Patent Application
20250232643
The subject matter disclosed herein and the invention claimed relate generally to a gaming system and method for playing wagering games. More specifically, the disclosure relates to payline-based wagering games having geometrically-related features and functionalities that provide for two distinct but inter-related types of paylines, and for providing a different outcome potential dependent on payline.
Casino-based gaming whereby players wager money based on a chance to receive a winning outcome is a significant international and domestic commercial market. There are numerous sub-markets within this vast market. They primarily include land-based markets—markets where wagering is conducted on games of chance within licensed physical establishments open to the public; and online markets—markets where wagering is conducted through licensed Internet websites. Additionally, there is social casino gaming which is also conducted online through Internet websites. Though this too is wager-based gaming, it is conducted using virtual currency which has no actual value outside of the applicable Internet website and its use in making wagers on the games that are offered for play within the website's library of available games.
In the United States alone, there are an estimated 57 million persons participating in some form of casino-based gaming. Some 40 percent of people living in the United States have visited a land-based (i.e., not online) casino in the past year. Slot machines are the most popular form of such gaming having generated for themselves over 34 billion dollars in gross gaming revenues in the year 2022 in 44 states, plus the District of Columbia, where such gaming is legal. This does not include online real-money gaming, which has garnered another 5 billion from just six states where such gaming is currently legal.
Slot machines have been a significant form of entertainment for many decades ever since Charles Fey developed the first reel-based, three reel, automatic payout machine in the late 1800s. From that popular game many others have come; each developed using the existing technology of the day and introducing new concepts to add excitement and variation. Thus, from that once simple mechanical game came highly technical electromechanical and electronic video devices that provide a variety of reel games with various forms of bonuses, game features, peripheral devices and intermediary systems to enhance the game and provide greater enjoyment to the player.
What all these devices have in common is at least one area that displays active indicia associated with a game. The indicia are generally referred to as reels and symbols. The reels physically spin if the slot machine is a mechanical-based machine (also known as a stepper machine based on the use of a stepper motor) or are graphically shown to spin (or provide other displays indicative of rotation or changing symbols) if an electronic-based machine having a video screen for display. The electronic-based gaming machine might also display the “spin” in some manner other than a spinning reel, such as a spin of position within the reel, but the result for any of the displays is to randomly present a matrix of symbols. In the prior art, the reels generally form a series of rows and columns in which symbols are randomly selected from a set of symbols, and more specifically from given set associated with each reel, and displayed along the rows and columns. Should the symbols align in a predetermined manner, the game results in a win (value is received by the player in excess of the value wagered) or positive outcome (value is received by the player in the same or lesser amount that that wagered). The simplest form might consist of one row and three columns although generally the simplest of these gaming machines include at least three rows and three columns. The alignment in this instance could only be along that one row and thus there would only be one “payline” such that alignment of symbols in a predetermined manner could only occur along that one row or payline. But as will be discussed, there can be multiple paylines with those games having multiple rows or columns.
To increase the entertainment value of the machines and the amount of money that might be wagered, games were developed with different, larger matrices. The 3×3 matrix was typical (three rows and three columns) as was the later-developed 3×5 matrix. But it was not limited to only these. With these enlarged matrices, as said, various additional paylines could be established. They could run along each of the rows, diagonally from the top row, first column to the last row, first column (or vice versa), or in some other arranged pattern across the columns. If the symbols randomly aligned after the spin in a predetermined outcome along such a payline, the game would provide a winning outcome.
It has always been a goal of the game designer to develop games of ever-increasing entertainment value. The greater the entertainment value the greater the machine's use and, generally, the greater revenue received by the slot machine provider. Therefore, the various forms of matrices and novel methods of devising paylines and such were developed along with colorful graphic displays, animations, bonus games, features, and the like. But always the games included the form of matrix dictated by rows and columns with paylines dictated by such. One such payout scheme developed for enhanced entertainment is known as MEGAWAYS®. That design does not include paylines per se but delivers a win or positive outcome if the symbols of predetermined winning symbol combinations land on adjacent reels. Additionally, in a MEGAWAYS® game there are a random number of symbols, up to seven, assigned to each reel per play. In a six column game, this can amount to 117,649 different winning outcome combinations.
Design and development efforts have been persistent for decades to add these novel aspects and other enhancements to the slot games, as players tend to tire from the same old and seek out inventive new payline games. Though novel and interesting slot machines have been derived for the row and column matrix games, a new manner of slot machine-type game that does not utilize the common form matrix and existing payline arrangements and that determines positive outcomes in a manner different than previously done could prove highly beneficial.
