U.S. Pat. No. 9,022,849

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system arranged to implement a game wherein a plurality of symbols are selected and displayed at a plurality of display positions on a display. An area on the display encompassing a subset of the plurality of display positions is designated. During game play, the displayed symbols may be modified by applying a symbol characteristic to at least one of the symbols displayed within the designated area.

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 has 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 to play the game and observe the game outcomes.

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 mechanism56including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), 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 rules 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. That is a processor may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

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. Other gaming machines may configure for ticket in such that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. 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. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module.

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 processor102mounted on a circuit board. 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(which provide a game play mechanism), 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. 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. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle is used to initiate a play of the game.

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 bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine.

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. Other client/server configurations are possible, and further details of a client/server architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

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.

Further Detail of Gaming System

FIG. 6shows the functional components of an embodiment of the gaming system having a game controller60comprising a processor62arranged to implement a number of modules based on game code646and data stored in memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules are typically implemented using a processor based on code and data stored in memory but that one or more of the modules could alternatively be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

In the embodiment, the game is a spinning-reel type game comprising a number of columns of display positions. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a spinning-reel type game may vary in terms of the number of columns or the number of display positions per column. For example, the game may be a 4×6 spinning-reel type game having four columns, each column being made up of six vertically adjacent display positions; a 5×3 spinning-reel type game having five columns, each column being made up of three vertically adjacent display positions etc.

The modules implemented by the processor62include a symbol selector623, a symbol modifier624and an award determiner628.

The symbol selector623is arranged to select a symbol for display on the display54at each of the plurality of display positions. In the embodiment, memory64includes symbol data642which specifies a sequence of symbols for each reel and during a game, the symbol selector623selects all of the symbols for a column of display positions by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In the embodiment, the stopping position is determined based on a pseudo-random number generated by a Random Number Generator (RNG)622. It is envisaged that symbols may be selected in some other way. For example, each symbol may be selected individually based on a pseudo-random number generated by a RNG.

In the embodiment, the symbol modifier624is arranged to modify the displayed symbols by applying a symbol characteristic to all of the symbols displayed within a designated area encompassing a subset of the plurality of display positions on the display54upon a modification condition being met. Depending on the embodiment, the symbol modifier624may not modify all the symbols selected for display in the designated area and may modify only one or some of the symbols. For example, in an embodiment, the symbol modifier624may modify only certain types of symbols selected for display in the designated area. It is envisaged that the designated area can encompass any cluster of adjacent display positions on the display. For example, on a 4×6 spinning-reel type game having twenty four display positions, a designated area can be the cluster formed from the four center display positions.

In the embodiment, the symbol characteristic is a substitute function, and as part of applying this function, the appearance of the symbol is changed to a WILD symbol. Accordingly, upon the application of the symbol characteristic, all the symbols of the designated area become WILD substitute symbols in the embodiment. It is envisaged that the symbol characteristic can be any one or more characteristics associated with one or more symbols. For example, the symbol characteristic can be just a function (such as just a substitute function or just a multiplier function), two or more functions, just the appearance of a symbol (e.g. such that the symbol changes appearance) etc.

In the embodiment, the symbol modifier624comprises a modification condition determiner625and a designated area selector626. The modification condition determiner625is arranged to determine whether a modification condition is met and the symbol modifier624is arranged to modify the displayed symbols upon the modification condition being met. It is envisaged that in other embodiments, the gaming system may not comprise a modification condition determiner625(for example, in an embodiment where the symbol modifier624is configured always to modify the display symbols). In the embodiment, the modification condition is that a WILD symbol is selected for display at least one of the display positions of the designated area. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a modification condition may be any selection criteria, for example, the modification condition can alternatively or additionally be whether a player has made an ante bet.

The designated area selector626is arranged to select a designated area encompassing a subset of the plurality of the display positions on the display54based on designated area data. Depending on the implementation, the selection can be random (for example, the designated area selector626may randomly select a set of display positions from the designated area data644based on pseudo-random numbers from the RNG622) or predetermined (for example, based on a predetermined sequence stored in the designated area data644). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the designated area may be selected in a variety of ways, for example, it may be based on the amount the player has placed on the current bet. In the embodiment, the display positions of the designated area can vary from game to game. Persons skilled in the art will however appreciate that the display positions of the designated area can be fixed (for example, in an embodiment where the symbol modifier does not include a designated area selector), vary from game to game, and can be based on whether certain criteria are satisfied (for example, they can depend on the amount the player wagers in a game). Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that there may be more than one designated area and that each of these designated area may apply a different symbol characteristic to one or more of the symbols displayed within the area.

The award determiner628is arranged to determine whether to make an award based on the plurality of symbols as modified and on the symbols prior to symbol modification. It is envisaged that in another embodiment, the award determiner628may only determine whether to make an award based on the plurality of symbols as modified. In the embodiment, the award determiner628makes an award if the symbols include a winning combination. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that winning combinations can be provided in many ways, for example, by award data648which stores possible winning combination as a pay table. It is envisaged that depending on the number and type of each winning combination included in the displayed symbols, the award determiner628can make one or more than one award. Examples of awards that may be stored in award data648include monetary prizes, credits, feature games etc. Types of feature games include: those where a series of free game events are awarded such as free games or re-spins (where some reels are held while others are re-spun); games where the symbols on the reel are changed; and “second screen” games where game play is totally different to the base game, for example where the player makes selections in a “pick a box type” game.

