Patent Application
20150011294
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which 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.
The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a method for selecting a start point for playing a portion of a wagering game episode.
Gaming 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 with players is dependent 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 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 gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a “secondary” or “bonus” game that may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may additionally award players with “progressive jackpot” awards that are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.
One type of wagering game is an episodic wagering game in which the game play progresses through a plurality of game episodes. One disadvantage with some current episodic wagering games is that they require the player to play through each portion of the episodes until the game is completed. For entertainment or other reasons, the player may wish to replay a particular portion of the episodic wagering game to receive a higher award or a higher number of points than previously received. For example, the player may wish to replay a previously played portion hoping that he or she will receive a more favorable outcome (e.g., a larger award or a higher number of points). Thus, the player is likely to become frustrated and annoyed because he or she cannot manually select to replay any previously played portion of the episodic wagering game.
Accordingly, a need exists for a wagering game in which the player can manually select a starting point of any previously played portion of the wagering game. The present invention is directed to satisfying one or more of these needs and solving other problems.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The wagering game has a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes, at least one of the plurality of game episodes having a plurality of episode features. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to cause, in response to a manual selection received from the player, the start of the wagering game from any previously played feature of the plurality of episode features.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager input from a player for playing a wagering game having a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes. The method further includes selecting at least one randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to the receiving step. A game episode of the plurality of game episodes is completed in response to completing all episode features of the game episode. The player is provided with a selectable start point for playing the wagering game, the start point being selectable from any episode feature of a prior completed game episode of the plurality of game episodes.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable storage medium is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming system to perform the above method.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for playing a wagering game includes receiving a wager input from a player for playing a wagering game having an episodic game-play progression. At least one randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes is selected in response to receiving the wager input. An initial Basegame Feature of a game episode is played and, in response to playing one or more subsequent missions of the game episode, completing the game episode. A selectable gameplay start point is provided in response to completing the game episode, the start point being selected from any Basegame Feature of the game episode, which includes the initial Basegame Feature and the one or more subsequent missions.
Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
a is a perspective view of a free standing gaming machine embodying the present invention.
b is a perspective view of a handheld gaming machine embodying the present invention.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
Referring to
The gaming machine 10 comprises a housing 12 and includes input devices, including a value input device 18 and a player input device 24. For output the gaming machine 10 includes a primary display 14 for displaying information about the basic wagering game. The primary display 14 can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming machine 10 may also include a secondary display 16 for displaying game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in the gaming machine 10 are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine 10.
The value input device 18 may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of the housing 12. The value input device 18 receives currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. The value input device 18 may include a coin acceptor 20 for receiving coin currency (see
The player input device 24 comprises a plurality of push buttons 26 on a button panel for operating the gaming machine 10. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 24 may comprise a touch screen 28 mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display 14 and/or secondary display 16. The touch screen 28 contains soft touch keys 30 denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display 14 and used to operate the gaming machine 10. The touch screen 28 provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen 28 at an appropriate touch key 30 or by pressing an appropriate push button 26 on the button panel. The touch keys 30 may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons 26. Alternatively, the push buttons 26 may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys 30 may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game.
The various components of the gaming machine 10 may be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 12, as seen in
The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the primary display 14. The primary display 14 can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 14 may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gaming machine 10. As shown, the primary display 14 includes the touch screen 28 overlaying the entire display (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the primary display 14 of the gaming machine 10 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual association with at least one payline 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is an “upright” version in which the primary display 14 is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display 14 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the gaming machine 10.
A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device 18 of the gaming machine 10. A player can select play by using the player input device 24, via the buttons 26 or the touch screen keys 30. The basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline 32 that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.
In some embodiments, the gaming machine 10 may also include a player information reader 52 that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. The player information reader 52 is shown in
Depicted in FIG. lb is a handheld or mobile gaming machine 110. Like the free standing gaming machine 10, the handheld gaming machine 110 is preferably an electronic gaming machine configured to play a video casino game such as, but not limited to, blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, and roulette. The handheld gaming machine 110 comprises a housing or casing 112 and includes input devices, including a value input device 118 and a player input device 124. For output the handheld gaming machine 110 includes, but is not limited to, a primary display 114, a secondary display 116, one or more speakers 117, one or more player-accessible ports 119 (e.g., an audio output jack for headphones, a video headset jack, etc.), and other conventional I/O devices and ports, which may or may not be player-accessible. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. lb, the handheld gaming machine 110 comprises a secondary display 116 that is rotatable relative to the primary display 114. The optional secondary display 116 may be fixed, movable, and/or detachable/attachable relative to the primary display 114. Either the primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116 may be configured to display any aspect of a non-wagering game, wagering game, secondary games, bonus games, progressive wagering games, group games, shared-experience games or events, game events, game outcomes, scrolling information, text messaging, emails, alerts or announcements, broadcast information, subscription information, and handheld gaming machine status.
