Patent Grant
8932129
The present invention relates generally to gaming devices and systems, and more specifically to gaming devices and multi-play gaming devices in a central determination gaming system.
It is useful to briefly describe the classes of gaming in the United States and how these classes may be implemented in a gaming network. Gaming in the United States is divided into Class I, Class II, and Class III games. Class I gaming includes social games played for minimal prizes and traditional ceremonial games. Class II gaming includes bingo and bingo-like games, such as pulltab games. Bingo includes games played for prizes, including monetary prizes, with cards bearing numbers or other designations in which the holder of the cards covers such numbers or designations when objects, similarly numbered or designated, are drawn or electronically determined, and in which the game is won by the first person covering a previously designated arrangement of numbers or designations on such cards. Class II gaming may also include pulltab games if played in the same location as bingo games, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, instant bingo, and other games similar to bingo. Class III gaming includes any games that are not Class I or Class II games, such as games of chance typically offered in non-Indian, state-regulated casinos. Many games of chance that are played on gaming terminals fall into the Class II and Class III categories of games.
Central determination gaming refers to any gaming method or system in which a central computer (a central determination system, or CDS) determines game outcomes for a group of players. Most conventional central determination systems are used for Class II gaming. In central determination gaming, players compete for a central pool of prizes. The prizes may include progressive prizes or progressive bonuses. This pool of prizes is finite, making central determination gaming similar to a lottery game. For example, an electronic game may be implemented as a central determination game, in which a number of gaming terminals are in communication with the central computer. The central computer selects games outcomes from a finite pool of outcomes to determine the prize that a player at a gaming terminal wins. The game outcome is displayed on the gaming terminals' display screens. Central determination gaming is most prevalent in New York and Washington state. Central determination gaming is described further in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/109,527, filed Apr. 18, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in pertinent part.
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems implementing techniques for using a central determination system with multi-play gaming machines having sub-games and with gaming machines having a base game and a bonus game. A multi-play gaming machine is a gaming machine that gives players the option of playing multiple sub-games simultaneously.
According to one embodiment, a central determination gaming system includes a number of gaming machines, including a number of multi-play gaming machines, and a server configured to communicate with the gaming machines. Each multi-play gaming machine includes a controller configured to output one or more sub-games. Each sub-game includes a single instance of a wager-based game of chance. Each multi-play gaming machine also includes a display configured to display the one or more sub-games and an input device configured to accept bet information for playing the one or more sub-games. The server, for each multi-play gaming machine, is configured to: (a) receive bet information from the multi-play gaming machine; (b) identify, based on the bet information, one of a number of pool files from which to select a game outcome register, each pool file including a number of game outcome registers, each game outcome register including one or more sub-game outcomes, each sub-game outcome including a sub-game payout and a seed value; (c) select the pool file from which to select the game outcome register; (d) randomly select a game outcome register from the selected pool file; and, (e) transmit the selected game outcome register to the multi-play gaming machine. The controller of each multi-play gaming machine is further configured to receive the selected game outcome register from the server and to determine a sub-game output to be displayed for each sub-game in the selected game outcome register using the seed value in each sub-game outcome.
