Patent Grant
9761081
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that 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. Copyright 2015, WMS Gaming, Inc.
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wagering game systems and networks that, more particularly, integrate video feeds and wagering-game content.
Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Traditionally, wagering game machines have been confined to physical buildings, like casinos (e.g., resort casinos, road-side casinos, etc.). The casinos are located in specific geographic locations that are authorized to present wagering games to casino patrons. However, with the proliferation of interest and use of the Internet, shrewd wagering game manufacturers have recognized that a global public network, such as the Internet, can reach to various locations of the world that have been authorized to present wagering games. Any individual with a personal computing device (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone, etc.) can connect to the Internet and play wagering games. Consequently, some wagering game manufacturers have created wagering games that can be processed by personal computing devices and offered via online casino websites (“online casinos”). However, online casinos face challenges and struggles. For instance, online casinos have struggled to provide the excitement and entertainment that a real-world casino environment provides. Some online casinos have struggled enforcing cross jurisdictional restrictions and requirements. Further, some online casinos have struggled adapting the online gaming industry to a traditionally non-wagering game business environment. As a result, wagering game manufacturers, casino operators, and online game providers are constantly in need of innovative concepts that can make the online gaming industry appealing and profitable.
Embodiments are illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
This description of the embodiments is divided into six sections. The first section provides an introduction to embodiments. The second section describes example operating environments while the third section describes example operations performed by some embodiments. The fourth section describes additional example embodiments while the fifth section describes additional example operating environments. The sixth section presents some general comments.
This section provides an introduction to some embodiments.
Wagering game providers constantly create a variety of fun and interesting wagering games. Those wagering games present wagering game content (e.g., background images, wagering game elements, animations, reel images, game characters, etc.) to engage the wagering game player's interest. The wagering game content has traditionally been restricted to simple content files (e.g., static images, game animations, etc.) that can be stored and accessed locally on a casino network. However, as wagering game machines and servers become more powerful in their ability to process and utilize all kinds of information, wagering game providers are discovering new ways to expand potential sources of wagering game content.
In some embodiments, only some of the portions 105 are blank. In some embodiments, some of the reels 107 may include one or more wagering game elements 109 presented on (e.g., fastened to, projected onto, etc.) the reels 107, which the video camera 101 may record and provide to the server 150 in the video feed 161. The server 150 can generate the images of wagering game elements 155 for the blank portions 105 in a way that is customized only for one wagering game player account (“player account”) that is logged in to a wagering game website or web service. For example, a player (e.g., the user named “M. Miller”) can use the computer 137 and provide user input that launches a web browser application (“browser”) 102 and which presents a webpage 103 of a wagering game website (e.g., “Jackpot Party.com”). The webpage 103 can present wagering game content for a wagering game session via various web-enabled technologies, code, objects, applications, metadata, etc. including, but not limited to hypertext markup language (HTML), JavaScript, AJAX, cascading style sheets, client-side scripts, extensible markup language (XML), Flash media players, video and audio players, applets, graphics, etc. The webpage 103 presents, as the wagering game content, a composite image 131 of the video feed 161 combined with the images of the wagering game elements 155. The composite image 131 can be static, dynamic, streaming, etc., and can include graphics, video, audio, or other forms of media content or multimedia content. The composite image 131 can include a presentation of the video feed 161, which includes streaming video images of the wagering game elements 109, the reels 107, and other elements on the display 104, such as a credit meter box 113 and a bet meter box 115. The credit meter box 113 and the bet meter box 115 can also be blank. The server 150 can generate other graphical images that represent a credit balance and a bet value that the server 150 can also composite with the video feed 161 in the credit meter box 113 and the bet meter box 115. The credit balance and the bet value can be customized, or made specific, to the player account that is logged on. For example, the player account may have a balance of “$532” and may select a “$1” denomination value for the slot game depicted by the webpage 103. The server 150 can generate graphics of the “$532” credit balance amount and the “$1” denomination amount and present those values, respectively, in the composite image 131 of the credit meter box 113 and the bet meter box 115.
