A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having outcomes which replicate the laws of physics.
Gaming devices provide enjoyment and excitement to players, in part, because they may ultimately lead to monetary awards for the players. Gaming devices also provide enjoyment and excitement to the players because they are fun to play. Bonus games, in particular, provide gaming device manufacturers with the opportunity to add enjoyment and excitement to that which is already expected from a base game of the gaming device. Bonus games provide extra awards to the player and enable the player to play a game that is different than the base game.
A continuing need exists to provide gaming devices that issue awards in exciting and enjoyable manners. In this respect, it is desirable to enable the player to have an impact on, or a hand in, determining their award. It is also desirable to enable a player to optimize an award. It is further desirable to increase this level of player interaction. Each of these features is desirable in a base or primary game and in a bonus or secondary game.
One popular game, common to gaming establishments, is pachinko. Pachinko is extremely popular in Japan and can be found in certain casinos in the United States. Originally, pachinko machines consisted of mechanical pegs or nails extending from a board or background, which were spaced apart in a predefined manner. The game used small steel balls of approximately ½ inch diameter. More recently, following the trend in the gaming industry, computerized pachinko games now exist with realistic sounds and graphics as well as additional sounds and graphics to make the game more exciting.
In mechanical or video form, pachinko involves the same principles. The player inserts money into a game and receives a number of balls or tries in a loading area. In older systems, the player typically pulls a spring-loaded pinball like handle or knob and shoots a single pachinko ball into an upright or angled play area where the ball bounces from one mechanical or simulated peg or nail to another, through the network of pegs or nails.
In newer systems, the player sets a motor speed so that the ball speed falls somewhere between barely entering the play area to rocketing into the play area. In either type of mechanical system, the pachinko ball either falls unsuccessfully to the bottom of the play area or into a winning pocket, whereby the player wins a prize. In pachinko games, most of the balls fall unsuccessfully through the playing area.
In the mechanical version, the player controls the speed at which the ball leaves the spring-loaded handle. Otherwise the laws of physics control the outcome. Pachinko games are simple, interactive and considered by many people to be fun and exciting to watch or play. Accordingly, pachinko makes for an entertaining primary or bonus game in a gaming device.
In creating a realistic pachinko type game, a need exists to provide the player the ability to control the starting point for the ball, chip or object to enter the play area. A need also exists to provide a pachinko type game that follows or appears to follow or replicate the laws of physics, so that the starting point of the object affects the ending point of the object. That is, there exists a need to provide a pachinko-type gaming machine in which it appears that the player has control over the game's outcome. Finally, it is desirable that these features be coupled to a game having predictable payouts so that the game designer can accurately predict a payout percentage and employ a random number generator to generate the predictable payouts.
The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that randomly generates and displays a pachinko-type game and outcome on a screen connected to or controlled by the processor. The gaming device initially provides a preliminary game that yields the number of attempts or objects that the player has in the pachinko-type game. Next, the game displays the pachinko-type game screen having a player selectable starting area. The starting area is large enough so that when the player picks a certain position of the area, the object appears to fall from the selected position, hits a plurality of pegs and lands in an award position. The selected start position affects which award position that the object eventually falls into in accordance with a probability distribution predicted by the laws of physics. The player's award, however, is not effected by which start position the player selects.
The game displays the starting area to the player but preferably does not display the start positions that the area encompasses. This way, the player must learn that selecting different parts of the area affects the initial falling point for the object. The screen preferably operates in conjunction with a touch screen that maps the coordinates of the start positions on the display device. When the player unknowingly or otherwise selects a particular start position, the touch screen sends a discrete input of the coordinates selected by the player's touch on the display device to the processor. The processor then directs the object to fall from the selected start position or a position adjacent to the selected coordinates. In an alternative embodiment, the game provides or displays separate start positions instead of a single starting area.
