Patent Application
20240395111
Embodiments described herein relate to game play features with wagering games, and in particular to a bonus game for a wagering game in a gaming environment, such as in a casino environment, with a lucky number game play feature, and related devices, systems, and methods. Some wagering games, such as slot games and/or video poker games provided at Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) and/or mechanical gaming devices in a casino environment, may include bonus games as an additional incentive for play of a wagering game. In some configurations, play of the base wagering game may trigger the bonus game randomly, in response to game play activity in the base wagering game, and/or in response to other criteria. There is a need for providing additional options for player interaction and enjoyment to encourage wagering game play.
According to some embodiments, a system includes comprising a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to receive, from a plurality of eligible players at a plurality of gaming devices, a plurality of number selections from a plurality of available numbers. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to display, at each gaming device, the selected number associated with the respective player during play of a wagering game. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to, in response to an operator of the wagering game initiating a bonus game, select a player of the plurality of eligible players to receive a bonus game award. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to display an indication at the wagering game of the selected player, the indication associating the selected number associated with the respective player with the bonus game award. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to award the bonus game award to the selected player.
According to some embodiments, a gaming device includes a display device, an input device, a processor circuit, and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to determine whether a player at the gaming device is eligible for a bonus game. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to, based on a determination that the player is eligible, receive, via the input device, a number selection from a plurality of available numbers. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to display, by the display device, the selected number during play of a wagering game. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to, in response to an operator of the wagering game selecting the player to receive a bonus game award, display an indication by the display device, the indication associating the selected number with the bonus game award. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to award the bonus game award to the selected player.
According to some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a plurality of eligible players at a plurality of gaming devices, a plurality of number selections from a plurality of available numbers. The method further includes displaying, at each gaming device, the selected number associated with the respective player during play of a wagering game. The method further includes, in response to an operator of the wagering game initiating a bonus game, selecting a player of the plurality of eligible players to receive a bonus game award. The method further includes displaying an indication at the wagering game of the selected player, the indication associating the selected number associated with the respective player with the bonus game award. The method further includes awarding the bonus game award to the selected player.
Embodiments described herein relate to game play features with wagering games, and in particular to a bonus game for a wagering game in a gaming environment, such as in a casino environment, with a lucky number game play feature, and related devices, systems, and methods. According to some embodiments, a processor circuit receives, from a plurality of eligible players at a plurality of gaming devices, a plurality of number selections from a plurality of available numbers. Each gaming device displays the selected number associated with the respective player during play of a wagering game. In response to an operator of the wagering game initiating a bonus game, a player of the plurality of eligible players is selected to receive a bonus game award. The processor circuit displays an indication at the wagering game of the selected player, the indication associating the selected number associated with the respective player with the bonus game award, and the bonus game award is awarded to the selected player.
Before describing these and other features in greater detail, reference is now made to
A wireless access point 60 provides wireless access to the data communication network 50. The wireless access point 60 may be connected to the data communication network 50 as illustrated in
A player tracking server 45 may also be connected through the data communication network 50. The player tracking server 45 may manage a player tracking account that tracks the player's gameplay and spending and/or other player preferences and customizations, manages loyalty awards for the player, manages funds deposited or advanced on behalf of the player, and other functions. Player information managed by the player tracking server 45 may be stored in a player information database 47.
As further illustrated in
The gaming devices 100 communicate with one or more elements of the gaming system 10 to coordinate providing wagering games and other functionality. For example, in some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may communicate directly with the ticket server 90 over a wireless interface 62, which may be a WiFi link, a Bluetooth link, a near field communications (NFC) link, etc. In other embodiments, the gaming device 100 may communicate with the data communication network 50 (and devices connected thereto, including other gaming devices 100) over a wireless interface 64 with the wireless access point 60. The wireless interface 64 may include a WiFi link, a Bluetooth link, an NFC link, etc. In still further embodiments, the gaming devices 100 may communicate simultaneously with both the ticket server 90 over the wireless interface 66 and the wireless access point 60 over the wireless interface 64. Some embodiments provide that gaming devices 100 may communicate with other gaming devices over a wireless interface 64. In these embodiments, wireless interface 62, wireless interface 64 and wireless interface 66 may use different communication protocols and/or different communication resources, such as different frequencies, time slots, spreading codes, etc.