As the reels 107 spin, the server 150 can cause the images of the wagering game elements 155 to change shape, size, color, shading, etc. so that the images of the wagering game elements 155 appear to move in a way that coincides with the movement of the reels 107. For example, the server 150 can cause the appearance of the images of the wagering game elements 155 to appear to roll behind the reels 107 and disappear from view in a similar way that the wagering game elements 109 roll being the reels 107 and disappear from view while the reels 107 spin. Further, the server 150 can modify the appearance of the images of the wagering game elements 155 to appear to have graphical distortion (e.g., noise, blurring, etc.) so that the images of the wagering game elements 155 appear to actually be on the reels 107.
In some embodiments, all of the wagering game elements on the reels 107 are recorded by the camera 101 and the system can generate images of replacement wagering game graphics on the images of the video recorded wagering game elements. Thus, the system 100 can provide a real-life depiction of a video recorded wagering game with images that are customized to a player account associated with a wagering game website.
Further, some embodiments of the inventive subject matter describe examples of integrating video feeds and wagering-game web content in a network wagering venue (e.g., an online casino, a wagering game website, a wagering network, etc.) using a communication network, such as the communications network 122 in
Further, in some embodiments herein a user may be referred to as a player (i.e., of wagering games), and a player may be referred to interchangeably as a player account. Account-based wagering systems utilize player accounts when transacting and performing activities, at the computer level, that are initiated by players. Therefore, a “player account” represents the player at a computerized level. The player account can perform actions via computerized instructions. For example, in some embodiments, a player account may be referred to as performing an action, controlling an item, communicating information, etc. Although a player, or person, may be activating a game control or device to perform the action, control the item, communicate the information, etc., the player account, at the computer level, can be associated with the player, and therefore any actions associated with the player can also be associated with the player account. Therefore, for brevity, to avoid having to describe the interconnection between player and player account in every instance, a “player account” may be referred to herein in either context. Further, in some embodiments herein, the word “gaming” is used interchangeably with “gambling.”
Although
This section describes example operating environments and networks and presents structural aspects of some embodiments. More specifically, this section includes discussion about wagering game system architectures.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a wagering game server 250 configured to control wagering game content, provide random numbers, and communicate wagering game information, account information, and other information to and from the client 260. The wagering game server 250 can include a content controller 251 configured to manage and control content for the presentation of content on the client 260. For example, the content controller 251 can generate game results (e.g., win/loss values), including win amounts, for games played on the client 260. The content controller 251 can communicate the game results to the client 260. The content controller 251 can also generate random numbers and provide them to the client 260 so that the client 260 can generate game results. The wagering game server 250 can also include a content store 252 configured to contain content to present on the client 260. The wagering game server 250 can also include an account manager 253 configured to control information related to player accounts. For example, the account manager 253 can communicate wager amounts, game results amounts (e.g., win amounts), bonus game amounts, etc., to the account server 270. The wagering game server 250 can also include a communication unit 254 configured to communicate information to the client 260 and to communicate with other systems, devices and networks. The wagering game server 250 can also include an image editor 255 configured to generate graphics, video, or other images that can be composited with live video feeds. The wagering game server 250 also can include a compositing module 256 configured to composite the graphics, images, video, etc. with video data from video feeds. The compositing module 256 can analyze activity that occurs in a video feed and generate wagering game elements and scenarios that can be used for those activities. The compositing module 256 can also be configured to digitize audio and video feeds into web-enabled media, composite the web-enable media with graphics and other web content, and embed the web-enabled media in a webpage.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a client 260 configured to present wagering games and receive and transmit information to integrate video feeds and wagering-game websites. The client 260 can be a computer system, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell phone, a laptop, a wagering game machine, or any other device or machine that is capable of processing information, instructions, or other data provided via the communications network 222. The client 260 can include a content controller 261 configured to manage and control content and presentation of content on the client 260. The client 260 can also include a content store 262 configured to contain content to present on the client 260. The client 260 can also include a video integration module 263 configured to process communications, commands, or other information, where the processing can integrate video feeds and wagering content for wagering game websites. The video integration module 263 can perform any function that any other system component can perform regarding compositing and/or presenting composited video, graphics, images, etc. The video integration module 263 can also or process data and control information provided by any of the other system components.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a web server 290 configured to control and present an online website that hosts wagering games. The web server 290 can also be configured to present multiple wagering game applications on the client 260 via a wagering game website, or other gaming-type venue accessible via the Internet. The web server 290 can host an online wagering website and/or a social networking website. The web server 290 can include other devices, servers, mechanisms, etc., that provide functionality (e.g., controls, web pages, applications, etc.) that web users can use to connect to a social networking application and/or website and utilize social networking and website features (e.g., communications mechanisms, applications, etc.). The web server 290 can also provide live streaming media, with video, audio, etc. integrated with wagering game content via a wagering game website.