According to another embodiment, a central determination gaming system includes a number of gaming machines, including a number of multi-play gaming machines, and a server configured to communicate with the gaming machines. Each multi-play gaming machine includes a controller configured to output one or more sub-games. Each sub-game includes a single instance of a wager-based game of chance. Each multi-play gaming machine also includes a display configured to display the one or more sub-games and an input device configured to accept bet information for playing the one or more sub-games. The server, for each multi-play gaming machine, is configured to: (a) receive bet information from the multi-play gaming machine; (b) identify, based on the bet information, one of a number of pool files from which to select a game outcome register, each pool file including a number of game outcome registers, each game outcome register including a payout; (c) select the pool file from which to select a game outcome register; (d) randomly select a game outcome register from the selected pool file; and, (e) transmit the selected game outcome register to the multi-play gaming machine. The controller of each multi-play gaming machine is further configured to: (a) receive the selected game outcome register from the server; (b) select, based on a number of the one or more sub-games being played, one of a number of outcome lookup files, each outcome lookup file including a number of outcome distributions; (c) randomly select an outcome distribution from the selected outcome lookup file, the outcome distribution specifying how the payout is allocated into sub-game payouts, each sub-game payout associated with each of the one or more sub-games being played; (d) select, based on the sub-game payout for each of the one or more sub-games for which the sub-game payout is not zero, as specified by the outcome distribution, one of a number of seed files, each seed file including a number of seed values; (e) randomly select, for each of the one or more sub-games for which the sub-game payout is not zero, one of a number of seed values from the selected seed file; and, (f) determine, for each of the one or more sub-games for which the sub-game payout is not zero, the sub-game output to be displayed on the multi-play gaming machine for each sub-game using the selected seed values.
According to another embodiment, a first game and a second game are presented on a gaming machine connected to one or more servers over a network. To present the first and second games on the gaming machine, the gaming machine: (a) receives bet information at an input device of the gaming machine; (b) transmits the bet information to a server in communication with the gaming machine; (c) receives, from the server, a game outcome register, the game outcome register randomly selected from one of a number of pool files accessible by the server; (d) determines a first game output to be displayed on the gaming machine for the first game using a first seed value; and, (e) determines a second game output to be displayed on the gaming machine for the second game using a second seed value. Each pool file includes a number of game outcome registers. The server selects one pool file based on the bet information. The game outcome register includes a first payout and associated first seed value and a second payout and associated second seed value.
The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only to provide examples of possible structures and process steps for the disclosed inventive systems and methods for gaming machines and multi-play gaming machines in a central determination gaming system. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Exemplary applications of systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Other applications are possible, such that the following example should not be taken as definitive or limiting either in scope or setting.
In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the present invention. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention, it is understood that these examples are not limiting, such that other embodiments may be used and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although the present invention is directed primarily to gaming machines and systems, it is worth noting that some of the apparatuses, systems and methods disclosed herein might be adaptable for use in other types of devices, systems or environments, as applicable, such that their use is not restricted exclusively to gaming machines and contexts. Such other adaptations may become readily apparent upon review of the inventive apparatuses, systems and methods illustrated and discussed herein.
Top box 6, which typically rests atop of the main cabinet 4, may contain a ticket dispenser 18, a key pad 22, one or more additional displays 16, a card reader 24, one or more speakers 10, and a top glass 20. It will be understood that many makes, models, types and varieties of gaming machines exist, that not every such gaming machine will include all or any of the foregoing items, and that many gaming machines will include other items not described above. It will also be understood that some multi-play gaming machines are similar to the gaming machine illustrated in
With respect to the basic gaming abilities provided, it will be readily understood that gaming machine 2 can be adapted for presenting and playing any of a number of gaming events, particularly games of chance involving a player wager and potential monetary payout, such as, for example, a wager on a sporting event or general play as a slot machine game, a keno game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, and/or any other video table game, among others. Other features and functions may also be used in association with gaming machine 2, and it is specifically contemplated that the present invention can be used in conjunction with such a gaming machine or device that might encompass any or all such additional types of features and functions.
With respect to electronic gaming machines in particular, the electronic gaming machines made by IGT, Inc. are provided with special features and additional circuitry that differentiate them from general-purpose computers, such as a laptop or desktop personal computer (“PC”). Because gaming machines are highly regulated to ensure fairness, and in many cases are operable to dispense monetary awards of millions of dollars, hardware and software architectures that differ significantly from those of general-purpose computers may be implemented into a typical electronic gaming machine in order to satisfy security concerns and the many strict regulatory requirements that apply to a gaming environment.
