Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REWARDING PLAYERS
BACKGROUND
[0001] Linking together electronic gaming machines on a computer network
is known. It is also known for such electronic gaming machines to provide
various
different bonuses which provide awards to players at their respective gaming
machines that are over and above any awards dictated by the pay tables of the
gaming machines
[0002] One such known bonus award is paid randomly to one of the
players via that player's gaming machine. Once a gaming machine is selected
for
this type of bonus award, a computer on the network transmits a command to the
gaming machine that causes the gaming machine to pay a predetermined amount to
the player.
[0003] Another known type of award is personal to each player and is
based on the level of that player's play. For example, a player may be issued
a
player-tracking card that is insertable into a card reader associated with
each gaming
machine. The network collects data relating to the player's play and stores it
in a
central computer. Known personal awards to the player may be a predetermined
amount or a percentage of the player's total play. They are awarded upon the
occurrence of a predetermined event such as when the player's cumulative
wagers
exceed a predetermined level.
[0004] Player tracking points is another benefit sometimes given to players
of networked gaming machines. Each player who uses their card accrues a
predetermined number of points for each dollar wagered on the networking
gaming
machines. Some systems award points for jackpots won on the gaming machines.
In
any event, the player is eligible to redeem his or her points for
complimentary meals,
merchandise, or other awards determined by the gaming venue that operates the
gaming machines.
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[0005] One concern of the gaming establishments operating gaming
machines is the overhead caused by unused gaming machines. Gaming
establishment operators are also interested in rewarding players of gaming
machines
by providing extra benefits to those players.
[0006] In light of the competitiveness of the gaming industry, there remains
a need by gaming establishment operators to better reward players of gaming
machines by the provision of awards to desired players.
SUMMARY
[0007] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide gaming systems
and methods which reward players of electronic gaming machines connected by a
network to a host computer by: (a) storing player-useable points at a network-
accessible location; (b) awarding a personal points multiplier to a player;
and (c)
applying the personal points multiplier to at least some of the points.
[0008] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method
applies the personal points multiplier prior to storage at the points storage
location.
[0009] In other embodiments, the gaming system and method applies the
personal points multiplier after storage at the points storage location.
[0010] In one or more embodiments, the points storage location forms part
of a player account.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method
includes enabling the player to use at least some of the points by converting
them
into monetary units, wherein the monetary units are convertible into credits
for
wagering on at least one of the electronic gaming machines.
[0012] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method
includes enabling the player to use at least some of the points by redeeming
them for
non-gaming activities.
[0013] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method
enables the player to selectively apply the personal points multiplier.
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[0014] In one or more embodiments, the player can only apply the personal
points multiplier to the conversion rate during a predetermined time period.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method
enables the player to select when to initiate the predetermined time period.
[0016] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method
enables the player to pause the predetermined time period.
[0017] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method and
method awards the personal points multiplier during a preselected awards
period.
[0018] In one or more embodiments, the gaming system and method
awards the personal points multiplier based on the occurrence of a game event.
[0019] In one or more embodiments, a player of one of the electronic
gaming machines may be awarded the personal points multiplier as a celebration
prize as a result of a winning wager being placed on another of the electronic
gaming
machines by another player.
[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a gaming system
including: (a) a plurality of electronic gaming machines; (b) a data storage
device for
storing player-useable points at a network-accessible location; and (c) a host
computer connected to the plurality of electronic gaming machines by a
network, the
host computer being configured to store the points at a network-accessible
location,
and to apply a personal points multiplier to at least some of the points.
[0021] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of
rewarding players of electronic gaming machines connected by a network to a
host
computer including storing player-useable units of value at a network-
accessible
location, awarding a personal units multiplier to a player, and applying the
personal
units multiplier to at least some of the units of value.
[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a gaming system
including: (a) a plurality of electronic gaming machines; (b) a data storage
device for
storing player-useable units of value at a network-accessible location; and
(c) a host
computer connected to the plurality of electronic gaming machines by a
network, the
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host computer being configured to store the units of value at a network-
accessible
location, and to apply a personal units multiplier to at least some of the
units of value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Various aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more
fully understood with reference to the drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a
plurality of electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network
to a
host computer in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be
implemented;
[0025] FIGS. 2 and 2a are schematic diagrams of different example
embodiments of an electronic gaming machine and associated hardware forming
part
of the network shown in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are illustrative examples of example screen
displays presented to a player of an electronic gaming machine shown in FIG. 2
during conversion of points attributed to a player into monetary units;
[0027] FIG. 8 depicts a flow chart, and accompanying example screen
displays, showing the steps involved in the conversion of the monetary units
shown in
FIG. 7 into credits for wagering on the electronic gaming machine shown in
FIG. 2;
and
[0028] FIGS. 9 and 10 are illustrative example screen displays presented to
a player of the electronic gaming machine shown in FIG. 2 during the awarding
and
use of a personal points multiplier prior to conversion of points into
monetary units.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present disclosure may be implemented in various
configurations for electronic gaming machines ("EGM" or "EGMs"), including but
not
limited to: (1) a dedicated EGM wherein the computerized instructions for
controlling
any games (which are provided by the EGM) are provided with the EGM prior to
delivery to a gaming establishment; and (2) a changeable EGM wherein the
computerized instructions for controlling any games (which are provided by the
EGM)
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are downloadable to the EGM through a data network after the EGM is in a
gaming
establishment. In one embodiment, the computerized instructions for
controlling any
games are executed by at least one central server, central controller, or
remote host.
In such a "thin client" embodiment, the central server remotely controls any
games
(or other suitable interfaces) and the EGM is utilized to display such games
(or
suitable interfaces) and receive one or more inputs or commands from a player.
In
another embodiment, the computerized instructions for controlling any games
are
communicated from the central server, central controller, or remote host to an
EGM
local processor and memory devices. In such a "thick client" embodiment, the
EGM
local processor executes the communicated computerized instructions to control
any
games (or other suitable interfaces) provided to a player.
[0030] In one embodiment, one or more EGMs in a gaming system may be
thin client EGMs and one or more EGMs in the gaming system may be thick client
EGM. In another embodiment, certain functions of the EGM are implemented in a
thin client environment and certain other functions of the EGM are implemented
in a
thick client environment. In one such embodiment, computerized instructions
for
controlling any primary games are communicated from the central server to the
EGM
in a thick client configuration and computerized instructions for controlling
any
secondary games or bonus functions are executed by a central server in a thin
client
configuration.
[0031] In one embodiment, the EGM includes at least one processor such
as a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated
circuit or
one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's). The processor
is in
communication with or operable to access or to exchange signals with at least
one
data storage or memory device. In one embodiment, the processor and the memory
device reside within the cabinet of the EGM. The memory device stores program
code and instructions, executable by the processor, to control the EGM. The
memory device also stores other data such as image data, event data, player
input
data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or
information,
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and applicable game rules that relate to the play of the EGM. In one
embodiment,
the memory device includes random access memory (RAM), which can include non-
volatile RAM (NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and
other forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry. In one embodiment,
the memory device includes read only memory (ROM). In one embodiment, the
memory device includes flash memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable
programmable read only memory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical, and/or
semiconductor memory may operate in conjunction with the EGMs disclosed
herein.
[0032] In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating
data described above can be stored in a detachable or removable memory device,
including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM, DVD, or USB
memory device. In other embodiments, part or all of the program code and/or
operating data described above can be downloaded to the memory device through
a
suitable network.
[0033] In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a
removable memory device in a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a hand-held
device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computing or
mobile
device, or another computerized platform to implement part of the present
disclosure.