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a secondary content server 240 configured to provide content and control information for secondary games and other secondary content available on a wagering game network (e.g., secondary wagering game content, promotions content, advertising content, player tracking content, web content, etc.). The secondary content server 240 can provide “secondary” content, or content for “secondary” games presented on the client 260. “Secondary” in some embodiments can refer to an application's importance or priority of the data. In some embodiments, “secondary” can refer to a distinction, or separation, from a primary application (e.g., separate application files, separate content, separate states, separate functions, separate processes, separate programming sources, separate processor threads, separate data, separate control, separate domains, etc.). Nevertheless, in some embodiments, secondary content and control can be passed between applications (e.g., via application protocol interfaces), thus becoming, or falling under the control of, primary content or primary applications, and vice versa. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 240 can provide and control content for community games, including networked games, social games, competitive games, or any other game that multiple players can participate in at the same time. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 240 can control and present an online website that hosts wagering games. The secondary content server 240 can also be configured to present multiple wagering game applications on the client 260 via a wagering game website, or other gaming-type venue accessible via the Internet. The secondary content server 240 can host an online wagering website and/or a social networking website. The secondary content server 240 can include other devices, servers, mechanisms, etc., that provide functionality (e.g., controls, web pages, applications, etc.) that web users can use to connect to a social networking application and/or website and utilize social networking and website features (e.g., communications mechanisms, applications, etc.). The secondary content server 240 can also be configured to integrate secondary content with video feeds. The secondary content server 240 can also provide chat functionality for a social networking website, a chat application, or any other social networking communications mechanism. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 240 can utilize player data to determine marketing promotions that may be of interest to a player account. The secondary content server 240 can also analyze player data and generate analytics for players, group players into demographics, integrate with third party marketing services and devices, etc. The secondary content server 240 can also provide player data to third parties that can use the player data for marketing. The secondary content server 240 can also provide and control content for community games, including networked games, social games, competitive games, or any other game that multiple players can participate in at the same time.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a social network server 280 configured to host social network accounts, provide social networking content, control social networking communications, store associated social contacts, etc.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a television content server 230 configured to provide and control television content and communications via television broadcasts, such as televised shows, sporting events, etc.
Each component shown in the wagering game system architecture 200 is shown as a separate and distinct element connected via a communications network 222. However, some functions performed by one component could be performed by other components. For example, the wagering game server 250 can also be configured to perform functions of the account server 270, the web server 290, the secondary content server 240, and other network elements and/or system devices. Furthermore, the components shown may all be contained in one device, but some, or all, may be included in, or performed by, multiple devices, as in the configurations shown in
As mentioned previously, in some embodiments, the client 260 can take the form of a wagering game machine. Examples of wagering game machines can include floor standing models, handheld mobile units, bar-top models, workstation-type console models, surface computing machines, etc. Further, wagering game machines can be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wagering games, or can include non-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, etc.
In some embodiments, clients and wagering game servers work together such that clients can be operated as thin, thick, or intermediate clients. For example, one or more elements of game play may be controlled by the client or the wagering game servers (server). Game play elements can include executable game code, lookup tables, configuration files, game outcome, audio or visual representations of the game, game assets or the like. In a thin-client example, the wagering game server can perform functions such as determining game outcome or managing assets, while the clients can present a graphical representation of such outcome or asset modification to the user (e.g., player). In a thick-client example, the clients can determine game outcomes and communicate the outcomes to the wagering game server for recording or managing a player's account.
In some embodiments, either the client or the wagering game server(s) can provide functionality that is not directly related to game play. For example, account transactions and account rules may be managed centrally (e.g., by the wagering game server(s)) or locally (e.g., by the client). Other functionality not directly related to game play may include power management, presentation of advertising, software or firmware updates, system quality or security checks, etc.
Furthermore, the wagering game system architecture 200 can be implemented as software, hardware, any combination thereof, or other forms of embodiments not listed. For example, any of the network components (e.g., the wagering game machines, servers, etc.) can include hardware and machine-readable storage media including instructions for performing the operations described herein.
This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. In the discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference to block diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, the operations can be performed by logic not described in the block diagrams.
