U.S. Pat. No. 8,882,581

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 there is, in effect, a race to determine whether one or more hidden objects hidden at at least one display position will be located before a symbol combination is completed. In a specific embodiment, the game involves a player making selections of the display positions and reels being spun in order to try to complete the symbol combination. The game may have a number of themes, but in an example, a player attempts to locate a bandit before a symbol combination in the form of a word is completed.

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. 16. 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.

InFIG. 1of the accompanying drawings, one example of a gaming machine suitable for implementing the present invention is generally referenced by arrow10.

The gaming machine10includes a console12having a display14on which is displayed representations of a game16, that can be played by a player. A mid-trim20of the gaming machine10houses a bank of buttons22for enabling a player to play the game16. The mid-trim20also houses a credit input mechanism24including a coin input chute24A and a bill collector24B. 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 the front panel29of the console12. A coin tray30is mounted beneath the console12for cash payouts from the gaming machine10.

The display14shown inFIG. 1is 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. In advantageous embodiments, the top box26may include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display14, or a different type of display.

FIG. 2shows a block diagram of a gaming apparatus, generally referenced by arrow100, suitable for implementing the present invention. The gaming apparatus100may, for example, operate as a standalone gaming machine of the type shown inFIG. 1. However, the gaming apparatus100may alternatively operate as a networked gaming machine, communicating with other network devices, such as one or more servers or other gaming machines. The gaming apparatus100may also have distributed hardware and software components that communicate with each other directly or through a network. Accordingly, different reference numerals have been used inFIG. 2fromFIG. 1for components that may be equivalent.

The gaming apparatus100includes a game controller101, which in the illustrated example includes a computational device102, which may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other suitable device. Instructions and data to control operation of the computational device102are stored in a memory103, which is in data communication with, or forms a part of, the computational device102. Typically, the gaming apparatus100will 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 instructions to cause the game controller101to implement the present invention will be stored in the memory103.

The gaming apparatus may include hardware meters104for the purposes of regulatory compliance and also include an input/output (I/O) interface105for communicating with the peripheral devices of the gaming apparatus100. The input/output interface105and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for instructions and data.

In the example shown inFIG. 2, the peripheral devices that communicate with the controller are one or more displays106, user input devices107(e.g. buttons or a touch screen), a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110and a coin output mechanism111. One or more of the displays106may include a touch screen, forming part of the user input devices107(which may also include buttons). Additional devices may be included as part of the gaming machine100, or devices 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. One or more of the peripheral devices, for example the card/ticket reader108may be able to communicate directly with the network card112.

The game controller101may also include a random number generator113, which generates a series of random numbers that determine the outcome of a series of random game events played as part of a game on the gaming apparatus100. As explained in more detail in relation toFIG. 4, the computational device102may include two or more controllers or processors, which may be local or remote from each other and the displays106. It will be appreciated that the random number generator may generate pseudo-random or true-random numbers depending on how it is configured.

FIG. 3shows an exemplary block diagram of the main components of the memory103. The RAM103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the computational controller102and related data. The EPROM103B may hold 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 computational controller102using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

FIG. 4shows a gaming system200. The gaming system200includes a network201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming devices202, shown arranged in three banks203of two gaming devices202inFIG. 4, are connected to the network201. The gaming devices202may be gaming machines10, as shown inFIG. 1or form part or all of another gaming apparatus100. Single gaming devices202and banks203containing three or more gaming devices202may also be connected to the network201.

One or more displays204may also be connected to the network201. The displays204may, for example, be associated with a bank203of gaming devices. The displays204may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming devices202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.

Servers may also be connected to the network201. For example, a game server205may generate game outcomes for games played on the gaming devices202, a database management server206may manage the storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices202in a database206A, and a jackpot server207may control one or more jackpots associated with the gaming devices202.

Further servers may be provided to assist in the administration of the gaming system200, including for example a gaming floor management server208, and a licensing server209to monitor the use of licenses 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 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.

First Embodiment

FIG. 15shows a process flow diagram500of a process performed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The process may be performed by the network gaming system200, in which the gaming devices202may each comprise part or all of a gaming apparatus100and the following description assumes this implementation. However, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the process will also be able to be implemented by other gaming systems. The process shown inFIG. 15is described below with reference to a set of exemplary screen shots of a game.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a screen shot300may be displayed on a LCD screen or CRT display occupying the top box26and/or may appear on the display204, which may be located near to gaming devices202that can play a game associated with the screen shot300. In the screen shot300, a plurality of prize pool amounts are shown301ato305a, together with a representation of a corresponding character or ‘bandit’301bto305b. A larger illustration of one of the bandits301b-305b, in this example the bandit306, may also be shown, the bandit306alternating between different characters as time progresses as an attract screen display.

