This invention relates to a gaming system which provides a payout for each play and, more particularly, to a system which selectively provides a video presentation to a user, as a form of non-monetary compensation, in accordance with criteria such as player identification data and a gaming result.
Slot machines provide an important source of revenue for the gaming industry. For that reason, gaming establishments constantly search for new gaming strategies and features to provide additional incentives for slot machine players to continue play. Some gaming devices now provide video or graphical information to entertain a player during play. For instance, some slot machines provide “Dotmation”, a computer controlled LED display, that ties a game to an animated character. Such a system is currently utilized in “Piggy Bankin”, wherein a pig dances around an LED display screen as the slot machine play ensues.
Another approach is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,613, entitled “Casino and Entertainment Systems”, wherein gaming devices are furnished with audio/video communication equipment that is connected to a central control station. The control station selectively engages in both voice and video communication with the players at each individual slot machine. Live sporting events and even daytime soap opera television can be displayed.
It is also known that some gaming devices provide an increased probability of winning to attract players. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,539 (Nagao) entitled “Slot Machine with Payout Modifying Symbols” describes a gaming device in which a player wins by obtaining a certain combination of characters associated with a winning table (e.g., the various winning combinations). The gaming system includes a wild card which may be substituted for any character and, thus, increases the probability of a player receiving a winning combination of characters.
Gaming devices have also been known to provide complimentary points for players who are members of slot clubs. These slot clubs provide the player with a slot tracking card which when inserted into the slot machine rewards the player with comp points for each handle pull or game play. These points, which may be redeemed for some prize or gift, are part of casino programs used to attract players. Complimentary points are automatically provided to a player simply for initiating a gaming play, (e.g., paying a monetary sum to begin a play), but do not form part of the prize structure of the underlying game. In other words, complimentary points are provided to a player regardless of the gaming result. In most cases, the monetary sum paid by the player into the slot machine determines the amount of complimentary points to be provided by the casino.
There is a continuing desire on the part of gaming establishments to enhance the playing and winning experience at slot machines with video or graphic information.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a gaming device which contains a payout table which results in a player receiving a “payout” for every possible gaming result.
A further object of the invention is to provide a system for provision of a video presentation to slot machine players, wherein the video presentation is output as a form of a low-level non-monetary winning.
A further object of the invention is to provide a gaming system, wherein a player can terminate a video presentation at a gaming device and can resume display of the video presentation from the point of termination, at another time or gaming device.
A further object of the invention is to provide a gaming device for provision of a video presentation wherein the video presentation can be used as part of a skill-game puzzle, with a prize structure separate from the gaming device.
A further object of this invention is to provide a gaming system which provides a payout, either as a monetary award or as a displayed video presentation, on each play, based on a set of payout conditions.
A gaming system includes a network server connected to a plurality of gaming devices that are adapted to provide a video payout on each play based on a set of payout parameters. Memory at each gaming device stores payout parameters that correspond to each possible gaming result or outcome. When a play is initiated by a player, a gaming result is generated at a gaming device. The gaming device responds by accessing a corresponding payout parameter from the memory which may be a monetary amount, a video presentation segment or a combination thereof. If the payout is video, the network server receives the payout parameter and transmits a video presentation segment to the gaming device accordingly. The gaming device then provides a video payout, in the form of a displayed video presentation, to the player. The player thus receives at least one form of payment on each play.
Before proceeding with a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is well to define certain terms as used herein. Although the embodiments discussed herein are directed to slot machines, it is to be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to other gaming devices, such as video poker machines, video blackjack machines, video roulette machines, video keno machines, video bingo machines, and the like.
The term “video presentation” or “video information” when used to describe a payout refers to a movie, music video, soap opera, sporting event, or video entertainment material. This video information is presented via a video display,
The term “resume code” will be used hereafter to refer to data, provided to a player upon a termination of a video presentation, which allows the player to resume display of the video presentation at another time or gaming device. That is to say, in certain cases, a player may desire to terminate display of the video presentation before the entire video presentation has been viewed. In such a case, the resume code allows a player to continue display of the video presentation, from the point of termination, at another time or gaming device. The resume code may take the form of any combination of characters (e.g., ABCD1, $%j1, etc.).
Network server 12 receives the player data and payout parameters and selects a video presentation for each respective slot machine based on the player data and payout parameters. The selected video presentation is then transmitted, via slot network interface 30, to the appropriate slot machine 14, 16, 18 for display. Instead of storing the video presentation in network server 12 and transmitting the video information to slot machine 14, 16, 18, the video information can be stored locally in each slot machine 14, 16, 18 for subsequent display.
Display control subroutine 32 controls the operation of tracking device 22, including card reader 26 and buttons 28. When a player inputs a selection or other data via buttons 28, such entry is recognized by display control subroutine 32, which causes the resident CPU in slot machine 14 to configure the entered data for transmission over slot network interface 30 to network server 12.
Network server 12 includes a video processor subroutine 38 which is stored therein or which can be loaded thereinto via a magnetic disk 56 (
A schematic illustration of the contents of the casino player database 40 is found in
Gaming session database 42 is schematically shown in
Slot Machine Identification (ID) Number;
Slot Machine Type;
Player ID Number;
Video Category;
Video Identification (ID) Number;
Amount of Clip Viewed Already; and
Output Device.
