US20090275375A1 - Multiple outcome display for gaming devices - Google Patents
Multiple outcome display for gaming devices Download PDFInfo
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- US20090275375A1 US20090275375A1 US12/112,802 US11280208A US2009275375A1 US 20090275375 A1 US20090275375 A1 US 20090275375A1 US 11280208 A US11280208 A US 11280208A US 2009275375 A1 US2009275375 A1 US 2009275375A1
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- outcome
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- gaming device
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
- G07F17/3262—Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
- G07F17/3265—Influencing the position of stopped moving members to achieve a winning arrangement, e.g. nudging, shuffling, holding
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- This disclosure relates generally to a display of multiple outcomes on a gaming device, and more particularly to a display of multiple final game outcomes that may be won by a player on a gaming device.
- a player With conventional gaming devices, a player typically places a wager on a future gaming event and initiates the gaming event by pulling a gaming handle or pressing a game initiating button. An outcome of the gaming event is often determined from a random number generator (RNG) upon initiation of the gaming event by the player.
- RNG random number generator
- the reels on a spinning reel slot machine or a video slot machine typically continue to spin and sequentially stop from left to right showing a portion of the outcome with each reel coming to rest.
- a player may touch a reel or corresponding button to stop a reel before the typical electronically controlled stop occurs.
- a player may touch the fifth reel of a five reel video slot gaming device to stop the fifth reel before the first, second, third, or fourth reel has come to a stop.
- the player would be able to see the symbols occurring on paylines for the fifth reel before seeing what the other symbols from the first through fourth reels end up on the played paylines.
- This feature may be used by superstitious players trying to change their luck by having the reels stop in reverse or may be used by players to root for symbols on the left most reels. More often, however, since the reels typically spin at a speed that allows players to make out which symbols are passing by, this feature allows players to try and stop a reel on a particular symbol outcome. For example, if three bonus symbols are needed on a played payline to initiate a bonus and a player receives bonus symbols on the first and second reels, he or she may try to time touching the third reel to get a third bonus symbol by either trying to touch the bonus symbol as it goes by or waiting a certain amount of time after a bonus symbol goes by before touching and stopping the third reel.
- this exercise in stopping the reels generally has no effect on the outcome of the gaming event. Rather, it is provided to give the player a feeling of control over the outcome of the gaming event. As players often like to feel they have some control in the outcome of the gaming event, additional gaming features providing this feeling or sensation may be advantageously integrated into gaming devices.
- FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram that illustrates a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the gaming device illustrated in FIG. 1A .
- FIGS. 2A , 2 B, and 2 C are detail diagrams of exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of networked gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a detail diagram of a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention.
- FIGS. 5A , 5 B, 5 C, and 5 D are detail diagrams of exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow diagram of another method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate example gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention.
- a gaming device 10 is an electronic gaming machine. Although an electronic gaming machine or “slot” machine is illustrated, various other types of devices may be used to wager monetarily based credits on a game of chance in accordance with principles of the invention.
- the term “electronic gaming device” is meant to include various devices such as electro-mechanical spinning-reel type slot machines, video slot machines, and video poker machines, for instance.
- Other gaming devices may include computer-based gaming machines, wireless gaming devices, multi-player gaming stations, modified personal electronic gaming devices (such as cell phones), personal computers, server-based gaming terminals, and other similar devices. Although embodiments of the invention will work with all of the gaming types mentioned, for ease of illustration the present embodiments will be described in reference to the electronic gaming machine 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B .
- the gaming device 10 includes a cabinet 15 housing components to operate the gaming device 10 .
- the cabinet 15 may include a gaming display 20 , a base portion 13 , a top box 18 , and a player interface panel 30 .
- the gaming display 20 may include mechanical spinning reels ( FIG. 2A ), a video display ( FIGS. 2B and 2C ), or a combination of both spinning reels and a video display (not shown).
- the gaming cabinet 15 may also include a credit meter 27 and a coin-in or bet meter 28 .
- the credit meter 27 may indicate the total number of credits remaining on the gaming device 10 that are eligible to be wagered. In some embodiments, the credit meter 27 may reflect a monetary unit, such as dollars.
- the credit meter 27 reflect a number of ‘credits,’ rather than a monetary unit.
- the bet meter 28 may indicate the amount of credits to be wagered on a particular game. Thus, for each game, the player transfers the amount that he or she wants to wager from the credit meter 27 to the bet meter 28 .
- various other meters may be present, such as meters reflecting amounts won, amounts paid, or the like.
- the gaming display 20 is a video monitor
- the information indicated on the credit meters may be shown on the gaming display itself 20 ( FIG. 2B ).
- the base portion 13 may include a lighted panel 14 , a coin return (not shown), and a gaming handle 12 operable on a partially rotating pivot joint 11 .
- the game handle 12 is traditionally included on mechanical spinning-reel games, where the handle may be pulled toward a player to initiate the spinning of reels 22 after placement of a wager.
- the top box 18 may include a lighted panel 17 , a video display (such as an LCD monitor), a mechanical bonus device (not shown), and a candle light indicator 19 .
- the player interface panel 30 may include various devices so that a player can interact with the gaming device 10 .
- the player interface panel 30 may include one or more game buttons 32 that can be actuated by the player to cause the gaming device 10 to perform a specific action. For example, some of the game buttons 32 may cause the gaming device 10 to bet a credit to be wagered during the next game, change the number of lines being played on a multi-line game, cash out the credits remaining on the gaming device (as indicated on the credit meter 27 ), or request assistance from casino personnel, such as by lighting the candle 19 .
- the player interface panel 30 may include one or more game actuating buttons 33 . The game actuating buttons 33 may initiate a game with a pre-specified amount of credits.
- a “Max Bet” game actuating button 33 may be included that places the maximum credit wager on a game and initiates the game.
- the player interface panel 30 may further include a bill acceptor 37 and a ticket printer 38 .
- the bill acceptor 37 may accept and validate paper money or previously printed tickets with a credit balance.
- the ticket printer 38 may print out tickets reflecting the balance of the credits that remain on the gaming device 10 when a player cashes out by pressing one of the game buttons 32 programmed to cause a ‘cashout.’ These tickets may be inserted into other gaming machines or redeemed at a cashier station or kiosk for cash.
- the gaming device 10 may also include one or more speakers 26 to transmit auditory information or sounds to the player.
- the auditory information may include specific sounds associated with particular events that occur during game play on the gaming device 10 . For example, a particularly festive sound may be played during a large win or when a bonus is triggered.
- the speakers 26 may also transmit “attract” sounds to entice nearby players when the game is not currently being played.
- the gaming device 10 may further include a secondary display 25 .
- This secondary display 25 may be a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma screen, or the like.
- the secondary display 25 may show any combination of primary game information and ancillary information to the player.
- the secondary display 25 may show player tracking information, secondary bonus information, advertisements, or player selectable game options.
- the gaming device 10 may include a separate information window (not shown) dedicated to supplying any combination of information related to primary game play, secondary bonus information, player tracking information, secondary bonus information, advertisements or player selectable game options.
- This window may be fixed in size and location or may have its size and location vary temporally as communication needs change.
- One example of such a resizable window is International Game Technology's “service window”.
- Another example is Las Vegas Gaming Incorporated's retrofit technology which allows information to be placed over areas of the game or secondary display screen at various times and in various situations.
- the gaming device 10 includes a microprocessor 40 that controls operation of the gaming device 10 .
- the microprocessor 40 may control virtually all of the operations of the gaming devices and attached equipment, such as operating game logic stored in memory (not shown) as firmware, controlling the display 20 to represent the outcome of a game, communicate with the other peripheral devices (such as the bill acceptor 37 ), and orchestrating the lighting and sound emanating from the gaming device 10 .
- the microprocessor 40 may have different tasks depending on the setup and function of the gaming device.
- the microprocessor 40 may be responsible for running the base game of the gaming device and executing instructions received over the network 50 from a bonus server or player tracking server.
- the microprocessor 40 may act as a terminal to execute instructions from a remote server that is running game play on the gaming device.
- the microprocessor 40 may be coupled to a machine communication interface (MCI) 42 that connects the gaming device 10 to a gaming network 50 .
- MCI machine communication interface
- the MCI 42 may be coupled to the microprocessor 40 through a serial connection, a parallel connection, an optical connection, or in some cases a wireless connection.
- the gaming device 10 may include memory 41 (MEM), such as a random access memory (RAM), coupled to the microprocessor 40 and which can be used to store gaming information, such as storing total coin-in statistics about a present or past gaming session, which can be communicated to a remote server or database through the MCI 42 .
- MCI 42 may also facilitate communication between the network 50 and the secondary display 25 or a player tracking unit 45 housed in the gaming cabinet 15 .
- the player tracking unit 45 may include an identification device 46 and one or more buttons 47 associated with the player tracking unit 45 .
- the identification device 46 serves to identify a player, by, for example, reading a player-tracking device, such as a player tracking card that is issued by the casino to individual players who choose to have such a card.
- the identification device 46 may instead, or additionally, identify players through other methods.
- Player tracking systems using player tracking cards and card readers 46 are known in the art. Briefly summarizing such a system, a player registers with the casino prior to commencing gaming. The casino issues a unique player-tracking card to the player and opens a corresponding player account that is stored on a server or host computer, described below with reference to FIG. 3 .
- the player account may include the player's name and mailing address and other information of interest to the casino in connection with marketing efforts.
- the player Prior to playing one of the gaming devices in the casino, the player inserts the player tracking card into the identification device 46 thus permitting the casino to track player activity, such as amounts wagered, credits won, and rate of play.
- the casino may award each player points proportional to the money or credits wagered by the player.
- Players typically accrue points at a rate related to the amount wagered, although other factors may cause the casino to award the player various amounts.
- the points may be displayed on the secondary display 25 or using other methods.
- the player may take his or her card to a special desk in the casino where a casino employee scans the card to determine how many accrued points are in the player's account.
- the player may redeem points for selected merchandise, meals in casino restaurants, or the like, which each have assigned point values.
- the player may use the secondary display 25 to access their player tracking account, such as to check a total number of points, redeem points for various services, make changes to their account, or download promotional credits to the gaming device 10 .
- the identification device 46 may read other identifying cards (such as driver licenses, credit cards, etc.) to identify a player and match them to a corresponding player tracking account.
- FIG. 1A shows the player tracking unit 45 with a card reader as the identification device 46
- other embodiments may include a player tracking unit 45 with a biometric scanner, PIN code acceptor, or other methods of identifying a player to pair the player with their player tracking account.
- a player plays a game by placing a wager and then initiating a gaming session.
- the player may initially insert monetary bills or previously printed tickets with a credit value into the bill acceptor 37 .
