Patent Grant
9286757
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 disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2013, WMS Gaming, Inc.
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wagering game systems and networks that, more particularly, present prizes in wagering games.
Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines depends on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing wagering game machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for wagering game machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play.
Traditionally, wagering game machines have been confined to physical buildings, like casinos (e.g., resort casinos, road-side casinos, etc.). The casinos are located in specific geographic locations that are authorized to present wagering games to casino patrons. However, with the proliferation of interest and use of the Internet, shrewd wagering game manufacturers have recognized that a global public network, such as the Internet, can reach to various locations of the world that have been authorized to present wagering games. Any individual with a personal computing device (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a smartphone, etc.) can connect to the Internet and play wagering games. As a result, wagering game manufacturers, casino operators, and online game providers are constantly in need of innovative concepts that can make the online gaming industry appealing and profitable.
Embodiments are illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
This description of the embodiments is divided into five sections. The first section provides an introduction to embodiments. The second section describes example operations performed by some embodiments while the third section describes additional example embodiments. The fourth section describes example operating environments while the fifth section presents some general comments.
This section provides an introduction to some embodiments.
Wagering games are expanding in popularity. Many wagering game enthusiasts are demanding greater access to wagering games and content related to wagering games. As stated previously, some wagering game companies have created online wagering game websites that provide a way for wagering game enthusiasts to play wagering games while connected to the Internet (e.g., via a web-browser). Some online wagering game websites provide various features, such as social networks and social networking functionality. Social networks allow wagering game players (“players”) to create social network user accounts with one or more unique identifiers that represent an online persona. These online personas add to the fun of belonging to a social network. Wagering game manufacturers, casino operators, and others in the wagering game industry are continuously desirous of new and innovative ideas related to traditional gaming venues, online gaming venues, social gaming, and the like.
Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclose a wagering game system (“system”) that can trigger a bonus game during play of a wagering game and offer a choice, or option, to either play the bonus game or select an instant prize instead of playing the bonus game. If the player selects to play the bonus game, the system provides a potential of winning a bonus award or not winning the bonus award depending on the play in the bonus game. If, however, the player selects the instant prize, the player can receive the prize instantly without having to play the bonus game.
In
The wagering game machine 160 is also configured to present secondary content, such as a bonus game. For example, the wagering game (sometimes referred to as a “base game”) can trigger a bonus game either based on a specific configuration of the symbols 104 or based on a mystery or hidden event independent of the displayed symbols 104. For example, as illustrated in
The prize 121 can be specified in a prize indicator prior to the bonus game being triggered. For example, as illustrated in
While the base game plays, the prize wheel 120 can cycle through the prize items with one of the prizes being highlighted such as via the highlight element 125 and/or some other highlight effect or feature (e.g., a sparkle, a glow, an outline, a 3D effect, a fish-eye or magnification effect, etc.). When the bonus game is triggered (as in
In some examples, the prizes specified in the prize wheel 120 are not funded by the wagers made via primary content 103. For example, the prizes may be funded by a marketing account. In other examples, however, the prizes on the prize wheel 120 are funded by wagers made via the primary content 103. The value of any prize awarded can be associated with math functions of the base game and/or the bonus game (e.g., expected value, or expected payout, of the bonus can be computed using a value of the prize awarded, or vice versa a value for the prize can be computed used an average expected payout for the bonus game).
Further, some embodiments of the inventive subject matter describe examples of wagering game with a prize option in a network wagering venue (e.g., an online casino, a wagering game website, a wagering network, etc.) using a communication network. Embodiments can be presented over any type of communications network that provides access to wagering games, such as a public network (e.g., a public wide-area-network, such as the Internet), a private network (e.g., a private local-area-network gaming network), a file sharing network, a social network, etc., or any combination of networks. Multiple users can be connected to the networks via computing devices. The multiple users can have user accounts that subscribe to specific services, such as account-based wagering systems (e.g., account-based wagering game websites, account-based casino networks, etc.).