The present invention is directed to gaming systems and methods of gaming that provide features and functions for a symbol and payline-based wagering game that serves the ever-expanding need to introduce innovative new gaming concepts into the gaming markets. These gaming systems generally require a wager to activate play of a game on a video display screen associated with the system. It is an object of the invention that upon activation, a plurality of symbols are randomly selected from a subset of symbols and arranged about a matrix of positions that enable two distinct types of paylines to be established at varying directions and having variable outcome potential. One form of payline is generally radial. Another form of payline is generally circumferential. The paylines are inter-related such that the number of positions of one form is dependent on the number of positions of the other form of payline. Therefore, for each generally radial payline, a position is established for the generally circumferential payline. Conversely, for each generally circumferential payline, a position is established for the generally radial payline. Symbol combinations established along any of the radial paylines or circumferential paylines through the random selection of symbols that match any predetermined winning symbol combinations provide a return on wager.
In another object of the invention, the number of radial paylines can exceed the number of circumferential paylines thereby creating circumferential paylines of greater length. This relationship creates a higher outcome potential along the circumferential payline than that of the radial payline due to potential for lengthier symbol combinations and multiple symbol combinations. Conversely, the number of circumferential paylines can exceed the number of radial paylines giving rise to potentially higher outcome potential along the radial paylines for similar reasons.
In yet another object of the invention the symbol combinations can be juxtaposed along the payline in any manner giving rise to an increased outcome potential along the circumferential payline due to the non-terminating nature of the circumferential payline.
In yet another object of the invention, the number of radial paylines and circumferential paylines are selectable.
In another object of the invention, one form of payline remains generally radial while another form of payline is generally spiral-shaped. The paylines are inter-related such that the number of positions of one form is dependent on the number of positions of the other form of payline. Therefore, for each generally radial payline, a number of positions are established along the spiral arc. Conversely, for each loop or partial loop of the spiral, a position is established for the generally radial payline. Symbol combinations established along any of the established radial paylines or the established spiral payline through the random selection of symbols that match any predetermined winning symbol combination provide a return on wager.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims, which describe and illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
In the following description, certain details existing in the prior art may be set forth in order to provide a more thorough description and understanding of the present invention. It will become apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the invention may be practiced without some or any of such detail and that it may also be practiced in association with other prior art embodiments not described herein. In other instances, well-known details of the prior art that are otherwise known by those skilled in the art may be left out so as not to obscure the invention and so as not to include superfluous words in the description.
The present invention can be configured for use in a variety of embodiments within a gaming system or gaming device (collectively referred to hereinafter as “gaming system”) including an electronic gaming machine (EGM), which encompasses many of the standard components of an electronic, video-based slot machine, or as part of a server-based game delivery system established for online (i.e., Internet) or wide-area network use.
When configured as an EGM, the device is generally used in association with licensed, brick and mortar-type, land-based casino establishments, but is not limited thereto, and may be used in other gaming establishments such as route locations (i.e., venues licensed for gaming as a secondary commercial enterprise that have a substantially limited number of EGMs), racinos, cruise ships that provide wager-based gaming, or gaming licensed riverboat operations. When configured for use with a server-based game delivery system, the gaming system can be configured for use with online real-money gaming through licensed Internet-based casinos or with social casino gaming through social gaming websites. But the configurations are not so limited. For instance, a type of server-based game delivery system different and distinct from those that provide online real-money gaming or social casino gaming may be established within a land-based casino that provides for the delivery of games to EGMs residing therein. Additionally, Internet websites may exist that provide free-to-play games outside the confines of social casino gaming websites. Further, downloadable software may enable local play of the game on a player's personal computing device. For the present invention there need only be the software necessary to enable use of the gaming features and functions that are the subject of this disclosure regardless of the gaming system in which it is configured.
The basic, necessary software of the gaming system that enables use of the gaming features and functionalities disclosed herein is software and the instructions that reside therein that enable the receiving of a wager as a prerequisite to playing a game of chance, displaying the game of chance and its operation on a video display screen, and providing a return based on a winning or positive outcome (a positive outcome being a return of less than or the same as the amount wagered, and a winning outcome being a return of more than the amount wagered; to be referred to hereinafter collectively as a “winning outcome”). Further discussion of these configurations and the necessary software modules and devices for providing the necessary inputs and outputs associated therewith will be discussed further within this disclosure.
Notwithstanding the configuration utilizing the gaming features and functionalities that are the subject of this disclosure, once a wager is made and play of the game is initiated, the game and game dynamics are displayed on a video display screen of the gaming system. The wager will be made in real or virtual currency, both generally being reduced to denominational credit units, per the gaming system software. The number of credit units will depend on the amount of value received and the denomination selected or set within the gaming system, as will also be further described. Example embodiments of the gaming features and functionalities of the present invention will now be disclosed.