Embodiments herein may include different types of gaming devices. One example of a gaming device includes a gaming device 100 that can use gesture and/or touch-based inputs according to various embodiments is illustrated in
Gaming devices 100 typically include a number of standard features, many of which are illustrated in
The gaming device 100 illustrated in
The player tracking display 142 may be used to display a service window that allows the player to interact with, for example, their player loyalty account to obtain features, bonuses, comps, etc. In other embodiments, additional display screens may be provided beyond those illustrated in
The gaming device 100 may further include a number of input devices 130 that allow a player to provide various inputs to the gaming device 100, either before, during or after a game has been played. The gaming device may further include a game play initiation button 132 and a cashout button 134. The cashout button 134 is utilized to receive a cash payment or any other suitable form of payment corresponding to a quantity of remaining credits of a credit display.
In some embodiments, one or more input devices of the gaming device 100 are one or more game play activation devices that are each used to initiate a play of a game on the gaming device 100 or a sequence of events associated with the gaming device 100 following appropriate funding of the gaming device 100. The example gaming device 100 illustrated in
In some embodiments, one or more input device 130 of the gaming device 100 may include wagering or betting functionality. For example, a maximum wagering or betting function may be provided that, when utilized, causes a maximum wager to be placed. Another such wagering or betting function is a repeat the bet device that, when utilized, causes the previously-placed wager to be placed. A further such wagering or betting function is a bet one function. A bet is placed upon utilization of the bet one function. The bet is increased by one credit each time the bet one device is utilized. Upon the utilization of the bet one function, a quantity of credits shown in a credit display (as described below) decreases by one, and a number of credits shown in a bet display (as described below) increases by one.
In some embodiments, as shown in
Referring briefly to
Referring again to
The display devices 116, 118, 140 and video controller 30 of the gaming device 100 are generally configured to display one or more game and/or non-game images, symbols, and indicia. In certain embodiments, the display devices 116, 118, 140 of the gaming device 100 are configured to display any suitable visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects; dynamic lighting; video images; images of people, characters, places, things, and faces of cards; and the like. In certain embodiments, the display devices 116, 118, 140 of the gaming device 100 are configured to display one or more virtual reels, one or more virtual wheels, and/or one or more virtual dice. In other embodiments, certain of the displayed images, symbols, and indicia are in mechanical form. That is, in these embodiments, the display device 116, 118, 140 includes any electromechanical device, such as one or more rotatable wheels, one or more reels, and/or one or more dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols, or indicia.
The gaming device 100 also includes various features that enable a player to deposit credits in the gaming device 100 and withdraw credits from the gaming device 100, such as in the form of a payout of winnings, credits, etc. For example, the gaming device 100 may include a bill/ticket dispenser 136, a bill/ticket acceptor 128, and a coin acceptor 126 that allows the player to deposit coins into the gaming device 100.
As illustrated in
The gaming device 100 may further include one or more speakers 150 controlled by one or more sound cards 28 (
In various embodiments, the gaming device 100 may generate dynamic sounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices 116, 118, 140 to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming device 100 and/or to engage the player during gameplay. In certain embodiments, the gaming device 100 may display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages during idle periods to attract potential players to the gaming device 100. The videos may be customized to provide any appropriate information.
The gaming device 100 may further include a card reader 138 that is configured to read magnetic stripe cards, such as player loyalty/tracking cards, chip cards, and the like. In some embodiments, a player may insert an identification card into a card reader of the gaming device. In some embodiments, the identification card is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information. In other embodiments, 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 gaming device. In some embodiments, money may be transferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device, the processing circuit determines the amount of funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit or other suitable display as described above.
In some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may include an electronic payout device or module configured to fund an electronically recordable identification card or smart card or a bank or other account via an electronic funds transfer to or from the gaming device 100.
Various components of the gaming device 100 are illustrated in
The gaming device 100 further includes a memory device 14 that stores one or more functional modules 20. Various functional modules 20 of the gaming device 100 will be described in more detail below in connection with
The memory device 14 may store program code and instructions, executable by the processing circuit 12, to control the gaming device 100. The memory device 14 may also store other data such as image data, event data, player input data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or information and applicable game rules that relate to the play of the gaming device. The memory device 14 may include random access memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), magnetic RAM (ARAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) and other forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry. In some embodiments, the memory device 14 may include read only memory (ROM). In some embodiments, the memory device 14 may include 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 gaming device disclosed herein.