Further, for purposes of the present detailed description, a user may be referred to as a player (i.e., of wagering games), and a player may be referred to interchangeably as a player account. Account-based wagering systems utilize player accounts when transacting and performing activities, at the computer level, that are initiated by players. Therefore, a “player account” represents the player at a computerized level. The player account can perform actions via computerized instructions. For example, in some embodiments, a player account may be referred to as performing an action, controlling an item, communicating information, etc. Although a player, or person, may be activating a game control or device to perform the action, control the item, communicate the information, etc., the player account, at the computer level, can be associated with the player, and therefore any actions associated with the player can be associated with the player account. Therefore, for brevity, to avoid having to describe the interconnection between player and player account in every instance, a “player account” may be referred to herein in either context. Further, in some embodiments herein, the word “gaming” is used interchangeably with “gambling.”
Furthermore, for purposes of the present detailed description, the terms “wagering games,” “gambling,” “slot game,” “casino game,” and the like include games in which a player places at risk a sum of money or other representation of value, whether or not redeemable for cash, on an event with an uncertain outcome, including without limitation those having some element of skill. In some embodiments, the wagering game may involve wagers of real money, as found with typical land-based or on-line casino games. In other embodiments, the wagering game may additionally, or alternatively, involve wagers of non-cash values, such as virtual currency, and therefore may be considered a social or casual game, such as would be typically available on a social networking web site, other web sites, across computer networks, or applications on mobile devices (e.g., phones, tablets, etc.). When provided in a social or casual game format, the wagering game may closely resemble a traditional casino game, or it may take another form that more closely resembles other types of social/casual games.
Although
This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. In the discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference to block diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, the operations can be performed by logic not described in the block diagrams.
In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable storage media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations can be performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform more or less than all the operations shown in any flow diagram.
The flow 300 continues at processing block 304, where the system detects a trigger for presentation of a bonus game associated with the wagering game.
The flow 300 continues at processing block 306, where the system presents an option to select a prize or bonus game play in response to the trigger for the bonus game occurring during play of the primary wagering game.
In some embodiments, the system presents an indication of the prize being offered prior to presenting the option to select the prize. For example, the system can present an indication of the prize (or prizes) before a player logs on to a game (e.g., in a communication sent to the player, during an attract sequence on a wagering game machine, as an advertisement for the wagering game, etc.). In another example, the system can present an indication of the prize after initiating a gaming session, but before the bonus game is triggered (as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the system presents a prize listing (e.g., a prize wheel) during play of a wagering game. In some embodiments, the system can cycle through the prize items in the prize listing, showing only some of the prize items for a period of time before showing others of the prize items.
In some embodiments, the prizes offered in the prize listing can change when a player changes their betting level (e.g., when a player chooses to bet max bet, when a player chooses to play the max number of lines for a given denomination, when the player increases the denomination, etc.). In some embodiments, the system can cycle through prize groupings or prize levels (e.g., cycle through the prizes at a current betting level, cycle through all possible prizes for all betting levels, or some combination).
In some embodiments, the system can present prizes of different values. In one example, the system can set or adjust value of a prize based on a player's betting level or betting history. For example, the system can set or adjust values of a prize based on a number of games played, a bet denomination for a wagering game, an average bet amount per play, an average amount of lines bet on per play, a quantity or value of betting over time, etc. The more a player bets (e.g., over time, for higher amounts of credits per bet, or for higher denominations of bets), then the system can increase a quantity or value of the prize being offered (e.g., a player who has bet more over time is eligible for a higher prize). In some embodiments, the system can utilize different prize listings associated with different betting levels. Further, the system can limit a number of bet levels that are eligible to attain a prize. For example, only a max bet, or a few high betting levels could be eligible as opposed to all betting levels.
In some examples, the value of prize can be a market price of a prize item. For instance, the value of the prize can be a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), a wholesale price, or some other type of actual or suggested cost for the prize. The system can monitor the cost (e.g., MSRP) online and update the prize values based on any changes to the cost.
