U.S. Pat. No. 8,702,491

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game where a win entitlement is generated for the player by selecting a subset of the displayed symbol positions to form a symbol pattern and determining the extent to which the symbol pattern is completed by designated winning symbols. Typically, the win entitlement is generated as an additional win entitlement.

General Construction of Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in 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 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 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 game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals.

Persons skilled in the art will also 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).

Further Description of Gaming System

In this embodiment a symbol pattern or “winning grid” is provided as an additional win entitlement to a base player win entitlement such that it can be awarded as an additional bonus. In alternative embodiments, the symbol pattern may be the sole win entitlement and/or there may be plural symbol patterns. The player may be required to make an additional wager to have access to the winning grid or it may be available for a normal bet. Alternative eligibility requirements may also be applied, for example, the player may access the grid if they achieve a specific turnover, a specific combination or if a system connected to the gaming machine chooses to make an award to the player.

Referring toFIG. 6, the symbol pattern is generated by the symbol pattern generator622B selecting a subset of the symbol positions which will be displayed as filled with symbols when a game outcome is generated. For example, if the winning grid is implemented in relation to a spinning reel type game, portions of each reel will be displayed at a plurality of symbol positions on the display54, for example, at three symbol positions for each of five reels. To this end, the game controller60has a symbol pattern generator622B arranged to generate a symbol pattern by selecting display positions from position data644in accordance with pattern generator rules643A. Typically, the symbol pattern that is generated is stored642and is displayed on display54to the player under control of display controller624. For example, above the normal display of the reels, on a secondary display, on the display of an associated player tracking module, or as an underlay or overlay of the existing reels so that a player can anticipate and verify the win.

In an alternative embodiment, the symbol pattern may be selected by the player, for example, in an embodiment, where a touch screen is associated with display54, the player may be asked to select a pattern by touching a designated number of positions in the grid. The selected positions are stored as symbol pattern data642by the game controller60.

The player's eligibility for the symbol pattern may be obtained in a number of different ways depending on the embodiment, for example, the player may purchase the entitlement or be awarded the grid during a free game sequence. The number of positions to be chosen could be fixed or be variable. The duration of the chose grid could be one game or a series of games or until such time that the player changes the selection or reduces a purchasing bet.

In embodiments, where the number of positions can be varied, the number of positions available could be linked to the game play history on the gaming machine or the player's status. For example, a loyalty point status based on data obtained from loyalty server212or from a loyalty card inserted in a player tracking module connected to the gaming machine, so that players with higher loyalty status obtain “better” symbol pattern. What makes a symbol pattern “better” will depend on the pay table and could be more or less symbol positions depending on the embodiment.

In embodiments where the symbol pattern is an additional win entitlement, the generation of the pattern is typically constrained by rules643A so that the pattern is different to any of the win lines. This can be achieved in a number of ways including constraining the generation of the pattern such that display positions cannot be selected from all reels or that if display positions are selected for all reels, at least one additional display position is selected for one of the reels. Alternatively, the game designer may chose a selection process that is unlikely to produce a symbol pattern that is the same as a win line. Other constraints may also be applied for example to ensure that the symbol pattern is formed of contiguous display positions or has a minimum or maximum number of display positions.

Generation rules643A also specify when the symbol pattern generator622B should generate a new symbol pattern. For example, each game round (spin in a spinning reel embodiment) after a win (or a particular win), or after a defined idle period so that a new pattern is generated for a new player.

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

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

Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In other words, all symbol positions of a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with designated, displayed symbol positions of other reels.

In other embodiments a base player win entitlement may be affected by purchasing access to particular pay tables—e.g. a first bet amount entitles the player to wins including cherries and a second amount entitles them to wins including plums. The win entitlement is not always purchased—e.g. a series of free games may be awarded.

After the player's win entitlement has been specified and a pattern has been generated, the outcome generator622generates a game outcome by employing a symbol selector622A to select a plurality of symbols to be displayed in the display position. In the case of a spinning reel type embodiment, this is achieved by selecting stopping positions for each of a plurality of virtual reels, the virtual reels having a set of symbols in a defined sequence such that the stop position defines the symbols which will appear on the display54. For example, the symbol selector622A may use random number generator (RNG)621to select stop positions for five separate reels each having three symbols displayed on the display such that 15 displays positions are on the screen arranged in five columns

In embodiments where a symbol pattern is generated for each game outcome, the symbol pattern can be generated concurrently by the pattern generator622B using RNG621and displayed either before the reels are spun, as the reels are being spun, or just after the reels are spun.