- the player may also put coins into a coin acceptor (not shown) or a credit, debit or casino account card into a card reader/authorizer (not shown).
- a coin acceptor not shown
- a credit, debit or casino account card into a card reader/authorizer
- the credit meter 27 displays the numeric credit value of the money inserted dependent on the denomination of the gaming device 10 . That is, if the gaming device 10 is a nickel slot machine and a $20 bill inserted into the bill acceptor 37 , the credit meter will reflect 400 credits or one credit for each nickel of the inserted twenty dollars. For gaming devices 10 that support multiple denominations, the credit meter 27 will reflect the amount of credits relative to the denomination selected. Thus, in the above example, if a penny denomination is selected after the $20 is inserted the credit meter will change from 400 credits to 2000 credits.
- a wager may be placed by pushing one or more of the game buttons 32 , which may be reflected on the bet meter 28 . That is, the player can generally depress a “bet one” button (one of the buttons on the player interface panel 30 , such as 32 ), which transfers one credit from the credit meter 27 to the bet meter 28 . Each time the button 32 is depressed an additional single credit transfers to the bet meter 28 up to a maximum bet that can be placed on a single play of the electronic gaming device 10 . The gaming session may be initiated by pulling the gaming handle 12 or depressing the spin button 33 . On some gaming devices 10 , a “max bet” button (another one of the buttons 32 on the player interface panel 30 ) may be depressed to wager the maximum number of credits supported by the gaming device 10 and initiate a gaming session.
- the process of placing a wager may be repeated by the player.
- the player may cash out any remaining credits on the credit meter 27 by depressing the “cash-out” button (another button 32 on the player interface panel 30 ), which causes the credits on the credit meter 27 to be paid out in the form of a ticket through the ticket printer 38 , or may be paid out in the form of returning coins from a coin hopper (not shown) to a coin return tray.
- the award corresponding to the winning combination is immediately applied to the credit meter 27 .
- the gaming device 10 is a slot machine, a winning combination of symbols 23 may land on a played payline on reels 22 . If any bonus games are initiated, the gaming device 10 may enter into a bonus mode or simply award the player with a bonus amount of credits that are applied to the credit meter 27 .
- FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 2A illustrates an example spinning-reel gaming machine 10 A
- FIG. 2B illustrates an example video slot machine 10 B
- FIG. 2C illustrates an example video poker machine 10 C.
- a spinning-reel gaming machine 10 A includes a gaming display 20 A having a plurality of mechanical spinning reels 22 A.
- spinning-reel gaming machines 10 A have three to five spinning reels 22 A.
- Each of the spinning reels 22 A has multiple symbols 23 A that may be separated by blank areas on the spinning reels 22 A, although the presence of blank areas typically depends on the number of reels 22 A present in the gaming device 10 A and the number of different symbols 23 A that may appear on the spinning reels 22 A.
- Each of the symbols 22 A or blank areas makes up a “stop” on the spinning reel 22 A where the reel 22 A comes to rest after a spin.
- the spinning reels 22 A of various games 10 A may have various numbers of stops, many conventional spinning-reel gaming devices 10 A have reels 22 A with twenty two stops.
- the spinning reels 22 A may be controlled by stepper motors (not shown) under the direction of the microprocessor 40 ( FIG. 1A ).
- the spinning-reel gaming device 10 A has mechanical based spinning reels 22 A, the movement of the reels themselves is electronically controlled to spin and stop.
- This electronic control is advantageous because it allows a virtual reel strip to be stored in the memory 41 of the gaming device 10 A, where various “virtual stops” are mapped to each physical stop on the physical reel 22 A. This mapping allows the gaming device 10 A to establish greater awards and bonuses available to the player because of the increased number of possible combinations afforded by the virtual reel strips.
- a gaming session on a spinning reel slot machine 10 A typically includes the player pressing the “bet-one” button (one of the game buttons 32 A) to wager a desired number of credits followed by pulling the gaming handle 12 ( FIGS. 1A , 1 B) or pressing the spin button 33 A to spin the reels 22 A.
- the player may simply press the “max-bet” button (another one of the game buttons 32 A) to both wager the maximum number of credits permitted and initiate the spinning of the reels 22 A.
- the spinning reels 22 A may all stop at the same time or may individually stop one after another (typically from left to right) to build player anticipation. Because the display 20 A usually cannot be physically modified, some spinning reel slot machines 10 A include an electronic display screen in the top box 18 ( FIG. 1B ), a mechanical bonus mechanism in the top box 18 , or a secondary display 25 ( FIG. 1A ) to execute a bonus.
- a video gaming machine 10 B may include a video display 20 B to display virtual spinning reels 22 B and various other gaming information 21 B.
- the video display 20 B may be a CRT, LCD, plasma screen, or the like. It is usually preferable that the video display 20 B be a touchscreen to accept player input.
- a number of symbols 23 A appear on each of the virtual spinning reels 22 B.
- FIG. 2B shows five virtual spinning reels 22 B, the flexibility of the video display 20 B allows for various reel 22 B and game configurations. For example, some video slot games 10 B spin reels for each individual symbol position (or stop) that appears on the video display 20 B. That is, each symbol position on the screen is independent of every other position during the gaming sessions.
- the virtual spinning reels 22 B by virtue of being computer implemented, can have almost any number of stops on a reel strip, it is much easier to have a greater variety of displayed outcomes as compared to spinning-reel slot machines 10 A ( FIG. 2A ) that have a fixed number of physical stops on each spinning reel 22 A.
- video gaming devices 10 B often have multiple paylines 24 that may be played. By having more paylines 24 available to play, the player may be more likely to have a winning combination when the reels 22 B stop and the gaming session ends. However, since the player typically must wager at least a minimum number of credits to enable each payline 24 to be eligible for winning, the overall odds of winning are not much different, if at all, than if the player is wagering only on a single payline. For example, in a five line game, the player may bet one credit per payline 24 and be eligible for winning symbol combinations that appear on any of the five played paylines 24 . This gives a total of five credits wagered and five possible winning paylines 24 . If, on the other hand, the player only wagers one credit on one payline 24 , but plays five gaming sessions, the odds of winning would be identical as above: five credits wagered and five possible winning paylines 24 .
- bonuses such as second screen bonuses are relatively easy to award on the video slot game 10 B. That is, if a bonus is triggered during game play, the video display 20 B may simply store the resulting screen shot in memory and display a bonus sequence on the video display 20 B. After the bonus sequence is completed, the video display 20 B may then retrieve the previous screen shot and information from memory, and re-display that image.
- the video display 20 B may allow various other game information 21 B to be displayed.
- banner information may be displayed above the spinning reels 22 B to inform the player, perhaps, which symbol combination is needed to trigger a bonus.
- banner information may be displayed above the spinning reels 22 B to inform the player, perhaps, which symbol combination is needed to trigger a bonus.
- “soft buttons” 29 B such as a “spin” button or “help/see pays” button may be built using the touch screen video display 20 B. Such customization and ease of changing the image shown on the display 20 B adds to the flexibility of the game 10 B.
- buttons 32 B and 33 B are usually provided on video slot machines 10 B. These buttons may include game buttons 32 B that allow a player to choose the number of paylines 24 he or she would like to play and the number of credits wagered on each payline 24 .
- a max bet button (one of the game buttons 32 B) allows a player to place a maximum credit wager on the maximum number of available paylines 24 and initiate a gaming session.
- a repeat bet or spin button 33 B may also be used to initiate each gaming session when the max bet button is not used.
- a video poker gaming device 10 C may include a video display 20 C that is physically similar to the video display 20 B shown in FIG. 2B .
- the video display 20 C may show a poker hand of five cards 23 C and various other player information 21 C including a paytable for various winning hands, as well as a plurality of player selectable soft buttons 29 C.
- the video display 20 C may present a poker hand of five cards 23 C and various other player information 21 C including a number of player selectable soft (touch-screen) buttons 29 C and a paytable for various winning hands.
- FIG. 3C shows only one hand of poker on the video display 20 C, various other video poker machines 10 C may show several poker hands (multi-hand poker).
- video poker machines 10 C play “draw” poker in which a player is dealt a hand of five cards, has the opportunity to hold any combination of those five cards, and then draws new cards to replace the discarded ones. All pays are usually given for winning combinations resulting from the final hand, although some video poker games 10 C may give bonus credits for certain combinations received on the first hand before the draw.
- a player has been dealt two aces, a three, a six, and a nine.
- the video poker game 10 C may provide a bonus or payout for the player having been dealt the pair of aces, even before the player decides what to discard in the draw. Since pairs, three of a kind, etc.
- the video poker game 10 C typically awards any credits won to the credit meter.
- the player selectable soft buttons 29 C appearing on the screen respectively correspond to each card on the video display 20 C. These soft buttons 29 C allow players to select specific cards on the video display 20 C such that the card corresponding to the selected soft button is “held” before the draw.
- video poker machines 10 C also include physical game buttons 32 C that correspond to the cards in the hand and may be selected to hold a corresponding card.
- a deal/draw button 33 C may also be included to initiate a gaming session after credits have been wagered (with a bet button 32 C, for example) and to draw any cards not held after the first hand is displayed.
- FIGS. 2A-2C Although examples of a spinning reel slot machine 10 A, a video slot machine 10 B, and a video poker machine 10 C have been illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C , gaming machines various other types of gaming devices known in the art are contemplated and are within the scope of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating networked gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention.
- multiple electronic gaming devices (EGMs) 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , and 75 may be coupled to one another and coupled to a remote server 80 through a network 50 .
- gaming devices or EGMs 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , and 75 are generically referred to as EGMs 70 - 75 .
- the term EGMs 70 - 75 may refer to any combination of one or more of EGMs 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , and 75 .
- the gaming server 80 may be coupled to one or more gaming databases 90 . These gaming network 50 connections may allow multiple gaming devices 70 - 75 to remain in communication with one another during particular gaming modes such as tournament play or remote head-to-head play. Although some of the gaming devices 70 - 75 coupled on the gaming network 50 may resemble the gaming devices 10 , 10 A, 10 B, and 10 C shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2 A- 2 C, other coupled gaming devices 70 - 75 may include differently configured gaming devices.
- the gaming devices 70 - 75 may include traditional slot machines 75 directly coupled to the network 50 , banks of gaming devices 70 coupled to the network 50 , banks of gaming devices 70 coupled to the network through a bank controller 60 , wireless handheld gaming machines 72 and cell phones 73 coupled to the gaming network 50 through one or more wireless routers or antennas 61 , personal computers 74 coupled to the network 50 through the internet 62 , and banks of gaming devices 71 coupled to the network through one or more optical connection lines 64 .