In one embodiment, the EGMs disclosed herein are operable over a wireless
network, for example as part of a wireless gaming system. In one such
embodiment,
the EGM may be a hand-held device, a mobile device, or any other suitable
wireless
device that enables a player to play any suitable game at a variety of
different
locations. In various embodiments in which the EGM is a hand-held device, a
mobile
device, or any other suitable wireless device, at least one memory device and
at least
one processor which control the game or other operations of the hand-held
device,
mobile device, or other suitable wireless device may be located: (a) at the
hand-held
device, mobile device or other suitable wireless device; (b) at a central
server or
central controller; or (c) any suitable combination of the central server or
central
controller and the hand-held device, mobile device or other suitable wireless
device.
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It should be appreciated that an EGM as disclosed herein may be a device that
has
obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission or a device that has not
obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission.
[0034] In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the EGM
randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based on probability
data.
In one such embodiment, this random determination is provided through
utilization of
a random number generator (RNG), such as a true random number generator, a
pseudo random number generator, or other suitable randomization process. In
one
embodiment, each award or other game outcome is associated with a probability
and
the EGM generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to the player
based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the EGM
generates
outcomes randomly or based upon one or more probability calculations, there is
no
certainty that the EGM will ever provide the player with any specific award or
other
game outcome.
[0035] In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the EMG
employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or other game
outcomes. In
this embodiment, as each award or other game outcome is provided to the
player,
the EGM flags or removes the provided award or other game outcome from the
predetermined set or pool. Once flagged or removed from the set or pool, the
specific provided award or other game outcome from that specific pool cannot
be
provided to the player again. This type of EGM provides players with all of
the
available awards or other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and
guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.
[0036] In another embodiment, as discussed below, upon a player initiating
game play at the EGM, the EGM enrolls in a bingo game. In this embodiment, a
bingo server calls the bingo balls that result in a specific bingo game
outcome. The
resultant game outcome is communicated to the individual EGM to be provided to
a
player. In one embodiment, this bingo outcome is displayed to the player as a
bingo
game and/or in any form in accordance with the present disclosure.
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[0037] In one or more embodiments, the EGM includes one or more display
devices controlled by the processor. The display devices are preferably
connected to
or mounted on the cabinet of the EGM. The display devices may also display any
suitable secondary game associated with the primary game as well as
information
relating to the primary or secondary game. The display devices may also serve
as
digital glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of the gaming
establishment. In one embodiment, the EGM includes a credit display which
displays
a player's current number of credits, cash, account balance, or the
equivalent. In one
embodiment, the EGM includes a bet display which displays a player's amount
wagered. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the EGM
includes
a player tracking display which displays information regarding a player's play
tracking
status.
[0038] In other embodiments, at least one display device may be a mobile
display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables play of at least a
portion of
the primary or secondary game at a location remote from the EGM.
[0039] The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a
television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a display
based on
light emitting diodes (LEDs), a display based on a plurality of organic light-
emitting
diodes (OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a
display
based on a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display
including a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitable electronic
device
or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below,
the
display device includes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen
controller.
The display devices may be of any suitable size and configuration, such as a
square,
a rectangle or an elongated rectangle.
[0040] The display devices of the EGM are configured to display at least
one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and
indicia
such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects
such as
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mechanical, virtual, or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video
images,
images of people, characters, places, things, faces of cards, and the like.
[0041] In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia
displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the
display
device may include any electromechanical device, such as one or more
mechanical
objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels, or dice, configured to
display at
least one or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.
[0042] In certain embodiments, the EGM includes at least one payment
device in communication with the processor. A payment device such as a payment
acceptor includes a note, ticket or bill acceptor wherein the player inserts
paper
money, a ticket, or voucher and a coin slot where the player inserts money,
coins, or
tokens. In other embodiments, payment devices such as readers or validators
for
credit cards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment. In one
embodiment, a
player may insert an identification card into a card reader of the EGM. In one
embodiment, the identification card is a smart card having a programmed
microchip,
a coded magnetic strip or coded rewritable magnetic strip, wherein the
programmed
microchip or magnetic strips are coded with a player's identification, credit
totals (or
related data), and/or other relevant information. In another embodiment, a
player
may carry a portable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency
identification
tag, or any other suitable wireless device, which communicates a player's
identification, credit totals (or related data), and other relevant
information to the
EGM. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to an EGM through electronic
funds transfer. When a player funds the EGM, the processor determines the
amount
of funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit or other
suitable display as described above.
[0043] In one embodiment, the EGM includes at least one and preferably a
plurality of input devices in communication with the processor. The input
devices can
include any suitable device which enables the player to produce an input
signal
which is received by the processor. In one embodiment, after appropriate
funding of
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the EGM, the input device is a game activation device, such as a play button
or a pull
arm (not shown) which is used by the player to start any primary game or
sequence
of events in the EGM. The play button can be any suitable play activator such
as a
bet one button, a max bet button, or a repeat the bet button. In one
embodiment,
upon appropriate funding, the EGM begins the game play automatically. In
another
embodiment, upon the player engaging one of the play buttons, the EGM
automatically activates game play.
[0044] In one embodiment, one input device is a bet one button. The
player places a bet by pushing the bet one button. The player can increase the
bet
by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button. When the player
pushes the bet one button, the number of credits shown in the credit display
preferably decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet
display
preferably increases by one. In another embodiment, one input device is a bet
max
button (not shown) which enables the player to bet the maximum wager permitted
for
a game of the EGM.
[0045] In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button. The
player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment or
other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remaining
credits. In
one embodiment, when the player cashes out, a payment device, such as a
ticket,
payment, or note generator prints or otherwise generates a ticket or credit
slip to
provide to the player. The player receives the ticket or credit slip and may
redeem
the value associated with the ticket or credit slip via a cashier (or other
suitable
redemption system). In another embodiment, when the player cashes out, the
player
receives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray. It should be appreciated
that any
suitable payout mechanisms, such as funding to the player's electronically
recordable
identification card or smart card, may be implemented in accordance with the
EGM
disclosed herein.
[0046] In one embodiment, as mentioned above, one input device is a
touch-screen coupled with a touch-screen controller or some other touch-
sensitive
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
display overlay to allow for player interaction with the images on the
display. The
touch-screen and the touch-screen controller are connected to a video
controller. A
player can make decisions and input signals into the EGM by touching the touch-
screen at the appropriate locations. One such input device is a conventional
touch-
screen button panel.
[0047] The EGM may further include a plurality of communication ports for
enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as
external
video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, a SCSI port, or a
keypad.
[0048] In one embodiment, the EGM includes a sound generating device
controlled by one or more sounds cards which function in conjunction with the
processor. In one embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least
one
and preferably a plurality of speakers or other sound generating hardware
and/or
software for generating sounds, such as by playing music for the primary
and/or
secondary game or by playing music for other modes of the EGM, such as an
attract
mode. In one embodiment, the EGM provides dynamic sounds coupled with
attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices
to
provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display full-motion
video with
sound to attract players to the EGM. During idle periods, the EGM may display
a
sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potential
players to
the EGM. The videos may also be customized to provide any appropriate
information.
[0049] In one embodiment, the EGM may include a sensor, such as a
camera, in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the
processor), that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player
actively
using the EGM and/or the surrounding area of the EGM. In one embodiment, the
camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video)
images
and may be configured to acquire the images in an analog, digital, or other
suitable
format. The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired by
the
camera as well as to display the visible manifestation of the game in split
screen or
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picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of
the
player and the processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or
secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
[0050] The EGM can incorporate any suitable wagering game as the
primary or base game. The EGM may include some or all of the features of
conventional EGMs. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-
type
game, card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game, or other game
of
chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical
form,
which in one embodiment produces a random outcome based on probability data at
the time of or after placement of a wager. That is, different primary wagering
games,
such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or
any
other suitable primary or base game may be implemented. In one embodiment, the
multi-dimensional cascading symbol game is implemented as a base or primary
game.