Turning to
In
This geometric layout, referred to as an “orbital matrix”, produces 32 (4 by 8) positions, four orbits and eight sectors. In other example embodiments, orbital matrices of various numbers of sectors, orbits or shapes may be utilized. For example, the layout could consist of a 3 orbit by 6 sector orbital matrix; or 6 orbit by 12 sector orbital matrix; or 5 orbit by 5 sector orbital matrix; essentially any combination of orbits and sectors limited only by the desire to form a payline along at least one sector and along at least one orbit. Theoretically, this requires at least two positions formed along at least one sector to form what will be later described as a sector payline and at least two positions must exist along at least one orbit to form what will be later described as an orbital payline. (Geometrically, there will always have to be at least two sectors to accommodate at least two positions of the orbit). Additionally, the geometry of the layouts shown in
Referring to
It is noted that although example embodiments of
Symbols 200a through 270d are randomly selected though the random number generator of the gaming system. Random number generators are well known in the slot machine gaming arts. It is an integral software module of the gaming system used for determining game outcome. For each game outcome on a gaming system the random number generator determines which symbols, through random selection from the set of symbols, are to be displayed in each of the various positions of the orbital matrix. Upon game activation, a symbol is randomly selected by the random number generator for each of the positions of the orbital matrix and displayed therein. As previously indicated, the symbols need not be displayed within positions but can also be displayed on the radial lines and on the orbital lines. Since the symbols selected in the prior game may still be displayed, more accurately, the previously displayed symbols are replaced with newly selected symbols. Game activation occurs after a wager is made and upon signal delivered to and detected by a computer processor to process the software encoded instructions, including operation of the random number generator to determine symbol selection and game outcome.
Each symbol of the symbol set is typically weighted relative to the other symbols of the set so that some of the symbols are selected and displayed at greater or lesser frequencies than others. This is also well-known in the slot machine gaming art. Paytables are established to provide different payouts based on the predetermined symbol combinations. The less frequent the symbol combination results, the greater the payout. Symbol combinations can be of any predetermined combination. A three-symbol combination of a certain symbol may provide a greater return on wager due to the lesser chance of occurrence than a three-symbol combination of another symbol. Additionally, lengthier symbol combinations will provide a greater return than those of shorter length due to a lesser chance of occurrence. Therefore, a five-symbol combination of a symbol more likely to occur could provide a return on wager that is greater than that of a three-symbol combination of a symbol that is less likely to occur. The game math is established, accordingly, and a paytable establishes a series of predetermined symbol combinations and the return each would receive on the wager.
In conventional slot machine gaming art, symbol combinations generally must initiate on the first virtual reel or row and extend along at least a three-reel payline to form a three symbol combination. If initiated on the second reel, even if what would otherwise be a predetermined symbol combination that would provide a return, no return is provided. Initiation on the first reel is a requirement for a return to be provided.
Some games may also include special symbols which, should they appear at any position within the matrix in a predetermined number of positions, notwithstanding the position in which the special symbols appear, a payout is provided based on the number of positions in which they appear. Additionally, some games in the slot machine gaming art do not utilize payline wins but a concept generally referred to as “ways” whereby the symbol combination will be met if the necessary symbols to meet the combination exist in any position of any of the adjacent reels, subject in most games to initiation of the symbol combination on the first reel.
For there to be a winning outcome, a predetermined winning symbol combination must occur along a payline. The payline is determined as a specified path of positions along which the symbols are displayed. The paths of positions are coded into the game, except in “ways” games where predetermined symbol combinations need not follow a prescribed path. There can be any number of paylines designed into the game. In standard slot machine games, paylines can take a straight line path across the reels, a diagonal path, a zig-zag path, or any other path across the reels as designed by the game software. They run along a path defined by one position of one reel to one position of the next reel for the entirety of all the reels associated with the game.
In any given play of a payline game, any number of payline wins can occur if there is more than one active payline and a predetermined winning symbol combination across more than the one payline. In most payline games, the paylines must be selected in order to receive the possibility of achieving a winning outcome along the payline. This selection of the number of paylines controls the total wager amount and increases the number of possibilities for achieving a winning outcome since the more paylines selected the greater the chance of receiving a predetermined symbol combination. However, selection of paylines is not the only aspect that controls wager amount. In most games, a wager amount per payline can be selected. The product of that amount multiplied by the number of paylines is the total wager.
With that prior art background, we now turn back to the orbital matrix. In preferred embodiments, the symbols are displayed one to a position within positions 30a through 44d. There are six different symbols—a cherry, cloves, a bar, acorns, bells and a dollar sign—randomly displayed within each of the 32 positions. All but the cherry symbol are displayed multiple times. Depending on how they are arranged will determine the game outcome. This is similar to that of the typical slot machine that displays symbols within the positions formed by the rows and columns of the slot machine matrix. Although unlike those slot machines that prescribe paylines across the columns of matrix, in the present invention there exists both sector paylines and orbital paylines follow a path of positions across the orbits and across the sectors of the orbital matrix.
