U.S. Pat. No. 10,186,105

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system that includes a game controller. The game controller comprises components that enable the evaluation of game outcomes by the game controller and that enable the game controller to be controlled such that the game controller carries out the evaluation in different ways depending on whether an evaluation change condition is met.

General Construction of an Exemplary Gaming System

The gaming system may assume a number of different forms and/or aspects. In a first aspect, a standalone gaming machine is provided in which all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second aspect, a distributed architecture is provided wherein at least some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and at least some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely from the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely from the gaming machine, such as by a gaming server. Alternatively, a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may selectively operate in standalone gaming machine mode, “thick client,” mode or “thin client” mode depending on several factors, including, for example, the game being played, operating conditions, and/or other factors. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of exemplary core components of a gaming system. The gaming system may include several core components, such as core components50and60, comprising a player interface50and a game controller60, respectively. Player interface50is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes various input/output components required for the player to enter instructions to play the game and observe the game outcomes.

Components of player interface50may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include at least a credit mechanism52to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, at least one display54, a game play mechanism56including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), and one or more speakers58.

Game controller60is in data communication with player interface50and typically includes a processor62that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to display54. Typically, the game play rules are stored as program code in a memory64but can also be hardwired. As used herein, the term “processor” refers generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include, for example, a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. That is, a processor62may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory64and generating outputs (for example on display54). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

FIG. 2illustrates a gaming system in the form of an exemplary standalone gaming machine10. In the exemplary embodiments, gaming machine10includes a console12having a display14on which are displayed representations of a game16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim20of gaming machine10houses a bank of buttons22for enabling a player to interact with gaming machine10, in particular during game play. Mid-trim20may also house a credit input mechanism24, which may include a coin input chute24A and/or a bill collector24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, such as, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, a credit or debit card, and the like. Gaming machine10may further, in various embodiments, include a ticket reader (such as a ticket-in-ticket-out or TITO device) for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. Gaming machine10may also include a player marketing module configured to scan or read a player tracking device, such as, for example, a loyalty or player tracking card implemented within a casino as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive, and/or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may be configured to transfer credits between gaming machine10and the player tracking device.

A top box26may include artwork28, such as, for example, artwork depicting one or more pay tables, bonus award information, as well as other game information or imagery. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel29of console12. A coin tray30may be mounted beneath front panel29for dispensing cash payouts from gaming machine10.

Display14may comprise any suitable display, such as a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display, a plasma display, an OLED display, and the like. Top box26may also include a display, which may be of the same or different from display14.

FIG. 3illustrates a block diagram of exemplary functional components of a typical gaming machine100, which may be the same as or different from the gaming machine10(as shown inFIG. 2).

Gaming machine100includes a game controller101including a processor102mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of processor102are stored in a memory103that is in data communication with processor102. Typically, gaming machine100will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by memory103.

Gaming machine100may further include hardware meters104(to ensure regulatory compliance and to monitor player credit) and/or an input/output (I/O) interface105(for communicating with peripheral devices of gaming machine100). Input/output interface105and/or the peripheral devices may comprise intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data. A random number generator module113may generate random numbers for use by processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that random number generator module113may comprise a pseudo-random number generator.

In an exemplary embodiment, a player interface120includes peripheral devices that communicate with game controller101including one or more displays106, a touch screen and/or input buttons107(which provide a game play mechanism), and a credit input mechanism, such as a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110, and a coin output mechanism111. The credit input mechanism is configured to receive a credit wager to initiate play of a base game, and establish a credit balance (e.g., using the received credit wager) that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity within a game. Player interface120also includes a payout mechanism such as a printer109and/or a coin output mechanism111. The payout mechanism is configured to output a payout to a player of gaming machine100based on an outcome of the game (e.g., a base game and/or a feature game). Additional hardware may be included as part of gaming machine100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example, although buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and to initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle may be used to initiate a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a touch screen can be used to emulate other input devices, such as, for example, a touch screen that can display virtual buttons that a player can “press” by touching the screen where they are displayed.