In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable storage media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations can be performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform more or less than all the operations shown in any flow diagram.
The flow 300 continues at processing block 304, where the system composites the image of the wagering game element with the video feed. The system composites two or more images together into one image or into the appearance of one image. The system can utilize various types of image compositing. For instance, the system can digitize audio and video feeds into streaming media and composite the streaming media with graphics and other web content. In some embodiments, the system can overlay or superimpose images in layers. In another example, the system can chroma key composite images. In some embodiments, the system can modify an appearance of images such as a size, shape, color, etc. to conform to the appearance of other images (e.g., in
In some embodiments, the image of the wagering game element may be a picture or another video image, such as a webcam media stream or a television broadcast. In some embodiments, similarly as shown in
The flow 300 continues at processing block 306, where the system embeds the video feed in a webpage, detects a request for the webpage via a wagering game website and provides the webpage in response to the request of the webpage. The system can digitize video feeds, with audio, into web-enabled content, and embed the web-enabled content into a webpage to present as streaming media via the webpage.
The flow 300 continues at processing block 308, where the system detects a wagering game outcome for the wagering game, triggers a secondary wagering game based on the outcome of the wagering game, and presents the secondary wagering game via the webpage of the wagering game website. In
Returning to the discussion of
The flow 400 continues at processing block 404, where the system selects the player account to participate in the wagering game based on a characteristic of the player account. The characteristic meets a game participation requirement for the wagering game. For instance, the system can detect a player account status, a player account's position on a leader board, a playing history for the player associated with the player account, a performance of a marketing activity by the player and stored in the player account, etc. For example, in
The flow 400 continues at processing block 406, where the system combines the first video feed and the second video feed into a media stream and provides the media stream via webpage for the wagering game website. The gaming server 550 composites the television video feed 561 with the webcam video feed 562 and generates a media stream 563 that is a digitized composite of the television video feed 561 and the webcam video feed 562, combined with audio and/or other computer-generated effects. The gaming server 550 can embed the media stream 563 in the webpage 503 and deliver the webpage to the computer 545 in response to a user request. The gaming server 550 can receive additional webcam video feeds of additional players (e.g., for J. Saiz and O. Brown). The gaming server 550 can composite the additional webcam video feeds into the media stream so that images for the additional players (e.g., images 540 and 590) also appear in the webpage 503.
The flow 400 continues at processing block 408, where the system provides the webpage to a browser application configured to present the wagering game via the media stream. For example, in
Further, the system 500 can present additional controls, such as webcam controls 570 and an inventory access control 571. The inventory access control 571 can access an inventory that belongs to the player account. The inventory may include objects that the player has collected over time to use during the wagering game and/or that the player collects during the wagering game. The objects can persist with the player account so that they remain accessible via the player account beyond a single wagering game session.
The system 700 can also present controls that control, or impose, other conditions. For example, the system 700 can present on the webpage 703 a control object 711 that specifies a time period in which the ball 708 will hit the prediction indicator 705 (e.g., a time period that specifies a certain number of minutes after a wager is placed, a time period that specifies a time range for the official soccer match time such as between the 60th and 80th minute of the match, etc.). In another example, the system 700 can also present a control object 712 that specifies a game event player (e.g., the soccer player “Jimenez”) that the wagering game player thinks will score the goal. The system 700 can modify odds, minimum bet values, rewards, etc. based on the number of the conditions and/or the values of the conditions. For example, if the player specifies a very short range of time using the control object 711, selects a player who does not statistically score often via the control object 712, places the prediction control 715 in a position that is rare for a goal shot, etc., the system can modify the potential reward to be higher as the odds of winning may reduce based on the conditions. In some embodiments, the system 700 can calculate statistics for the soccer player, the match, a team, or other factors associated with the televised game event 761 and, based on the conditions specified by the wagering game player, set odds, maximum or minimum bet values (e.g., modify the value or set limits on the value of a bet entered into a betting control 710 based on the statistics 720 for the player “Jimenez”).