In some embodiments, the system can provide a first option to affirmatively select the prize offered and not present content for the bonus game used to play the bonus game (e.g., the first button 212 in
The flow 300 continues at processing block 308, where the system determines whether the option for the prize was selected or whether the option for the bonus game play was selected. For example, in
If the system detects that the option for the bonus game play is selected, then, as shown at processing block 312, the system does not award the prize but does allow play of the bonus game. For instance, in
If, however, the system detects that the option for the prize is selected, then, as shown at processing block 310, the system awards the prize and does not award bonus game play. For instance, the system can indicate in a player's gaming account that the player selected the prize, and communicate the selection to a prize redemption service (e.g., a redemption kiosk at a casino, a shipping service that ships the prize to a home address, etc.). The system can then return to an idle state for the wagering game to await a player's next wager.
In some embodiments, the funding for the prize can come from the wagering game or from sources outside the wagering game. For example, the prize can be awarded using funds from a marketing account independent from funds attained via one or more wagers of the wagering game. If a prize is funded via a marketing account, when the player selects the prize instead playing the bonus game that was triggered, the system can consider the bonus game that was triggered as having a non-winning (e.g., zero) award value for that play of the bonus game. As a result, to compensate for the non-winning value, the system can later make additional pay outs in other ways (e.g., payout mystery prizes, trigger the bonus more often, provide extra multipliers in the bonus, etc.) representing a difference between the non-winning value and the average expected payout of the bonus game.
In other embodiments, the prize can be funded using funds from the wagering game. Consequently, the system can utilize a value for the prize as a payout for the given bonus game that was triggered. In some embodiments, the value of the prize is related to an expected average payout for the bonus game. In one example, the system can use a prize value that is substantially equivalent to an average expected payout for the bonus game based on a history of game play for the bonus game. The average expected payout is the average amount of a bonus award that can be expected to be paid out for any given round of a bonus game according to previously played rounds of the bonus game. The average expected payout for the bonus game can be computed by dividing (a) a total amount of bonus awards paid out over a long time for the bonus game by (b) the number of times the bonus game has been played. In some embodiments, for any given round of the bonus game, there can be some variability, or volatility, to the amount that could possibly be won, which could be greater than or less than the monetary value of the prize. In some embodiments, the value of the prize, once offered and/or accepted, does not change based on play of the bonus game. In some embodiments, the system can require the player to spin the prize wheel, and the prize wheel itself has an expected prize payout value that is equivalent to the bonus game's average payout (i.e., some prizes are worth more and some are worth less).
In some embodiments, the system can dynamically generate an expected payout for the round of the bonus game that was not played based on a value of the prize. For instance, the system can use a cost (e.g., MSRP) for the prize when computing an amount of payout for the round of the bonus game that was not played when the player instead selects the prize (e.g., for eventually paying out more during subsequent bonus games and/or for computing an updated average payout for the game).
In some instances, prize payouts over a given period may exceed an average expected bonus game payout, or vice versa. In some embodiments, the system can ensure that prize values and expected bonus payout are equivalent over time by doing certain things, some of which are described in the following paragraphs:
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the system provides for an operator to configure settings of the wagering game based on the prize value. For example, because the prize value may be greater than, or less than, an average expected payout for the bonus game, the system can specify whether to alter the symbol pays, increase/decrease a minimum bet amount, increase/decrease a trigger frequency of the bonus game, etc. to compensate for the difference to ensure that the wagering game meets an average expected payout. If the operator wants players to win a prize more often, the system provides a mechanism for the operator to increase the bonus trigger frequency. If the operator wants a specific prize to be awarded which is greater in value than the average payout, the system provides a mechanism for the operator to configure the game so that the minimum bet amount is raised and/or to cause lower symbol pays, thus increasing the amount of wagers that can be utilized to compensate for the prize value being higher than an average expected payout.
According to some embodiments, a wagering game system (“system”) can provide various example devices, operations, etc., to offer prizes in wagering games. The following non-exhaustive list enumerates some possible embodiments.