After the game provides the number of attempts via the preliminary game, the player may start the pachinko-type game. When the player selects the starting area, one of the objects falls, hits a first peg and changes direction; falls, hits a second peg and changes direction, etc. Eventually, the object falls into an award position having a corresponding award, and the game issues the award to the player. The player and game repeat this process for each object or attempt given to the player. The pegs have coordinates on the display device and when any portion of the object touches or intersects a coordinate set of a peg, the object changes direction on the display device.
The objects move according to paths maintained in the memory device of the gaming device. The paths map out, for any given start position and award position, which and how many pegs that the object hits when traveling from position to position. The game includes a plurality of different paths for each start position, which adds variety and excitement to the game. The more likely outcomes, i.e., the ones that will more likely occur according to the laws of physics, will occur more frequently and are associated to more paths.
The game also stores a set of data in the memory device, which sets the overall probability of generating any one of the different awards. If two or more award positions provide the same award value, the overall probability is divided between the two or more award values. For a given start position, the probability division is made based on the relative number of paths associated with each award position and the start position. That is, if there are twice as many paths from the start position to a first award position than there are to a second award position, the first award position is more likely to be generated. Both probabilities, though, add to the overall probability set in memory. This way, the game appears to be in accordance with the laws of physics and also provides a predictable payout percentage.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention that the gaming device provides a pachinko-type game.
It is another advantage of the present invention that the gaming device provides a pachinko-type game in which the player has the ability to control the starting point for the object to enter the play area.
It is also an advantage of the present invention that the gaming device provides a pachinko-type game that follows or appears to follow the laws of physics, so that the starting point affects the ending point.
It is a further advantage of the present invention that the gaming device provides a pachinko-type game in which it appears that the player has some control over the game's outcome.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention that the gaming device provides a pachinko-type game having predictable payouts so that the game designer can accurately predict a payout percentage.
It is still another advantage of the present invention that the gaming device provides a pachinko-type game with multiple starting positions, wherein each has the same expected value.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
The base games of the gaming device 10 include slot, poker, blackjack or keno, among others. The gaming device 10 also embodies any bonus triggering events, bonus games as well as any progressive game coordinating with these base games. The symbols and indicia used for any of the base, bonus and progressive games include mechanical, electrical or video symbols and indicia.
In a stand alone or a bonus embodiment, the gaming device 10 includes monetary input devices.
As shown in
Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in
The slot machine base game of gaming device 10 preferably displays a plurality of reels 34, preferably three to five reels 34, in mechanical or video form on one or more of the display devices. Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device displaying the video reels 34 is preferably a video monitor. Each base game, especially in the slot machine base game of the gaming device 10, includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
In certain instances, it is preferable to use a touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52 instead of a conventional video monitor display device. The touch screen enables a player to input decisions into the gaming device 10 by sending a discrete signal based on the area of the touch screen 50 that the player touches or presses. As further illustrated in
It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention also includes being implemented via one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's), one or more hard-wired devices, or one or more mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside in each gaming device 10 unit, the present invention includes providing some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like.
With reference to the slot machine base game of
In addition to winning base game credits, the gaming device 10, including any of the base games disclosed above, also includes bonus games that give players the opportunity to win credits. The gaming device 10 preferably employs a video-based display device 30 or 32 for the bonus games. The bonus games include a program that automatically begins when the player achieves a qualifying condition in the base game.
In the slot machine embodiment, the qualifying condition includes a particular symbol or symbol combination generated on a display device. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in
In the pachinko-type game of the present invention discussed below, the game provides the player with a number of attempts or objects with which to play the present invention. In one embodiment, the game randomly or in a predefined manner provides the player with a number of attempts or objects. In another embodiment, the game displays and enables the player to play a preliminary game that determines the number of attempts or objects that the player has in the preferred game display. It should be appreciated that the game could also simply provide the player with a predetermined number of objects, a number of objects based on the player's wager, or a randomly determined number of objects.