The gaming device 100 may further include a data storage 22, such as a hard disk drive or flash memory. The data storage 22 may store program data, player data, audit trail data or any other type of data. The data storage 22 may include a detachable or removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM, Digital Video Disc (“DVD”) or USB memory device.
The gaming device 100 may include a communication adapter 26 that enables the gaming device 100 to communicate with remote devices over a wired and/or wireless communication network, such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), cellular communication network, or other data communication network. The communication adapter 26 may further include circuitry for supporting short range wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth and/or NFC that enable the gaming device 100 to communicate, for example, with a mobile communication device operated by a player.
The gaming device 100 may include one or more internal or external communication ports that enable the processing circuit 12 to communicate with and to operate with internal or external peripheral devices, such as eye tracking devices, position tracking devices, cameras, accelerometers, arcade sticks, bar code readers, bill validators, biometric input devices, bonus devices, button panels, card readers, coin dispensers, coin hoppers, display screens or other displays or video sources, expansion buses, information panels, keypads, lights, mass storage devices, microphones, motion sensors, motors, printers, reels, Small Computer System Interface (“SCSI”) ports, solenoids, speakers, thumb drives, ticket readers, touch screens, trackballs, touchpads, wheels, and wireless communication devices. In some embodiments, internal or external peripheral devices may communicate with the processing circuit through a USB hub (not shown) connected to the processing circuit 12.
In some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may include a sensor, such as a camera 127, in communication with the processing circuit 12 (and possibly controlled by the processing circuit 12) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device 100 and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device 100. In one embodiment, the camera 127 may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices 116, 118, 140 may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera 127 as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera 127 may acquire an image of the player and the processing circuit 12 may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
Various functional modules of that may be stored in a memory device 14 of a gaming device 100 are illustrated in
In some embodiments, a gaming device 100 includes a personal device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device, a tablet computer or computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other portable computing devices. In some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may be operable over a wireless network, such as part of a wireless gaming system. In such embodiments, the gaming machine 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. It should be appreciated that a gaming device or gaming machine 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.
For example, referring to
Although illustrated as certain gaming devices, such as electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and mobile gaming devices, functions and/or operations as described herein may also include wagering stations that may include electronic game tables, conventional game tables including those involving cards, dice and/or roulette, and/or other wagering stations such as sports book stations, video poker games, skill-based games, virtual casino-style table games, or other casino or non-casino style games. Further, gaming devices according to embodiments herein may be implemented using other computing devices and mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets, and/or personal computers, among others.
Eligibility may be determined in a number of ways. For example, if play of a wagering game by the player fails to reach a predetermined threshold (e.g., a minimum number of wagers over a predetermined time period, a minimum bet size, etc.), the player may be removed from the plurality of eligible players and may not be allowed to select a number 318.
As shown by
In this example, a plurality of players at different gaming devices may select numbers from the plurality of available numbers 316. In some examples, each number selection by each player may be a unique number selection from the plurality of available numbers 316. For example, if a player at one gaming device selects “14” as their selected number, the number “14” may be removed from the plurality of available numbers 316 for other players. In this manner, a particular number selection by the particular player may prevents selection of the particular number selection by another player.
In some embodiments, at the conclusion of a wagering session by the player, in response of removal of the player from the plurality of eligibility players, and/or based on other criteria, the selected number 316 may be released, and selection of the particular number selection 316 by another player may be re-enabled. In some examples, two or more players may compete for the particular number selection 316, such as through a competitive mini-game for example, which may be resolved based on a number of criteria, including random selection, semi-random selection (e.g., where the higher-status player has a probability advantage), skill based criteria, etc.
