Patent Application
20250144509
The present invention relates to gaming devices or machines, as well as methods of generating prize-winning outcomes with such devices and machines.
The wagering game industry (casinos, related gaming establishments and the manufacturers of casino-style games) continues to strive to make their gaming machines attractive to players. One dynamic is that younger people have grown up playing video amusement games (such as arcade-style games or such games presented via a home gaming console) where they are actively involved in the game and the outcome thereof. These younger players have shown less interest in playing standard slot and video poker gaming machines than older generations of players.
As a result, the wagering gaming industry has experienced a push to move from chance-based gaming to skill-based gaming. Thus far, this approach has had limited success. Several companies have created skill-based video-style wagering games. These games play more like a mobile, PC, or video arcade game than a traditional slot game. The reasons for the limited success of these games are many and varied, but the fact is this approach has not been successful.
One problem is that, unlike amusement games where the stakes are generally low and where game malfunctions may be tolerated, in the wagering game space, both players and gaming regulators expect the games to not malfunction or fault, because this is unfair to the player and/or creates the impression of unfairness.
A gaming device and associated method which addresses these and other problems is desired.
Aspects of the invention comprise prize detectors, methods of detecting prizes and gaming devices or machines having prize detectors. In one configuration, a gaming device is configured to present an amusement-type prize collection event or game, such as where a player attempts to collect a prize from a prize area with a crane or claw, and includes a prize collection detector. The detector may comprise an optical sensor which is configured to detect the presence of a collected prize at a prize collection area.
As one example, in one embodiment, an amusement-type prize-play device comprises a housing defining a prize area for containing one or more prizes for winning as a result of the play of the amusement-type game device, a moveable prize play mechanism, at least one player input device comprising a device for receiving input from a player to control the movable prize play mechanism, a prize collection area, at least one optical prize collection sensor configured to detect the presence of a prize at the prize collection area, and a controller configured to receive the input from the player and cause the moveable prize play mechanism to move at least in part based upon the input, to receive an output of the at least one optical prize collection sensor and to generate a prize-winning outcome when the at least one optical prize collection sensor detects the prize at the prize collection area.
As another example, a method of generating a prize-winning outcome with an amusement-type prize-play device is provided. The method comprises receiving input from a player to control a movable prize play mechanism with at least one player input device, moving the movable prize play mechanism at least in part based on the input in order to move a prize from a prize area to a prize collection area, using at least one optical prize collection sensor to detect the presence of the prize in the prize collection area, receiving an output of the at least one optical prize collection sensor corresponding to the presence of the prize in the prize collection area, and generating a prize-winning outcome based on the output.
Furthermore, moving the movable prize play mechanism, which may be a claw or crane, may include grabbing the prize with the movable prize play mechanism from the prize area, lifting the prize with the movable prize play mechanism from the prize area, and moving the prize to the prize collection area with the movable prize play mechanism. Additionally, using the optical prize collection sensor may include emitting a light beam with the light emitter, and detecting the light beam with the light detector, or not detecting the light beam at the light detector because the light beam is blocked by the prize.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
Embodiments of the invention comprise methods, devices and systems for detecting prizes, and particularly prizes collected via a prize collection device, such via a skill-type prize collection device of an amusement or gaming machine. Such a gaming machine may be configured to present wagering games, amusement-style games, or both.
One example of the invention is a crane or claw type gaming machine 22. The gaming machine 22 may be configured to implement one or more traditional casino-style wagering games (casino-style games where the outcomes of the games are determined primarily by chance and not skill; referred to herein generally as the “casino game(s)”) and/or one or more non-casino type games. The non-casino type games may comprise games which are traditionally not casino-type games, such as games or events which are traditionally amusement-type games or skill games, or games having amusement-type game components, such as games where the outcome is determined substantially by skill (referred to herein generally as an “amusement” or “amusement-style” event or game).
The gaming machine of the invention may be located at a casino or other location. As described below, the gaming machine may be part of a gaming system, such as a casino gaming system which links two or more of the gaming machines or one or more gaming machines with other devices, such as one or more table games, kiosks, accounting systems or servers, progressive systems or servers, player tracking systems or servers, game servers, reward or promotional servers or the like.
