Patent Application
20240212423
Embodiments described herein relate to features of electronic wagering devices, and in particular to a gaming device with a transparent display in a gaming environment, such as in a casino environment, and related devices, systems, and methods. Conventional wagering games, such as wagering games provided at Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) in a casino environment, may have mechanical elements, such as mechanical slot reels, and may also, or alternatively, include display devices for displaying digital content. There is a need for alternative gaming device arrangements that allow for a player to view and interact with both digital and mechanical elements at the same time and in a more integrated way.
According to some embodiments, a gaming device includes a housing defining an interior volume and a transparent display disposed on the housing. The transparent display includes an emissive layer including an array of pixels, each pixel of the array of pixels including an emissive pixel element and a transparent portion, and a conductive layer operatively coupled to the emissive layer to selectively operate the emissive pixel elements. The gaming device further include a processor circuit and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to selectively operate the transparent display. The transparent portion of each pixel is transparent to visible light in an inactive state such the interior volume of the housing is visible through the transparent portion to a user outside the housing. Each emissive pixel of the array of emissive pixels emits light in an active state sufficient to obscure visibility of the interior volume of the housing through the transparent portion of the pixel to the user outside the housing.
According to some embodiments a system includes a processor circuit and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to selectively operate a transparent display of a gaming device. The transparent display includes an emissive layer including an array of pixels, each pixel of the array of pixels including an emissive pixel element and a transparent portion, and a conductive layer operatively coupled to the emissive layer to selectively operate the emissive pixel elements. The transparent portion of each pixel is transparent to visible light in an inactive state such an interior volume of the gaming device housing is visible through the transparent portion to a user outside the housing. Each emissive pixel of the array of emissive pixels emits light in an active state sufficient to obscure visibility of the interior volume of the housing through the transparent portion of the pixel to the user outside the housing.
According to some embodiments, a transparent display for a gaming device includes an emissive layer including an array of pixels, each pixel of the array of pixels including an emissive pixel element and a transparent portion, and a conductive layer operatively coupled to the emissive layer to selectively operate the emissive pixel elements. The transparent portion of each pixel is transparent to visible light in an inactive state such an interior volume of a housing of the gaming device is visible through the transparent portion to a user outside the housing. Each emissive pixel of the array of emissive pixels emits light in an active state sufficient to obscure visibility of the interior volume of the housing through the transparent portion of the pixel to the user outside the housing.
Embodiments described herein relate to features of electronic wagering devices, and in particular to a gaming device with a transparent display in a gaming environment, such as in a casino environment, and related devices, systems, and methods.
According to some embodiments, a gaming device may include a housing defining an interior volume and a transparent display disposed on the housing. The transparent display may include an emissive layer including an array of pixels, each pixel of the array of pixels including an emissive pixel element and a transparent portion, and a conductive layer operatively coupled to the emissive layer to selectively operate the emissive pixel elements. The gaming device may further include a processor circuit and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to selectively operate the transparent display. The transparent portion of each pixel may be transparent to visible light in an inactive state such the interior volume of the housing is visible through the transparent portion to a user outside the housing. Each emissive pixel of the array of emissive pixels may emit light in an active state sufficient to obscure visibility of the interior volume of the housing through the transparent portion of the pixel to the user outside the housing.
Screens in casino environments have become increasingly large over the last years, with some being over 65 inches. This applies to EGMs, ETGs but also for merchandising and infotainment in the casino environment. Although these larger screens provides a large canvas to display content, it can be challenging for a consumer, being near to such a screen, to not get overwhelmed or lost on the casino floor but to remain aware of other offerings across the casino floor. Another downside of these large screens is that the larger a screen is the more difficult is it to have a direct line of sight to other casino offerings.
Many vendors have attempted to address these issues by placing screens in the upper area of the venue, close to the ceiling. This helps to make visitors be more aware of ground-level offerings, but to a drawback on casino surveillance systems, as due to that the cameras' line of sight is majorly impacted.