Similarly, in response to play of the wagering game by the player reaching a predetermined threshold, the player may be added (or re-added) to the plurality of eligible players, and may be allowed to select a new number selection from the plurality of available numbers 316. In some examples, addition of the additional players to the plurality of eligible players may cause additional numbers to be added to the plurality of available numbers 316. For example, the plurality of available numbers 316 may be increased as additional players are added so that there are always a minimum number of available numbers 316 available for selection. In some examples the size of a potential bonus game award may be based on part on a total number of available numbers and/or on a total number of selected numbers, e.g., with greater participation by a larger number of players resulting in a larger potential bonus game award.
An operator may select one or more players of the plurality of players to receive a bonus game award. The selection of a player may be randomly determined, semi-randomly determined (e.g., with the odds for different players weighted differently based on various factors), and/or non-randomly (e.g., with the operator affirmatively selecting a particular player). In this example, the player of the gaming device 100 is selected for the award. As shown in
The bonus game award may be based in part on the selected number 318. For example, a first subset of the plurality of available numbers 316 may have a first expected value and a second subset of the plurality of available numbers 316 may have a second expected value lower than the first expected value. This difference in expected value may be known to and/or kept secret from different subsets of players. For example, some players may have a sufficient player status to reveal that certain numbers of the plurality of available numbers (e.g., the first subset) are “luckier” than others (e.g., the second subset), resulting in the numbers of the first subset being in higher demand. For example, the first subset may include numbers 1-10 and may have a higher expected value than numbers 11 and greater. In another example, numbers that are selected more often may be included in the first subset. For example, numbers considered to be lucky (e.g., 7, 11, etc.), numbers associated with local sports figures (e.g., 23 in Chicago, 34 in Phoenix, etc.) may be more popular than others. In some embodiments, only players with a sufficient player status may be eligible to select from the first subset.
The operations 400 may further include displaying, at each gaming device, the selected number associated with the respective player during play of a wagering game (Block 404). For example, as shown in
The operations 400 may further include, in response to an operator of the wagering game initiating a bonus game, selecting a player of the plurality of eligible players to receive a bonus game award (Block 406). The operations 400 may further include displaying an indication at the wagering game of the selected player, the indication associating the selected number associated with the respective player with the bonus game award (Block 408). For example, as shown by
The operations 400 may further include awarding the bonus game award to the selected player (Block 410). For example, as shown by
Many different variations on the above concepts may be used. For example, as discussed above, an operator (e.g., a host system) may pick one or more players or EGMs to win a random bonus. In some examples, the host system determines which EGMs are eligible by monitoring the amount of play at the EGM, amount wagered, presence of a player loyalty account (e.g., card in or log in), etc. The award may be transferred to the EGM typically by sending a message to a Slot Machine Interface Board (SMIB) of the EGM. The SMIB is an interface between the host system and the EGM, and may have a video display and input capabilities to allow the SMIB to act as a user interface for the host system. Some SMIBs may also have have additional capabilities such as video overlay, which allows the SMIB to provide user interface elements on the EGM screen (e.g., for a “Service Window” or “Player User Interface” features) for interfacing with the host system on the EGM screen.
In this regard,
At a later time, after determining eligibility, the host 502 triggers a bonus game event 514 and an performs a winning EGM selection 516 (selecting EGM 504 in this example). The host 502 transmits a win amount 518 to the SMIB 506, which in turn provides a game award 520 to the EGM 504 (e.g. via an appropriate fund-transfer protocol).
As discussed above, the game award 520 may be associated with a number selection or other game element selection by the player of the EGM 504. For example, the player may select one or more numbers, images, logos, icons, and/or other symbol. The selection of a winning EGM 504 by the host 502 may include the host 502 selecting the selected number or other symbol, or may include the host 502 selecting a random number independently of the selected numbers or symbols at the different EGMs and associating the winning result with the selected number or symbol of the winning EGM after the fact.
Referring now to
In some examples, the stored number selection 614 may be retrieved at a later time by the player 608 during a different play session at a different EGM. In other embodiments, the player may select a new or different number and/or symbol at the beginning of a new play session, after a predetermined amount of time, etc. The number and/or symbol can also be incorporated into the base game to provide enhanced and/or higher awards for base game results that include elements that match or correspond to the selected number and/or symbol.
In some examples, a player may select more than one number, e.g., to simulate a lottery experience including a special number. In response to the host selecting the winning player, the system may simulate a ball draw, e.g., displayed on the EGM, electronic signage, a player's mobile device, etc., to associate the selected numbers of the winning player with the award.