[0051] In one or more embodiments, a base or primary game may be a slot
game with one or more paylines. In these embodiments, the EGM includes at
least
one and preferably a plurality of reels, such as three to five reels, in
either
electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or video form with
simulated
reels and movement thereof. In one embodiment, an EGM includes a plurality of
adjacent, rotatable reels which may be combined and operably coupled with an
electronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment, if the reels
are in
video form, one or more of the display devices, as described above, displays
the
plurality of simulated video reels. Each reel displays a plurality of indicia
or symbols,
such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars, or other images which
preferably
correspond to a theme associated with the EGM. In another embodiment, one or
more of the reels are independent reels or unisymbol reels. In this
embodiment,
each independent or unisymbol reel generates and displays one symbol to the
player.
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[0052] In one embodiment, one or more of the paylines may be horizontal,
vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or any combination thereof. In another
embodiment, one or more of the paylines each include a plurality of adjacent
symbol
display positions on a requisite number of adjacent reels. In one such
embodiment,
one or more paylines are formed between at least two symbol display positions
which
are adjacent to each other by either sharing a common side or sharing a common
corner (i.e., such paylines are connected paylines). In these embodiments, the
EGM
enables a player to wager on one or more of such paylines to activate such
wagered
on paylines.
[0053] In another embodiment wherein one or more paylines are formed
between at least two symbol display positions, which are adjacent to each
other, the
EGM enables a player to wager on and thus activate a plurality of symbol
display
positions. In this embodiment, one or more paylines which are formed from a
plurality of adjacent active symbol display positions on a requisite number of
adjacent
reels are activated.
[0054] In one embodiment, the EGM awards prizes after the reels of the
primary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations of indicia
or
symbols occur on an active payline or otherwise occur in a winning pattern,
occur on
the requisite number of adjacent reels and/or occur in a scatter pay
arrangement.
[0055] In an alternative embodiment, rather than determining any outcome
to provide to the player by analyzing the symbols generated on any wagered
upon
paylines as described above, the EGM determines any outcome to provide to the
player based on the number of associated symbols which are generated in active
symbol display positions on the requisite number of adjacent reels (i.e., not
on
paylines passing through any displayed winning symbol combinations). In this
embodiment, if a winning symbol combination is generated on the reels, the EGM
provides the player one award for that occurrence of the generated winning
symbol
combination. For example, if one winning symbol combination is generated on
the
reels, the EGM will provide a single award to the player for that winning
symbol
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combination (i.e., not based on the number of paylines that would have passed
through that winning symbol combination). It should be appreciated that
because an
EGM that enables wagering on ways to win provides the player one award for a
single occurrence of a winning symbol combination and an EGM with paylines may
provide the player more than one award for the same occurrence of a single
winning
symbol combination (i.e., if a plurality of paylines each pass through the
same
winning symbol combination), it is possible to provide a player at a ways to
win EGM
with more ways to win for an equivalent bet or wager on a traditional slot EGM
with
paylines.
[0056] In one embodiment, the total number of ways to win is determined
by multiplying the number of symbols generated in active symbol display
positions on
a first reel by the number of symbols generated in active symbol display
positions on
a second reel by the number of symbols generated in active symbol display
positions
on a third reel and so on for each reel of the EGM with at least one symbol
generated
in an active symbol display position. For example, a three reel EGM with three
symbols generated in active symbol display positions on each reel includes 27
ways
to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel x 3 symbols on the second reel x 3
symbols on
the third reel). A four reel EGM with three symbols generated in active symbol
display positions on each reel includes 81 ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the
first reel
x 3 symbols on the second reel x 3 symbols on the third reel x 3 symbols on
the
fourth reel). A five reel EGM with three symbols generated in active symbol
display
positions on each reel includes 243 ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first
reel x 3
symbols on the second reel x 3 symbols on the third reel x 3 symbols on the
fourth
reel x 3 symbols on the fifth reel). It should be appreciated that modifying
the number
of generated symbols by either modifying the number of reels or modifying the
number of symbols generated in active symbol display positions by one or more
of
the reels modifies the number of ways to win.
[0057] In another embodiment, the EGM enables a player to wager on and
thus activate symbol display positions. In one such embodiment, the symbol
display
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positions are on the reels. In this embodiment, if based on the player's
wager, a reel
is activated, then each of the symbol display positions of that reel will be
activated
and each of the active symbol display positions will be part, of one or more
of the
ways to win. In one embodiment, if based on the player's wager, a reel is not
activated, then a designated number of default symbol display positions, such
as a
single symbol display position of the middle row of the reel, will be
activated and the
default symbol display position(s) will be part of one or more of the ways to
win. This
type of EGM enables a player to wager on one, more than one or all of the
reels and
the processor of the EGM uses the number of wagered on reels to determine the
active symbol display positions and the number of possible ways to win. In
alternative embodiments, (1) no symbols are displayed as generated at any of
the
inactive symbol display positions, or (2) any symbols generated at any
inactive
symbol display positions may be displayed to the player but suitably shaded or
otherwise designated as inactive.
[0058] In one embodiment wherein a player wagers on one or more reels, a
player's wager of one credit may activate each of the three symbol display
positions
on a first reel, wherein one default symbol display position is activated on
each of the
remaining four reels. In this example, as described above, the EGM provides
the
player three ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel x 1 symbol on the
second
reel x 1 symbol on the third reel x 1 symbol on the fourth reel x 1 symbol on
the fifth
reel). In another example, a player's wager of nine credits may activate each
of the
three symbol display positions on a first reel, each of the three symbol
display
positions on a second reel and each of the three symbol display positions on a
third
reel wherein one default symbol display position is activated on each of the
remaining
two reels. In this example, as described above, the EGM provides the player
twenty-
seven ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel x 3 symbols on the second
reel x 3
symbols on the third reel x 1 symbol on the fourth reel x 1 symbol on the
fifth reel).
[0059] In one embodiment, to determine any award(s) to provide to the
player based on the generated symbols, the EGM individually determines if a
symbol
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
generated in an active symbol display position on a first reel forms part of a
winning
symbol combination with or is otherwise suitably related to a symbol generated
in an
active symbol display position on a second reel. In this embodiment, the EGM
classifies each pair of symbols which form part of a winning symbol
combination (i.e.,
each pair of related symbols) as a string of related symbols. For example, if
active
symbol display positions include a first cherry symbol generated in the top
row of a
first reel and a second cherry symbol generated in the bottom row of a second
reel,
the EGM classifies the two cherry symbols as a string of related symbols
because the
two cherry symbols form part of a winning symbol combination.
[0060] After determining if any strings of related symbols are formed
between the symbols on the first reel and the symbols on the second reel, the
EGM
determines if any of the symbols from the next adjacent reel should be added
to any
of the formed strings of related symbols. In this embodiment, for a first of
the
classified strings of related symbols, the EGM determines if any of the
symbols
generated by the next adjacent reel form part of a winning symbol combination
or are
otherwise related to the symbols of the first string of related symbols. If
the EGM
determines that a symbol generated on the next adjacent reel is related to the
symbols of the first string of related symbols, that symbol is subsequently
added to
the first string of related symbols. For example, if the first string of
related symbols is
the string of related cherry symbols and a related cherry symbol is generated
in the
middle row of the third reel, the EGM adds the related cherry symbol generated
on
the third reel to the previously classified string of cherry symbols.