In addition, gaming machine100may include a communications interface, such as, for example a network card112. Network card112may, for example, send status information, accounting information, and/or other information to a bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, and/or server or database. In various embodiments (e.g., embodiments that employ a player marketing module), communications over a network may be via the player marketing module—e.g., the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of the main components of a memory103. In the exemplary embodiment, memory103includes RAM103A, EPROM103B and a mass storage device103C. RAM103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by processor102and related data. EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. Mass storage device103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor102using protected code from EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of gaming machine100to be distributed. For example, in one embodiment, input/output devices106,107,108,109,110, and111may be provided remotely from game controller101.

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary gaming system200in accordance with an alternative embodiment. Gaming system200includes a network201, which, for example, may comprise a wired or wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH network, an Ethernet network, and RS-232 network, an/or any combination thereof. In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machines202, shown arranged in three banks203of two gaming machines202, are connected to the network201. Gaming machines202may provide a player operable interface and may be the same as (or substantially similar to) the gaming machines10and100(as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3), or may have simplified functionality depending, for example, on various game play requirements. Any suitable number of gaming machine banks203may be utilized.

One or more displays204may also be connected to network201. For example, displays204may be associated with one or more banks203of gaming machines. Displays204may be used to display representations associated with game play on gaming machines202and/or used to display other representations, such as, for example, promotional or informational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server205may implement part of the game played by a player using gaming machine202, and gaming machine202may implement part of the game. In such an embodiment, insofar as both game server205and gaming machine202may implement part of the game, they may collectively comprise a game controller. A database management server206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by gaming machines202in a database206A. Typically, if gaming system200enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server207will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server212may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server205implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and gaming machine202essentially provides only the player interface. In such an embodiment, game server205provides the game controller. Gaming machine202receives player instructions and transmits these instructions to game server205. In a thin client embodiment, gaming machines202may be computer terminals, such as, for example, personal computers running software that provides a player interface. Other client/server configurations are possible, and further details of a client/server architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming system200, including, for example, a gaming floor management server208and a licensing server209to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal210is provided to allow an administrator to run network201and the devices connected to the network201.

Gaming system200may communicate with other gaming systems and/or other local networks, such as, for example, a corporate network and/or a wide area network such as the Internet. Communications may be filtered through a firewall211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of network201may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, game server205could run a random number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals.

Further Details of the Exemplary Gaming System

In one embodiment, a player may place a wager using game play mechanism56. A game (or game session) may be initiated in response to placement of the wager, a plurality of symbols randomly drawn, and a game (or game session) outcome determined based upon the symbols drawn. A game outcome may be compared to a pay table (which may be stored in a computer memory) to determine a payout or award (also referred to herein as a win entitlement). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's wager can be varied from game to game dependent on player selections.

In an embodiment, a player may select a number of reels to play. Games of this type are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd and are also known as “ways” to win games. Such a reel selection option may permit the substitution of one displayed symbol for another. In other words, all symbols displayed at symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at designated symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symbol display positions for each reel such that the symbol display positions comprise three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the center row may be used for non-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win may be determined by multiplying the number of active display positions of each reels, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. In this example, for five reels and fifteen display positions, there are 243 ways to win.

As described in greater detail below, a player may place a wager that entitles the player to two separate symbol evaluations during a particular game or game session. For instance, in an embodiment, the player may select any number of reels to play and may, in response to selection of an option to play all available reels, receive an opportunity for reel symbol reevaluation. Reels may be similarly reevaluated where the only available option is to play all reels. Moreover, in yet another embodiment, the player may be permitted select a number of symbols for reevaluation, and/or the number of symbols displayed may be dependent on such a selection.

In the exemplary embodiment, and as described below, the display positions of the symbol display are arranged in a rectangular matrix comprising a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. The number of symbols displayed may vary by row and/or column, and some rows and/or columns may include a greater or lesser number of symbols than other rows and/or columns.

FIG. 6illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary gaming system that includes a plurality of software modules. Processor62of game controller60is shown implementing a number of such modules based on program code and data stored in memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules could be implemented in some other way, such as, for example by a dedicated circuit.