Referring to
In the symbol combination of sector 110f sector payline 350 displays the bar symbol in the innermost position 250d of the innermost orbit 100d and same bar symbol in the next two adjacent positions 250c and 250b. This, too, is a winning symbol combination—three sequential bar symbols—in the same hypothetical paytable given the lack of requirement to include one of the symbols of the predetermined winning symbol combination in a specified position. Since the symbol combination in sector 110a encompasses all positions along sector payline 300, if there had been a requirement to include one of the symbols of the predetermined winning symbol combination within a specified position, the requirement would be moot given the inclusion of the flower symbol in all of the positions of the sector.
In addition to certain embodiments including the embodiment that requires the symbol combinations to have one of the symbols in a given position to be effective, other embodiments of the invention can include alternative or additional paylines that follow different patterns and therefore follow a path of positions that are in different sectors. For instance, a diagonal payline that, from the innermost position, moves clockwise to the next position in the next orbit and then clockwise to the next position in the next orbit and so forth until reaching the position of the outermost orbit. Any form of sector payline could be established through coding of the gaming system software.
The variance in potential value between sector paylines and orbital paylines will differ depending on the layout of the orbital matrix. In other layouts; for instance, an 8 orbit by 4 sector layout, the sector paylines will extend through eight positions and thus have more value than the orbital paylines which will extend through only four positions. The variance in potential value between sector paylines and orbital paylines adds a certain excitement and variation to the game.
It is a feature of the invention that there be both sector paylines and orbital paylines (or similarly, as will be discussed, spiral paylines). It is also a feature of preferred embodiments that the number of positions along a sector differs from the number of positions along an orbit (or vice versa). This generates two types of paylines which encompass a different number of positions resulting in a dissimilar potential of outcome.
Though in preferred embodiments there is a variance in potential outcome between the sector and orbital paylines due to varying length or otherwise, in other embodiments the sector paylines and orbital paylines may be equivalent in the number of positions they encompass (for instance a 4 orbit by 4 sector matrix) thereby making the variance in potential value between the two types of paylines null (all other aspects being equal). That said, in the preferred embodiment and in nearly all embodiments, the orbital paylines will never be self-terminating. Therefore, there is no first position or last position. A winning symbol combination can appear and be juxtaposed along any of the positions of the payline. This is distinguishable from sector paylines where the innermost position can only be adjacent the outermost position when there are only two positions of the sector. If there are any more than two positions, the innermost position can never be adjacent to the outermost position along a payline due to the self-terminating nature of the payline at the innermost and outermost positions. These inherent aspects of the orbital paylines and sector paylines for the preferred embodiments will always provide a potential outcome advantage to the orbital paylines. The only embodiment whereby all aspects are equal is when there are an equal number of orbits and sectors and the orbits are assigned a first position and a last position such that symbol combination must initiate or terminate, respectively, at each.
Notwithstanding the number of available positions along the payline, paytable constraints may relegate winning symbol combinations to a maximum number of positions that is less than the number of positions encompassed by the payline. In the embodiment of
Turning now to the spiral matrix illustrated in
Nine sectors 508a through 508i are formed from the embodiment shown in
In the preferred embodiment of the spiral matrix, the positions along the arc length of the spiral comprise a payline—a spiral payline. Since there are 36 positions in the example embodiment displayed in
In an alternative embodiment of the spiral matrix, segments are established along the open-ended spiral. Each segment is thus a portion of a multi-sectored spiral whereby an equivalent number of positions lie along each of the segments. Given the 36 positions along the example embodiment of
Other embodiments of the spiral matrix are possible. For one, the spiral arc could be segmented in a manner to produce lesser or greater numbers of spiral paylines, or paylines of varying position lengths. Additionally, similar to that of the embodiment of the orbital matrix whereby the symbols lie along the radial lines and orbits and therefore not within the positions formed by such, an alternative embodiment for the spiral matrix can position the symbols to lie along the radial lines and spiral arc. In the same manner as that of the orbital matrix, an additional symbol will be added to the sector payline for such embodiment.
Spiral payline 700 encompasses all positions along the spiral length of the spiral. Spiral payline 700 in the example embodiment of
A novel feature of the spiral matrix is a form of cascading. Cascading is a concept in the prior art for conventional slot machines having column by row matrices. Winning combinations are made to graphically disappear. The remaining symbols then fall into place or cascade in an effect that appears gravitational. The empty positions are filled from the symbols that were displayed just above. Once that emptied position is filled with the symbol from above, the position from where that symbol was previously displayed is also filled in with the position from above. However, if the symbol that replaced a prior symbol of a winning combination was on the top row, a new symbol is randomly selected to fill its previous position. The newly symbol combination are then reassessed to determine if any new predetermined winning symbol combinations exist and to provide a return if there are. The process repeats until there are no further predetermined winning symbol combinations.
