U.S. Pat. No. 10,885,737

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system including a game controller. The game controller includes components that enable the implementation of a game wherein a reel strips set is randomly chosen by the game controller from a plurality of possible reel strips sets after play of the game is initiated but before symbols are selected. In one embodiment, weightings are assigned to each set of reel strips. In another embodiment, a player input may result in the weightings being adjusted by the game controller.

General Construction of an Exemplary Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first aspect, a standalone gaming machine is provided wherein 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 relative to 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, such as by a gaming server. Alternatively, a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely from 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 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 #, gaming system # includes several core components. At the broadest level, the exemplary core components are a player interface50and a game controller60. Player interface50is configured to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system # and, as such, includes the 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 to 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 the 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. 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 processor62, may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory and 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 system20in the form of a standalone gaming machine10. In the exemplary embodiment, 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 machine, in particular during game play. Mid-trim20also houses a credit input mechanism24. In the exemplary embodiment, credit input mechanism24includes a coin input chute24A and a bill collector24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, such as, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card, and/or credit card. Other gaming machines may be configured for ticket use, in that these gaming machines10include a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and for crediting the player based on the face value of the ticket. 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 that is accessed in response to insertion of the player tracking device.

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 console12. A coin tray30is mounted beneath front panel29for dispensing cash payouts from gaming machine10.

In the exemplary embodiment, display14is a liquid crystal display. Alternatively, display14may any other suitable video display unit, such as an OLED display. Top box26may also include a display, which may be of the same type as display14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3illustrates a block diagram of exemplary functional components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to gaming machine10(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 memory103, that 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 the memory103.

Gaming machine100includes hardware meters104for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface105for communicating with peripheral devices of gaming machine100. 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 processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the 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), a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110. 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 decreasbale 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 pay out to a player of gaming machine100based on an outcome of the game (e.g., a base game and/or a future 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 can display virtual buttons which a player can “press” by touching the screen where they are displayed.

In addition, gaming machine100may include a communications interface, for example a network card112. Network card112may, 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 gaming machine100.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of the main components115of a memory103. In the exemplary embodiment, memory103includes RAM103A, EPROM103B and a mass storage device103C. RAM103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the 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 processor102using protected code from EPROM103B or elsewhere.

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

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary gaming system200in accordance with an alternative embodiment. Gaming system200includes a network201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machines202, shown arranged in three banks203of two gaming machines202, are coupled to network201. Gaming machines202provide a player operable interface and may be the same as gaming machines10and/or100(shown respectively inFIGS. 2 and 3), or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. Although banks203of two gaming machines are shown in the exemplary embodiment, banks of one, three or more gaming machines202are also envisioned.

At least one display204may also be coupled to network201. For example, displays204may be associated with at least one bank203of gaming machines202. Displays204may be used to display representations associated with game play on gaming machines202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.

In a thick client embodiment, a game server205implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and gaming machine202implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming machine202implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. 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 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 and gaming machine202receives player instructions, and transmits these instructions to game server205. Game server205processes the player instructions and returns game play outcomes to gaming machine202for display. In a thin client embodiment, such gaming machines202could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. 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 gaming system200, 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 network201and the devices connected to network201.

Gaming system200may 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 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 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, the player operates game play mechanism56to specify a wager that may be evaluated for this play of the game and initiates a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's wager can be varied from game to game dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player's wager to include a selection as to how the game outcome will be evaluated by specifying what parts of the game outcome will qualify for winning outcomes. The player's wager may also include a multiplier that will apply to each winning outcome. For example, a player's wager may be based on how many lines they play in each game—e.g. a minimum of one line up to a maximum number of lines permitted by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection) and an amount per line—e.g., one, two, or five credits. Winning outcomes on an activated win line may be evaluated based on a pay table that specifies the amount awarded for a one credit per line wager multiplied by the amount wagered per line.

Such win lines are typically defined by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions located relative to one another such that they form a line that extends across the reel.

In many games, gaming machine200may award winning outcomes that are not strictly limited to the lines they have selected. For example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player's selection of pay lines.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may select a number of reels to play and an amount to wager. 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. The selection of a reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for another symbol at one or more designated display positions. 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 a 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 is 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. As a result for five reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 possible ways to win.

In the embodiment described above, the display positions of the symbol display may be arranged in a rectangular matrix comprising a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. However, in other embodiments other arrangements are known in the gaming industry and could be employed. For example, in some arrangements there may be more symbols in some columns than others, such as 3-4-3-4-3 arrangement of seventeen display positions corresponding to respective ones of five reels. In such arrangements, the columns of four symbols can be arranged so that they are off-set or staggered relative to the columns having three symbols in the middle two symbols in the columns of four symbols share boundaries with two symbols of each neighbouring reel.

FIG. 6illustrates another block diagram of an exemplary gaming system. In the exemplary embodiment, the processor62of game controller60is shown implementing a number of 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. For example by a dedicated circuit.

Shown in the example embodiment the components of the gaming machine are used to update the reel strips in a base game. Memory64of gaming system1has reel data641which defines a number of reel strips sets641A and weightings641B associated with their relative probability of being selected.