The preliminary game may be adapted in many different ways. In each adaptation, the preliminary game has an outcome of a number of attempts or objects. Certain adaptations include other outcomes such as credit awards, credit multipliers, free games, etc. In embodiments where the pachinko-type game is a primary or base game, the preliminary game may result in providing zero attempts or objects to the player. In embodiments where the pachinko-type game is a secondary or bonus game, the preliminary game preferably results in providing at least one attempt or object to the player. This is because bonus games preferably result in some award for the player.
One preferred preliminary game embodiment is disclosed in
The gaming device 10 displays a suitable audio, visual or audiovisual message 104 instructing that the player is initially and automatically given one attempt or object 106 (preliminary game illustrated as a bonus rather than a primary game), which is also indicated in an object meter 108. The message 104 also informs the player to pick one symbol from each group 102a, 102b and 102c to obtain more attempts or objects 106. Each of the groups also has a message, such as “Pick A or B for group 102a.”
In the screen 100, the gaming device 10 provides the player a fifty percent chance at obtaining another object 106 with each opportunity or group. That is, one of the symbols of each group masks an object 106 and the other masks nothing or a consolation award. The groups 102a, 102b and 102c may have the same or different likelihoods of yielding an additional object 106. The groups 102a, 102b and 102c may individually or collectively have any probability desired by the implementor. The preliminary game in one implementation requires the player to pick from the groups in a predefined order, e.g., the “A/B” group, the “C/D” group and the “E/F” group. In such a case the probabilities may vary as the player progresses. In another implementation, the player is free to pick from the groups 102a, 102b and 102c in any order.
In the screen 100 of
The player either enters the pachinko-type game with the three attempts or objects 106, or the gaming device 10 provides another preliminary game screen, such as the screen 100 of
If the present invention is embodied in a base or primary game, i.e., a non-bonus game, gaming device 10 in one embodiment provides an opportunity for the player to purchase objects 106 with credits. For example, the base game embodiment may be adapted to provide one object 106 per credit up to a maximum spending limit. Upon playing an object 106, the player would then win nothing or less than a credit if the player loses, win a credit if the player breaks even or more than a credit if the player wins. The gaming device 10 in one implementation provides an extra object or objects for spending the maximum amount of credits. For example, if one credit buys one object and the player can spend up to five credits, the base or primary game may be adapted to provide six objects 106 instead of five when the player wagers the maximum five credits.
Referring now to
The display device 30 or 32 operates in connection with the touch screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 (
When an object 106 falls from one of the start positions 124, it falls as if pulled by gravity, until it hits a peg 126a through 126qq. Each peg 126a through 126qq, which the gaming device 10 displays to the player, has sets of coordinates on the display device 30 or 32. When a moving object 106 hits, i.e., any part of the object 106 touches or intersects any of the coordinates making up the set of a peg, the object 106 changes direction and may or may not change speed. The pegs 126a through 126qq, appearing as immovable objects, appear to impart a force on the moving object 106 and, according to the laws of physics, since the pegs do not move, the objects 106 must change direction, speed or both.
The game may be adapted to further follow the laws of physics, so that the more direct the collision between the moving object 106 and the peg, the more the game affects the object 106 in terms of a directional or a speed change. The game includes a suitable audio sound from the speakers 36, which coincides with the object 106 impacting a peg 126a through 126qq, and which may be adapted to indicate a direct hit versus a glancing or swiping hit. Eventually, the object ends up in one of the award positions 128 through 140. Each of the award positions 128 through 140 is associated with and displays a value 142. The illustrated values 142 include two tens, two twenties, two fifties and a one hundred. The distribution of the values 142 is discussed in more detail below.
