Patent Grant
8926419
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files of records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Currently, conventional casino gaming units offer play of lottery style games. During play of a lottery style game, a player typically selects one or more game numbers from a range of game numbers, and the player's selected game numbers are compared to one or more randomly selected game numbers. The randomly selected numbers represent the winning numbers for the lottery game. If there are a sufficient number of matches between the player's game numbers and the randomly selected numbers, the player receives a payout.
For certain types of lottery style games, it is popular for players to select one particular number for all play positions or “spots” located on the lottery card. However, on an electronic lottery style game, the player is required to input a number for each and every position or spot located on the lottery card, which can be relatively time consuming. For these types of lottery games, it would be desirable to increase the speed of play when the player selects the same number used in all spots located on the lottery card.
Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments are directed to a method for playing a gaming device. In one embodiment, the method includes: providing a gaming device having a touch-screen display capable of enabling play of a game of chance, wherein the game of chance displays multiple game positions for inserting values related to the game of chance; and enabling a player to select an initial unhidden value in one of the game positions and then copy the selected initial unhidden value into multiple game positions, wherein the selected initial value is copied into other game positions by selecting the touch-screen display location above the game position displaying the initially selected value and then selecting the touch screen display location above other game positions, which sets the values of the game positions to the initially selected value.
In an aspect of one embodiment, a cellular phone, separate and apart from the gaming machine, is enabled to input player selections. In another aspect, a wireless input device, separate and apart from the gaming machine, is enabled to input player selections.
In another embodiment, a method for playing a lottery game includes: enabling play of a lottery game on a gaming device, the gaming device having a touch-screen display, and the lottery game displaying multiple game positions for inserting values related to the lottery game, wherein a player selects one number in each position; receiving the player input for selecting a first unhidden number in one of the game positions; and copying the selected initial unhidden value into multiple game positions by detecting the player's selection on the touch-screen display location above the first selected unhidden number and populating multiple game positions with the first selected unhidden number as the detected player's selection moves across the remaining positions on the touch-screen display, which automatically sets the values of the game positions to the initially selected value.
In still another embodiment, a method for playing a lottery game includes: enabling play of a lottery game on a gaming device, the gaming device having a random number generator and a touch-screen display, and the lottery game displaying multiple number positions from a first number position to a last number position for inserting values related to the lottery game; receiving input from the touch-screen display of an initial unhidden number in one of the multiple number positions; copying the selected initial unhidden number into multiple game positions by detecting a touch on the touch-screen display located above the number position with the initially selected unhidden number and detecting a touch on the touch-screen display located above multiple number positions; and using an algorithm to set the detected touched number positions to the initially selected unhidden number.
Other features will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the features of the various embodiments.
Generally, various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a gaming system including a select and drag feature. In the system, a gaming device enables play of a game where a player has the ability to select one value and drag the selected value across the screen to set all the values in a set of values for game play. In one embodiment, the gaming device enables play of a lottery style game, where a player must set a group of numbers for several spots located on a lottery card. For instance, where a player desires to select one particular number for all the spots on the lottery card, the select and drag feature of the gaming system increases the rate of play by allowing the player to easily copy an initially selected number to all of the remaining spots on the card.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings, there are shown various embodiments of a gaming machine system presenting a select and drag feature.
The lottery game 12 may include a plurality of lottery cards 18 displayed on one screen. As best shown in
The gaming machine 10 shown in
As shown in
Additionally, each gaming machine 10 is in communication with a player tracking system (not shown). The player tracking system allows a casino to monitor the gaming activities of various players. The player tracking system typically includes a database of all qualified players (i.e., those players who have enrolled in a player rating or point accruing program). Generally, the database for the player tracking system is separate from the gaming machines. Additionally, the player tracking system is able to store data relating to a player's gaming habits as well as the player's preferences for the gaming machine configuration. That is, a player can accrue player points that depend upon the amount and frequency of their wagers. Casinos can use these player points to compensate the loyal patronage of players. For example, casinos may award or “comp” a player free meals, room accommodations, tickets to shows, and invitations to casino events and promotional affairs.
