U.S. Pat. No. 9,747,755

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 game outcomes are generated in a main window and any active additional windows. Contributing symbols from active additional windows are applied to the main window to form a modified game outcome which is evaluated by the game controller to determine whether to make an award. In an embodiment, the additional windows are activated one by one in response to activation conditions being met.

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

The player operates the game play mechanism56to specify a wager and hence 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) 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.

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 player's 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 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 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 reel, 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.

In other embodiments a player win entitlement may be affected by purchasing access to particular pay tables—e.g. a first bet amount entitles the player to wins including cherries and a second amount entitles them to wins including plums.

In other embodiments a player may be able to place an ante bet. Depending on the embodiment, an ante bet may affect the manner in which games are evaluated, however, more typically the ante bet allows the player access to an additional aspect of game play that does not occur in games where an ante bet is not place. For example, the ante bet may allow access to a different feature game with a higher return to player or the rules of the feature game may be modified in return for an ante bet.

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 one or more 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 a game. In the embodiment, the game includes a base game and a feature game. The base game is a part of the game which is carried out each time the player makes a wager, irrespective of the wager amount, whereas the feature game will only be carried out occasionally when a condition is met such as a trigger event occurring during play of the base game.

Accordingly, in the embodiment the outcome generator generates a base game outcome which will then be evaluated by outcome evaluator623. The first part of forming the game outcome is for a symbol selector622A to select 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 selector622A to select symbols for display from a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. In this embodiment, the symbol data641includes base game reels641A. The base game reels641A specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the symbol selector622A can select all of the symbols to be displayed for each reel by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In one example, three symbols of each of five reels may be displayed such that symbols are displayed at fifteen display positions on display54. 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.

After symbols of the base game are selected, they are evaluated by the outcome evaluator624based on a pay table643which lists a series of symbol combinations and awards that correspond to those combinations, typically in amounts of credit. Any awards are added to the credit meter stored as part of meter data644. Any awards are displayed on the display under the control of the display controller626.

In the embodiment, a further possible outcome of the generation of a game outcome in the base game is that a trigger condition can be met. In the embodiment, the trigger is the occurrence of a symbol combination in the game outcome, but other triggers may be employed such as the occurrence of a specific symbol in the game. In some embodiments, triggers be based on turnover on the game or based on some form of random evaluation.

The trigger condition642ais specified as part of game rule data642. The game controller60implements a feature game controller625which includes a trigger monitor625awhich monitors the base game outcomes to determine whether a trigger condition has been met.

In response to the trigger monitor625a, determining that a feature game is to be conducted, the feature game controller625initiates a series of additional game rounds often known in the art as a free game series. In this respect, feature controller625also has a game round controller625dwhich sets an initial number of game rounds based on game rule data642and keeps track of whether the game rounds have been played until all the games have been played and the feature game ends. In this respect, the number of game rounds that are awarded may be dependent on aspects of the game rules642, for example, the number of occurrences of a symbol in the trigger conditions. For example, one commonly used trigger condition is the occurrence of scatter symbols and 3, 4, and 5 scatter symbols may trigger different numbers of additional game rounds.

The feature controller625also controls the display controller626to alter the display to display a main window54A and four additional windows54B to54E. Further, the feature controller controls the outcome generator so that symbol selector622A will select game outcomes using feature game reels641B. In the embodiment, the feature game reels641B are different to the base game reels641A. In this respect, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a number of ways to make feature game reels different to base game reels such as replacing the base game reels with a completely different set of feature game reels or using an overlay reel containing symbols at some positions and blanks symbols at other positions such that where the overlay reel overlays the base game reel, it modifies the base game reel by replacing the symbol of the base game reel. Another way of modifying base game reels is to add additional symbols the base game reel. Depending on how this is implemented, this can be achieved by actively modifying the reels or replacing them with reels with the additional symbols to achieve the effect of adding symbols to the reels. The feature game reels may use the same or different symbols to the base game reels. For example, the feature game reels may use the same symbols but have a higher proportion of high value symbols. In another example, one or more symbols from the base game reels may “change” when the game transitions to use of the feature game reels.

In the embodiment, at the beginning of the feature game, only the main window54A is active and the other four additional windows are shown as inactive. In this respect, it will be appreciated that there may be a different number of additional windows that may be activated. It will also be appreciated that the availability of additional windows or the number of additional windows that are available may be dependent on factors such as the player's wager. For example, additional windows may only be available when an ante bet is placed.

Further, it will be appreciated that the additional windows need not necessarily be displayed on the same display54as the main window. Indeed, as described above many gaming machines include an additional top box display which is suitable for display of the additional windows. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that inactive additional windows may not be displayed. However, in the embodiment, it is preferred that the windows are displayed in a manner that indicates that they are inactive so that the player understands that the windows can be activated as play continues.

In this respect, depending on the embodiment, game outcomes may be generated for the inactive additional windows but not evaluated or game outcomes may only be generated for the additional windows54B to54E when they are active.