Most of the contents of session database are self-explanatory and require no further description. Slot Machine Type identifies the make and model of the slot machine being played. Video ID Number identifies a particular video previously viewed by the player. “Amount of Clip Viewed Already” indicates how much of the video information has been previously viewed by the player. Output Device indicates the type of display device used for each particular video information source (e.g., display screen, Virtual-Reality glasses, etc.).
Video database 44 is shown in
Before proceeding with a description of the operation of the first embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that in a preferred embodiment, each slot machine is configured to provide at least a video payout (e.g., a video presentation), on each slot machine play, in addition to conventional payouts (e.g., a monetary sum) that are commonly provided by slot machines. Therefore, a player always wins at least a video payout on each play. In alternate embodiments, the invention includes payouts of video information as the only payout, and/or video payouts supplemental to normal cash payouts but without a win on every play.
Turning now to
As shown in
While not shown in
Thereafter, a player can commence slot machine play, as shown in
Network server 12 receives the payout parameter and accesses session database 42 (Box 86). Based on the Player ID Number, network server 12 selects a video presentation accordingly. For example, the network server would select video presentation SP2345, a sports video, for Player ID Number 4356-ABC.
Network server 12 (
Network server 12 then queues the next portion of the video presentation in sequence for transmission (Box 90) and transmits the video presentation to slot machine 14 (Box 92). After transmission, the Amount Of Clip Viewed field of session database 42 is updated to reflect the additional time period of transmitted video presentation (Box 94).
Thereafter, slot machine 14 receives the video presentation from network server 12 (Box 96) and the reels stop spinning to display the gaming result to the player (Box 98). The video presentation is then displayed on display 24 of slot machine 14 (Box 102), and a player can initiate the next slot machine play (Box 100), as the video presentation is displayed. Note that a player continuously playing a slot machine (e.g., initiating one slot machine play after another) will receive a continuous video stream of video presentation.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, slot machine 14 utilizes the video presentation to provide an additional puzzle-type game. Each video presentation portion (e.g., video clip) displayed to the player upon a non-monetary payout parameter provides a clue for solving a puzzle. The puzzle may be a murder mystery, trivia game, etc. After each displayed video presentation portion, the player is instructed over display 24 to solve the puzzle, for example, by selecting one of multiple answer choices which is then compared with a pre-defined answer or player input associated with the displayed video presentation. Such a gaming feature may be a form of payout in itself or may provide a prize structure of its own.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, slot machine 14 provides either a monetary payout or a video payout, for each slot machine play. The payout is based on the gaming result and the corresponding payout parameter from payout database 36. Note that the video payouts are provided for each gaming result that typically provides no monetary payout, (e.g., a losing gaming result or outcome.) For instance, a gaming result corresponding to 3 Bars would result in a monetary payout to the player, whereas 2 Peaches & 1 Bell would result in a video payout to the player.
Payout database 36 (
Slot machine 14 is adapted to identify an occurrence of a monetary payout parameter as compared to a video payout parameter and to provide a corresponding payout to the player. Referring to
If the payout parameter is monetary, slot machine 14 can issue the monetary payout, either as cash or locally stored machine credits (Box 80). Cash can be directly dispensed to the player or credited to an account maintained locally at the machine or remotely at the server. In any case, after a monetary payout is issued, a player can then initiate the next slot machine play (Box 82).
If the payout parameter is a video payout, slot machine 14 transmits the payout parameter to network server 12 (Box 84). At this point, network server 12 performs the same operations as those described above for the first embodiment (
Although slot machine 14, in this case, provides either a video payout or a monetary payout, other payouts or combination of payouts may also be provided. Such payouts may include a free play, frequent flyer miles, etc. Payout database 36, likewise, would be adapted to include additional payout parameters; and gaming system 10 would be configured to provide these additional forms of payment. For example, frequent flyer miles could be provided in the same manner as monetary credits. In each case, however, the payout, its type and amount is derived from the payout database, (e.g., a payout table), and may also be dependent upon the Player ID Number.
Referring now to
If, in step 1215, it is determined that the game result does correspond to video output, the process proceeds to step 1220, where video presentation comprising a clue for solving a puzzle is retrieved and displayed to a player. In step 1235, the player is instructed to solve the puzzle in exchange for an award. A player input is received in step 1240. It is then determined, in step 1245, whether the player input solves the puzzle. If the player input does solve the puzzle, the award is provided to the player in step 1250. If the player input does not solve the puzzle, the process continues instead to step 1255, in which step the player is informed that the puzzle has not been solved. The process then returns to step 1205, wherein a player initiated game play is again determined.
Referring now to
In summary, the present invention provides a gaming system wherein a player always wins a prize, in the form of selected video presentation (e.g., a movie, music video, etc.), for each play of a gaming device. The prize structure is based on the gaming result or outcome generated during the play. Such a gaming system may also provide other prizes such as a monetary sum, frequent flyer miles, a free pull, etc.