The player tracking system is operatively connected to one or more input components on the gaming machine 10. These input components include, but are not limited to, a player card slot 32 for receiving a player tracking card, a keypad or equivalent, and a display 34. Accordingly, the gaming activity of the players may be tracked. Alternatively, the gaming machine 10 includes no slot at all. If the gaming machine 10 does not include a player card slot, the players may input player identification via a touch screen, keypad, or other input mechanisms that are associated with the player tracking system in lieu of inserting a player tracking card.
In another embodiment, each gaming machine 10 includes an Internet connection or other known network connections to link the plurality of gaming machines together. According to one embodiment, the Internet connection is used for web browsing, prize redemption, or access to other gaming or non-gaming information. With various gaming machines in communication with one another (or a system host), the gaming machines 10 may participate in progressive jackpots.
The main cabinet 14 of the gaming machine 10 also houses a CPU, a random number generator, circuitry, and software for receiving signals from the player-activated buttons 20 or 28, operating the games, and transmitting signals to the game display and speakers. In certain embodiments, the game 12 and the select and drag feature are operated by the same or separate processors that are in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, the game 12 and the select and drag feature are operated remotely via one or more servers.
According to one embodiment, the select and drag feature is a module stored on the gaming machine 10. The select and drag feature can be a processor assembly including a processor, memory tangibly embodying instructions which comprise an operating system and one or more applications. The operating system and applications are comprised of instructions which, when read and executed by the computer processor causes the function to be performed. In one embodiment, the select and drag feature may be stored on a network server that is in communication with the gaming machines 10 through a network. In another embodiment, the select and drag feature may be stored on a separate server, apart from the network server, wherein the separate server is in communication with the gaming machines 10 through the network. It has been contemplated that the separate server can be located within the gaming machine itself.
The select and drag feature includes an algorithm used to accomplish copying a selected value into all required values on a gaming device. In one embodiment, by way of example, and not by way of limitation, the algorithm used is the following:
In various embodiments, one or more game programs may be stored in a memory (not shown) comprising a read only memory (ROM), volatile or non-volatile random access memory (RAM), a hard drive or flash memory device or any of several alternative types of single or multiple memory devices or structures. Optionally, each gaming machine 10 includes one or more data repositories for storing data. Examples of information stored by the gaming machine 10 include, but are not limited to, accounting data, maintenance history information, short and/or long-term play data, real-time play data, and sound data. In one embodiment, the data repository also stores display content configurations for various games and gaming machines.
In
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not all gaming machines have all these components and may have other components in addition to, or in lieu of, those components mentioned here. Furthermore, while these components are viewed and described separately, various components may be integrated into a single unit in some embodiments.
In one embodiment, a method of utilizing the select and drag feature is depicted in the flow diagram of
In this embodiment, the player selects an initial number in the first position or spot 26a on the lottery card at step 42, using the number increase button 22 and/or the number decrease 24 button. In another embodiment, the player may initially select a number for any of the six positions or spots 26a-f. Once the initial number is selected, and the player wishes to select this particular number for all the spots located on the card, the player touches the touch-screen display located above the spot with the initially selected number. It will be appreciated that other input devices may also be used, e.g. touch glass, proximity screens, or any other means to quickly copy one value into other locations. Thereafter, the player touches any other game spots located on the lottery card 18 to copy the initially selected number into those other game spots, as indicated at step 44. In one embodiment, the player initially selects a number in the first spot 26a. The player then touches the touch-screen display located above the first spot 26a, and then drags his finger, or any other instrument, horizontally across the touch screen display 16, touching the remaining game positions in order from spots 26a through 26f. The gaming machine 10 and touch screen display 16 will recognize the touches on the display and activate the select and drag feature to easily copy the initially selected number into all spots 26 located on the lottery card. In other embodiments, instead of dragging a finger or instrument across the touch screen display, the player may simply touch the remaining game positions, and do so in any order.
