Gaming apparatus with novel display technique

A gaming apparatus may include a cabinet having a front face, a gaming display supported inside the cabinet and positioned adjacent the cabinet front face, the gaming display being operable to generate images and a controller operatively coupled to the gaming display. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, cause an image associated with a game to be generated on the gaming display, to determine an outcome of the game represented by the image and to determine a value payout associated with the outcome of the game. The controller also may be programmed to display on the gaming display a plurality of display elements which change from displaying cards to displaying portions of a first display object wherein the portions of the first display object create an identifiable image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a gaming apparatus for playing games such as slots, poker, keno, bingo and blackjack. Conventional gaming units are typically provided with a cabinet and a gaming display mounted inside the cabinet. The gaming display may be mechanical, such as a series of stepper wheels, or may be electronic such as a video display that is capable of generating video images. Whether mechanical or electronic, the gaming display may be capable of generating images associated with a game, such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, or bingo.

While the gaming display is the primary functional component, many gaming units include one or more design or stylistic elements to attract a player's attention to the gaming unit. Design elements also can be incorporated into the gaming display. In addition to attracting the player's attention, many gaming units incorporate additional stylistic or functional elements to keep the player's attention as long as possible by increasing the play value of the gaming unit. For example, a gaming unit may have a special or bonus mode that is triggered as a result of a certain outcome of the game. During the bonus mode, the gaming unit may run a different game or provide increased value payouts, thereby enhancing the play value. During an attract mode, interesting images may be displayed to attract users. Overall, it is important to adequately attract and maintain player interest in the games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a gaming apparatus which may include a cabinet with a front face, a gaming display supported inside the cabinet and positioned adjacent the cabinet front face so that the gaming display is viewable, the gaming display being operable to generate images and a controller operatively coupled to the gaming display. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, cause an image associated with a game to be generated on the gaming display, to determine an outcome of the game represented by the image and to determine a value payout associated with the outcome of the game. The controller also may be programmed to display on the gaming display a plurality of display elements which change from displaying portions of a first object to displaying a second display object. The game may be video poker, video slots, video blackjack, video keno or video bingo. The display element may be virtual playing cards, virtual keno number spaces or virtual bingo spaces.

The invention also is directed to a method to display images on a gaming device, which may sense for a triggering event, display a plurality of display elements which are portions of a first display object and progressively change the display elements from displaying the portion of the first display object to display a second display object wherein the portions of the first display object create a visually identifiable first display object. The game may be video poker, video slots, video blackjack, video keno or video bingo. The display element may be virtual playing cards, virtual keno number spaces or virtual bingo spaces.

In addition, the invention may be directed to a programmed memory that is capable of being used in connection with an electronic gaming apparatus that allows a person to play a game, that dispenses value to the person at the conclusion of the game, and that may have a processor, an input device, and a currency accepting mechanism. The programmed memory may have a first memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the electronic gaming apparatus to allow a person to sense for a triggering event if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming apparatus, a second memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the electronic gaming apparatus to allow the person to display a plurality of display elements which are portions of a first display object if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming apparatus and a third memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the electronic gaming apparatus to progressively changing the display elements from displaying the portion of the first display object to display a second display object wherein the portions of the first display object may create a visually identifiable first display object if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming apparatus.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of a gaming system10in accordance with the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, the gaming system10may include a first group or network12of gaming units20operatively coupled to a network computer22via a network data link or bus24. The gaming system10may include a second group or network26of gaming units30operatively coupled to a network computer32via a network data link or bus34. The first and second gaming networks12,26may be operatively coupled to each other via a network40, which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN) via a first network link42and a second network link44.

The first network12of gaming units20may be provided in a first casino, and the second network26of gaming units30may be provided in a second location located in a separate geographic location than the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located in different states. The network40may include a plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which may be operatively interconnected. Where the network40comprises the Internet, data communication may take place over the communication links42,44via an Internet communication protocol.

The network computer22may be a server computer and may be used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of the gaming units20. For example, the network computer22may continuously receive data from each of the gaming units20indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on each of the gaming units20, data indicative of how much each of the gaming units20is paying out in winnings, data regarding the identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming units20, etc. The network computer32may be a server computer and may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation to the gaming units30as the network computer22described above.

