U.S. Pat. No. 9,558,634

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 winning outcomes are awarded based on groups of designated symbols that are determined to be grouped together in a group of three or more designated symbols based on the symbols being displayed at symbol display positions having a common border.

Accordingly, in contrast to existing techniques for awarding a prize, the evaluation is based on the position of symbols relative to one another rather than the symbols being on a win line or in symbol display positions. In particular, it will be appreciated that at least one symbol in such a group of symbols will share at least two common borders with other symbol display positions having the designated symbol in order for a group of symbols to be formed.

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. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a touch screen can be used to emulate other input devices, for example, a touch screen can display virtual buttons which a player can “press” by touching the screen where they are displayed.

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

Referring toFIG. 6, the player operates the game play mechanism56to specify a wager and initiates a play of the game. InFIG. 6, the processor62of game controller60is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules could be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

These modules include the symbol selector622which operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism56to place a wager and initiate a play of the game and selects symbols from a set of symbols specified by symbol data641using random number generator621. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller626which causes them to be displayed on display54at a set of display positions.

One example of selecting symbols is for the symbol selector622to select symbols for display from a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. The symbol sets641can specify a sequence of symbols for each reel. In one embodiment, there is a reel for each display position in the array of display positions such that the symbol displayed at each symbol display position is selected independently of all other symbols by selecting a stopping position in the sequence for each reel. It is known to use a probability table stored in memory64to vary the odds of a particular stop position being selected. Other techniques can be used to control the odds of particular outcomes occurring to thereby control the return to player of the game. An advantage of employing reels is that the symbols can be displayed as spinning prior to the symbol being selected. Where this is not needed, the symbols could be drawn randomly from a set of symbols not having a sequence. In some embodiments, a reel may correspond to more than one symbol display position, for example a column of display positions. In such embodiments, the composition of the reels may be used to control the extent to which groups of symbols may be formed.

FIG. 7is a flow chart700of the operation of the gaming system according to this embodiment, involving initiating play of the game (step710), selecting symbols for display on the display positions (step720), and determining whether the symbols contain a group based on symbols at positions sharing a common border730(step730). If so, that is the symbol display positions have a group of designated symbols, processing continues at step740and an award is made. The award may be of credits, some other prize, or of additional game play. If the symbol display positions do not have a group of designated symbols, processing returns to step710.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, there may be additional ways for a player to obtain an award, for example, if a designated number of scatter symbols appear within the array of display positions.

As indicated above, in one embodiment individual symbols are selected for display at each of the symbol display positions. In such an embodiment, there will be as many reels as symbol display positions. Accordingly, in the example shown inFIG. 8, there will be 25 separate reels defined by symbol data641. The symbol selector622selects the stopping position in each of the reels. The selected symbol is advised to the display controller626which controls spinning of the reels to show each of the reels stopping at the positions selected by the symbol selector using the random number generator621to show the selected symbols.

Once the symbols have been selected and displayed at symbol display positions, the symbol group determiner625checks the selected symbols to determine whether there are sufficient designated symbols formed into a group of three or more symbols based on the symbols being positioned at symbol display positions that share a common border.

Referring toFIG. 8, it will be seen that the common border is defined by the four edges of the symbol display position such that symbol display positions in a corner such as symbol display position831, have two common borders with neighboring symbol display positions, symbol display positions along an edge such as symbol display position832have three common borders with other symbol display positions and symbol display positions within the interior of the grid such as symbol display position833have four common borders. It will be appreciated that if the symbol display positions are a different shape, for example hexagon shaped or triangle shaped, they could have more or less common borders with other symbol display positions.

In the embodiment, the symbol group determiner625, includes a link checker625A that searches the symbol display positions until it finds symbol display positions linked by a common border that contain a designated symbol that can be used to form a winning combination. For example, Having located a pair of symbol display positions that are linked together by a common border and have the same designated symbol (being a symbol which corresponds to a winning combination), the link checker checks to see if either of those symbols are linked to a still further symbol of the same type—i.e. that there is a another designated symbol in a display position sharing a common border with either of the pair of symbol display positions and. The link checker uniquely identifies each combination of linked symbols such that a linked group of symbol display positions is only counted once. For example, referring toFIG. 8A, the symbol display positions are arranged in an array of five columns801to805and five rows811to815. The link checker625searches row by row such that the first pair of designated symbols located are adventurer symbols821. Having located those adventurer symbols as being linked symbols, being part of a potential group, the link checker determines whether any of the symbol display positions surrounding these two symbols that have not been checked also contain a designated symbol. In this respect, wagon symbol822can substitute for any designated symbol in a winning combination. That is, the wagon symbol is a WILD symbol. Accordingly, the wagon symbol822completes a group of three designated adventurer symbols821which provide a winning combination. A similar process occurs with respect to the cowgirl symbols823shown inFIG. 8Asuch that once a group has been established, a second group cannot be established for the same cowgirl symbol. Again, the wagon symbol is connected to the cowgirl symbol and forms part of the group. Upon sufficient linked symbols being determined such that a group symbols is located, the prize awarder624awards a prize based on an amount specified in pay table644. If this award is an amount in credits, the award is added to the win meter of meters645.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the rules for grouping symbols are specified as part of group rules643which are a sub-component of the game rules642implemented by the program code.