In the spiral matrix, winning symbol combinations are made to disappear. The symbols are shifted outward or inward along the spiral arc, depending on the game software programming, to fill in the positions void of symbol. New symbols are randomly selected and displayed at the end of the spiral to compensate for the resulting empty positions. All of the sector paylines and the spiral payline are re-assessed to determine if there are any new symbol combinations that match any predetermined winning symbol combinations. If there are, a return is provided based on the wager made and the process repeats until there are no further winning symbol combinations. Since both the sector paylines and spiral payline are re-assessed, the potential for new winning symbol combinations is not insignificant.
The spiral slot provides a novel approach to the type of cascading described since the two-form paylines (i.e., sector paylines and spiral payline) are bidirectionally assessed. It is this bidirectional assessment that creates a significant reestablishment of symbol combinations along the paylines. This aspect provides a similar advantage to the orbital matrix since it also maintains two-form paylines (i.e., sector paylines and orbital paylines) that are bidirectionally assessed for winning symbol combinations. One form of bonus inherent to the orbital matrix and spiral matrix is the disappearing symbols or symbol combinations. Game outcomes that include winning symbol combinations include the steps of removing those symbols and replacing the positions where they were displayed with randomly selected new symbols. The paylines are then re-read to see if there are any new winning symbol combinations and any of such are provided a return. The process is repeated until no further winning symbol combinations are read. In alternative embodiments of this bonus, symbols other than winning symbol combinations may disappear and be replaced with new randomly selected symbols. Additionally, the replaced symbols can be given an “effect” such that as they are made to disappear, they cause surrounding symbols to also disappear and then similarly be replaced. This provides a more accentuated effect to the bonus.
Another novel feature that can be implemented with the orbital matrix and spiral matrix is a form of sorting. This provides extended play and the potential to achieve additional outcomes including winning outcomes. In the orbital matrix, upon receiving an outcome based on the randomly selected symbols, assessing the sector paylines and orbital paylines for predetermined winning outcomes and providing a return on wager should any appear, a new symbol array is displayed. In one arrangement, like symbols appearing along the sector paylines are grouped together regardless of where they were displayed along the sector payline in the original outcome. This arrangement or sorting is completed for each sector. After completion, if predetermined symbol combinations appear, a return is provided in accordance with the paytable. The table below shows the result of a random original game outcome of a 4 by 8 orbital matrix having symbols represented by A, B, C, D, E, F, and H:
The table below presents a re-arrangement of random outcome of symbols based on a sorting of each sector:
As can be seen, there are now groupings of symbols along not only the sectors but also the orbits that did not previously exist. For instance, the previously existing symbol combinations E-E-E along Sector 1; D-D-D-D along Sector 3; and C-C-C along Sector 7 remain. However, the new symbol combination B-B-B along Sector 4 now appears as do symbol combinations C-C-C along Orbit 2 and H-H-H-H along Orbit 4. Some of the previously appearing symbol combinations along the orbits were eliminated as a result of the sort. The new symbol combinations are assessed to determine if any match predetermined winning symbol combination and for any that do, a return on wager is provided.
Similarly, a re-arrangement of the random outcome of symbols can be performed based on a sorting of each orbit. Such re-arrangement is shown in the table below:
In this sorting of the orbits, new symbol combinations B-B-B along Orbit 1, H-H-H along Orbit 2, and C-C-C-C along Orbit 3 are formed. Note that the symbol combination E-E-E along Orbit 1 previously existed in the original game outcome for the preferred embodiment that includes non-terminating orbital paylines. Thus, the E-E-E symbol combination would not be considered a new symbol combination resulting from the sort in the preferred embodiment.
Yet another form of sorting can occur. This can be a second sort after the aforementioned re-arrangement of the sectors or the orbits, or it can be the first sorting albeit in two sorting steps. In this embodiment of the bonus, the sectors can first be re-arranged as indicated above and then re-arranged about the orbits. Thus, two re-arrangement steps with an interim sort, which can be assessed for predetermined winning symbol combinations, or performed simply to obtain the final arrangement, which is then assessed for predetermined winning symbol combinations. Similarly, the re-arrangement of symbols can be first performed for each of the orbits and then performed for the sectors. Given the original game outcome as provided above, a sector-first sort followed by an orbit sort would result in the following symbol arrangement outcome:
It can be seen that this two-step re-arrangement or sorting of symbols provides a significant re-generation of the symbol array and provides the potential for different predetermined winning symbol combinations. New symbol combinations significantly different than those in the sector sort and orbit sort can be seen in this example. The symbol arrangement outcome for the orbit-first sort followed by the sector sort is shown, below:
As with the above two-step sorting, this two-step re-arrangement of symbols similarly provides a significant re-generation of the symbol array leading to the potential for different predetermined winning symbol combinations. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this feature can be similarly implemented within the spiral matrix.