In this regard,
The host 702 then transmits a win amount 720 to the SMIB 706. The host 702 may also include the selected numbers and the SMIB 706 may display the selected numbers 722, e.g., as a simulated ball draw in addition to or as an alternative to the display of the selected numbers 718 by the signage 708. The SMIB 706 then transmits a game award 724 to the EGM 704.
In some embodiments there may be a range or pool of numbers, such as numbers 1 through 20, with certain limitations and/or modifications based on participation and/or game play. For example, in one embodiment, a limited number of players may be permitted to choose the same number. This rule could apply to all numbers (e.g., up to 3 players can choose any of the 20 numbers), or to individual numbers (e.g., up to 3 players can choose numbers 1 to 19, but only 1 person can choose the number 20). One benefit of this arrangement may be to reserve certain “lucky” numbers, e.g., 7 or 13, and limit the number of people who can pick it, while also enhancing the potential award and/or benefit associated with those numbers. This arrangement may also build an effective paytable for the bonus game. For example, for a bonus award of $100, the award may be evenly distributed among players who have selected a particular number, e.g., across 10 players ($10 each) who have selected the number 2 or to a single player who was able to select number 7. In this manner, the operator may configure and customize the distribution of awards.
Another benefit of these and other arrangements may be to limit the number of eligible players, thereby making the number selection feature and potential award more exclusive and valuable. Another advantage may be to encourage players to extend a gaming session to maintain eligibility. For example, in some examples, the number choices of a player may persist until the player stops playing or logs out of the player account. In another example, the number choices may be cleared after a bonus award is awarded and the same or different eligible players may choose new numbers.
In some examples, eligibility may be based on player status, such as loyalty account presence or membership level. For example, a gold club member might be able to pick numbers for a predetermined period of time before other players are allowed to pick, thereby allowing higher status players to select more valuable numbers. In another embodiment, certain ranges of numbers may be reserved for higher status players.
In some examples, the pool of numbers may grow in response to different triggering events, including a random trigger (e.g., at a random time), an increase in participation by eligible players, an increase in players on the casino floor, an increase in wagering (e.g., total coin-in) on the floor and/or a group of EGMs, a pool being full (e.g., all numbers being selected), an operator trigger, an amount of time before a bonus award is to be awarded, an amount of time after the previous bonus award, an increase in the bonus award size, time of day, and/or other triggering events. For example, after some triggering event, the pool may grow from numbers 1 through 20 to numbers 1 through 30. This arrangement might be used to build anticipation because the numbers may be selected quickly, and excluded players may anticipate the release of new numbers for selection. In some examples, the same number may be associated with additional graphical and/or non-graphical elements, such as colors, symbols, pictures (e.g., avatars, animals, monsters, etc.), tokens, sound clips, musical cues, and/or other elements for example, so that multiple instances of the same number may still be unique. For example, one player may select a red 5 while another player selects a blue 5. In some examples, the different colors and/or symbols may be used in place of numbers entirely, such that the player selects a unique symbol, a color, and/or a combination thereof, which may then be used to resolve the bonus award.
In another example, a bonusing service, such as a lucky coin or other type of progressive bonus game, may be modified to include regular and/or periodic drawings. When the drawing occurs, the bonusing service can distribute some or all of a built-up pool of bonuses to active players with the same number selected during their session. For example, EGMs or other display screens may display a countdown, and once the bonus award is associated with a selected number, the result may bel broadcast to all EGMs in the pool.
Embodiments described herein may be implemented in various configurations for gaming devices 100, including but not limited to: (1) a dedicated gaming device, wherein the computerized instructions for controlling any games (which are provided by the gaming device) are provided with the gaming device prior to delivery to a gaming establishment; and (2) a changeable gaming device, where the computerized instructions for controlling any games (which are provided by the gaming device) are downloadable to the gaming device through a data network when the gaming device is in a gaming establishment. In some embodiments, 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 gaming device 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 a gaming device local processor and memory devices. In such a “thick client” embodiment, the gaming device local processor executes the communicated computerized instructions to control any games (or other suitable interfaces) provided to a player.