The player-accessible value input device 118 may comprise, for example, a slot located on the front, side, or top of the casing 112 configured to receive credit from a stored-value card (e.g., casino card, smart card, debit card, credit card, etc.) inserted by a player. In another aspect, the player-accessible value input device 118 may comprise a sensor (e.g., an RF sensor) configured to sense a signal (e.g., an RF signal) output by a transmitter (e.g., an RF transmitter) carried by a player. The player-accessible value input device 118 may also or alternatively include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit or funds storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the handheld gaming machine 110.
Still other player-accessible value input devices 118 may require the use of touch keys 130 on the touch screen display (e.g., primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116) or player input devices 124. Upon entry of player identification information and, preferably, secondary authorization information (e.g., a password, PIN number, stored value card number, predefined key sequences, etc.), the player may be permitted to access a player's account. As one potential optional security feature, the handheld gaming machine 110 may be configured to permit a player to only access an account the player has specifically set up for the handheld gaming machine 110. Other conventional security features may also be utilized to, for example, prevent unauthorized access to a player's account, to minimize an impact of any unauthorized access to a player's account, or to prevent unauthorized access to any personal information or funds temporarily stored on the handheld gaming machine 110.
The player-accessible value input device 118 may itself comprise or utilize a biometric player information reader which permits the player to access available funds on a player's account, either alone or in combination with another of the aforementioned player-accessible value input devices 118. In an embodiment wherein the player-accessible value input device 118 comprises a biometric player information reader, transactions such as an input of value to the handheld device, a transfer of value from one player account or source to an account associated with the handheld gaming machine 110, or the execution of another transaction, for example, could all be authorized by a biometric reading, which could comprise a plurality of biometric readings, from the biometric device.
Alternatively, to enhance security, a transaction may be optionally enabled only by a two-step process in which a secondary source confirms the identity indicated by a primary source. For example, a player-accessible value input device 118 comprising a biometric player information reader may require a confirmatory entry from another biometric player information reader 152, or from another source, such as a credit card, debit card, player ID card, fob key, PIN number, password, hotel room key, etc. Thus, a transaction may be enabled by, for example, a combination of the personal identification input (e.g., biometric input) with a secret PIN number, or a combination of a biometric input with a fob input, or a combination of a fob input with a PIN number, or a combination of a credit card input with a biometric input. Essentially, any two independent sources of identity, one of which is secure or personal to the player (e.g., biometric readings, PIN number, password, etc.) could be utilized to provide enhanced security prior to the electronic transfer of any funds. In another aspect, the value input device 118 may be provided remotely from the handheld gaming machine 110.
The player input device 124 comprises a plurality of push buttons on a button panel for operating the handheld gaming machine 110. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 124 may comprise a touch screen 128 mounted to a primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116. In one aspect, the touch screen 128 is matched to a display screen having one or more selectable touch keys 130 selectable by a user's touching of the associated area of the screen using a finger or a tool, such as a stylus pointer. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen 128 at an appropriate touch key 130 or by pressing an appropriate push button 126 on the button panel. The touch keys 130 may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons 126. Alternatively, the push buttons may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys 130 may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game. The various components of the handheld gaming machine 110 may be connected directly to, or contained within, the casing 112, as seen in
The operation of the basic wagering game on the handheld gaming machine 110 is displayed to the player on the primary display 114. The primary display 114 can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 114 preferably takes the form of a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the handheld gaming machine 110. The size of the primary display 114 may vary from, for example, about a 2″-3″ display to a 15″ or 17″ display. In at least some aspects, the primary display 114 is a 7″-10″ display. As the weight of and/or power requirements of such displays decreases with improvements in technology, it is envisaged that the size of the primary display may be increased. Optionally, coatings or removable films or sheets may be applied to the display to provide desired characteristics (e.g., anti-scratch, anti-glare, bacterially-resistant and anti-microbial films, etc.). In at least some embodiments, the primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116 may have a 16:9 aspect ratio or other aspect ratio (e.g., 4:3). The primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116 may also each have different resolutions, different color schemes, and different aspect ratios.
As with the free standing gaming machine 10, a player begins play of the basic wagering game on the handheld gaming machine 110 by making a wager (e.g., via the value input device 18 or an assignment of credits stored on the handheld gaming machine via the touch screen keys 130, player input device 124, or buttons 126) on the handheld gaming machine 110. In at least some aspects, the basic game may comprise a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline 132 that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.