It has been disclosed that both the orbital matrix and spiral matrix can be differently designed. A 4 by 8 orbital matrix (four orbits, eight sectors) has been the embodiment most discussed for the orbital matrix and the 5 fully looped, nine sector embodiment most discussed for the spiral matrix. But the gaming system can embody any layout subject to the limitations previously discussed. Mathematics and game programming can be developed to comport with any number of sectors, orbits, sector payline and orbital paylines and, similarly, any number of spiral loops, sectors, sector paylines, and spiral paylines. Each different layout provides a slightly different experience for the player. A 3 orbit by 3 sector orbital matrix game will provide a somewhat different experience than a 3 orbit by 8 sector game which will feel different than an 8 orbit by 3 sector game which will feel different than a 4 orbit by 12 sector game. The first being most simplistic but readily apparent in result; the next being a more orbit-focused game having eight positions along each orbit and the higher potential for wins and larger wins but just three positions along each sector; the next being sector focused having eight positions along each sector but just three along each orbit; with the last providing much excitement and opportunity along each orbit by providing 12 positions and an even greater chance for more and larger wins.
In an embodiment of a gaming system, a selection is provided that allows the player to select from a variety of different configurations. The orbital matrices may be pre-set such that, for instance, any of the four just described could be selected. In another embodiment, the player can select from nearly any number of sectors and any number of orbits within a minimum and maximum number of each to form a variety of different configurations. The game math would adjust, accordingly, upon selection in accordance with the gaming software depending on the selections to accommodate the configuration. The gaming system will then display the display the configuration and properly operate the game.
The invention can be configured for use in a variety of gaming system configurations. A representation of a gaming system in which the features and functions of the invention can be used is shown in
Bill validator 804 accepts the insertion of paper currency in the form of bills, identifies the amount of each bill inserted and, depending on the denomination assigned by electronic gaming machine 800, which can be pre-established and invariable or selectable from a number of different designations, a number of credits are calculated and displayed on credit meter 812. Some slot machines are developed to allow for only one established denomination. Therefore, there is no variation in denomination and the number of credits that will be established for the inserted currency amount will be calculated based on such set denomination. For example, if a particular slot machine is designed to allow for wagers of only twenty-five cents ($0.25) or in increments of that denomination, if a ten dollar bill is inserted into bill validator 804, the gaming device programming will calculate 40 credits and display said amount on the credit meter 812 or add 40 credits to the amount already displayed. However, modern slot machines allow for selection of the denomination. The programming of electronic gaming machine 800 and bill validator 804 allows the player to select the denomination from a number of different denominations and the credit amount is calculated based on the denomination selected and the amount of the bill or bills that were inserted into bill validator 804. For example, if the denomination selected is five cents ($0.05) and a ten dollar bill is inserted into bill validator 804, the applicable programming will calculate 200 credits and display said amount on credit meter 812 or add 2000 credits to the amount already displayed. If an amount is already displayed, it will be displayed based on the selected denomination. Thus, if there were 15 credits displayed on the credit display 812 when the selected denomination was twenty-five cents, upon a change of selection to a denomination of five cents, credit meter 812 will be updated to reflect a new amount of 75 credits. The value remains the same; only the credit total changes based on the selected denomination.
Coin acceptor 806 is another form of input device. Coin acceptor 806 is generally a throwback to older slot machines that accepted only coins and no paper currency. However, they remain on some slot machines.
Card acceptor 808 exists as an input device to read credit cards and debit cards used for transferring credit or funds. Such peripheral devices exist in electronic communication with financial establishments external to the licensed gaming establishment in which electronic gaming machine 800 resides. This is necessary for enabling electronic funds transfer or ETF between gaming machine 800 and such financial establishment.
