U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,216

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 the spin direction of at least one of the reels can be arranged to a diagonal direction. In some embodiments, both diagonal and vertical spins can occur.

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 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 implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components 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 includes one or more input devices which enable 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 controller101comprise 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. 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.

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. 5are 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 rules and/or guidelines 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 number 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 based on 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 accesses a random number generator to determine 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 correspond to the symbols at positions3,13,7,9and17of their respective reel. The spinning of the reels is then controlled so that each selected symbol comes to a stop at a designated place. The symbols shown at other display positions of each reel are automatically selected because they are on the same reel strip such that neighbouring symbols will be shown at the other display positions.

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 designated 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 incorporate for example, horizontal or incorporate diagonal line portions.

Diagonal win line portions admit the possibility that in a diagonal spin game round of the present invention, the win line can include all of the visible reel positions of a single reel, allowing for different win probabilities especially when the reel has a “stacked symbol” (i.e. a repeated set of the same symbol in adjacent positions on the reel). Diagonal win lines also allow for different interactions between the symbols of the reels and the win lines. Embodiments exploiting these possibilities are described in more detail below.

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, spin direction controller620including vertical spin controller621and diagonal spin controller622, and 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 data641as described above. Symbol selector610works in cooperation with spin direction controller620which controls the correspondence between the reels and the display positions. In one embodiment the game round may be a conventional vertical spin game round or a diagonal spin game round, as determined in response to a trigger event which may be for example, a player input from game play mechanism56(for example, a specific bet type such as an ante bet), by a random event obtained either directly from random number generator650, or by a previous game round outcome such as a special prize determined by outcome generator630or a specific combination of symbols. In a vertical spin game round as is conventionally played, vertical spin controller621informs symbol selector610that the visible reel positions are to correspond vertically with the reels. In a diagonal spin game round, diagonal spin controller622informs symbol selector610of a different correspondence where at least one of the reels has the visible reel positions disposed diagonally across the display positions. Which particular reel or reels are modified may be predetermined or controlled by player choice, random event or previous game outcome. Spin direction controller620and in particular diagonal spin controller622also communicates with outcome generator630to determine whether any win lines should be adjusted.

The outcome generator630calculates any prize associated with the current game round depending on game instructions644, prize data645and any modifications to win lines dictated by diagonal spin controller622. The outcome generator then updates meter data645, and displays any win on display54on the player interface50.

Now referring toFIG. 7, a flow diagram for an embodiment of the invention is shown. The step of determining whether the reels should spin diagonally1201is first performed, with input from player choice, random event or previous win combination. If the answer is “no”, the vertical spin controller621informs symbols selector610of a particular correspondence between the display positions and the reels as well as which reels are to spin so that the reels will spin vertically. Any win line which has been adjusted in a previous diagonal spin game round is reset to its previous position. If the answer is “yes”, in step1202the diagonal spin controller622informs symbol selector610of a particular correspondence between the display positions and the reels as well as which reels are to spin so that at least one of the reels will spin diagonally. In one embodiment, the visible reel positions of at least one of the reels is moved into a corner to accommodate other reels with diagonal spins, the former reel being frozen for the diagonal spin. In a variant of this embodiment, the reels spins but the reel is non-linear in the sense that the three display positions which correspond to the reel do not follow a straight line but these reels are still spun.

In step1203the diagonal spin controller determines from player choice, random event or previous win combination whether the win lines are to be adjusted. If the answer is “no”, the win lines remain as the same set of display positions set during a conventional vertical spin game round. If the answer is “yes”, the win lines are adjusted in step1204. In one example, if a win line contained a diagonal element that would have allowed all the visible reel positions of a single reel to fall on the win line, the win line is rearranged to avoid such coincidence, for example, a different set of win lines may apply in diagonal spin rounds to vertical spin rounds. In another embodiment, the win lines may remain the same, for example so that a player may obtain additional benefits from stacked symbols on a reel. Accordingly, in one example, a first award made to a player is to award stacked symbols and a second award is to conduct one or more diagonal spin rounds.

