Patent Grant
7355112
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.
Gaming devices are known to have sound systems which produce sound effects for a game such as a primary wagering game (e.g., slot, poker, keno) or a secondary game. These sound effects can draw the player's attention to certain events which occur during the game. For example, a sound effect can indicate a win, a loss or a bonus event while the player is playing the game.
Gaming device players can be involved in an array of bet decisions, betting patterns and paces, game states, game play variables and other gaming situations. These gaming situations can evoke different emotions, moods and levels of excitement in the player.
One of the disadvantages of the known gaming devices is that their sound systems provide a relatively low level of entertainment and excitement for the player. These sound systems are not known to produce background music (sometimes referred to herein by the acronym “BGM”) to accompany the sound effects for increased entertainment and excitement. Furthermore, these known sound systems do not produce background music which adjusts or aligns itself to the different types of gaming situations experienced by the player.
Therefore, there is a need to overcome the disadvantages described above.
The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having a system for dynamically aligning background music with the play session events. The play session can be part or all of the period of time between the player's initial funding of the gaming device and the moment when the player cashes-out and leaves the gaming device. It should therefore be understood that a play session can encompass the time during which the player plays one game or a series of games, the time between game plays and the time during which the player is not playing a game, where the gaming device is idle, inactive or in a standby mode. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device includes a background music system which includes a computer program which dynamically monitors or tracks the player's play session history by checking one or more sequences, series or chains of events. These events can occur during a play session when the player plays a single game (i.e., the primary wagering game) on one occasion, during a play session when the player plays the same game (i.e., the primary wagering game) multiple times or on multiple occasions, during a play session when the player plays a series of different games (i.e., different primary wagering games or primary and secondary games or during any other part of the play session). Based on the current reading of the play session history, the background sound system of the gaming device of the present invention automatically makes changes in the background music during the play session to increase player entertainment, enjoyment and interest.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, the gaming device dynamically composes and plays background music based on the activities or habits of the player or outcomes provided to the player during the play session. For example, if the player is making bets at a relatively rapid rate on sequentially played primary wagering games, the gaming device can automatically and rapidly increase the tempo of the background music to make the game more exciting. If the player is making bets at a relatively slow rate on sequentially played primary wagering games, the gaming device, in another example, automatically and gradually increases the tempo of the background music to better entertain the player.
Using the background sound system, the gaming device processor can adjust the background music when other play session events occur. For example, if the player accumulates a certain level of credits during a play session, the gaming device can automatically change the background music to have a victory-type mood or ambiance. In another example, if the player reaches a point in the play session where the player must make a decision, such as choosing an award-winning symbol from a pool of symbols, the gaming device can automatically change the mood of the background music to a mystery-type mood or ambiance.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes: (a) a game which the player can play on multiple occasions in order to make multiple bets at a desired betting pace; (b) information which relates designated betting paces to a chain of different musical pieces; (c) one or more speakers (or other suitable devices which are meant to be included in the use of the term speakers herein) which produce background music during the plays of the game; and (c) at least one computer program. The processor executes the program instructions to dynamically track the player's betting pace in real time and to determine when the player's actual betting pace matches one of the designated betting paces. The processor executes the program in order to use such information to select one of the musical pieces associated with the designated betting pace determined by the processor. Finally, the program instructs the processor to cause the speaker to produce the selected musical piece as part of the background music. In one embodiment, the processor operates in conjunction with a sound card to cause the speaker(s) to produce the background music.
In other embodiments, the processor uses the background music system to switch musical pieces based on the quantity of outcomes per unit time which the player reaches, the success level reached by the player, the bet level set by the player, the types of decisions faced by the player or any game event encountered by the player during the play session.
In one embodiment, the gaming device makes these musical changes by stopping the play of one musical piece and starting the play of a different musical piece. In this embodiment, the gaming device stores a chain or list of different musical pieces, and the gaming device produces the musical changes by sequentially moving from piece to piece in the chain or along the list. This can include moving backwards in the chain or list. In this case, the gaming device can transition from one musical piece to another by overlapping the pieces, fading the pieces or temporarily playing a cover-up transition piece to mask off-beat transitions. It should be appreciated, however, that the background sound system can include a suitable sound editor program which is executed by the processor to automatically make these musical changes to a single musical piece.
