controller having a processor 12 and a memory device 13
(RAM and ROM) to govern the method of the invention. The computer
or controller also includes processors that control the input
devices and the output devices described below. Processor 12 may be
a microprocessor or microcontroller-based device that is capable of
displaying graphics. Memory device 13 includes random access memory
(RAM) for storing event data or other data generated or used during
a particular game. Memory device 13 also includes read only memory
(ROM) for storing program code, which controls machine 10 so that
it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules
and pay tables. The player may interact with machine 10 directly or
through a computer network when machine 10 conducting the game is
located a remote location. Machine 10 may include an output device
14 (a viewable screen or screens or an audio speaker) to inform the
player of the game status (the deal of the cards; the roll of the
dice) or the game rules. Machine 10 also includes an input device
16 (keyboard; touch screen; microphone; input buttons; joystick;
trackball; mouse wheel) to allow the player to communicate his play
decisions to processor 12. An appropriately programmed computer
processor 12 runs the game. The money used to play the game may be
deposited directly into a payment acceptor 18. Acceptor 18 may be
configured to receive one or more of cash, chips, or electronic
transfer (debit card, credit card, prepaid cash card). Payment may
also be made through input device 16 by entering data such a card
number (or a bank account number) and creating an electronic funds
transfer over a computer network. Prizes awarded by the machine may
be delivered through a payout tray 20 or credited back to the
player in the manner the funds were paid--such as by crediting the
player's credit card or the like. Machine 10 may also keep track of
the player's payments and awards and provide a single payment
transaction when the player chooses to end a series of games.
[0019] The game may include a timer 22 that gives the player a
fixed amount of time to enter his play. Timer 22 may be used to
limit the player's ability to look up his answers--or plays--from
an outside source such as an odds book or a rule book. If the
player does not enter his play within the set time period, timer 22
will register a loss and reset the game. Timer 22 also may be used
to reset the game if a player walks away from the game in the
middle of a game.
[0020] The game may also include an optional preview button 24 that
allows the player to learn the first step of the game that will be
played next. The preview may also tell the player how much the
prize will be if the player plays the game, makes the correct
plays, and wins the game. For example, preview button 24 may be
used to reveal the initial card deal, dice roll, or game set up as
well as the prize that will be awarded if the player participates
and wins.
[0021] Game machine 10 may be programmed with a plurality of
different games and different variations of the same game. For
example, a plurality of different blackjack games may be provided
to the player. The player initially starts the game by selecting
the type and version of the game he desires to play. The machine
allows the player to review the rules of the game at the player's
option.
[0022] In order to provide an example of the invention, the method
is applied to the game of blackjack. The rules and statistically
correct plays of blackjack are commonly understood and are
published in any of a variety of places. The strategy table of FIG.
3 is a basic strategy table for the most common 6- to 8-deck
blackjack rules commonly played at large casinos in Las Vegas.
These rules require the dealer to hit on soft 17, double after
split allowed, multiple split aces, one card to split aces, and
blackjack pays 3:2. Numerous other blackjack games are available
with different strategy tables. For example, some games require the
dealer to stand on soft 17; some games do not allow doubling after
splits, etc. Strategy tables defining the correct plays for these
games are available from a variety of known sources. The game of
blackjack is generally played as follows. The player and dealer are
dealt two cards with only one of the dealer's cards being visible
to the player. The player must then decide whether to stand, hit,
double, or split. When the timer discussed above is used, the
player must enter his play within the set time period. Such a time
period may be 5 seconds. The 5 second countdown may be communicated
visually or audibly for the player. For a given set of games rules
which are provided to the player, there is a statistically correct
choice for every combination of cards as shown in FIG. 3. The
method of the invention is designed to reward the player for making
the statistically correct choice in the game. For example, if the
player is dealt a pair of tens, the statistically correct choice
for the player is to stand regardless of what the dealer is
showing. Statistically incorrect choices would be to split the
cards or to request a third card. If the player makes the
statistically incorrect choice, the player loses and the game is
over. This distinguishes this method from a typical game wherein
the player can still win the game by making the statistically
incorrect choice. In this example, the player with two tens may
choose to receive a third card and may receive an ace for a total
of twenty-one. Although this would be a good result in a casino
environment, this method punishes the player for making a bad play
by ending the game even though the player has achieved a score of
twenty-one. When the player makes a statistically-incorrect choice,
he is relying on chance. In the method of the present invention,
the player is rewarded only if he makes the statistically-correct
decision. This type of play requires skill. The method and
apparatus of the invention may thus be used to teach a player the
correct manner to play a game. When the preview option is used, the
player may determine the initial deal of the cards before the
player commits to playing the game. The preview would show the
player that the initial deal will be a pair of tens and that the
payout will be one dollar if the player makes the correct play.
Having evaluated the initial deal and the potential payout, the
player may elect to participate in the game.
[0023] When the player makes the correct play, the player may
receive an instant award that is a percentage of the price of
playing the game. The player may then participate in a bonus round
that assigns a prize determined by some random or partially random
manner. In one embodiment, the bonus prize may be completely
randomly selected from a defined prize range based on the cost of
playing the game. In another embodiment, the bonus prize is
determined by continuing the game (the hand of blackjack in this
example) to its conclusion. If the conclusion of the hand has the
player winning, the player wins a prize--such as an amount the cost
him top play the game. If the player loses the hand, the player may
receive nothing.
[0024] Another exemplary game is a draw poker game. The player
receives five initial cards and must make a decision about which
cards to trade for new cards in order to improve his hand.
Depending on the rules of the game, the correct play for each dealt
hand of cards is definable. For example, when the initial hand
provides the player with a four card straight with the fifth card
matching one of the other cards to form a pair, there is a
statistically correct play based on the game set up and the prizes
associated with winning the straight compared with obtaining three
of a kind.
[0025] This invention thus allows players to enjoy a wide variety
of games by transforming the game rules into skill games that
require the players to make correct decisions before having any
chance at obtaining a prize.
* * * * *