The modules implemented by the processor62also include a display controller629arranged to communicate with the player interface50to control the display54of the player interface50to display to the game to the player. During a game, the display controller629may control the display54to display the symbols selected for each of the display positions by the symbol selector623, to highlight to a player the placement of the designated area, to display the symbol or symbols within the designated area being modified by the symbol modifier624(for example, display positions may be displayed as flipping from one symbol to another symbol) etc.

Depending on the embodiment, the spinning-reel type game can be a line-based game or a reel-based game. In a line-based game, a player's win entitlement is based on how many win lines the player plays in each game (for example, a minimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed by the game) and how much they wager per line. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in some line-based games, the player's win entitlement may not be strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays can be awarded independently of a player's selection of pay lines and can be an inherent part of a win entitlement. In such games, a winning combination must fall on a win line selected by the player (or otherwise be part of the win entitlement) for the player to be awarded the corresponding award.

In a reel-based game, a player obtains a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play and an amount to wager per reel. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In other words, all symbols displayed at symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at designated, symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symbol display positions for each reel such that the symbol display positions comprise three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the centre row are used for non-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win is determined by multiplying the number of active display positions of each reel, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. Thus, for a 5×3 spinning-reel type game having five reels and fifteen display positions, there can be 243 ways to win, such that a player wins an award if a winning combination is covered by any one of these ways to win.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of gaming. At step700, a new spinning-reel type game wherein a plurality of symbols is selected and displayed on the display54is initiated by a player using the game play mechanism56. At step710, the position and size of the designated area is selected by the designated area selector626based on the designated area data644. The display controller629then controls the display54to highlight the designated area. At step720, a plurality of symbols is selected by the symbol selector623for display at a plurality of display positions. The display controller629then controls the display54to display the selected symbols730on the display54.

At step740, the modification condition determiner625determines whether a modification condition is met based on the displayed symbols. In the embodiment, the modification condition is that a WILD symbol is selected for display at one or more of the display positions of the designated area.

If the modification condition is not met, the gaming system determines whether to make an award based on the symbols selected by the symbol selector623for display on the display54(that is, based on unmodified symbols)750. In the embodiment, this determination depends on whether the symbols include a winning combination. An award is made based on the displayed symbols without modification (that is, the unmodified symbols) if the symbols include a winning combination770. Otherwise, the game ends795.

If the modification condition is met, the symbol modifier624modifies the displayed symbols by applying a symbol characteristic to the symbols displayed within the designated area760. In the embodiment, the symbol characteristic is a substitute function and the appearance of a WILD symbol. In the embodiment, the symbol characteristic is applied to all the symbols displayed within the designated area. Accordingly, if the modification condition is met, the symbol modifier624modifies the displayed symbols by modifying all the symbols displayed within the designated area760on the display54to become WILD substitute symbols.

After the symbols are modified, the award determiner determines whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed at the plurality of display positions as modified on the display54. An award is made based on the displayed symbols as modified if the symbols include a winning combination770. Otherwise, the game ends795.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage 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 appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

EXAMPLE

FIGS. 8A to 8Cillustrate an example of how in a spinning-reel type game implemented by the gaming system, a symbol characteristic is applied to the symbols displayed in the display positions of the designated area of the display54. In the example, the spinning-reel type game is a 4×6 spinning-reel type game.

FIG. 8Aillustrates the twenty four display positions of the game displayed on the display54. As illustrated, the game includes a designated area encompassing a cluster of four display positions positioned in the centre of the twenty four display positions of the game. In the example, the designated area is selected by the designated area selector626from a plurality of designated area positions and sizes stored in the designated area data644.

FIG. 8Billustrates the display54after a plurality of symbols are selected by the symbol selector623and displayed on the display54at the twenty four display positions. In the example, the symbols are selected from the symbol data642based on pseudo-random numbers generated by the RNG622.

In the gaming system, the symbol modifier624is arranged to modify the displayed symbols upon a modification condition being met, and the modification condition is that a WILD symbol is selected at least one of the display positions of the designated area. As illustrated inFIG. 8B, one of the symbols selected for display in the designated area is a WILD symbol.

Thus, in the example, the modification condition determiner625determines that a WILD symbol is selected at least one of the display positions of the designated area and that the modification condition is met. Accordingly, the symbol modifier624modifies the display symbols in the example so that all the symbols of the designated area become WILD substitute symbols.

FIG. 8Cillustrates the symbols displayed at the plurality of display positions as modified. As illustrated, all the symbols of the designated area are now WILD substitute symbols. The award determiner628determines whether to make an award based on the symbol displayed at the display positions as modified. In the example, the displayed symbols include a winning combination of four Aces displayed in the third column of display positions and accordingly, an award is made to the player.

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 it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments.

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