The present invention, in one embodiment, includes a gaming device with a background music system which continuously or periodically monitors and tracks the player's play history during a play session to dynamically compose the background music. The background music system causes the background music to automatically adjust and/or align itself to the differing game events encountered by the player during a play session. The self-aligning background music can play anytime during a play session (including, but not limited to, game play time and the idle or standby time in between game plays), and when the background music is in attract mode. In an alternative embodiment, the background music of the present invention can also be played when the gaming machine is in an idle or attract mode. This type of gaming device enhances the enjoyment and entertainment experienced by players.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device having a background sound system for dynamically aligning background music with play session events.
Another advantage of the present invention is to increase a player's interest and entertainment when playing gaming devices.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device with background music which automatically aligns itself to the different moods or ambiances of the game situations encountered by a player.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to reduce the predictability of a gaming device's audio output to a player.
Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.
Referring now to the drawings, two alternative embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating data described above can be stored in a detachable or removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk or CD ROM. A player can use such a removable memory device in a desktop, a laptop personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other computerized platform. The processor and memory device may be collectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”
In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based on probability data. That is, each award or other game outcome is associated with a probability and the gaming device generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to the player based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation, there is no certainty that the gaming device will provide the player with any specific award or other game outcome.
In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device removes the provided award or other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removed from the set or pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome cannot be provided to the player again. In this type of embodiment, the gaming device provides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and guarantees a designated amount of actual wins and losses.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LED) or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle.
The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of games or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images and images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements, promotions and the like.
In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or by the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the display device may include any suitable electromechanical device which preferable moves one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more mechanical rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of games or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.
As illustrated in
As seen in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38. The player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive other payout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips which are redeemable by a cashier or funded to the player's electronically recordable identification card.
In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in
The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad.
In one embodiment, as seen in
In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a player or other sensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display device may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and that image can be incorporated into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
The gaming device can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or base game. The gaming machine or device of the present invention may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form which produces a random outcome based on probability data upon activation of the game from a wager made by the player. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented into the present invention.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game wherein the gaming device enables the player to play a conventional game of video poker and initially deals five cards, all face up, from a virtual deck of fifty-two cards. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, the cards may be randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold by using one or more input devices, such as pressing related hold buttons or touching a corresponding area on a touch-screen. After the player presses the deal button, the processor of the gaming device removes the unwanted or discarded cards from the display and deals replacement cards from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final five-card hand. The processor of the gaming device compares the final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. Award based on a winning hand and the credits wagered is provided to the player.
In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the player is dealt at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards in all of the dealt hands are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each displayed hand and replaced with randomly dealt cards. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards will usually be different for each hand. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards are provided to the player.
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein the gaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers on at least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the player selects at least one and preferably a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers by using an input device or by using the touch-screen. The gaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers to determine an amount of matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and the gaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award, if any, based on the amount of determined matches.
In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables the player to obtain a bonus prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primary game because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the base or primary game.
In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type of suitable game, either similar to or completely different from the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program code which causes the processor to automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a triggering event, a qualifying condition or other designated game event in the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in the primary slot game embodiment seen in
In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance their bonus game participation by returning to the base or primary game for continued play. Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulated in a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or entries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic or geometric increase in the number of bonus wagering credits awarded. In one embodiment, extra bonus wagering credits may be redeemed during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.
In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game need be employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a bonus game. The player must win or earn entry through play of the primary game, thereby encouraging play of the primary game. In another embodiment, qualification of the bonus or secondary game could be accomplished through a simple “buy in” by the player if, for example, the player has been unsuccessful at qualifying for the bonus game through other specified activities.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the gaming device of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller.
In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming device.
In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such a free games.
The central server or controller communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller and communicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and/or preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.
In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the present invention are in communication with a central server or controller for monitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the central server or controller monitors the activities and events occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network includes a real-time or an on-line accounting and gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casino transactions.
A plurality of the gaming devices of the present invention are capable of being connected to a data network. In one embodiment, the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are in communication with at least one off-site central server or controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. The WAN gaming system of the present invention may be substantially identical to the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of gaming devices in each system may vary relative to each other.
In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller (the internet/intranet server or webserver) through a conventional phone or other data transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, wireless gateway or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players may access an internet game page from any location where an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitator are available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and speed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. It should be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communications may render such technology suitable for some or all communications according to the present invention, particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and interaction with the player.
In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or more gaming sites may be networked to a central server in a progressive configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager to initiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondary event awards. In one embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites for providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system. In one embodiment, a host site computer may serve gaming devices distributed throughout a number of properties at different geographical locations including, for example, different locations within a city or different cities within a state.