- some of the traditional gaming devices 70 , 71 , and 75 may include electronic gaming tables, multi-station gaming devices, or electronic components operating in conjunction with non-gaming components, such as automatic card readers, chip readers, and chip counters, for example.
- Gaming devices 71 coupled over an optical line 64 may be remote gaming devices in a different location or casino.
- the optical line 64 may be coupled to the gaming network 50 through an electronic to optical signal converter 63 and may be coupled to the gaming devices 71 through an optical to electronic signal converter 65 .
- the banks of gaming devices 70 coupled to the network 50 may be coupled through a bank controller 60 for compatibility purposes, for local organization and control, or for signal buffering purposes.
- the network 50 may include serial or parallel signal transmission lines and carry data in accordance with data transfer protocols such as Ethernet transmission lines, Rs-232 lines, firewire lines, USB lines, or other communication protocols.
- substantially the entire network 50 may be made of fiber optic lines or may be a wireless network utilizing a wireless protocol such as IEEE 802.11a, b, g, or n, Zigbee, RF protocols, optical transmission, near-field transmission, or the like.
- a wireless protocol such as IEEE 802.11a, b, g, or n, Zigbee, RF protocols, optical transmission, near-field transmission, or the like.
- each gaming device 70 - 75 may have an individual processor 40 ( FIG. 1A ) and memory 41 to run and control game play on the gaming device 70 - 75 , or some of the gaming devices 70 - 75 may be terminals that are run by a remote server 80 in a server based gaming environment.
- Server based gaming environments may be advantageous to casinos by allowing fast downloading of particular game types or themes based on casino preference or player selection.
- tournament based games, linked games, and certain game types, such as BINGO or keno may benefit from at least some server 80 based control.
- the network 50 , server 80 , and database 90 may be dedicated to communications regarding specific game or tournament play. In other embodiments, however, the network 50 , server 80 , and database 90 may be part of a player tracking network.
- the player tracking unit 45 sends player identification information obtained on the card reader 46 through the MCI 42 over the network 50 to the player tracking server 80 , where the player identification information is compared to player information records on in the player database 90 to provide the player with information regarding their player accounts or other features at the gaming device 10 where the player is wagering.
- multiple databases 90 and/or servers 80 may be present and coupled to one or more networks 50 to provide a variety of gaming services, such as both game/tournament data and player tracking data.
- the various systems described with reference to FIGS. 1-3 can be used in a number of ways.
- the systems can be used to track data about various players.
- the tracked data can be used by the casino to provide additional benefits to players, such as extra bonuses or extra benefits such as bonus games and other benefits as described above. These added benefits further entice the players to play at the casino that provides the benefits.
- FIG. 4 is a detail diagram of a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention.
- a gaming device 100 may include a gaming display 120 and a player interface panel having one or more game buttons 132 and at least one game initiating button 133 .
- the gaming display 120 may include a portion to show a game output 122 such as video reels, a banner area 121 to display game information, a multiple outcome portion 180 , an outcome portion 150 , a timer portion 170 , and one or more soft buttons such as 160 A, 160 B relating to game play on the gaming device 100 .
- the multiple outcome portion 180 is shown as part of the gaming display 120 .
- the multiple outcome portion 180 may be displayed on the secondary display 25 ( FIG. 1A ), the top box 18 , on a meter similar to the credit meters 27 , 28 , or other display devices on the gaming device 100 .
- These other display options may be preferable where the gaming device has a main gaming display including physical spinning reels or has a more standardized video display format such as in video poker.
- other types of gaming devices, such as smart tables may be configured such that an alternate display is necessitated by the structure of the gaming device.
- the implementation of the features of this invention is contemplated in these various devices.
- the multiple outcome portion 180 may include a list of multiple possible outcomes 185 and an award window 190 .
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 may scroll or stream vertically (or horizontally in other embodiments) such that different possible outcomes pass through the multiple outcome portion 180 and award window 190 within the multiple outcome portion 180 .
- These multiple possible outcomes 185 may be actual possible outcomes generated by a random number generator (RNG) included in the processor 40 ( FIG. 1A ) or may be at least partially arbitrary values that do not correspond to actual possible outcomes.
- RNG random number generator
- multiple possible outcomes refers to at least both of these possibilities because regardless of whether the values shown in the list of multiple possible outcomes 185 directly relate to possible outcomes randomly generated by the gaming device 100 , they appear to be possible values that can be achieved as the outcome of a wager to a player playing the gaming device 100 .
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 are actual possible outcomes, they may be sampled directly from a stream of random outcomes generated by the RNG of the gaming device 100 . Because the RNG may generate hundreds or thousands of numbers relating to outcomes on the gaming device per second, the processor 40 may only display a sample of the outcomes generated by the gaming device 100 in order to be at least partially visible to the player. The sampling of these generated outcomes used to determine which ones to display as multiple possible outcomes 185 in the multiple outcome portion 180 of the gaming display 120 may be done at predetermined intervals or may be random.
- the interval may be based on the number of outcomes (e.g., every 200 th output is displayed) or may be based on time (e.g., an outcome is selected every quarter of a second).
- These sampling rates may determine how quickly the multiple possible outcomes 185 scroll or stream through the multiple outcome portion 180 .
- the sampling rate may be configured so as to be adjustable. In some embodiments, this sampling rate may be automatically adjusted by the gaming device to keep the scrolling speed within predefined limits. However, in other embodiments, the sampling rate and/or the scrolling speed may be adjustable by casino personnel, slot technicians, the player tracking system, or even the players themselves. For example, players that are members of a players club may set the scrolling speed within certain limits as part of their player club preferences so that when they identify themselves to a gaming device, the preferred scrolling speed is automatically set for the player on the gaming device.
- a range of randomness may be established to ensure that the scrolling speed of the multiple possible outcomes is smooth.
- a small variable delay between choosing a sampled outcome and displaying that sampled outcome may help maintain a smooth stream of possible outcomes 185 .
- a second RNG may be utilized to carry out the random sampling of the generated outcomes.
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 are arbitrary in that they do not accurately reflect possible outcomes, they may be generated in a variety of ways depending on the nature of the arbitrariness.
- the random outcomes generated by the gaming device 100 may be filtered in a manner such that a higher percentage of high value outputs are displayed in the multiple possible outcomes 185 shown in the multiple outcome portion 180 .
- These outputs may be considered arbitrary even though they represent actual possible outcomes because they show a disproportionately large amount of high-value outputs which may not reflect the game's actual payback percentage. However, it may be preferable to include a larger number of high-value outcomes to encourage the player that they were close to a large win.
- a second RNG may generate at least a portion of the displayed multiple possible outcomes, which may be arbitrary because they are not actual award outcomes that could have been won by the player.
- the use of a second RNG may be advantageous in that existing gaming devices may be more easily retrofitted with features of this invention. Additionally, the second RNG may relieve the main RNG or processor from performing extra tasks, thereby reducing the load on those components.
- the multiple outcome portion may also include an award window 190 that indicates an outcome awarded to the player at the end of a gaming event.
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 may stream through the award window 190 while they are scrolling. After an indication to stop the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes 185 , the outcome value that comes to rest in the award window 190 may be awarded to the player.
- the game output 122 may show an outcome contemporaneously with the outcome value being shown in the award window 190 . For example, if the game output 122 includes a plurality of spinning reels, the reels may stop from left to right as the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes 185 is slowing down. This way, anticipation of the output can still be built by stopping the reels one by one.
- the values of the multiple possible outcomes 185 may reflect the number of lines bet and the number of credits bet per line. For example, if a player is wagering on 10 lines at two credits per line, the outcomes values shown in the multiple possible outcomes 185 may be about 20 times more than if the player was only playing a single line at one credit per line. In other example embodiments, however, the outcomes displayed may only reflect the number of lines bet with the multiple credits per line being multiplied upon selection of an outcome. In yet other embodiments, the outcomes displayed may not be proportional to the number of lines or credits per line bet. As discussed below with reference to FIGS. 5A , 5 B, 5 C, and 5 D, the multiple possible outputs may be formatted in a varied of manners including configurations that do not reflect the value of the output.
- the multiple outcome portion 180 may be utilized in several manners.
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 may only be displayed after the player has interacted with the gaming device.
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 may only be displayed and scrolled after the player has chosen which cards to hold and hit the “DRAW” button.
- the multiple outcome portion 180 may not be utilized or may just show a scroll of the only value the player can win.
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 may be utilized before the player interaction, for both before the player interaction and after the player interaction (separate lists), or for the whole gaming event including the player interaction, such as when there is a script involved in the gaming event.
- the multiple game portion 180 may not be visible when the credit meter is at zero or has a nominal amount for a set amount of time. Additionally, the multiple game portion 180 may not be visible to all players. For example, the feature including the multiple game portion 180 may only be available to identified players, or may only be available as part of a bonus.
- the multiple possible outcomes 185 may only scroll during a gaming event is some embodiments. However, in other embodiments, the multiple possible outcomes 185 may continuously scroll after credits have been awarded at the end of a gaming event.
- a player may make a wager and press a game initiating button 133 to start the multiple possible outcomes 185 scrolling, as well as initiating the game on the game display 122 , such as spinning the reels.
- the player may press the game initiating button 133 , a physical outcome stopping button 134 on the player interface panel, a soft “stop” button in the outcome portion, touching the gaming display 120 over the multiple outcome portion 180 , or perform another stop action to stop the multiple possible outcomes 185 from scrolling.
- the multiple possible outcomes may slow down when a stop action is initiated. In other embodiments, however, the multiple possible outcomes 185 may stop abruptly.
- stop action initially slow the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes 185 so that an awarded outcome that ends up in the award window 190 is not visible on the multiple outcome portion 180 when the stop action is initiated. This may prevent players from trying to time a specific outcome that appears in the multiple outcome portion 180 before passing through the award window 190 .
- the multiple outcome portion 180 may be advantageous in showing a player how close they were to a large prize. To further emphasize this point, higher value outcomes among the multiple possible outcomes 185 may be highlighted to draw the player's attention to them. In addition, a player may see a large value appear on the multiple outcome portion 180 and try to stop the scrolling outcomes such that they receive that value. As mentioned above, however, in some embodiments the player cannot stop the scrolling outcomes to reach a specific value as this may take away some of the randomness of the gaming device 100 .
- An outcome indicator 155 in the outcome portion 150 may show the values passing through the award window 190 when the multiple possible outcomes 185 are scrolling, or may show a last outcome received by a player in a past gaming event.
- the soft button in the outcome portion 150 may switch between having a “SPIN” button functionality and a “STOP” button functionality depending on the stage of a gaming event. Since it is a soft button, the visual labeling may be changed to match the present functionality of the soft button.
- the physical stop button 134 on the player interface may be omitted in some embodiments. In these embodiments, the game initiating button 133 or one of the game buttons 132 may be used for a stop action.
