Patent Grant
8550904
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming system having passive player participation in secondary wagering games.
Gaming terminals, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options.
N-th coin progressives are conventionally implemented so that the determination of whether or not the n-th coin was contributed to the threshold is made at the time the wager was committed at the EGM. It is conventionally required that any progressive contribution be paid to the EGM before the wager/spin is completed at the EGM.
In at least one aspect, the present concepts include a wagering game system including a game controller, a physical memory operatively coupled to the game controller and a wagering game machine, comprising a display device, communicatively coupled to the game controller. The game controller is operatively configured to perform acts including determining a mystery threshold trigger level for an n-th unit prize and setting a threshold trigger level counter to an initial value, discretizing an input wager into a plurality of discrete eligibility units, and adding the plurality of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter for the wagering game machine. The game controller is also operatively configured to perform acts including subtracting periodically a discrete eligibility unit from the discrete eligibility units counter and correspondingly incrementing the threshold trigger level counter, determining whether the discrete eligibility unit used to increment the threshold trigger level counter triggers the n-th unit prize, and triggering the n-th unit prize if the threshold trigger level counter meets or exceeds the threshold trigger level or if the threshold trigger level counter meets or exceeds another predetermined value relative to the threshold trigger level. The game controller is operatively configured to award the n-th unit prize responsive to the act of triggering or, absent such triggering, iteratively performing at least the acts of subtracting and determining until no discrete eligibility units remain in the discrete eligibility units counter.
In at least one other aspect, the present concepts include a method of conducting a wagering game of a wagering game system comprising a plurality of wagering game machines includes the acts of determining a mystery threshold trigger level for the n-th unit prize and setting the threshold trigger level counter to the initial value, discretizing, for each of the plurality of wagering game machines, an input wager into a plurality of discrete eligibility units and adding, for each of the plurality of wagering game machines, the plurality of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter for the respective wagering game machine. The method also includes the acts of subtracting a discrete eligibility unit from a discrete eligibility units counter at a selected one of the plurality of wagering game machines and correspondingly incrementing the threshold trigger level counter and determining whether the discrete eligibility unit used to increment the threshold trigger level counter triggers the n-th unit prize. The method also includes the acts of iteratively selecting, absent triggering of the n-th unit prize, another one of the plurality of wagering game machines and repeating the acts of subtracting, incrementing, and determining, until the n-th unit prize is triggered and awarding the n-th unit prize to a selected one of the plurality of wagering game machines that triggers the n-th unit prize.
In yet another aspect, the present concepts include a wagering game system includes a game controller, a physical memory operatively coupled to the game controller and a wagering game machine communicatively coupled to the game controller, wherein the game controller is operatively configured to perform acts including determining an eligibility threshold trigger for an n-th unit prize, adding a set of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter responsive to an input wager and simultaneously evaluating a subset of the discrete eligibility units against the eligibility threshold trigger to determine if the eligibility threshold trigger is satisfied. The game controller is operatively configured to perform acts including subtracting from the discrete eligibility units counter the subset of discrete eligibility units evaluated by the game controller against the eligibility threshold trigger and awarding the n-th unit prize when a discrete eligibility unit satisfies the eligibility threshold trigger. The subset of the discrete eligibility units comprises a plurality of discrete eligibility units.
In still another aspect, the present concepts include a wagering game system includes a game controller, a physical memory operatively coupled to the game controller, and a plurality of wagering game machines communicatively coupled to the game controller, wherein the game controller is operatively configured to perform acts comprising determining an eligibility threshold trigger for an n-th unit prize and adding, for each of the plurality of wagering game machines, a set of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter responsive to an input wager at the respective one of the plurality of wagering game machines. The game controller is also operatively configured to perform acts comprising evaluating a subset of the set of discrete eligibility units at a selected one of the plurality of wagering game machines against the eligibility threshold trigger to determine if the eligibility threshold trigger is satisfied by the selected one of the plurality of wagering game machines and subtracting the subset of the discrete eligibility units from the discrete eligibility units counter at the selected one of the plurality of wagering game machines. The game controller is also operatively configured to perform acts of evaluating the subset of discrete eligibility units against the eligibility threshold trigger and awarding the n-th unit prize if any of the discrete eligibility units in the subset of discrete eligibility units satisfies the eligibility threshold trigger.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, computer readable storage media is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming system to perform the above method.
Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
a is a perspective view of a free standing gaming machine embodying the present invention;
b is a perspective view of a handheld gaming machine embodying the present invention;
a)-8(h) show, sequentially, operation of discrete eligibility units in accord with at least some aspects of the present concepts.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. For purposes of the present detailed description, the singular includes the plural and vice versa (unless specifically disclaimed); the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the word “all” means “any and all”; the word “any” means “any and all”; and the word “including” means “including without limitation.”
Referring to
The gaming machine 10 comprises a housing 12 and includes input devices, including a value input device 18 and a player input device 24. For output the gaming machine 10 includes a primary display 14 for displaying information about the basic wagering game. The primary display 14 can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming machine 10 may also include a secondary display 16 for displaying game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in the gaming machine 10 are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine 10.
