U.S. Pat. No. 9,953,483

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of an electronic gaming system having an electronic game controller arranged to operate the gaming system to implement a game where first and second separate game instances are conducted concurrently in a symbol evaluation area that is divided between the game instances such that symbol display positions of the evaluation area are allocated to either a first game along a border between the two game instances. In response to a border change condition being met, there is a change of allocation of symbol display positions between the two gaming instances such that the border between the two gaming instances changes. In an embodiment, one of the game instances gains at least one symbol display position while the other of the gaming instances loses an equivalent number of symbol display positions. In an embodiment, part of the border change condition is that it has been determined that symbols selected for the gaming instance which loses symbol display position do not include any winning symbol combinations. The symbol display position or positions added to the other of the gaming instances may result in a winning symbol combination or enhance an existing winning symbol combination.

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 system1has 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 liquid crystal display. 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. 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. 5are 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 for the game and to initiate a play of the game. In the embodiment, at least certain of the wagers that the player can wager entitles the player to two separate gaming instances820,830being carried out in a symbol evaluation area810as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B.

InFIG. 6, the processor62of game controller60of gaming system1is shown implementing a number of modules based on game program code641stored 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 display controller625which controls the display54to display the symbol evaluation area. In an embodiment, the symbol evaluation area810is a rectangular array of symbol display positions having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. In an embodiment, before the player initiates play of the game, symbols from a previous play of the game are displayed at the display positions.

As can be seen fromFIG. 8A, initially the two separate game instances are allocated evenly sized parts of the symbol evaluation area810—i.e. the same number of symbol display positions. In the example ofFIG. 8Aeach game instance is initially allocated fifteen symbol display positions. InFIGS. 8A and 8B, the ‘A’ symbols at each of the symbol display positions of the first game instance820indicate that symbols of the first game instance820are selected from a first set of symbols and the ‘B’ symbols at each of the symbol display positions of the second game instance830indicate that symbols of the second game instance830are selected from a second set of symbols.

The outcome generator622operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism56to place t wager and initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome which will then be evaluated by outcome evaluator623.

In an embodiment, there are a number of stages to forming a game outcome. The first part of forming the game outcome is for a symbol selector622A to select symbols from the first and second sets of symbols specified by symbol data641using random number generator621to form an initial game outcome. One example of generating a first game outcome is for the symbol selector622A to select symbols from symbol data641in the form of a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of reels. The symbol sets 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 the example shown inFIG. 8, in games where the border is not changed three symbols of each of five reels are displayed for each of gaming instances. For example, by selecting a stopping position for each reel that corresponds to a middle row822,832for each gaming instance820,830.

In an embodiment, before the selected symbols are advised to the display controller625which will cause them to be displayed on display54at the symbol display positions, a determination is made as to whether a border change condition is met642. In an embodiment, the determination comprises first the border change condition determiner623A of the outcome evaluator623determining whether the selected symbols of the initial outcomes for each of the game instances include one or more winning symbol combinations as specified in pay table643.

In an embodiment, evaluation of the selected symbols is based at least on selections made as part of the player's wager, for example a number of reels selected by the player which define a number of ways to win. 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.

In another embodiment, a player may select a number of lines to play. In many games, the player's wager is not strictly limited to the reels or lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a players selection of pay lines.

In an embodiment, the border change condition determiner623A determines whether there is no winning outcome independently of the player's wager, for example on the basis that all reels are selected irrespective of how many reels the player has selected.

In other embodiments, the border change triggering event may be, a symbol combination in the game, occurrence of a specific symbol in the game, be caused by another connected system, be based on turnover, be based on a random evaluation, etc.

Returning now toFIG. 6, upon the border change condition determiner623A determining that one of the game instances contains a losing outcome, a random determination is conducted by border change condition evaluator623A using random number generator621to determine whether a border change should be carried out. For example, by determining whether a number returned by random number generator621falls within a range of numbers allocated to a border change. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that in this embodiment, there are two parts to the border change condition, firstly that there is a losing outcome and secondly whether the randomly generated number matches a defined range.

When a border change condition is satisfied, the symbol display position allocator622B calculates a revised allocation of symbols based on symbol allocation rules643.