- a timer portion 170 may be included in some embodiments.
- the timer may be used to allow a player a chance to initiated a stop action, but to end the gaming event within a predetermined amount of time.
- the timer portion 170 may not be visible when there are no credits on the gaming device 100 or when there are only a nominal amount of credits for a set amount of time. In other embodiments, the timer portion 170 may only be visible during gaming events.
- the timer portion may include at least one of an analog timer 175 A and a digital timer 175 B.
- the timer portion 170 may alert a player to the time remaining for initiating a stop action, such as pushing the stop button 134 .
- a stop action may automatically be performed by the gamine device 100 . This may be an advantageous feature in keeping game play at a similar pace to conventional games that do not require player interaction after a gaming event has been initiated (e.g., conventional slot machines).
- the timer portion 170 may also be used in conjunction with a player club benefit or bonus feature. In these embodiments, the timer portion 170 may allow identified players, older players that have set a player club preference, or players receiving a bonus more time to initiate a stop action.
- the gaming device 100 may also be configured such that a player can hide either one of or both of the multiple outcome portion 180 and timer portion 170 . This may be preferable as some players may find these features distracting during game play. In addition, these features may be only available to players that have joined a player club. In this situation, the player may be able to modify their player club options so as to display or hide these features.
- the gaming device may also include a nudge feature which allows the player to select a value above or below the value shown in the award window 190 .
- the nudge feature may allow a player to “nudge” the list of multiple possible outcomes up or down by one result so that a better result is awarded.
- the gaming display 122 may arrive at an initial outcome reflected by the outcome initially shown in the award window 190 and then re-spin or re-deal to arrive at a display that reflects the outcome nudged to.
- the nudge feature may also be separable so that only a nudge-up action or nudge-down action is available to a player.
- the nudge feature may require an additional wager, such as a side bet or buy-a-pay, or may be part of a promotional feature or bonus feature.
- the nudge feature may be implemented by using soft buttons 160 A, 160 B on the gaming display 120 or by using at least one of the game initiating button 133 , stop button 134 , or game button 132 .
- One advantage of implementing this feature using the soft buttons 160 A, 160 B is that the buttons can be removed from the gaming display 120 when the nudge feature is not enabled. In addition, it may create less player confusion by utilizing the soft buttons because their labeling could by dynamically altered to reflect their functionality.
- the nudge button 160 A corresponding to a nudge up action could be activated while the nudge button 160 B corresponding to a nudge down action could be inactive (and visibly shaded).
- the nudge feature may also be tied to the timer portion 170 such that a player must make a choice to nudge up or nudge down within a predetermined time or an initial outcome is awarded. Again, the timer length may be variable depending on a player's status.
- FIGS. 5A , 5 B, 5 C, and 5 D are detail diagrams of exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiment of the invention.
- a gaming display 220 may include a game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280 A.
- the multiple outcome portion 280 A may include a list of multiple possible outcomes 285 A and an award window 290 A that is positioned in substantially a center portion of the multiple possible outcomes 285 A. Having the award window 290 A in substantially the center portion of the multiple possible outcomes 285 A may be advantageous in that it allows players to see outcomes appear in the multiple outcome portion 280 A before they reach the award window 290 A. This may encourage players to try to perform a stop action to receive a specific outcome (“grab” the outcome).
- the scrolling speed of the multiple possible outcomes may be set such that the next outcome not yet seen on the multiple outcome portion ends in the award window 290 A when a stop action is initiated.
- a player may see a streak of small outcomes and initiate a stop action because they think the next value off screen will be large as the gaming device is “due” for a large outcome.
- a player may wait for a streak of higher outcomes before initiating a stop action because they think the gaming device is “hot.”
- outcomes that involve a bonus may appear in the multiple possible outcome 285 A list as just the word “BONUS.” If such an outcome appears in the award window, a separate bonus feature, which may or may not utilize the multiple outcome portion 280 A, may be initiated.
- a gaming display 220 may include a game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280 B.
- the multiple outcome portion 280 B may include a list of multiple possible outcomes 285 B and an award window 290 B that is positioned at one end portion of the multiple outcome portion 280 B.
- the award window 290 B is positioned at an end of the multiple outcome portion 280 B where the multiple possible outcomes 285 A appear.
- Having the award window 290 B at an end portion of the multiple possible outcomes 285 B may be advantageous when using the multiple outcome portion 280 B in conjunction with the nudge feature.
- the player does not know what the next outcome value is.
- making the choice to nudge up and give up a known value for an unknown value may provide some excitement and tension for a player.
- the nudge feature may be restricted to only allowing a nudge up; thereby only allowing a nudge to an unknown value. Again, this nudge feature may be part of a side bet or may part of a bonus or promotion.
- the nudge feature may award the player both the initial value and the value nudged to.
- a gaming display 220 may include a game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280 C.
- the multiple outcome portion 280 C may include a list of multiple possible outcomes 285 C and an award window 290 C.
- the multiple possible outcomes 285 C and the award window 290 C may be oriented vertically.
- the multiple possible outcomes 285 C may stream or scroll uniformly or various columns of values could stream at different rates and/or at random intervals.
- the award window 290 C may move back and forth horizontally (as shown by the hidden lined windows) among the columns of multiple possible outcomes 285 C. This two dimensional movement (i.e., the vertical movement of the multiple possible outcomes 285 C and the horizontal movement of the award window 290 C) may add to the excitement of the feature.
- a gaming display 220 may include a game outcome portion 222 and a multiple outcome portion 280 D.
- the multiple outcome portion 280 D may include a list of multiple possible outcomes 285 D and an award window 290 D.
- the multiple possible outcomes 285 D in this embodiment are represented by actual symbol outcomes rather than an outcome value.
- the outcome appearing in the award window 290 D may reflect the symbols that appear on a center payline in the game outcome portion 222 of the gaming display 220 is slot embodiments.
- the symbols shown in the multiple outcome portion may reflect the five card outcome of the video poker hand.
- FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention.
- the method includes receiving a wager 305 from a player on the gaming device.
- the wager may be received by the player betting one or more credits on a gaming event.
- the game initiation button or “SPIN” button is activated 310 so that it will respond to a player input.
- the gaming handle may be unlocked in this step to allow a player to initiate a gaming event.
- the gaming device determines if one of the game initiation mechanisms have been triggered by the player 315 . If a gaming event has not been initiated, the gaming device may continue to wait for the player to initiate the gaming event or may periodically prompt the player to initiate the gaming event.
- multiple possible outcomes may be scrolled 320 on the a gaming display, such as a multiple outcome portion of a gaming display.
- a game output such as game reels may also triggered to spin 327 .
- a timer is started 325 and the gaming device then determines whether a stop action event has occurred 330 to stop the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes. If it is determined that a stop action has not occurred, the gaming device may determine if the timer has reached an endpoint or stopped 335 . The game device may continue to monitor whether a stop action event has occurred or the timer has stopped.
- the gaming device determines an outcome to award to the player 340 .
- the outcome that is awarded to the player is not determined until a stop action event has occurred or a timer has ended.
- the outcome may be determined when a game initiating button is pressed to initiate a gaming event. In this scenario, the timing of the stop action event or timer end does not affect the ultimate outcome awarded to the player since the final outcome was determined prior to these events.
- the outcome awarded to the player is then displayed to the player 350 and a game output displays an output corresponding to the determined outcome, such as stopping the reels such that symbol line and/or scatter awards add up to the final outcome shown on the multiple outcome portion.
- the reels may be stopped from left to right to build anticipation while the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes is slowing down.
- prizes associated with the outcome are awarded to the player.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow diagram of another method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention.
- processes 405 to 452 are similar to the processes 305 to 352 described above with reference to FIG. 6 . Hence, redundant explanation of these processes will be omitted. Note, however, that the outcome determined in process 440 is an initial outcome rather than the final outcome to be awarded as was the case in process 340 shown in FIG. 6 . Also note that it is this initial outcome that is displayed in process 450 rather than the final outcome that is displayed in process 350 .
- the gaming device determines if the nudge feature is enabled 455 . If the nudge feature is not enabled, the gaming device awards any prizes associated with the initial outcome to the player 460 . If the nudge feature is enabled, the gaming device determines if the previous outcome is selected by the player 465 . If the previous outcome is selected by the player, the previous outcome is displayed on the game display 470 and any prizes associated with the previous outcome are awarded to the player 475 . In some embodiments, displaying the previous outcome on the game display includes both nudging the multiple possible outcome list down so that the previous outcome appears in the award window and re-spinning the reels (or re-drawing cards) such that the previous outcome is reflected on the game output portion of the gaming display.
- the gaming device determines if the next outcome is selected by the player 480 . If the next outcome is selected by the player, the next outcome is displayed on the game display 485 and any prizes associated with the next outcome are awarded to the player 490 . In some embodiments, displaying the next outcome on the game display includes both nudging the multiple possible outcome list up so that the next outcome appears in the award window and re-spinning the reels (or re-drawing cards) such that the next outcome is reflected on the game output portion of the gaming display. If the next outcome is not selected (i.e., either the player choose to keep the original output value or the timer for making a nudge ended), the gaming device awards any prizes associated with the initial outcome to the player 460 .
Abstract
Description
- Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/______, to John Acres, is filed concurrently herewith, for GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD UTILIZING AT LEAST TWO RNG OUTCOMES (Attorney Docket No. 1351-0035), the disclosures of which is incorporated by reference.
- This disclosure relates generally to a display of multiple outcomes on a gaming device, and more particularly to a display of multiple final game outcomes that may be won by a player on a gaming device.
- With conventional gaming devices, a player typically places a wager on a future gaming event and initiates the gaming event by pulling a gaming handle or pressing a game initiating button. An outcome of the gaming event is often determined from a random number generator (RNG) upon initiation of the gaming event by the player. In order to build anticipation, however, the reels on a spinning reel slot machine or a video slot machine typically continue to spin and sequentially stop from left to right showing a portion of the outcome with each reel coming to rest. In some gaming devices, a player may touch a reel or corresponding button to stop a reel before the typical electronically controlled stop occurs. For example, a player may touch the fifth reel of a five reel video slot gaming device to stop the fifth reel before the first, second, third, or fourth reel has come to a stop. In other words, the player would be able to see the symbols occurring on paylines for the fifth reel before seeing what the other symbols from the first through fourth reels end up on the played paylines.
- This feature may be used by superstitious players trying to change their luck by having the reels stop in reverse or may be used by players to root for symbols on the left most reels. More often, however, since the reels typically spin at a speed that allows players to make out which symbols are passing by, this feature allows players to try and stop a reel on a particular symbol outcome. For example, if three bonus symbols are needed on a played payline to initiate a bonus and a player receives bonus symbols on the first and second reels, he or she may try to time touching the third reel to get a third bonus symbol by either trying to touch the bonus symbol as it goes by or waiting a certain amount of time after a bonus symbol goes by before touching and stopping the third reel.