The flow 600 continues at processing block 606, where the system generates a graphic that indicates the value specified by the first player input, generates a composite image of the graphic combined with the video feed, and includes the composite image in a media stream presented via the webpage. Further, at processing block 608, the system detects a wager, specified via second player input, that the game element will experience the condition, detects that the game element experiences the condition during the televised game event, and rewards the wager in response to detecting that the game element experiences the condition. In
The system 700 can present, via the compositing, an interaction between the prediction indicator 705 and the ball 708 on the video image of the playing area. The system can show the ball 708 touching or passing through the prediction indicator 705. In some embodiments, the system 700 can cause the prediction indicator 705 to become highlighted, to appear to shatter, or experience some other effect, to indicate that the ball 708 and the prediction indicator 705 interacted. In some embodiments, the system 700 may not require or allow betting, but may provide a reward (e.g., a bonus award, a non-monetary award, etc.) based on where the player guesses that the ball 708 will hit the televised soccer net 707. In some embodiments, the system 700 can also award prizes based on a player's history of predicting events that occur within the televised game event 761, such as a history of predictions of where the ball 708 will hit the televised soccer net 707. The system 700 can track, over time, scores associated with predictions of object positions, interactions, etc., within the depictions of a playing area of the televised game event 761 and award prizes based on overall scores.
In some embodiments, the system 700 can composite additional objects with the televised feed (e.g., animated objects such as obstacles, characters, etc.) that appear to interact with live video objects. For instance, the system 700, either automatically or via player input, can present an obstacle in the path of a soccer player and if the soccer player runs through the obstacle then the system 700 can cause the obstacle to react in a specific way. In some embodiments, the system 700 can also cause animated characters (e.g., a an animated defender character) to appear to interact with televised characters (e.g., the animated defender character appears to approach a televised character, but the televised character cuts left while the animated defender character continues right, causing the animated defender character to fall down). The system 700 can run the televised game event slightly delayed to know an outcome of the televised game event and provide data that the system 700 can use to generate an animated overlay object that appears to react to the televised game event 761. The system 700 can also provide betting on potential interactions between overlay objects and televised game events.
In some embodiments, the system 700 can provide settings for the player to specify which of the composited objects the player wants to appear on the composite image 704. For instance, the system 700 can include a control 714 that toggles a view of the prediction indicator 705 and the animated action indicator 709. The system 700 can also composite objects with replays of the televised game event 761. The system 700 can use statistics associated with televised game event 761 to generate images, composite images, cause composited objects to appear interact, take wagers, etc. For example, the system 700 can take bets on which way a televised game player is going to perform an activity (e.g., run to the left, fold a hand, hit a ball, score a point, etc.) and can scale the odds based on the statistics of that player's normal statistics for performing that activity (e.g., the system 700 references player statistics that indicate that a specific player runs right 70% of the time on first down, so can scale the payout-out of the bets so that the betting option for the player to run left is a higher payout).
According to some embodiments, a wagering game system (“system”) can provide various example devices, operations, etc., to integrate video feeds and wagering-game web content. The following non-exhaustive list enumerates some possible embodiments.
This section describes example operating environments, systems and networks, and presents structural aspects of some embodiments.
The memory unit 830 may also include an I/O scheduling policy unit and I/O schedulers. The memory unit 830 can store data and/or instructions, and may comprise any suitable memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), for example. The computer system 800 may also include one or more suitable integrated drive electronics (IDE) drive(s) 808 and/or other suitable storage devices. A graphics controller 804 controls the display of information on a display device 806, according to some embodiments.
The input/output controller hub (ICH) 824 provides an interface to I/O devices or peripheral components for the computer system 800. The ICH 824 may comprise any suitable interface controller to provide for any suitable communication link to the processor unit 802, memory unit 830 and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with the ICH 824. The ICH 824 can provide suitable arbitration and buffering for each interface.
For one embodiment, the ICH 824 provides an interface to the one or more IDE drives 808, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or compact disc read only memory (CD ROM) drive, or to suitable universal serial bus (USB) devices through one or more USB ports 810. For one embodiment, the ICH 824 also provides an interface to a keyboard 812, selection device 814 (e.g., a mouse, trackball, touchpad, etc.), CD-ROM drive 818, and one or more suitable devices through one or more firewire ports 816. For one embodiment, the ICH 824 also provides a network interface 820 though which the computer system 800 can communicate with other computers and/or devices.
The computer system 800 may also include a machine-readable storage medium that stores a set of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies for integrate video feeds and wagering-game web content. Furthermore, software can reside, completely or at least partially, within the memory unit 830 and/or within the processor unit 802. The computer system 800 can also include a gaming module 837. The gaming module 837 can process communications, commands, or other information, to integrate video feeds and wagering-game web content. Any component of the computer system 800 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable storage media including instructions for performing the operations described herein.
