Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a wagering game with multiple outcomes where losing outcomes award the player with buildable segments that can be added together over a sequence of games to produce free spins. Once a free spin is awarded, the cycle starts over again. The wagering game is offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed in other forms such as on a general purpose computing device or mobile telephone in stand-alone form or connected to a network, such as the internet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/659,019, filed on Jun. 13, 2012. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    Portions of this disclosure contain material in which copyright is claimed by the applicant. The applicant has no objection to the copying of this material in the course of making copies of the application file or any patents that may issue on the application, but all other rights whatsoever in the copyrighted material are reserved. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) offer a variety of games such as slot games, video poker games, roulette games, keno games and other types of wagering games that are commonly deployed at a casino for use by players. Play on the EGMs typically requires the player to place a wager on the outcome of the game. The games are programmed with a predefined set of outcomes including one or more winning outcomes and one or more losing outcomes. The player is awarded for a winning outcome and receives no award for a losing outcome. 
         [0004]    Historically, the simple format of game play with a predefined set of outcomes has been appealing to players even though there are typically more losing outcomes than winning outcomes. However, game designers, players and operators of games are always striving to find appealing features and game functionality that will generate player excitement and increase, or at least maintain the interest of the player. This is particularly important for a player who hits a streak of losses which usually results in the player leaving the game, and possibly the gaming establishment without further play. 
         [0005]    The present invention defines a system and method that overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the play of wagering games by casino patrons. It does so by offering an enticement to the player on a losing outcome. Like other games played on an EGM, the player places an initial wager to play. A random number generator (“RNG”) on the EGM generates an outcome and that outcome is displayed on the EGM display to the player. In the event the outcome is a winning combination, the player is awarded a prize in accordance with the EGM pay table. In the event that the outcome is a losing combination, the player is not awarded a prize. However, in accordance with the present invention, the game awards the player with a buildable segment or a “token” when the player has a losing outcome. When the player accumulates enough buildable segments or tokens, they are awarded a free spin. By accumulating free spins for losing outcomes over a sequence of games, the player will receive additional chances to win even when they have lost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it functions, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show embodiments of the present invention in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1A  shows an electronic gaming machine for playing a game; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1B-1F  show computing devices for playing a game; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows an electronic gaming machine for playing a game and connected to a network controlled by a server based system; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  shows a group of electronic gaming machines on a network connected to a server based system and an external system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  shows a group of general purpose computing devices on a network connected to a server based system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of game play where the player builds free spins in buildable segments; and 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A-5C  shows screen shots of game play where the player builds free spins in buildable segments corresponding to the game play flow chart of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout  FIGS. 1-5 , like elements of the invention are referred to by the same reference numerals for consistency purposes. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows a prior art electronic gaming machine (“EGM”)  101  with a number of components. A display  105  is used to show game play and resulting outcomes, and may be in the form of a video display (shown), or alternatively, physical reels. Touch screen displays are included on most EGMs and provide a flexible interface for operation of EGM  101 , including displaying symbols  106  during play. Other components include a bill validator/ticket printer (see  FIG. 2 ) and a coin acceptor that are both housed inside EGM  101  into which bills may be inserted through bill slot  107  and coins may be inserted through coin head  108 , respectively. Buttons  109  on the exterior of EGM  101  are used to control certain EGM operations in conjunction with touch screen display  105 . A handle  111  may be used to initiate play of a game and speakers  113  are used to provide sounds in conjunction with game play and other EGM operations. EGMs further include a top box  115  for displaying pay tables, artwork, advertising or other types of information either on fixed glass or on other displays such as an integrated video panel. Top box  115  may be fitted with a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) screen to permit aspects of game play from either a base game or a secondary game to be shown in top box  115 . Meters  117  for tracking credits available for play, amount won on a particular play, number of coins bet, number of paylines played and other amounts are positioned near the bottom of screen  105 . A coin tray  119  at the bottom of EGM  101  is used to catch coins as they are dispensed to a player. It is also common for EGM  101  to include a ticket-in, ticket-out (“TITO”) component that may be part of the bill validator housed inside of EGM  101  that may accept bar coded credits through slot  107  and for which the value of the credits is displayed on meters  117  upon a ticket being inserted. A TITO component may also print and dispense tickets with a bar coded value from EGM  101 . 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1B-1F  show a number of general purpose computing devices which may be used to play a game. These figures show a smartphone  171  in  FIG. 1B  which may be an Apple iPhone 4S® as pictured, or any other mobile phone type device. A tablet computer  173  is shown in  FIG. 1C  which may be an Apple iPad 3® as pictured, or any other tablet computing device. A desktop computer  175  is shown in  FIG. 1D  which may be a Lenovo® machine as pictured, or any other desktop computer. A laptop computer  177  is shown in  FIG. 1E  which may be a Lenovo® computer or any other laptop computer. And, a home video gaming device  179  is shown in  FIG. 1F  which may be a Microsoft Xbox® system or any other home video system. Other types of network connected devices could also be used to play games including portable video gaming devices such as a Sony PSP®, a Nintendo GameBoy®, or an internet connected television with a browser or app capabilities. Any of these devices is capable of playing a game, including a wagering game, through an app loaded onto the device or through a website accessible using a browser on the device. In the case of the networked game, payment may be made by credit card, Paypal® or another payment service. The RNG is run securely on server based system  201  (See  FIG. 2 ) and then delivers the outcomes over the internet to be displayed on the general purpose computing device. It should also be understood that the game may be played for fun without a wager, or using promotional or “fun” credits that do not have monetary value. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of EGM  101  connected to a server based system  201  and showing certain internal components of EGM  101 . All operational functions of EGM  101  are controlled by a controller  131  such as a microprocessor housed inside EGM  101  that is resident on a game board  133 . The controller executes instructions that include operation of a random number generator  135  (“RNG”) that is usually implemented in software and stored in a memory  137 . The internal components of EGM  101 are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Game outcomes are determined based on the results corresponding to the numbers selected by RNG  135 . A bill validator  139  also has ticket printing capabilities. Bill validator  139  accepts currency in the form of bills, or tickets from a player and adds credit to meters  117  on EGM  101 . 