The gaming terminal 10 may take any suitable form, such as floor-standing models as shown, handheld mobile units, bartop models, workstation-type console models, etc. Further, the gaming terminal 10 may be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wagering games, or may include non-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, etc. Exemplary types of gaming terminals are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,433 and Patent Application Publication Nos. US 2010/0069160 and US 2010/0234099, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. PCT Patent Publication WO 2006/121663, U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2006/0135243, U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2010/0105470, U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2011/0130191, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,931,530 and 7,780,531, all of which are assigned to WMS Gaming Inc., are also incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
The value input device 18 may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of the housing 12. The value input device 18 receives currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. The value input device 18 may include a coin acceptor 20 for receiving coin currency (see
The player input device 24 comprises a plurality of push buttons 26 on a button panel for operating the gaming machine 10. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 24 may comprise a touch screen 28 mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display 14 and/or secondary display 16. The touch screen 28 contains soft touch keys 30 denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display 14 and used to operate the gaming machine 10. The touch screen 28 provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen 28 at an appropriate touch key 30 or by pressing an appropriate push button 26 on the button panel. The touch keys 30 may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons 26. Alternatively, the push buttons 26 may provide inputs for one aspect of operating the game, while the touch keys 30 may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game.
The various components of the gaming machine 10 may be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 12, as seen in
The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the primary display 14. The primary display 14 can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 14 of the gaming machine 10 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual association with at least one payline 32. Alternatively, the primary display 14 may take the form of a hybrid display incorporating both electromechanical display components, such as reels, with an electronic display, which may include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gaming machine 10. As shown, the primary display 14 includes the touch screen 28 overlaying the entire display (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is an “upright” version in which the primary display 14 is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display 14 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the gaming machine 10.
A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device 18 of the gaming machine 10. A player can select play by using the player input device 24, via the buttons 26 or the touch screen keys 30. The basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline 32 that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.
In some embodiments, the gaming machine 10 may also include a player information reader 52 that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. The player information reader 52 is shown in
Depicted in
The player-accessible value input device 118 may comprise, for example, a slot located on the front, side, or top of the casing 112 configured to receive credit from a stored-value card (e.g., casino card, smart card, debit card, credit card, etc.) inserted by a player. In another aspect, the player-accessible value input device 118 may comprise a sensor (e.g., an RF sensor) configured to sense a signal (e.g., an RF signal) output by a transmitter (e.g., an RF transmitter) carried by a player. The player-accessible value input device 118 may also or alternatively include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit or funds storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the handheld gaming machine 110.
Still other player-accessible value input devices 118 may require the use of touch keys 130 on the touch-screen display (e.g., primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116) or player input devices 124. Upon entry of player identification information and, preferably, secondary authorization information (e.g., a password, PIN number, stored value card number, predefined key sequences, etc.), the player may be permitted to access a player's account. As one potential optional security feature, the handheld gaming machine 110 may be configured to permit a player to only access an account the player has specifically set up for the handheld gaming machine 110. Other conventional security features may also be utilized to, for example, prevent unauthorized access to a player's account, to minimize an impact of any unauthorized access to a player's account, or to prevent unauthorized access to any personal information or funds temporarily stored on the handheld gaming machine 110.
The player-accessible value input device 118 may itself comprise or utilize a biometric player information reader which permits the player to access available funds on a player's account, either alone or in combination with another of the aforementioned player-accessible value input devices 118. In an embodiment wherein the player-accessible value input device 118 comprises a biometric player information reader, transactions such as an input of value to the handheld device, a transfer of value from one player account or source to an account associated with the handheld gaming machine 110, or the execution of another transaction, for example, could all be authorized by a biometric reading, which could comprise a plurality of biometric readings, from the biometric device.
Alternatively, to enhance security, a transaction may be optionally enabled only by a two-step process in which a secondary source confirms the identity indicated by a primary source. For example, a player-accessible value input device 118 comprising a biometric player information reader may require a confirmatory entry from another biometric player information reader 152, or from another source, such as a credit card, debit card, player ID card, fob key, PIN number, password, hotel room key, etc. Thus, a transaction may be enabled by, for example, a combination of the personal identification input (e.g., biometric input) with a secret PIN number, or a combination of a biometric input with a fob input, or a combination of a fob input with a PIN number, or a combination of a credit card input with a biometric input. Essentially, any two independent sources of identity, one of which is secure or personal to the player (e.g., biometric readings, PIN number, password, etc.) could be utilized to provide enhanced security prior to the electronic transfer of any funds. In another aspect, the value input device 118 may be provided remotely from the handheld gaming machine 110.