In some embodiments, the player-accessible value input device 118 of the handheld gaming machine 110 may double as a player information reader 152 that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating the player's identity (e.g., reading a player's credit card, player 1D card, smart card, etc.). The player information reader 152 may alternatively or also comprise a bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage medium interface. In one presently preferred aspect, the player information reader 152, shown by way of example in
Turning now to
The controller 34 is also coupled to the system memory 36 and a money/credit detector 38. The system memory 36 may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). The system memory 36 may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector 38 signals the processor that money and/or credits have been input via the value input device 18. Preferably, these components are located within the housing 12 of the gaming machine 10. However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of the housing 12 and connected to the remainder of the components of the gaming machine 10 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods.
As seen in
Communications between the controller 34 and both the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 and external systems 50 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 46, 48. More specifically, the controller 34 controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 through the input/output circuits 46. Further, the controller 34 communicates with the external systems 50 via the I/O circuits 48 and a communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). The external systems 50 may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits 46, 48 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that each of the I/O circuits 46, 48 may include a number of different types of I/O circuits.
Controller 34, as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outside of the gaming machine 10 that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the gaming machine 10 and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. The controller 34 may comprise one or more controllers or processors. In
The gaming machines 10,110 may communicate with external systems 50 (in a wired or wireless manner) such that each machine operates as a “thin client,” having relatively less functionality, a “thick client,” having relatively more functionality, or through any range of functionality therebetween. As a generally “thin client,” the gaming machine may operate primarily as a display device to display the results of gaming outcomes processed externally, for example, on a server as part of the external systems 50. In this “thin client” configuration, the server executes game code and determines game outcomes (e.g., with a random number generator), while the controller 34 on board the gaming machine processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machine. In an alternative “rich client” configuration, the server determines game outcomes, while the controller 34 on board the gaming machine executes game code and processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machines. In yet another alternative “thick client” configuration, the controller 34 on board the gaming machine 110 executes game code, determines game outcomes, and processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machine. Numerous alternative configurations are possible such that the aforementioned and other functions may be performed onboard or external to the gaming machine as may be necessary for particular applications. It should be understood that the gaming machines 10,110 may take on a wide variety of forms such as a free standing machine, a portable or handheld device primarily used for gaming, a mobile telecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or personal daily assistant (PDA), a counter top or bar top gaming machine, or other personal electronic device such as a portable television, MP3 player, entertainment device, etc.
The wagering game played on the gaming machine 10, 110 is conducted in accordance with basic gaming rules that are familiar to a typical player. For example, the player may play a slots game in which the basic gaming rules provide a slots game that is played via five spinning reels. The player may conduct a slots game in which the randomly selected outcome is indicated via a plurality of predetermined symbols, such as cherry, lemon, orange, apple, and banana symbols. The player may conduct a slots game in which winning combinations are indicated to the player in a paytable, and in which the player can select a maximum of ten left-to-right paylines. Thus, before playing the slots game, the player has a general expectancy that the slots game will be played according to the respective set of basic gaming rules.
Referring to
The game episode is part of a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes, wherein an end of an episode generally triggers the beginning of another episode. Generally, the game-play progression is linear, such as when the player is required to complete a first episode before being able to play a second episode (in contrast to being able to play a third episode). Alternatively, the game-play progression can be non-linear (i.e., after completing a first episode the player is able to play any of a second episode or a third episode).
At least one of the game episodes includes a plurality of game features, also referred to as missions. The game features can include basic games and/or bonus games. For example, a game feature can be a reel spin in which one or more game-enhancement parameters are applied to the reels (e.g., wild reels, spin multipliers, multiplying wilds, wild symbols, etc.). To complete a particular game episode, the player plays one or more of the game features. Optionally, the player is required to play all the game features of a respective game episode before completing the game episode.
The player starts playing the first episode and, sequentially, plays a first feature and a second feature of the first episode. After completing the first episode, the player is provided with an option to select a starting point from the completed first episode. Accordingly, the player can replay the first episode starting from the first feature or from the second feature. If the player does not wish to play any feature of the first episode, the player starts playing a second episode.
Optionally, the player knows whether one or more game-enhancement parameters are included in the selected feature before making his or her selection. Thus, the player may select to replay the first feature of the first episode based on a favorite game-enhancement parameter that is made available. For example, if the player is aware that the first feature has a wild reels game-enhancement parameter and that the second feature has a spin multiplier game-enhancement parameter, the player may select the first feature (as opposed to the second feature) simply because the player's favorite game-enhancement parameter is the wild reels game-enhancement parameter.