As illustrated, the gaming machine 22 generally comprises a housing or cabinet 26 for supporting and/or enclosing various components required for operation of the gaming machine. In the embodiment illustrated, the housing 26 is generally “box” shaped, having a front (which the player faces) and an opposing back, a right side and a left side (when facing the front), and a top and a bottom. However, the housing 26 could have other configurations, as noted below.
The housing 26 may have one or more enclosed or generally secure areas. For example, the housing 26 may include a first lower secure area 24A for housing one or more first components of the gaming machine 22, such as a processor, bill validator (and associated ticket or cash box), and other features. The housing may also include a second upper secure area 24B, such as for housing portions of an amusement game unit of the gaming machine 22, as described in more detail below (which may thus be referred to as the “amusement game area”).
As noted, in a preferred embodiment, the gaming machine 22 has one or more features or components for presenting a casino-style wagering game and one or more features or components for presenting an amusement-type game. However, the invention has applicability to gaming machines 22 which are configured to only present an amusement-type game, or to a gaming machine which is configured to present the game as a casino-style (e.g. wager-based) game.
In general, in order to present the game(s), the gaming machine 22 includes one or more features for accepting monies or monetary value or otherwise allowing a user to make a payment to play or wager monies/monetary value, and features which cause the gaming machine 22 to present a game to a player.
In order to present or display game information to a player, the gaming machine 22 may include at least one display device 28. The display device 28 may comprise an electronic video display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), high resolution flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD), projection LCD, plasma display, field emission display, digital micro-mirror display (DMD), digital light processing display (DLP), LCD touchscreen, a light emitting display (LED) or other suitable displays now known or later developed, in a variety of resolutions, sizes and formats (e.g. 4:3, widescreen or the like). The display device 28 may be capable of projecting or displaying a wide variety of information, including images, symbols and other indicia or information associated with game play, game promotion or other events. As illustrated in
In one embodiment, the one or more display devices 28 may be located at the back of the second area 24B of the gaming machine 22. In other embodiments, the display devices 28 might comprise a portion of panels or sides of the gaming machine 22 or such portions and one or more displays inside the gaming machine 22.
While the display device may comprise one or more video displays, in another embodiment, the gaming machine 22 may include one or more physical reels capable of displaying game information, such as slot symbols. In such a configuration, means are provided for rotating the physical reels. In one or more embodiments, the means may comprise a mechanical linkage associated with a spin arm, with movement of the spin arm (a “pull”) by a user causing the reels to spin. In such an arrangement, the reels are generally allowed to free-wheel and then stop. In another embodiment, electronically controlled mechanisms are arranged to rotate and stop each reel. Such mechanisms are well known to those of skill in the art. In this arrangement, actuation of the spin arm or depressing a spin button causes a controller (not shown) to signal the activation of the spin mechanism associated with one or more of the reels. Preferably, the controller is arranged to either turn off the signal to the device(s) effecting the rotation of each or all of the reels or generates a signal for activating a braking device, whereby the reels are stopped. The principal of such an arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,419 to Telnaes, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The gaming machine 22 preferably includes one or more player input devices 32 to enable a player to play a game (such as input buttons, plunger mechanisms, a touch-screen display, joystick, touch-pad or the like). These one or more input devices 32 may be utilized by the player to facilitate game play, such as by providing input or instruction to the gaming machine 22. For example, such input devices 32 may be utilized by a player to make a payment to play a game/place a wager, cause the gaming machine 22 to initiate a game, to initiate a reel spin, to “cash out” of the gaming machine, or to provide various other inputs, such as to buy a game card, and/or daub a card and claim winnings, such as in a game of bingo. In one embodiment, a touch-screen may be associated with the second area 24B of the gaming machine 22. For example, a touch-screen 29 might be associated with a front glass or other transparent panel or display of the second or upper area 24B, whereby the player could provide input by touching the enclosure of the second area 24B in front of them. Of course, in other embodiments, the deck 30 might incorporate one or more displays having a touch screen or otherwise include a touch screen.