Display of the screen shot300may be under the control of the jackpot server207, which may communicate directly or indirectly with the display in the top box26and display204. Alternatively, the display in the top box26may be controlled by the game controller101.

A plurality of gaming devices202each provide a game, which may be the same game or different games. In a preferred embodiment of the invention as presently contemplated, the game includes a chance to win one of the prize pool amounts301ato305ain a feature game. Each prize pool amount301ato305amay have its own associated feature game.

The feature game associated may be triggered during play of the game in a number of different ways. An exemplary diagrammatic representation of a game screen310is shown inFIG. 6, the game being a spinning reel game with five spinning reels, each of which display three symbols to form outcomes of the game. The outcomes of the exemplary game are the symbols in the pay lines1to3shown inFIG. 6.

After a bet has been placed at step501, the spinning reel game may be played (step502). The spinning reel game may result in the occurrence of a predetermined symbol based trigger event occurring (determined in step504) in the game. InFIG. 6, the occurrence of five PEDRO symbols in pay line2may be a trigger event for the feature game and provided the player has purchased play of pay line2, then the feature will be commenced by the jackpot server207taking control of a display106of the gaming device202to display the feature (step506). In this embodiment, the reels of the spinning reel game include trigger symbols that are associated with the various prize pool amounts301ato305a, with particular trigger symbols resulting in play for a particular prize pool.

Alternatively, the feature may be triggered according an event that occurs independently of any particular outcome of the game, for example based on turnover of the game as described in Australian patent number 754689, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In this case there may be only a single prize pool, or alternatively, where multiple prize pools are provided the prize pool that is played for may be selected randomly.

After the base game has been completed and a feature game triggered, the jackpot server207may cause the feature screen display312ofFIG. 7to be displayed on the display106, in which the bandit306is shown enlarged and an indicator is displayed to highlight the jackpot amount associated with the bandit (e.g. the arrow313). A corresponding screen display may be displayed on the display204. This display may replace the game display on the gaming device202, or alternatively be presented on a separate display, for example in a display provided in the top box26.

After a short period of time, the display ofFIG. 7is replaced with the screen display316ofFIG. 8, shown as one example game feature. The screen display is split into two sections; section317showing the bandit character (PEDRO) attempting to access a safe and section318showing a series of buildings with windows319, one window319being arbitrarily selected by the computer prior to the commencement of the feature game as a window behind which PEDRO is hiding. Alternatively, whether PEDRO is hiding behind a window319may be determined when that window is selected, with a 1 in 15 chance for the first window, a 1 in 14 chance for the second window and so on.

The feature game has two outcomes, a winning outcome in which the player of the gaming device202is awarded the prize pool301aand a losing outcome, in which the player is not awarded the prize pool301aand the prize pool is incremented. The increment amount may be viewed as an amount that the bandit PEDRO is playing for and the prize pool301amay be viewed as an amount that the player is playing for in a competition. A consolation prize may be awarded to the player of the gaming device202if the losing outcome occurs. Although the examples described herein are for feature games with only two outcomes, the feature game may also have other winning or losing outcomes associated with other game events, such as the award of a fixed value prize or the award of a number of free games.

The amount that the bandit is playing for is displayed as shown at320and the award amount301ais displayed at321(step508). The amount displayed at320may be randomly selected from a set of predetermined potential increment amounts or from a range of potential increment amounts. Therefore, the increment amount may vary between occurrences of the feature game. The amount could alternatively be set for every occurrence of the feature game.

The amount that the player is playing for may be determined by the amount of credits bet per line in the game play that triggered the feature game, multiplied by the award amount301a. In the example shown, the amount shown at321is the award amount301a, as one credit only was bet per line. If two credits per line had been bet in the underlying base game, then the amount shown at321inFIG. 8would be 259,130 credits.

In the game screen displays ofFIG. 8, the PEDRO bandit is shown to be attempting to open a safe, which will open when the slots322on the safe door323have letters spelling out OPEN. The player is represented as attempting to find PEDRO behind one of the fifteen windows319.

Accordingly, at the start of the feature, the player selects one of the windows319, and if this window is not the arbitrarily predetermined location of the bandit the words “No bandit” are shown. After each selection (or beforehand if the order of play is reversed), a reel associated with one of the slots322is spun and its stopping position randomly determined. The reels associated with the slots322may be as shown inFIG. 9, as having half their positions blank and half their positions displaying one of the letters from the word “Open”. Accordingly, for each spin, there is a 50% chance of a letter being displayed. If a letter is displayed, then a reel associated with another of the slots322is spun and so on until either the word “Open” is spelled out, in which case the outcome of the feature is a losing outcome, or a blank space is displayed, in which case the player is prompted to select another window.

The result after two trials of this game is displayed inFIG. 10. Two letters have been revealed in slots322by the bandit, and two windows319have been selected by the player, neither of which resulted in a winning outcome.

