This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/106,992, filed on Mar. 26, 2002, and also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/819,152, filed on Mar. 27, 2001, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
This invention relates to gaming machines. More specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for previewing a game on a gaming machine.
Modern casinos and other gaming establishments often overwhelm players with the number and type of gaming machines available. Potential users or players of gaming machines are often given a choice of games such as slot machines, video poker, keno, blackjack, and many other games of skill and/or chance. Presented with a multitude of unfamiliar games, players often play only a select few favorites, or simply do not play any at all. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that most games require money to play. Thus, even if a game is potentially appealing to players, they often will not spend money to try an unfamiliar game, with the result being a loss of business to the gaming establishment and/or slow introduction of new machine types.
Methods of attracting players to unfamiliar games on unfamiliar gaming machines thus would help gaming establishments attract further business. In addition, players benefit by gaining access and familiarity to a wider variety of games, many of which they may not have been familiar with. It is therefore desirable to develop ways to allow players to preview games, so as to introduce them to those games that may have previously been unfamiliar to them.
Broadly speaking, the invention pertains to previewing a game on a gaming machine. A portable sample play device, such as a player tracking card or other player-carried device, allows players or users of a gaming machine to view, and/or participate in, sample or preview play of a game. The portable sample play device can be a smart card that stores all necessary information itself, or a known magnetic stripe card that simply stores rudimentary information such as an identification number. Additionally, such a sample or preview can include many different modes of play. For instance, the gaming machine can display a preview of link progressive play, along with the progressive jackpot. It can also display the special bonus modes of various games, demonstrating to the player various special prizes than can be won. Such preview play can be interactive, allowing player participation, or passive, simply illustrating sample play without allowing user interaction. Preview play can also include full, nominal, zero, or other payouts if so desired.
The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, and apparatus. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.
As a gaming machine system, one embodiment of the invention comprises a gaming machine configured to display a game and a preview of the game, and a portable sample play device configured to be carried by a user of the gaming machine. The gaming machine is further configured to initiate the preview of the game upon selective communication of the sample play device therewith.
As a tracking card for use with a gaming machine, one embodiment of the invention comprises a memory storing information identifying a user, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is in electronic communication with the memory, and configured to instruct the gaming machine to initiate a preview of a game on the gaming machine when the tracking card is in communication therewith.
As a method of previewing a game, one embodiment of the invention comprises, in a gaming machine configured to display a game and a preview of the game, receiving from a tracking card information related to a user of the gaming machine. The preview of the game is initiated in response to the receiving of the information.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In one embodiment of the invention, a player is given a portable sample play device, such as a tracking card, that allows the user to preview a new game on a gaming machine. Information stored in the sample play device prompts the game machine to display a preview of the game, familiarizing the user with a new and unfamiliar game, and perhaps displaying to him/her the potential prizes that can be won. In this manner, players are given a new vehicle for learning about unfamiliar games, allowing gaming establishments to perhaps gain revenue from game machines that would have otherwise been neglected by players, and players to find more, and more interesting, games to play.
Also included in the system 10 is a portable sample play device 60 that can be carried by players. The sample play device 60 can be a known player tracking card that stores information. In such a case, the gaming machine 20 can be equipped with a known card reader, allowing players to insert their tracking cards into the gaming machine 20 to be read before or during game play. The sample play device 60 can be any device that can be carried by a player and that can store information. As discussed above, it is often convenient for the sample play device 60 to be a player tracking card, as such cards are known and widely used by players already.
In the operation of a gaming machine system 10 utilizing smart cards 100, players insert their tracking cards 100 into a gaming machine 20. The microprocessor 120 then retrieves information from the memory 130 and transmits it to the gaming machine 20. The information can include such items as time information indicating how much sample play time remains, as well as various parameters of the sample game, and perhaps identification identifying the player. Receipt of this information prompts the gaming machine 20 to initiate a preview of the game.
As discussed above, the sample play device 60 can be any device capable of being used by a player, and also capable of storing information. As such, the invention is not limited to the tracking cards 100, 140 described above. Rather, any device capable of storing information can be employed. For instance, payment tickets such as those used in the EZ Pay® system produced by IGT can be simply printed tickets that show a monetary amount to be paid to a player. Such tickets can be modified to include information for implementing the various embodiments of the invention, such as the information stored on the tracking cards 100, 140 to govern preview play.
Attention now turns to a more detailed explanation of this process by which the smart tracking cards 100 are used to initiate a sample or preview game on gaming machines 20, 30.
However, if preview play is allowed, the various parameters of preview play are read (step 220), and the gaming machine 20 sets up preview play according to these parameters (step 230). The parameters, then, are basically instruction sets that govern play of this game. For example, the parameters can include paytable values that indicate how much payment, if any, could be awarded to the player upon a favorable outcome such as a winning card hand. The parameters can also include such things as a predetermined set of outcomes, or a specified percent chance of winning. Thus, the smart card 100 can instruct a gaming machine 20 to display preview play in a manner indicating a higher incidence of winning, so as to promote player interest and attractiveness. The card 100 can also set up preview play illustrating a specific sequence of outcomes, so that in a slot game, for instance, the player is guaranteed to see a four King outcome, or in video poker, the player is guaranteed to be dealt a full house. Such favorable outcomes make the game more attractive to the player, in part by demonstrating possible outcomes of interest to the player. Text or other indicators can also be displayed, tending to highlight the fact that game play can result in such favorable outcomes. Those of skill will recognize that the smart card 100 can store these and other parameters, allowing for sample game play that is configured in any desired manner.
Once preview play is set up according to the parameters stored in the smart card 100, preview play is initiated (step 240). As discussed above, this preview play can be interactive, permitting players to play hands of video poker or play a slot game, for instance. Preview play can also be passive, with the various parameters instructing the gaming machine 20 to simply show players, for example, card hands they could have been dealt or slot machine outcomes they could have received.