- Because the outcome of the gaming device is typically determined prior to any of the reels stopping, this exercise in stopping the reels generally has no effect on the outcome of the gaming event. Rather, it is provided to give the player a feeling of control over the outcome of the gaming event. As players often like to feel they have some control in the outcome of the gaming event, additional gaming features providing this feeling or sensation may be advantageously integrated into gaming devices.
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FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram that illustrates a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention. -
FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the gaming device illustrated inFIG. 1A . -
FIGS. 2A , 2B, and 2C are detail diagrams of exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of networked gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention. -
FIG. 4 is a detail diagram of a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention. -
FIGS. 5A , 5B, 5C, and 5D are detail diagrams of exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow diagram of another method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention. -
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate example gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 1A and 1B , agaming device 10 is an electronic gaming machine. Although an electronic gaming machine or “slot” machine is illustrated, various other types of devices may be used to wager monetarily based credits on a game of chance in accordance with principles of the invention. The term “electronic gaming device” is meant to include various devices such as electro-mechanical spinning-reel type slot machines, video slot machines, and video poker machines, for instance. Other gaming devices may include computer-based gaming machines, wireless gaming devices, multi-player gaming stations, modified personal electronic gaming devices (such as cell phones), personal computers, server-based gaming terminals, and other similar devices. Although embodiments of the invention will work with all of the gaming types mentioned, for ease of illustration the present embodiments will be described in reference to theelectronic gaming machine 10 shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B . - The
gaming device 10 includes acabinet 15 housing components to operate thegaming device 10. Thecabinet 15 may include agaming display 20, abase portion 13, atop box 18, and aplayer interface panel 30. Thegaming display 20 may include mechanical spinning reels (FIG. 2A ), a video display (FIGS. 2B and 2C ), or a combination of both spinning reels and a video display (not shown). Thegaming cabinet 15 may also include acredit meter 27 and a coin-in orbet meter 28. Thecredit meter 27 may indicate the total number of credits remaining on thegaming device 10 that are eligible to be wagered. In some embodiments, thecredit meter 27 may reflect a monetary unit, such as dollars. However, it is often preferable to have thecredit meter 27 reflect a number of ‘credits,’ rather than a monetary unit. Thebet meter 28 may indicate the amount of credits to be wagered on a particular game. Thus, for each game, the player transfers the amount that he or she wants to wager from thecredit meter 27 to thebet meter 28. In some embodiments, various other meters may be present, such as meters reflecting amounts won, amounts paid, or the like. In embodiments where thegaming display 20 is a video monitor, the information indicated on the credit meters may be shown on the gaming display itself 20 (FIG. 2B ). - The
base portion 13 may include alighted panel 14, a coin return (not shown), and agaming handle 12 operable on a partially rotatingpivot joint 11. Thegame handle 12 is traditionally included on mechanical spinning-reel games, where the handle may be pulled toward a player to initiate the spinning ofreels 22 after placement of a wager. Thetop box 18 may include alighted panel 17, a video display (such as an LCD monitor), a mechanical bonus device (not shown), and acandle light indicator 19. Theplayer interface panel 30 may include various devices so that a player can interact with thegaming device 10. - The
player interface panel 30 may include one ormore game buttons 32 that can be actuated by the player to cause thegaming device 10 to perform a specific action. For example, some of thegame buttons 32 may cause thegaming device 10 to bet a credit to be wagered during the next game, change the number of lines being played on a multi-line game, cash out the credits remaining on the gaming device (as indicated on the credit meter 27), or request assistance from casino personnel, such as by lighting thecandle 19. In addition, theplayer interface panel 30 may include one or more game actuatingbuttons 33. The game actuatingbuttons 33 may initiate a game with a pre-specified amount of credits. On some gaming devices 10 a “Max Bet”game actuating button 33 may be included that places the maximum credit wager on a game and initiates the game. Theplayer interface panel 30 may further include abill acceptor 37 and aticket printer 38. Thebill acceptor 37 may accept and validate paper money or previously printed tickets with a credit balance. Theticket printer 38 may print out tickets reflecting the balance of the credits that remain on thegaming device 10 when a player cashes out by pressing one of thegame buttons 32 programmed to cause a ‘cashout.’ These tickets may be inserted into other gaming machines or redeemed at a cashier station or kiosk for cash. - The
gaming device 10 may also include one ormore speakers 26 to transmit auditory information or sounds to the player. The auditory information may include specific sounds associated with particular events that occur during game play on thegaming device 10. For example, a particularly festive sound may be played during a large win or when a bonus is triggered. Thespeakers 26 may also transmit “attract” sounds to entice nearby players when the game is not currently being played. - The
gaming device 10 may further include asecondary display 25. Thissecondary display 25 may be a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma screen, or the like. Thesecondary display 25 may show any combination of primary game information and ancillary information to the player. For example, thesecondary display 25 may show player tracking information, secondary bonus information, advertisements, or player selectable game options. - The
gaming device 10 may include a separate information window (not shown) dedicated to supplying any combination of information related to primary game play, secondary bonus information, player tracking information, secondary bonus information, advertisements or player selectable game options. This window may be fixed in size and location or may have its size and location vary temporally as communication needs change. One example of such a resizable window is International Game Technology's “service window”. Another example is Las Vegas Gaming Incorporated's retrofit technology which allows information to be placed over areas of the game or secondary display screen at various times and in various situations. - The
gaming device 10 includes amicroprocessor 40 that controls operation of thegaming device 10. If thegaming device 10 is a standalone gaming device, themicroprocessor 40 may control virtually all of the operations of the gaming devices and attached equipment, such as operating game logic stored in memory (not shown) as firmware, controlling thedisplay 20 to represent the outcome of a game, communicate with the other peripheral devices (such as the bill acceptor 37), and orchestrating the lighting and sound emanating from thegaming device 10. In other embodiments where thegaming device 10 is coupled to anetwork 50, as described below, themicroprocessor 40 may have different tasks depending on the setup and function of the gaming device. For example, themicroprocessor 40 may be responsible for running the base game of the gaming device and executing instructions received over thenetwork 50 from a bonus server or player tracking server. In a server-based gaming setup, themicroprocessor 40 may act as a terminal to execute instructions from a remote server that is running game play on the gaming device. - The
microprocessor 40 may be coupled to a machine communication interface (MCI) 42 that connects thegaming device 10 to agaming network 50. TheMCI 42 may be coupled to themicroprocessor 40 through a serial connection, a parallel connection, an optical connection, or in some cases a wireless connection. Thegaming device 10 may include memory 41 (MEM), such as a random access memory (RAM), coupled to themicroprocessor 40 and which can be used to store gaming information, such as storing total coin-in statistics about a present or past gaming session, which can be communicated to a remote server or database through theMCI 42. TheMCI 42 may also facilitate communication between thenetwork 50 and thesecondary display 25 or aplayer tracking unit 45 housed in thegaming cabinet 15. - The
player tracking unit 45 may include anidentification device 46 and one ormore buttons 47 associated with theplayer tracking unit 45. Theidentification device 46 serves to identify a player, by, for example, reading a player-tracking device, such as a player tracking card that is issued by the casino to individual players who choose to have such a card. Theidentification device 46 may instead, or additionally, identify players through other methods. Player tracking systems using player tracking cards andcard readers 46 are known in the art. Briefly summarizing such a system, a player registers with the casino prior to commencing gaming. The casino issues a unique player-tracking card to the player and opens a corresponding player account that is stored on a server or host computer, described below with reference toFIG. 3 . The player account may include the player's name and mailing address and other information of interest to the casino in connection with marketing efforts. Prior to playing one of the gaming devices in the casino, the player inserts the player tracking card into theidentification device 46 thus permitting the casino to track player activity, such as amounts wagered, credits won, and rate of play. - To induce the player to use the card and be an identified player, the casino may award each player points proportional to the money or credits wagered by the player. Players typically accrue points at a rate related to the amount wagered, although other factors may cause the casino to award the player various amounts. The points may be displayed on the
secondary display 25 or using other methods. In conventional player tracking systems, the player may take his or her card to a special desk in the casino where a casino employee scans the card to determine how many accrued points are in the player's account. The player may redeem points for selected merchandise, meals in casino restaurants, or the like, which each have assigned point values. In some player tracking systems, the player may use thesecondary display 25 to access their player tracking account, such as to check a total number of points, redeem points for various services, make changes to their account, or download promotional credits to thegaming device 10. In other embodiments, theidentification device 46 may read other identifying cards (such as driver licenses, credit cards, etc.) to identify a player and match them to a corresponding player tracking account. AlthoughFIG. 1A shows theplayer tracking unit 45 with a card reader as theidentification device 46, other embodiments may include aplayer tracking unit 45 with a biometric scanner, PIN code acceptor, or other methods of identifying a player to pair the player with their player tracking account. - During typical play on a
gaming device 10, a player plays a game by placing a wager and then initiating a gaming session. The player may initially insert monetary bills or previously printed tickets with a credit value into thebill acceptor 37. The player may also put coins into a coin acceptor (not shown) or a credit, debit or casino account card into a card reader/authorizer (not shown). One of skill in the art will readily see that this invention is useful with all gambling devices, regardless of the manner in which wager value-input is accomplished. - The
credit meter 27 displays the numeric credit value of the money inserted dependent on the denomination of thegaming device 10. That is, if thegaming device 10 is a nickel slot machine and a $20 bill inserted into thebill acceptor 37, the credit meter will reflect 400 credits or one credit for each nickel of the inserted twenty dollars. Forgaming devices 10 that support multiple denominations, thecredit meter 27 will reflect the amount of credits relative to the denomination selected. Thus, in the above example, if a penny denomination is selected after the $20 is inserted the credit meter will change from 400 credits to 2000 credits. - A wager may be placed by pushing one or more of the
game buttons 32, which may be reflected on thebet meter 28. That is, the player can generally depress a “bet one” button (one of the buttons on theplayer interface panel 30, such as 32), which transfers one credit from thecredit meter 27 to thebet meter 28. Each time thebutton 32 is depressed an additional single credit transfers to thebet meter 28 up to a maximum bet that can be placed on a single play of theelectronic gaming device 10. The gaming session may be initiated by pulling the gaming handle 12 or depressing thespin button 33. On somegaming devices 10, a “max bet” button (another one of thebuttons 32 on the player interface panel 30) may be depressed to wager the maximum number of credits supported by thegaming device 10 and initiate a gaming session. - If the gaming session does not result in any winning combination, the process of placing a wager may be repeated by the player. Alternatively, the player may cash out any remaining credits on the