[0061] On the other hand, if the EGM determines that no symbols
generated on the next adjacent reel are related to the symbols of the first
string of
related symbols, the EGM marks or flags such string of related symbols as
complete.
For example, if the first string of related symbols is the string of related
cherry
symbols and none of the symbols of the third reel are related to the cherry
symbols of
the previously classified string of cherry symbols, the EGM marks or flags the
string
of two cherry symbols as complete.
16
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[0062] After either adding a related symbol to the first string of related
symbols or marking the first string of related symbols as complete, the EGM
proceeds as described above for each of the remaining classified strings of
related
symbols which were previously classified or formed from related symbols on the
first
and second reels.
[0063] After analyzing each of the remaining strings of related symbols, the
EGM determines, for each remaining pending or incomplete string of related
symbols, if any of the symbols from the next adjacent reel, if any, should be
added to
any of the previously classified strings of related symbols. This process
continues
until either each string of related symbols is complete or there are no more
adjacent
reels of symbols to analyze. In this embodiment, where there are no more
adjacent
reels of symbols to analyze, the EGM marks each of the remaining pending
strings of
related symbols as complete.
[0064] When each of the strings of related symbols is marked complete,
the EGM compares each of the strings of related symbols to an appropriate
paytable
and provides the player any award associated with each of the completed
strings of
symbols. It should be appreciated that the player is provided one award, if
any, for
each string of related symbols generated in active symbol display positions
(i.e., as
opposed to a quantity of awards being based on how many paylines that would
have
passed through each of the strings of related symbols in active symbol display
positions).
[0065] In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game
wherein the EGM enables the player to play a conventional game of video draw
poker and initially deals five cards all face up from a virtual deck of fifty-
two cards.
Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of the
EGM, the
cards may be randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the
player
wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one or more input
devices,
such as by pressing related hold buttons or via the touch screen. The player
then
presses the deal button and the unwanted or discarded cards are removed from
the
17
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
display and the EGM deals the replacement cards from the remaining cards in
the
deck. This results in a final five-card hand. The EGM compares the final five-
card
hand to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to
determine
the winning hands. The EGM provides the player with an award based on a
winning
hand and the number of credits the player wagered.
[0066] In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-
hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the EGM deals the player at
least
two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards are the same cards. In
one
embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The
player
chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary
hand are
also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are
removed
from each hand displayed and for each hand replacement cards are randomly
dealt
into that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently
for
each hand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. The
poker
hand rankings are then determined hand by hand against a payout table and
awards
are provided to the player.
[0067] In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game
wherein the EGM displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers on at
least one
of the display devices. In this embodiment, the player selects at least one
bit
potentially a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers via an input
device such as
a touch screen. The EGM then displays a series of drawn numbers and determine
an amount of matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and the
EGM's
drawn numbers. The player is provided an award based on the amount of matches,
if any, based on the amount of determined matches and the number of numbers
drawn.
[0068] In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits or other awards in
a base or primary game, the EGM may also give players the opportunity to win
credits in a bonus or secondary game or in a bonus or secondary round. In one
embodiment, the multi-dimensional cascading symbol game is implemented as a
18
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
bonus or secondary game. The bonus or secondary game enables the player to
obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained
from the
base or primary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces a
significantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primary game
because
it provides a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game,
and is
accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the base or primary
game. In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type of
suitable game, either. similar to or completely different from the base or
primary
game.
[0069] In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may
be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of one
or
more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as the number seven
appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in the primary slot game. In
other
embodiments, the triggering event or qualifying condition occurs based on
exceeding
a certain amount of game play (such as number of games, number of credits,
amount
of time), or reaching a specified number of points earned during game play.
[0070] In another embodiment, the EGM processor or central controller
randomly provides the player one or more plays of one or more secondary games.
In
one such embodiment, the EGM does not provide any apparent reason to the
player
for qualifying to play a secondary or bonus game. In this embodiment,
qualifying for
a bonus game is not triggered by an event in or based specifically on any of
the plays
of any primary game. That is, the EGM may simply qualify a player to play a
secondary game without any explanation or alternatively with simple
explanations. In
another embodiment, the EGM (or central server) qualifies a player for a
secondary
game at least partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggered event,
such as
at least partially based on the play of a primary game.
[0071] In one embodiment, the EGM includes a program which will
automatically begin a bonus round after the player has achieved a triggering
event or
qualifying condition in the base or primary game. In another embodiment, after
a
19
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
player has qualified for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance
his/her
bonus game participation through continued play on the base or primary game.
Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player
obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be
accumulated in a "bonus meter" programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits
or entries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of
multiple
such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic
or
exponential increase in the number of bonus wagering credits awarded. In one
embodiment, the player may redeem extra bonus wagering credits during the
bonus
game to extend play of the bonus game.
[0072] In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy-in for a bonus
game is needed. That is, a player may not purchase entry into a bonus game;
rather
they must win or earn entry through play of the primary game, thus encouraging
play
of the primary game. In another embodiment, qualification of the bonus or
secondary
game is accomplished through a simple "buy-in" by the player-for example, if
the
player has been unsuccessful at qualifying through other specified activities.
In
another embodiment, the player must make a separate side-wager on the bonus
game or wager a designated amount in the primary game to qualify for the
secondary
game. In this embodiment, the secondary game triggering event must occur and
the
side-wager (or designated primary game wager amount) must have been placed to
trigger the secondary game.
[0073] In one embodiment, one or more of the EGMs are in communication
with each other and/or at least one central controller through a data network
or
remote communication link. In this embodiment, the central server, central
controller
or remote host is any suitable server or computing device which includes at
least one
processor and at least one memory or storage device. In different such
embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or a processor of
one of
the EGMs in the gaming system. In these embodiments, the processor of each EGM
is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands, or any other
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
suitable data or signal between the individual EGM and the central server. The
EGM
processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages, or
commands in conjunction with the operation of the EGM. Moreover, the processor
of
the central server is designed to transmit and receive events, messages,
commands,
or any other suitable data or signal between the central server and each of
the
individual EGMs. The central server processor is operable to execute such
communicated events, messages, or commands in conjunction with the operation
of
the central server. It should be appreciated that one, more or each of the
functions of
the central controller, central server or remote host as disclosed herein may
be
performed by one or more EGM processors. It should be further appreciated that
one, more or each of the functions of one or more EGM processors as disclosed
herein may be performed by the central controller, central server or remote
host.
[0074] In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is
determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the
EGM.
In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such EGMs is in communication with
the
central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the
EGMs,
the initiated EGM communicates a game outcome request to the central server or
controller.
[0075] In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the
game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary
game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or
controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on
probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller
randomly
generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game
based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or
controller is
capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the
processor
and memory device of the EGM.
[0076] In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller
maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game
21
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the
game
outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a
set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks
the
selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is
prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected
by the
central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can
include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and
secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such as free games.
[0077] The central server or controller communicates the generated or
selected game outcome to the initiated EGM. The EGM receives the generated or
selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an
alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be
presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination or a
hand of
cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or
controller and
communicated to the initiated EGM to be presented or displayed to the player.
Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other
entity in
maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventing
cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss
volatility, and
the like.
[0078] In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome value is
determined for each of a plurality of linked or networked EGMs based on the
results
of a bingo, keno, or lottery game. In this embodiment, each individual EGM
utilizes
one or more bingo, keno, or lottery games to determine the predetermined game
outcome value provided to the player for the interactive game played at that
EGM. In
one embodiment, the bingo, keno, or lottery game is displayed to the player.