Although each network12,26is shown to include one network computer22,32and four gaming units20,30, it should be understood that different numbers of computers and gaming units may be utilized. For example, the network12may include a plurality of network computers22and tens or hundreds of gaming units20, all of which may be interconnected via the data link24. The data link24may provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link. Although the data link24is shown as a single data link24, the data link24may comprise multiple data links.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of one or more of the gaming units20. Although the following description addresses the design of the gaming units20, it should be understood that the gaming units30may have the same design as the gaming units20described below. It should be understood that the design of one or more of the gaming units20may be different than the design of other gaming units20, and that the design of one or more of the gaming units30may be different than the design of other gaming units30. Each gaming unit20may be any type of gaming unit and may have various different structures and methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, various designs of the gaming units20are described below, but it should be understood that numerous other designs may be utilized.

Referring toFIG. 2, the gaming unit20may include a housing or cabinet50and one or more input devices, which may include a coin slot or acceptor52, a paper currency acceptor54, a ticket reader/printer56and a card reader58, which may be used to input value to the gaming unit20. A value input device may include any device that can accept value from a customer. As used herein, the term “value” may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper currency, ticket vouchers, credit or debit cards, and any other object representative of value.

If provided on the gaming unit20, the ticket reader/printer56may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket vouchers60. The ticket vouchers60may be composed of paper or another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the location name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar code with control and/or security data, the date and time of issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket vouchers60could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers, cash-redemption ticket vouchers, chip ticket vouchers, extra game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers60could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink, or data on the ticket vouchers60could be magnetically encoded. The ticket reader/printer56may be provided with the ability to both read and print ticket vouchers60, or it may be provided with the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers60. In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units20may have ticket printers56that may be used to print ticket vouchers60, which could then be used by a player in other gaming units20that have ticket readers56.

If provided, the card reader58may include any type of card reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader58may be used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits, etc.

The gaming unit20may include one or more audio speakers62, a coin payout tray64, an input control panel66, and a color video display unit70for displaying images relating to the game or games provided by the gaming unit20. The audio speakers62may generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning slot machine reels, a dealer's voice, music, announcements or any other audio related to a game. The input control panel66may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive areas that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc.

FIG. 2Aillustrates one possible embodiment of the control panel66, which may be used where the gaming unit20is a slot machine having a plurality of mechanical or “virtual” reels. Referring toFIG. 2A, the control panel66may include a “See Pays” button72that, when activated, causes the display unit70to generate one or more display screens showing the odds or payout information for the game or games provided by the gaming unit20. As used herein, the term “button” is intended to encompass any device that allows a player to make an input, such as an input device that must be depressed to make an input selection or a display area that a player may simply touch. The control panel66may include a “Cash Out” button74that may be activated when a player decides to terminate play on the gaming unit20, in which case the gaming unit20may return value to the player, such as by returning a number of coins to the player via the payout tray64.

If the gaming unit20provides a slots game having a plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines which define winning combinations of reel symbols, the control panel66may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons76, each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning the reels. For example, five buttons76may be provided, each of which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine paylines.

If the gaming unit20provides a slots game having a plurality of reels, the control panel66may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons78each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline selected. For example, if the smallest wager accepted by the gaming unit20is a quarter ($0.25), the gaming unit20may be provided with five selection buttons78, each of which may allow a player to select one, two, three, four or five quarters to wager for each payline selected. In that case, if a player were to activate the “5” button76(meaning that five paylines were to be played on the next spin of the reels) and then activate the “3” button78(meaning that three coins per payline were to be wagered), the total wager would be $3.75 (assuming the minimum bet was $0.25).

The control panel66may include a “Max Bet” button80to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up to five quarters could be wagered for each payline selected, the maximum wager would be 45 quarters, or $11.25. The control panel66may include a spin button82to allow the player to initiate spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has been made.

InFIG. 2A, a rectangle is shown around the buttons72,74,76,78,80,82. It should be understood that that rectangle simply designates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons72,74,76,78,80,82may be located. Consequently, the term “control panel” should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate separate from the housing50of the gaming unit20is required, and the term “control panel” may encompass a plurality or grouping of player activatable buttons.

Although one possible control panel66is described above, it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in the control panel66, and that the particular buttons used may depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit20. Although the control panel66is shown to be separate from the display unit70, it should be understood that the control panel66could be generated by the display unit70. In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel66could be a colored area generated by the display unit70, and some type of mechanism may be associated with the display unit70to detect when each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen.