Referring to
The player starts playing Episode 1 and plays the 1st Basegame Feature of the “Wild Reels Cycle.” When the player completes all five missions of the “Wild Reels Cycle,” (i.e., has achieved five of these game enhancement parameters), the wagering game enables the “Spin Multiplier Cycle” and the player now plays the five missions in this cycle. After completing all five missions in the “Spin Multiplier Cycle,” the player is now able to play the five missions of the “Multiplying Wild Cycle.” Finally, the player completes Episode 1 after playing the “Beam Me Up” bonus.
In an alternative embodiment, in addition to merely playing a particular Basegame Feature, the player is required to obtain a particular result to enable the next Basegame Feature. For example, the player is required to win at least 1 credit while playing the 1st Basegame Feature of the “Wild Reels Cycle” before enabling the 2nd Basegame Feature.
Optionally, instead of progressing sequentially (or linearly) through each of the episode missions, the player may play sequentially a Basegame Feature from each episode until all the missions have been completed. For example, the player plays in order the 1st Basegame Feature of the “Wild Reels Cycle,” the 1St Basegame Feature of the “Spin Multiplier Cycle,” the 1st Basegame Feature of the “Multiplying Wild Cycle,” the 2nd Basegame Feature of the Wild Reels Cycle,” etc. Thus, the episodic wagering game can progress using any combination of episodes, cycles, features, and bonuses.
In another exemplary embodiment, the player is required to complete an episode and/or associated features in a non-linear fashion. Thus, the player may be required to select one or more of a plurality of non-linear episodes and/or a plurality of non-linear features before moving on to another portion of the wagering game. For example, the wagering game can include a number of rooms, each having one or more clues that may be used to solve a murder mystery. The player can move from room to room by collecting a predetermined number of clues within each room. Although the player can choose in which room and in what order he or she progresses through the wagering game, the player may be prevented from moving to a next room until he or she has found a predetermined number of clues in the particular room. After solving the murder (e.g., completing the episode), the player would have the option to revisit any of his or her favorite rooms (and the respective features).
When the player completes Episode 1, the player has the option to start playing Episode 2 or to manually select a starting point from any Basegame Feature or bonus of Episode 1. For example, if the player particularly enjoyed the 3rd Basegame Feature of the “Spin Multiplier Cycle,” the player can select that starting point for game play. After playing the 3rd Basegame Feature of the “Spin Multiplier Cycle” for the second time, the player can either continue progressing linearly through Episode 1 (i.e., playing 4th-5th Basegame Features of the “Spin Multiplier Cycle,” the 1st-5th Basegame Features of the “Multiplying Wild Cycle,” and the “Beam Me Up” bonus) or can start playing Episode 2. Alternatively, the player does not have the option to start playing Episode 2 if the player has selected to replay a particular Basegame Feature of Episode 1.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, if each Basegame Feature of a particular cycle is generally identical, the player can manually select as a starting point only the 1st Basegame Feature of a respective cycle. For example, if each of the 1st-5th Basegame Features of the “Spin Multiplier Cycle” are identical, the player can only select as a starting point the respective 1st Basegame Feature.
If the player selects to start playing Episode 2, the player progresses through Episode 2 similarly as in Episode 1. Thus, the player plays each Basegame Feature and bonus of Episode 2. When the player completes Episode 2, the player has the option to start playing Episode 3 or to select a starting point from any Basegame Feature or bonus of Episodes 1 and 2.
If the player selects to start playing Episode 3, the player progresses through Episode 3 similarly as in Episodes 1 and 2. When the player completes Episode 3, the progression through the wagering game is complete and the player has the option to select a starting point from any Basegame Feature or bonus of Episodes 1, 2, and 3.
According to an alternative embodiment, the player can manually select to replay any previously played feature at any time. For example, while playing the 1st Basegame Feature of the “Spin Multiplier Cycle” the player decides that he or she wants to play the 4th Basegame Feature of the “Wild Reels Cycle.” The player can interrupt game play of the 1st Basegame Feature of the “Spin Multiplier Cycle” and manually select to play the 4th Basegame Feature of the “Wild Reels Cycle.” Alternatively, the player can use the manual selection option only during a predetermined time. For example, the player may not be able to interrupt a current Basegame Feature (e.g., the 4th Basegame Feature of the “Wild Reels Cycle”) but, instead, the player must wait until concluding the particular current Basegame Feature, cycle, or episode before being able to make the manual selection.
Referring to
According to an alternative embodiment, the player is required to complete only a particular percentage of features before the player is allowed to play another episode and/or to replay a specific previously played game feature. For example, the player may be required to play and/or complete fifty percent of the total number of features of the episode before being allowed to select a starting point from previously played game features.
Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60856110 | Nov 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13341635 | Dec 2011 | US |
| Child | 14491943 | US | |
| Parent | 12513339 | May 2009 | US |
| Child | 13341635 | US |
