U.S. Pat. No. 11,321,995

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the present invention involve both hardware and software elements which portions are described below in such detail required to construct and operate a game method and system according to the embodiments of the present invention.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied thereon, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF and the like, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like or conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, AJAX, PHP, HTML, XHTML, Ruby, CSS or similar programming languages. The programming code may be configured in an application, an operating system, as part of a system firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. The programming code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on a remote computer or server as in a client/server relationship sometimes known as cloud computing. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagrams. As used herein, a “gaming device” should be understood to be any one of a general-purpose computer, as for example a personal computer or a laptop computer, a client computer configured for interaction with a server, a special purpose computer such as a server, or a smart phone, soft phone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant or any other machine adapted for executing programmable instructions in accordance with the description thereof set forth above.

The embodiments of the present invention may be facilitated by an electronic gaming device whereby a single player plays against the electronic gaming device's (or machine's) processor as described herein. The electronic gaming device may be a standalone device and bar-top device forming part of a gaming device network or not. A block diagram of the electronic gaming device100is shown inFIG. 1. The exemplary electronic gaming device100may include a central processing unit (CPU) also deemed a processor105which controls the electronic gaming device100based on instructions stored in program read-only memory (ROM)110and pay table ROM115. Program ROM110stores executable instructions related to the operation of the gaming device100and which are generally permanent. CPU105may be connected to a video controller120which provides output to one or more video displays125. Similarly, an audio controller130provides audio output as dictated by the CPU105through speakers135. The aforementioned components and others may be attached to a circuit board forming a motherboard. In another embodiment, the electronic gaming device100may be linked to a central game server which allows players to select from a number of games via the electronic gaming device100. In such an embodiment, one or more processors integrated into the central server control the gaming device100based on instructions stored in program ROM110.

A user interface140may respond to buttons on button panel or display incorporating touch screen technology or any other devices providing means for users to communicate with, and instruct, the electronic gaming device100. Wager memory145stores an amount of money/credits deposited into the electronic gaming device100by a player and specific wager information related to each play of the electronic gaming device100. A bill validator147is configured to read currency and tickets. Payout system150includes a coupon printer or similar device for receiving money/coupon from the electronic gaming device100.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration and features of the electronic gaming device100disclosed herein are exemplary and may be altered in any number of ways without impacting the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2shows a block diagram of a gaming network175which may be used to facilitate play of the game via linked gaming devices according to the embodiments of the present invention. The gaming network175comprises a central processor180(e.g., processor-equipped game server) in communication with multiple gaming devices185-1through185-N as described inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3shows a block diagram of a wireless system200which may be used to facilitate remote play of the game according to the embodiments of the present invention. The wireless network system200comprises a processor-equipped game server205, including one or more processors210running game software, and remote devices215-1through215-N (e.g., smart phones) configured to access said game server205facilitating game play on the remote devices215-1through215-N. In another embodiment, the video game according to the embodiments of the present invention may be in the form of a software application (“App”) downloadable onto smart phones, tablets or computers and playable via processing power and a user interface associated therewith.

The detailed description below focuses on an embodiment wherein the underlying game play is based on a slot game. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the system and method disclosed herein may use any underlying game type, including video poker, keno, bingo, etc., to display the Win or Loss outcome determined by the skill input.

FIG. 4shows an exemplary attraction or idle screen405of an electronic gaming device400according to the embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the electronic gaming device400includes a skill interface410, game selection area415and game branding area420(in this instance branded as Fire Spin). Upon approaching the electronic gaming device400, the player first selects the game to be played. As shown, the player can select amongst Vegas Big Win421, Flaming 777s422or Coyote Creek423. Obviously, other slot style games may be available for the player to choose from.

In this embodiment, the skill interface410comprises sixteen rectangular spaces411-1through411-16. Those skilled in the art will recognize that more or less than sixteen spaces may be utilized and the spaces may take on any shape and dimension. Each space411-1through411-16includes a display430on which the word Win or Lose is randomly and intermittingly depicted. In one embodiment, the Win or Lose terms may change in each space411-1through411-16in a pre-established pattern or randomly according to a random number generator or similar software- and/or hardware-based randomizer. Each space411-1through411-16further includes an outcome indicator412in the form of circumferential light. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the outcome indicator412need not be a circumferential light412. For example, the display430may change color, the Win or Lose term may illuminate or a mark adjacent to each space411-1through411-16may illuminate to signify a Win or Loss. Indeed, any manner of visually indicating which space411-1through411-16determines the game outcome maybe utilized.