Transparent displays disclosed herein may be included in EGMs, table games, and other devices and systems, to permit a viewer to look through the screen and actively shift their focus towards content behind the screen, e.g., environmental content, internal components, etc. For example, a viewer could look through an EGM screen to view an environment behind the EGM and/or internal components of the EGM. A viewer could also view an environment behind a virtual table game dealer or view table game components, e.g., a roulette wheel or playing cards. These and other gaming offerings may be associated with events in the casino or other venue to adapt full or partial screen transparency dynamically to the events in real-time. These and other novel technical solution address the technical problem of providing increased player enjoyment and engagement.
These and other embodiments may employ Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (T-OLED) screens, which have the ability of dynamically changing certain areas of their screen surface between transparent, semi-transparent, and opaque states. As a result, screens and/or areas thereof can turn transparent when needed to enable a direct line of sight, opaque to have full focus on the content, or semi-transparent to provide a hybrid effect, as desired.
These and other types of transparent displays may also be controlled by a system controller which may be aware of events happening on the casino floor in real time, such as live events, announcements, bingo drawings, jackpot triggers on other gaming devices, happy hour information, etc. By dynamically turning screen contents transparent or semi-transparent the system controller can enable innovative methods of increasing casino visitors' awareness of nearby casino offerings without impacting their casino gaming experience. These and other features can also improve the experience of non-players who can see through the screens and get a more immersive view of the casino interior.
Transparent displays may be included in any number of devices and systems, including EGM base game screens, EGM top screens, screens placed in front of mechanical slot reels, EGM video toppers, etc. Other examples include a virtual dealer screen at a virtual table game (e.g., virtual poker table), screens covering a physical roulette wheel, vertical screens providing additional information and/or duplicating table game information, individual player screens, and/or a centrally placed screen or “video wall” associated with multiple machines. Optical sensors such as presence detectors, distance meters, gaze trackers, body/head posture trackers, etc., may also be used with the embodiments herein, and the screens may be controlled locally at the individual device, and/or by a central system controller, as desired. Advantages of these and other embodiments include the ability to provide novel form factors and designs, novel gaming features, providing benefits to operators by maintaining line of sight surveillance and players by allowing for different levels of immersion and allowing for greater ease of navigation in a casino environment.
T-OLED displays differ from conventional LED displays in that the pixels in the T-OLED display are self-illuminating, which can eliminate the need for a separate backlight for the display. When combined with a transparent substrate, e.g., glass, portions of the T-OLED display may be opaque when fully illuminated and transparent when deactivated, allowing for portions of the display to be selectively activated and deactivated independently to make the different portions transparent and opaque as desired, in different combinations, and dynamically modified in real time. Many T-OLED displays can be integrated with touch-sensitive sensors without impacting transparency, and may have a very wide field of view approaching 180 degrees.
In some embodiments, a part of the screen may gradually become more transparent and gradually reveal a prize or hidden bonus as the game progresses or as the player increases their bet. EGM features may also be combined with traditional table game features (e.g., mechanical objects such as dice or playing cards) using transparent displays. Integrating physical objects into the game play may increase player engagement and increase player trust and confidence in game results over purely electronically generated game results.
Some embodiments may include a screen-based primary game combined with a bonus or secondary game employing physical objects. For example, the primary game may behave like a conventional slot game, but when entering the dice-based bonus game, some or all of the transparent display may turn fully transparent. A mechanical dice share located behind the transparent display may mechanically roll dice, e.g., by throwing or inducing movement via vibration. Cameras may detect the results of the dice, which may have an impact on the bonus game. In some embodiments, physical playing cards may be employed in card-based games such as blackjack or poker. A blower-type device that pick random balls for a lottery game, or any number of other types of devices, may be employed, as desired.
In some examples, a win presentation may employ the transparent display, such as combining opaque or semi-transparent visual effects on the display with mechanical objects visible through the other portions of the display.