The player input device 124 comprises a plurality of push buttons on a button panel for operating the handheld gaming machine 110. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 124 may comprise a touch screen 128 mounted to a primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116. In one aspect, the touch screen 128 is matched to a display screen having one or more selectable touch keys 130 selectable by a user's touching of the associated area of the screen using a finger or a tool, such as a stylus pointer. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen 128 at an appropriate touch key 130 or by pressing an appropriate push button 126 on the button panel. The touch keys 130 may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons 126. Alternatively, the push buttons 126 may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys 130 may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game. The various components of the handheld gaming machine 110 may be connected directly to, or contained within, the casing 112, as seen in
The operation of the basic wagering game on the handheld gaming machine 110 is displayed to the player on the primary display 114. The primary display 114 can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 114 preferably includes a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual association with at least one payline. Alternatively, the primary display 114 may take the form of a hybrid display incorporating both electromechanical display components, such as reels, with an electronic display, which may include a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the handheld gaming machine 110. The size of the primary display 114 may vary from, for example, about a 2-3″ display to a 15″ or 17″ display. In at least some aspects, the primary display 114 is a 7″-10″ display. As the weight of and/or power requirements of such displays decreases with improvements in technology, it is envisaged that the size of the primary display may be increased. Optionally, coatings or removable films or sheets may be applied to the display to provide desired characteristics (e.g., anti-scratch, anti-glare, bacterially-resistant and anti-microbial films, etc.). In at least some embodiments, the primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116 may have a 16:9 aspect ratio or other aspect ratio (e.g., 4:3). The primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116 may also each have different resolutions, different color schemes, and different aspect ratios.
As with the free standing gaming machine 10, a player begins play of the basic wagering game on the handheld gaming machine 110 by making a wager (e.g., via the value input device 118 or an assignment of credits stored on the handheld gaming machine via the player input device 124, e.g. the touch screen keys 130 or push buttons 126) on the handheld gaming machine 110. In at least some aspects, the basic game may comprise a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline 132 that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.
In some embodiments, the player-accessible value input device 118 of the handheld gaming machine 110 may double as a player information reader 152 that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating the player's identity (e.g., reading a player's credit card, player ID card, smart card, etc.). The player information reader 152 may alternatively or also comprise a bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage medium interface. In one presently preferred aspect, the player information reader 152, shown by way of example in
Turning now to
The controller 34 is also coupled to the system memory 36 and a money/credit detector 38. The system memory 36 may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). The system memory 36 may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector 38 signals the processor that money and/or credits have been input via the value input device 18. Preferably, these components are located within the housing 12 of the gaming machine 10. However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of the housing 12 and connected to the remainder of the components of the gaming machine 10 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods.
As seen in
Communications between the controller 34 and both the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 and external systems 50 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 46, 48. More specifically, the controller 34 controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 through the input/output circuits 46. Further, the controller 34 communicates with the external systems 50 via the I/O circuits 48 and a communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). The external systems 50 may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits 46, 48 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that each of the I/O circuits 46, 48 may include a number of different types of I/O circuits.
Controller 34, as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outside of the gaming machine 10 that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the gaming machine 10 and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. The controller 34 may comprise one or more controllers or processors. In
The gaming machines 10,110 may communicate with external systems 50 (in a wired or wireless manner) such that each machine operates as a “thin client,” having relatively less functionality, a “thick client,” having relatively more functionality, or through any range of functionality there between. As a generally “thin client,” the gaming machine may operate primarily as a display device to display the results of gaming outcomes processed externally, for example, on a server as part of the external systems 50. In this “thin client” configuration, the server executes game code and determines game outcomes (e.g., with a random number generator), while the controller 34 on board the gaming machine processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machine. In an alternative “thicker client” configuration, the server determines game outcomes, while the controller 34 on board the gaming machine executes game code and processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machines. In yet another alternative “thick client” configuration, the controller 34 on board the gaming machine 110 executes game code, determines game outcomes, and processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machine. Numerous alternative configurations are possible such that the aforementioned and other functions may be performed onboard or external to the gaming machine as may be necessary for particular applications. It should be understood that the gaming machines 10,110 may take on a wide variety of forms such as a free standing machine, a portable or handheld device primarily used for gaming, a mobile telecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or personal daily assistant (PDA), a counter top or bar top gaming machine, or other personal electronic device such as a portable television, MP3 player, entertainment device, etc.
Turning now to
A control bar 370 appears along the bottom of the display 314 and includes a plurality of input buttons or keys 372 for which inputs are sensed by a touch screen overlying the display 314. Moreover, a plurality of meters 374 are displayed on the control bar 370, including a Credit Meter 374a, a Lines Meter 374b, a Bet Meter 374c, a Total Bet Meter 374d, and a Paid Meter 374e. The Credit Meter 374a displays the number of credits available to a player based upon coin, currency or other value input into the system 300. The Lines Meter 374b displays the number of paylines 332 which the player has activated for play. The Bet Meter 374c displays the size of the wager that the player is placing (the bet amount in credits) on each activated payline. The Total Bet Meter 374d displays the total wager on a single play of the wagering game 360, which is the product of the bet amount in the Bet Meter 374c and the number of activated paylines in the Lines Meter 374b. The Paid Meter 374e displays how many credits, if any, have been awarded to the player as a result of a winning outcome on a single play of the primary wagering game 360. If a winning outcome is achieved, the Paid Meter 374e displays the size of the win in credits, after which the credits are transferred to the player's balance in the Credit Meter 374a, and the Paid Meter 374e is reset to zero for a subsequent play of the primary wagering game 360.