FIG. 5shows an exemplary front view406of an electronic gaming device400according to the embodiments of the present invention after the player has selected to play Flaming 777s422.FIG. 11shows a Coyote Creek423embodiment. Once the game selection is made, the electronic gaming device400now shows the skill interface410, a game play window425associated with the selected game and payout area430associated with the game selected. In this instance, the payout area430extends from a top portion of the electronic gaming device400to a position adjacent to the game play window425. The skill interface410, a game play window425associated with the selected game and payout area430associated with the game selected may all be on a single display or two or three individual displays.

As shown inFIGS. 6A through 6C, simultaneously, as the Win and Loss terms are intermittingly changing in the spaces411-1through411-16, the outcome indicator412is moving from space to space highlighting a single space411-1through411-16. The timing of the Win and Loss terms changing and the outcome indicator412moving from space to space may be coordinated, random or offset. For example, in an offset embodiment, the Win and Loss terms may change, if at all, every second while the outcome indicator412moves from one space to a next space (e.g., adjacent space), every ½ second. The timing of Win and Loss terms changing and the outcome indicator412moving from space to space may be adjusted to make the game more or less challenging for the player. In one embodiment, the outcome indicator412moves in a pattern (e.g., from one space to an adjacent space in a clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion or every other space, etc.) or moves randomly amongst the spaces. Like the timing of the Win and Loss terms changing and the outcome indicator412moving from space to space, the manner in which the outcome indicator412moves may be adjusted to make the game more or less challenging for the player.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow spaces changing Win and Loss depictions. As shown inFIG. 7A, space411-8shows a Win depiction while inFIG. 7Bspaces411-2,411-10and411-12show Win depictions.

In one embodiment, prizes are associated with the spaces411-1through411-16. In such an embodiment, the system generates a prize model450that is mapped onto the sixteen spaces411-1through411-16. In one embodiment a new prize model450is generated and mapped onto the sixteen spaces411-1through411-16every second or less.FIG. 8shows an exemplary prize model450including possible prizes including monetary awards, free plays, bonus wheel and cash hits. Any conceivable prize may be mapped onto the spaces411-1through411-16.

FIGS. 9A through 9Gillustrate a Win outcome and associated game play according to the embodiments of the present invention. Once the skill input results in the outcome indicator412identifying the space411-2depicting a Win, the game play is activated to generate an outcome 417 commensurate with the prize mapped onto the winning space. For example, if the prize model indicates that space2is associated with a prize of 25 units, the video slots will activate and generate a winning outcome corresponding to an award of 25 units. While the player knows that he or she has won when the outcome indicator412identifies a winning space, the player does not know the prize such that the game play remains exciting. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the player may be notified of the prize as soon as the outcome indicator412identifies a winning space.FIGS. 9B-9Gshow the game play window425displaying a game play in the form of a slot style game (i.e., spinning reels which ultimately stop to generate an outcome (seeFIG. 9G) a prize commensurate with the prize associated with space411-2).

FIG. 10shows a flow chart500detailing a methodology for conducting a game according to the embodiments of the present invention. At505, the game is funded using currency or gaming tickets which are converted into gaming machine device credits. At510, the player selects a game. In another embodiment, the electronic gaming device only supports one game such that the player need not select a game to play. At515, prizes are continuously mapped to spaces411-1through411-16on the digital board. In one embodiment, the prize mapping process continues while the game is idle as well. At520, the player uses the skill interface (e.g., button or touch screen icon) to stop the outcome indicator412. At525, it is determined if the player input results in the outcome indicator412identifying a winning outcome. If not, at530, a losing game play is activated. If so, at535, a winning game play is activated wherein the prize is commensurate with the prize mapped at515.

Besides monetary prizes, the embodiments of the present invention envision a Respin feature. In one such embodiment, a Respin symbol appears on the 3rd reel and initiates the Respin Feature so that reels 1, 2, 4, and 5 respin. In one embodiment, the Respin feature may repeat up to 5 times, or until a winning game occurs. Another embodiment includes a Wheel Bonus during which Mini, Minor, Major and Grand award the amounts shown on screen multiplied by the line bet plus a progression. Another embodiment contemplates a random bonus triggered after a game that had a win less than or equal to the minimum play level the bonus increases the win up to 1000×. Another embodiment includes a Free Game Frenzy where 10 to 50 free games are awarded. In another embodiment, a Cash Hits feature renders the player eligible for progressive payouts. Regardless of the game play game type, the prizes may be monetary or non-monetary and take any form.

While a slot game is detailed above, other game types may benefit from the embodiments of the present invention. For example, with a video poker game, the skill input can trigger a losing video poker outcome or a winning video poker outcome. It is also evident that the outcome indicator may highlight multiple spaces411-1through411-16and multiple spaces411-1through411-16may depict Win.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.