Additional Options for Prize Offerings.
In some embodiments, the system can introduce an additional option to defer receiving the prize, (i.e., bank or save an equivalent value of the prize to be added to the next time the prize option comes up). The prize values that are banked can accumulate in a player's account as a form of secondary currency that can be used at a later time to attain greater prizes or to upgrade prizes (e.g., in a subsequent prize offering or after a wagering game session ends). In one example, by deferring the prize, the next time the prize offering occurs for the player, the prize offering (e.g., a prize wheel) can be a higher valued prize offering (e.g. the prize wheel has prizes with higher values than the previous prize wheel). In some embodiments, the system can store player preferences to automatically bank a prize or choose bonus game play if all of the offered prizes in an offering are not prizes that the player wants. The system can further prompt a player when a prize comes up that the player wants, then give the option to choose the prize.
Prize Offerings in Non-Monetary Wagering Games.
In some embodiments, the system presents an option to select a prize in place of bonus game play for wagering games with monetary wagers (e.g., wagering games where a player wagers a cash value for a potential cash award).
For non-monetary wagering games, a bonus game can be triggered which can provide a chance to win non-cash game awards (e.g., additional virtual coins). The system can offer a prize instead of game play of the bonus game. In some examples, the prize can be one or more of the following:
Eligibility Requirements for Participation in a Prize Offering.
In some embodiments, the system can require that a player meet certain eligibility requirements prior to receiving an option for a prize. For example, in some embodiments described previously, a player's betting level can affect the value of a prize. For example, some requirements may be based on game play levels or play history, such as an amount of wagering on wagering games (e.g., either monetary or non-monetary). In another example, the system can alert a player, via their mobile device, to go to a particular geo-location (e.g., to a casino, or to a particular wagering game machine at a casino, etc.) to play the bonus game and/or to perform additional activities.
Some eligibility requirements may be related to time. For example, the system can require that a player be logged in and/or has wagered within a specific time period. In another example, the system can require certain eligibility requirements to be met on a periodic basis (e.g., daily, weekly, etc.). If missed, a sub-requirement (e.g., missed a day) could be made up (e.g., a player has to perform twice the spending missed in a previous day). However, if the player meets lower levels of the periodic eligibility requirements (e.g., only three of five days), then the prize value is lowered. Some periodic based eligibility requirements can be completed in advance or made up if wagering levels exceed a threshold in current or past playing session. For example, a player may not play daily (even though a daily playing requirement may be in place). However, when the player plays, the player bets high amounts. Thus, the system can detect that the player spends a lot in fewer session and, therefore, could waive certain periodic requirements or cause certain period requirements to be met in advance. In some embodiments, the system can store up requirements (e.g., if a player can only play two days a week, then the system can ensure that all eligibility requirements are met for an entire week by requiring extra spending/wagering on the days that the player can play). In some examples, those players with higher eligibility can get additional prizes (e.g., secret prizes). For example, if a player has met their daily requirements, then the extra prizes could occur either on a daily basis, at an end of a requirement period, during a bonus game, after a bonus game, etc.
Use of a Progress Meter in Connection with Prize Offerings.
In some embodiments, the system can utilize a progress meter in connection with prize offerings. For example, as illustrated in
In some examples, the progress meter 505 is linked, or associated, with the prize wheel 520. For example, the system can provide a way for a player to use some of their eligibility (e.g., use up some of the progress in the progress meter 505) to spin the prize wheel 520 for lesser prizes that are not a grand prize. In some embodiments, the progress meter 505 and prize wheel 520 can both be the same object on a user interface. In some embodiments, the degree to which the progress meter 505 fills up can affect the potential prizes (e.g., a bonus game may be triggered sometime after the progress meter 505 reaches 75% full and for progress in the progress meter 505 beyond 75% completion, the potential prizes in the prize wheel 520 increase in value until the bonus round is triggered).
