U.S. Pat. No. 10,347,084

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Overview of Exemplary Gaming System

FIG. 1shows an exemplary gaming system1where an additional game controller150is in data communication over a network2, such as an Ethernet, with a bank of five gaming devices in the form of standalone electronic gaming machines10. When an additional game is initiated, the additional game controller150is arranged to communicate with the gaming devices to determine how many are eligible and to then determine from the eligible gaming devices which gaming devices participate in the additional game. That is, not all eligible gaming devices will necessarily participate in the additional game, although depending on the embodiment, some exceptions may be made for example, for a gaming device which caused the additional game to initiate or if there is only one eligible gaming device. In the embodiment, the determination involves carrying out a random determination to determine which of the eligible gaming devices will participate. In one embodiment, the random determination is carried out in respect of all eligible gaming devices except the one which triggered the additional game, this gaming device being guaranteed entry to the additional game. In some embodiments, there is an adjustment of the odds of at least one gaming device winning the additional game. For example, if there are N eligible gaming devices and an N/M) chance of the additional game being won in any instance, chance can be apportioned amongst the participating gaming devices. For example, if there are 10 eligible gaming devices but only 5 participate each gaming device would have a 2/M chance of winning. Alternatively, the shares in the chance of eligible machines which do not participate could be allocated to the gaming machine which triggered the game such that it has an increased chance of winning. For example, for 5 participating gaming devices of 10 eligible devices, the triggering gaming device would have a chance of 6/M and the other gaming devices would have a chance of 1/M. Depending, on the embodiment, the outcome of the game can be evaluated collectively (such that only one device may win) or independently such that each participating device may win.

Gaming Devices

Gaming devices capable of participating in the method of gaming of the embodiment can take any suitable form including stand alone gaming machines and server based gaming terminals.

A gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine10is illustrated inFIG. 2. The gaming machine10includes a console12having a display14on which are displayed representations of a game16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim20of the gaming machine10houses a bank of buttons22for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim20also houses a credit input mechanism24which in this example includes a coin input chute24A and a bill collector24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may be configured for ticket in that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module.

A top box26may carry artwork28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel29of the console12. A coin tray30is mounted beneath the front panel29for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine10.

The display14shown inFIG. 2is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display14may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box26may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG. 2.

The gaming machine100includes a game controller101having a processor102mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor102are stored in a memory103, which is in data communication with the processor102. Typically, the 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 the memory103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters104for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface105for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine100. The input/output interface105and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module113generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown inFIG. 3, a player interface120includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller101including one or more displays106, a touch screen and/or buttons107(which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110and a coin output mechanism111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and 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 is uses to initiate a play of the game.

In addition, the gaming machine100may include a communications interface, for example a network card112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory103. The memory103includes RAM103A, EPROM103B and a mass storage device103C. The RAM103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor102and related data. The EPROM1038may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The 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 the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

In a client server architecture a gaming device is provided by a gaming client and game server (and optionally other gaming network components). A gaming client has a similar outward appearance to gaming machine10but the game server implements most or all of the game and as such acts as the game controller while the terminal operated by the player essentially provides only the player interface. The gaming terminal receives player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. Further details of a server gaming architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In such an embodiment, an additional game controller can be provided, for example, by a dedicated server in data communication with the game server.

FIG. 5shows that a gaming device may be connected within a gaming network200which provides additional and/or enhanced functionality. The gaming network200includes a network201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines202, shown arranged in three banks203of two gaming machines202inFIG. 5, are connected to the network201. The gaming machines202provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines10,100shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. While banks203of two gaming machines are illustrated inFIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays204may also be connected to the network201. For example, the displays204may be associated with one or more banks203of gaming machines. The displays204may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.

In one example of an alternative embodiment, an additional game controller can be provided within such a network200by additional game server205, such that the additional game server may implement an additional game for a plurality of different banks of gaming machines rather than a specific controller being provide for each bank of gaming machines.

A database management server206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices202in a database206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables 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. Note also that in some embodiments, the additional game is a jackpot game and hence the additional game controller is a jackpot controller.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network200, including for example a gaming floor management server208, and a licensing server209to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal210is provided to allow an administrator to run the network201and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming network200may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may 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, the game server205could run a random 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.

FIG. 9is a functional block diagram of a gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine. The gaming device900may be the same or different to gaming machine10,100described above. InFIG. 9, the processor930of game controller920is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory940. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules could be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

The gaming device900includes a player interface910having a display911for displaying game outcomes to a player and a game play mechanism912including input devices such as touch screen or buttons to enable the player to interact with the game by placing wagers and entering any other instructions required to play the game. Game play mechanism912also enables the player to interact with the game to learn game rules etc. The player interface910includes a credit mechanism913allowing the player to input credit into the gaming device900and/or be paid out any winnings or remaining credit. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other components will be present in a gaming device900such as those described in relation toFIGS. 2 to 4above. The memory940includes program code for implementing a game including base game rule data941for implementing the rules of a base game.

