U.S. Pat. No. 9,704,333

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game with a sticky bonus symbol set, such as a bonus reel. In the embodiment, when a bonus reel is activated it persists for at least one game round. The bonus reel, replaces a designated one of the symbol display positions of a reel. Depending on the embodiment, the bonus reel may move or stay in the same designated position. The bonus reel involves a selection from a bonus symbol set. The symbol set typically comprises high value symbols for the game, for example a function symbols such as a wild symbol and picture symbol which participates in high value awards. In some embodiments, there may be more than one bonus reel may be activated. Advantages relative to known games where a wild symbol persists include that a benefit is provided to the player who receives the wild reel without the exact nature of the benefit being known and more control of the return to player by virtue of the ability to have more than just a wild symbol on the bonus reel.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the bonus reel described in further detail below is the same as a conventional reel in that it can be spun and the symbols are selected based on a stopping position of the bonus reel (from a bonus symbol set which has a defined sequence). The difference is that each bonus reel occupies a single symbol display position.

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.

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. 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

The player operates the game play mechanism56to specify the win entitlement which will be evaluated for this play of the game and initiates a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's win entitlement will vary from game to game dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player's entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player's win entitlement may be based on how many lines they play in each game—e.g. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection). Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line.

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

Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each 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 a 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 reels, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. As a result for five reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 ways to win.

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 outcome generator622which operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism56to place a wager and initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome which will then be evaluated by award evaluator623. In the base game, the first part of forming the game outcome is for base symbol selector622B of symbol selector622A to select symbols from a set of symbols specified by base symbol set data641A using random number generator621. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller624which causes them to be displayed on display54at a set of display positions. The base game is a part of the game which is carried out each time the player makes a wager, typically irrespective of the wager, whereas other parts of the game will only be carried out occasionally for example if a condition is met such as a trigger occurring or if an ante bet is placed (depending on the specific embodiment).

As illustrated byFIG. 8, one example of selecting symbols is for the base symbol selector622B to select symbols for display from a plurality of symbol subsets801,802,803,804,805of the base symbol data641A, each symbols corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. The symbol subsets801,802,803,804,805can specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the base symbol selector622B can select all of the symbols for display at symbol display positions which may be used in evaluation of the game outcome by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In one example, three symbols of each of the five reels801,802,803,804,805may be displayed such that symbols are displayed at fifteen display positions on display54. Alternatively, 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.

Once the symbols have been selected, outcome evaluator624evaluates the symbols in light of the win entitlement and the prize table643to determine whether to make an award. The outcome evaluator also has a trigger monitor624which determines whether a trigger condition642has been met, for example three or more scattered symbols being selected for display in the symbol display positions.

In other embodiments, the trigger event may be, an alternative symbol combination in the game, random, occurrence of a specific symbol in the game, purchased, be caused by another connected system, based on turnover etc.

Once the trigger monitor624A determines that the trigger condition642has been met, it activates the feature game controller625. In the embodiment, the bonus reel641D is only added during a feature game comprised of a plurality of free game rounds. Accordingly, the functions of the feature game controller625are to ensure that the requisite number of free game rounds are carried out and also to control the position of the bonus reel specified by bonus symbol set data641B in each game round. In one example, the symbol position designator625A of the feature game controller625controls the position to be the same for each game round. In other examples, the bonus reel may move randomly, in accordance with the designated pattern, in accordance with random displacement from the current position etc. In other embodiments, if a further trigger condition is determined by the trigger monitor624A in any one of the game rounds, a further bonus reel may be added. The further bonus reel may be the same or different to the first bonus reel. The bonus reel symbols may be selected independently whether from the same reel or different reels or, in alternative embodiments, the bonus symbols selection may be interrelated.

In one embodiment, the symbol position designator625A selects the position based on the bonus symbol position data644.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that in this example, the initial position of the bonus reel is prescribed, for example the centre position on the centre reel corresponding to the symbol data. In another embodiment, the initial position may some how be related to the trigger condition, for example if the trigger is caused by a specific symbol, the bonus reel it may replace that symbol. Bonus symbol position data644may also specify the manner in which the bonus reel is to move.

