U.S. Pat. No. 10,922,920

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of an electronic gaming system with two video displays which display a gaming area. The gaming system has a game controller that controls several elements of the system to implement instances of a game. The game controller selects a plurality of symbols from a symbol set and displays the symbols on the two video displays at respective symbol display positions. For each game instance, the controller evaluates a symbol subset to determine whether to make an award. If the controller determines that an award has to be made based on the symbols of the symbol subset, the determined award is issued to the player. The symbol subset comprises one or more of the plurality of symbols on the two screens. The number of symbols in the symbol subset is variable and increases for each game instance. During a game, instance after instance, the number of symbols evaluated by the game controller to determine whether an award has to be made increases and so the number of winning lines which can generate an award.

In embodiments, the two video displays are positioned one on top of the other. During the first instance of the game the one or more symbols of the symbol subset are positioned on the bottom video display. The top video display may also have symbol display positions occupied by symbols but, during the first instance, the symbols of the top video display are not part of the symbol subset and do not contribute to determining whether an award has to be made. During the last instance of the game, all the symbols displayed in the top video display are part of the symbol subset and do contribute to determining whether an award has to be made.

In some embodiments, during the first instance the one or more symbols of the symbol subset are positioned in symbol display positions on the bottom video display and the top video display may not show any symbol display positions occupied by symbols. The total number of symbol display positions increases throughout the game and a portion of the symbol display positions are displayed on the top video display.

In some embodiments, there is a movable symbol occupying one or more symbol display positions and the game controller, moves the movable symbol upwards, from a first symbol display position to a second symbol display position. The movable symbol typically replaces the symbols displayed at the second display position.

In some embodiments, when the movable symbol is being moved, an animation is shown on one or both of the two video displays. The movable symbol may be an animated symbol and may also be a wild symbol. The game controller increases a multiplier upon moving of the movable symbol.

General Construction of Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone 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 form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and 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; or 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 operate in standalone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system1has several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface50and a game controller60as illustrated inFIG. 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components required for the player to enter instructions to play the game and observe the game outcomes.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism52to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays54, 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.

The game controller60is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor62that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play rules are stored as program code in a memory64but can also be hardwired. Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general-purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. That is a processor 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 the display). 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).

A gaming system in the form of a standalone gaming machine10is illustrated inFIG. 2. The gaming machine10includes a console12having a first video display14. 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 video display14may also have a touch screen to enable the user to input instructions. The video display14shown inFIG. 2is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube device. Alternatively, the display14may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit. The top box26has a secondary video which may be of the same type as the display14, or of a different type.

While not shown inFIG. 2, the mid-trim20also typically houses a credit input mechanism such as a coin input chute and a bill collector.FIG. 2also shows the another credit input mechanism in the form of a player marketing module50having a reading device52for 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. The player marketing module50also allows the player to 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. Other embodiments of gaming machines may have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticket.

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.

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 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, for example, a touch screen can display virtual buttons which a player can “press” by touching the screen where they are displayed.

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 EPROM103B may 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.

FIG. 5shows a gaming system200in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system200includes 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, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. 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 a thick client embodiment, game server205implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and the gaming machine202implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement 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 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.

In a thin client embodiment, game server205implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and the gaming machine202essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server205provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could 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 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 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 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.

Further Detail of Gaming System

In order to participate in the game, the player operates the game play mechanism56to specify a wager and hence win entitlements which will 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 win entitlement will vary from game to game dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player's entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player's win entitlement may be based on how many lines they play in each game—e.g. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection) and how much they wager per line. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line.

In many games, the player's win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player's selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play and an amount to wager per reel. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a 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 are used for non-selected reels. 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 ways to win.

In other embodiments a player win entitlement may be affected by purchasing access to particular pay tables—e.g. a first bet amount entitles the player to wins including cherry symbols and a second amount entitles them to wins including plum symbols.

InFIG. 6, the processor62of the game controller60is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory64. These modules include a symbol selector623, a symbol mover625, a symbol evaluator626and a prize awarder628. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the modules could be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, the game controller60may be arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display on video displays54, for a sequence of game instances.