Accordingly, as indicated above, during a first game round of the series of game rounds, a game outcome will only be evaluate for the main window. Accordingly, the outcome generator622generates a game outcome in the same manner as described in relation to the base game and this is evaluated by the outcome evaluator624based on the pay table643which may be the same or different to that of the base game. At the conclusion of the game round, an activation condition monitor625C of the feature controller determines whether a window activation condition which forms part of game rule data642has been met. In an embodiment, the activation condition may be that a count of an activation symbol occurring in game outcomes during a feature game has reached a threshold level. To this end, an activation symbol counter645controlled by the activation condition monitor625C is maintained in the memory64. Accordingly, at the end of each game round, the activation condition monitor625C updates the count645in the memory64and compares the count with a threshold. In this respect, in the embodiment, the windows54B to54E are activated one by one based on particular thresholds being reached. Accordingly, there are, in effect, four activation conditions. Depending on how frequently the activation symbol occurs, a different number of additional windows will be activated during the course of play of different feature game.

Once an activation condition has been met, a window activator activates one or more of the additional windows54B to54E such that in the next game round an additional window will be available for evaluation as will be described in further detail below.

In the preferred embodiment, the window activator625B causes display controller626to display a message to a player on the display54to select which one of the windows they wish to activate. The player operates the game play mechanism56, for example, by touching the window on the touch screen to activate a selected window. The game controller60receives the selection and the window activator625B causes the display controller to control the display to show the selected window as active.

Accordingly, once one or more additional windows are active, in each game round thereafter, the outcome generator622generates outcomes that will be evaluated for each of the active windows. In the embodiment, contributing symbols of the additional windows54B to54E are used to modify the outcome in the main window54A before the main window is evaluated. In one example, the contributing symbol is a special symbol with an additional game play characteristic such as a WILD symbol. In a preferred embodiment, occurrence of the WILD symbol in any active additional window is transferred to the corresponding position on the main window. For example, if each of the windows displays a 5×3 array of symbols corresponding to 5 reels with 3 symbol positions per reel, and a WILD symbol occurs in the top most position of the second from left reel in one of the additional windows, the WILD symbol is applied to the main window by being displayed at the top position of the second from left reel of the main window.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that as a WILD symbol may substitute for all other symbols, the occurrence of a contributing symbol results in increased likelihood of awards being made from the pay table and in those awards being of higher value.

In the embodiment, the outcome evaluator625determines whether to make awards from each of the main window and the additional windows based on the pay table643. However, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that in other embodiments, only the main window may be evaluated.

In the embodiment, the contributing symbol is also used as the activation symbol.

The method of the invention is summarized inFIG. 7. The method700involves initiating play of a game705. A base game is conducted710. It is determined715whether a trigger condition is met and if not the game ends720. If a trigger condition is met, a feature game is started where the reels are changed and a game round counter is set to an initial value (e.g. a count)725.

During the feature game, outcomes are generated730for the main window and each active additional window (in the sense that they will be evaluated for the active additional windows at least to the extent that they may modify the main window). At step735, it is determined whether there are any contributing symbols in active additional windows. If there are, the main window is modified740and in either event, the game controller proceeds by evaluating745the main and any active additional windows for awards.

After the main and any active additional windows have been evaluated, the game round counter is decreased by one by the game round controller625D and if the count equals zero755, the game ends780. Otherwise, it is determined760whether an activation condition was met by the last game round and if so, the game controller proceeds to the receive765a player selection of a window to activate and activates the window770before generating a further game outcome at730.

In this respect, a timer may be applied to a player activating a window such that the game controller may select a window if the player takes too long. Further, it will be appreciated that once all bar one activatable window has been activated, the player may not be required to activate the final window and this can be done automatically by the game controller once the final threshold is achieved.

Referring now toFIG. 8, there is shown an example of a display54during conduct of a base game, the game involves selecting symbols for 5 reels810A to810E where three symbols are displayed for each reel. The game displays820the amount bet in the current game830and a win meter840corresponding to the current game. The game also displays the denomination850played in the game.

FIG. 9shows an example of the display during play of a feature game in accordance with the embodiment. In this example, there is a main window54A and four additional windows54B to54E shown on display54. The game also displays a counter920showing the number of activation symbols needed to be collected in order to activate an additional window. At the stage of the game shown inFIG. 9, a message930is displayed to the player to indicate that they have unlocked an additional window and may activate the window by touching one of the windows. In this respect, the windows are shown as locked by the depiction of cages910over the windows.

FIG. 10shows an alternative exemplary display again featuring a main window54A and four sub windows54B to54E.FIG. 10shows that the activation condition may be represented in a number of different ways. InFIG. 10a lantern1020is shown which must be filled in order to activate an additional set of reels. When a lantern is lit, the player can touch the set of reels as the player has done in the exemplary display ofFIG. 10in order to activate reels54B which as shown as lit up by lantern1031whereas the still locked reels54C-54E are shown greyed out as if in darkness.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in the above embodiment, there may be more than one game round in a play of a gaming machine when the feature game is awarded. As indicated above, in the embodiment, the outcome of a game round may be no win or a win from a winning combination of symbols resulting in an award. Such an award 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.