In another embodiment, a transparent display may be placed in front of mechanical EGM game elements, such as a wheel or stepper reels for example, and may dynamically display opaque or semi-transparent content over the mechanical elements. The display(s) may be stationary, with the mechanical elements moving independently of the display. For example, transparent display may be a curved overlay in front of the reels and conforming to the curvature of the reels to minimize the gap in between the reels and OLED display and minimize parallax effects with respect to the display and the reels. In other embodiments, the display(s) may be coupled to the mechanical elements. For example, each symbol on a mechanical reel may include a printed symbol covered by a transparent display, which can be dynamically activated and deactivated to display different symbols or animations during game play, to indicate a win, or to indicate a bonus game or condition, etc. In some examples, the reel may be entirely transparent to view inside the reels, with the symbols being selectively provided by the integrated transparent display(s). This and other embodiments may also enable a player to see inside the stepper reel and view the reel strips from all sides.
The transparent display may also enable viewing of other internal components, for example, by a technician or operator. For example, a technician can view a paper fill level of a ticket printer through a transparent display during a maintenance operation, with the transparent display being opaque during normal game play operation. In another example, an internal coin hopper can be made visible in an attract mode to allow players to see how many coins are in the hopper. The EGM cabinet could be configured so that the hopper is directly behind the screen, with the hopper components such as the coin bowl being made of transparent plastic. In some examples, non-monetary prizes such as merchandise, keys to a vehicle, etc., can be displayed during game play and/or in an attract mode, such that the display and dispensing process may be made visible to the player.
In some embodiments, mechanical elements of a table game may be combined with or enhanced by a transparent display for providing additional game dynamics, mechanics, and/or other features. For example, a transparent display may be provided on, over, or in front of a mechanical roulette wheel to display additional information, graphical elements such as animations, and/or additional betting options. In some examples, visual effects, animations, win celebrations, etc. may move between a transparent display associated with the roulette wheel and a player's betting screen. The transparent display may be any shape or configuration, such as a square, rectangle, circle, oval, ring, or any other shape, to conform to mechanical elements of the game. In some examples, the transparent display may be transparent or semi-transparent while the roulette wheel is turning, and may become opaque when the ball has landed on a particular number. The transparent display may also supplement or replace an electronic table game (ETG) top screen, enabling viewers to see both relevant game information of the ETG and also an environment behind the display, e.g., a casino environment.
A central controller unit may be used as a casino-wide screen transparency controller, e.g., connected to some or all of the gaming devices, and may be capable of adjusting their level of transparency individually and/or globally. The controller may be aware of any number of device parameters, such as a device type (EGM, ETG, stepper, dual player machine, . . . ), a configuration (cabinet type, bank configuration vs. single configuration, type of bank configuration), a number of other devices surrounded by (and their distance to each other), a number of screens, size and transparency capabilities (single screen, dual screen, curved screen, giant screen, . . . ), a location (absolute location in the venue, and relative location to other screens/events/amenities), alignment (direction of the player looking at when playing, relative to other screens/events/amenities), awareness about visibility of other machines/casino offerings for the player when screen is turned transparent vs. when screen is turned opaque, occupancy status (player actively playing, player sitting in front, device last time played), a number of detected observers around it (e.g., detected via camera; also, their gaze direction/head posture relative to device), revenue creation information (“hot machine”, rarely played machine, above/below floor average), active games installed (multi game vs. single game, no. of games, current game, type of games, themes, . . . ), game configurations installed (denom, bet levels, activated features, RTP, . . . ), jackpot information (level of jackpot, potential high wins and their value, pulse to hit frequency, . . . ), a current transparency level (of each screen, each content type, etc.), actual events/offerings/amenities going on in the casino (concerts, live events, bingo drawings, jackpot triggers, happy hours, casino-wide bonus offerings, . . . ), date and time, casino occupancy level, and other device-related information, as desired.