credit meter 27 by depressing the “cash-out” button (anotherbutton 32 on the player interface panel 30), which causes the credits on thecredit meter 27 to be paid out in the form of a ticket through theticket printer 38, or may be paid out in the form of returning coins from a coin hopper (not shown) to a coin return tray. - If instead a winning combination (win) appears on the
display 20, the award corresponding to the winning combination is immediately applied to thecredit meter 27. For example, if thegaming device 10 is a slot machine, a winning combination ofsymbols 23 may land on a played payline onreels 22. If any bonus games are initiated, thegaming device 10 may enter into a bonus mode or simply award the player with a bonus amount of credits that are applied to thecredit meter 27. -
FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention.FIG. 2A illustrates an example spinning-reel gaming machine 10A,FIG. 2B illustrates an examplevideo slot machine 10B, andFIG. 2C illustrates an examplevideo poker machine 10C. - Referring to
FIG. 2A , a spinning-reel gaming machine 10A includes agaming display 20A having a plurality ofmechanical spinning reels 22A. Typically, spinning-reel gaming machines 10A have three to fivespinning reels 22A. Each of the spinningreels 22A hasmultiple symbols 23A that may be separated by blank areas on the spinningreels 22A, although the presence of blank areas typically depends on the number ofreels 22A present in thegaming device 10A and the number ofdifferent symbols 23A that may appear on the spinningreels 22A. Each of thesymbols 22A or blank areas makes up a “stop” on thespinning reel 22A where thereel 22A comes to rest after a spin. Although the spinningreels 22A ofvarious games 10A may have various numbers of stops, many conventional spinning-reel gaming devices 10A havereels 22A with twenty two stops. - During game play, the spinning
reels 22A may be controlled by stepper motors (not shown) under the direction of the microprocessor 40 (FIG. 1A ). Thus, although the spinning-reel gaming device 10A has mechanical based spinningreels 22A, the movement of the reels themselves is electronically controlled to spin and stop. This electronic control is advantageous because it allows a virtual reel strip to be stored in thememory 41 of thegaming device 10A, where various “virtual stops” are mapped to each physical stop on thephysical reel 22A. This mapping allows thegaming device 10A to establish greater awards and bonuses available to the player because of the increased number of possible combinations afforded by the virtual reel strips. - A gaming session on a spinning
reel slot machine 10A typically includes the player pressing the “bet-one” button (one of thegame buttons 32A) to wager a desired number of credits followed by pulling the gaming handle 12 (FIGS. 1A , 1B) or pressing thespin button 33A to spin thereels 22A. Alternatively, the player may simply press the “max-bet” button (another one of thegame buttons 32A) to both wager the maximum number of credits permitted and initiate the spinning of thereels 22A. The spinningreels 22A may all stop at the same time or may individually stop one after another (typically from left to right) to build player anticipation. Because thedisplay 20A usually cannot be physically modified, some spinningreel slot machines 10A include an electronic display screen in the top box 18 (FIG. 1B ), a mechanical bonus mechanism in thetop box 18, or a secondary display 25 (FIG. 1A ) to execute a bonus. - Referring to
FIG. 2B , avideo gaming machine 10B may include avideo display 20B to displayvirtual spinning reels 22B and variousother gaming information 21B. Thevideo display 20B may be a CRT, LCD, plasma screen, or the like. It is usually preferable that thevideo display 20B be a touchscreen to accept player input. A number ofsymbols 23A appear on each of thevirtual spinning reels 22B. AlthoughFIG. 2B shows fivevirtual spinning reels 22B, the flexibility of thevideo display 20B allows forvarious reel 22B and game configurations. For example, somevideo slot games 10B spin reels for each individual symbol position (or stop) that appears on thevideo display 20B. That is, each symbol position on the screen is independent of every other position during the gaming sessions. In these types of games, very large numbers of pay lines or multiple super scatter pays can be utilized since similar symbols could appear at every symbol position on thevideo display 20B. On the other hand, othervideo slot games 10B more closely resemble the mechanical spinning reel games where symbols that are vertically adjacent to each other are part of the same continuousvirtual spinning reel 22B. - Because the
virtual spinning reels 22B, by virtue of being computer implemented, can have almost any number of stops on a reel strip, it is much easier to have a greater variety of displayed outcomes as compared to spinning-reel slot machines 10A (FIG. 2A ) that have a fixed number of physical stops on each spinningreel 22A. - With the possible increases in
reel 22B numbers and configurations over themechanical gaming device 10A,video gaming devices 10B often havemultiple paylines 24 that may be played. By havingmore paylines 24 available to play, the player may be more likely to have a winning combination when thereels 22B stop and the gaming session ends. However, since the player typically must wager at least a minimum number of credits to enable eachpayline 24 to be eligible for winning, the overall odds of winning are not much different, if at all, than if the player is wagering only on a single payline. For example, in a five line game, the player may bet one credit perpayline 24 and be eligible for winning symbol combinations that appear on any of the five playedpaylines 24. This gives a total of five credits wagered and five possible winningpaylines 24. If, on the other hand, the player only wagers one credit on onepayline 24, but plays five gaming sessions, the odds of winning would be identical as above: five credits wagered and five possible winningpaylines 24. - Because the
video display 20B can easily modify the image output by thevideo display 20B, bonuses, such as second screen bonuses are relatively easy to award on thevideo slot game 10B. That is, if a bonus is triggered during game play, thevideo display 20B may simply store the resulting screen shot in memory and display a bonus sequence on thevideo display 20B. After the bonus sequence is completed, thevideo display 20B may then retrieve the previous screen shot and information from memory, and re-display that image. - Also, as mentioned above, the
video display 20B may allow variousother game information 21B to be displayed. For example, as shown inFIG. 2B , banner information may be displayed above the spinningreels 22B to inform the player, perhaps, which symbol combination is needed to trigger a bonus. Also, instead of providing a separate credit meter 27 (FIG. 1A ) andbet meter 28, the same information can instead be displayed on thevideo display 20B. In addition, “soft buttons” 29B such as a “spin” button or “help/see pays” button may be built using the touchscreen video display 20B. Such customization and ease of changing the image shown on thedisplay 20B adds to the flexibility of thegame 10B. - Even with the improved flexibility afforded by the
video display 20B, severalphysical buttons video slot machines 10B. These buttons may includegame buttons 32B that allow a player to choose the number ofpaylines 24 he or she would like to play and the number of credits wagered on eachpayline 24. In addition, a max bet button (one of thegame buttons 32B) allows a player to place a maximum credit wager on the maximum number ofavailable paylines 24 and initiate a gaming session. A repeat bet orspin button 33B may also be used to initiate each gaming session when the max bet button is not used. - Referring to
FIG. 2C , a videopoker gaming device 10C may include avideo display 20C that is physically similar to thevideo display 20B shown inFIG. 2B . Thevideo display 20C may show a poker hand of fivecards 23C and variousother player information 21C including a paytable for various winning hands, as well as a plurality of player selectablesoft buttons 29C. Thevideo display 20C may present a poker hand of fivecards 23C and variousother player information 21C including a number of player selectable soft (touch-screen)buttons 29C and a paytable for various winning hands. Although the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3C shows only one hand of poker on thevideo display 20C, various othervideo poker machines 10C may show several poker hands (multi-hand poker). Typically,video poker machines 10C play “draw” poker in which a player is dealt a hand of five cards, has the opportunity to hold any combination of those five cards, and then draws new cards to replace the discarded ones. All pays are usually given for winning combinations resulting from the final hand, although somevideo poker games 10C may give bonus credits for certain combinations received on the first hand before the draw. In the example shown inFIG. 2C a player has been dealt two aces, a three, a six, and a nine. Thevideo poker game 10C may provide a bonus or payout for the player having been dealt the pair of aces, even before the player decides what to discard in the draw. Since pairs, three of a kind, etc. are typically needed for wins, a player would likely hold the two aces that have been dealt and draw three cards to replace the three, six, and nine in the hope of receiving additional aces or other cards leading to a winning combination with a higher award amount. After the draw and revealing of the final hand, thevideo poker game 10C typically awards any credits won to the credit meter. - The player selectable
soft buttons 29C appearing on the screen respectively correspond to each card on thevideo display 20C. Thesesoft buttons 29C allow players to select specific cards on thevideo display 20C such that the card corresponding to the selected soft button is “held” before the draw. Typically,video poker machines 10C also includephysical game buttons 32C that correspond to the cards in the hand and may be selected to hold a corresponding card. A deal/draw button 33C may also be included to initiate a gaming session after credits have been wagered (with abet button 32C, for example) and to draw any cards not held after the first hand is displayed. - Although examples of a spinning
reel slot machine 10A, avideo slot machine 10B, and avideo poker machine 10C have been illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2C , gaming machines various other types of gaming devices known in the art are contemplated and are within the scope of the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating networked gaming devices according to embodiments of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3 , multiple electronic gaming devices (EGMs) 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 may be coupled to one another and coupled to aremote server 80 through anetwork 50. For ease of understanding, gaming devices orEGMs EGMs gaming server 80 may be coupled to one ormore gaming databases 90. Thesegaming network 50 connections may allow multiple gaming devices 70-75 to remain in communication with one another during particular gaming modes such as tournament play or remote head-to-head play. Although some of the gaming devices 70-75 coupled on thegaming network 50 may resemble thegaming devices FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2C, other coupled gaming devices 70-75 may include differently configured gaming devices. For example, the gaming devices 70-75 may includetraditional slot machines 75 directly coupled to thenetwork 50, banks ofgaming devices 70 coupled to thenetwork 50, banks ofgaming devices 70 coupled to the network through abank controller 60, wirelesshandheld gaming machines 72 andcell phones 73 coupled to thegaming network 50 through one or more wireless routers orantennas 61,personal computers 74 coupled to thenetwork 50 through theinternet 62, and banks ofgaming devices 71 coupled to the network through one or more optical connection lines 64. Additionally, some of thetraditional gaming devices -
Gaming devices 71 coupled over anoptical line 64 may be remote gaming devices in a different location or casino. Theoptical line 64 may be coupled to thegaming network 50 through an electronic tooptical signal converter 63 and may be coupled to thegaming devices 71 through an optical toelectronic signal converter 65. The banks ofgaming devices 70 coupled to thenetwork 50 may be coupled through abank controller 60 for compatibility purposes, for local organization and control, or for signal buffering purposes. Thenetwork 50 may include serial or parallel signal transmission lines and carry data in accordance with data transfer protocols such as Ethernet transmission lines, Rs-232 lines, firewire lines, USB lines, or other communication protocols. Although not shown inFIG. 3 , substantially theentire network 50 may be made of fiber optic lines or may be a wireless network utilizing a wireless protocol such as IEEE 802.11a, b, g, or n, Zigbee, RF protocols, optical transmission, near-field transmission, or the like. - As mentioned above, each gaming device 70-75 may have an individual processor 40 (
FIG. 1A ) andmemory 41 to run and control game play on the gaming device 70-75, or some of the gaming devices 70-75 may be terminals that are run by aremote server 80 in a server based gaming environment. Server based gaming environments may be advantageous to casinos by allowing fast downloading of particular game types or themes based on casino preference or player selection. Additionally, tournament based games, linked games, and certain game types, such as BINGO or keno may benefit from at least someserver 80 based control. - Thus, in some embodiments, the