In the embodiment where symbols are selected for display at each video display54, the symbol selector623operates in response to a player's operation of the game play mechanism56to place a wager and initiate a play of a game. In this embodiment, there are multiple display areas arranged on the two symbol displays54A and54B, and the symbol selector623initiates play of a game by selecting, independently for each of the display areas of the symbol display provided by the displays54A and54B, a set or plurality of symbols for display at respective symbol display positions on the video displays54. When in use, the symbol selector623selects the symbols for display based on random numbers (or pseudo-random numbers) generated by a random number generator (RNG)622implemented by the processor62and symbols sets642stored in the memory64of the game controller60, and a display controller629implemented by the processor62which controls the two displays54A and54B to display the selected symbols on each of the display areas of the video displays54. The display areas are provided on two video displays54A and54B, the processor62may implement separate display controllers for controlling the separate displays. However, as indicated above, it is envisaged that the display areas of the symbol display may alternatively be provided on a single video display in an alternative embodiment. Also, it is envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, the display areas of the symbol display may alternatively be on the respective displays of separate gaming machines comprising separate game controllers comprising separate processors implementing separate display controllers, and separate games may be played at the separate gaming machines.

In the embodiment described, there are two display areas provided on two separate video displays54A,54B. In a first implementation of the game, the same amount of symbol display positions may be arranged on the first and the second video displays54A and54B. In a second implementation of the game, more symbol display positions may be arranged in a first video display54A when compared to the second video display54B.

For each instance of the game, a subset of the symbols displayed in the symbol display positions is evaluated by the outcome evaluator626to determine whether to make an award. The outcome evaluator626communicates with the winning combination data module649stored in memory64.

The symbol selector623selects symbols from a symbol set and assigns the selected symbols to a plurality of respective symbol display positions on the first and the second video displays54A and54B. The symbols in each symbol display position may be changed by the symbol selector623for each instance of the game. The symbols in each column of the gaming area may be arranged in a reel configuration and the reel may be spun at each instance of the game changing the symbol in the symbol display positions positioned in that column of the gaming area.

During each instance of the game the outcome evaluator626evaluates a subset of the symbols on the gaming area to determine whether to instruct the prize awarder928to make an award. Processor62controls the outcome evaluator626to evaluate a variable subset of symbols at each game instance. The number of symbols in the symbol subset evaluated by the outcome evaluator626increases for each game instance. The number of winning lines which can generate an award increase with the increasing number of symbols. Processor62controls the outcome evaluator626and the two video displays54A and54B in a manner such that, during the first instance of the game, the one or more symbols of the symbol subset which are evaluated by the outcome evaluator626are positioned in symbol display positions on the first video display54A. The second video display54B is positioned on top of the first video display54A and displays symbols in respective symbol display positions which are not part of the symbol subset and are not evaluated by the outcome evaluator626. During the game, symbols are added to the symbol subset for each instance and, during the last instance of the game, all the symbols displayed in the second video display54B are part of the symbol subset and are evaluated by the outcome evaluator626. The symbols comprised in the symbol subset which are evaluated by the outcome evaluator626have a different graphical appearance which differentiates them from the symbols which are not evaluated. For example, the symbols which are not evaluated may look like frozen symbols. These symbols may become unfrozen as they are added to the symbol subset.

The symbol selector623selects a movable symbol which may take one or more symbols positions on the gaming area. For each game instance, symbol mover625moves the movable symbol upwards in the gaming area to swap its positions with other symbols on the gaming area. While the movable symbol is being moved by the symbol mover625, the processor62adds one or more symbols to the symbol subset and communicates with the prize awarder628to increase an award multiplier. The movable symbol may be a wild symbol.

When the symbols of the symbol subset are evaluated by the outcome evaluator626, the prize awarder628may make one or more awards based on the prize data648stored in the memory64if winning symbol combinations are identified in accordance with winning combinations data649.