Turning to
In the embodiment shown in
The present invention utilizes a random determination process to increment the progressive jackpots 382 displayed on the secondary display 380. This random determination process ensures that only whole numbers of free spins are displayed, rather than fractional free spin awards. Thus, the system 300 of the present invention utilizes a random number generator to increment the progressive jackpots 382. The display of the progressive jackpots 382 is incremented (if at all) through a determination made from a weighted probability table, an example of which is depicted in
The random determination is made in accordance with the weighted table 500 shown in
In an embodiment, instead of a portion of each primary wager being added to the progressive meters, a larger portion of the primary wager which triggers an incrementing of the progressive meters 382 is taken. For example, in one embodiment the progressive jackpots 382 are configured to be funded by 5% of the primary wagers input into the system 300. In a traditional system, for each $1.00 wagered, $0.05 would be added to the meters on each press of the spin button. In the system 300, according to an embodiment of the present invention, whether or not any portion of the primary wager is added to the progressive jackpots 382 is a function of the random determination made in accordance with the weighted table 500, such as the one in
Apportioned Amount=Primary Wager.times.Progressive Portion Increment Odds ##EQU00001##
Thus, the total amount to be apportioned to the progressive jackpots 382 is a function of the amount of the primary wager ($1.00, in the example), the portion of the primary wager allocated to the progressive jackpots (5%, in the example), and the odds of the progressive meters 382 being incremented in accordance with the weighted table such as the one in
Apportioned Amount=($1.00).times.(0.05)(0.10)=$0.50 ##EQU00002##
Thus, with such an embodiment, the meters 382 are incremented on average once every 10 spins, and when they are incremented, an apportioned amount of $0.50 is added to the meters 382 (based upon primary wagers of $1.00). In this way, instead of 5% of a primary wager being added to the meters on every spin (as would be done with traditional progressive systems), 50% of a primary wager is added every ten spins on average.
In an alternative embodiment, a progressive-increment pool is utilized to receive and store portions of wagers attributable, and used, to increment the progressive jackpots 382. Thus, for each play of a primary wagering game 360 of the system 300, a portion of the primary wager is allocated to a progressive-increment pool. Thus, using the numbers from the example above, five percent (5%) of all primary wagers are apportioned and stored in a progressive-increment pool. On a $1.00 wager, $0.05 is stored in the progressive-increment pool. As before, on each spin a random determination is executed to determine whether an increment amount (if any) should be applied to the progressive jackpot meters 382, in accordance with a weighted table 500 (for example the table in
The progressive increment pool may be a single pool or may be subdivided into various accounts or funds corresponding to the various progressive jackpots 382. In an embodiment, a fixed percentage of each primary wager is deducted and allocated to the progressive increment pool (e.g., 5% of all primary wagers). In alternative embodiments, the portion of primary wagers deducted may be a fixed amount ($0.01), a fixed credit amount (10 credits), or determined randomly or in accordance with some formula, table, or algorithm. The progressive increment pool is used to fund the progressive jackpots 382 so that they contain available prizes to be awarded, as described herein.
When a triggering event occurs, one or more of the progressive jackpots 382 is awarded to a player, as described herein. For example, if three “Gold” symbols in the primary wagering game 360 are aligned on an active payline, a player is awarded the Gold level jackpot, which in the example shown in
It should also be understood that the increment method described herein may give the appearance of “jumps” or sudden increases in the progressive meters 382. Traditional progressive jackpot incrementing techniques that use decimals and small portions give the appearance of constantly being incremented due to the constant addition of small portions of each wager to the progressive jackpots. The present invention provides a different experience in that the progressive meters will “jump” when the whole number award is randomly awarded, whereas on many plays of the wagering game, the progressive meters will not move at all (corresponding to the zero award being awarded). Thus, an observer of the progressive meters will see spurts, jumps, and bursts of increases of the balances of the jackpots shown in the progressive meters, rather than a smooth and steady increase of fractional amounts.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in
During play, a fixed amount of time is added to the time eligibility meter 670 for each spin or activation of the primary wagering game 660. For example, the time interval added to the meter 670 may be 7 seconds for each spin. In an embodiment, for each second of decay of the time eligibility counter 670, a base increment amount is added to one or more of the progressive jackpots 682. For example, the wagering game 660 may be configured so that every second of decay of the time eligibility counter 670, 0.01 free spins are added to each of the progressive meters 682. Thus, after 100 seconds of decay of the time eligibility meter 670, one (1) free spin will be incremented to the progressive meters 682.
In an alternative embodiment, the progressive jackpots 682 are incremented less frequently by a larger amount. For example, the jackpots 682 may be incremented by an amount less than or equal to the base increment amount multiplied by the time interval, but such incrementing occurs after the decay of an amount of time equal to the time interval. Thus, in the example described herein, the increment amount is less than or equal to the base increment amount (0.01 free spins) times the time interval (7 seconds), or 0.07 free spins. However, the incrementing occurs only after the time meter 670 decays by an amount equal to the time interval (7 seconds). Thus, for each seven (7) seconds decremented off the time meter 670, the progressive meters 682 are incremented by an amount less than or equal to 0.07 free spins. The examples differ in presentation such that in one example, the meters are incremented 0.01 spins every second, and in the other example the meters are incremented 0.07 spins every seven (7) seconds. In this way, the incrementing of the progressive jackpots 382 is a function of the decay of the time eligibility meter 670.