Although the variety of devices available for a PC may be greater than on a gaming machine, gaming machines still have unique device requirements that differ from a PC, such as device security requirements not usually addressed by PCs. For instance, monetary devices such as coin dispensers, bill validators, ticket printers and computing devices that are used to govern the input and output of cash to a gaming machine have security requirements that are not typically addressed in PCs. Many PC techniques and methods developed to facilitate device connectivity and device compatibility do not address the emphasis placed on security in the gaming industry. To address some of these issues, a number of hardware/software components and architectures are utilized in gaming machines that are not typically found in general-purpose computing devices, such as PCs. These hardware/software components and architectures include, but are not limited to, items such as watchdog timers, voltage monitoring systems, state-based software architectures and supporting hardware, specialized communication interfaces, security monitoring, and trusted memory.
As noted herein, a multi-play gaming machine is a type of gaming machine. Multi-play gaming machines are similar to more conventional gaming machines that are configured to display a single game at a time, but with some important differences.
It will be understood that many different configurations for displaying sub-game windows on a multi-game display are possible. For example, two, three, four, five, or six sub-games may be displayed. The sub-games may be arranged from top to bottom on the display or from left to right across the display. Multi-play gaming machines are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,378, which is herein incorporated by reference in pertinent part.
A central server 65 may be one that is present within a casino or other establishment. Central server 65 provides for the distribution of game outcomes or sends these game outcomes among the gaming machines 2. The game outcomes distributed in accordance with different embodiments are game outcomes for any of a variety of games, that is, game applications which can be played using embodiments disclosed herein. For example, in one instance, each of the game outcomes includes an award amount for the particular game or sub-games being played. In some embodiments, the sub-games outcomes include progressive prizes or progressive bonuses.
In some embodiments, the games outcomes are stored in finite pools of outcomes in a storage medium associated with central server 65, as shown in
Returning to
In one embodiment, central determination gaming system 50 contains one or more special-purpose servers that can be used for various functions relating to the provision of cashless gaming and gaming machine administration and operation under the present methods and systems. Such a special-purpose server or servers could include, for example, a cashless gaming server, a player verification server, a general game server, a downloadable games server, a specialized accounting server, and/or a visual image or video distribution server, among others. Of course, these functions may all be combined onto a single specialized server. Such additional special-purpose servers are desirable for a variety of reasons, such as, for example, to lessen the burden on an existing general-purpose server or to isolate or wall off some or all gaming machine administration and operations data and functions from the general-purpose server and thereby increase security and limit the possible modes of access to such operations and information.
Alternatively, central determination gaming system 50 can be isolated from any other network at the establishment, except for the central server 65, such that a general-purpose server 60 is essentially impractical and unnecessary. Under either embodiment of an isolated or shared network, one or more of the special-purpose servers are preferably connected to sub-network 80, which might be, for example, a cashier station or terminal. Peripheral devices in this sub-network may include, for example, one or more video displays 81, one or more user terminals 82, one or more printers 83, and one or more other input devices 84, such as a ticket validator or other security identifier, among others. Similarly, under either embodiment of an isolated or shared network, at least the specialized server 70 or another similar component within a general-purpose server 60 also preferably includes a connection to a database or other suitable storage medium 90. Database 90 is preferably adapted to store many or all files containing pertinent data or information for a particular purpose, such as, for example, data regarding visual image data, video clips, other displayable items, and/or related data, among other potential items. Files, data and other information on database 90 can be stored for backup purposes, and are preferably accessible at one or more system locations, such as at a general-purpose server 60, a special purpose server 70 and/or a cashier station or other sub-network location 80, as desired.
While central determination gaming system 50 can be a system that is specially designed and created new for use in a casino or gaming establishment, it is also possible that many items in this system can be taken or adopted from an existing gaming system. For example, central determination gaming system 50 could represent an existing central determination gaming system to which one or more of the inventive methods are implemented. In addition to new methods, new functionality via new software, modules, updates or otherwise can be provided to an existing database 90, specialized server 70, central server 65, and/or general-purpose server 60, as desired. Other modifications to an existing system may also be necessary, as might be readily appreciated.
