Abstract:
A method, performed by a gaming machine, of displaying performance data. The method includes recording data indicative of the receipt of gaming credit units from a user, wherein the gaming credit units are used as consideration for participation in a chance-based gaming activity provided via the gaming machine. The credit record is updated when a gaming credit unit is used as consideration. The cumulative value of any prize awarded to a user is recorded in a cumulative prize record. The value of the credit used in a used credit record is recorded. During a play session, a first display area displays the value of the credit record to a user. A second display area displays the cumulative prize record; and a third display area displays the value of the used credit record.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method or apparatus for determining performance data in a gaming system. 
     The invention has been developed primarily for use with a gaming terminal or a plurality of interlinked gaming terminals in one or more gaming establishments and will be described hereinafter predominantly with reference to this application. However, the invention is not limited to that particular field of use and is also suitable for use with online gaming, lotto, pools, lotteries, art unions, bingo, raffles and other games involving one or more wagers being placed upon an outcome having a finite probability of occurring. Additionally, the invention is applicable to any type of gaming, such as gaming that may be entered into on a personal computer via the Internet, for example. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The discussion of the prior art within this specification is to assist the addressee in understanding the invention and is not an admission of the extent of the common general knowledge in the field of the invention and is included without prejudice. 
     It is known to “link” gaming terminals to provide a number of additional functionalities. This includes the ability to control the awarding of a prize, as the pool of available funds is greater and the amount of funds available is known rather than having to be estimated. Another functionality of interlinked gaming terminals is that secondary gaming is possible. For example, for a given group of interlinked gaming terminals, a central display provides the gamers with a visual indication of a presently available jackpot prize that is being incrementally increased or decreased as the gamers operate the interlinked gaming terminals. 
     It is known by the gamers that the prize will be awarded when it is incremented or decremented to a randomly selected trigger value. The trigger value is determined randomly within a set of limits that typically will also be visually indicated to the gainers by the display. The use of such functionality is intended to provide additional impetus to the gamers to play the terminals and thereby win the jackpot prize in addition to any prize available to be awarded by the respective terminal. 
     In known gaming machines two elements of information are displayed to the user in addition to the display of the game itself. The first element is the remaining credit attributed to the user and the second element is the amount won (if any) for the game just played. In some known gaming machines a third element of information is displayed which is the amount bet or wagered on the game just played. 
     One problem with gaming machines is that large quantities of money can be input by a user without this being realized by the user. This problem is further compounded when a win is paid out which in some situations encourages the input of yet more money. In some cases, no win being paid encourages the input of further money. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining performance data in a gaming system, the method comprising the steps of:
         a) recording the receipt of one or more gaming credit units from a user in a credit record;   b) updating the credit record when credit is used;   c) recording the cumulative value of any prize awarded to a user in a cumulative prize record; and   d) displaying data indicative of the value of the credit record and the cumulative prize record to the user.       

     In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of:
         e) recording the value of the credit used in a used credit record and displaying data indicative of the value of the used credit record to the user.       

     Preferably, the value of the cumulative prize record is paid out under the control of the user. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining performance data in a gaming system, the method comprising the steps of:
         a) recording the receipt of one or more gaming credit units from a user in a credit record;   b) updating the credit record when credit is used;   c) recording the value of the credit used in a used credit record; and   d) displaying data indicative of the value of the credit record and the used credit record to the user.       

     In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of:
         e) recording the cumulative value of any prize awarded to a user in a cumulative prize record and displaying data indicative of the value of the cumulative prize record to the user.       

     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for determining performance data in a gaming system, the apparatus comprising:
         a) a credit record for recording the receipt of one or more gaming credit units from a user;   b) a cumulative prize record for recording the cumulative value of any prize awarded to a user; and   c) a display for displaying data indicative of the value of the credit record and the cumulative prize record to the user.       

     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for determining performance data in a gaming system, the apparatus comprising:
         a) a credit record for recording the receipt of one or more gaming credit units from a user;   b) a used credit record for recording the value of the credit used; and   c) a display for displaying data indicative of the value of the credit record and the used credit record to the user.       