Another embodiment of a gaming system 700 is displayed in
During operation of the system 700, the two gaming devices 710a,b operate independently. Thus, the first gaming device 710a includes its own controller (not shown) which operates the primary wagering game 760a displayed thereon, as well as the time eligibility meter 770a and the progressive jackpots 782a. Similarly, the second gaming device 710b includes its own controller (not shown) which operates the primary wagering game 760b displayed thereon, as well as the time eligibility meter 770b and the progressive jackpots 782b displayed thereon. Because the devices 710a,b are independent, the time eligibility meters 770a,b operate independently, and are incremented and decremented at different times based upon event occurring on the individual devices 710a,b. Similarly, the progressive jackpots 782a on the first device 710a are different than those on the second device 710b, and may be of different sizes, increment speeds, labels, themes, types, etc.
Each gaming device 710 operates individually to decrement its time eligibility meter 770. As each time eligibility meter 770 is decremented, one or more associated progressive jackpots 782 on that device 710 are incremented, as described herein with reference to
As seen in
The systems and methods described herein offer a number of benefits and advantages over traditional gaming systems. By utilizing a random determination process as described herein, progressive jackpots may be incremented using only whole numbers, and creating an exciting anticipation as to whether or not progressive meters will increment on each play of the game. Furthermore, a decay or decrementing of a time eligibility meter may be utilized to increment one or more progressive jackpots of a gaming system to provide additional excitement and anticipation. For example, a player may watch as progressive meters increment even though he or she is not actively playing a primary wagering game, but rather just through decay of a time eligibility meter. Moreover, the systems described herein permit a freestanding gaming device to operate independently to provide one or more progressive meters which are incremented and awarded independently of other gaming devices.
In accord with at least some aspects of the present concepts, a n-th unit game feature is disclosed wherein a wager amount is used to determine a plurality of discrete units that are consumed or utilized over time and wherein each of the discrete units provides eligibility for one or more game features upon utilization. In one aspect, the n-th unit game feature may be considered an n-th coin game feature in which each coin input corresponds to a separate unit (e.g., a 4-coin wager would produce 4 discrete units, a 5-coin wager would produce 5 discrete units, a n-th coin wager would produce n-th discrete units). It is to be understood, however, the term “coin” is used herein as a general term to denote not only coins, but to denote value in general. Wagering games now typically do not receive or output coins and, rather, wagers are placed and prizes awarded in terms of credits. Each credit is usually valued at the minimum bet (or denomination) of the game (e.g., penny, 2 pennies, nickel, dime, etc.). Thus, is a 5 cent game, a one credit bet is worth 5 cents. Thus, as used herein, the term “coin” is to be understood to likewise represent credits or other medium of exchange of value.
Contrary to a typical wagering game, wherein eligibility is typically conferred by a minimum wager and a subsequent line pay and/or or a determination made at the time of the input of a wager, the present aspects evaluate discrete units over time to determine if an eligibility requirement has been satisfied to thereby trigger one or more game features (e.g., an interactive game feature, a non-interactive game feature, free spins, etc.). The present concepts utilize n-th discrete units over time and each of the n-th discrete units is separately evaluated against an eligibility requirement or trigger. The n-th discrete units may be, for example, actual monetary values amounts (e.g., a fraction of a penny, a fractional number of pennies, a whole number of pennies, a fraction of a dollar, a fractional number of dollars, a whole number of dollars, etc.), units of time (e.g., a fraction of a second, one or more seconds, etc.), or some other discrete unit of any form that can be incremented and decremented over time.
In the context of a progressive wagering game having an n-th coin threshold, a conventional approach would be to immediately adding any wager or required progressive contribution relating thereto to the N-th coin threshold. By definition, the evaluation of the threshold occurs synchronously, during wagering game play. In contrast, in accord with the present concepts, the wager or required contribution is banked, divided into discrete eligibility units, and contributed either one coin at a time or in subsets (e.g., clumps of multiple discrete eligibility units) in a round-robin fashion, or other manner, or from all wagering game machines to the threshold every fixed interval of time (for example every second) at the portal server. Once the N-th coin has been contributed to satisfy or exceed the threshold, the contributing wagering game machine is identified and any win displayed and the progressive win is awarded to the wagering game machine, even if the threshold is satisfied by the contributing wagering game machine asynchronously (i.e outside of a spin or after conclusion of a wagering game and prior to subsequent play of wagering game). Thus, in accord with the present concepts, the discretizing and stretching out of the eligibility afforded by the wager contributions enable the n-th unit to be contributed to the threshold at any point during the triggering wagering game machine's spin and even outside of the triggering wagering game machine's spin.
