Patent Application
20090131159
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming system having a variable progressive award.
Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a “secondary” or “bonus” game that may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may additionally award players with “progressive jackpot” awards that are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.
With some progressive jackpot systems, a player is required to place a maximum bet at a gaming machine in order to be eligible for winning the progressive jackpot. This may cause a perceived unfairness to a player who wishes to wager less than the maximum bet while playing the gaming machine. Another progressive jackpot system varies the probability of winning the progressive jackpot with the amount of the player's wager. Thus a player wagering more on a play of the gaming machine has an increased probability of winning the progressive jackpot. Thus, a player wagering relatively lower amounts while playing the gaming machine may perceive his opportunity to win the progressive jackpot as being very low. The present invention is directed to an alternate progressive jackpot system that satisfies one or more of these needs and solves other problems.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a progressive jackpot awarded in response to a jackpot win event. The gaming system comprises a first gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the first gaming machine accepting a first wager. The gaming machine further comprises a second gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the second gaming machine accepting a second wager that is greater than the first wager. A first player making the first wager at the first gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot if the jackpot win event is associated with the first gaming machine. A second player making the second wager at the second gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot plus an expected value equalizing award if the jackpot win event is associated with the second gaming machine.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system having a progressive jackpot awarded in response to a jackpot win event comprises receiving a first wager from a first player at a first gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot. The method further comprises receiving a second wager from a second player at a second gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the second wager being greater than the first wager. The method includes, in response to receiving the first wager and associating the jackpot win event with the first gaming machine, awarding the progressive jackpot to the first player. The method further includes, in response to receiving the second wager and associating the jackpot win event with the second gaming machine, awarding the progressive jackpot plus an expected value equalizing award to the second player.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable storage medium is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming device to perform the above method.
Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
Referring to
The gaming machine 10 comprises a housing 12 and includes input devices, including a value input device 18 and a player input device 24. For output the gaming machine 10 includes a primary display 14 for displaying information about the basic wagering game. The primary display 14 can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming machine 10 may also include a secondary display 16 for displaying game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in the gaming machine 10 are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine 10.
The value input device 18 may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of the housing 12. The value input device 18 receives currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. The value input device 18 may include a coin acceptor 20 for receiving coin currency (see
The player input device 24 comprises a plurality of push buttons 26 on a button panel for operating the gaming machine 10. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 24 may comprise a touch screen 28 mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display 14 and/or secondary display 16. The touch screen 28 contains soft touch keys 30 denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display 14 and used to operate the gaming machine 10. The touch screen 28 provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen 28 at an appropriate touch key 30 or by pressing an appropriate push button 26 on the button panel. The touch keys 30 may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons 26. Alternatively, the push buttons 26 may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys 30 may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game.
The various components of the gaming machine 10 may be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 12, as seen in
The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the primary display 14. The primary display 14 can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 14 may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gaming machine 10. As shown, the primary display 14 includes the touch screen 28 overlaying the entire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the primary display 14 of the gaming machine 10 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual associated to at least one payline 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is an “upright” version in which the primary display 14 is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display 14 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the gaming machine 10.
A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device 18 of the gaming machine 10. A player can select play by using the player input device 24, via the buttons 26 or the touch screen keys 30. The basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline 32 that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.
In some embodiments, the gaming machine 10 may also include a player information reader 52 that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. The player information reader 52 is shown in
Turning now to
The controller 34 is also coupled to the system memory 36 and a money/credit detector 38. The system memory 36 may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). The system memory 36 may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector 38 signals the processor that money and/or credits have been input via the value input device 18. Preferably, these components are located within the housing 12 of the gaming machine 10. However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of the housing 12 and connected to the remainder of the components of the gaming machine 10 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods.
As seen in
Communications between the controller 34 and both the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 and external systems 50 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 46, 48. More specifically, the controller 34 controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 through the input/output circuits 46. Further, the controller 34 communicates with the external systems 50 via the I/O circuits 48 and a communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). The external systems 50 may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits 46, 48 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that each of the I/O circuits 46, 48 may include a number of different types of I/O circuits.