In some embodiments, eligibility requirements may be related to a progress meter. For example, the system may cause the progress meter to increase based on player bets/activities (e.g., from the player and/or from other players). In another example, the system may require a progress meter to fill up a certain number of times before the player is eligible to select or receive the prize. In yet another example, as illustrated in
Further, a progress meter can be utilized for single player sessions and/or for group play (e.g., group sessions, group competitions for prizes, etc.). For example, referring again to
In another example, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the system can detect who has the highest game score at the end of the group play. The group member with the highest game score wins at least a portion of the prize. In some embodiments, the system can present a slot tournament where the winner of the slot tournament wins the prize.
The system can also conduct card tournaments where players can receive prize options for specific items to help potentially perform better in the tournament (e.g., the system gives the player options to swap out cards, gives the player the choice to select from a best of three hands, etc.).
In some embodiments, the system can set the value of the prize based on how long the player has played and/or how much the player has wagered while the meter was filling up. Thus, in some embodiments, each player's display (e.g., a prize wheel or a progress meter) can be customized to the player's level of play (e.g., level of contribution or wagers, level of time spent playing, etc.). In the example mentioned in
In some examples, a player's past level of play can affect a number of games or playing turns the player gets in the group play for the bonus game. In some embodiments, the system can provide an option to purchase more games or playing turns in the group play. In some examples, the system can provide additional player benefits after the bonus game based on the player's level of play.
In other examples, a player may not be required to compete in group play but may, instead, be entered into a sweepstakes when a progress meter fills up. In such an example, the player's level of play can affect a number of entries entered for that player to win the prize. In some embodiments, the system can limit the entries to the first number of players who become eligible. The system can then hold the drawing after the first number of individuals have become eligible.
This section describes example operating environments, systems, architectures, and networks, etc. and presents structural aspects of some embodiments.
The wagering game system architecture 800 can also include a wagering game server 850 configured to control wagering game content, provide random numbers, and communicate wagering game information, account information, and other information to and from a wagering game machine 860. The wagering game server 850 can include a content controller 851 configured to manage and control content for presentation on the wagering game machine 860. For example, the content controller 851 can generate game results (e.g., win/loss values), including win amounts, for games played on the wagering game machine 860. The content controller 851 can communicate the game results to the wagering game machine 860. The content controller 851 can also generate random numbers and provide them to the wagering game machine 860 so that the wagering game machine 860 can generate game results. The wagering game server 850 can also include a content store 852 configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine 860. The wagering game server 850 can also include an account manager 853 configured to control information related to player accounts. For example, the account manager 853 can communicate wager amounts, game results amounts (e.g., win amounts), bonus game amounts, etc., to the account server 870. The wagering game server 850 can also include a communication unit 854 configured to communicate information to the wagering game machine 860 and to communicate with other systems, devices and networks. The wagering game server 850 can also include a dynamic prize offering module 855 configured to dynamically provide an offering of a prize in connection with a bonus game.