The processor930when executing the program code stored in memory940is arranged to generate outcomes of the game in response to the operation of the game play mechanism912. The outcomes are generated with the outcome generator931. The outcome evaluator932evaluates the game outcomes that are generated based on the wager specified with the game play mechanism912and updates credit data942which stores a credit meter and a win meter for the game. The processor930also implements a communication module933which is intended to communicate by communication interface950with an additional game controller. As will be described in further detail below the communication module933is arranged to indicate to the additional game controller whether the gaming device900is eligible to participate in an additional game.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the communication module includes a eligibility sub-module933A which is intended to determine based on eligibility rule data943whether the gaming device900is eligible to participate in the additional game. In one example, eligibility rule data943specifies a time period and eligibility sub-module933A determines whether a game has been concluded within a defined time period prior to receipt of a polling request from the additional game controller. In another example, the eligibility sub-module933A also determines whether a relevant bet such as a maximum bet or an ante bet has been placed in the relevant time period. Alternatively, eligibility sub-module933A communicates when the last game is completed. In this manner, the additional game controller150can determine whether the gaming device900is currently being played and is eligible to participate in the additional game.

Additional game controller and its operation within the gaming system

Referring toFIG. 6there is shown further detail of the additional game controller150. FromFIG. 6it will be apparent that additional game controller150is in data communication with a communal display160on which game outcomes can be displayed to the players playing the bank of gaming machines10shown inFIG. 1. In other embodiments, the game outcomes could be displayed on a top box of the individual gaming machines10, rather than being displayed on a communal display, or in addition to such a display.

Referring toFIG. 6, the constitution of the additional game controller150is similar to that of the gaming device illustrated in relation toFIGS. 2 to 4andFIG. 9in that it has a processor151arranged to implement the additional game based on program code stored in memory152and a display driver154for driving the display160to show the additional game outcome. The additional game controller150also includes a communication interface153which is designed to enable the processor151to communicate with each of the gaming devices10.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the above components are the core components for implementing a additional game but other components may be present in an additional game controller. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the implementation of the additional game controller is analogous to the implementation of bonus controllers and jackpot controllers in existing gaming systems and reference may be made to such controllers for further details of implementation.

FIG. 7is a functional block diagram of the additional gaming controller150which shows that the processor151implements a number of modules in a similar manner to the processor of the gaming device shown inFIG. 9. The processor executes program code stored in memory152to instantiate a eligibility module703which communicates via data communication interface153with each of the gaming devices. In one example, this communication includes polling each of the gaming devices. In another example this may be by listening to output on the network from each of the individual gaming devices. In any event, the eligibility module703determines based on eligibility rule data712the number of gaming machines which currently participating. That is, eligibility rule data712may specify how often the eligibility module should poll individual gaming machines or the time period within which the gaming machines need to have last indicated that they are active in order to be eligible to participate in the additional game.

In the specific embodiment shown inFIG. 8, the eligibility module703includes a trigger monitor703A which is designed to monitor for receipt of a trigger signal from one of the gaming devices. Such a trigger signal being output by communication interface950by trigger monitor932A of outcome evaluator932of the respective gaming device. The trigger monitor932A is arranged to determine based on the base game rule data941whether a trigger condition has been met. The trigger condition can be one of any known trigger condition in the art such as a particular symbol combination being achieved in the underlying base game. When the trigger is received by the trigger monitor703A, eligibility module703polls each of the gaming machines to determine whether they comply with the eligibility requirements of the additional game, in this case, whether they have been active within a defined period. The eligibility sub-module933A of each gaming device900outputs whether they are active at the time based on the eligibility rule data943as well as data allowing the gaming machine to be identified. From these responses, eligibility module703determines the identity and number of gaming devices eligible for the additional game. From the eligible gaming devices, participation module707determines which gaming devices will participate based on participation rules714. In this embodiment, participation rules714specify that the gaming device which caused the game to initiate by the trigger event occurring in respect of a game played on it, gains automatic entry to the additional game. This is advantageous as an additional game is always conducted. Thus, the participation module707, determines which other eligible gaming devices will participate, thus assuming there is at least one other eligible gaming device, participation module707employs random number generator705to conduct a random determination in respect of each other eligible gaming device to determine which of the eligible gaming devices will participate. For example, each gaming device may have a 50:50 chance of participating. In this embodiment, the participation module707also comprises an odds assigner, which controls the relative and/or absolute odds of a particular gaming device winning the additional game. In this embodiment, the outcome generator701is arranged to use random number generator705to first select a jackpot of three different jackpot levels stored as prize data, which is to be played for and this is display on communal display160. The odds of selection of the jackpots are stored as game rule data, and can be for example, such that the additional game is conducted, on average, for the major jackpot 1 in 20 times, the maxi jackpot 7 in 20 times, and the minor jackpot 12 in 20 times.