In accord with the present concepts, the win display in association with the wagering game progressive game (e.g., n-th coin progressive), group game, or other gaming event is not necessarily limited to only those wagering game machines that are currently in a spin at the time the n-th coin is contributed as are conventional gaming systems (i.e., in conventional systems, if a wagering game machine isn't in a spin then that wagering game machine has a zero chance of winning the progressive and pausing play of a wagering game machine that is not eligible for the progressive to participate in the win display is disruptive. Thus, in accord with the present concepts, wagering game machines are permitted, based on the availability of non-utilized discrete units of eligibility, to participate in the game feature (e.g., have one or more chances to win a progressive game) regardless of whether or not they are actually in a spin or between spins. As one benefit, for the WMS GAMING® UHP (ULTRA HIT PROGRESSIVE®) series of wagering games (e.g., JACKPOT EXPLOSION®, PIGGY BANKIN'®, etc.), this innovation permits more bank-wide win shows that are more immersive than usual since the bases games of all of the wagering game machines on the bank can be paused for the win show, in which portal does not have to compete for graphic or CPU resources.
To illustrate, the ULTRA HIT PROGRESSIVE® portal application of WMS GAMING® is a mystery triggered, multi-level progressive providing a secondary bonus opportunity. As coin-in increases via participating wagering game machines, the Jackpot Explosion theme is visually represented by a giant volcano whose lava rises to the top of the volcano in the top screen and a sea of lava behind mechanical or video reels, with the sea of lava rising behind the reels as coin-in increases. After a certain amount of turnover, where turnover is a function of the probability for each award and the strike price, a progressive award win will hit. In an example wherein a random trigger is $100.00, at $99.99 the next wagering game machine to register an $0.01 input will cross the threshold and set off a progressive win. When the progressive triggers, the volcano explodes in a shower of coins as 1 of 4 progressive jackpots is randomly awarded to an eligible player. During the win show, with the exploding of the volcano and showering down of lava and coins on the secondary display(s) and/or primary display(s), the winner of the progressive (e.g., the player of the wagering game machine that triggered the progressive win) may not immediately be apparent. Including non-active wagering game machines (e.g., wagering game machines that are between spins) will provide a better player experience for players playing on the bank of wagering game machines at least in that non-active wagering game machines can also trigger and win the progressive and will provide a better bank-wide presentation to attract players to the bank.
As noted above, a n-th unit game feature is provided in which a wager amount is used to determine a plurality of discrete eligibility units that are consumed or utilized over time and wherein each of the discrete eligibility units provides eligibility for a game feature, or one or more game features, upon utilization. Thus, the eligibility conferred by the wager is discretized and spread out over a period of time, rather than being utilized in a single instance. In accord with the present concepts, there is flexibility in both the number of discrete eligibility units that are associated with each unit of wager or a predetermined wager amount(s) as well as with a utilization rate of such discrete eligibility units. In operation, a player inputs wagers and each wager amount is used to determine a number of discrete eligibility units to be provided to the player. As the player plays the wagering game, the available number of the discrete eligibility units decreases over time as they are utilized, and each additional wager by the player again adds to the available number of the discrete eligibility units. For example, where the discrete eligibility units are represented by units of time, a wager of 20 credits could yield 20 discrete units, a wager of 30 credits could yield 30 discrete units, and a wager of 40 credits could yield 40 discrete units. It is expected that as a player maintains a constant rate of wagering and play, the available number of the discrete eligibility units would generally fall within a steady state range.
In some aspects of the present concepts, the number of discrete eligibility units is proportional to the input wager. In other aspects of the present concepts, the number of discrete eligibility units is not proportional to the input wager and may, for example, be weighted to provide greater numbers of discrete eligibility units for higher wager amounts.
Separate and apart from a proportional relationship between a number of discrete eligibility units and an input wager, or an optional variation in the number of discrete eligibility units associated with wagers of various amounts, the value assigned to each of the discrete eligibility units or the utilization rate(s) of the discrete eligibility units may optionally (1) be fixed, (2) vary over time, (3) vary in accord with a predetermined tier or level, (4) be enhanced by non-wager inputs.
In a simple example, a utilization rate of the discrete eligibility units is fixed. For example, in a game where the duration of the reels spinning before stopping to reveal the outcome is 2 seconds, each input coin may be associated with two discrete eligibility units so that a wager of 5 coins would confer ten discrete eligibility units. If the utilization rate is one discrete eligibility unit every 0.35 seconds, the player would enjoy 3.5 seconds of eligibility for the 5 coin wager, which would then confer 1.5 seconds of remaining eligibility after the end of the wagering game and prior to the player's start of another wagering game. In this example, the discrete eligibility units themselves are not associated with a duration or time, and are simply present for utilization by the game controller in determining eligibility. In another example wherein the game feature is a multi-level progressive with a mystery trigger, for each coin (e.g., $0.25) wagered, one cent is set aside as a discrete eligibility unit, so that a wager of five coins would convey five cents set aside as five discrete eligibility units. Rather than all five cents being submitted at once to a wagering game controller to determine if the five cents contributed to a progressive pool counter by the wagering game machine was sufficient to cross the threshold of the mystery trigger (e.g., causing a $99.96 pool to flip over a $100.00 trigger), the five cents would be separately apportioned so that only one cent would be utilized at a time to determine whether or not the threshold for the progressive win has been crossed. The game controller, in turn, would sample each wagering game machine in the bank of machines associated with the multi-level progressive in round robin fashion at a fixed interval (e.g., every 0.5 seconds, every second, etc.) to receive each one cent increment before starting over to receive the next one cent increment. Thus, the contribution to the progressive pool is spread out over time for each wagering game machine.