The wagering game system architecture 800 can also include the wagering game machine 860 configured to present wagering games. The wagering game machine 860 can include a content controller 861 configured to manage and control content and presentation of content on the wagering game machine 860. The wagering game machine 860 can also include a content store 862 configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine 860. The wagering game machine 860 can also include an application management module 863 configured to manage multiple instances of gaming applications. For example, the application management module 863 can be configured to launch, load, unload and control applications and instances of applications. The application management module 863 can launch different software players (e.g., a Microsoft® Silverlight™ player, an Adobe® Flash® player, etc.) and manage, coordinate, and prioritize what the software players do. The application management module 863 can also coordinate instances of server applications in addition to local copies of applications. The application management module 863 can control window locations on a wagering game screen or display for the multiple gaming applications. In some embodiments, the application management module 863 can manage window locations on multiple displays including displays on devices associated with and/or external to the wagering game machine 860 (e.g., a top display and a bottom display on the wagering game machine 860, a peripheral device connected to the wagering game machine 860, a mobile device connected to the wagering game machine 860, etc.). The application management module 863 can manage priority or precedence of client applications that compete for the same display area. For instance, the application management module 863 can determine each client application's precedence. The precedence may be static (i.e. set only when the client application first launches or connects) or dynamic. The applications may provide precedence values to the application management module 863, which the application management module 863 can use to establish order and priority. The precedence, or priority, values can be related to tilt events, administrative events, primary game events (e.g., hierarchical, levels, etc.), secondary game events, local bonus game events, advertising events, etc. As each client application runs, it can also inform the application management module 863 of its current presentation state. The applications may provide presentation state values to the application management module 863, which the application management module 863 can use to evaluate and assess priority. Examples of presentation states may include celebration states (e.g., indicates that client application is currently running a win celebration), playing states (e.g., indicates that the client application is currently playing), game starting states (e.g., indicates that the client application is showing an invitation or indication that a game is about to start), status update states (e.g., indicates that the client application is not ‘playing’ but has a change of status that should be annunciated, such as a change in progressive meter values or a change in a bonus game multiplier), idle states (e.g., indicates that the client application is idle), etc. In some embodiments, the application management module 863 can be pre-configurable. The system can provide controls and interfaces for operators to control screen layouts and other presentation features for the configuring of the application management module 863. The application management module 863 can communicate with, and/or be a communication mechanism for, a base game stored on a wagering game machine. For example, the application management module 863 can communicate events from the base game such as the base game state, pay line status, bet amount status, etc. The application management module 863 can also provide events that assist and/or restrict the base game, such as providing bet amounts from secondary gaming applications, inhibiting play based on gaming event priority, etc. The application management module 863 can also communicate some (or all) financial information between the base game and other applications including amounts wagered, amounts won, base game outcomes, etc. The application management module 863 can also communicate pay table information such as possible outcomes, bonus frequency, etc. In some embodiments, the application management module 863 can control different types of applications. For example, the application management module 863 can perform rendering operations for presenting applications of varying platforms, formats, environments, programming languages, etc. For example, the application management module 863 can be written in one programming language format (e.g., JavaScript, Java, C++, etc.) but can manage, and communicate data from, applications that are written in other programming languages or that communicate in different data formats (e.g., Adobe® Flash®, Microsoft® Silverlight™, Adobe® Air™, hyper-text markup language, etc.). The application management module 863 can include a portable virtual machine capable of generating and executing code for the varying platforms, formats, environments, programming languages, etc. The application management module 863 can enable many-to-many messaging distribution and can enable the multiple applications to communicate with each other in a cross-manufacturer environment at the client application level. For example, multiple gaming applications on a wagering game machine may need to coordinate many different types of gaming and casino services events (e.g., financial or account access to run spins on the base game and/or run side bets, transacting drink orders, tracking player history and player loyalty points, etc.).
The wagering game machine 860 can also include a dynamic prize offering module 864 configured to dynamically provide an offering of a prize in connection with a bonus game.