In an exemplary embodiment, the various software modules may include outcome generator622which may operate in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism56to place a wager, and, thereby initiate game play. Thus, as described below, a game outcome may be generated and evaluated (e.g., by outcome generator622and/or outcome evaluator623). In the example embodiment described herein, each wager may entitle a player to two evaluations of a particular group of selected symbols. Such an evaluation (or reevaluation) may be regarded, in various embodiments, as concurrent or serial generation and/or evaluation of first and second games. In various embodiments, greater than two games (or greater than two evaluations of a particular symbol or group of symbols) may be played concurrently or serially by a player. In other words, a symbol or group of symbols may be evaluated and reevaluated any suitable number of times, and evaluations may occur concurrently (e.g., at the same time) or consecutively (e.g., one after another) in any suitable manner.

Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, game outcome symbol selector622A may select any number of symbols from a set of symbols specified by symbol data641using an output generated by random number generator621. The selected symbols may be provided or communicated to the display controller624, which may display the received symbols on display54at a set of symbol display positions.

With reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B, a symbol display (including a plurality of symbol display positions) is shown. The symbol display may divided into any suitable number of symbol display positions. For example, as shown, there may be thirty symbol display positions. The symbol display positions may be divided or grouped into any suitable number of symbol subsets, such as, for example, into a first subset830of symbols and second subset840of symbols.

The symbol display may be further divided into any suitable number of rows and columns. For example, the symbol display may include five columns, such as columns801,802,803,804, and805. Each of these columns801,802,803,804, and805may correspond to one of a plurality of reels (or reel strips)641stored in memory64. Reel strips641may specify a sequence of symbols for each reel. The symbol display may further include one or more rows, such as rows821,822,823,824,825, and826. In various embodiments, differing numbers of rows may correspond to subsets of symbols. For instance, rows821,822, and823may correspond to a first subset of symbols, and rows824,825, and826may correspond to a second subset of symbols. Rows may further be grouped into sub-rows or parts, such as a first part corresponding to rows821,822, and823and a second part corresponding to rows824,825, and826).

Symbol selector622A may, in the exemplary embodiment, select a stopping position in the sequence of the respective reel strip using a value obtained from random number generator (RNG)621. A probability table stored in memory64may be referenced to vary the odds of a particular stop position.

Selected symbols may be evaluated by outcome evaluator623. Evaluator controller624may control various evaluation parameters. For example, evaluation controller64may include an evaluation change condition determiner624A, which may determine an evaluation mode. Depending upon the selected evaluation mode, a particular symbol evaluation may be changed from a first mode in which two symbol subsets (e.g., subsets830and840) are evaluated independently to one of a possible number of alternative or secondary evaluation modes. In a secondary mode of evaluation, at least part of a second subset of symbols (e.g., subset840) may be evaluated in conjunction with the first subset of symbols (e.g., subset830) and/or part of the second subset of symbols may evaluated in conjunction with part of the first subset of symbols.

In one exemplary embodiment, evaluation change condition determiner624A may conduct a random trial using RNG621to determine, independently, and for each column of the symbol display, whether the evaluation change condition is satisfied. If the evaluation change condition is met, the evaluation mode may be altered from the first mode to the second mode. However, if the evaluation change condition is not satisfied, the evaluation mode may not be altered.

In the first mode of evaluation, the first game evaluation may be evaluated by evaluating symbols displayed at the first subset of symbol display positions830and a second game evaluation is performed by evaluating the symbols displayed at the second subset840of symbol display positions.

In the second mode of evaluation, evaluation controller624may control outcome evaluator623to perform the first game evaluation by evaluating symbols displayed at the first subset830of symbol display positions in conjunction with the symbols displayed in the second part of the column in respect of which the evaluation change condition is met. That is, the evaluation incorporates the part of the column that normally belongs to second subset840of symbol display positions. At the same time, outcome evaluator623conducts the second game evaluation by evaluating symbols displayed in second subset840of symbol display positions in conjunction with the symbols displayed in the first part of the column in respect of which the evaluation change condition is met.