In this regard, examples of systems and gaming devices for a gaming environment will be generally described. In this regard,
A wireless access point 60 provides wireless access to the data communication network 50. The wireless access point 60 may be connected to the data communication network 50 as illustrated in
A player tracking server 45 may also be connected through the data communication network 50. The player tracking server 45 may manage a player tracking account that tracks the player's gameplay and spending and/or other player preferences and customizations, manages loyalty awards for the player, manages funds deposited or advanced on behalf of the player, and other functions. Player information managed by the player tracking server 45 may be stored in a player information database 47.
As further illustrated in
The gaming devices 100 communicate with one or more elements of the gaming system 10 to coordinate providing wagering games and other functionality. For example, in some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may communicate directly with the ticket server 90 over a wireless interface 62, which may be a WiFi link, a Bluetooth link, a near field communications (NFC) link, etc. In other embodiments, the gaming device 100 may communicate with the data communication network 50 (and devices connected thereto, including other gaming devices 100) over a wireless interface 64 with the wireless access point 60. The wireless interface 64 may include a WiFi link, a Bluetooth link, an NFC link, etc. In still further embodiments, the gaming devices 100 may communicate simultaneously with both the ticket server 90 over the wireless interface 66 and the wireless access point 60 over the wireless interface 64. Some embodiments provide that gaming devices 100 may communicate with other gaming devices over a wireless interface 64. In these embodiments, wireless interface 62, wireless interface 64 and wireless interface 66 may use different communication protocols and/or different communication resources, such as different frequencies, time slots, spreading codes, etc.
Embodiments herein may include different types of gaming devices. One example of a gaming device includes a gaming device 100 that can use gesture and/or touch-based inputs according to various embodiments is illustrated in
Gaming devices 100 typically include a number of standard features, many of which are illustrated in
The gaming device 100 illustrated in
The player tracking display 142 may be used to display a service window that allows the player to interact with, for example, their player loyalty account to obtain features, bonuses, comps, etc. In other embodiments, additional display screens may be provided beyond those illustrated in
The gaming device 100 may further include a number of input devices 130 that allow a player to provide various inputs to the gaming device 100, either before, during or after a game has been played. The gaming device may further include a game play initiation button 132 and a cashout button 134. The cashout button 134 is utilized to receive a cash payment or any other suitable form of payment corresponding to a quantity of remaining credits of a credit display.
In some embodiments, one or more input devices of the gaming device 100 are one or more game play activation devices that are each used to initiate a play of a game on the gaming device 100 or a sequence of events associated with the gaming device 100 following appropriate funding of the gaming device 100. The example gaming device 100 illustrated in
In some embodiments, one or more input device 130 of the gaming device 100 may include wagering or betting functionality. For example, a maximum wagering or betting function may be provided that, when utilized, causes a maximum wager to be placed. Another such wagering or betting function is a repeat the bet device that, when utilized, causes the previously-placed wager to be placed. A further such wagering or betting function is a bet one function. A bet is placed upon utilization of the bet one function. The bet is increased by one credit each time the bet one device is utilized. Upon the utilization of the bet one function, a quantity of credits shown in a credit display (as described below) decreases by one, and a number of credits shown in a bet display (as described below) increases by one.
In some embodiments, as shown in
Referring briefly to
Referring again to
The display devices 116, 118, 140 and video controller 30 of the gaming device 100 are generally configured to display one or more game and/or non-game images, symbols, and indicia. In certain embodiments, the display devices 116, 118, 140 of the gaming device 100 are configured to display any suitable visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects; dynamic lighting; video images; images of people, characters, places, things, and faces of cards; and the like. In certain embodiments, the display devices 116, 118, 140 of the gaming device 100 are configured to display one or more virtual reels, one or more virtual wheels, and/or one or more virtual dice. In other embodiments, certain of the displayed images, symbols, and indicia are in mechanical form. That is, in these embodiments, the display device 116, 118, 140 includes any electromechanical device, such as one or more rotatable wheels, one or more reels, and/or one or more dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols, or indicia.