     In some embodiments the value of any prize awarded to the user is transferable to the credit record under the control of the user. In other embodiments when any prize is awarded to the user, data indicative of the value of the prize is displayed to the user separately from the displays of the other data. In further embodiments the value of the credit record is paid out under the control of the user. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining performance data in a gaming apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
         a) recording data indicative of the total credit used for a period of gaming machine use;   b) recording data indicative of the total winnings awarded to a user for the period of gaming machine use; and   c) using the recorded data to provide an indication to the user of the difference between the value of the total used credit and total winnings awarded for the period of gaming machine use.       

     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for determining performance data in a gaming machine, the apparatus comprising:
         a) a used credit meter for recording data indicative of the total credit used for a period of gaming machine use;   b) a prize meter for recording data indicative of the total winnings awarded to a user for the period of gaming machine use; and   c) a controller operable to process the recorded data to provide an indication to the user of the difference between the value of the total used credit and total winnings awarded for the period of gaming machine use.       

     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to en exclusive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “included, but not limited to”. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of a gaming system comprising gaming terminals; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a control panel associated with one of the gaming terminals of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of the hardware associated with each of the gaming terminals of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing steps performed by the gaming machines of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a gaming system  101  comprising a number of gaming machines  103  in communication with a system controller  105  via a network  107 . The system controller  105  is also connected to a display  109 . Each gaming machine  103  comprises a screen  115  for displaying the game, which the terminal  103  offers, and a set of user controls and displays  117  through which a user (not shown) inputs their choices in the running of the game. Each gaming machine also comprises a payment port  119  such as a coin slot or electronic card reader to enable the user to enter gaming credit units for the game or games to be played. 
     In return for a user submitting a gaming credit unit or an equivalent suitable payment via the payment port  119  the gaming machine  103  enables the user to play a game of chance. The game may result in the user winning a prize. The likelihood of a gaming machine  103  awarding a prize for a particular game play is determined by the design of the game. 
     In the arrangement of  FIG. 1 , users are able to participate in two games that are linked. The first game is provided by the gaming machines  103  as described above, and the jackpot controller  105  provides a second game. The second game is a communal jackpot built up from contributions from each of the gaming machines  103 . The jackpot is incremented towards an upper limit by the value of each contribution as it is received from the gaming machines  103  via the network  107 . The jackpot controller  105  uses the display  109  to show the current value of the jackpot to the users of the gaming machines  103 . The jackpot controller  105  is arranged to award the jackpot prize when the jackpot value increments over an undisclosed threshold. The threshold is set randomly or pseudo randomly on initialization of the system controller  105  or after the system controller  105  is reset in response to the award of a jackpot. 
     The winnings for a given game and the remaining credit available for any subsequent games, are displayed to the user via the display on the control panel  117  of the gaming machine  103  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows the relevant part of the control panel  117  in further detail which is located adjacent a button  201  arranged to start each game play. This relevant part of the control panel is referred to as the payout control  203 . The payout control  203  comprises a combination of buttons, displays and display buttons that are used to display information to a user. Each button can be actuated by a user to indicate the selection of a given choice. The buttons/displays comprise a first “Credit” display button  205 , a second “Win” display button  207 , a third “Played” display  209  a fourth “Total Win” display button  211  and a fifth “Cash-In Winnings” button  213 . 
     The “Credit” display  205  is arranged to show the credit available to the user to pay for subsequent game plays and the “Win” display button  207  displays any winnings for the most recently played game. The “Played” display  209  displays the amount of credit that the user has spent or used in playing the games in a given session. The “Total Win” display button  211  displays the total cumulative winnings in the given session. The buttons  205 ,  207 ,  209 ,  211 ,  213  are arranged together to display the information outlined above and to enable the user to control the use of any winnings. 