network 50,server 80, anddatabase 90 may be dedicated to communications regarding specific game or tournament play. In other embodiments, however, thenetwork 50,server 80, anddatabase 90 may be part of a player tracking network. For player tracking capabilities, when a player inserts a player tracking card in the card reader 46 (FIG. 1A ), theplayer tracking unit 45 sends player identification information obtained on thecard reader 46 through theMCI 42 over thenetwork 50 to theplayer tracking server 80, where the player identification information is compared to player information records on in theplayer database 90 to provide the player with information regarding their player accounts or other features at thegaming device 10 where the player is wagering. Additionally,multiple databases 90 and/orservers 80 may be present and coupled to one ormore networks 50 to provide a variety of gaming services, such as both game/tournament data and player tracking data. - The various systems described with reference to
FIGS. 1-3 can be used in a number of ways. For instance, the systems can be used to track data about various players. The tracked data can be used by the casino to provide additional benefits to players, such as extra bonuses or extra benefits such as bonus games and other benefits as described above. These added benefits further entice the players to play at the casino that provides the benefits. -
FIG. 4 is a detail diagram of a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , agaming device 100 may include agaming display 120 and a player interface panel having one ormore game buttons 132 and at least onegame initiating button 133. Thegaming display 120 may include a portion to show agame output 122 such as video reels, abanner area 121 to display game information, amultiple outcome portion 180, anoutcome portion 150, atimer portion 170, and one or more soft buttons such as 160A, 160B relating to game play on thegaming device 100. - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4 , themultiple outcome portion 180 is shown as part of thegaming display 120. However, in other gaming devices, themultiple outcome portion 180 may be displayed on the secondary display 25 (FIG. 1A ), thetop box 18, on a meter similar to thecredit meters gaming device 100. These other display options may be preferable where the gaming device has a main gaming display including physical spinning reels or has a more standardized video display format such as in video poker. Additionally, other types of gaming devices, such as smart tables may be configured such that an alternate display is necessitated by the structure of the gaming device. Thus, the implementation of the features of this invention is contemplated in these various devices. - The
multiple outcome portion 180 may include a list of multiplepossible outcomes 185 and anaward window 190. During a gaming event, the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may scroll or stream vertically (or horizontally in other embodiments) such that different possible outcomes pass through themultiple outcome portion 180 andaward window 190 within themultiple outcome portion 180. These multiplepossible outcomes 185 may be actual possible outcomes generated by a random number generator (RNG) included in the processor 40 (FIG. 1A ) or may be at least partially arbitrary values that do not correspond to actual possible outcomes. The term “multiple possible outcomes” refers to at least both of these possibilities because regardless of whether the values shown in the list of multiplepossible outcomes 185 directly relate to possible outcomes randomly generated by thegaming device 100, they appear to be possible values that can be achieved as the outcome of a wager to a player playing thegaming device 100. - If the multiple
possible outcomes 185 are actual possible outcomes, they may be sampled directly from a stream of random outcomes generated by the RNG of thegaming device 100. Because the RNG may generate hundreds or thousands of numbers relating to outcomes on the gaming device per second, theprocessor 40 may only display a sample of the outcomes generated by thegaming device 100 in order to be at least partially visible to the player. The sampling of these generated outcomes used to determine which ones to display as multiplepossible outcomes 185 in themultiple outcome portion 180 of thegaming display 120 may be done at predetermined intervals or may be random. If they are sampled at a predetermined interval, the interval may be based on the number of outcomes (e.g., every 200th output is displayed) or may be based on time (e.g., an outcome is selected every quarter of a second). These sampling rates may determine how quickly the multiplepossible outcomes 185 scroll or stream through themultiple outcome portion 180. Because the speed of this scrolling may preferably be different for separate target groups of gaming players, the sampling rate may be configured so as to be adjustable. In some embodiments, this sampling rate may be automatically adjusted by the gaming device to keep the scrolling speed within predefined limits. However, in other embodiments, the sampling rate and/or the scrolling speed may be adjustable by casino personnel, slot technicians, the player tracking system, or even the players themselves. For example, players that are members of a players club may set the scrolling speed within certain limits as part of their player club preferences so that when they identify themselves to a gaming device, the preferred scrolling speed is automatically set for the player on the gaming device. - If the generated outcomes are sampled at a random interval, a range of randomness may be established to ensure that the scrolling speed of the multiple possible outcomes is smooth. In addition, a small variable delay between choosing a sampled outcome and displaying that sampled outcome may help maintain a smooth stream of
possible outcomes 185. In some embodiments, a second RNG may be utilized to carry out the random sampling of the generated outcomes. - If the multiple
possible outcomes 185 are arbitrary in that they do not accurately reflect possible outcomes, they may be generated in a variety of ways depending on the nature of the arbitrariness. For example, the random outcomes generated by thegaming device 100 may be filtered in a manner such that a higher percentage of high value outputs are displayed in the multiplepossible outcomes 185 shown in themultiple outcome portion 180. These outputs may be considered arbitrary even though they represent actual possible outcomes because they show a disproportionately large amount of high-value outputs which may not reflect the game's actual payback percentage. However, it may be preferable to include a larger number of high-value outcomes to encourage the player that they were close to a large win. In another example, a second RNG may generate at least a portion of the displayed multiple possible outcomes, which may be arbitrary because they are not actual award outcomes that could have been won by the player. The use of a second RNG may be advantageous in that existing gaming devices may be more easily retrofitted with features of this invention. Additionally, the second RNG may relieve the main RNG or processor from performing extra tasks, thereby reducing the load on those components. - The multiple outcome portion may also include an
award window 190 that indicates an outcome awarded to the player at the end of a gaming event. The multiplepossible outcomes 185 may stream through theaward window 190 while they are scrolling. After an indication to stop the scrolling of the multiplepossible outcomes 185, the outcome value that comes to rest in theaward window 190 may be awarded to the player. In operation, thegame output 122 may show an outcome contemporaneously with the outcome value being shown in theaward window 190. For example, if thegame output 122 includes a plurality of spinning reels, the reels may stop from left to right as the scrolling of the multiplepossible outcomes 185 is slowing down. This way, anticipation of the output can still be built by stopping the reels one by one. The values of the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may reflect the number of lines bet and the number of credits bet per line. For example, if a player is wagering on 10 lines at two credits per line, the outcomes values shown in the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may be about 20 times more than if the player was only playing a single line at one credit per line. In other example embodiments, however, the outcomes displayed may only reflect the number of lines bet with the multiple credits per line being multiplied upon selection of an outcome. In yet other embodiments, the outcomes displayed may not be proportional to the number of lines or credits per line bet. As discussed below with reference toFIGS. 5A , 5B, 5C, and 5D, the multiple possible outputs may be formatted in a varied of manners including configurations that do not reflect the value of the output. - For video poker or other games that utilize player interaction between initiating a gaming event and receiving an outcome, the
multiple outcome portion 180 may be utilized in several manners. In some embodiments, the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may only be displayed after the player has interacted with the gaming device. For example, in video poker, the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may only be displayed and scrolled after the player has chosen which cards to hold and hit the “DRAW” button. In these embodiments, it may be preferable for themultiple outcome portion 180 to only display actual outcomes since there may not be a large variation in some instances, such as when the player has held four or five of the cards. When a player has held all five cards, themultiple outcome portion 180 may not be utilized or may just show a scroll of the only value the player can win. In the other embodiments, the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may be utilized before the player interaction, for both before the player interaction and after the player interaction (separate lists), or for the whole gaming event including the player interaction, such as when there is a script involved in the gaming event. - In operation, the
multiple game portion 180 may not be visible when the credit meter is at zero or has a nominal amount for a set amount of time. Additionally, themultiple game portion 180 may not be visible to all players. For example, the feature including themultiple game portion 180 may only be available to identified players, or may only be available as part of a bonus. The multiplepossible outcomes 185 may only scroll during a gaming event is some embodiments. However, in other embodiments, the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may continuously scroll after credits have been awarded at the end of a gaming event. - When the multiple
possible outcomes 185 only scroll during a gaming event, a player may make a wager and press agame initiating button 133 to start the multiplepossible outcomes 185 scrolling, as well as initiating the game on thegame display 122, such as spinning the reels. The player may press thegame initiating button 133, a physicaloutcome stopping button 134 on the player interface panel, a soft “stop” button in the outcome portion, touching thegaming display 120 over themultiple outcome portion 180, or perform another stop action to stop the multiplepossible outcomes 185 from scrolling. In some embodiments, the multiple possible outcomes may slow down when a stop action is initiated. In other embodiments, however, the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may stop abruptly. It may be preferable to have the stop action initially slow the scrolling of the multiplepossible outcomes 185 so that an awarded outcome that ends up in theaward window 190 is not visible on themultiple outcome portion 180 when the stop action is initiated. This may prevent players from trying to time a specific outcome that appears in themultiple outcome portion 180 before passing through theaward window 190. - The
multiple outcome portion 180 may be advantageous in showing a player how close they were to a large prize. To further emphasize this point, higher value outcomes among the multiplepossible outcomes 185 may be highlighted to draw the player's attention to them. In addition, a player may see a large value appear on themultiple outcome portion 180 and try to stop the scrolling outcomes such that they receive that value. As mentioned above, however, in some embodiments the player cannot stop the scrolling outcomes to reach a specific value as this may take away some of the randomness of thegaming device 100. - An
outcome indicator 155 in theoutcome portion 150 may show the values passing through theaward window 190 when the multiplepossible outcomes 185 are scrolling, or may show a last outcome received by a player in a past gaming event. The soft button in theoutcome portion 150 may switch between having a “SPIN” button functionality and a “STOP” button functionality depending on the stage of a gaming event. Since it is a soft button, the visual labeling may be changed to match the present functionality of the soft button. Thephysical stop button 134 on the player interface may be omitted in some embodiments. In these embodiments, thegame initiating button 133 or one of thegame buttons 132 may be used for a stop action. - A
