U.S. Pat. No. 8,585,488

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game wherein a “whole reel symbol” is selected and appears on the display causing at least one of the reels to show the whole reel symbol in all visible reel positions.

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 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 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 comprises 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 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 controller101including 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 as required for 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 as required by 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, 9 and 17. 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 reels 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 incorporate for example, horizontal or diagonal lines.

In other embodiments, the player may place a wager differently, for example, by selecting a number of reels to play such that the player selects a number of ways to win based on the active display positions of each reel—each display position being active for a selected reel and only one display position being active for other reels.

The game controller of one embodiment is shown in more detail inFIG. 6. The game controller60incorporates a processor62which implements a symbol selector610comprising reel symbol selector611and whole reel symbol selector612, random number generator650, whole reel symbol game round controller620comprising a reel selector621to select the reel to be composed of the whole reel symbol and outcome evaluator630based on program code stored in memory64. Memory64comprises game instructions644, reel symbol sets641, whole reel symbol set642, prize data645and meter data646. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of these components of the game controller could be provided in other ways, for example by a dedicated circuit.

Symbol selector610selects symbols from either whole reel symbol set642for the whole reel symbol to compose the whole of the at least one reel, or from reel symbol sets641to occupy the other reels, using random numbers from random number generator650, to appear at display positions on the display54. For example, in the case of the other reels that are not to be composed of the whole reel symbol this may be done by selecting stop positions for a plurality of reels defined by the reel symbol sets. Symbol selector610works in cooperation with whole reel symbol controller620which controls the appearance, location and overriding effect of the whole reel symbol in a whole reel symbol game round, including specifying via reel selector621which reel will be composed of the whole reel symbol. In one embodiment the initiation of the whole reel symbol game round may be determined either by player choice input from game play mechanism56, by a random event obtained from random number generator650, or by a previous game round outcome such as a special prize determined by outcome evaluator630, or by other techniques known in the art for initiating a different element of game play.

The outcome evaluator630calculates any prize associated with the current game round depending on game instructions644and prize data645. The outcome evaluator 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 whole reel symbol game round should occur1201is first performed by the whole reel symbol game round controller620, with input from player choice, random event or previous win combination.

If the answer is “no”, in step1202the symbol selector610selects the symbols to display in the reel positions normally from reel symbol sets641, shown on the display54by the reels spinning in their visible reel positions and stopping with the selected symbols.

If the answer is “yes”, in step1203the whole reel symbol game round controller620commands symbol selector610to start the selection process of all the spinnable reels and whole reel symbol window, as shown on the display54by a simulated spinning action in the visible reel positions and the whole reel symbol window. In step1204whole reel symbol game round controller620commands symbol selector610to select the whole reel symbol from whole reel symbol set642(or possibly the first of a set if there is to be more than one reel to be composed of the whole reel symbol, or indeed if two reels are to be composed of independently selected whole reel symbols) and display on the display54by the appearance of the selected whole reel symbol in a whole reel symbol window. In step1205whole reel symbol game round controller620via the reel selector621determines and commands symbol selector610which reel or reels shall be composed of the whole reel symbol. This may be determined on the basis of player choice through game play mechanism56, random event through random number generator650or a previous winning outcome determined by outcome evaluator630. It will be appreciated that selecting the whole reel symbol first provides an advantageous sense of anticipation.

In one embodiment, if the whole reel symbol game round is a current one of a series, the reels composed of the whole reel symbol from the previous game round may be retained with their whole reel symbols, and an additional reel may be chosen for the current round to be composed of an independently selected current whole reel symbol, which may or may not be the same as the preceding whole reel symbol. In another embodiment, the reels composed of the whole reel symbols from the previous game round may be reset. In step1206the whole reel symbol game round controller620commands the symbol selector610to select symbols for the special reels with the whole reel symbol in all visible reel positions. In step1207the symbol selector610is cleared to select symbols normally for all the other reels.

In step1208outcome evaluator630determines the game round outcome from prize data645.

Example 1

Now referring toFIGS. 8A,8B and8C, an example of one embodiment of the method of the invention is shown. InFIG. 8Aa reel part of the display is divided into 5 reels840ato840enumbered1to5from left to right each displaying 3 symbols in a vertical visible reel window, arranged into top line850a, centre line850band bottom line850csuch that there are 15 display positions in total. Triggered by particular winning combination of a previous game round, the whole reel symbol game round controller has determined that a whole reel symbol game round will occur. A whole reel symbol window860appears outside the reel part of the display with room to show the whole reel symbol. In the figure, the whole reel symbol has by now been selected and is shown in the whole reel symbol window860as a “King”. The reels are still spinning, shown in the figure as blank. Which reel will be composed of the whole reel symbol has not yet been determined.

FIG. 8Bshows the display some time later, when the whole reel symbol game round controller620has determined using a random number from random number generator650that reel number5shall be the special reel, and the whole reel symbol “King” is displayed in all visible reel positions of reel number5.

FIG. 8Cshows the display a further time later, when the other reels have stopped spinning. The prize is evaluated by outcome evaluator630. The win line in this example was the default centre line. Outcome evaluator630awards a prize for 4 Kings on the centre line, using the WILD symbol as a substitute for a King, calculating the prize using prize data645and updates meter data646.

Example 2

Now referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, an example of another embodiment is shown as a following game round from the game round of example 1. In this embodiment, the whole reel symbol game round controller620has determined that more than one whole reel symbol game round shall occur, and has also determined that in the current game round the preceding reel number5will be frozen with its Kings intact, an additional reel will be chosen to be composed of a new current whole reel symbol. This embodiment compounds the excitement in the current game round as the winning probabilities are further increased.

FIG. 9Ashows the situation after the symbol selector has selected the current whole reel symbol as a WILD, shown in the whole reel symbol window, and has selected the WILD to appear on all the visible reel positions of reel number3under command of the whole reel symbol game round controller620. Reel numbers1,2and4are still spinning.

FIG. 9Bshows the situation some time later, after the selected symbols for the remaining reels have spun to a stop.

Outcome evaluator630awards a prize for 4 Jacks on the centre line, using the WILD symbol as a substitute for a Jack, calculating the prize using prize data645and updates meter data646. If there was a bottom win line also, outcome evaluator would also award a prize for four Kings on the bottom line.

Example 3

Now referring toFIG. 10, an example of another embodiment is shown as a variant of the following game round from the game round of example 2. In this embodiment, the whole reel symbol game round controller620has determined that more than one whole reel symbol game round shall occur, and has also determined that in the current game round the preceding reel number5will be reset and spun with the other reels. The reel number5may or may not be selected as the current reel to be composed of the current whole reel symbol.

FIG. 10shows the final display after the symbol selector has selected the current whole reel symbol as a WILD, shown in the whole reel symbol window, has selected the WILD to appear on all the visible reel positions of reel number3under command of the whole reel symbol game round controller620, and after symbol selector610has selected symbols for the remaining reels1,24and5.

Outcome evaluator630awards a prize for 4 Jacks on the centre line, using the WILD symbol as a substitute for a Jack, calculating the prize using prize data645and updates meter data646.

It will be appreciated as emphasised herein that the invention is not restricted to a particular number of possible special reels or possible corresponding whole reel symbols, provided there is more than one whole reel symbol available to select, or a particular number of whole reel symbol game rounds. It will also be appreciated that the whole reel symbol set can intersect with, be a subset of, or be the same as, the reel symbol sets.

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 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, that features described above may be combined to form further embodiments.

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.

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.