After the symbols have been selected by selector622A, the prize evaluator623determines whether the player has achieved any wins based on their win entitlements645and the prize data646. To this end, the prize evaluator623has a symbol combination evaluator623A for evaluating the players base entitlement (i.e. by determining whether any of the symbol combinations correspond to prizes) as well as a symbol pattern evaluator623B which determines the extent to which designated winning symbols of the selected symbols correspond to the symbol pattern on the display.

Depending on the embodiment, the winning symbols may be any symbols that are found in the prize table or a subset of symbols be restricted solely to evaluation of the symbol pattern—i.e. there may be symbols which result in wins in normal symbol combinations in accordance with a player's base win entitlement but cannot result in wins for a symbol pattern.

A number of different rules can be implemented in order to determine the extent to which the symbols pattern corresponds to the winning symbols. For example, a prize may be awarded only for exact match where the symbol pattern is filled with winning symbols and there are no left over winning symbols of the same type. In some embodiments prizes may be awarded for near misses, for example where there is a small number of leftover winning symbols or the symbol pattern is nearly filled by winning symbols. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Once the prizes have been determined the prize evaluator623updates the meters647as well as displaying any wins on display54under control of display controller624.

The method of the embodiment700is summarised inFIG. 7. A game round is started710and is determined whether it is necessary to generate a new symbol pattern720. If it is necessary to generate a new symbol pattern, symbol positions are selected730and displayed on the display735. Irrespective of whether the new symbol pattern is generated or not, the method involves evaluating the symbol pattern against the displayed symbols740as well as evaluating symbol combinations750before determining whether any prizes are won760and the prizes either awarded770or the method proceeds to the start of another game round.

EXAMPLES

Referring toFIGS. 8A to 8Fthere are shown a number of examples where the winning grid is applied. In these examples, the winning grid is triggered in response to a particular symbol combination occurring in the base game.

A winning grid scorecard applies which is as follows:all winning symbols match a square of the winning grid with no winning symbols missed by the symbol pattern: 500 credits×initial wager;all squares matched with winning symbols but not an exact match: 300 credits×initial wager;one square in the grid is missed: 100 credits×initial wager; andtwo squares in the grid are missed: 10 credits×initial wager.

Referring toFIG. 8Athere is shown an exemplary display which has a normal display802A which corresponds to three symbols from each five reels811to815arranged on three rows821to823. Above the display of the stop positions the reel there is shown a smaller version of the display positions which shows the winning grid with the shaded symbols defining a symbol pattern831. An asterisk or asterisks at positions of the winning grid display830A show the location of winning symbols in the main display802A. In this example it will be seen that there is an exact match as there are winning symbols at each position of the symbol pattern831. In this case winning symbols are aces and scatter symbols. That is there are four aces and four scatter symbols at the relevant positions; this results in a bonus win of 500 credits.

FIG. 8Bshows an alternative example with a symbol pattern831is the same as inFIG. 8Abut there is a an additional ace symbol left over as indicated by asterisk841on winning grid display830B. Accordingly this is not an exact match as there is one symbol left over. An award of 300 credits is made.

FIG. 8Cshows an alternative arrangement with a different symbol pattern832. In this symbol pattern there is one square (or part of the symbol pattern) that is missed843and a leftover symbol842. In this case a bonus win of 100 credits is awarded because one square in the winning grid is missed in the arrangement shown830C.

FIG. 8Dshows that winning grids consisting of small numbers of display positions may be provided. Such symbol patterns can be considered to be lucky as a player can potentially win a prize even if they have no matching symbols. Accordingly in the arrangement shown inFIG. 8D, the winning grid833shown in grid display830D has only one symbol position. Accordingly, even though the main display802D has no winning symbols, the player wins because this is a situation where only one square in the grid is missed. Accordingly, the player wins a prize of 100 credits.

A similar situation is shown in the displays830E and802E ofFIG. 8Ewhere the winning grid834consists of two display positions both of which are missed and the player wins a bonus of 10 credits multiplied by credits bets.

TheFIG. 8Fshows a similar situation with another small winning grid835but this time the grid835is filled by the two aces which are winning symbols. Without the winning grid feature, this winning combination would normally only achieve a small prize. With the feature, a bonus win of 500 credits multiplied by credits bet is made for an exact match based on the two aces.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, that various features described above may be combined to form further embodiments.

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 other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.