This process will continue (step510) until the player selects the window which the bandit has been assigned as being behind. In this case the award amount301ais won by the player (step512) and the screen shot326shown inFIG. 11is displayed. Following this, the award amount301ais reset to its seed amount (step514),100,000in this example, and the screen shot328shown inFIG. 12is displayed, which is the same as the screen shot300ofFIG. 5, except that the award amount301ahas been updated. Once the award amount301ahas been reset, control of the display106of the gaming device202may be returned to the jackpot server207or progressive controller (step518).

If instead the bandit character spells OPEN across the slots322the amount displayed at320is added to the award amount301a. This results in the screen shots330and332shown inFIGS. 13 and 14respectively, indicating to the player that they have not won the award amount301aand showing that the award amount301ahas been increased by the amount shown at320(step516). Once the award amount301ahas been increased, control of the display106of the gaming device202may be returned to the jackpot server207or progressive controller101(step518).

Each award amount301a-305amay be associated with a separate second screen feature game that preferably shows a competition between the player, who is attempting to win one of the award amounts301a-305a, and a bandit, who is attempting to win an amount to be added to the jackpot. Alternatively, the feature game may not be a second screen bonus and may be played using the same screen format as the game. For example, in the spinning reel game, two separate symbols may be collected each time they are displayed in a series of games, one for the bandit and one for the player, with the first player to collect a number of symbols winning. The series of games may be provided as a feature game, for example a series of free games, or the competition may occur during ordinary play of the game. Alternatively, an animation may occur in the game simply displaying the word “WIN” or “LOSE” to indicate the outcome of the feature game.

In addition to the jackpot prizes that give award amounts301a-305a, the gaming system may maintain another jackpot prize, which may be a standard progressive based on turnover on a gaming machine or a fixed value prize. In one embodiment, the progressive is designed to have a high value or a high value fixed prize is provided, which is won only if the player “beats” all of the bandits (five the example shown) in their respective feature games.

A number of gaming devices202may contribute to the same award amounts301a-305aand play common feature games to win the award amounts301a-305a. Alternatively, the award amounts301a-305amay be provided for a single gaming device202.

Second Embodiment

The gaming system will now be described below in more detail in relation to a specific embodiment where the player makes selections of display positions in order to locate the hidden object(s) hidden at one or more of the display positions and the game controller60conducts trials to seek to complete a symbol combination. In this embodiment, an award is made to a player if they locate the hidden object(s). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments the game controller could select the display positions. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments an award could be made to the player if the symbol combination is completed prior to the hidden objects being located.

The game is suited to being implemented as a feature game (but could be implemented as a standalone game) and can be triggered from a base game in accordance with known techniques, including in response to: turnover, a symbol combination or a system event. Game controller60determines that the trigger event has occurred in accordance with techniques known in the art.

With reference toFIG. 17, once the game has been triggered, the first part of the game is implemented by the outcome generator622by determining at what display position the object or objects are to be hidden. That is, the object hider622A of outcome generator622uses the random number generator621to randomly select one or more of the positions (specified by position data642) depending on the number of objects that are to be hidden. The object hider622A updates the position data642to indicate which positions will correspond to a hidden object for this game.

The outcome generator622causes display controller625to update the display54to show the display positions corresponding to the position data, for example by displaying representations of plurality of objects that can be opened such as windows or doors to reveal whether or not there is a hidden object (the representations of hidden objects are not displayed until they are found).

In the embodiment, a dedicated display area is used for displaying the display positions. In this embodiment, on a display of the top box26of the gaming machine.

The game controller60indicates to the player by display54that they must remake a selection of one of the display positions. Accordingly the game play mechanism56includes a touch screen54A associated with the display54which enables a player to make a selection by touching one of the display positions. Selection processor624process the selection received from the touch screen56A and determines whether the touched display position corresponds to an object. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the selection processor624may be configured to assign a selection for the player of the player fails to make a selection in a designated time, for example by randomly determining a display position.

The selection processor624supplies data specifying whether or not the selected position corresponds to an object to the display controller625to either reveal that the display position does correspond to the hidden object by displaying the hidden object or to indicate to the player that they have missed the object for example by displaying the text “miss”. If a hidden object is revealed, and the game rules specify that only one hidden object needs to be found in order for a prize to be awarded, the selection processor624advises the prize awarder623and a prize is awarded. Otherwise, the game precedes to a second stage: conduct of a trial.