     At any time the user can actuate either the “Win” or “Total Win” display buttons  207 ,  211  and then actuate either the “Credit” display button  205  or the “Cash-In Winnings” button  213 . Actuation of the “Credit” display button  205  results in the winnings associated with either the “Win” or “Total Win” display buttons being added to the available credit and being displayed accordingly. Actuation of the “Cash-In Winnings” button  205  results in the winnings associated with either the “Win” or “Total Win” display buttons being paid out to the user in an appropriate manner. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates part of the hardware of one of the gaming machines  103  and the jackpot controller  105 . The payout control  203  is connected to a first game controller  301  which is connected to a revenue input controller  303  and a first accumulator  305 . The first accumulator comprises four elements, a credit meter  305   a , a win meter  305   b , a played meter  305   c  and a total winnings meter  305   d . Each meter  305   a ,  305   b ,  305   c ,  305   d  is used to provide a record of the credit available, the winnings for a given game, the cumulative winnings and the credit used respectively. The game controller  301  is also connected via the network  107  to a second game controller  307  in the jackpot controller  105 . The game controller  307  is also connected to a second accumulator  309 , which is connected to the display  109 . 
     The revenue input controller  303  is operable to accept monetary input from a user in the form of coins or notes, tokens, payment card or other suitable form of payment via the payment port  119 . The revenue input controller  303  indicates the amount of the payment to the game controller  301 , which responds by adding the input value to the accumulator  305 . The accumulator  305  uses the credit meter  305   a  to record the credit received via the revenue input controller  303 . The game controller  301  is the element in the gaming machine that actually runs the first game in response to user commands input via the control panel  117  ( FIG. 1 ) 
     Each time a game is played the game controller  301  deducts the appropriate amount from the credit meter  305   a  and adds the same amount to the played meter  305   c . The game controller  301  also controls the paying out prizes for the first game as they are won and records such events in the win meter  305   b  and the total cumulative winnings meter  305   d . The game controller is also arranged to communicate with the second game controller  307 . This communication includes data that identifies to the second game controller  307  which of the gaming machines  103  has provided a given contribution. The game controller  301  displays the contents of the meters  305   a ,  305   b ,  305   c ,  305   d  via the corresponding displays  205 ,  207 ,  209 ,  211 . The operation of the payout controller will be described in further detail below. 
     The second game controller  307  responds to the signals from the first game controller by adding the contribution to the accumulator  209  and updating the display  109  ( FIG. 1 ) with the revised jackpot value. The second game controller  307  is the element of the jackpot controller  105  that runs the second game. In other words, the game controller  307  sets the non-disclosed threshold value at which the jackpot will be paid out, receives signals from the gaming machines  103  and updates the accumulator  309  and the display  109  with that value. 
     The game controller  307  initiates a prize payout when a contribution added to the accumulator  309  causes the jackpot to meet or exceed the payout threshold. When this occurs the game controller  307  identifies which of the gaming machines  103  triggered the jackpot and sends a signal to the identified machine. The gaming controller  301  of the identified gaming machine  103  responds to this signal by indicating to the user that the jackpot has been awarded and paying out the jackpot amount. In response to a jackpot award occurring the game controller  307  also resets the jackpot value and generates a new payout threshold before receiving further signals from the gaming machines  103  and incrementing the jackpot value in the accumulator  309  accordingly. Prizes paid out for the second game by the first game controller  301  are also recorded in the win and total winnings meters  305   b ,  305   d.    
     The operating process of one of the gaming machines  103  will now be described with reference to the flow chart of  FIG. 4 . At the first step  401  the gaming machine  103  has just been switched on for the first time. In other words, the machine has just been commissioned and the accumulator  205  and its meters  305   a ,  305   b ,  305   c ,  305   d  are set to zero. The process holds at step  401  until a user inputs some monetary value at which point processing moves to step  403 . 
     At step  403 , in response to a user actuating the start button  201  the gaming controller starts the game play sequence and while the game is in progress processing continues to step  405 . At step  405  the credit meter  305   a  and the played meter  305   c  are updated along with the corresponding displays  205 ,  209  with the value paid by the user for the game in progress. Processing then moves to step  407  where the gaming controller  301  extracts from the accumulator the appropriate contribution for the second game and signals this to the second game controller in combination with an indication of the identity of the current gaming machine  103 . 