Referring to
The controller 34 may be configured to execute machine readable code or “software” or otherwise process information, such as obtained from a remote server. A first set of game software 36 or other instructions may be stored in memory (such as a data storage device, not shown), e.g. in a fixed or non-transitory configuration, such as for use in implementing the wagering/casino-style game. The memory may also store other information or data, such as data stored in table or other forms (including, but not limited to look-up tables, pay tables and other information including tracked game play information). The gaming machine 22 may also include one or more random number generators for generating random numbers (such as implemented by a random number generator software module stored in the memory and executable by the processor 34), such as for use in presenting the game in a random fashion (e.g. whereby the game is presented in a manner in which the player cannot control the outcome) or pseudo-random fashion (e.g. such as where the game includes a skill component which can affect the outcome of the game). As indicated above, the machine readable code may be configured in various manners, such as by having various “modules” of software which are designed to implement specific features of the game play or game presentation. In one embodiment, as illustrated, the processor 34 may execute software that implements an operating system, such as Microsoft® Windows®, Linux, etc. The first set of game software 36 may then be executed relative to that operating environment.
The gaming machine 22 may be configured to generate and present games in a stand-alone manner or it may be in communication with one or more external devices or systems at one or more times. The gaming machine 22 might communicate with one or more of such external devices or systems via one or more communication ports or other interface devices. These ports or interface devices may be configured to implement various communication protocols (including proprietary protocols) and communicate via wireless, wired or other communication link. For example, the gaming machine 22 may be configured as a server based device and obtain game code or game outcome information from a remote game server (in which event the gaming machine controller may receive game information from the server, such as game outcome information, and use that server-generated information to present the game at the gaming machine). As one example, when the gaming machine 22 is configured to present a multi-player bingo game, the gaming machine 22 may communicate with one or more game servers to obtain information regarding a purchased bingo card, selected or drawn bingo balls, and to confirm game outcomes, such as interim pattern matches or game-ending pattern matches of the drawn bingo balls to the game indicia associated with a bingo card assigned to the player.
As indicated, the gaming machine 22 is configured to present one or more games which require a payment or wager. The gaming machines 22 is preferably configured to accept value, such as in the form of coins, tokens, paper currency or other elements or devices representing value such as monetary funds. Thus, as indicated above, the gaming machine 22 preferably includes a mechanism or means for accepting monetary value. For example, the gaming machine 22 might include a coin acceptor for accepting coins. Of course, associated coin reading/verifying devices and coin storage devices may be associated with the gaming machine 22 if it is configured to accept coins. Likewise, as illustrated in
The gaming machine 22 might also be configured to read FOBs, magnetic stripe cards or other media having data associated therewith and via which value or funds may be associated with the gaming machine 22. The mechanism for accepting monetary value might also comprise hardware and/or software which allows a player to transfer (such as electronically) funds from an account, such as a casino wagering account, or a bank or other financial institution account. Such a mechanism might include a communication interface which permits the gaming machine to communicate with a mobile phone, PDA, tablet or other electronic device of the player (such as via a physical interface or wired or wireless communications), such as to enable the transfer of funds from the player to the gaming machine or system.
When the player associates funds with the gaming machine or an associated system, a credit balance is generated. The credit balance may comprise a plurality of monetary value credits. The player may wager some or all of the associated monetary value, such as by wagering one or more of the credits associated with the credit balance. For example, the player might provide input to a wager button or touch screen interface to wager a certain number of credits (such as “Bet 1 Credit”,
“Bet 5 Credits”, “Bet Maximum Credits” or other options). In one embodiment, when the player's wager is received, the player's credit balance is reduced by the number of wagered credits. The player might then provide a separate input to begin the game. In other embodiments, the player might select a “play game” input, such as by pressing a “spin” button, which input is taken to comprise both an instruction to place a wager (such as of a pre-set or pre-selected number of credits) and to start the game. Of course, other configurations may be implemented for accepting monetary value from the player and for allowing the player to place a wager from the associated monetary value.
In one embodiment, the gaming machine 22 may be configured to award winnings for one or more winning wagering game outcomes. Such winnings may be represented as credits, points or the like. In one embodiment, the player may “cash out” and thus remove previously associated funds and any awarded winnings or such may otherwise be paid to the player. These winnings may be associated with the player's credit balance, thus increasing the player's credit balance.