In
another embodiment, the bingo, keno or lottery game is not displayed to the
player,
but the results of the bingo, keno, or lottery game determine the
predetermined game
outcome value for the primary or secondary game.
22
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
[0079] In the various bingo embodiments, as each EGM is enrolled in the
bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or engaging an input device, the
enrolled EGM is provided or associated with a different bingo card. Each bingo
card
consists of a matrix or array of elements, wherein each element is designated
with
separate indicia, such as a number. It should be appreciated that each
different
bingo card includes a different combination of elements. For example, if four
bingo
cards are provided to four enrolled EGMs, the same element may be present on
all
four of the bingo cards while another element may solely be present on one of
the
bingo cards.
[0080] In operation of these embodiments, upon providing or associating a
different bingo card with each of a plurality of enrolled EGMs, the central
controller
randomly selects or draws, one at a time, a plurality of the elements. As each
element is selected, a determination is made for each EGM as to whether the
selected element is present on the bingo card provided to that enrolled EGM.
This
determination can be made by the central controller, the EGM, a combination of
the
two, or in any other suitable manner. If the selected element is present on
the bingo
card provided to that enrolled EGM, that selected element on the provided
bingo card
is marked or flagged. This process of selecting elements and marking any
selected
elements on the provided bingo cards continues until one or more predetermined
patterns are marked on one or more of the provided bingo cards. It should be
appreciated that in one embodiment, the EGM requires the player to engage a
daub
button (not shown) to initiate the process of the EGM marking or flagging any
selected elements.
[0081] After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or
more of the provided bingo cards, a game outcome is determined for each of the
enrolled EGMs based, at least in part, on the selected elements on the
provided
bingo cards. As described above, the game outcome determined for each EGM
enrolled in the bingo game is utilized by that EGM to determine the
predetermined
game outcome provided to the player. For example, a first EGM to have selected
23
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
elements marked in a predetermined pattern is provided a first outcome of win
$10
which will be provided to a first player regardless of how the first player
plays in a first
game, and a second EGM to have selected elements marked in a different
predetermined pattern is provided a second outcome of win $2 which will be
provided
to a second player regardless of how the second player plays a second game. It
should be appreciated that as the process of marking selected elements
continues
until one or more predetermined patterns are marked, this embodiment ensures
that
at least one bingo card will win the bingo game and thus at least one enrolled
EGM
will provide a predetermined winning game outcome to a player. It should be
appreciated that other suitable methods for selecting or determining one or
more
predetermined game outcomes may be employed.
[0082] In one example of the above-described embodiment, the
predetermined game outcome may be based on a supplemental award in addition to
any award provided for winning the bingo game as described above. In this
embodiment, if one or more elements are marked in supplemental patterns within
a
designated number of drawn elements, a supplemental or intermittent award or
value
associated with the marked supplemental pattern is provided to the player as
part of
the predetermined game outcome. For example, if the four corners of a bingo
card
are marked within the first twenty selected elements, a supplemental award of
$10 is
provided to the player as part of the predetermined game outcome. It should be
appreciated that in this embodiment, the player of an EGM may be provided a
supplemental or intermittent award regardless of whether the enrolled EGM's
provided bingo card wins or does not win the bingo game as described above.
[0083] In another embodiment, one or more of the EGMs are in
communication with a central server or controller for monitoring purposes
only. That
is, each individual EGM randomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to
the player and the central server or controller monitors the activities and
events
occurring on the plurality of EGMs. In one embodiment, the gaming network
includes
a real-time or on-line accounting and gaming information system operably
coupled to
24
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
the central server or controller. The accounting and gaming information system
of
this embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles, a
player
tracking module for tracking players and a credit system for providing
automated
casino transactions.
[0084] In the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the EGMs are
associated with or otherwise integrated with one or more player tracking
systems.
Player tracking systems enable gaming establishments to recognize the value of
customer loyalty through identifying frequent customers and rewarding them for
their
patronage. The EGM and/or player tracking system tracks any player's gaming
activity at the EGM. In one such embodiment, the EGM includes at least one
card
reader in communication with the processor. In this embodiment, a player is
issued a
player identification card which has an encoded player identification number
that
uniquely identifies the player. When a player inserts their playing tracking
card into
the card reader to begin a gaming session, the card reader reads the player
identification number off the player tracking card to identify the player. The
EGM
and/or associated player tracking system timely tracks any suitable
information or
data relating to the identified player's gaming session. Directly or via the
central
controller, the EGM processor communicates such information to the player
tracking
system. The EGM and/or associated player tracking system also timely tracks
when
a player removes their player tracking card when concluding play for that
gaming
session. In another embodiment, rather than requiring a player to insert a
player
tracking card, the EGM utilizes one or more portable devices carried by a
player,
such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag or any other
suitable
wireless device to track when a player begins and ends a gaming session. In
another embodiment, the EGM utilizes any suitable biometric technology or
ticket
technology to track when a player begins and ends a gaming session.
[0085] During one or more gaming sessions, the EGM and/or player
tracking system tracks any suitable information or data, such as any amounts
wagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at which these wagers are
placed.
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
In different embodiments, for one or more players, the player tracking system
includes the player's account number, the player's card number, the player's
first
name, the player's surname, the player's preferred name, the player's player
tracking
ranking, any promotion status associated with the player's player tracking
card, the
player's address, the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, the
player's recent
gaming sessions, or any other suitable data. In various embodiments such
tracked
information and/or any suitable feature associated with the player tracking
system is
displayed on a player tracking display. In various embodiments, such tracked
information and/or any suitable feature associated with the player tracking
system is
displayed via one or more service windows (not shown) which are displayed on
the
central display device and/or the upper display device.
[0086] In one embodiment, a plurality of the EGMs are capable of being
connected together through a data network. In one embodiment, the data network
is
a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of the EGMs are substantially
proximate to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in, for
example,
a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In another
embodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more
of
the EGMs are in communication with at least one off-site central server or
controller.
In this embodiment, the plurality of EGMs may be located in a different part
of the
gaming establishment or within a different gaming establishment than the off-
site
central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central
server or
controller and an off-site EGM located within gaming establishments in the
same
geographic area, such as a city or state. The WAN gaming system may be
substantially identical to the LAN gaming system described above, although the
number of EGMs in each system may vary relative to one another.
[0087] In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet.
In this embodiment, the operation of the EGM can be viewed at the EGM with at
least
one internet browser. In this embodiment, operation of the EGM and
accumulation of
credits may be accomplished with only a connection to the central server or
26
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
controller (the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or
other data
transmission line, digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable,
fiber optic
cable, or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players may access an
internet game page from any location where an internet connection and computer
or
other internet facilitator is available. The expansion in the number of
computers and
number and speed of internet connections in recent years increases
opportunities for
players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. It should be
appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communications may
render such technology suitable for some or all communications, particularly
if such
communications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful
for
enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and interaction with
the
player.
[0088] As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the present disclosure
may be employed in a server-based gaming system. In one such embodiment, as
described above, one or more EGMs are in communication with a central server
or
controller. The central server or controller may be any suitable server or
computing
device which includes at least one processor and a memory or storage device.
In
alternative embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or
another
EGM in the gaming system. In one embodiment, the memory device of the central
server stores different game programs and instructions, executable by an EGM
processor, to control the EGM. Each executable game program represents a
different game or type of game which may be played on one or more of the EGMs
in
the gaming system. Such different games may include the same or substantially
the
same game play with different pay tables. In different embodiments, the
executable
game program is for a primary game, a secondary game or both. In another
embodiment, the game program may be executable as a secondary game to be
played simultaneous with the play of a primary game (which may be downloaded
to
or otherwise stored on the EGM) or vice versa.