In each free game, the bonus symbol selector622C selects the symbol from the bonus symbol set data641to appear at the designated symbol display position as designated by the symbol position as designated by the symbol position designator625A. The other symbol display positions are populated by the base symbol selector622B selecting symbols from the base symbol set data641A. In each free game round, the outcome evaluator622evaluates the displayed symbols and determines whether to make an award. The awards are accumulated on the win meter of meter data645until the end of the free game series. At the end of the free game series, the accumulated awards on the win meter are transferred to the credit meter. The end of the game may be defined by when the player chooses to cash out or chooses to play another game. In some embodiments, the player may have the opportunity to gamble the amount which has been awarded.

Accordingly, it will appreciated that the method involves receiving705a wager and conducting710a base game. When the base game is conducted the outcome evaluator monitors for whether there is a trigger715and if there is no trigger the main base game is concluded as described above. If there is a trigger, a free game feature is started720and a count of the number of free games N is set, for example at 10 games for 3 scatter symbols and 15 games for 4 scatter symbols.

The position for the bonus symbol is designated730and the method then involves selecting the bonus symbol for the bonus symbol positions735while selecting base symbols for other symbol positions740. In one example, this is achieved by showing five reels as spinning with an overlay of the bonus symbol reel spinning within a symbol position of one of the reels. Once each of the reels has been stopped (including the bonus reel) the outcome evaluator evaluates745the displayed symbols. The count of free game rounds is then decreased750(this could occur at other points in the procedure). It is then determined755whether the count has reached zero (i.e. the end of the free games) if so the game controller reverts to waiting to receive a further wager705or a cash out signed. If the counter has not reached zero the method also involves determining whether a further trigger760occurs within the symbols and adding a symbol display position to be designated765upon a further trigger occurring. The next stage in the process700is designating730a position for the bonus symbol depending on the game rules such that a position will be designated for each bonus reel.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be a number of variations for example the position the bonus reel may be dependent on something occurring in a game outcome, alternatively, the feature game may be started before the bonus reel appears. For example, a bonus reel may be added each time a “bonus” symbol or the like is displayed.

The symbols contained in the bonus reel may be derived from the existing symbols of the game or be symbols which are specific to the bonus reel or a mixture of both. The symbols may enhance particular outcomes or increase the possibility of outcomes occurring. Various other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Example

In the example, a Reel Power game (of the general type described above) is provided where the rules of the game state that any three scatter symbols would trigger 10 free games with a bonus reel initially placed on the centre position of the third reel of 5 reels. This configuration is shown inFIG. 9Awhere a first game display901is shown with three symbols from each reel with a wild symbol902having been selected for the bonus reel. In the example, a bonus reel is indicated by the shaded background of a symbol display position. The bonus reel will persist in its position for each game round until the free games are exhausted. During the free rounds if the “bonus” symbol903is spun up as shown inFIG. 9A, a further bonus reel is added in the subsequent game round. Accordingly,FIG. 9Ashows the situation at the end of the first game round where the bonus reel located in the centred position of reel3,902, has been spun and wild symbol has been selected. This bonus reel will persist for the entirety of the free game series. A bonus symbol has been spun up at the bottom position of the fourth reel903. Referring now toFIG. 9B, a further bonus reel913has been added at the bottom of the fourth reel.FIG. 9Balso shows that a wild symbol has been selected at the bottom of the fourth reel at a position corresponding to where the bonus symbol was spun up on the previous game round shown inFIG. 9A. Further on the sticky bonus reel912shown previously inFIG. 1, a different symbol has been spun up in the form of the symbol “PIC1”.

As the game is a reel power game and the player is playing all reels,5of a kind PIC1will be paid for the arrangement shown inFIG. 9Awhereas inFIG. 9Ba four of a kind ace (A) win will be paid because there are aces on each of the first three reels and a wild symbol on the fourth reel.

A game round involves at least one of the reels being “spun”—e.g. new symbols of the reels are selected for display at the display positions and the reel is either physically or virtually spun to a stop. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be more than one game round in a play of a gaming machine such as is the case when a series of free spins is awarded. The outcome of a game round may be no win, a win (for example from a winning combination of symbols), a contribution towards a win accrued over a plurality of game rounds, a trigger condition occurring etc.

In some embodiments, an eligibility criteria may be applied in order for a player to be eligible for the feature game, for example that the player has made a certain sized wager, made an ante bet, selected all win lines, played sufficient games, or the player is a member of a loyalty program.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the gaming system. 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 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).

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.