The game may also incorporate a feature game and to this end a trigger monitor623may monitor the selected symbols622to determine whether a trigger condition624is met for conducting of a feature game. The trigger event may be, a symbol combination in the game, occurrence of a specific symbol in the game, be caused by a designated series of events in the game, be caused by another connected system, based on turnover, based on a random evaluation, etc.

Referring to the above, it will be apparent that there will always be at least one symbol of a group of symbols that is at a display position that has a shared border with at least two other symbol display positions having the designated symbol including a WILD symbol that is acting as and substituting for a designated symbol in the group of symbols. Further, it will be appreciated that in a square grid array such as shown inFIG. 8A, a symbol may be connected to up to four other symbols depending on the symbol display position at which the symbol is displayed.

Referring toFIGS. 8B to 8D, there is shown an example of one way a feature game may be triggered. In one example, if the wagon symbol822as shown inFIG. 8Bsubstitutes in a win, it stays on the display800B for a subsequent spin of the reels and acts as a “STICKY WILD”. That is, the symbol at that display position does not change while all the other symbols are changed by the reels being re-spun. If the wagon symbol substitutes for a character symbol (e.g. the adventurer or the cowgirl) the symbol animates to show that character getting ready for a trip. If the same wagon symbol substitutes for the same character three times in a row, the feature game is started.

As shown inFIG. 8B, wagon symbol822is substituted in a win for cowgirl symbols823. In a second spin shown inFIG. 8C, there is a new array of symbols with the exception of a wagon symbol822shown at the same position as it is a sticky wild. Two other cowgirl symbols as shown connected to the wagon symbol to form a group of three cowgirl symbols. Finally, as shown inFIG. 8D, the wagon symbol822stays in the same position and two further cowgirl symbols823form part of the array of symbols800D. Accordingly, the feature game is started.

In the embodiment, the feature game consists of play where a player can reach one of three stops or a final destination. Challenges need to be completed to reach the next stop. After the first stop, the player receives an award which is ten times the amount bet, after the second, twenty times the amount bet and after the third stop, forty times the amount bet. If they reach their destination, they are paid an award of 100 times the amount bet.

At the start of the feature game, the player is awarded ten free games (i.e. the player will not need to invest additional credits at least until the ten free games are exhausted). During the feature game, each time the wagon symbol is spun up it results in an extra free game. As indicated above, the wagon symbol acts as a sticky WILD symbol and can be used to form winning combinations with designated symbols that form part of the set of winning combinations specified in the pay table, however, it will not participate in triggering the feature game. Each time the player reaches a stop, the player can chose to take the credit prize. Alternatively, if the player still has additional free games, the player can chose to give up the credit prize and try to reach the next stop or the final destination to obtain the larger win. If the player fails to reach any stop, they will not get the additional prize for reaching the next stop and will only take the wins from free games.

The player is always shown the optimum choice to make upon reaching a stop. At the beginning of the feature, a treasure map unfolds and this overlaps on the five by five reels. A few positions are marked on the reels/map. To complete the challenge, the player needs to obtain winning combinations that overlap each of the marked positions. Once the player reaches a destination, the player obtains a new treasure map. Accordingly, to get to the first stop, the player may need to cover two positions with a winning combination. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that there can be variations, for example, there may be specific winning combinations required in order to cover a position on the treasure map.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there can be other arrangements of symbol display positions. Referring toFIG. 9, for example, an array900of diamond shaped symbol display positions can be provided in five columns, namely column901comprising symbols display positions901A,901B and901C, column902comprising symbol display positions902A,902B,902C and902D, column903comprising symbol display positions903A,903B and903C, column904comprising symbol display positions904A,904B,904C and904D, and column905comprising symbol display positions905A,905B and905C.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that typically, a win will result in some form of award being made such as an award of credits of additional game play from which further awards may be made. Such awards may never actually be physically received by a player. For example, many gaming systems provide a player with a double or nothing gamble feature, where the player can double or forfeit their credits before commencing another play of the game or cashing out. Further, as credits are fungible, once credits have been added to the credit meter it is not possible to distinguish between credits which exist because the player has input cash or the like and credits resulting from an award.

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 electronically, for example, digitally by a processor executing program code such as in the above description of a game controller. In this respect, in the above description certain steps are described as being carried out by a processor of a gaming system, it will be appreciated that such steps will often require a number of sub-steps to be carried out for the steps to be implemented electronically, for example due to hardware or programming limitations. For example, to carry out a step such as evaluating, determining or selecting, a processor may need to compute several values and compare those values.

As indicated above, the method may 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 device, e.g. an EEPROM, (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Further different parts of the program code can be executed by different devices, for example in a client server relationship. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

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.