It should be understood that the forgoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/686,509, filed on Nov. 27, 2012, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/677,955, filed on Feb. 22, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,624, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/882,859, filed on Jul. 1, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,572, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/272,554, filed on Oct. 16, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,341, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/798,719, filed on Mar. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,068, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/832,723, filed on Apr. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,896, the entire contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4375286 | Seitz et al. | Mar 1983 | A |
4553748 | Allen et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4618150 | Kimura | Oct 1986 | A |
4752068 | Endo | Jun 1988 | A |
4799683 | Bruner, Jr. | Jan 1989 | A |
4839743 | Best et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4858930 | Sato | Aug 1989 | A |
5127651 | Okada | Jul 1992 | A |
5142358 | Jason | Aug 1992 | A |
5259613 | Marnell, II | Nov 1993 | A |
5373440 | Cohen et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5393057 | Marnell, II | Feb 1995 | A |
5393061 | Manship et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5411258 | Wilson et al. | May 1995 | A |
5423539 | Nagao | Jun 1995 | A |
5429361 | Raven et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
5449173 | Thomas et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5472195 | Takemoto et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5488411 | Lewis | Jan 1996 | A |
5494287 | Manz | Feb 1996 | A |
5508731 | Kohorn | Apr 1996 | A |
5513846 | Niederlein et al. | May 1996 | A |
5547202 | Tsumura | Aug 1996 | A |
5579537 | Takahisa | Nov 1996 | A |
D378604 | Brettschneider | Mar 1997 | S |
5612730 | Lewis | Mar 1997 | A |
5630754 | Rebane | May 1997 | A |
5655961 | Acres et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5664998 | Seelig et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5664999 | Kurihara | Sep 1997 | A |
5697843 | Manship et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5697844 | Von Kohorn | Dec 1997 | A |
5768382 | Schneier et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5770533 | Franchi | Jun 1998 | A |
5779549 | Walker et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5788573 | Baerlocher et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5947820 | Morro et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5971851 | Pascal et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
6110041 | Walker et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6135885 | Lermusiaux | Oct 2000 | A |
6186893 | Walker et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6224486 | Walker et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6234896 | Walker et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6500068 | Walker et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6811482 | Letovsky | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6893341 | Walker et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
7198572 | Walker et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2 072 395 | Sep 1981 | GB |
2 262 642 | Jun 1993 | GB |
Entry |
---|
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10/882,859 dated May 26, 2005. (5 pages). |
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 10/882,859 dated Dec. 5, 2006. (7 pages). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 09/798,719 dated Aug. 14, 2001. (15 pages). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 09/798,719 dated Dec. 3, 2001. (5 pages). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 09/798,719 dated Mar. 5, 2002. (2 pages). |
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 09/798,719 dated Mar. 8, 2002. (3 pages). |
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 09/798,719 dated Jul. 22, 2002. (1 page). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10/272,554 dated Nov. 14, 2003. (4 pages). |
Notice of Allowability for U.S. Appl. No. 10/272,554 dated Mar. 1, 2005. (2 pages). |
International Search Report for Application No. PCT/US98/06474 dated May 20, 1998. (3 pages). |
International Preliminary Examination Report for Application No. PCT/US98/06474 dated Jan. 19, 1999. (4 pages). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 08/832,723 dated May 4, 1998. (1 page). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 08/832,723 dated Jul. 8, 1998. (5 pages). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 08/832,723 dated Apr. 23, 1999. (3 pages). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 08/832,723 dated Dec. 30, 1999. (1 page). |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 08/832,723 dated Jul. 13, 2000. (1 page). |
Notice of Allowability for U.S. Appl. No. 08/832,723 dated Jul. 19, 2000. (1 page). |
Notice of Allowability for U.S. Appl. No. 08/832,723 dated Dec. 1, 2000. (1 page). |
Brochure: “Welcome to Video Reality!,” Atronic Casino Technology, Oct. 1995. (14 pages). |
“IGT Launches Next-Generation Video Gaming Machine,” PR Newswire, Aug. 23, 1995, Section: Financial News. (2 pages). |
“More ‘Dotmation’ Slots Hit Tower,” Atlantice City Insider, Revealing the Casinos Best-Kept Secrets, Jan. 1997, vol. 1. (2 pages). |
Name That Tune as reported by Wikipedia, downloaded Jul. 23, 2010, 10 pages. |
Name That Video as reported by Angelfire, downoaded Jun. 9, 2010, 1 page. |
Name That Video as reported by Wikipedia, downloaded Jul. 23, 2010, 2 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20130324251 A1 | Dec 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13686509 | Nov 2012 | US |
Child | 13963714 | US | |
Parent | 11677955 | Feb 2007 | US |
Child | 13686509 | US | |
Parent | 10882859 | Jul 2004 | US |
Child | 11677955 | US | |
Parent | 10272554 | Oct 2002 | US |
Child | 10882859 | US | |
Parent | 09798719 | Mar 2001 | US |
Child | 10272554 | US | |
Parent | 08832723 | Apr 1997 | US |
Child | 09798719 | US |