The gaming device 100 also includes various features that enable a player to deposit credits in the gaming device 100 and withdraw credits from the gaming device 100, such as in the form of a payout of winnings, credits, etc. For example, the gaming device 100 may include a bill/ticket dispenser 136, a bill/ticket acceptor 128, and a coin acceptor 126 that allows the player to deposit coins into the gaming device 100.
As illustrated in
The gaming device 100 may further include one or more speakers 150 controlled by one or more sound cards 28 (
In various embodiments, the gaming device 100 may generate dynamic sounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices 116, 118, 140 to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming device 100 and/or to engage the player during gameplay. In certain embodiments, the gaming device 100 may display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages during idle periods to attract potential players to the gaming device 100. The videos may be customized to provide any appropriate information.
The gaming device 100 may further include a card reader 138 that is configured to read magnetic stripe cards, such as player loyalty/tracking cards, chip cards, and the like. In some embodiments, a player may insert an identification card into a card reader of the gaming device. In some embodiments, the identification card is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information. In other embodiments, a player may carry a portable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag or any other suitable wireless device, which communicates a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information to the gaming device. In some embodiments, money may be transferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device, the processing circuit determines the amount of funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit or other suitable display as described above.
In some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may include an electronic payout device or module configured to fund an electronically recordable identification card or smart card or a bank or other account via an electronic funds transfer to or from the gaming device 100.
Various components of the gaming device 100 are illustrated in
The gaming device 100 further includes a memory device 14 that stores one or more functional modules 20. Various functional modules 20 of the gaming device 100 will be described in more detail below in connection with
The memory device 14 may store program code and instructions, executable by the processing circuit 12, to control the gaming device 100. The memory device 14 may also store other data such as image data, event data, player input data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or information and applicable game rules that relate to the play of the gaming device. The memory device 14 may include random access memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), magnetic RAM (ARAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) and other forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry. In some embodiments, the memory device 14 may include read only memory (ROM). In some embodiments, the memory device 14 may include flash memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory may operate in conjunction with the gaming device disclosed herein.
The gaming device 100 may further include a data storage 22, such as a hard disk drive or flash memory. The data storage 22 may store program data, player data, audit trail data or any other type of data. The data storage 22 may include a detachable or removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM, Digital Video Disc (“DVD”) or USB memory device.
The gaming device 100 may include a communication adapter 26 that enables the gaming device 100 to communicate with remote devices over a wired and/or wireless communication network, such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), cellular communication network, or other data communication network. The communication adapter 26 may further include circuitry for supporting short range wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth and/or NFC that enable the gaming device 100 to communicate, for example, with a mobile communication device operated by a player.
The gaming device 100 may include one or more internal or external communication ports that enable the processing circuit 12 to communicate with and to operate with internal or external peripheral devices, such as eye tracking devices, position tracking devices, cameras, accelerometers, arcade sticks, bar code readers, bill validators, biometric input devices, bonus devices, button panels, card readers, coin dispensers, coin hoppers, display screens or other displays or video sources, expansion buses, information panels, keypads, lights, mass storage devices, microphones, motion sensors, motors, printers, reels, Small Computer System Interface (“SCSI”) ports, solenoids, speakers, thumb drives, ticket readers, touch screens, trackballs, touchpads, wheels, and wireless communication devices. In some embodiments, internal or external peripheral devices may communicate with the processing circuit through a USB hub (not shown) connected to the processing circuit 12.