27
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
[0089] In this embodiment, each EGM at least includes one or more display
devices and/or one or more input devices for interaction with a player. A
local
processor, such as the above-described EGM processor or a processor of a local
server, is operable with the display device(s) and/or the input device(s) of
one or
more of the EGMs.
[0090] In operation, the central controller is operable to communicate one
or more of the stored game programs to at least one local processor. In
different
embodiments, the stored game programs are communicated or delivered by
embedding the communicated game program in a device or a component (e.g., a
microchip to be inserted in an EGM), writing the game program on a disc or
other
media, or downloading or streaming the game program over a dedicated data
network, internet, or a telephone line. After the stored game programs are
communicated from the central server, the local processor executes the
communicated program to facilitate play of the communicated program by a
player
through the display device(s) and/or input device(s) of the EGM. That is, when
a
game program is communicated to a local processor, the local processor changes
the game or type of game played at the EGM.
[0091] In another embodiment, a plurality of EGMs at one or more gaming
sites may be networked to the central server in a progressive configuration,
as known
in the art, wherein a portion of each wager to initiate a base or primary game
may be
allocated to one or more progressive awards. In one embodiment, a progressive
gaming system host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the central
servers at a
variety of mutually remote gaming sites for providing a multi-site linked
progressive
automated gaming system. In one embodiment, a progressive gaming system host
site computer may serve EGMs distributed throughout a number of properties at
different geographical locations including, for example, different locations
within a city
or different cities within a state.
[0092] In one embodiment, the progressive gaming system host site
computer is maintained for the overall operation and control of the
progressive
28
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
gaming system. In this embodiment, a progressive gaming system host site
computer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the master for
computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sites report to,
and
receive information from, the progressive gaming system host site computer.
Each
central server computer is responsible for all data communication between the
EGM
hardware and software and the progressive gaming system host site computer. In
one embodiment, an individual EGM may trigger a progressive award win. In
another
embodiment, a central server (or the progressive gaming system host site
computer)
determines when a progressive award win is triggered. In another embodiment,
an
individual EGM and a central controller (or progressive gaming system host
site
computer) work in conjunction with each other to determine when a progressive
win
is triggered, for example through an individual EGM meeting a predetermined
requirement established by the central controller.
[0093] In one embodiment, a progressive award win is triggered based on
one or more game play events, such as a symbol-driven trigger. In other
embodiments, the progressive award triggering event or qualifying condition
may be
achieved by exceeding a certain amount of game play (such as number of games,
number of credits, or amount of time), or reaching a specified number of
points
earned during game play. In another embodiment, an EGM is randomly or
apparently randomly selected to provide a player of that EGM one or more
progressive awards. In one such embodiment, the EGM does not provide any
apparent reasons to the player for winning a progressive award, wherein
winning the
progressive award is not triggered by an event in or based specifically on any
of the
plays of any primary game. That is, a player is provided a progressive award
without
any explanation or alternatively with simple explanations. In another
embodiment, a
player is provided a progressive award at least partially based on a game
triggered or
symbol triggered event, such as at least partially based on the play of a
primary
game.
29
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
[0094] In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are
each funded via a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a player must
place or
wager a side bet to be eligible to win the progressive award associated with
the side
bet. In one embodiment, the player must place the maximum bet and the side bet
to
be eligible to win one of the progressive awards. In another embodiment, if
the
player places or wagers the required side bet, the player may wager at any
credit
amount during the primary game (i.e., the player need not place the maximum
bet
and the side bet to be eligible to win one of the progressive awards). In one
such
embodiment, the greater the player's wager (in addition to the placed side
bet), the
greater the odds or probability that the player will win one of the
progressive awards.
It should be appreciated that one or more of the progressive awards may each
be
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary games of
the
EGMs in the gaming system, via a gaming establishment or via any suitable
manner.
[0095] In another embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are
partially funded via a side-bet or side-wager which the player may make (and
which
may be tracked via a side-bet meter). In one embodiment, one or more of the
progressive awards are funded with only side-bets or side-wagers placed. In
another
embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are funded based on player's
wagers as described above as well as any side-bets or side-wagers placed.
[0096] In one alternative embodiment, a minimum wager level is required
for an EGM to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the progressive awards.
In one
embodiment, this minimum wager level is the maximum wager level for the
primary
game in the EGM. In another embodiment, no minimum wager level is required for
an EGM to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the progressive awards.
[0097] In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of linked
EGMs in a gaming system participate in a group gaming environment. In one
embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of linked EGMs work in
conjunction
with one another, such as by playing together as a team or group, to win one
or more
awards. In one such embodiment, any award won by the group is shared, either
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
equally or based on any suitable criteria, amongst the different players of
the group.
In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of linked EGMs
compete
against one another for one or more awards. In one such embodiment, a
plurality of
players at a plurality of linked EGMs participate in a gaming tournament for
one or
more awards. In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of
linked
EGMs play for one or more awards wherein an outcome generated by one EGM
affects the outcomes generated by one or more linked EGMs.
[0098] Turning now to the figures, and particularly to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a
schematic diagram illustrating example EGMs, such as EGMs 12 and 14,
interconnected by a computer network 10. In this illustrated embodiment, the
EGM
includes a slot machine. As mentioned above, it should be appreciated that the
present disclosure can be implemented with other EGMs. Included in the network
are three banks of EGMs, indicated generally at 16, 18, and 20, of EGMs. Each
EGM
is connected via an Ethernet network connection, like connection 22, 24, and
26 to a
site controller 28 or transaction server 30. The site controller and
transaction server
includes application software, operating system and server hardware. The site
controller at 28 functions as a data control switch and concentrator to route
data from
EGMs at remote sites to transaction servers at 30. The transaction server
connected
via Ethernet connection 32 to database server 34 functions to place all the
data
gathered from each of the EGMs into a format compatible with the
accounting/patron
loyalty database 36. The transaction server 30 also facilitates data
communication
between the EGMs in its associated bank and the other components on the
network
for purposes such as messages that appear on displays associated with each
EGM.
The database server 34 includes application software, operating system and
server
hardware.
[0099] The services server 38 connected via Ethernet connection 32 hosts
additional service applications that include bonus host 40 used to control
bonus
applications 42 on the network. The services server includes application
software,
operating system and server hardware. Each bonus application at 42 and 44
includes
31
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
a set of rules for awarding jackpots in excess of those established by the pay
tables
on each EGM. For example, some bonus awards may be made randomly, while
others may be made to link to groups of EGMs operating in a progressive
jackpot
mode.
[00100] Databases 36 and 46 respectively maintain a set of bonus values
and a set of timers for controlling the period during which the bonus values
are
available to players having been awarded a bonus prize. Databases 36 and 46
are
operably connected to, and controlled by, transaction servers 30, bonus host
40 and
bonus apps 42 and 44.
[00101] Databases 45 and 47 respectively maintain a bank of point multiplier
values and a bank of timers for controlling the period during which the point
multiplier
values are available to players having been awarded a personal points
multiplier
prize. Databases 45 and 47 are operably connected to, and controlled by, the
database server 34.
[00102] FIGS. 2 and 2a are highly schematic representations of example
electronic gaming machines, which are typical of each of the electronic gaming
machines in the network, and incorporates network communications hardware as
described hereinafter. Preferably a network connection 22, directly to the EGM
Logic
52 or SMI 50 facilitates communication between the EGM and Host system (FIG. 1
-
28, 30). Communication between the SMI 50 and EGM Logic 52 occurs via a
network
connection 54. EGM Logic 52, controls the operation of EGM 12. Included in EGM
12
are three reels. Each reel includes a plurality of different symbols thereon.