In step1206the symbol selector610is cleared to spin the reels, using random number generator650and symbol data641, and the result is displayed on display54.

In step1207outcome generator630determines the game round outcome from prize data645using win lines as possibly modified by the spin direction controller620.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to a particular direction of diagonal shift or a particular number of affected reels. It will also be appreciated that an alternative to rearranging the non-participating reels into corners is to overwrite those positions and even leave some positions blank or with special symbols. It will further be appreciated that the non-diagonal and non-vertical reels could also be “spun” in their crooked-leg orientations. It will also be appreciated that in one extreme, all of the game rounds can be diagonal spin game rounds.

EXAMPLE 1

Now referring toFIGS. 8A,8B and8C, an example of one embodiment of the method of the invention is shown. InFIG. 8Athe display is divided after a vertical spin game round into five reels840ato840enumbered1to5from left to right each displaying three symbols in a vertical visible reel window, arranged into top line850a, centre line850band bottom line850csuch that there are 15 display positions in total. The spin directions in the vertical spin round were as specified by the five vertical arrows X. Triggered by a random event, the spin direction controller determines that a diagonal spin game round will now occur. The central three reels, numbers2,3and4, will be shifted to diagonal spins as indicated by arrows Y and are individually shaded in the diagram. InFIG. 8Bthe result of the rearrangement is seen, where reels2,3and4are shifted horizontally one position left on the top line and horizontally one position right on the bottom line. Reel1is rearranged to occupy the three positions in the bottom left and reel5is rearranged to occupy the three positions in the top right. InFIG. 8Cthe result of the diagonal spin game round is shown. In this example, Reel1and reel5did not spin, being neither diagonal nor vertical. (In other embodiments they can spin with the display positions having a designated relationship such that the symbol order on the reel is preserved relative to the display positions.) Reels2,3and4have spun diagonally. Reel2shows three Kings in its three display positions, having a “stacked symbol”.

The prize is now evaluated by outcome generator630. The win line in this example was the default centre line, which was not changed by diagonal spin controller622. There are no prizes awarded, so meter data646is not updated.

EXAMPLE 2

Now referring toFIG. 9, another example is shown as a variant on the play of example 1. The play is the same as in example 1, except that in this example the win line has been set as the zigzag line shown. Diagonal spin controller622has determined that the zigzag line is not to be adjusted for the diagonal spin game round. The win line passes through all of the visible reel positions of reel2. Since Reel2has a stacked symbol, the consequence is that the win line picks up all the three Kings. The prize is now evaluated by outcome generator630and the player is paid for four Kings on the win line.

EXAMPLE 3

Now referring toFIG. 10, another example is shown as a further variant on the play of example 1. Starting from the same configuration of symbols show inFIG. 8A, diagonal spin controller622triggered by a random event has determined that reel2will be rearranged to a diagonal position. Reels1and3are shifted as shown to make way. Reels4and5are unaffected and will spin vertically. Thus in this example, reel2will spin diagonally, reels4and5will spin vertically and reels1and3will be frozen.

EXAMPLE 4

Now referring toFIGS. 11A and 11B, there is shown a further example where Reel2has stacked symbols in the form of a lot of wild symbols but could also be composed solely of wild symbols. InFIG. 11Athere are 3 played win lines corresponding to the rows of display positions. InFIG. 11Athere are now winning symbol combinations.

A diagonal spin is triggered and the reels are rearranged such that Reel11110occupies the bottom left display positions, Reels2,3, and41120,1130,1140occupy diagonal lines of display positions and Reel51150occupies the top right display positions. The reels have each been re-spun as shown inFIG. 11Bsuch that there is a winning combination of wild, Q,Q on the top line paying 3 queens and a winning combination of A, wild, A paying 3 Aces on the centre line.

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 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 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 Australia or any other 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 and/or aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments and aspects 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.