If a player wins, or is shown a winning outcome (step 250), the gaming machine 20 determines the appropriate award from the paytable (step 260), and presents that award to the player (270). Often, it is desired that preview play merely demonstrate to players how to play the game, and does not illustrate any monetary rewards. In these situations, the parameters stored on the smart card 100 include paytable values of zero, instructing the gaming machine 20 not to award any money to the player.
To further entice players, however, the smart card 100 can also include information instructing the gaming machine 20 to apply its “normal” playtable(s) to determine and display what reward the player could have been awarded had they actually played the game.
The smart card 100 can also store information indicating whether preview play should end at some point. For example, the smart card 100 can store time information indicating how long preview play should continue before it terminates, or information indicating how many hands, rounds, or the like can be played. In these cases, the gaming machine 20 checks to determine whether play should be ended (step 280). Preview play can also be ended voluntarily if the player desires. If either of these situations occurs, the gaming machine 20 updates the preview play information to indicate how much, if any, preview play remains (in the case that preview play time has expired, or the specified number of hands/rounds/etc. has been played, that time would be zero) (step 290), and play ends at step 300. If play is to continue, the process returns to step 240 instead.
In contrast to the process illustrated in
Once the magnetic stripe card 140 is entered into the gaming device 20 (step 310) and the identification number is read (step 320), the back-end server 50 is contacted (step 330). If contact cannot be made, the process terminates (step 420). However, if contact is made, the gaming device 20 transmits the identification number to the back-end server 50.
The back-end server 50 maintains a list of identification numbers that are authorized to initiate preview play, as well as all parameters for configuring the appropriate preview play. The back-end server 50 then checks the received identification number against its list (step 340). If the identification number does not match any on the list, preview play is unavailable for that card 140, and the process ends at step 420. If a match is found, preview play is available for the holder of that card 140. The parameters for preview play are then retrieved, and preview play is set up accordingly (step 350). The back-end server 50 then initiates preview play 360 according to these parameters. Again, as above, such parameters are simply the parameters of the game to be played, such as the outcomes or the rewards to be paid.
Once preview play is initiated (step 360), the player may be allowed to participate interactively, or may simply be a passive witness to preview play of the game. Either way, winning outcomes may or may not be achieved (step 370). If a win occurs, the back-end server 50 consults its paytable (which may or may not have been modified according to the appropriate parameters) to determine the appropriate reward (step 380). This reward, if any, is then presented to the player (step 390). As mentioned, the award may be merely an indication of the what the player could have received had they achieved a similar outcome when playing the game outside of preview play.
At various points in the game, such as after an electronically generated hand of cards or an electronic die roll, or after a specified amount of time (stored on the back-end server 50) has elapsed, play may be ended (step 400). If it is not, then the process continues to step 360 and preview play continues. If preview play is to end, preview play information on the back-end server 50 is updated, perhaps to update the amount of preview play time allotted to the holder of the card 140, or to log the awards paid to the holder of the card 140 (step 410), and preview play ends at step 420.
In connection with the process steps of
One advantage of the invention is that it permits players to preview a previously unfamiliar game by simply inserting their tracking card into a game machine. In this manner, gaming establishments have a convenient platform to offer new games to their customers, and players have an opportunity to sample play of these new games with little or no cost.
Commonly, slot games store a numerical value associated with each position on each reel. This can be represented by the table of
In one example of preview play, the paytable 520 is set to small values to provide the player a preview of what he or she could win, without excessive cost to the gaming establishment. The randomly generated results 530 are also replaced with preset values so that the player can witness some of the more favorable outcomes he or she may receive. In accordance with the process steps outlined above, players simply approach a game machine 20 with their player tracking card. Whether the tracking card is a smart card 100 or a simple magnetic stripe card 140, it can be configured to initiate play of a slot game. Parameters of the slot game, which are either stored on the smart card 100 or a back-end server 50, are retrieved and the slot game is configured accordingly. Specifically, the paytable 520 is wiped and its values are replaced with preset nominal values. The preview play paytable 600 is thus populated with much smaller values. One or more sets of predetermined results 610 are also utilized. When the player pulls the slot machine handle or presses the appropriate button, the set of predetermined results 610 is matched to the table of
As can be seen, the parameters retrieved and used in sample play of a slot game include dollar values for paytables 600, and one or more sets of predetermined results. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to use of particular values of these parameters. For example, other dollar values for paytable 600 can be employed. Commonly, zero values can be used if preview play is intended simply to illustrate how the game is played, rather than to present a reward. The invention is also not limited to the parameters shown. Preview play may include randomly generated results rather than predetermined results 610, although predetermined results 610 are often desirable to show users some of the better outcomes and potentially larger jackpots.
In the example of
Likewise, the invention is also not limited to display of the outcomes shown. Rather, any display of outcomes is contemplated. Thus, the parameters need not include preset results. Randomly generated results can be employed to give players a sense of what typical game play entails. Conversely, the results can include sequences of some of the more desirable game outcomes (e.g., several good poker hands, big slot jackpots, and the like), so as to entice the player to play.
The invention is also not limited to the slot game context. Rather, various embodiments of the invention can be used to illustrate preview play of any game capable of being played on a game machine 20, 30. For example, preview play can be of a video poker game or a blackjack game. Similarly, the invention can illustrate many different preview play modes of a single game. For instance, while the preview play of
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. In other instances, well-known devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessary distraction from the underlying invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. For example, the invention contemplates preview play of any game capable of being played on a game machine, either by smart card or simple magnetic stripe tracking card. The invention also includes multiple modes of preview play, including but not limited to displays of typical game play, predetermined sequences of more favorable outcomes, and progressive play. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
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