Internal systems also exist for transferring value. Cashless ticket systems are widely used in today's licensed gaming establishments. Electronic gaming machine 800 includes a ticket acceptor/dispenser 801, which may have the dual function of operating with bill validator 804. The cashless ticket system works through ticket coding. Each ticket represents a specific value and is encoded with a unique bar code or other form of unique identification (e.g., a QR code) that represents that value and the ticket's association with the cashless ticket system. The system securely stores the value of each ticket printed by a ticket printer (not shown) and is distributed through ticket acceptor/dispenser 810. A player inserts either paper currency or ticket into bill validator 804 or ticket acceptor/dispenser 810. Upon conclusion of play, a ticket is printed and distributed back to the player through ticket acceptor/dispenser 810 with a new value represented by a unique code printed thereon. The ticket can then be brought to a different slot machine or gaming device that also has a ticket acceptor/dispenser 810 and that is in communication with the cashless ticket system. The unique code of the ticket is read as a function of ticket acceptor/dispenser 810. The code is then matched to an entry securely stored in a database of the system's memory which is linked in the entry to the associated value. The value is read and transmitted to electronic gaming machine 800 where its value is displayed as available credit in credit meter 812. The process may repeat multiple times by pressing cash out button 814 in button panel 816 and having the ticket acceptor/dispenser 810 dispense a new ticket with new value (depending on the results of play and subject to at least some remaining value) and inserting the new ticket into a different machine also having a ticket acceptor/dispenser 810 that is in communication with the cashless ticket system. To redeem the ticket for currency a player may visit a kiosk stationed within the licensed gaming establishment that possesses the ability to read the ticket, find its value within the cashless system's database, and dispense currency in the form of bill and coin in said amount. The ticket value associated therewith is rendered null and thus provided no value. Alternatively, human attendants of the gaming establishment having ticket verification devices can read the ticket for the patron and physically distribute the amount of value represented by that ticket. The ticket is then similarly rendered null.
There are additional inputs associated with making a wager. These pertain more closely to the actual wager being made. One such input can be the selection of paylines. Another input can be selection of the denomination to be wagered (discussed above). Yet another can be the number of credits to be wagered per payline. All of these selections can be made using an assigned button of button panel 26. Game system coding assigns each button a specific type of input and uses such input, accordingly, to process functions of the system.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is no payline selection. All sector paylines and all orbital paylines, or spiral payline, as the case may be, are active for each game played. However, in other embodiments where line selection is available, in simplest example, if one payline is selected and one credit is wagered per payline, and the denomination of $0.05 is selected, the total wager will be $0.05 (i.e., 1 payline×1 credit per payline×$0.05 denomination). Only outcomes along the one selected payline will yield potential results. Outcomes along any other paylines will be given no effect and no value even if the symbol combination displayed would otherwise have been a winning outcome. A more involved wager might be, for example, a selection of 16 paylines and three credits wagered per payline. If the denomination selected is $0.05, the total wager will be $2.40 (i.e., 16 paylines×3 credits per payline×$0.05 denomination) but just $0.15 per payline (i.e., 1 payline×3 credits per payline×$0.05). If the game includes only 16 possible paylines, all paylines will be active and thus consequential. However, if additional paylines could have been selected, the outcomes coinciding with those additional paylines would be null regardless of whether or not the symbol combination would have otherwise been a predetermined winning symbol combination. An assigned button in button panel 816 can be assigned for use to select the number of paylines, the denomination and the credits to be wagered per payline. The number of paylines selected are displayed in the payline window 818. The denomination selected is displayed in denomination window 820. The credits per payline are displayed in window 822. And the total wager is displayed in wager window 824. Another window 826 displays the win, if any, per play of the game.
Another means for inputting the selection of denomination, number of paylines and the number of credits per payline, or for other required inputs such as volume control or input related to game play activities, is a capacitive surface interface (not shown) associated with video display screen 802. The capacitive surface interface receives input through player touch of video display screen 802 which then localizes the change in capacitance, maps the location, and processes a given input based on the defined location. For instance, a plus and minus sign can be displayed alongside credit per payline window 822. As the plus sign is touched, the credit number will increase and the updated number of credits will be displayed.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is no selection of paylines. All paylines are made active. Only denomination and credit per payline are available for controlling the wager per payline and total wager. The button panel, which can also be developed on electronic gaming machine 800 as a touch screen, is programmable thus enabling the selectable inputs to forego the addition of a payline selection button. However, in embodiments that enable payline selection, button panel 816 can be programmed for such. Additionally, given the potential for variance in outcome potential between sector paylines and orbital paylines in the orbital matrix, and sector paylines and spiral paylines in the spiral matrix, a gaming system can be designed that distinguishes between each such selection of one or the other, depending on the outcome potential, will require a greater wager.
In the preferred embodiment, the number of lines is shown as 12 in the window 820 corresponding with the four orbital paylines and the eight sector paylines of the present game configuration. The denomination is shown in window 820 as five cents. The number or credits per payline is two making each bet per payline 2×0.05 or 0.10 cents. The total wager for the 12 paylines is displayed in window 824 as $1.20. A return or win on the play of the game is displayed in window 826 as $3.60 due to the randomly selected symbols matching some of the predetermined winning symbol combinations. A paytable (not shown) is generally displayed or available for display to show all of the predetermined winning symbol combinations and the return that can be achieved upon their outcome. The remaining number of credits, which is determined based on the denomination selected and displayed in window 820 is 245 indicating a value of 0.05×225=$12.25.