The wagering game system architecture 800 can also include the secondary content server 840 configured to provide content and control information for secondary games and other secondary content available on a wagering game network (e.g., secondary wagering game content, promotions content, advertising content, player tracking content, web content, etc.). The secondary content server 840 can provide “secondary” content, or content for “secondary” games presented on the wagering game machine 860. “Secondary” in some embodiments can refer to an application's importance or priority of the data. In some embodiments, “secondary” can refer to a distinction, or separation, from a primary application (e.g., separate application files, separate content, separate states, separate functions, separate processes, separate programming sources, separate processor threads, separate data, separate control, separate domains, etc.). Nevertheless, in some embodiments, secondary content and control can be passed between applications (e.g., via application protocol interfaces), thus becoming, or falling under the control of, primary content or primary applications, and vice versa. In some embodiments, the secondary content can be in one or more different formats, such as Adobe® Flash®, Microsoft® Silverlight™, Adobe® Air™, hyper-text markup language, etc. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 840 can provide and control content for community games, including networked games, social games, competitive games, or any other game that multiple players can participate in at the same time. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 840 can control and present an online website that hosts wagering games. The secondary content server 840 can also be configured to present multiple wagering game applications on the wagering game machine 860 via a wagering game website, or other gaming-type venue accessible via the Internet. The secondary content server 840 can host an online wagering website and/or a social networking website. The secondary content server 840 can include other devices, servers, mechanisms, etc., that provide functionality (e.g., controls, web pages, applications, etc.) that web users can use to connect to a social networking application and/or website and utilize social networking and website features (e.g., communications mechanisms, applications, etc.). The secondary content server 840 can also be configured to provide content presentable via an application of the mobile device 830. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 840 can also host social networking accounts, provide social networking content, control social networking communications, store associated social contacts, etc. The secondary content server 840 can also provide chat functionality for a social networking website, a chat application, or any other social networking communications mechanism. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 840 can utilize player data to determine marketing promotions that may be of interest to a player account. The secondary content server 840 can also analyze player data and generate analytics for players, group players into demographics, integrate with third party marketing services and devices, etc. The secondary content server 840 can also provide player data to third parties that can use the player data for marketing. In some embodiments, the secondary content server 840 can provide one or more social networking communication mechanisms that publish (e.g., post, broadcast, etc.) a message to a mass (e.g., to multiple people, users, social contacts, accounts, etc.). The social networking communication mechanism can publish the message to the mass simultaneously. Examples of the published message may include, but not be limited to, a blog post, a mass message post, a news feed post, a profile status update, a mass chat feed, a mass text message broadcast, a video blog, a forum post, etc. Multiple users and/or accounts can access the published message and/or receive automated notifications of the published message.
The wagering game system architecture 800 can also include the online gaming server 880 configured to control and present a website that hosts gaming related content (e.g., monetary type wagering games, non-monetary type wagering games, social networking content related to gaming, etc.). The online gaming server 880 can be configured to present multiple applications on the website via the Internet. The online gaming server 880 can host a social network. The online gaming server 880 can include other devices, servers, mechanisms, etc., that provide functionality (e.g., controls, web pages, applications, etc.) that web users can use to connect to a social networking application and/or website and utilize social networking and website features (e.g., communications mechanisms, applications, etc.). The online gaming server 880 can also be configured to provide content presentable via an application of the mobile device 830.
The wagering game system architecture 800 can also include the mobile device 830 configured to control mobile communications and applications. The mobile device 830 may also be referred to as a handheld device, a handheld computer or simply handheld. In some embodiments, the mobile device 830 is a pocket-sized computing device, having a display screen with touch input and/or a miniature keyboard. Some examples of the mobile device 830 may include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a mobile computer, a mobile internet device, a portable media player, a mobile phone, a pager, a personal navigation device, etc. In some embodiments, the mobile device 830 functions via a wireless application protocol (WAP). In some embodiments, the mobile device 830 may include integrated data capture devices like barcode readers, radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, In-cell Optical LCD readers, and smart card readers. In some embodiments, the mobile device 830 is configured to communicate with wagering game devices, such as the wagering game server 850, the wagering game machine 860, the online gaming server 880, the secondary content server 840, and the account server 870. In some embodiments the mobile device 830 is personal (i.e., belongs to a user), which the user can carry on their person. The mobile device 830 can include a dynamic prize offering module 831 configured to dynamically provide an offering of a prize in connection with a bonus game.
Each component shown in the wagering game system architecture 800 is shown as a separate and distinct element connected via a communications network 822. However, some functions performed by one component could be performed by other components. For example, the wagering game server 850 can also be configured to perform functions of the application management module 863, and other network elements and/or system devices. Furthermore, the components shown may all be contained in one device, but some, or all, may be included in, or performed by, multiple devices, as in the configurations shown in
The wagering game machines described herein (e.g., wagering game machine 860) can take any suitable form, such as floor standing models, handheld mobile wagering game machines, bar-top models, workstation-type console models, surface computing machines, etc. Further, wagering game machines can be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wagering games.