As shown in the bottom-right lottery card 18 in
Selecting an initial value in one game position or spot 26 and then copying or dragging the initially selected value from one game spot to the remaining game spots includes using the algorithm associated with the gaming device 10. The algorithm allows the player to copy the initially selected value into the remaining game positions.
Once all values for the game positions or spots 26 located on the designated lottery card 18 are filled, the player selects the “play” button on the touch-screen display 16, and the gaming machine 10 compares the selected values in spots 26a-f to six randomly selected number values chosen by a random number generator as shown at step 46. The randomly selected game values represent the winning values for the game and can be shown on the display 16. If there are a sufficient number of matches between the player's selected game values and the randomly selected values from the random number generator, the player will receive an associated payout as shown at step 48. After the payout, the player may initiate another game by returning to step 40. If there are an insufficient number of matches between the player's selected numbers and the randomly selected numbers, the game will end at step 50 without a payout. The player may then initiate another game by returning to step 40.
Referring now to
The gaming machines 12 are connected via a network to a network bridge 120, which is used for networking, routing and polling gaming machines, including slot machines. The network bridge 120 connects to a back end system 112. Optionally, the gaming machines 10 may connect to the network via a network rack 122, which provides for a few number of connections to the back end system 112. Both network bridge 120 and network rack 122 may be classified as middleware, and facilitate communications between the back end system 112 and the game management units 126. The network bridges 120 and network rack 122 may comprise data repositories for storing network performance data. Such performance data may be based on network traffic and other network related information. Optionally, the network bridge 120 and the network rack 122 may be interchangeable components. For example, in one embodiment, a casino gaming system may comprise only network bridges and no network racks. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a casino gaming system may comprise only network racks and no network bridges. Additionally, in an alternative embodiment, a casino gaming system may comprise any combination of one or more network bridges and one or more network racks.
The back end system 112 may be configured to comprise one or more servers, and as previously stated, the back end system can house the bonus feature module. The type of server employed is generally determined by the platform and software requirements of the gaming system. In one embodiment, as illustrated in
Overall, the back end system 112 performs several functions. For example, the back end system 112 can collect data from the slot floor as communicated to it from other network components, and maintain the collected data in its database. The back end system 112 may use slot floor data to generate a report used in casino operation functions. Examples of such reports include, but are not limited to, accounting reports, security reports, and usage reports. The back end system 112 may also pass data to another server for other functions. Alternatively, the back end system 112 may pass data stored on its database to floor hardware for interaction with a game or game player. For example, data such as a game player's name or the amount of a ticket being redeemed at a game may be passed to the floor hardware. Additionally, the back end system 112 may comprise one or more data repositories for storing data. Examples of types of data stored in the system server data repositories include, but are not limited to, information relating to individual player play data, individual game accounting data, gaming machine accounting data, cashable ticket data, sound data, and optimal display configurations for one or more displays for one or more system game.
Of course, one will appreciate that the gaming system 100 may also comprise other types of components, and the above illustrations are meant only as examples and not as limitations to the types of components or games used in a casino gaming system presenting a group play feature.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not all systems including a select and drag feature have all these components and may have other components in addition to, or in lieu of, those components mentioned here. Furthermore, while these components are viewed and described separately, various components may be integrated into a single unit in some embodiments.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the disclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the disclosed embodiments without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments, which is set forth in the following claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/621,734, filed Sep. 17, 2012, which a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/113,205, filed Apr. 30, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,763, issued Sep. 18, 2012, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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| 5833536 | Davids et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
| 20030100357 | Walker et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20040082378 | Peterson et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140106844 A1 | Apr 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13621734 | Sep 2012 | US |
| Child | 14086881 | US | |
| Parent | 12113205 | Apr 2008 | US |
| Child | 13621734 | US |