One of the display devices 30 or 32 displays the object 106 moving or falling, hitting various pegs or blockages and eventually winding up in one of the award positions 128 through 140. The motion of the object 106 may be displayed in a plurality of ways. In one embodiment, the game randomly generates a path beginning from one of the start positions, including a plurality of pegs and including a final award position. A dynamic visual clip such as a dynamic animation, video clip, motion picture or combination thereof is stored and recalled based on the randomly generated path. In another embodiment, a plurality of dynamic visual clips are stored for each path, wherein gaming device 10 randomly generates one of the clips based on the generated path. In a further embodiment, gaming device 10 generates the path in real time, wherein the processor 38 cooperates with the memory device 40 to move the object 106 from a start position to a peg, from one peg to another peg and from a peg to an award position as these moves are generated. Obviously, gaming device 10 may be programmed to generate the serially linked outcomes in a plurality of different ways. For example, each peg may be associated with a plurality of other pegs or award positions, wherein one of the associated pegs or positions is randomly generated and wherein a visual display for the combination is shown on the display device 30 or 32.
The screen 120 also includes a paid display 144. The paid display indicates the player's award when the player wins at the pachinko-type game of the present invention. The screen 120 and the other screens illustrated herein may include other indicators, such as a simulated credit display 16 (
The values 142 may be adapted to represent any type of gaming device 10 value, such as a number of game credits, a game credit multiplier, a number of selections from a prize pool or a number of free games. If the award is a credit multiplier, the value 142 is preferably multiplied by a number of game credits displayed elsewhere on the gaming device 10, such as the player's total bet, total credits indicated by the credit display 16 (
The display 120 thus displays a pachinko-type game. The player in one embodiment does not shoot a pachinko ball into one of the start positions 124, as in most real pachinko games, although the screen 120 could be suitably modified to do so as described below. The screen 120 also displays the object meter 108 and the number of objects 106 obtained in the preliminary game as described in connection with
Referring now to
The processor 38 directs that the sequence begins from the selected “W” start position 124, wherein: a first object 106 falls from the “W” position 124 and hits the peg 126a; changes direction and hits the peg 126f; changes direction and hits the peg 126k; changes direction and hits the peg 126r; changes direction and hits the peg 126y; changes direction and hits the peg 126ee; changes direction and hit peg 126ll; and finally falls into the award position 132 having the twenty value 142. The game provides the player twenty awards as updated by the paid display 144 and subtracts one object 106 from the object meter 108. Here, the object 106 falls a relatively small horizontal distance from the “W” position 124 to the award position 132, which is more likely than falling into the award positions 128, 134, and 136, as predicted by the laws of physics.
In this example, the object 106 has fallen into a high probability award position 132, which is described in more detail below. That is, the laws of physics predict that the object 106 of a given mass and having a certain initial velocity hits the above mentioned pegs and lands in the award position 132 a relatively high percentage of the time. According to the laws of physics, the balls should fall to a position closer to the start position more often than to a position further away from the start position. In the preferred pachinko-type game of the present invention, because the award position 132 is nearly directly under the “W” start position 124, objects 106 falling from the “W” position land in the award position 132 a relatively high percentage of the time.
In the screen 160 of
The processor 38 directs that the sequence begins from the selected “X” start position 124, wherein: a second object 106 falls from the “X” position 124 and hits the peg 126b; changes direction and hits the peg 126g; changes direction, skips a row of pegs and hits the peg 126t; changes direction and hits the peg 126aa; changes direction and hits the peg 126hh; changes direction and hits the peg 126pp; and finally falls into the award position 138 having the fifty value 142. The game provides the player fifty awards as updated by the paid display 144 and subtracts one object 106 from the object meter 108. Here, the object 106 falls a relatively large horizontal distance from the “X” position 124 to the award position 138, which is possible but less likely than falling into the award positions 128 through 136, as predicted by the laws of physics.
The memory device 40 and the sound card 42 may be adapted, as is well known in the art, to store different sounds, wherein the processor 38 selects one of the sounds when the object 106 hits or impacts a peg. The sounds are selected to coincide with the laws of physics. For example, gaming device 10 may be adapted to provide the same sound when the object hits the pegs 126m, 126aa, 126hh and 126pp because the object 106 falls approximately the same distance before hitting these pegs. Gaming device 10 may be adapted to provide a different sound, e.g., louder or of a higher impact nature when the object 106 skips a row of pegs, falls farther, and hits the peg 126t. A different sound may also be played when the object 106 falls from the “X” start position 124 directly onto the peg 126b. Gaming device 10 may also invoke a sound of the object 106 rattling to a stop in a bin or cup when the object falls into the award position 138.