A central determination gaming system can operate in a number of different manners. Generally, in a central determination gaming system, a gaming machine requests a game outcome (also referred to as a game outcome register, herein) from a central server. The central server selects a game outcome from a finite pool of game outcomes in a pool file and communicates the game outcome to the gaming machine. The gaming machine then displays the game outcome to the player.
For example, a player playing a slot gaming machine in a central determination gaming system may place a wager on a game. The slot gaming machine receives a game outcome for the game from the central server. In this example, the game outcome is that the player wins $100. Then, the gaming machine would display a combination of slot reel positions corresponding to a win of $100 for the player.
A gaming machine operating in such a central determination gaming system first enrolls with an enrollment message in a central determination system pool with an associated pool file. The enrollment message includes bet information that may specify the game, the denomination, lines played, credits per line (or other analogous parameters in that game, such as cards or hands played), etc. Once enrolled in the central determination system pool, the gaming machine requests and receives game outcomes from the finite pool of game outcomes in the pool file.
In some embodiments of a central determination gaming system, a method of representing game outcomes uses seed values. A seed value is used to initialize a deterministic random number generator (RNG) so that the same seed value will produce the same sequence of random numbers every time. Those random numbers are known to produce a specific outcome in a game, such that a specific seed value is used to represent that specific outcome. For example, seed value X would always yield the same slot reel positions for a slot gaming machine.
In some current central determination gaming systems, after receiving an enrollment message that includes a wager, the central server sends a game outcome register to the gaming machine that includes a game identification, a seed value, and a win amount; i.e., <GAME ID><SEED VALUE><WIN AMOUNT>. The seed value is used to generate a game outcome of a single game.
One limitation of a central determination gaming system that represents outcomes using seed values in the manner described above is that each seed value does represent one and only one game outcome. In a central determination gaming system with a gaming machine having a base game and a bonus game, both the base game outcome and the bonus game outcome are generated from the single seed value. Similarly, with a multi-play gaming machine on which a number sub-games are being played, the outcomes for each of the sub-games are generated from the single seed value. In order to generate multiple game outcomes (i.e., a base game outcome and a bonus game outcome awarded as part of the base game or a game outcome for each of the sub-games) from a single seed value, the seed value is processed to generate random numbers as needed for displaying the game outcomes. Processing a seed value in this manner, however limits the number of different outcomes that will be displayed in the bonus game on a gaming machine or in the sub-games on a multi-play gaming machine, as described further herein.
Stated in a different manner, the problem caused by using one seed value to represent an entire game (here, an entire game being a base game outcome and a bonus game outcome awarded as part of the base game or a game outcome for each of the sub-games) is that it is difficult to find a seed value that hits each possible award or game outcome (e.g., a seed that hits the bonus and plays all free spins adequately in a bonus game awarded as part of a base game). As such, it is desirable to have one seed value for the base game and one seed value for each bonus game on a gaming machine or a seed value for each of the sub-games that are part of a multi-game.
For example, for a base game and a bonus game with a gaming machine, the base game outcome displayed on the gaming machine may be different for each game. However, with the processing of a seed value to generate the bonus game outcome, there may be only five different bonus games outcomes that are displayed. If a player saw the same bonus game outcome repeatedly displayed, this would arouse suspicion that the gaming machine was somehow not functioning properly. As another example, for four sub-games on a multi-play gaming machine, the first sub-game outcome displayed may be different each time. However, with the processing of a seed value to generate the three other sub-game outcomes, there may be a limited number of different sub-game outcomes that are displayed for the three remaining sub-games.