         [0018]    An external system  203  such as a player tracking system, a slot accounting system or a bonusing system may also be connected to EGM  101 . These types of systems are typically connected to EGM  101  either through a separate interface board (not shown) or directly integrated with different components of EGM  101  including but not limited to game board  133 . A player tracking system may also include other components installed on EGM  101  such as a player tracking display  205 , a keypad  207  and a card reader  209 . These components allow for direct interaction between external system  203  and the player to receive information from the player on keypad  207  or through information on a card inserted into card reader  209 , and to display information to the player on display  205 . A network is established between external system  203  and EGM  101  by network connection  213 . The network may be connected to all EGMs  101  in a casino or any smaller subset of EGMs  101 . 
         [0019]    Server based system  201  is also connected to EGMs  101  by a network connection  215  which may be a separate connection or on a connection to the same network as external system  203 . Server based system  201  may have one or more individual servers tasked with different functions such as communicating with a player at EGM  101  to fulfill requests, delivering services such as television shows or other content, or a host of other information. 
         [0020]    In  FIG. 2 , EGM  101  is shown as a casino gaming device of the type depicted in  FIG. 1A . It should be understood that any one or more of the general purpose computing devices—smartphone  171 , tablet computer  173 , desktop computer  175 , laptop computer  177 , or home video gaming system  179  shown in FIGS.  1 B- 1 F—could be placed on a network connected to server based system  201 . For purposes of this specification, reference to one or more EGMs  101  in an environment using a limited access intranet of the type typically found in a casino would also apply to one or more general purpose computing devices with a secure connection to a server over the internet and not involving a physical casino property at all, and which may or may not require a wager or payment to play. 
         [0021]    It will be understood that the type of network over which data is communicated can be one of several different types of networks including a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), an intranet or the Internet. Other proprietary networks could also be used without departing from the principles of the invention. This would include such networks as a Windows network or an Ethernet network. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3A  is a block diagram showing a group of EGMs  101   1 - x  on a network connection  215  between server based system  201  and each of EGMs  101   1 - x.  It should be understood that the network may be set up with any number of EGMs that may number into the thousands of machines. Each of EGMs  101   1 - x  is also connected to external system  203  that may be a player tracking, slot accounting, bonusing or other type of system. Information is communicated between EGMs  101  and server based system  201 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3B  shows server based system  201  connected to a network with multiple computing devices for playing games. It should be understood that the network shown in  FIG. 3B  operates in the same manner as the network of  FIG. 3A , except that the computing devices on the network of  FIG. 3B  are connected over the internet  301  with each device  171 - 179  connected over a secure connection  303   a - e  to server based system  201  which connects to the internet over network connection  215 . Payments can be made securely over internet  301  using connections  303   a - e,  and then delivered to an operator over connection  215 . Similarly, the game is executed on server based system  201  using a secure RNG with the outcomes being delivered to the individual devices  171 - 179  over internet  301 . Alternatively, the game software or a portion of it may be resident and executed on each device  171 - 179 . Wagers by players and payments to players may be made using accounts set up with an operator of a website on which the games are run. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of game play in a wagering game where the player earns buildable segments towards one or more free spins, and  FIG. 5A-C  show corresponding screen shots: a) FIG.  5 A—screenshot  505 A on display  105  at the start of a game; b) FIG.  5 B—screenshot  505 B at the end of game play after a losing spin where a segment has been added to complete a free spin build; and c) FIG.  5 C—screenshot at the beginning of a new game where the spin meter has been incremented and the segment meter has been reset. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , start  405  represents the point at which a player sits down at EGM  101  to begin play. The player initially inserts a bill into bill slot  107  or coins into coin head  108  to put credits on the machine. These credits may be displayed to the player on a credit meter  117   a.  The player then selects the number of lines to play and the number of coins per line which is shown on coins-per-line meter  117   c.  A “total bet” which depends on the number of lines and the number of coins per line is shown on total bet meter  117   b.    