In some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may include a sensor, such as a camera 127, in communication with the processing circuit 12 (and possibly controlled by the processing circuit 12) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device 100 and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device 100. In one embodiment, the camera 127 may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices 116, 118, 140 may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera 127 as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera 127 may acquire an image of the player and the processing circuit 12 may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
Various functional modules of that may be stored in a memory device 14 of a gaming device 100 are illustrated in
In some embodiments, a gaming device 100 includes a personal device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device, a tablet computer or computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other portable computing devices. In some embodiments, the gaming device 100 may be operable over a wireless network, such as part of a wireless gaming system. In such embodiments, the gaming machine may be a hand-held device, a mobile device or any other suitable wireless device that enables a player to play any suitable game at a variety of different locations. It should be appreciated that a gaming device or gaming machine as disclosed herein may be a device that has obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission or a device that has not obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission.
For example, referring to
Although illustrated as certain gaming devices, such as electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and mobile gaming devices, functions and/or operations as described herein may also include wagering stations that may include electronic game tables, conventional game tables including those involving cards, dice and/or roulette, and/or other wagering stations such as sports book stations, video poker games, skill-based games, virtual casino-style table games, or other casino or non-casino style games. Further, gaming devices according to embodiments herein may be implemented using other computing devices and mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets, and/or personal computers, among others.
In this regard,
As shown by
In this example, the transparent portion 316 of each pixel 312 is transparent to visible light in the inactive state such that an interior volume 303 behind the transparent display 304 is visible through the transparent portion 316. In this example, a relative area of the transparent portion 316 is larger than the area of the emissive pixel element 314, such that the entire pixel 312 is substantially transparent. Meanwhile, each pixel 312 in an active state emits light sufficient to obscure visibility of the interior volume 303 behind the transparent display 304 through the pixel 312. For example, the OLED element 318 in this example may self-illuminate with sufficient brightness to overpower and ambient light passing through the transparent portion 316 such that the interior volume 303 is not visible through the transparent portion 316 of the illuminated pixel 312.
In some embodiments, an area of the transparent portion 316 of each pixel 312 may be between 5% and 95% of a total area of the pixel 312. For example, as pixel brightness increases and as pixel size is reduced, the transparent portion 316 of the pixel 312 may approach 100% of the total area of the pixel 312. In some embodiments, the array of pixels 312 may have a pixel density that may surpass the ability of the human eye to detect individual pixels at an appropriate viewing distance. For example, for larger displays at longer viewing distances, pixel densities of 100 dots per inch (DPI) or less may be appropriate. On the other hand, for smaller displays at shorter viewing distances, pixel densities of 2000 dots per inch (DPI) or more may be appropriate.
Referring now to
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Embodiments described herein may be implemented in various configurations for gaming devices 100, including but not limited to: (1) a dedicated gaming device, wherein the computerized instructions for controlling any games (which are provided by the gaming device) are provided with the gaming device prior to delivery to a gaming establishment; and (2) a changeable gaming device, where the computerized instructions for controlling any games (which are provided by the gaming device) are downloadable to the gaming device through a data network when the gaming device is in a gaming establishment. In some embodiments, the computerized instructions for controlling any games are executed by at least one central server, central controller or remote host. In such a “thin client” embodiment, the central server remotely controls any games (or other suitable interfaces) and the gaming device is utilized to display such games (or suitable interfaces) and receive one or more inputs or commands from a player. In another embodiment, the computerized instructions for controlling any games are communicated from the central server, central controller or remote host to a gaming device local processor and memory devices. In such a “thick client” embodiment, the gaming device local processor executes the communicated computerized instructions to control any games (or other suitable interfaces) provided to a player.
In some embodiments, a gaming device may be operated by a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, tablet other mobile computing device. For example, a mobile device may be communicatively coupled to a gaming device and may include a user interface that receives user inputs that are received to control the gaming device. The user inputs may be received by the gaming device via the mobile device.
In some embodiments, one or more gaming devices in a gaming system may be thin client gaming devices and one or more gaming devices in the gaming system may be thick client gaming devices. In another embodiment, certain functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thin client environment and certain other functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thick client environment. In one such embodiment, computerized instructions for controlling any primary games are communicated from the central server to the gaming device in a thick client configuration and computerized instructions for controlling any secondary games or bonus functions are executed by a central server in a thin client configuration.