timer portion 170 may be included in some embodiments. The timer may be used to allow a player a chance to initiated a stop action, but to end the gaming event within a predetermined amount of time. Thetimer portion 170 may not be visible when there are no credits on thegaming device 100 or when there are only a nominal amount of credits for a set amount of time. In other embodiments, thetimer portion 170 may only be visible during gaming events. The timer portion may include at least one of ananalog timer 175A and adigital timer 175B. Thetimer portion 170 may alert a player to the time remaining for initiating a stop action, such as pushing thestop button 134. If the player does not initiate a stop action before the timer counts down to zero (or time otherwise expires), a stop action may automatically be performed by thegamine device 100. This may be an advantageous feature in keeping game play at a similar pace to conventional games that do not require player interaction after a gaming event has been initiated (e.g., conventional slot machines). - The
timer portion 170 may also be used in conjunction with a player club benefit or bonus feature. In these embodiments, thetimer portion 170 may allow identified players, older players that have set a player club preference, or players receiving a bonus more time to initiate a stop action. - The
gaming device 100 may also be configured such that a player can hide either one of or both of themultiple outcome portion 180 andtimer portion 170. This may be preferable as some players may find these features distracting during game play. In addition, these features may be only available to players that have joined a player club. In this situation, the player may be able to modify their player club options so as to display or hide these features. - Some embodiments of the gaming device may also include a nudge feature which allows the player to select a value above or below the value shown in the
award window 190. In some embodiments, the nudge feature may allow a player to “nudge” the list of multiple possible outcomes up or down by one result so that a better result is awarded. In operation, thegaming display 122 may arrive at an initial outcome reflected by the outcome initially shown in theaward window 190 and then re-spin or re-deal to arrive at a display that reflects the outcome nudged to. The nudge feature may also be separable so that only a nudge-up action or nudge-down action is available to a player. - The nudge feature may require an additional wager, such as a side bet or buy-a-pay, or may be part of a promotional feature or bonus feature. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 4 , the nudge feature may be implemented by usingsoft buttons gaming display 120 or by using at least one of thegame initiating button 133,stop button 134, orgame button 132. One advantage of implementing this feature using thesoft buttons gaming display 120 when the nudge feature is not enabled. In addition, it may create less player confusion by utilizing the soft buttons because their labeling could by dynamically altered to reflect their functionality. For example, if a player only made a “nudge-up” side bet, thenudge button 160A corresponding to a nudge up action could be activated while thenudge button 160B corresponding to a nudge down action could be inactive (and visibly shaded). - The nudge feature may also be tied to the
timer portion 170 such that a player must make a choice to nudge up or nudge down within a predetermined time or an initial outcome is awarded. Again, the timer length may be variable depending on a player's status. -
FIGS. 5A , 5B, 5C, and 5D are detail diagrams of exemplary types of gaming devices according to embodiment of the invention. - Referring to
FIG. 5A , agaming display 220 may include agame outcome portion 222 and amultiple outcome portion 280A. Themultiple outcome portion 280A may include a list of multiplepossible outcomes 285A and anaward window 290A that is positioned in substantially a center portion of the multiplepossible outcomes 285A. Having theaward window 290A in substantially the center portion of the multiplepossible outcomes 285A may be advantageous in that it allows players to see outcomes appear in themultiple outcome portion 280A before they reach theaward window 290A. This may encourage players to try to perform a stop action to receive a specific outcome (“grab” the outcome). The scrolling speed of the multiple possible outcomes may be set such that the next outcome not yet seen on the multiple outcome portion ends in theaward window 290A when a stop action is initiated. Thus, a player may see a streak of small outcomes and initiate a stop action because they think the next value off screen will be large as the gaming device is “due” for a large outcome. On the other hand, a player may wait for a streak of higher outcomes before initiating a stop action because they think the gaming device is “hot.” - Since actual bonus value amounts are not usually determined directly by the paytable of a game, outcomes that involve a bonus (e.g., a second screen bonus) may appear in the multiple
possible outcome 285A list as just the word “BONUS.” If such an outcome appears in the award window, a separate bonus feature, which may or may not utilize themultiple outcome portion 280A, may be initiated. - Referring to
FIG. 5B , agaming display 220 may include agame outcome portion 222 and amultiple outcome portion 280B. Themultiple outcome portion 280B may include a list of multiplepossible outcomes 285B and anaward window 290B that is positioned at one end portion of themultiple outcome portion 280B. In some embodiments, theaward window 290B is positioned at an end of themultiple outcome portion 280B where the multiplepossible outcomes 285A appear. - Having the
award window 290B at an end portion of the multiplepossible outcomes 285B may be advantageous when using themultiple outcome portion 280B in conjunction with the nudge feature. Here, the player does not know what the next outcome value is. Thus, making the choice to nudge up and give up a known value for an unknown value may provide some excitement and tension for a player. In some embodiments, the nudge feature may be restricted to only allowing a nudge up; thereby only allowing a nudge to an unknown value. Again, this nudge feature may be part of a side bet or may part of a bonus or promotion. In some embodiments, the nudge feature may award the player both the initial value and the value nudged to. - Referring to
FIG. 5C , agaming display 220 may include agame outcome portion 222 and amultiple outcome portion 280C. Themultiple outcome portion 280C may include a list of multiplepossible outcomes 285C and anaward window 290C. Unlike the previously illustrated embodiments, the multiplepossible outcomes 285C and theaward window 290C may be oriented vertically. The multiplepossible outcomes 285C may stream or scroll uniformly or various columns of values could stream at different rates and/or at random intervals. In addition, theaward window 290C may move back and forth horizontally (as shown by the hidden lined windows) among the columns of multiplepossible outcomes 285C. This two dimensional movement (i.e., the vertical movement of the multiplepossible outcomes 285C and the horizontal movement of theaward window 290C) may add to the excitement of the feature. - Referring to
FIG. 5D , agaming display 220 may include agame outcome portion 222 and amultiple outcome portion 280D. Themultiple outcome portion 280D may include a list of multiplepossible outcomes 285D and anaward window 290D. Unlike the previously illustrated embodiments, the multiplepossible outcomes 285D in this embodiment are represented by actual symbol outcomes rather than an outcome value. The outcome appearing in theaward window 290D may reflect the symbols that appear on a center payline in thegame outcome portion 222 of thegaming display 220 is slot embodiments. In video poker embodiments, the symbols shown in the multiple outcome portion may reflect the five card outcome of the video poker hand. -
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , the method includes receiving awager 305 from a player on the gaming device. The wager may be received by the player betting one or more credits on a gaming event. When one or more credits have been received as a wager, the game initiation button or “SPIN” button is activated 310 so that it will respond to a player input. In other gaming device embodiments that utilize a gaming handle, the gaming handle may be unlocked in this step to allow a player to initiate a gaming event. Once the game initiation mechanisms have been activated, the gaming device determines if one of the game initiation mechanisms have been triggered by theplayer 315. If a gaming event has not been initiated, the gaming device may continue to wait for the player to initiate the gaming event or may periodically prompt the player to initiate the gaming event. - After a gaming event has been initiated, multiple possible outcomes may be scrolled 320 on the a gaming display, such as a multiple outcome portion of a gaming display. A game output, such as game reels may also triggered to spin 327. A timer is started 325 and the gaming device then determines whether a stop action event has occurred 330 to stop the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes. If it is determined that a stop action has not occurred, the gaming device may determine if the timer has reached an endpoint or stopped 335. The game device may continue to monitor whether a stop action event has occurred or the timer has stopped.
- When either a stop action event occurs or the timer has reached an end point, the gaming device determines an outcome to award to the
player 340. In some embodiments, the outcome that is awarded to the player is not determined until a stop action event has occurred or a timer has ended. In other embodiments, the outcome may be determined when a game initiating button is pressed to initiate a gaming event. In this scenario, the timing of the stop action event or timer end does not affect the ultimate outcome awarded to the player since the final outcome was determined prior to these events. - The outcome awarded to the player is then displayed to the
player 350 and a game output displays an output corresponding to the determined outcome, such as stopping the reels such that symbol line and/or scatter awards add up to the final outcome shown on the multiple outcome portion. As mentioned previously, to build anticipation, the reels may be stopped from left to right to build anticipation while the scrolling of the multiple possible outcomes is slowing down. After an outcome is displayed, prizes associated with the outcome are awarded to the player. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow diagram of another method of operating a gaming device with a display of multiple outcomes according to embodiments of the invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 7A and 7B , processes 405 to 452 are similar to theprocesses 305 to 352 described above with reference toFIG. 6 . Hence, redundant explanation of these processes will be omitted. Note, however, that the outcome determined in process 440 is an initial outcome rather than the final outcome to be awarded as was the case inprocess 340 shown inFIG. 6 . Also note that it is this initial outcome that is displayed inprocess 450 rather than the final outcome that is displayed inprocess 350. - After the initial outcome is displayed, the gaming device determines if the nudge feature is enabled 455. If the nudge feature is not enabled, the gaming device awards any prizes associated with the initial outcome to the
player 460. If the nudge feature is enabled, the gaming device determines if the previous outcome is selected by theplayer 465. If the previous outcome is selected by the player, the previous outcome is displayed on thegame display 470 and any prizes associated with the previous outcome are awarded to theplayer 475. In some embodiments, displaying the previous outcome on the game display includes both nudging the multiple possible outcome list down so that the previous outcome appears in the award window and re-spinning the reels (or re-drawing cards) such that the previous outcome is reflected on the game output portion of the gaming display. - If the previous outcome is not selected by the player, the gaming device determines if the next outcome is selected by the
player 480. If the next outcome is selected by the player, the next outcome is displayed on thegame display 485 and any prizes associated with the next outcome are awarded to theplayer 490. In some embodiments, displaying the next outcome on the game display includes both nudging the multiple possible outcome list up so that the next outcome appears in the award window and re-spinning the reels (or re-drawing cards) such that the next outcome is reflected on the game output portion of the gaming display. If the next outcome is not selected (i.e., either the player choose to keep the original output value or the timer for making a nudge ended), the gaming device awards any prizes associated with the initial outcome to theplayer 460. - Some embodiments of the invention have been described above, and in addition, some specific details are shown for purposes of illustrating the inventive principles. However, numerous other arrangements may be devised in accordance with the inventive principles of this patent disclosure. Further, well known processes have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Thus, while the invention is described in conjunction with the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings, it is not limited to these embodiments or drawings. Rather, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that come within the scope and spirit of the inventive principles set out in the appended claims.
Claims (33)
Priority Applications (2)
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US12/112,802 US20090275375A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-04-30 | Multiple outcome display for gaming devices |
AU2009200457A AU2009200457A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2009-02-06 | Multiple Outcome Display for Gaming Devices |
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US12/112,802 US20090275375A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-04-30 | Multiple outcome display for gaming devices |
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