The outcome generator701then conducts a random determination using RNG705to determine whether one of the gaming devices will win the selected prize. In this example, if there are N eligible gaming devices, there is a N/M chance of the additional game being won, where M is determined by the game designer to provide an appropriate return to player. The outcome generator705causes random number generator707to return a number in the range of 1 to M. If the value falls in the range 1 to N, one of the participating gaming devices will win. In the embodiment, odds assigner707A is arranged to assign the range 1 to N to individual participating gaming devices. This example, works in effect such that the shares in the chance of winning of eligible machines which do not participate are allocated to the gaming machine which triggered the game such that it has an increased chance of winning. For example, for 5 participating gaming devices of 10 eligible devices, the triggering gaming device would have a chance of 6/M and the other gaming devices would have a chance of 1/M such that the triggering gaming device is advantageously provided with better odds of winning.

In the above example, once a jackpot is selected the odds of each jackpot (major, maxi or minor) being awarded is the same. In other embodiments, the odds could be different, for example, there may be even chance of the jackpots being selected but lower relative odds of the major jackpot being awarded than the maxi and minor jackpots. The jackpots may be fixed prizes or progressive prizes such as are known in the art. When a prize is awarded, the award is made under control of award module706, for example by transferring credits to the relevant gaming device.

In other embodiments, rather than a single determination being conducted by the outcome generator701, separate determinations may be conducted for each gaming device such that more than one gaming device may win an award.

In a variation on the above embodiment, a random determination is conducted in respect of each eligible gaming device to determine which will participate. In an example of such an embodiment, each participating gaming device has the same chance of winning the jackpot. In one example of such an embodiment, the odds are apportioned equally amongst the participating gaming devices. For example, if there are 10 eligible gaming devices but only 5 participate each gaming device would have a 2/M chance of winning.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that while the above example describes the additional game being triggered, the additional game could instead be carried out periodically with each gaming device that played in a previous time period being eligible.

The method of embodiment is summarised inFIG. 8which shows that the method involves determining810a number of participating gaming machines, conducting820random determinations in respect of at least one gaming device, determining830the number of participating gaming devices, and conducting840the additional game with participating gaming machines.

In the above embodiment, the additional game controller is arranged to determine the additional game outcome. In other embodiments, the additional game controller could control participation but actual outcomes could be calculated elsewhere such as by the gaming devices or another controller.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

8 machines are linked and are connected to a common maxi prize of $5000 and a common minor prize of $500.

(In this example the prize value is not progressive—i.e. it is not changing as players bet on machines. The example works equally well if the prize is progressive or of a non-cash value)

All machines are connected via an additional game controller which monitors activity on the machines and can direct messages to the machines.

All Players are Playing their Machines.

Player on machine number1triggers the jackpot feature. (Triggering the jackpot feature can be in any of the known ways including but not limited to achieving an outcome on the machine, causing a machine or system event)

The additional game controller receives the message that the jackpot feature is triggered.

The additional game controller now randomly selects at least one of the machines on the link and determines that the machine will be eligible for the jackpot.

Where there are multiple jackpots available the additional game controller can determine which jackpot will be won. (This can be determined randomly or by reference to the manner in which the jackpot feature was triggered or by reference to the outcome of a feature game.)

The additional game controller sends a message to each selected machine to advise that the machine is eligible for the jackpot. If necessary, the machine will also be advised which jackpot will be won.

If the winning of the jackpot requires a feature game to be played, then the machine will now invoke the feature game.

If the additional game controller has determined which jackpot will be won, then the feature game will have an outcome to match the jackpot due to be won.

If the machine determines which jackpot is to be won, then the machine will play the feature game and the outcome of the feature game will determine which jackpot is won.

Example 2

8 machines are linked and are connected to a common maxi prize of $5000 and a common minor prize of $500.

(In this example the prize value is not progressive—i.e. it is not changing as players bet on machines. The example works equally well if the prize is progressive or of a non-cash value.)

All machines are connected via an additional game controller which monitors activity on the machines and can direct messages to the machines.

All players are playing their machines.

Player on machine number1triggers the jackpot feature. (triggering the jackpot feature can be in any of the known ways including but not limited to achieving an outcome on the machine, causing a machine or system event)

The additional game controller receives the message that the jackpot feature is triggered by machine1.

The additional game controller now randomly selects at least one of the machines on the link including machine1and determines that the machine will be eligible for the jackpot.

If the additional game controller has selected that machine1and 1 other machine are eligible for the jackpot, the controller now determines that machine1will have a better chance of winning the maxi jackpot than the other machine.

The additional game controller will now advise the machines that a jackpot is eligible and the respective chance of winning the jackpots.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the gaming system. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory, or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, additional or alternative eligibility criteria may be applied, for example that the player has made a certain sized wager, made an ante bet, selected all win lines, played sufficient games, or the player is a member of a loyalty program.

In embodiments, which employ a trigger event, the trigger event may be, a symbol combination in the game, occurrence of a specific symbol in the game, purchased, be caused by another connected system, based on turnover etc.

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

For example, the linked game controller150is shown inFIG. 1as a separate entity to the gaming devices10. In an alternative embodiment, it could be provided by one of the gaming devices incorporating a server module arranged to implement the linked game controller in the manner described in Australian patent application 2008205413 filed 13 Aug. 2008.

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 of the invention, 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 of the invention.