The reels
spin in response to a pull on handle 51 or actuation of a spin button 53 after
a wager
is made. The three reels may be implemented as physical reels or, as is shown
in
FIG. 1, as a display 48 controlled by the EGM Logic 52 depicting virtual
representations of the reels. SMI 50 may include a random access memory (RAM),
which can be used as later described herein. The SMI also facilitates
communication
between the network and a display (Service Display) 72, and a card reader 60.
In
32
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
another embodiment FIG. 2a the card reader 60 is shown to connect the EGM
Logic
52, and the service display 72 functionality in the EGM Display 48.
[00103] Before describing play according to the present disclosure,
description will first be made of an example play on an electronic gaming
machine,
like EGM 12. A player plays EGM 12 by placing a wager and then pulling handle
51
or depressing spin button 53. The wager may be placed by inserting a bill into
a bill
acceptor 68. A typical slot machine, like EGM 12, includes a coin acceptor
(not
shown) that may also be used by the player to make a wager.
[00104] The EGM Display 48 notably displays a credit meter that indicates
the total number of credits available for the player to wager. The credits are
in the
base denomination of the machine. For example, in a 5 cent slot machine, when
a
ten dollar bill is inserted into bill/ticket acceptor 68, a credit of 200
appears on EGM
Display 48. Similarly, in a 10 cent slot machine, when a ten dollar bill is
inserted into
bill/ticket acceptor 68, a credit of 100 appears on credit meter displayed on
EGM
Display 48.
[00105] To place a wager, the player depresses a coin-in button (not
shown), which transfers a credit from the credit meter to a coin-in meter,
which is also
displayed on the EGM Display 48. Each time the button is depressed a single
credit
transfers to the coin-in meter up to a maximum bet that can be placed on a
single
play of the machine. Alternatively, a maximum-bet button (also not shown) is
provided to immediately transfer the maximum number of credits that can be
wagered on a single play from the credit meter to the coin-in meter. When the
coin-in
meter reflects the number of credits that the player intends to wager, the
player
depresses spin button 53 thereby initiating a game.
[00106] The player may choose to have a jackpot won applied to the credit
meter.
[00107] When the player wishes to cash out, the player depresses a cash-
out button 74, which causes the credits on the credit meter to be paid in
coins to the
player at a hopper 76 or by ticket at a ticket printer 78, which is part of
machine 12.
33
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
The machine consequently pays to the player, via hopper 76 or ticket printer
78, the
value of the credit meter in the local currency.
[00108] Card reader 60 reads a player-tracking card 66 that is issued by the
gaming venue to individual players who choose to have such a card. Card reader
60
and player-tracking card 66 are known in the art. Briefly summarizing such a
system,
a player registers with the gaming venue prior to commencing gaming. The
gaming
venue issues a unique player-tracking card to the player and opens a
corresponding
player account that is stored on accounting patron loyalty database 36 (in
FIG. 1).
The account includes the player's name and mailing address and perhaps other
information of interest to the gaming venue in connection with marketing
efforts. Prior
to playing one of the EGMs in FIG. 1, the player inserts card 66 into reader
60 thus
permitting accounting patron loyalty database 36 to track player activity,
such as
amounts wagered and won and rate of play.
[00109] To reward the player for using the card, the gaming venue awards
each player points proportional to the money wagered by the player. Players
consequently accrue points at a rate related to the amount wagered. The points
are
displayed on a service display 72. In one or more embodiments, the service
display
72 may be a touch-screen display to enable information to be presented to a
player
as well as player commands to be received by the gaming machine.
[00110] In other implementations, points may be accumulated in the player
account as a function of a broad variety a gaming activity, and not just as a
function
of credits wagered. For example, points may be accumulated in a player account
as
a function of the frequency of wagering over a time period, or even as a
function of
non-wagering gaming activity such as time that a player leaves their player
tracking
card inserted in a gaming machine. Points may also be accumulated based upon
the
number of games played, credits won or lost (and not only credits wagered) by
a
player on a bet, total credits or lost won by a player, etc. The present
disclosure
contemplates other alternatives.
34
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
[00111] In such systems, a player may take his or her card to a special desk
in the gaming venue where a gaming venue employee scans the card to determine
how many accrued points are in the player's account. Alternately the player
may
have the card read at one of several kiosks in the gaming venue. The player
may
then redeem points for selected merchandise, meals in gaming venue
restaurants, or
the like, which each have assigned point values.
[00112] In addition to point accrual based on play, in certain embodiments
points are awarded to reward players for signing up for carded play, to
welcome back
returning players and the like. In EGMs which include the Xtra Credit TM
system
provided by IGT TM, players are able to convert their points directly on an
EGM to use
as extra credits for use in placing wagers on that EGM, so that players
experience
uninterrupted and more game play and longer entertainment.
[00113] Once a user has inserted his or her player tracking card 66 into the
reader 60 of EGMs including the Xtra Credit TM system, the SMI 50 retrieves
player
tracking data associated with that player from the accounting/patron loyalty
database
36 (in FIG. 1). The player tracking data includes points accrued by or awarded
to that
player.
[00114] In the above-described embodiment, the points are stored in the
player account on accounting/patron loyalty database 36. However, in other
embodiments the awarded points may be stored in a machine-readable memory of
the player-tracking card 66, a memory device associated with an EGM being used
by
a player, or indeed at any other network-accessible location.
[00115] The network accessible location at which the player-redeemable
points are stored need not be associated with a particular player or player
account.
For example, the gaming venue may award points to players by providing them
with
points awards cards on which player-useable points are stored. The stored
points
may be read and available for use by the player - for example, by conversion
into
monetary units which can then be converted into credits for wagering, or by
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
redemption for merchandise, beverages, meals and the like - upon insertion of
such
the points awards card in the card reader 60.
[00116] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict exemplary images 80 and 82 displayed
consecutively on the touch-screen service display 72 after insertion of a
player
tracking card into the reader to show a player their accumulated or awarded
points.
[00117] When the player presses a "Menu" button of the image 82 shown on
the display 72, a further image 84 is displayed on the display 72. As can be
seen in
FIG. 5, the image 84 notably displays a "Point Play" button. When the player
presses
in the "Point Play" button, the player is presented with a further image 86 on
the
display 72, as can be seen in FIG. 6, which shows a series of buttons to
enable the
player to select an amount of points which can be converted into credits for
wagering
on the gaming machine 12. In this illustrative example, a player can choose
to:
(a) convert 100 points into monetary units of $1.00; (b) convert 200 points
into
monetary units of $2.00; (c) convert 300 points into monetary units of $3.00;
or
(d) convert 1000 points into monetary units of $10.00. In this example, the
conversion
rate at which the points are converted into corresponding monetary units is 1
point =
1 cent although it will be appreciated that one or more different conversion
rates may
be used in other embodiments.
[00118] Once the player has selected a button corresponding to the desired
amount of points to be converted, he or she is presented with a further image
88 on
the display 72, as shown in FIG. 7, and asked to confirm the operation by
pressing on
a "Confirm" button.
[00119] As shown in FIG. 7, at step 100, the display 72 shows to the player
monetary units able to be converted into credits for wagering on the gaming
machine
12, while the display 48 generates representations of a credit meter, a coin-
in meter
and a win meter. In this illustrative example, display 72 shows that an amount
of
$10.00 has been converted from points in the player account. The credit meter
displays 100 credits and a corresponding value of $10.00 (indicating that the
gaming
machine has a base denomination of 10 cents), the coin-in meter displays 50
credits
36
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
and a corresponding value of $5.00 which will be wagered the next time the
spin
button 53 is depressed, and the win meter displays that 0 credits and a
corresponding value of $0.00 have been won by the player.