Thus, as described above, the evaluation change condition may be met or satisfied with respect to one or more columns. Where an evaluation change condition is met with respect to a plurality of columns, the second mode of evaluation may involve conducting the first game evaluation by evaluating symbols displayed at first subset830of symbol display positions in conjunction with the symbols displayed in the respective second part (corresponding to rows824,825, and826) of each column with respect to which the evaluation change condition is met. Similarly, the second game evaluation may be performed by evaluating symbols displayed at second subset840of symbol display positions in conjunction with the symbols displayed in the respective first part (corresponding to rows821,822, and823) of each column with respect to which the evaluation change condition is met. The selection of relevant evaluations642, is as described above, controlled by the evaluation controller624. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the evaluations may involve determining whether there are any winning outcomes defined in paytable643.

After the evaluations are complete, at least one meter, typically the win meter of meters644, may be updated to reflect the evaluations.

With reference toFIG. 7, a method700for electronic gaming is shown. As described elsewhere herein, the method700may comprise, at steps710and720, selecting symbols and displaying the selected symbols in first and second subsets of symbol display positions. At step730, the method may determine whether an evaluation change condition is met. If the evaluation change condition is not met, at steps740A and750A, evaluation may proceed in a first mode in which a first evaluation is based upon the first subset of symbol display positions and a second evaluation is based upon the second subset of symbol display positions. If an evaluation change condition is met, the method may proceed, at steps740B and750B, in a second mode in which a first evaluation is based on a first subset and those parts of the second subset with respect of which the evaluation change condition has been met, and a second evaluation is based upon the second subset and those parts of the first subset with respect to which an evaluation change condition has been met. The method may terminate at step760, during which a meter may be updated based upon the various evaluations.

The symbol evaluation change condition may coincide with the occurrence of a trigger event, such as, for example, the occurrence of a predefined symbol combination during a game, the occurrence of a specific symbol during a game, a random evaluation, and the like.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method may be implemented electronically, for example, digitally by a processor executing program code such as in the above description of a game controller. In this respect, insofar as in the above description certain steps are described as being carried out by a processor of a gaming system, it will be appreciated that such steps may often require a number of sub-steps to be carried out for the steps to be implemented electronically, such as, for example, due to hardware or programming limitations. For example, to carry out a step such as evaluating, determining or selecting, a processor may need to compute several values and compare those values.

As indicated above, the method may be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory device (e.g. an EEPROM that could replace part of memory103). Further different parts of the program code can be executed by different devices, for example in a client server relationship. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

Example Embodiment

With returning reference toFIG. 8A, two reel power games with a 5×3 matrix stacked on top of each other are shown. For purposes of illustration, all symbols may be regarded as paying left to right. However, in various embodiments, symbols may pay right to left, vertically, diagonally, and the like.

In the exemplary embodiment, five barriers are displayed to indicate that an evaluation change condition has not been met. In particular, a first barrier811is shown between first game or subset830and second game or subset840in first reel801. Likewise, a second barrier812is shown on second reel802, a third barrier813is shown on third reel803, a fourth barrier814is shown on fourth reel804, and a fifth barrier815is shown on fifth reel805.

A barrier may thus indicate that an evaluation change condition has not been met. For instance, since no barriers have been broken inFIG. 8A, no evaluation change conditions have been met in the example ofFIG. 8A, and both games or subsets830and840may include 243 ways to win.FIG. 8Aalso illustrates that in this case neither of the games have any wins.

With reference toFIG. 8B, the barrier812is shown as broken. In this instance, then, an evaluation change condition has been met, and all of second reel802may be be shared with both games. More particularly, the first part of the second column may be used in the evaluation of the second game, and the second part of the second column may be used in the evaluation of the first game. As a result, both games830and840may include 486 ways to win.

In other words, all the symbols in second reel802(i.e. P1, P1, P1, 10, J and J) may be used for both first game or subset830and second game or subset840. In this example, the first game may still pay nothing, but the second game may now generate an award, such as an award calculated according to the following formula: pay=4 PIC1×36.

In other exemplary embodiments, more than one barrier may be broken at a time, barriers may only be placed in certain of the reels, and/or a player may only be permitted to satisfy the evaluation change condition with respect of certain reels (and hence break the barriers with respect to certain reels). For example, a first wager amount may entitle or permit a player to break a first number of barriers and a second wager amount may entitle or permit the player to break a second number of barriers.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the disclosure that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the disclosure can be employed to form further embodiments.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.