     Processing then moves to step  409  where it is determined whether a jackpot prize is due in response to any return signal from the second game controller  307 . If a prize is due then processing moves to step  411  where the prize is paid and the win and total win meters  305   b ,  305   d  are updated along with the corresponding displays  207 ,  211 . The process then moves to step  419 . If however no jackpot prize signal arrives from the second gaming controller  301  before the end of the game play of the first game then processing moves from step  409  to step  413 . 
     At step  413  it is determined whether a prize is due as a result of the end sequence of the current first game play. If a prize is due then processing moves to step  415  where the prize is added to the win and total winnings meters  305   b ,  305   d  and the corresponding displays  207 ,  211  updated. Processing then moves to step  417 . If no prize is due in step  413  then processing moves straight to step  417 . 
     At step  417  the gaming machine  103  prompts the user to make a choice of cashing in any current winnings, transferring them to the credit meter or starting another game. The user is prompted via the appropriate display elements of the payout control  203 . The user can select to transfer winnings by actuating either the win display button  207  or the total winnings button  211  in response to which processing moves to step  419 . This selection step enables the user to make a conscious decision on whether to use any winnings for subsequent game play or to have the winnings paid out. This gives the user a greater degree of control over their gaming activity. At step  419  the contents of either the win or total won meters  305   b ,  305   d  are transferred to the credit meter  205  in accordance with the actuated button. The displays of the payout control  203  are updated to reflect the changes to the meters  305   a ,  305   b ,  305   d.    
     If at step  417  the user actuated the cash in winnings button  213  then processing moves to step  421  where the contents of the total winnings meter  305   d  is paid out to the user in the appropriate manner. The displays of the payout control  203  are updated to reflect the changes to the win and total winnings meters  305   b ,  305   d . Processing then moves to step  423 . If at step  417  the user actuated the start button then processing moves to step  423 . 
     At step  423 , the gaming controller  201  establishes whether enough credit remains for a further game play and if not processing moves to step  401  where the user is prompted to input more credit. After a predetermined time has elapsed waiting for more credit to be received the game controller  301  resets the meters  305   a ,  305   b ,  305   c ,  305   d  on the assumption that the next user will be a new player. If at step  423  sufficient credit remains then processing moves to step  403  and continues as described above for that step. 
     In some embodiments the payout control may be provided without a win meter or alternatively without a total winnings meter. Similarly the payout control may be provided without a played meter and associated display. In other words, the following combinations of display to the user are possible:
         a remaining credit meter and a total cumulative win meter;   a credit meter and a credit played meter; and   a credit played meter and a total cumulative win meter;       

     In other embodiments the prize just won or the total prizes won along with any remaining credit units are paid out to the user in response to an appropriate instruction. In another embodiment, a prize just won is transferred to the credit meter after each win. In a further embodiment, the prize just won or total prizes are transferred to the credit meter when the record of remaining credit reaches a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, remaining credits are paid out in response to an appropriate instruction. In other embodiments, unspent credit or winnings may be stored under the security of a password in the gaming machine for later access by the appropriate user. 
     As a post-manufacture addition to a gaming system, embodiments of the present invention may extend the commercial life of a gaming machine. In some embodiments the display functions of the switches as described above may be provided by a separate display. In some embodiments there may only be a single gaming machine operable in isolation i.e. not linked to other gaming machines or to a communal or jackpot game. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatus that embodies a part or all of the present invention may be a general purpose device having software arranged to provide a part or all of an embodiment of the invention. The device could be single device or a group of devices and the software could be a single program or a set of programs. Furthermore, any or all of the software used to implement the invention can be communicated via various transmission or storage means such as computer network, floppy disc, CD-Rom or magnetic tape so that the software can be loaded onto one or more devices. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in other forms.