[00120] At step 102, the player depressed the spin button 53, which causes
a bet of 50 credits and a corresponding value of $5.00 to be placed on the
outcome
of the next game (spinning reel positions) played on the EMG. If no winning
outcome
occurs, then at step 104 the credits shown on the credit meter are reduced by
the
amount of the credits applied to the coin-in meter before the next wager. In
this
illustrative example, the credit meter now displays 50 credits and a
corresponding
value of $5.00 whereas the coin-in meter once again displays 50 credits and a
corresponding value of $5.00.
[00121] At step 106, the gaming machine determines if there are still
monetary units shown on the display 72. If so, then at step 108, at least some
of the
monetary units are converted into credits on the credit meter to compensate
for the
reduction in credits on the credit meter described in the preceding paragraph.
In this
illustrative example, the credit meter once again displays 100 credits and a
corresponding value of $10.00, the coin-in meter displays 50 credits and a
corresponding value of $5.00 which will be wagered the next time the spin
button 53
is depressed, but the display 72 now shows that a reduced monetary amount of
$5.00.
[00122] Steps 100 to 108 are repeated until there is no longer any monetary
units shown on the display 72, in which case, normal credit play continues at
step
110. That is, the credit meter will only indicate credits and corresponding
value from
bills input to the gaming machine via the bill acceptor 68.
[00123] When the player has concluded play on the machine 12, he or she
can redeem any balance remaining of the credit meter. For example, if cash-out
button 74 is depressed while card 66 is received in the card reader 60, the
credits on
the credit meter are transferred to the player account record. As soon as this
transfer
occurs, the display 72 indicates the amount transferred to the player. After
the
37
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
transfer, the player record and associated credits are transferred via a
connection 22
over the network 10 to the host computer.
[00124] The term "host computer" as used herein may refer to a processor,
a controller or a memory, which may at any location, including multiple
locations,
accessible from the network 10. The host computer may even be housed in, or
form
part of, one or more of the EGMs 12 and 14. In the present example, the host
computer includes a dedicated storage area on database server 34.
[00125] In order to increase player interest and reward play on the electronic
gaming machines 12 and 14, the present disclosure provides a personal points
multiplier or other modifier that may be awarded to a player. In one exemplary
embodiment, the personal points multiplier is able to be applied to the player-
useable
points so as to increase the points available to be converted into monetary
units, in a
manner depicted in FIGS. 3 to 7. In these example embodiments, the personal
points multiplier is personal to the player and independent of, separate from,
and
distinct from any personal points multiplier employed for any other player.
Thus, the
personal points multiplier for each person may be tailored for that person,
that
person's gaming activity, and that person's other activities that are relevant
for the
gaming establishment.
[00126] The value of the personal points multiplier awarded may be chosen
from the bank of different point multiplier values maintained in the database
45 or
otherwise suitably selected. For example, the bank of point multiplier values
may
include a 2X, 10X, and 10OX point multipliers which may variously be awarded
to a
player. It should be appreciated that the multipliers may be selected in
various
different manner for different players, such as depending on the player tier
level in
the player tracking system. It should also be appreciated that different point
multiplier
values may be selected for the player at different points in time
[00127] It should thus be appreciated that the personal points multiplier can
be applied to at least one of, to at least some of or to all of player-useable
points. In
38
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
one or more embodiments, the personal points multiplier may only be able to be
applied to points earned during a particular gaming session or other period of
time.
[00128] For example, a first player may commence a gaming session with
99,000 points accumulated in their player account and engage in a modest
amount of
gaming activity which would ordinarily earn them a further 1,000 points. In
this case,
a personal points multiplier of 1.1X may be awarded to the first player to
increase the
1,000 earned points by 10% to 1,100 points.
[00129] However, a second player may commence a gaming session with
only 50,000 points accumulated in their player account but engage in a greater
amount of gaming activity which would ordinarily earn them a further 50,000
points.
In this case, the second player may be rewarded with a personal points
multiplier of
1.5X, so that the 50,000 earned points is increased by 50% to 75,000 points.
Thus, it
should be appreciated that the personal points multiplier may be based on the
amount of the player wagering activity and/or may be based on other factors.
[00130] In one or more embodiments, the awarded personal points multiplier
can only be applied to player-useable points during a predetermined time
period. For
example, a 5 minute or 15 minute period only may be made available to a player
to
use an awarded point multiplier.
[00131] To further increase player interest, the player may be able to select
when to initiate the predetermined time period. The player may also be able to
pause
the predetermined time period. The timers maintained in the database 47 are
used to
control the period during which the point multiplier values are available to
players.
[00132] As seen in FIG. 9, upon being awarded a personal points multiplier,
an image 112 is presented to the EGM player on the display 72, indicating that
the
personal points multiplier has been awarded to them, the value of the personal
points
multiplier, and the time period available for the personal points multiplier
to be used.
In other embodiments, the EGM does not inform the player that the personal
points
multiplier has been awarded.
39
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
[00133] The player is then presented with an image 114 shown in FIG. 10,
inviting the player to initiate the time period available for the personal
points
multiplier. If the player chooses to do so by pressing on the "Yes" button
provided,
the relevant timer maintained in the database 47 commences operation. The
personal points multiplier may be awarded in a number of different ways. For
example, the awarded may be made during a preselected awards period, such as
Lucky Time TM on EGMs provided by IGTTM. Alternatively, the personal points
multiplier may be awarded based on the occurrence of a game event, such as
occurs
during the Lucky Coin TM feature on EGMs provided by IGTTM, whether or not the
event relates to a winning wager or another player or machine detectable event
which may occur during operation of EGMs. In other embodiments, a player of
one
of the EGMs may be awarded the personal points multiplier as a celebration
prize as
a result of a winning wager being placed on another of the EGMs by another
player.
[00134] While in the above described embodiments the player is able to
selectively apply the personal points multiplier to the points in his or her
player
account, in other embodiments the personal points multiplier may be
automatically
applied.
[00135] While the present disclosure has generally been described in the
context of a gaming systems in which player-usable points are converted into
monetary units which can in turn be converted into credits for wagering on
EGMs, it
should be understood that the present disclosure is also applicable to gaming
systems in which points are usable by players in other ways, such as by
redemption
for merchandise, beverages, meals and the like.
[001361 In embodiments in which points are stored in an account at a
network accessible location, that account need not necessarily be associated
with a
particular player, but may be associated with a group of players, a company, a
club
or other entity with which one or more players are associated.
[00137] The personal points multiplier could be applied to player-usable
points prior to storage in account, ticket, card or other network-accessible
location.
CA 02789910 2012-09-14
For example, player-useable points awarded to a player may be temporarily
stored in
a local memory of an EGM being used by a player. Any personal points
multiplier
awarded to a player could be applied to the points in the EGM's local memory
prior to
being transferred to a player account.
[00138] In another example, the personal points multiplier could be applied
to points as they are accumulated. In this case, the multiplier could be
applied to
points even prior to their storage in a local memory of a EGM being used by a
player.
[00139] While the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure
relate to the accumulation of points in a player account, the conversion of
those
points into monetary units, and the subsequent conversion of those monetary
units
into credits for wagering on an EGM (at the base denomination of that EGM),
the
present disclosure is generally applicable to other gaming systems in which
units of
value other than points are used. The units may relate to a number of virtual
tokens
or like items, rather than a simple numerical or point value.
[00140] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with
a limited number of embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that
many alternatives, modifications and variations in light of the foregoing
description
are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all
such
alternatives, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and
scope of the
invention as disclosed.
41