The trial conductor622B seeks to complete symbol combination622B by employing random number generator621to make a selection based on symbol data641. While other embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the art where the symbol can be selected by selecting from amongst a pool of symbols641, in the embodiment, the trial conductor622B takes the form of a reel spinner which spins a first of a plurality of reels defined by the symbol data641. Each of the reels is able to complete part of the symbol combination. That is each reel can only complete part of the symbol combination. The first reel is spun and it is determined whether it has one of the symbols of the symbol combination. In this embodiment, if the trial conductor622B determines that part the symbol combination has been completed by a trial it conducts a further trial. Accordingly, each time the trial is successful a further trial is conducted with the possibility that the symbol combination will be completed before the player gets to make another selection. As soon as a trial is unsuccessful, the game proceeds to a further game round where the player is offered a further selection.

A further selection is then entered by the player using the touch screen56A and processed by the selection processor614in the same manner as described above, the selection processor determines based on game rule data643whether a quota of hidden objects required for awarding of a prize has been reached. If not, the trial conductor622B conducts a further trial by spinning the reels again.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the game continues until either the quota of objects specified by game rule data643is found or the trial conductor completes the symbol combination.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of variations may be made to this embodiment for example, the player may be given more selections. Similarly, more trials may be conducted than selections made. In a specific embodiment, there is only one object to be found. However, in other embodiments there may be more than one object or indeed, the prize that is awarded623may be dependent on the number of objects that have been located when the symbol combination is completed rather than awarded solely if the player finds the quota of hidden objects before the symbol combination is completed.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other techniques can be used to conduct a trial. For example, symbols could be drawn from a pool of symbols in order to try to complete symbol combination. For example, a designated number of symbols could be drawn each turn. The trials are displayed in a second display area54B within the top box26.

In other embodiments, the roles of the player and the game controller may be reversed with the player seeking to complete the symbol combination before the game controller locates a hidden object using some form of selection technique. In another variation, the selection of an object may be proceeded by the trial, e.g. so that a player does not get to make a selection of a display position until the game controller has been unsuccessful in completing part of the symbol combination.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the trial could be conducted in some other manner, for example by throwing a die or dice or by drawing balls or cards.

The method700of the embodiment is summarised inFIG. 18. The method involves generating hidden object display within hidden objects to be found710where N is a position integer of one or more depending on the game rules643. A selection of a display position is determined720and it is then determined730whether a quota Q of N objects has been found. If the quota has been completed the player wins740and a prize is awarded. Otherwise a trial is conducted750and it is determined760whether a symbol combinations have been completed. If a symbol combination has not been completed the game proceeds to a further selection720otherwise the player loses770.

In an alternative embodiment, all the reels are spun in a first trial but the trial conductor622B does not get another turn if it is successful such that the player always makes a further selection before a further trial is conducted. In this respect it would be appreciated that once the symbol of one reel has been located in a trial, it is not necessary to spin that reel again so as the game progresses and the player does not find the hidden object or objects, but parts of the symbol combination are completed, fewer reels will be spun until towards the end of the game perhaps only one or two reels will need to be spun.

EXAMPLE

FIGS. 19 and 20shows a display of the display positions of the first display area (FIG. 19) which in this example are 15 windows801to815in a building. The aim of the game is for the player to locate an object in the form of a representation of a bandit. The player is required to select one of the display positions801to815to try to locate the bandit. In a separate display area (FIG. 20), there is shown a display of a combination lock of a door which can be unlocked by spinning reels900. Each reel consists of a combination of a letter which forms part of the word OPEN and blank spaces. For example Reel1consists of the letter ‘O’921and a series of blank spaces922. Reel2912consists of the letter ‘P’ and blank spaces, Reel3913consists of the letter ‘E’ and blank spaces and Reel4914consists of the letter ‘N’ and blank spaces. Only one line930(shown in grey) is shown to the player. This corresponds to the “combination” of the safe. In an embodiment, the “safe” is displayed in a separate area concurrently with display of the 15 windows. The display areas can be on the same screen or different screens. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the word can be of any length appropriate to set relevant odds for the game and indeed the number of letters and number of blank spaces can be varied to alter the odds. Similarly, varying the number of display positions801to815and varying the number of hidden objects can vary the odds in order to meet the requirements of the game designer. Weighting techniques can also be used to achieve a desired probability—for example, each of the letters may be displayed on reels having 50% letters and 50% blanks but the odds of spinning up the first letter may be 70%, the second letter 60%, the third letter 40% and the last letter 20%.

As described above initially the combination display930is blank even though there would be a letter P in position on reel two. If the player touches a window801-815which reveals a “no bandit” then the bandit is shown as spinning the a reel—e.g. by animation of the bandit turning a combination lock. If a letter is not spun up, the player gets to choose another window and the bandit waits. If a letter is spun up then the bandit immediately spins the next reel and so on if correct again. The game continues until either the bandit is found or the bandit spells OPEN in which case the player loses.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other examples the technique can be varied for example such that the bandit does only has a single turn irrespective of whether they are successful or not.

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).

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 or in the drawings could be employed 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 Australia or 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.