U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,330

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game wherein a distortion element is superimposed over one or more display positions which may modify the underlying symbols. In some embodiments, the state of the distortion element can take one of a range of states. In an embodiment, the modification is to make one or more adjacent symbols into the same symbol.

The gaming system may take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components 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 for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components 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 stand alone 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 system includes 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 for the player to enter instructions and play the game.

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 mechanism56that enables a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), 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 instructions 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.

A gaming system 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. 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.

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 processor102. 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 controller101and includes one or more displays106, a touch screen and/or buttons107, 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 based on the specific implementation.

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 central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database.

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.

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 games servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games depending upon the terminals.

Embodiments of the invention relate to gaming systems for implementing games that involve a display of spinning reels as part of the display of the outcome of the game.

The game controllers of such gaming systems have a stop determining function that determines the stop position for each reel. For example, if there are five reels, each having twenty symbols, the stop determining function might determine that the stop positions are positions:3,13,7,9and17. The spinning of the reels is then controlled so that each symbol comes to a stop in the same row, typically a predetermined row in a “window” corresponding to a “single win line” game. When a reel stops, the symbols will be in one of a plurality of possible symbol positions for that reel relative to the stop position.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to gaming systems that allow a player to select how many win lines of a plurality of win lines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed by the game. Each win line is formed by a set of symbol positions consisting of one symbol position from each reel. That is, a predetermined symbol position of each reel is assigned to a win line. The symbol positions that constitute each of the win lines are usually advertised to the player by markings on the display or diagrams showing the symbol positions that correspond to each win line. The win lines may be for example, horizontal or diagonal lines.

The game controller of one embodiment is shown in more detail inFIG. 6. The game controller60incorporates a processor62which implements a symbol selector610, random number generator650, distorting element controller620and outcome generator630based on program code stored in memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of these components could be provided in other ways, for example by a dedicated circuit.

Symbol selector610selects symbols from symbol data641using random numbers from random number generator650, to appear at display positions on the display54. For example, by selecting stop positions for a plurality of reels defined by symbol data641such that subsets of the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of reels set side by side, each subset including a plurality of visible reel positions on spinning reels.

When triggered by an event in accordance with game instructions644, distorting element controller620operates to cause an image of a distorting element such as a part-filled spirit glass to appear on the display, in a position determined by position controller621and with a level of fluid controlled by distortion controller622. In one example, distortion controller621initially begins display of the distortion element in an undistorted state (glass empty) and each time a certain type of win occurs (e.g. based on a specific symbol combination), distortion controller621adds some clear or translucent fluid to the glass, behind which the image of one or more underlying symbols is displayed as distorted. That is, it will be appreciated that the distortion is an optical distortion.

The outcome generator630calculates any prize associated with the current game round depending on game instructions644, prize data645and any current modifications to underlying symbols caused by the distortion element, and updates meter data646. The outcome generator630then updates meters, and displays any win on display54on the player interface50, taking account of the effect of any distortions. In one example, any symbol on which the distortion element is superimposed is enlarged. In one example, an enlarged symbol increases any prize attributed to that symbol such as any symbol combinations including the symbol. In another example, the enlarged symbol “expands” by an optical magnification effect such that it is duplicated at a neighbouring position.

Any of the known rules for controlling the occurrence of feature in a game may be used to control when the distorting element appears, for example, the glass may always appear as part of each game round, the glass may only appear when certain types of bet are made, or the glass may appear when a trigger event occurs, such as a particular symbol or combination of symbols, a turnover amount, or an external event. Similar events may control the state of the distorting element. The distorting element may also only appear during certain parts of the game, for example during a series of free spins.

Now referring toFIG. 7, a flow diagram for an embodiment of the invention is shown. The step of symbol selection1201is to select the symbols for display. The system then performs the step1202of determining whether a distorting element should appear or remain. If the answer is “yes”, in step1203the position controller621sets the position of the distorting element (e.g. a spirit glass) on the display54, and in step1204the distortion controller621determines the amount of distortion, as represented by the fluid level in the spirit glass. If the answer is “no”, the distorting element is removed from the display54if present. In step1206, the outcome generator630determines an outcome for the game round taking into account any distortion effects, and a new game round begins in step1201. Other features of the method will be apparent from the above description of the gaming system.

Persons skilled in the art will be able to conceive other distorting elements, for example a magnifying glass or other optical element could be a distorting element. Further, the state of the distorting element need not necessarily be analogous to filling a glass, in other embodiments, the size of the distorting element could change depending on state.

EXAMPLE 1

Now referring toFIG. 8, one example of the method of the invention is shown. The display is divided into 5 reels840ato840enumbered1to5from left to right each displaying 3 symbols in a visible reel window, arranged into top line850a, centre line850band bottom line850csuch that there are 15 display positions in total. Play involves a series of game rounds with a spirit glass860appearing in front of reel3partly obscuring the symbols, with the symbols in reel3, centre and bottom lines appearing enlarged in a lateral direction to mimic refraction in the clear liquid part-filling the glass.

The prize is now evaluated by outcome generator630. None of the distorted symbols completely covers adjacent symbols and the game rules644specify that no change is made to the game outcome, which in this case results in no prize.

EXAMPLE 2

Now referring toFIG. 9, another example is shown as a variant on the play of example 1. The position controller621has placed the spirit glass so that it is superimposed over reels2and3. Under control of the distortion controller622, the distortion element distorts the symbols in reel2, centre and bottom lines, by such an extent that they completely obscure the adjacent symbols in reel3. These symbols can be considered as occupying both reels. The prize is now evaluated by outcome generator630and the player is paid for three Queens on the centre line.

EXAMPLE 3

Now referring toFIG. 10, another example is shown as a further variant on the play of example 1. The position controller621has placed the spirit glass in the same position as example 2, but this time the distortion controller622has made glass completely full of liquid. The glass full state acts to not only to allow all the symbols in reel2to be duplicated into reel3, but also to double any prizes. The prize is now evaluated by outcome generator630and the player is paid twice the prize for the three Queens on the centre line.

It can also be seen inFIG. 10that droplets of liquid are seen falling from the sides of the glass. In other embodiments the droplets can be larger and also lead to prizes. The glass may not necessarily be vertical. It can slant or spill, creating other illusions and producing distorting spillage that can generate special prizes and a sense of drunken enjoyment.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to a particular form of distorting element or a particular set of rules governing the distortion, the position of the distorting element, or its effect on the game outcome.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it by transmitting it from a server).

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, various of the above features may be combined to form alternative embodiments.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context indicates 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.

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

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.