In one embodiment, the host site computer is maintained for the overall operation and control of the system. In this embodiment, a host site computer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the master for computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sites report to, and receive information from, the host site computer. Each central server computer is responsible for all data communication between the gaming device hardware and software and the host site computer.
Referring now to
Still referring to
Referring back to
Referring again to
As described below, the gaming device of the present invention plays the sound recordings 116 to 126 in variable orders or sequences in order to produce the background music or background sound for the game. It is preferable that each portion 116 to 126 of the background music or background sound is associated with: (a) a mood-type or ambiance; and (b) a theme. In one embodiment, all of the portions 116 to 126 have the same theme, such as the Star Wars™ motion picture theme. Star Wars™ is a trademark of Lucasfilm, Ltd. As such, the background music is associated with a theme which is preferably the same theme of the game title or gaming device title.
In one embodiment, all of the sound recordings 116 to 126 have a common association such as with a motion picture, movie, movie series, television series, play, opera or the like. In one embodiment, the sound recordings 116 to 126 are each different compositions or musical pieces in a soundtrack for a movie series. In one example, the movie series is Star Wars™. Here, the sound recordings 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and 126 could be Star Wars Main Title™, Throne Room™, Emperor's Arrival™, Victory Celebration™, Duel of the Fates™ and March of the Jedi Knights™, respectively.
In one embodiment, the background music system 110 has a plurality of background sound files. Each file includes a different set of musical pieces, and each file is associated with a different theme. For example, the first file can include a set of musical pieces from the first Star Wars™ motion picture, the second file can include a set of musical pieces from the second Star Wars™ motion picture and the third sound file can include a set of musical pieces from the third Star Wars™ motion picture.
In another embodiment, the music system 110 can include different sets of musical pieces associated with different elements or aspects of a single game. For example, one set of musical pieces can be used with one graphical interface in a game, and a different set of musical pieces can be used with a different graphical interface of the same game.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the memory device includes a set of instructions which the processor executes to cause the sound generating device to play the primary sounds while the background music is playing. In this embodiment, one of the differences between the background sound and the primary sounds is that the primary sounds are each associated with a specific purpose to notify the player of a specific game event. It is preferable that each of the primary sounds or primary sound recordings is associated with a distinguishing musical characteristic which distinguishes the primary sound from the in-play background music. For example, the distinguishing musical characteristic could be a relatively high pitch, tone or tempo. In one example, the primary sound is a relatively high pitch and high tempo ding-ding-ding-ding sound.
In one example illustrated in
The play session event tracking program 150 of the system 110 includes one or more instructions or commands. These commands direct the processor to track the status of the play session events by reading the play session event 112 during operation of the game, preferably in real time. In one embodiment, the play session event tracking program 152 directs the processor to determine when a particular player input pace 155 is present, game outcome pace 157 is present, type of game phase 159 is present, bet level 224 is present or success level 226 is present.
Likewise, the background sound alignment program 152 of the system 110 includes one or more instructions or commands. These commands direct the processor to cause the sound generating device to generate one of the background sound recordings 116 to 126 when one of the play session events occur, preferably all in accordance with the relationships set by the relational data 128. In one embodiment, the musical pieces 118 to 126 are stored as a chain or list of pieces. For example, the musical piece list may be as follows: A, B, C, D, C, B, A. Here, the gaming device stores a command which directs the gaming device processor to play a subsequent or next piece or a previous piece. In one example, the gaming device includes a play next command and a play previous command. In another example, the gaming device includes a forward command and a backward command which causes the gaming device to move forward or backward on the music list and to produce the appropriate musical piece. In either such embodiment, when a background music re-alignment event occurs, the gaming device moves to or identifies the immediate musical piece in one direction or the opposite direction on the list. Then the gaming device produces the identified musical piece. For example, the gaming device may be producing piece B when a designated play session event occurs. Here, the event is associated with piece D. The gaming device then identifies and plays musical piece C for a period of time. Then the gaming device identifies and plays piece D. In this embodiment, the gaming device makes musical changes on a sequential piece-by-piece basis.