In the screen 170 of
The processor 38 in
In the screen 160 of
It should be appreciated from the screens 150, 160 and 170 that the player has control over the start position 124 even though the game preferably does not expressly inform the player of this feature. The player, after playing the pachinko-type game of the present invention a number of times, likely discovers this feature. The feature is important for a couple of reasons. First, to make the game more exciting and to simulate pachinko, it is desirable to have different starting positions. That is, the game is less exciting if the object 106 always falls from the same spot of the start area 122. Given this, the game can appear rigged if the player chooses a spot on the left side of the start area 122, and the object 106 falls from the middle or right side of the start area 122.
In real pachinko, the player can control the starting position of the playing area, and providing such interactive control to the player increases excitement and enjoyment. To this end, in one embodiment the display device 30 or 32 or a separate electromechanical pushbutton provides an input device or a control device. Gaming device 10 prompts the player to select or interact with the control device. The control device enables the player to control a physical characteristic that affects the movement of the object 106. In one embodiment, the control device enables the player to control the initial speed of the object 106. The display device 30 or 32 in one implementation provides a plurality of selections, such as a slow selection, medium selection and a fast selection, wherein the player chooses the object's initial speed.
The player's physical characteristic selection may be adapted to have a plurality of outcomes. First, the selection can affect the path that the object 106 takes on the display device 30 or 32 to travel to one of the start positions (e.g., pick of slow speed yields a limp path and pick of fast speed yields a path having a plurality of ricochets, etc. Second the selection can affect a randomly generated start position 124 (e.g., slow speed more likely to generate nearer start position 124 on the display device 30 or 32, while fast speed yields a more remote start position 124). Third, the selection can affect the path from the player selected start position 124 to the game generated award position (e.g., slow speed yields straighter path, while fast speed yields more dynamic path to the game award positions).
In an alternative embodiment illustrated by the screen 180 of
In a further alternative embodiment, the award positions 128 through 140 are instead end-positions. The end-positions visually operate with the start positions 124, the pegs and the falling object 106 in the same manner as herein described. The end-positions, however, are not necessarily associated with an award 142. The end-positions may be individually adapted to provide or not provide an award. Alternatively, gaming device 10 may operate to provide an award or not provide an award based on a combination of end-positions generated after the player 110 selects a start position 124 to set the object 106 in motion a number of times.
Referring now to
The game may be adapted to have any number of values 142, any value distribution in the award positions 128 through 140 and any probability distribution amongst the different values. Setting the probability distribution for generating values 142 in the table 190 guarantees a certain average payout for the pachinko-type game of the present invention and enables the implementor to employ the game in a stand alone environment or combine the game with one or more bonus games and/or a base game.
One way to implement the weighted probability distribution is for the processor 38 to direct a random generation device stored in the memory device 40 to randomly generate a number 0 to 99. The memory device 40 also stores: that the numbers 0 through 14 yield the ten value 142; that the numbers 15 through 49 yield the twenty value 142; that the numbers 50 through 79 yield the fifty value 142 and that the numbers 80 through 99 yield the one hundred value 142. When the generation device generates a number 0 to 99, the corresponding value 142 is added to the player's total credits or to a temporary credit accumulation, such as that illustrated in the paid display 144 (
Referring now to
The number of paths shown in the column 208 designates the number of different combinations of pegs 126a through 126qq that the game stores in the memory device 40, which the object hits when falling from the corresponding start position (column 202) to the award position (column 204). For example, the screen 150 of
The paths comport with the laws of physics and with the game of pachinko. The objects 106 fall vertically downward as if pulled by gravity, so that the object normally only hits one peg per row of pegs. The paths may skip one or more rows, as above, if appropriate. The paths contain angle changes that the laws of physics might predict given a weight and velocity for the object 106. That is, the paths preferably do not contain angle changes that the laws of physics would never predict given any weight and velocity for the object 106.