         [0026]    For purposes of simplicity and explanation, the description herein refers to a single coin bet on a single payline. However, wagering multiple coins on multiple paylines may reduce the number of plays required to complete a free spin because it would speed up the accumulation of buildable segments where more games are lost more quickly, and in turn, the time it takes to get free spins. 
         [0027]    The wager is placed and the game is started using buttons  109  to initiate game play at step  410 . An initial game screen is shown in  FIG. 5A  where free spin meter  530  shows 7 spins and segment meter  525  shows five of six segments completed or earned toward the next free spin. Segment meter  525  is represented as a circle with 6 segments. The screenshots of  FIGS. 5A-5C  are for a traditional slot game in which the reels spin and stop with symbols lined up on one or more paylines  515 . Screenshot  505 A shows a previous game that was completed with the outcome shown as a winner with 7-7-7 on payline  515 . 
         [0028]    During game play, appropriate game graphics are shown on display  105  such as spinning reels  510   a - c  (or the display of cards to a video poker player), and corresponding game sounds come from speakers  113 . In the slot game shown in  FIGS. 5A-C , a slot game with common slot symbols  520  (i.e. 7s, BARs, PLUMs, WATERMELONS, ORANGEs and “blanks” are used). Of course, any symbols or combination of symbols may be used for a slot game or any other game embodying the invention where free spins would be replaced with free plays, such as in a poker, keno or roulette game. 
         [0029]    At step  415 , RNG  135  is executed on controller  131  and a game outcome is chosen. Once the outcome is reached, the outcome is displayed on game display  105  for the player to see at step  420  and as shown on screenshot  505 B in  FIG. 5B . It is then determined whether the outcome is a winner or loser at step  425 . If it is a winning outcome as, for example, it was after play of the game shown in  FIG. 5A  where 7-7-7 on payline  515  is a winner, the player is notified that s/he has won and is awarded a prize at step  430 . An indication on display  105  also shows the win and this may be accompanied by celebratory effects and highlighting of payline  515  and/or symbols  520  on payline  515 . Credit meter  117   a  is incremented by the number of coins won and the player is returned to step  410  to play again. 
         [0030]    If it is a losing outcome, the player is awarded a buildable segment reflected by the segment meter  525  being incremented at step  435 . In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A-5C , the segment meter is a segmented wheel with six individual segments. In this case, for each losing spin, one of the segments is lit to indicate that it has been “built” or “filled.” At step  440 , it is determined whether all of the segments in segment meter  525  have been lit. If not, the player is returned to step  410  to play again. If all of the segments on segment meter  525  have been lit, the player is notified that s/he has won a free spin at step  445 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5B , after a losing spin of BAR-BAR-7, segment  6  of segment meter  525  has been lit. An indication  535  on display  105  informs the player that a segment has been added resulting in a free spin being awarded. Indication  535  states “You Have Added One Segment and Have Now Completed a Free Spin. Congratulations!” In addition to the message, celebratory effects may also be shown on display  105  and/or sounds may be provided at speakers  113 . 
         [0031]    At step  450 , spin meter  530  is incremented to indicate to the player that s/he has received a free spin and segment meter  525  is reset as can be seen in  FIG. 5C , where segment meter  525  is cleared. A message or other indicators on display  105  may also be provided to ensure the player knows what is happening and to enhance the excitement of the game. An example of such a message  540  is shown in  FIG. 5C  where it states “Free Spin Meter Incremented and 8 Free Spins Now Available for Play.” In addition to message  540 , celebratory effects may also be shown on display  105  and/or sounds may be provided at speakers  113 . 
         [0032]    It will be understood that segment meter  525  as shown is a representative example for depicting the building of a free spin. Other visual designs could substituted such as other shapes, a temperature gauge, or any other depiction showing segments adding to a whole. Using a shape or icon where a player can visually see the progress towards a free spin builds excitement. It should also be understood that the number of segments needed to build a free spin is a design choice, and directly impacts the paytable of the game. A game designer may use six segments as shown, or more or less. In fact, the number of spins may even be selectable by a player, which would require a dynamic paytable to be implemented for use on the game as changing the number of segments needed for a free spin would require that paybacks for particular outcomes be adjusted to maintain the overall payback percentage of the game. 
         [0033]    It is also possible to provide a capability to allow the player to convert free spins or unused segments to cash at the end of a game or session of play. Such functionality could be offered directly on EGM  101 . 
         [0034]    While the invention has been described with respect to the figures, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, any particular game incorporating the invention may have a bonus feature that includes additional opportunities to earn segments towards free spins. The base game or the bonus may also provide multipliers depending on one or more symbols appearing on the screen in particular configurations such as scatter pays or wild symbols lined up as specified in a paytable. It&#39;s also possible to implement the invention where segments are awarded randomly based on an event such as a coin-in threshold on an individual EGM or a group of EGMs. Any variation and derivation from the above description and drawings are included in the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.