In response to the initiation of play of a game, before the reels are used to select symbols, the reel selector624uses the reel weightings641B assigned to specific reel strips641A together with a value obtained from random number generator621in order to select the set of reel strips641A of the plurality of sets of reel strips stored in memory64to be used in play of a game.

In some embodiments, the game controller may adjust the reel weightings641B based on a player input such as an amount wagered or a volatility selection made by the player.

In one embodiment, reel weighting data641B specifies a plurality of different sets of reel weightings and the reel selector624accesses the set or reel weightings for the present game based on the received wager or the received volatility request. For example, in one embodiment different reel weightings sets are stored in the reel data641in association with different ones of a plurality of possible wagers.

In one embodiment, the characteristic that makes the reel strips sets different is that they each include different groups of stacked symbols as shown in the example described below in relation toFIG. 8. In another example, each of the reel strips has a different characteristic in the form of different volatilities.

In another embodiment, the different reel strips sets includes a different characteristic in the form of different probabilities of delivering win outcomes. In one example, higher rated reel strips sets have a higher probability of delivering winning outcomes either in terms of frequency of wins and/or value of winning outcomes.

In the exemplary embodiment, once the reels strips are selected, the symbol selector622A selects symbols for display at symbol display positions from the dynamically selected reel strips. As will be appreciated from the above discussion, the selected reel strips specify a sequence of symbols for each reel. In one embodiment, the symbol selector622A selects the symbols for display by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In another embodiment, three symbols of each of five reels are displayed such that symbols are displayed at fifteen symbol display positions on display54. It is known to use a probability table stored in memory64to vary the odds of a particular stop position being selected. Other techniques can be used to control the odds of particular outcomes occurring to thereby control the return to player of the game.

Once the symbols are selected, they are evaluated by the outcome evaluator623by comparing the symbol selected at symbol display positions on display54with pay table643. Both the selected symbols and any winning outcomes may be displayed on display54via display controller625. Any wins are added to a win meter of meters643stored in memory64. Assuming this ends that game, e.g. a feature is not triggered or the player does not chose a gamble feature, the value on the win meter can be transferred to the credit meter either by the player initiating a new play of the game or electing to cash out. In some embodiments, certain win types (e.g. jackpot prize wins) may be added directly to the credit meter.

While the above embodiment has been described an exemplary embodiment that implements dynamic stacks (where each of the reel strip sets are identical except for the stacked symbol, and a weighted table is used to select the reel strip set to be used for each spin, in other embodiments the symbols on the strips of each reel set may be completely different (for example different length stacks, different symbol patterns).

This has several applications including enabling the implementation of games where the quantum of a players wager affects the reels strips—a higher wager will increase the chance that a “higher” rated reel set will be selected for play (e.g. higher frequency of wins, higher value of wins, or both). Further enabling the control of volatility—the appropriate reel set will be chosen based on the player's preference (higher value wins less frequently or lower value wins more frequently).

One advantage is that the gaming system can simplify compliance work by allowing different reel strip sets to be deployed in different combinations to produce different RTPs, as appropriate for different jurisdictions.

As indicated above, the probability of selecting certain reel strips can be controlled by adjusting the individual weightings of the weighting table. On other embodiments the game controller may be configured to dynamically adjust the individual weightings based on a targeted overall weighting (for example driven by desired RTP or volatility).

In some embodiments, an eligibility criteria may be applied in order for the player to be eligible for the dynamic reel strips. 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.

A play of a game may result in one or more wins. Typically, a win will result in some form of award being made such as an award of credits added to the win meter. Such an award may never actually be physically received by a player. For example, many gaming systems provide a player with a double or nothing gamble feature, where the player can double or forfeit their credits before commencing another play of the game or cashing out. Further, as credits are fungible, once credits have been added to the credit meter it is not possible to distinguish between credits that exist because the player has input cash or the like and credits resulting from an award.

FIG. 7is a flow chart of an exemplary method700. In the exemplary embodiment, method700includes receiving710a wager, randomly selecting720a set of reel strips, selecting730symbols using the selected reel strips, evaluating7# the selected symbols, and making any awards by updating750a meter (typically a win meter but in some instances, a credit meter may be updated directly.)

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 will 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, 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 will often require a number of sub-steps to be carried out for the steps to be implemented electronically, 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.

FIGS. 8A to 8Dshow four reel strips sets801,802,803,804. Each set of reel strips801,802,803,804includes five reels R1, R2, R3, R4and R5. Each reel strips set includes has a stack of symbols811,812,813,814.

FIG. 8A, shows that reel strip set A801has a stack811of “PIC1” symbols.FIG. 8B, reel strip set B802includes a stack812of “PIC2” symbols.FIG. 8C, reel strip set C803includes a stack813of “PIC3” symbols.FIG. 8D, reel set D includes a stack814of “PIC4” symbols.

A weighting table defines the relative probabilities of selecting the reel strip sets. Reel strip set A801, includes a weighting of 1. Reel strip set B802, has a weighting of 2. Reel set C803, has a weighting of 3. Reel set D804, has a weighting of 4. Accordingly, it is more likely that reel set D804will be selected than any of the other reel sets801,802and803.

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, (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). 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.

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 disclosure, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention 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 of the disclosure, 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.