Varying paths for a given start position 124/award position combination makes the game more exciting for the player. If the game has only one path for each combination, the player is likely to see a pattern for the more likely combinations and be able to anticipate the award position outcome before it occurs. This is not desirable; rather, it is desirable to hold the player in suspense as long as possible. For a given start position, the more likely award positions 128 through 140 have a higher number of different paths. For example, the W-130 and W-132 combinations each have six paths, since both award positions 130 and 132 sit directly below the “W” start position 124. The numbers of paths in the column 208 for the “W” position 124 decrease as the award positions become further and further removed from the award positions 130 and 132.
Likewise, the X-132, X-134 and X-136 combinations have five, six and five paths, respectively, since these positions sit below the “W” start position 124. The numbers of paths in the column 208 for the “X” position 124 decrease as the award positions become further and further removed from the award positions 132, 134 and 136. The path distribution indicated in the column 208 and the different probability distributions indicated in the columns 210 and 212 for the “Y” and “Z” start positions 124 preferably mirror the distributions for the “W” and “X” positions. When the start positions 124 of the start area 122 are the same size and centered above the award positions 128 through 140, which are themselves the same size, the laws of physics would predict a mirroring of the distributions. For example, in
The probability distribution for selecting award positions indicated in the column 210, for each start position 124, is driven by two factors: (i) the overall value distribution illustrated in the table 190 of
For the start position “X,” there are three times as many paths leading to the award position 128 as there is leading to the award position 140. Thus, the probability of generating the award position 128 (11.25%) is three times that for generating the award position 140 (3.75%) and both add to the required 15% for the ten value 142. The “Y” probability distribution for the award positions 128 and 140 is the inverse of the “X” distribution. The “Z” probability distribution for the award positions 128 and 140 is the inverse of the “W” distribution.
It should be appreciated that since the award positions 130 and 138 both provide the fifty value 142, the probabilities of generating these award positions, for any start position 124, must add to 30% according to the table 190. Further, since the award positions 132 and 136 both provide the twenty value 142, the probabilities of generating these award positions, for any start position 124, must add to 35% according to the table 190. Only one award position 134 per start position 124 provides the one hundred award, so that each start position 124 maintains a 20% chance of generating the top award.
The distribution scheme of
Second, even though the game follows the outcomes predicted by the laws of physics, each start position 124 has the same expected value. That is, under the distribution scheme illustrated in
Third, each start position 124 has the same total number of paths, i.e., twenty-eight, as indicated in the column 208 of the table 200. In structuring the table 200 in such a way, the game does not become more or less varied or exciting depending upon which start position 124 the player selects. The game pays equal attention to and dedicates an equal amount of computer memory in the device 40 to each start position 124.
Finally, the column 212 provides the probability that the game selects any one of the twenty-eight paths for a selected start area 124. Each probability in the column 212 is between three and four percent. The game does not therefore disproportionately generate any path or group of paths, and the player has roughly an equal chance to see any of the paths on the display device 30 or 32.
In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, gaming device 10 is adapted to provide awards 142 in association with the award positions 128 to 140 and to provide intermediate awards in association with the object 106 hitting one or more of the pegs, i.e., intermediate award positions. Referring to
The display device 30 or 32 in one embodiment informs the player of which pegs yield an intermediate award. Alternatively, the display device 30 or 32 does not provide such information to the player until the object 106 hits or contacts one of such pegs. When the object 106 contacts a peg that yields an intermediate award, gaming device 10 in one embodiment displays the award next to or adjacent to the peg and thereafter increments the player's award in the paid display 144. Alternatively, a separate award indicator may be provided on the display device 30 or 32 which accumulates any intermediate award with an award 142 from one of the award positions 128 to 140, whereby gaming device 10 then downloads the accumulated award into the paid display 144.