Assuming, that the second gaming instance is the losing game instance, symbols are reallocated from the second gaming instance to the first game instance. In an embodiment, symbol allocation rules643specify that the left most of the reels has a defined number of symbol display positions exchanged between the first and second game instances, in one example two symbol display positions. The symbol allocation rules643also specify that a random number of symbol display positions are selected for each of the other reels from a set of possible outcomes. In one example, the symbol display position allocator622B uses values obtained from random number generator to select either zero, one, or two symbol display positions to be reallocated from the second game instance to the first game instance.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments are possible. For example, in one embodiment, the border change condition may be that a random result indicates that a border change should occur independently of whether one of the game instances has a losing outcome. In one example, the symbol display position allocator622B determines for each reel, whether to add one symbol to the first game instance, do nothing or add one symbol to the second game instance such that in each game instance could either gain or lose a symbol display position for each reel. It will be appreciated that in such an embodiment, the nett result of the symbol reallocation conducted by the symbol display position allocator622B could be that each game instance has the same number of symbol display positions following the reallocation but the specific symbol display positions allocated to the game instances have changed.

Once the allocation of symbol display positions has occurred, symbols derived from the previously selected stopping positions of the reels will be displayed at the added stopping positions. That is, it will be appreciated that if a symbol display position is added to one of the game instances, the next symbol on the reel can be displayed at this position. In other embodiments, the symbol selector622A may separately select the symbols for display at the revised symbol display positions or may select the symbols for display after the allocation of symbols between the two gaming instances in order to cause the border to change. For example in one embodiment, a random determination may be conducted before the reels are spun to determine whether the border is to be changed and the symbol display position allocation is to be changed by the symbol display position allocator622B such that it is changed prior to the symbols being selected.

An example of a changed border is shown inFIG. 8A, which shows revised presentations of the first and second game instances820B,830B. It will be appreciated that symbol display positions851and852have been allocated to the first gaming instance820B leading to a change in the border840B between the two game instances820B,830B.

The outcome evaluator evaluates the game outcome based on the revised game instances820B. (Bearing in mind that in this example, game830B will not include a winning outcome.) Any awards are advised to and added to the win meter stored in meter data644.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that by extending the symbol positions available in the first game instance inFIG. 8B, there is an increased chance of winning outcomes occurring in the first game instance.

Referring toFIG. 7, a method of an embodiment of the invention is summarised. The method700involves starting the game710, selecting symbols720and determining whether a border change condition is met730. If it is not met the method proceeds to evaluating the symbols750to determine whether to make any award and the game ends760. In the case that the border change condition is met, the allocation of display positions is changed740and the symbols are evaluated750.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a number of alternative embodiments. Firstly, in the above described embodiment, the player plays both gaming instances. In other embodiments, gaming instances could be allocated to separate players in a competition between players. One of the players could be a “computer” player. Games between two players lend themselves to, for example, a tournament mode.

Further, while the above embodiment shows separate symbol sets being used to populate the two different areas, the symbols from the same symbol set could be used to populate the areas allocated to the two game instances.

Further, it will be appreciated that while the above embodiment has been described in relation to a neutral starting point between the two game instances, the game could start with one game instance having allocated to it than the other game instance. Similarly, the game could be conducted as a series of free games where there are multiple changes of border positions during the series of free games. For example, the allocation of symbols between the first and second game instances may be determined randomly for each spin of the reels.

In yet another embodiment, the border could run vertically. In one embodiment there could be five reels on one side of the border initially and five reels on the other side of the border. Changes to the border could result in a single symbol display position or the entirety of a reel being reallocated between the two gaming instances.

In some embodiments, an eligibility criteria may be applied for the player to be entitled to both gaming instances and/or the border change feature, for example that the player has made a certain sized wager, made an ante bet, selected all reels, played sufficient games, or the player is a member of a loyalty program.

EXAMPLE

Referring toFIG. 9, there is an example of a display54of a gaming system after a reallocation of symbol display positions. The symbol display area910displays a first game instance920divided by border940from second gaming instance930. It will be apparent fromFIG. 3that one symbol display positions of each of the middle three reels have been reallocated from the second gaming instance930to the first gaming instance920.

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.