Gaming Unit Electronics

FIG. 3is a block diagram of a number of components that may be incorporated in the gaming unit20. Referring toFIG. 3, the gaming unit20may include a controller100that may comprise a program memory102, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP)104, a random-access memory (RAM)106and an input/output (I/O) circuit108, all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus110. It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor104is shown, the controller100may include multiple microprocessors104. Similarly, the memory of the controller100may include multiple RAMs106and multiple program memories102. Although the I/O circuit108is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit108may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s)106and program memories102may be implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example.

FIG. 3illustrates that the control panel66, the coin acceptor52, the bill acceptor54, the card reader58and the ticket reader/printer56may be operatively coupled to the I/O circuit108, each of those components being so coupled by either a unidirectional or bidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data link, which may depend on the design of the component that is used. The speaker(s)62may be operatively coupled to a sound circuit112, that may comprise a voice- and sound-synthesis circuit or that may comprise a driver circuit. The sound-generating circuit112may be coupled to the I/O circuit108.

As shown inFIG. 3, the components52,54,56,58,66,112may be connected to the I/O circuit108via a respective direct line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be used. For example, one or more of the components shown inFIG. 3may be connected to the I/O circuit108via a common bus or other data link that is shared by a number of components. Furthermore, some of the components may be directly connected to the microprocessor104without passing through the I/O circuit108.

Overall Operation of Gaming Unit

One manner in which one or more of the gaming units20(and one or more of the gaming units30) may operate is described below in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller100. The computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely, outside of the gaming unit20, and may control the operation of the gaming unit20from a remote location. Such remote control may be facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an Internet interface that connects the gaming unit20with a remote computer (such as one of the network computers22,32) having a memory in which the computer program portions are stored. The computer program portions may be written in any high level language such as C, C+, C++ or the like or any low-level, assembly or machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein, various portions of the memories102,106are physically and/or structurally configured in accordance with computer program instructions.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a main operating routine200that may be stored in the memory of the controller100. Referring toFIG. 4, the main routine200may begin operation at block202during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player to play the gaming unit20. The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or more video images on the display unit70and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the speakers62. The attraction sequence may include a scrolling list of games that may be played on the gaming unit20and/or video images of various games being played, such as video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, etc.

During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit20as determined at block204, the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game-selection display may be generated on the display unit70at block206to allow the player to select a game available on the gaming unit20. The gaming unit20may detect an input at block204in various ways. For example, the gaming unit20could detect if the player presses any button on the gaming unit20; the gaming unit20could determine if the player deposited one or more coins into the gaming unit20; the gaming unit20could determine if player deposited paper currency into the gaming unit; etc.

The game-selection display generated at block206may include, for example, a list of video games that may be played on the gaming unit20and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit20. While the game-selection display is generated, the gaming unit20may wait for the player to make a game selection. Upon selection of one of the games by the player as determined at block208, the controller100may cause one of a number of game routines to be performed to allow the selected game to be played. For example, the game routines could include a video poker routine210, a video blackjack routine220, a slots routine230, a video keno routine240, and a video bingo routine250. At block208, if no game selection is made within a given period of time, the operation may branch back to block202.

After one of the routines210,220,230,240,250has been performed to allow the player to play one of the games, block260may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit20or to select another game. If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit20, which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller100may dispense value to the player at block262based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block202. If the p layer did not wish to quit as determined at block260, the routine may return to block208where the game-selection display may again be generated to allow the player to select another game.

It should be noted that although five gaming routines are shown inFIG. 4, a different number of routines could be included to allow play of a different number of games. The gaming unit20may also be programmed to allow play of different games.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of an alternative main operating routine300that may be stored in the memory of the controller100. The main routine300may be utilized for gaming units20that are designed to allow play of only a single game or single type of game. Referring toFIG. 5, the main routine300may begin operation at block302during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player to play the gaming unit20. The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or more video images on the display unit70and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the speakers62.

During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit20as determined at block304, the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game display may be generated on the display unit70at block306. The game display generated at block306may include, for example, an image of the game that may be played on the gaming unit20and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit20. At block308, the gaming unit20may determine if the player requested information concerning the game, in which case the requested information may be displayed at block310. Block312may be used to determine if the player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine320may be performed. The game routine320could be any one of the game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game routines210,220,230,240,250, or another game routine.