The intermediate awards may operate with the table 200 in a plurality of ways. First, the intermediate awards may be provided independently of the awards 142 generated from the column 206 of the table 200. In such a case, the game mathematics takes into account the fact that the player may generate an award from the table 200 and additionally may generate an intermediate award. Gaming device 10 maintains a probability for obtaining an intermediate award and for obtaining any particular intermediate award. Some intermediate awards may be harder to obtain than others, e.g., higher value intermediate awards.
In another embodiment, when gaming device 10 generates an award 142 from the table 190 of
In this latter embodiment, the table 190 may contain an award entry that has a higher value than any of the values associated with the award positions 128 to 140. For instance, the table 190 may be adapted to yield an award 142 of one hundred twenty, wherein the player can still win the highest award associated with any of the award positions (one hundred) as well as one or more intermediate awards. Gaming device 10 may be adapted to make up any difference between the player's overall award and the award provided via the award position by having the object 106 contact one or a plurality of pegs that yield intermediate awards.
Referring now to
For example, a table, similar to the table 200, may be stored in the memory device 40 that, for the “U” start position 124, stores: 10 paths for the award position 131; 12 paths for the award position 133; 6 paths for the award position 135; and 2 paths for the award position 137. The object thus has more paths (22) to the closer award positions 131 and 133 than the number of paths (8) to the more remote award positions 135 and 137. The expected value for selecting the “U” start position is the total payout for all the paths divided by the number of paths; or ((10×10)+(20×12)+(5×6)+(25×2))/30; or 14.
The table 200 may also store, for the “V” start position 124: 3 paths for the award position 131; 9 paths for the award position 133; 12 paths for the award position 135; and 6 paths for the award position 137. The object thus has more paths (18) to the closer award positions 135 and 137 than the number of paths (12) to the more remote award positions 131 and 133. The expected value for selecting the “V” start position is again the total payout for all the paths divided by the number of paths; or ((10×3)+(20×9)+(5×12)+(25×6))/30; or 14.
The player therefore receives the same average value 142, regardless of whether the player selects the “U” or “V” start positions 124. The object 106 tends to follow the laws of physics. The value distribution, however, is asymmetrical with respect to the start positions 124, and the values 142 do not mirror each other.
Referring now to
The bowling embodiment of the screen 230 differs from the pachinko-type embodiments disclosed above because the motion of the ball is not merely dependent on the laws of gravity; rather, a bowling ball path is controlled by characteristics such as gravity, the surface friction of the bowling lane, the speed of the bowling ball and the spin of the ball. Also, the path is to a certain degree chosen by the player. Some bowlers attempt to throw a straight ball while others feel that putting a spin on the ball and attempting a curved path is beneficial. In this embodiment, therefore, the start positions 124 are preferably visible to the player so that the player can throw a straight or a curved ball.
To make a realistic bowling game, the center award position 143 has the highest associated value 142. To give equal opportunity to each of the different player preferences, each start position 124 provides an equal chance of achieving the award position 143. The laws of physics would predict, however, that if a player attempting to put a slight hook on the ball by starting from the “O” start position 124 misses the award position 143, the ball misses more often by landing in the award positions 145 and 147 than by landing in the award positions 139 and 141. A player attempting to put a severe hook on the ball by starting from the “P” start position 124 misses even more often by landing in the award positions 145 and 147.
Referring now to
As illustrated in the table 250, each start position 124 has a forty percent chance of obtaining the award position 143. The “L” and “M” start positions 124 miss the highest value award position 143 more often by landing in the award positions 139 and 141, as would be expected from the bowling lane 232. The “O” and “P” start positions 124 miss the highest value award position 143 more often by landing in the award positions 145 and 147, as would also be expected from the bowling lane 232. The central “N” start position 124 misses equally on either side of the award position 143.