In a second embodiment, not all the symbol display positions are positioned on the display area of the video displays54A and54B. In a manner similar to the addition of symbols to the symbol subset which is evaluated by the outcome evaluator626, new symbol display positions are added to the display area for each game instance. For example during the first game instance only the first video display54A may comprise symbol display positions, while the second video display may show an animation or a picture. While the game is played, for each instance of the game symbol display positions may be added and may be displayed on the second video display54B. In this embodiment the subset of symbols may comprise all the symbols in all the display positions for each instance of the game. In this case the subset of symbols is increased at each instance by increasing the number of symbol display positions. The symbol subset may also comprise some of the symbols displayed at the symbol display positions, and some other is the symbols may not be part for the subset and be displayed, for example, as frozen symbols.

InFIG. 7, there is shown a flowchart700of a method of gaming in respect of the first embodiment. The beginning of the game may be triggered by several events, for example a player places a wager and initiates a play of the game, or a player is playing a an initial game and a particular condition which takes place in the initial game triggers a feature game which may be the game of the first embodiment. Types of feature games include: those where a series of free game events are awarded such as free games or re-spins (where some reels are held while others are re-spun); games where the symbols on the reel are changed; and “second screen” games where game play is totally different to the base game, for example where the player makes selections in a “pick a box type” game.

At step702, the symbol selector623selects a plurality of symbols from a symbol set. At step704the processor62controls the first video display54A and the second video display54B to display the plurality of symbols at respective display positions. At step708the symbol mover module625moves the movable symbol upwards on the gaming area. At step709the processor62adds one or more symbols to the symbol subset and, at step710the outcome evaluator626evaluates the symbol subset and determines whether to make an award. At this stage the processor62may increase a prize multiplier. At step712the prize awarder628makes one or more awards based on the prize data648stored in the memory64if winning symbol combinations are identified in accordance with winning combinations data649. For each game instance some or all of the steps of flow chart700are performed.

Referring now toFIGS. 8A and 8B, there are shown screen shots800and850of a first and a second video display of a gaming area in accordance with the first embodiment. Screen shot800is a screen shot of (top) display54B, in accordance with the first embodiment and screen shot850is a screen shot of (bottom) display54A, in accordance with the first embodiment.

The gaming area shown in the first and second video displays replicates an ice wall which is a landmark of motion picture series “Game of Thrones”. The symbols available to the symbol selector623represent characters of the same series852. Screen shots800and850show a possible configuration of the symbols positioned on the first and the second video display54A and54B during a game. The majority of the symbols of the symbol subset evaluated by the symbols evaluator626are displayed in symbols display positions on the first video display54A in clear colors,852. The remaining symbols, which are not part of the symbol subset and are not evaluated by the symbols evaluator626, are displayed in symbols display positions on the second video display54B and appear as frozen symbols,854. The movable symbol is provided in the form of an elevator856. For each game instance, elevator856moves upwards along the ice and ice falls away from the frozen symbols above the elevator856. As the ice falls from these symbols, these symbols are added to the symbol subset increasing the number of paylines and the possible winning combinations available to the player.

The movable symbol856is also a wild symbol. In particular, the elevator856is a two symbol display positions high wild symbol and carries an award multiplier which is incremented each time the elevator856is moved up along the ice wall.

Symbols positioned on symbol display positions on the same columns of the gaming area belong to symbol reels. The gaming area has 5 reels. At the beginning of the game each reel may only have one symbol ‘unfrozen’ which is part of the evaluated symbol subset. During the last instance of the game, the elevator856reaches the top of the wall and all the symbols are ice free and part of the symbol subset. When the reels are spun in this last instance the reels are expanded to a 16×5 matrix of symbols display positions with symbols evaluated by the symbol evaluator626. This provides the player with134available lines.

To be awarded a prize, during one of the game instances the reels are spun and a given combination of symbols of the symbol subset must be obtained along an available winning line. The symbol evaluator626implemented by the processor62of the game controller60of the gaming machine then evaluates the symbol subset and the prize in accordance with winning combinations data649and the prize awarder628awards a prize in accordance with prize data648.

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.

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 invention, 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 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.