Controller 34, as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outside of the gaming machine 10 that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the gaming machine 10 and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. The controller 34 may comprise one or more controllers or processors. In
Turning now to
The gaming system 58 includes a progressive jackpot 61 displayed on the central display 60 which is available to be won by play at one or more of the individual gaming machines 10a,b. The central display 60 displays information relating to the progressive jackpot 61, including the current amount of the progressive jackpot. The central display 60 may include additional information, including historical information of prior progressive jackpots awarded, casino information, or other game related information. The central display 60 is a communal overhead display shared by the gaming machines 10a,b instead of being specific to one of the machines 10a,b.
As seen in
Turning now to
The gaming machines 10a,b each individually have a minimum wager amount and a maximum wager amount. Furthermore, each gaming machine 10a,b utilizes a base denomination, which preferably is equal to the minimum wager amount. The base denominations of each gaming machine 10a,b may be, and preferably is different from at least one of the other gaming machines 10a,b in the system 58. For each gaming machine 10a,b the maximum wager amount is a multiple of the base denomination reflective of a range of “coins” or “credits” that the machine 10a,b accepts. For example, in
The progressive jackpot 61 is funded by a percentage of the system minimum wager amount, in this case 25 cents. Thus, for example, two percent of the system minimum wager amount of 25 cents (0.5 cents) is used to fund the progressive jackpot 61 for each play of each gaming machine 10a,b in the system 58. The funding amount of two percent of the system minimum wager amount is constant regardless of the amount of an actual wager on a particular play of gaming machine 10a,b. For example, in
Turning to
In another embodiment depicted in
Therefore, the EVEA in this case is three times the progressive base amount ($300,000), plus the special award. As seen in
Here the special award is a picking game where the player is provided with a plurality of player selectable elements 78a,b,c, where each element is associated with a prize. The amount of the prize of the element 78a,b,c selected by the player is the special award. The player has selected the third element 78c and has received a special award of $60,000 in addition to the $410,000 awarded in the pop up window 76. The expected value, or theoretical average of the special award, is set at $30,000 in this embodiment to ensure fairness. This way, over a large number of plays of the gaming machine the expected value of the EVEA will be $330,000, and the expected value of the total award to this player will be $440,000, reflective of the player's wager being four times as large as the system minimum wager amount. However, on any particular play of the game, the special award may be greater or less than $30,000, and the total payout to the player may be greater or less than $440,000. For example, as seen in
In a third embodiment of the gaming system 58 depicted in
In the above example, the expected values of the total award and special award are based upon the progressive jackpot 61 being triggered at $110,000. However, it should be understood that the progressive jackpot 61, being randomly triggered, may be awarded at any value in excess of the base amount of $100,000. Therefore, the expected value of the special award is based in part upon the amount of the progressive jackpot 61 when triggered.
In the second embodiment, as described, the values associated with the player selectable elements 78a,b,c may not be predetermined because the amount of the EVEA is not known until after a progressive jackpot winning outcome is achieved. More specifically, as the special award portion of the EVEA is based upon the amount of the progressive jackpot 61 when triggered, the expected value of the special award cannot be calculated until the jackpot 61 is triggered. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the values associated with the player selectable elements 78a,b,c can only be determined “dynamically” or “on the fly” after the progressive jackpot winning outcome was achieved, but prior to the award of the special award. A fourth embodiment allows the values of the player selectable elements 78a,b,c to be predetermined.
The fourth embodiment involves the use of a progressive jackpot strike price. The strike price of the progressive jackpot 61 is the mathematical theoretical value at which the progressive jackpot 61 should be awarded to a player (that a progressive jackpot winning outcome will occur). In this embodiment, the strike price is $125,000, reflecting that after a large number of progressive jackpot winning outcomes in the system 58, the average progressive jackpot 61 awarded will be $125,000. The EVEA in the fourth embodiment is calculated with the same formula as in the second embodiment, however, instead of the special award expected value being a function of the actual incremental value, it is a function of the strike price. Using the same example as depicted in
In this case, the EVEA is equal to $300,000 plus the special award:
Recall that in the second embodiment, the special award had an expected value of $30,000, and was awarded through the selection of one of a plurality of player selectable elements 78a,b,c with corresponding prize values. The $30,000 expected value for the special award is based upon the fact that the incremental amount of the progressive jackpot 61 was $10,000 at the time the jackpot 61 was triggered, and that the triggering player had wagered an amount in excess of the system minimum wager equal to three times the system minimum wager.