The award values 142 are mirrored or symmetrical as illustrated in the screen 230 of
As with the pachinko game of the present invention, the bowling embodiment of
Based on the player's start position and the generated award position, gaming device 10 generates a path for the ball and the speed of the ball. In another embodiment, the control device enables the player to select a speed and a path (straight or hook) and gaming device 10 generates the start position after generating an award position. In a further embodiment, the control device enables the player to select a start position 124 and a path (straight or hook), wherein the game generates an award position and a speed, i.e., ball hooks less if traveling faster and hooks more if traveling slower to hit the game generated award position based on the player selected start position.
As with the pachinko game of the present invention, the award positions 139 through 147 may alternatively be adapted to be end-positions, which may or may not be associated with an award 142. In one preferred embodiment each of the end-positions is initially associated with an award 142. However, as with real bowling, if the game end-position is generated a second time (i.e., pin is already knocked over) the player receives no award. Each end-position is therefore adapted to yield an award 142 the first time gaming device 10 generates the end-position but not to yield an award 142 upon subsequent generations.
While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.
This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/738,426, filed on Dec. 16, 2003, entitled “GAMING DEVICE HAVING OUTCOMES WHICH REPLICATE THE LAWS OF PHYSICS,” which is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/967,243, filed on Sep. 8, 2001, entitled, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING OUTCOMES WHICH REPLICATE THE LAWS OF PHYSICS”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,766, and which are incorporated herein in their entirety. The present invention relates to the following commonly owned U.S. patent applications: “Gaming Device Having Game Scheme Allowing Player Skill To Affect Symbol Movement Without Affecting Award,” Ser. No. 09/684,535; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,473; “Wagering Gaming Device Having Simulated Control of Movement of Game Functional Elements,” Ser. No. 10/243,899; and “Wagering Game Device Providing Physical Simulation Responses to Various Components of the Gaming Device,” Ser. No. 10/244,125; “Gaming Device Having Game Scheme Allowing Player Skill To Affect Symbol Movement Without Affecting Award, Ser. No. 10/408,606, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,830.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4448419 | Telnaes | May 1984 | A |
4582324 | Koza et al. | Apr 1986 | A |
4618150 | Kimura | Oct 1986 | A |
4695053 | Vazquez, Jr. et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
4871171 | Rivero | Oct 1989 | A |
5016879 | Parker et al. | May 1991 | A |
5131655 | Ugawa | Jul 1992 | A |
5342047 | Heidel et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5393061 | Manship et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5449173 | Thomas et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5509655 | Ugawa | Apr 1996 | A |
5524888 | Heidel | Jun 1996 | A |
5639089 | Matsumoto et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5695188 | Ishibashi | Dec 1997 | A |
5769716 | Saffari et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5833536 | Davids et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5833537 | Barrie | Nov 1998 | A |
5836819 | Ugawa | Nov 1998 | A |
5873781 | Keane | Feb 1999 | A |
5951009 | Miyamoto et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5951397 | Dickinson | Sep 1999 | A |
5984780 | Takemoto et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6015346 | Bennett | Jan 2000 | A |
6047963 | Pierce et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6071192 | Weiss | Jun 2000 | A |
6089978 | Adams | Jul 2000 | A |
6102798 | Bennett | Aug 2000 | A |
6139013 | Pierce et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6142874 | Kodachi et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6142875 | Kodachi et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6159095 | Frohm et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6159097 | Gura | Dec 2000 | A |
6165070 | Nolte et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6174235 | Walker et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6176487 | Eklund et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6210279 | Dickinson | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6220593 | Pierce et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6261177 | Bennett | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6267669 | Luciano, Jr. et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6270408 | Sakamoto et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6296568 | Tracy | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6315664 | Baerlocher et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6340158 | Pierce et al. | Jan 2002 | B2 |
6386976 | Yamazaki et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6398219 | Pierce et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6506114 | Estes et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6769982 | Brosnan | Aug 2004 | B1 |
7284756 | Pierce et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2 341 262 | Mar 2000 | GB |
WO2005094954 | Oct 2005 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20070155464 A1 | Jul 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 10738426 | Dec 2003 | US |
Child | 11668350 | US | |
Parent | 09967243 | Sep 2001 | US |
Child | 10738426 | US |