Referring to
Then the player reaches a low betting pace 300 in the fourth play of the game, and the system 110 causes the sound generating device to play the motivation sound recording 302. In this example, the motivation sound recording 302 is associated with a low excitement and motivation mood type 304. Next, the player reaches a high winning pace 305 in the fifth play of the game, and the system 110 causes the sound generating device to play the excitement sound recording 306. In this example, the excitement sound recording 306 is associated with a high excitement mood type 308. Then the player reaches a low winning pace 310 in the sixth play of the game, and the system 110 causes the sound generating device to play the motivation sound recording 312. In this example, the motivation sound recording 312 is associated with a low excitement and motivation mood type 314. Next, the player reaches a high success level 316 in the seventh play of the game, and the system 110 causes the sound generating device to play the excitement sound recording 318. In this example, the excitement sound recording 318 is associated with a high excitement mood type 320. Then the player reaches a low success level 322 in the eighth play of the game, and the system 110 causes the sound generating device to play the motivation sound recording 324. In this example, the motivation sound recording 324 is associated with a low excitement and motivation mood type 326.
Finally, the player reaches a decision making game phase 328 in the ninth play of the game, and the system 110 causes the sound generating device to play the mystery sound recording 330. In this example, the mystery sound recording 330 is associated with an inner thought and contemplation mood type 332. The background music for the play session of the nine plays of the game in this example is the combination of sound recordings 284, 290, 296, 302, 306, 312, 318, 324 and 330 in the order described above. It should be understood, however, that the background music for the game, specifically the order and use of such sound records, will vary with the order and occurrence of the play session situation or play session events 282, 288, 294, 300, 305, 310, 316, 322 and 328. Accordingly, the background music during the play session preferably changes from play of the game to play of the game, though it can also change within a single play of the game.
In another example illustrated in
As the play session continues, the processor determines that the player has reached a certain number or quantity of outcomes 336 within one minute. This quantity of outcomes 336 is associated with a play session event identifier 132 stored in association with the sound recording identifier 142 in the relational data 128. Therefore, the processor directs the sound generating device to automatically play sound recording 118 which is associated with sound recording identifier 142. As the play session continues, the processor, using the system 110, determines that the player has reached a particular success level 338 during the play session. This particular success level 338 is associated with the play session event identifier 134 stored in association with the sound recording identifier 144 in the relational data 128. Therefore, the processor directs the sound generating device to automatically produce and play the sound recording 120 which is associated with the sound recording identifier 144.
As the play session continues, the processor determines that the player has made a certain bet which meets a success level 338. The play session event identifier 136 is associated with the success level 338. The relational data 128 stores the play session event identifier 136 in association with the sound recording identifier 144. Therefore, the processor causes the sound generating device to automatically play the sound recording 122 which is associated with the sound recording identifier 144.
As the play session continues, the processor determines that the player has made a certain bet which meets a bet level 340. The play session event identifier 138 is associated with the bet level 340. The relational data 128 stores the play session event identifier 138 in association with the sound recording identifier 146. Therefore, the processor causes the sound generating device to automatically play the sound recording 124 which is associated with the sound recording identifier 146.
Finally, the processor, using the system 110, determines that the player is facing a particular decision type 342 during the play session. This particular decision type 342 is associated with play session event identifier 138. The play session event identifier 138 is stored in the relational data 128 in association with sound recording identifier 148. Therefore, the processor causes the sound generating device to automatically produce the sound recording 126 which is associated with the sound recording identifier 148. The combination of sound recordings 116 to 126 results in a background music for the play session. As illustrated in this example, the system 110 causes the background music to automatically adjust and align itself to the differing play session events encountered by the player during operation of the gaming device.
In another embodiment, between the third and the fourth minute, the player makes only two bets. Here, rather than resetting to piece 118, the gaming device plays piece 120. Depending upon the embodiment, the gaming device may play piece 120 temporarily and then play piece 118, or the gaming device may continue to play piece 120 until another bet pace event occurs.
Referring now to
Within the following minute during the play session, the player makes two inputs to make two bets 346 and 348. In this example, the system 110 includes information or data in the relational data 128 which associates two bets per minute with musical piece or sound recording 120. Accordingly, the processor causes the sound generating device to play the sound recording 120 at the point of two minutes after the beginning of the play session.
Within the following minute during the play session, the player makes three inputs to make three bets 350, 352 and 354. In this example, the relational data 128 of the system 110 includes data or information which associates three bets per minute with the sound recording or musical piece 122. Therefore, the processor causes the sound generating device to play the musical piece 122. This process of monitoring the number of bets made per minute and playing different sound recordings continues, preferably until the play session terminates, for example, when the player cashes out.