The CPU 1026 is also connected to an input/output (“I/O”) bus 1022, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 1022 is connected to a payout mechanism 1008, primary display 1010, secondary display 1012, value input device 1014, player input device 1016, information reader 1018, and storage unit 1030. The player input device 1016 can include the value input device 1014 to the extent the player input device 1016 is used to place wagers. The I/O bus 1022 is also connected to an external system interface 1024, which is connected to external systems (e.g., wagering game networks). The external system interface 1024 can include logic for exchanging information over wired and wireless networks (e.g., 802.11g transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, Ethernet transceiver, etc.)
The I/O bus 1022 is also connected to a location unit 1038. The location unit 1038 can create player information that indicates the wagering game machine's location/movements in a casino. In some embodiments, the location unit 1038 includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver that can determine the wagering game machine's location using GPS satellites. In other embodiments, the location unit 1038 can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can determine the wagering game machine's location using RFID readers positioned throughout a casino. Some embodiments can use GPS receiver and RFID tags in combination, while other embodiments can use other suitable methods for determining the wagering game machine's location. Although not shown in
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 1006 can include additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 1006 includes a gaming module 1037. The gaming module 1037 can process communications, commands, or other information, where the processing can integrate video feeds and wagering-game web content.
Furthermore, any component of the wagering game machine 1006 can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable storage media including instructions for performing the operations described herein.
The wagering game machine 1100 comprises a housing 1112 and includes input devices, including value input devices 1118 and a player input device 1124. For output, the wagering game machine 1100 includes a primary display 1114 for displaying information about a basic wagering game. The primary display 1114 can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The wagering game machine 1100 also includes a secondary display 1116 for displaying wagering game events, wagering game outcomes, and/or signage information. While some components of the wagering game machine 1100 are described herein, numerous other elements can exist and can be used in any number or combination to create varying forms of the wagering game machine 1100.
The value input devices 1118 can take any suitable form and can be located on the front of the housing 1112. The value input devices 1118 can receive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. The value input devices 1118 can include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency and bill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the value input devices 1118 can include ticket readers or barcode scanners for reading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other tangible portable storage devices. The vouchers or cards can authorize access to central accounts, which can transfer money to the wagering game machine 1100.
The player input device 1124 comprises a plurality of push buttons on a button panel 1126 for operating the wagering game machine 1100. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 1124 can comprise a touch screen 1128 mounted over the primary display 1114 and/or secondary display 1116.
The various components of the wagering game machine 1100 can be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 1112. Alternatively, some of the wagering game machine's components can be located outside of the housing 1112, while being communicatively coupled with the wagering game machine 1100 using any suitable wired or wireless communication technology.
The operation of the basic wagering game can be displayed to the player on the primary display 1114. The primary display 1114 can also display a bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 1114 can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or any other type of display suitable for use in the wagering game machine 1100. Alternatively, the primary display 1114 can include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome. In
A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device 1118. The player can initiate play by using the player input device's buttons or touch screen 1128. The basic game can include arranging a plurality of symbols 1132 along a pay line, which indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes can be randomly selected in response to player input. At least one of the outcomes, which can include any variation or combination of symbols, can trigger a bonus game.
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 1100 can also include an information reader 1152, which can include a card reader, ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage medium interface. In some embodiments, the information reader 1152 can be used to award complimentary services, restore game assets, track player habits, etc.
Embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the inventive subject matter may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer readable program code embodied in the medium. The described embodiments may be provided as a computer program product that may include a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic device(s)) to perform a process according to embodiments(s), whether presently described or not, because every conceivable variation is not enumerated herein. A machine-readable storage medium includes any mechanism that stores information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). For example, machine-readable storage media includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media (e.g., CD-ROM), flash memory machines, erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); etc. Some embodiments of the invention can also include machine-readable signal media, such as any media suitable for transmitting software over a network.
This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein. Features of various embodiments described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.
This application is a continuation application that claims priority benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/272,454 filed Oct. 13, 2011 which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/392,782 filed Oct. 13, 2010. The Ser. No. 13/272,454 Application and the 61/392,782 Application are incorporated herein by reference.
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