In some embodiments, wagering game machines and wagering game servers work together such that wagering game machines can be operated as thin, thick, or intermediate clients. For example, one or more elements of game play may be controlled by the wagering game machines (client) or the wagering game servers (server). Game play elements can include executable game code, lookup tables, configuration files, game outcome, audio or visual representations of the game, game assets or the like. In a thin-client example, the wagering game server can perform functions such as determining game outcome or managing assets, while the wagering game machines can present a graphical representation of such outcome or asset modification to the user (e.g., player). In a thick-client example, the wagering game machines can determine game outcomes and communicate the outcomes to the wagering game server for recording or managing a player's account.
In some embodiments, either the wagering game machines (client) or the wagering game server(s) can provide functionality that is not directly related to game play. For example, account transactions and account rules may be managed centrally (e.g., by the wagering game server(s)) or locally (e.g., by the wagering game machines). Other functionality not directly related to game play may include power management, presentation of advertising, software or firmware updates, system quality or security checks, etc.
Furthermore, the wagering game system architecture 800 can be implemented as software, hardware, any combination thereof, or other forms of embodiments not listed. For example, any of the network components (e.g., the wagering game machines, servers, etc.) can include hardware and machine-readable storage media including instructions for performing the operations described herein.
The CPU 926 is also connected to an input/output (“I/O”) bus 922, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 922 is connected to a payout mechanism 908, primary display 910, secondary display 912, value input device 914, player input device 916, information reader 918, and storage unit 930. The player input device 916 can include the value input device 914 to the extent the player input device 916 is used to place wagers. The I/O bus 922 is also connected to an external system interface 924, which is connected to external systems 904 (e.g., wagering game networks). The external system interface 924 can include logic for exchanging information over wired and wireless networks (e.g., 802.11g transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, Ethernet transceiver, etc.)
The I/O bus 922 is also connected to a location unit 938. The location unit 938 can create player information that indicates the wagering game machine's location/movements in a casino. In some embodiments, the location unit 938 includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver that can determine the wagering game machine's location using GPS satellites. In other embodiments, the location unit 938 can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can determine the wagering game machine's location using RFID readers positioned throughout a casino. Some embodiments can use GPS receiver and RFID tags in combination, while other embodiments can use other suitable methods for determining the wagering game machine's location. Although not shown in
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 906 can include additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 906 includes a dynamic prize offering module 937. The dynamic prize offering module 937 can process communications, commands, or other information, where the processing can dynamically offer prizes in wagering games (e.g., dynamically provide an offering of a prize option in connection with a bonus game).
Furthermore, any component of the wagering game machine 906 can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable storage media including instructions for performing the operations described herein.
The wagering game machine 1060 illustrated in
Input devices, such as the touch screen 1018, buttons 1020, a mouse, a joystick, a gesture-sensing device, a voice-recognition device, and a virtual input device, accept player input(s) and transform the player input(s) to electronic data signals indicative of the player input(s), which correspond to an enabled feature for such input(s) at a time of activation (e.g., pressing a “Max Bet” button or soft key to indicate a player's desire to place a maximum wager to play the wagering game). The input(s), once transformed into electronic data signals, are output to a CPU for processing. The electronic data signals are selected from a group consisting essentially of an electrical current, an electrical voltage, an electrical charge, an optical signal, an optical element, a magnetic signal, and a magnetic element.
Embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the inventive subject matter may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer readable program code embodied in the medium. The described embodiments may be provided as a computer program product that may include a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system to perform a process according to embodiments(s), whether presently described or not, because every conceivable variation is not enumerated herein. A machine-readable storage medium includes any mechanism that stores information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, machine-readable storage media includes magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette), read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media (e.g., CD-ROM), magneto-optical storage media, flash memory, erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or other types of media suitable for storing electronic instructions. In addition, embodiments may be embodied in a machine-readable signal media, such as any media suitable for transmitting software over a network.
This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein. Features of various embodiments described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.
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