In at least some aspects of the present concepts, the eligibility units are permitted to vary over time. By way of example, if a player is able to maintain one or more eligibility units in play for an extended period of time (e.g., playing at a high rate with high wagers so as not to deplete the one or more eligibility units for a predetermined time) the one or more eligibility units may convert into eligibility units having greater amounts of eligibility (e.g., 1.0 seconds rather than a lesser base amount of time).
In another example, the discrete eligibility units vary in accord with a predetermined tier or level, wherein a first tier (e.g., the easiest to fill) provides 0.7 seconds of eligibility per discrete eligibility unit, whereas a second tier entered once a player accumulates a first predetermined number of discrete eligibility units in the first tier (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) provides a different eligibility (e.g., higher or lower) per discrete eligibility unit. Thus, for example, a second tier discrete eligibility unit provides, continuing with the above example, 1.0 seconds per discrete eligibility unit (i.e., higher than that of the first tier) or, alternatively, 0.5 seconds per discrete eligibility unit (i.e., lower than that of the first tier). Correspondingly, a third tier entered once a player accumulates a second predetermined number of discrete eligibility units in the second tier (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) can provide still a different eligibility (e.g., higher or lower) per discrete eligibility unit. Thus, the discrete eligibility units are able to be adapted to provide a selected game dynamic. Correspondingly, rather than adjusting a value for one or more discrete eligibility units, a utilization rate may be altered so that the rate at which one or more discrete eligibility units at a wagering game terminal are treated differently than other discrete eligibility units at the wagering game terminal or so that the rate at which one or more discrete eligibility units at a wagering game terminal are treated differently than one or more discrete eligibility units at another wagering game terminal.
Further, in various non-limiting aspects, the utilization rate(s) of the discrete eligibility units may be (1) fixed, (2) configured to vary over time, (3) configured to vary in accord with a predetermined tier or level, or (4) enhanced by non-wager inputs. In the simplest example, a utilization rate of the discrete eligibility units or a value (e.g., time) attributed to one or more of the eligibility units may be enhanced by something other than the addition of a wager and, instead, may be enhanced, for example, by a wagering game outcome, a triggering condition in a wagering game, a consolation prize, or random event. By way of example, a predetermined non-winning outcome(s) in the wagering game (e.g., no winning amount specified in the paytable) or winning outcome(s) may convey additional discrete eligibility units.
It is further to be noted that the allocation of the discrete eligibility units optionally may vary non-linearly in correspondence with the input wager amount. For example, a higher wager may provide a disproportionately higher number of discrete eligibility units than a lesser wager. In one example, using the example above of the multi-level progressive with a mystery trigger, for a first coin (e.g., $0.25) wagered one cent is set aside as a discrete eligibility unit, for a second coin wagered two cents are set aside as discrete eligibility units, for a third coin wagered four cents are set aside as discrete eligibility units, for a fourth coin wagered six cents are set aside as discrete eligibility units, and for a fifth coin wagered 10 cents are set aside as discrete eligibility units. In this manner, players who place greater wagers will have more chances to win the multi-level progressive than players placing comparatively lesser wagers, where the rate of play is itself taken to be equal. Likewise, in lieu of a non-linear allocation of the discrete eligibility units in correspondence with the input wager amount, characteristics of the discrete eligibility units (e.g., decay-rate, sampling rate, etc.) may vary non-linearly in correspondence with the input wager amount.
For example, a higher wager may provide discrete eligibility units conveying eligibility for one or more game features upon utilization wherein the presence of such discrete eligibility units themselves convey eligibility for the one or more game features and wherein one or more of the discrete eligibility units for higher wager amounts last for a greater period of time than discrete eligibility units of lesser wager amounts. In one example, using the example above of the multi-level progressive with a mystery trigger, each of a first coin through a third coin have a first time-based discrete eligibility unit associated therewith, wherein the duration of existence of the first time-based discrete eligibility unit corresponds to a frequency of sampling of the gaming machines by the game controller in assessing eligibility for the one or more game features. A fourth coin, however, provides a second time-based discrete eligibility unit having a duration of existence greater than that of the first base-line time-based discrete eligibility unit (e.g., a multiple thereof) so that the second time-based discrete eligibility unit is retained for a duration that corresponds to a multiple of a frequency of sampling of the gaming machines by the game controller in assessing eligibility for the one or more game features Likewise, a fifth coin provides a third time-based discrete eligibility unit having a duration of existence greater than that of the first and/or second time-based discrete eligibility unit (e.g., a multiple thereof) so that the third time-based discrete eligibility unit is retained for a duration that corresponds to a greater multiple of a frequency of sampling of the gaming machines by the game controller than that of the second time-based discrete eligibility unit.