The present disclosure contemplates a variety of different gaming systems each having one or more of a plurality of different features, attributes, or characteristics. It should be appreciated that a “gaming system” as used herein refers to various configurations of: (a) one or more central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (b) one or more gaming devices; and/or (c) one or more personal gaming devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers or computing devices, PDAs, mobile telephones such as smart phones, and other mobile computing devices.
In certain such embodiments, computerized instructions for controlling any games (such as any primary or base games and/or any secondary or bonus games) displayed by the gaming device are executed by the central server, central controller, or remote host. In such “thin client” embodiments, the central server, central controller, or remote host remotely controls any games (or other suitable interfaces) displayed by the gaming device, and the gaming device is utilized to display such games (or suitable interfaces) and to receive one or more inputs or commands. In other such embodiments, computerized instructions for controlling any games displayed by the gaming device are communicated from the central server, central controller, or remote host to the gaming device and are stored in at least one memory device of the gaming device. In such “thick client” embodiments, the at least one processor of the gaming device executes the computerized instructions to control any games (or other suitable interfaces) displayed by the gaming device.
In some embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) a gaming device configured to communicate with a central server, central controller, or remote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of gaming devices configured to communicate with one another through a data network, the data network is an internet or an intranet. In certain such embodiments, an internet browser of the gaming device is usable to access an internet game page from any location where an internet connection is available. In one such embodiment, after the internet game page is accessed, the central server, central controller, or remote host identifies a player prior to enabling that player to place any wagers on any plays of any wagering games. In one example, the central server, central controller, or remote host identifies the player by requiring a player account of the player to be logged into via an input of a unique username and password combination assigned to the player. It should be appreciated, however, that the central server, central controller, or remote host may identify the player in any other suitable manner, such as by validating a player tracking identification number associated with the player; by reading a player tracking card or other smart card inserted into a card reader (as described below); by validating a unique player identification number associated with the player by the central server, central controller, or remote host; or by identifying the gaming device, such as by identifying the MAC address or the IP address of the internet facilitator. In various embodiments, once the central server, central controller, or remote host identifies the player, the central server, central controller, or remote host enables placement of one or more wagers on one or more plays of one or more primary or base games and/or one or more secondary or bonus games, and displays those plays via the internet browser of the gaming device.
It should be appreciated that the central server, central controller, or remote host and the gaming device are configured to connect to the data network or remote communications link in any suitable manner. In various embodiments, such a connection is accomplished via: a conventional phone line or other data transmission line, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a T-1 line, a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a wireless or wired routing device, a mobile communications network connection (such as a cellular network or mobile internet network), or any other suitable medium. It should be appreciated that the expansion in the quantity of computing devices and the quantity and speed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for players to use a variety of gaming devices to play games from an ever-increasing quantity of remote sites. It should also be appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communications may render such technology suitable for some or all communications, particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and interaction with players.
In the above-description of various embodiments, various aspects may be illustrated and described herein in any of a number of patentable classes or contexts including any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Accordingly, various embodiments described herein may be implemented entirely by hardware, entirely by software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or by combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, various embodiments described herein may take the form of a computer program product including one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
Any combination of one or more computer readable media may be used. The computer readable media may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an appropriate optical fiber with a repeater, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (“RF”), etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB.NET, Python or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2003, Perl, Common Business Oriented Language (“COBOL”) 2002, PHP: Hypertext Processor (“PHP”), Advanced Business Application Programming (“ABAP”), dynamic programming languages such as Python, Ruby and Groovy, or other programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider) or in a cloud computing environment or offered as a service such as a Software as a Service (Saas).
Various embodiments were described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), devices and computer program products according to various embodiments described herein. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processing circuit of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processing circuit of the computer or other programmable instruction execution apparatus, create a mechanism for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that when executed can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions when stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which when executed, cause a computer to implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable instruction execution apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatuses or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be designated as “/”. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