One way of generating multiple game outcomes for an entire game (again, an entire game being a base game outcome and a bonus game outcome awarded as part of the base game or a game outcome for each of the sub-games) would be for the gaming machine or multi-play gaming machine to send an enrollment message for each game that is played (i.e., the base game and bonus game or each of the sub-games). Each enrollment message sent by the gaming machine, however, would be accounted for as an individual game, rather than as one single multi-game transaction. Also, a gaming machine is often required to verify the amount won in a game, be it a single game or a single multi-game, with the central server of the central determination gaming system, and the amount won cannot be verified until the game is complete. A central determination gaming system may not tolerate sending multiple game outcomes to a gaming machine before receiving verification of all pay amounts.
For these reasons, it is desirable to have all of the sub-games played in a game transaction on a multi-play gaming machine accounted for as a single game. For example, if a player opts to play three sub-games in one game transaction, it is desirable to have all three sub-games accounted for as single multi-play game. It is also desirable to have the base game and the bonus game played on a gaming machine accounted for as a single game.
Using a multi-play gaming machine in a central determination gaming system as an example, it desirable to receive at the multi-play gaming machine from the central sever a game outcome register that includes a seed value for each sub-game to be displayed as part of a game transaction; i.e., <GAME ID 1><SEED VALUE 1><WIN AMOUNT 1><GAME ID 2><SEED VALUE 2><WIN AMOUNT 2> . . . <GAME ID n><SEED VALUE n><WIN AMOUNT n>, where n is the total number of sub-games to be displayed. Note that Game IDs may specify different games, or may specify different stages within the same game. With a multi-play gaming machine enrolling in a pool file and requesting a game outcome register, the central server can account for a game transaction that includes a number of sub-games as a single game transaction, accurately reflecting the actual play.
Each pool file includes a plurality of game outcome registers. Two examples of embodiments of pool files are shown in
As also shown in
In some embodiments, when the sub-game payout in a sub-game outcome is zero (i.e., the player does not win anything in that sub-game), the seed value in the sub-game outcome includes a zero value. With a zero value in the sub-game outcome, the multi-play gaming machine receiving the game outcome register will generate a random loosing outcome for that sub-game to be displayed to the player. In further embodiments, when the sub-game payout in a sub-game outcome is not zero, the seed value in the sub-game outcome includes a 32-bit number. This seed value is used by the multi-play gaming machine to determine an outcome to be displayed for the sub-game, as described herein.
In 415, the central server selects the pool file from which to select a game outcome register. In 420, the central server randomly selects one of the game outcome registers from the selected pool file. In some embodiments, after selecting a game outcome register, the central server designates the selected game outcome register as used. By a game outcome register being designated as used, the central server will not select the used game outcome register again in a subsequent game transaction. In further embodiments, the pool file is retired when a certain percentage of the game outcome registers in the pool file are designated as used. When a pool file is retired, a new pool file, corresponding to the same bet information, takes its place. The new pool file may have a full distribution of game outcome registers; i.e., none of the game outcome registers are designed as used.
In 425, the selected game outcome register is transmitted to the multi-play gaming machine. The multi-play gaming machine uses the information in the game outcome register to determine the outcomes to be displayed for each sub-game of the multi-play game. That is, the controller of the multi-play gaming machine is configured to determine a sub-game output to be displayed for each sub-game outcome in the selected game outcome register using the seed value in each sub-game outcome.
In some embodiments, the payout percentage of at least one sub-game of the multi-play game is different from the pay-out percentages of the other sub-games. A payout percentage, also referred to as the payback percentage, is the percent of each dollar played in a video or slot machine that the machine is programmed to return to the player. Payout percentage is 100 percent minus the house edge.
Such an embodiment (i.e., when the payout percentage of at least one sub-game of the multi-play game is different from the pay-out percentages of the other sub-games) might be used to encourage players to wager larger amounts of money. For example, a multi-play gaming machine may be set-up so that a wager up to a certain value plays one sub-game, a wager up to a higher value plays two sub-games, a wager up to even a higher value plays three sub-games, and so on. The later sub-games (i.e., the third or forth sub-game) may have higher pay-out percentages. By playing the later sub-games, which require a higher wager, the player has a better chance of winning.