In one embodiment, the player may provide an input to the gaming machine 22 to indicate their desire to cash out, such as by selecting a “cash out” button or touch screen feature or providing other input. In response, a monetary value represented by the player's credit balance or the like is preferably paid, transferred or otherwise provided to the player. For example, upon an award or at cash-out, associated funds may be paid to the player by the gaming machine 22 dispensing coins to a coin tray. In another embodiment, funds may be issued by dispensing paper currency or other media. In yet another embodiment, a player may be issued a media, such as a printed ticket, which ticket represents the value which was paid or cashed out of the machine. The aspects of gaming machine “ticketing” systems are well known. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,269 to Burns, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In yet another embodiment, the cash-out might result in the dispensing of a card or other media which stores or represents the cashed-out funds, such as by writing funds information to a magnetic stripe of a card which is inserted into a media writer of the gaming machine or dispensed from the machine. In this regard, the gaming machine 22 may include one or more media printers or writers 48. In other embodiments, the cash-out mechanism may result in the funds value being transferred to an external device or account, such as a player's casino account (such as associated with a casino server), a remote bank or other financial account, or an electronic device such as a player's phone, PDA or tablet.
The gaming machine 22 may also include a player tracking device, such as a card reader and/or an associated keypad or other input device (such as a touch screen display) 56. Such player tracking devices are well known and may permit the game operator to track play of players of the gaming machine. The tracked play may be utilized to offer player bonuses or awards.
As illustrated in
As indicated above, the gaming machine 22 is preferably capable of presenting one or more amusement-style games or events (either alone or in addition to an additional wagering game/event), where the amusement-style game or event may be played as a “pay to play” game or as a wagering game, or as a game which is associated with another game, such itself associated with a wagering game (for example, a player might place a wager to play a wager-based video slot game as presented on the display 28, where the amusement-style game or event is triggered or awarded at one or more times, such as based upon a predetermined event or outcome of the wagering game). In one embodiment, one or more of the player input devices 32 are utilized to facilitate play of the amusement-style event. These input devices 32 may comprise one or more of the input devices which are used to present the casino-style wagering game, but may also comprise one or more different input devices. As described below, in an exemplary embodiment, the amusement-style events may comprise a crane event. In the crane event, a player attempts to guide a crane or claw to a position and then use the crane or claw to grab an object, such as a prize. In the case of the crane event, the player input devices 32 may thus comprise a crane control such as a joystick 60 and claw drop button 62 (see
The gaming machine 22 further comprises one or more amusement-style event presentation elements. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
At one or more times, the amusement-type event may be activated. For example, the amusement-type event might be activated or played in response to placing a wager or making payment to play the event. The event might also be triggered as a result of the play of a wagering game (when such is a component of the gaming machine 22), or the player might be permitted to play the amusement-type event as a promotional award or the like.
At that time, information relating to the amusement-type event might be displayed by the display device 28. For example, the display device 28 might display information such as a count-down timer showing an amount of time a player has to move the crane claw into position, a number of remaining crane plays, and a bonus prize wheel. When the amusement-type event is activated, the player may have a designated period of time within which to provide input to the joystick to move the claw 74 to a desired position in the second area over the prizes there beneath, and to then lower the claw in an attempt to grab a prize (in one embodiment, the input by the player is provided to the controller of the gaming machine 22, which causes the claw 74 to move at least partially based upon the player's input). If successful, the claw 74 grabs a prize 72 and raises it up and the crane may automatically move to a collection area 82.
In some embodiments, the controller may cause the prize 72 to be dispensed to the player, such as by causing it to move from the collection area 82 to a dispensing area 94. Alternately, it might be desirable for the player to attempt to grab or obtain a prize or object, without directly awarding the prize or object (e.g. without directing the prize from the prize area to a dispensing area, such as through a chute to a bin where the player may grab the prize). This configuration has the benefit that prizes are not dispensed from the prize area to the player, which has the problem of requiring the prize area to be restocked or filled frequently. As one example, the objects which the player obtains (such as grabbing with a claw), may simply be a trigger for an award. As one example, the prize area might be filled with objects, such as eggs (or other objects such as boxes, etc.). When a player is successful in grabbing an egg, a random number generator may be used to award a prize based upon a pay table of prizes. The prize might be awarded from the device in the form of a ticket, etc. As one example, a pay table might define that Prize A is awarded for numbers 1-10, Prize B is awarded for numbers 11-50, and Prize C is awarded for numbers 51-100. When a player grabs an egg (such as detected by the claw grasping the egg, by an image sensor capturing information that the egg is in the claw, by a sensor detecting the egg has been dropped down a prize chute or the like), a random number generator (RNG) associated with the device (wherein the RNG may be implemented as software via the controller of the device) may be used to randomly generate or select a number between 1-100, wherein the selected number is then compared to the pay table to determine the awarded prize. The egg might then be dropped back to the prize area or might be dropped to a recycler—e.g. a location where the egg appears to be dispensed but is then eventually routed back to the prize area. In another embodiment, the object, such as an egg, may be coded, such as with a radio frequency identifier (RFID) chip. The chip may be read to determine the prize associated therewith. A ticket might then be dispensed to the player for the awarded prize. The player might then present the ticket to redeem the prize, such as at a gaming machine (such as when the ticket is for free game play or credits), a buffet or the like, or at a prize redemption booth or station. In such a configuration, the prize award mechanism 66 (see
It will be appreciated that the gaming machine illustrated in
In one embodiment, the amusement-style event is utilized to award promotional prizes, e.g. prizes that are separate from the awards for the wagering games being played (e.g. do not change the paytable for the game or are not part of the paytable for the game). As one example, one or more of the gaming machines 22 may be linked to a rewards or promotional system. In one embodiment, the rewards system may be used to award players of the gaming machine 22 with plays of the amusement-type events, thus offering the player chances for additional prizes.