As gaming system 800 is a computing device, in addition to the specialized components, devices and software modules associated with such, it includes basic features of a computer. Internally, the EGM includes at least one processor for processing computer software instructions stored in least one memory device. Such memory devices may include read only memory (ROM) and for storing random access memory (RAM), magnetic disc, flash memory optical memory or the like. Memory for the EGM is generally stored internally with the EGM cabinet but can also be stored locally in a server and delivered to the EGM on call or hosted at a non-resident location or in the cloud.
The processor receives input for initiating the play of the game and then processes game code stored in memory to operate the dynamics of game play, including the random number generator module. Graphic output is sent to the video display screen 802 and sound output to speakers. In the event of a winning outcome resulting in a return to the player, the processor executes instructions to distribute credits to the credit meter based on the currently selected denomination. Alternatively, upon the win or in the event the player cashes out, the return to the player is provided directly in the form of coins through a coin disbursement mechanism (not shown). For gaming machines having cashless ticketing the player may elect to cash out at any time. When they do the player receives a value-bearing ticket as discussed above, which can be redeemed for cash or used for further play at another gaming device. Card acceptors are another means, as discussed above, for delivering funds through electronic funds transfer to the gaming machine. Open standard application protocol interfaces (APIs) developed for use in the industry are generally used for communicating information between certain of the input devices, output devices, the gaming machine 800, and the accounting and monitoring system of the gaming system.
When the invention is configured for use with a server-based game delivery system, personal computers and mobile computer devices provide the necessary inputs and the video display screen.
The input devices of a personal computer 1004d and the other devices 1004a, 1004b and 1004c, are well known prior art. They include a mouse, keyboard, and keypad, but can also include a capacitive surface interface or touchscreen similar to that used with video display screen 802 of gaming machine 800, among other items known in computing art. The client devices 1004 include a video display screen, at least one processor for computing electronic operations, and memory. All modules of server-based game delivery system 1000 access and conduct communications through Internet 1002. The basic modules of online gaming system 1000 include, in addition to client devices 1004, and the infrastructure that is the Internet 1002, are a financial provider 1006, online game operator 1008, player account management system (PAM) 1010, and remote game server (RGS) 1012. The system may also include an aggregation platform 116 that receives games from multiple RGS providers and delivers the games to the online game operator 1008. To initiate game play, a player securely logs on to the website of licensed online game operator 1008 from within the territory in which online game operator 1008 is licensed. Geographic compliance software enables online game operator 1008 to verify the location of the player. The player selects a game from a library of games 1114 available for play. The games are delivered to online game operator 1008 through remote gaming server 1012 or an aggregation platform to which one or more remote gaming server providers are linked. Player account management system 1010 manages all financial transactions within the server-based game delivery system. Funds are thus drawn as either credit or debit from financial provider 1006 and securely transferred to and made available in the player's account held within PAM 1010 for wagering. In a manner similar to that of electronic gaming machine 800, the player uses the inputs of the client device 1004 to select paylines, wager per payline and denomination, among other things. Game operations are activated and securely conducted between remote game server 1012, player account management 1010, online game operator 1008 and client device 1004 to play the game, obtain an outcome and manage the funds associated with the wager. Online game operator 1008 receives games from one or more remote game servers. This all conducted through remote operations and under a secure server environment as dictated and regulated by applicable gaming authorities.
It is also possible to practice the present invention through a server-based game delivery system in social casino gaming. Social casino gaming, a form of gaming provided online using the Internet, allows for wagering, but only through the use of virtual currency. Virtual currency may then be wagered in lieu of genuine currency, credit or other form of legal tender. Virtual currency is created only for, and is used only with social gaming and, more particularly, within the specific social gaming site(s) that accept virtual currency of the type created. The virtual currency has no other tradable or redeemable value. It provides for the play of games or to purchase virtual indicia within the social gaming site to enhance or enable the play of the game; as opposed to genuine currency that is generally available to purchase goods and services of any kind throughout the world. For a game of chance within a social casino gaming site, the virtual currency can be used in a manner similar to genuine currency such that a player can make a wager on the game in consideration for a chance to receive a winning outcome. A winning outcome may provide additional virtual currency but it is only useable within the social gaming site. Virtual currency is acquired in such a way but can also be purchased or received as part of a promotion, contest or as a gift. The present invention provides for both the wagering of virtual currency within a social gaming environment and real money wagering within legal gambling jurisdictions, including both land-based and online jurisdictions, and can be practiced in both environments. The social casino game provider generally displays a number of games available for the player to play. The player selects one of the games. The graphical and video representation of the game is streamed through the Internet or wide area network to the player's personal computer or mobile device. An amount of virtual currency held in a player's account is credited to the video game for play.
A It should be understood that the foregoing relates primarily to preferred embodiments of the invention but is not limited to such, and that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