Referring to
In another embodiment, between the third and fourth minute, the player makes only two wins. Here, rather than resetting to piece 118, the gaming device plays piece 120. Depending upon the embodiment, the gaming device may play piece 120 temporarily and then play piece 118, or the gaming device may continue to play piece 120 until another win pace occurs.
Referring to
As the play session continues, eventually the player accumulates a credit balance of one hundred. In this example, the relational data 128 of the system 110 includes data which associates a credit balance of one hundred with the musical piece or sound recording 120. Accordingly, the processor, as instructed by the system 110, causes the sound generating device to automatically play the musical piece or sound recording 120. As the play session continues, eventually the player accumulates a credit balance of one hundred fifty. In this example, the relational data 128 of the system 110 includes data which associates a credit balance of one hundred fifty with the musical piece or sound recording 122. Accordingly, the processor, as instructed by the system 110, causes the sound generating device to play the sound recording 122. Preferably, this process continues until the play session terminates, for example, when the player cashes-out.
It is preferable that the gaming device makes changes in the background music by stopping the play of one musical piece and starting the play of a different musical piece as described above. Here, the memory device can include one or more mix, fade or transitional sound recordings. In one embodiment, the gaming device plays one of these transitional sound recordings when switching from one piece of background music to another piece of background music. The transitional sound recordings can reduce the sound effects of off-beat musical switches, and in other cases, the transitional sound recordings can increase pleasurable-sounding musical switches.
In one embodiment, the background sound system (not shown) need not include a plurality of sound recordings or musical pieces. Rather, this background sound system includes at least one suitable sound editor program. The sound editor program includes a set of commands or instructions which direct the processor to automatically change one or more of the musical characteristics of a single musical piece or sound recording. Here, when the play session events change, the processor, using the sound editor (and other portions of the background music system), causes the sound generating device to play a modification of or altered version of the single sound recording.
In certain embodiments the background music system of the present invention controls the play of background music during the play session which begins when the player initially funds the gaming device and ends when the player cashes-out. Here, it is preferable that the player plays a sequence or series of games before cashing-out and walking away from the gaming device. In these embodiments, the play session is the period of time between the gaming device funding event and the cash-out event.
In other embodiments, the play session extends beyond the cash-out event. Here, the play session can continue for a designated amount of time after the cash-out event. For example, the background music system can continue to control the background music during an attract mode for a period of five minutes after the player cashes out.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the active type data 228 includes advance data and decline data. The advance data is associated with the player's inputs to proceed with playing the game or is otherwise associated with the player's advancement in the game. The decline data is associated with the player's inputs to decline play opportunities or is otherwise associated with the player's decline or failure to advance in the game. The gaming device uses this advance data and decline data to track when the player reaches a designated advance or decline threshold, each of which is associated with a designated musical piece in the said file. Accordingly, as the player advances in a game, the music system moves upward along a sequence of musical pieces. As the player declines in a game, the music system moves downward along a sequence of musical pieces.
It should be appreciated that the play session event data which triggers musical changes can include any suitable combination of any portion or portions of the data activity pace data 154 and/or activity type data 156. For example, the play session event data can include a parameter which triggers a musical change if the player makes a designated number of bets and a designated number of wins per unit time. In another example, the parameter may be a combination of a designated aggregate wager amount per unit time and a designated award level.
The gaming device of the present invention, in one embodiment, includes a background music system which causes the gaming device to automatically vary or adjust the background music of the gaming device. The history of play session events functions as the trigger for musical changes in the background music. Though the musical changes are based on the play session events, the background music can play: (a) anytime during the play session, including, without limitation, during play of a game, during the idle, inactive or standby time in between games or for a period of time after the game ends; and (b) after the play session is over, for example, when the gaming device is in attract mode. In one embodiment, the background music system directs the processor to: (a) monitor the quantity of inputs the player makes over a period of time; (b) monitor the quantity of outcomes the player reaches over a period of time; and/or (c) monitor the types of decisions the player is facing or other play session events encountered by the player. By monitoring and tracking the status of these activities, the background music system enables the gaming device to play designated musical pieces consistent with the themes of the situations faced by the player. For example, if the player is making inputs or placing bets at a relatively high pace or tempo, the gaming device can play a musical piece with a high tempo. Alternatively, if the player is facing a decision, the gaming device can play a mysterious sounding musical piece. Together, these musical pieces form the background music of the game. This type of gaming device increases and enhances entertainment and excitement for players.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/658,997, filed Sep. 9, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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| Child | 11530759 | US |