Most importantly, one aspect of the invention comprises one or more methods, devices and systems for detecting a prize which is collected as a result of play of the amusement-type event. As described above, in such an event, a player may attempt to utilize a claw 74 to capture a prize 72 in the prize area. As illustrated in
Generally, in order for a player to successfully collect a prize, the claw 74 must grab the prize from the prize area (such as under the control of the player) and then successfully move the prize to the prize collection area 82. For example, if the claw 74 is moved to the prize area and does not grab a prize (such as when the claw 74 is lowered into the prize area, and closes without grasping a prize), or when the claw 74 successfully grabs a prize but the prize then drops back into the prize area before reaching the prize collection area 82, then the outcome of the amusement-type event does not result in the award of a prize.
In the event a prize 72 is successfully moved to the collection area 82, it is important to ensure that this condition is detected so that the prize is awarded. A problem with existing amusement-type devices is that they don't always register captured prizes. One aspect of the present invention is a method and device for registering captured prizes.
In one embodiment of the invention, the amusement-type game includes a prize collection detector. In a preferred embodiment, this detector comprises at least one optical sensor. As illustrated in
In one embodiment, at least one optical sensor 88 is configured to detect the presence of a prize 72 at the prize collection area 82. The at least one optical sensor 88 may comprise a light emitter 90 (such as one or more infrared (IR) light emitters, lasers, etc.) and at least one light detector 92 which is configured to detect light 91 emitted by the emitter. In one configuration, as illustrated, the emitter 90 and detector 92 may be spaced from one another, such as at opposing sides 85 of the collection area 82. In other embodiments, the emitter 90 and detector 92 may be combined and the detector 92 may be configured to detect light which is emitted by the emitter 90 and reflected back to the detector 92, such as off of an object, such as a prize 72.
In general, the at least one optical sensor 88 is configured to detect the presence of a prize 72 at the prize collection area 82. For example, referring to
In one embodiment, the optical sensor 88 may include a controller and a communication interface for outputting an output that represents the condition of the sensor, such as to a controller 34 of the gaming machine 22. The processor of the gaming machine 22 may use this output to determine if a prize has been collected, and when a prize has been collected, generate an output (such as which causes the prize 72 to be moved to the dispenser 94, which causes a ticket or receipt which represents a prize to be issued to the player, etc.).
In some cases, a prize may be dropped or placed on the collection area 82, but it may bounce off or otherwise move to another location. In one embodiment, the controller of the gaming machine 22 may be configured to detect collection of a prize by determining that the prize has remained at the prize collection area 82 for a period of time. This may be determined, for example, from the output of the optical sensor 92 at different times or over a period of time.
It will be appreciated that various types of optical sensors might be utilized. For example, aside from light-emitting sensors, light or image capturing sensors might be used (CCD elements, etc.). Further, more than one sensor might be utilized. For example, as illustrated in
The prize collection area 82 may have various configurations. In one embodiment, a tray having a collection surface 84 and one or more walls or sides 85 aids in keeping a collected prize in the collection area and provides support for the optical sensor(s) 88. Of course, other configurations of collection areas 82 might be utilized, including where the one or more optical sensors 88 are associated with other support elements or structures other than those which define the collection area 82.
It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
This application claims priority to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/538,604, filed Sep. 15, 2023, which application is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63538604 | Sep 2023 | US |