In 505, a multi-play gaming machine receives bet information at an input device of the multi-play gaming machine. The bet information may include a bet amount. In further embodiments, the bet information also includes a number of sub-games selected or a number of lines bet in the selected number of sub-games. In 510, the multi-play gaming machine transmits the bet information to a server.
The server, based on the bet information, selects a pool file. For example, one pool file may exist for wagers of $100, another pool file for wagers of $150, and so on. Each pool file includes a plurality of game outcome registers. Two examples of embodiments of pool files are shown in
As also shown in
Returning to
The multi-play gaming machine selects the outcome lookup file based in part on the number of sub-games being played on the multi-play gaming machine. In other embodiments, the outcome lookup file is selected based on the payout in the game outcome register. Each outcome lookup file includes a plurality outcome distributions. Two examples of embodiments of outcome lookup files are shown in
Returning to
In 530, the multi-play gaming machine selects one of a plurality of seed files. The seed files may be stored in a storage medium or mediums located locally on the multi-play gaming machine, for example. Alternatively, the seed files may be stored in a storage medium or mediums located remotely on another server associated with the central determination gaming system. In other embodiments, there is one seed file; a seed is selected from the seed file based on the sub-game payout. In further embodiments, there is one seed file associated with each sub-game that is played; a seed is selected from the seed file based on the sub-game payout.
The multi-play gaming machine selects the seed file based on the sub-game payout for each of the one or more sub-games for which the sub-game payout is not zero, as specified by the outcome distribution. Each seed file includes a plurality seed values. Two examples of embodiments of seed files are shown in
Returning to
In some embodiments, when the payout in a sub-game is zero, the multi-play gaming machine generates a random loosing outcome for that sub-game to be displayed to the player.
In some embodiments, at least one sub-game has a better chance of a payout than other sub-games. This can be implemented by modifying outcome distributions in an outcome lookup file. For example, when four sub-games are played and the server has selected a game outcome register with a payout, the outcome distributions in the selected outcome lookup file may have the fourth sub-game payout generally larger than the other sub-game payouts.
In some embodiments, the outcome distribution further specifies that a bonus game is associated with the one or more sub-games. For example, a bonus game might be associated with four sub-games that are played. For the bonus game, the multi-play gaming machine randomly selects one of a plurality of bonus seed values from a bonus seed file. The bonus seed value is used to determine an output to be displayed for the bonus game. In some embodiments, the bonus game is played as a single sub-game. In other embodiments, the bonus game is played across all of the sub-games; for example, if there are four sub-games on a multi-play gaming machine, with each sub-game having five reels (in the instance of a slot machine type multi-play gaming machine), all twenty reels could be used for the output to be displayed for the bonus game.
In 605, a gaming machine configured to present a first game and a second game receives bet information at an input device of the gaming machine. In some embodiments, the second game is a bonus game. In some embodiments, the bet information includes a bet amount. In 610, the gaming machine transmits the bet information to a server.
The server, based on the bet information, selects a pool file based on the bet information. For example, one pool file may exist for wagers of $100, another pool file for wagers of $150, and so on. Each pool file includes a plurality of game outcome registers. Two examples of embodiments of pool files are shown in
As also shown in
Returning to
In some embodiments, the game outcome register further includes a third payout and an associated third seed value. The gaming machine also determines a third game output to be displayed on the gaming machine for the third game using the third seed value.
In some embodiments, there is not a second or third game associated with the base game in the method described in
The methods described herein may be implemented with central determination gaming systems with multi-play gaming machines and/or gaming machines with a base game and a bonus game.
Although the foregoing present invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be recognized that the above described present invention may be embodied in numerous other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Certain changes and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but rather is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.
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