In this fourth embodiment, the special award is assigned an expected value of $25,000 for each credit wagered above the system minimum wager amount, and is not a function of the exact incremental amount when the progressive jackpot 61 is won. The expected value of $25,000 is calculated based upon the strike price of $125,000 less the progressive jackpot base amount of $100,000. In other words, because the $125,000 is reflective of the average progressive jackpot amount when triggered, then $25,000 is reflective of the average incremental amount when the progressive jackpot is triggered. The expected value of the special award in the fourth embodiment is calculated as follows:
Thus, in this example, the expected value of the special award is $75,000, which is the $25,000 incremental amount of the strike price ($125,000-$100,000) multiplied by three (the number of credits that the player's wager exceeds the system minimum wager amount). The awards associated with the plurality of player selectable elements 78a,b,c may be predetermined to be reflective of the $75,000 expected value. In this way, the EVEA is independent of the actual amount of the progressive jackpot 61 at the time it is triggered, thereby allowing the values of the player selectable elements 78a,b,c to be predetermined. The EVEA remains only a function of the player's wager and the actual amount of a particular element 78a,b,c selected by the player.
It should be understood that regardless of the calculation of the EVEA, the EVEA is available only to a player who has achieved a progressive jackpot winning outcome and whose wager exceeded the system minimum wager amount. A player achieving a progressive jackpot winning outcome while wagering only the system minimum wager amount is awarded only the progressive jackpot 61 at the time of the trigger, but is not awarded the EVEA. In this way, the EVEA serves to compensate those players making wagers higher than the minimum, while preserving the ability for players who wager only the minimum to still win the progressive jackpot 61.
Although the present invention has been described by a progressive jackpot being triggered by an outcome in the basic wagering game, the invention can be used with progressive games having any type of triggering mechanism. For example, there are different systems for determining a progressive jackpot-won event at a gaming terminal. The first type of jackpot-won event is gaming-machine enabled, which occurs when a “progressive winning position” (i.e., a progressive jackpot winning outcome) is achieved at a participating gaming machine. A progressive-winning position is a module within a gaming machine's software code that responds with a progressive jackpot-won event when certain game-level conditions are met, such as a winning reel position on a slot machine. Only one progressive game may be assigned to a progressive winning position at a time. This position has a single winning percentage. At the time the progressive-winning position occurs at a gaming machine, the winning gaming machine is disabled from play and immediately transmits the jackpot-won event to the central system, such as external system 50 (
In the illustrated examples the probability of winning the progressive jackpot is independent of both the player's wager and the number of paylines played, i.e., all players have the same probability of winning the progressive jackpot regardless of the wager amount or lines played. Alternatively, the probability of winning the jackpot may be varied as a function of wager amount. This necessitates using the varying probability to further alter the value of the EVEA. To ensure fairness, it is desirable for the probability of winning the progressive jackpot 61 times the total amount of the jackpot divided by the amount of the player's wager to be held constant. This is shown by the following equation:
The Total Amount of the Jackpot is equal to the amount of the progressive jackpot 61 plus any EVEA that the player may be eligible to win. Thus, the equation in more detail is:
In an alternative embodiment, the system 58 may be configured such that the probability of winning the progressive jackpot 61 increases as the player's wager increases. If the increase in probability of winning the jackpot is larger than the relative increase in the wager amount, it is necessary to decrease the total amount of the jackpot award through a corresponding decrease in the EVEA for the equation above to remain constant.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a player may receive an increased progressive jackpot by placing a side wager. In such an embodiment, a minimum side wager makes the player eligible for the displayed progressive jackpot. However, the player is also allowed to place a side wager that is a multiple of the minimum side wager amount in order to increase the amount won. If the player wins the progressive jackpot, the jackpot amount is increased by the multiplier. For example, if the minimum side wager is one credit, then with a one credit side wager, the player wins the displayed progressive jackpot of $110,000. If the player placed a five credit wager (five times the minimum side wager amount), then the player would win $550,000 (five times the displayed progressive jackpot). Allowing the player to place higher side wagers and increase the winnings increases player involvement and excitement.
Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US06/20953 | 5/30/2006 | WO | 00 | 11/16/2007 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60685907 | May 2005 | US |