In accord with the above aspects, players who place greater wagers are provided with greater opportunity for achieving eligibility for the one or more game features (e.g., bonus game, community event game, progressive award, etc.), whether by greater numbers of opportunities for consideration for eligibility, greater duration of eligibility, or both. It is not necessary for the game controller to consider only a single discrete eligibility unit at one time and it is possible for the game controller to consider a plurality of discrete eligibility units at one time and a remainder of the discrete eligibility units at another time or at a plurality of subsequent times. In one example, for a given wager, a first percentage of a first portion of the discrete eligibility units are aggregated and utilized all at once in a first eligibility period by the game controller, whereas a second percentage of a second portion of the discrete eligibility units are used in a second eligibility period by the game controller. The first eligibility period could comprise one or more times during which the game controller utilizes the first portion of the discrete eligibility units to determine eligibility and the second eligibility period could comprise one or more times during which the game controller utilizes the second portion of the discrete eligibility units to determine eligibility. By way of example, a set of 100 discrete eligibility units could be divided into a first portion of 50 discrete eligibility units that are utilized by the game controller in the first second of wagering game play and 50 discrete eligibility units that are utilized by the game controller during the remainder of wagering game play (e.g., the subsequent second or two) and subsequent to the end of the wagering game.
a)-8(h) show successive illustrations showing an example of at least some of the above-noted aspects, wherein a n-th unit game feature is provided in which a wager amount is used to determine a plurality of discrete eligibility units that are consumed or utilized over time and wherein each of the discrete eligibility units provides eligibility for a game feature, or one or more game features, upon utilization. As noted above, in operation, as the player inputs wager, each wager amount is used to determine a number of discrete eligibility units to be provided to the player and, as the player plays the wagering game, the available number of the discrete eligibility units decreases over time as they are utilized. For example, if an average spin is 3 seconds and a 40 coin wager provides 10 second of eligibility (e.g., 10 discrete eligibility units of 1 second, 40 discrete eligibility units of 0.25 seconds, 80 discrete eligibility units of 0.125 seconds, etc.), a single large wager provides eligibility for one or more game features for a period of 7 seconds following completion of the wagering game. So long as a player inputs the same wager at a rate of at least once every 10 seconds, the player would enjoy continued eligibility for the one or more game features even though the player is not engaged in a wagering game at the time of the game controller's consideration of the player's eligibility. For illustrative purposes, the discrete eligibility units are represented in
a) represents a state prior to initiation of wagering game play wherein no discrete eligibility units have yet been accumulated by a player's wager. In this example, for simplicity of illustration, it will be assumed in this example that the wager is a five coin wager and the eligibility is for a progressive prize with a mystery trigger, with a percentage of each coin being set aside for eligibility determination for the progressive prize and, to such end, being further subdivided into discrete eligibility units 200, represented as a circle or coin.
Three tiers of discrete eligibility units are shown (tier 1, tier 2, tier 3), with each tier being divided into 6 subparts. The states represented in
In operation, for the representative example of
d) shows a state wherein the discrete eligibility unit 200′ from
f) represents a state following that of
g) shows a point in time where additional discrete eligibility units 200 have been added by an input of another wager to play another wagering game. From
Of course, although the illustrative example above in
It is to be noted, however, that discrete eligibility units 200 may optionally be obtained through alternative avenues in accord with at least some aspects of the present concepts and could include, but not limited to, an award associated with an outcome in a wagering game or separate purchase by a player through a gaming establishment employee or an exchange, computer, kiosk, portable electronic device (e.g., cell phone) or wagering game machine.
It is to be noted that the present concepts permit arrangement of the discrete eligibility units in any manner. As shown in the current example, tier one is filled before discrete eligibility units are placed in tier 2, and so on. In one exemplary alternative configuration, first column positions are filled before second column positions are filled such that a first position in each of tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 are filled before the tier 1 position in the second column is filled with a discrete eligibility unit 200. In this regard, it is to be noted that the bottom of the depicted matrix may, in at least some aspects, reflect a time axis wherein each of the discrete eligibility units in a column are all evaluated by the game controller at the same increment of time. By way of example and with reference to
In the example shown in
Further, in at least some aspects of the present concepts, via gameplay, the profile of the discrete eligibility units 200 may dynamically change during or after conclusion of a wagering game as a direct result of an outcome during wagering game play (e.g., an appearance of one or more predetermined symbols, etc.). Using the example of
It is again to be noted, however, that in other aspects of the present concepts a value associated with a discrete eligibility unit may be subtracted from a counter relating to the mystery trigger and the game controller determines whether that discrete subtraction caused the counter to fall below another threshold amount (e.g., counting down to zero). Thus, the example of
Although the example of
Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. For example, although the aforementioned examples generally related to an example in which a counter was incremented upwardly, from zero value or pre-determined non-zero value starting point, toward a n-th unit prize pool threshold trigger, the present concepts also apply to embodiments wherein a counter is incremented downwardly from a n-th unit prize pool threshold trigger toward a zero value or toward another pre-determined non-zero value (e.g., counting down to zero).
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/672,977, entitled “Gaming System Having Improved Progressive Jackpots”, filed Feb. 10, 2010, which is a U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/US2008/010182, titled “Gaming System Having Improved Progressive Jackpots” and filed Aug. 28, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/966,570, titled “Gaming System Having Improved Progressive Jackpots” and filed on Aug. 29, 2007, each application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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