In some embodiments, a gaming device may be operated by a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, tablet other mobile computing device. For example, a mobile device may be communicatively coupled to a gaming device and may include a user interface that receives user inputs that are received to control the gaming device. The user inputs may be received by the gaming device via the mobile device.
In some embodiments, one or more gaming devices in a gaming system may be thin client gaming devices and one or more gaming devices in the gaming system may be thick client gaming devices. In another embodiment, certain functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thin client environment and certain other functions of the gaming device 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 gaming device 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.
The present disclosure contemplates a variety of different gaming systems each having one or more of a plurality of different features, attributes, or characteristics. It should be appreciated that a “gaming system” as used herein refers to various configurations of: (a) one or more central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (b) one or more gaming devices; and/or (c) one or more personal gaming devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers or computing devices, PDAs, mobile telephones such as smart phones, and other mobile computing devices.
In certain such embodiments, computerized instructions for controlling any games (such as any primary or base games and/or any secondary or bonus games) displayed by the gaming device are executed by the central server, central controller, or remote host. In such “thin client” embodiments, the central server, central controller, or remote host remotely controls any games (or other suitable interfaces) displayed by the gaming device, and the gaming device is utilized to display such games (or suitable interfaces) and to receive one or more inputs or commands. In other such embodiments, computerized instructions for controlling any games displayed by the gaming device are communicated from the central server, central controller, or remote host to the gaming device and are stored in at least one memory device of the gaming device. In such “thick client” embodiments, the at least one processor of the gaming device executes the computerized instructions to control any games (or other suitable interfaces) displayed by the gaming device.
In some embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) a gaming device configured to communicate with a central server, central controller, or remote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of gaming devices configured to communicate with one another through a data network, the data network is an internet or an intranet. In certain such embodiments, an internet browser of the gaming device is usable to access an internet game page from any location where an internet connection is available. In one such embodiment, after the internet game page is accessed, the central server, central controller, or remote host identifies a player prior to enabling that player to place any wagers on any plays of any wagering games. In one example, the central server, central controller, or remote host identifies the player by requiring a player account of the player to be logged into via an input of a unique username and password combination assigned to the player. It should be appreciated, however, that the central server, central controller, or remote host may identify the player in any other suitable manner, such as by validating a player tracking identification number associated with the player; by reading a player tracking card or other smart card inserted into a card reader (as described below); by validating a unique player identification number associated with the player by the central server, central controller, or remote host; or by identifying the gaming device, such as by identifying the MAC address or the IP address of the internet facilitator. In various embodiments, once the central server, central controller, or remote host identifies the player, the central server, central controller, or remote host enables placement of one or more wagers on one or more plays of one or more primary or base games and/or one or more secondary or bonus games and displays those plays via the internet browser of the gaming device.
It should be appreciated that the central server, central controller, or remote host and the gaming device are configured to connect to the data network or remote communications link in any suitable manner. In various embodiments, such a connection is accomplished via: a conventional phone line or other data transmission line, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a T-1 line, a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a wireless or wired routing device, a mobile communications network connection (such as a cellular network or mobile internet network), or any other suitable medium. It should be appreciated that the expansion in the quantity of computing devices and the quantity and speed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for players to use a variety of gaming devices to play games from an ever-increasing quantity of remote sites. It should also 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 players.
In the above description of various embodiments, various aspects may be illustrated and described herein in any of a number of patentable classes or contexts including any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Accordingly, various embodiments described herein may be implemented entirely by hardware, entirely by software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or by combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, various embodiments described herein may take the form of a computer program product including one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
Any combination of one or more computer readable media may be used. The computer readable media may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an appropriate optical fiber with a repeater, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (“RF”), etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB.NET, Python or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2003, Perl, Common Business Oriented Language (“COBOL”) 2002, PHP: Hypertext Processor (“PHP”), Advanced Business Application Programming (“ABAP”), dynamic programming languages such as Python, Ruby and Groovy, or other programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider) or in a cloud computing environment or offered as a service such as a Software as a Service (Saas).
Various embodiments were described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), devices and computer program products according to various embodiments described herein. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processing circuit of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processing circuit of the computer or other programmable instruction execution apparatus, create a mechanism for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that when executed can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions when stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which when executed, cause a computer to implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable instruction execution apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatuses or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be designated as “/”. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