After the routine320has been performed to allow the player to play the game, block322may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit20. If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit20, which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller100may dispense value to the player at block324based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block302. If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block322, the operation may return to block308.

Video Poker

FIG. 6is an exemplary display350that may be shown on the display unit70during performance of the video poker routine210shown schematically inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 6, the display350may include video images352of a plurality of playing cards representing the player's hand, such as five cards. To allow the player to control the play of the video poker game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Hold” button354disposed directly below each of the playing card images352, a “Cash Out” button356, a “See Pays” button358, a “Bet One Credit” button360, a “Bet Max Credits” button362, and a “Deal/Draw” button364. The display350may also include an area366in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit70is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons354,356,358,360,362,364may form part of the video display350. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit70.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of the video poker routine210shown schematically inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 8, at block370, the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button358, in which case at block372the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit70. At block374, the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by pressing the “Bet One Credit” button360, in which case at block376bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller100. At block378, the routine may determine whether the player has pressed the “Bet Max Credits” button362, in which case at block380bet data corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller100.

At block382, the routine may determine if the player desires a new hand to be dealt, which may be determined by detecting if the “Deal/Draw” button364was activated after a wager was made. In that case, at block384a video poker hand may be “dealt” by causing the display unit70to generate the playing card images352. After the hand is dealt, at block386the routine may determine if any of the “Hold” buttons354have been activated by the player, in which case data regarding which of the playing card images352are to be “held” may be stored in the controller100at block388. If the “Deal/Draw” button364is activated again as determined at block390, each of the playing card images352that was not “held” may be caused to disappear from the video display350and to be replaced by a new, randomly selected, playing card image352at block392.

At block394, the routine may determine whether the poker hand represented by the playing card images352currently displayed is a winner. That determination may be made by comparing data representing the currently displayed poker hand with data representing all possible winning hands, which may be stored in the memory of the controller100. If there is a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block396. At block398, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the hand was a winner, the payout value determined at block396. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area366(FIG. 6).

Although the video poker routine210is described above in connection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine210may be modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For example, seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be played. Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously played. In that case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker hand, and the player may be allowed to hold certain cards. After deciding which cards to hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a plurality of different poker hands, with the remaining cards for each of those poker hands being randomly determined.

Video Blackjack

FIG. 7is an exemplary display400that may be shown on the display unit70during performance of the video blackjack routine220shown schematically inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 7, the display400may include video images402of a pair of playing cards representing a dealer's hand, with one of the cards shown face up and the other card being shown face down, and video images404of a pair of playing cards representing a player's hand, with both the cards shown face up. The “dealer” may be the gaming unit20.

To allow the player to control the play of the video blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button406, a “See Pays” button408, a “Stay” button410, a “Hit” button412, a “Bet One Credit” button414, and a “Bet Max Credits” button416. The display400may also include an area418in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit70is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons406,408,410,412,414,416may form part of the video display400. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit70.

FIG. 9is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine220shown schematically inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 9, the video blackjack routine220may begin at block420where it may determine whether a bet has been made by the player. That may be determined, for example, by detecting the activation of either the “Bet One Credit” button414or the “Bet Max Credits” button416. At block422, bet data corresponding to the bet made at block420may be stored in the memory of the controller100. At block424, a dealer's hand and a player's hand may be “dealt” by making the playing card images402,404appear on the display unit70.

At block426, the player may be allowed to be “hit,” in which case at block428another card will be dealt to the player's hand by making another playing card image404appear in the display400. If the player is hit, block430may determine if the player has “bust,” or exceeded21. If the player has not bust, blocks426and428may be performed again to allow the player to be hit again.

If the player decides not to hit, at block432the routine may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether the dealer hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules, such as the dealer always hit if the dealer's hand totals 15 or less. If the dealer hits, at block434the dealer's hand may be dealt another card by making another playing card image402appear in the display400. At block436the routine may determine whether the dealer has bust. If the dealer has not bust, blocks432,434may be performed again to allow the dealer to be hit again.

If the dealer does not hit, at block436the outcome of the blackjack game and a corresponding payout may be determined based on, for example, whether the player or the dealer has the higher hand that does not exceed21. If the player has a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block440. At block442, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the player won, the payout value determined at block396. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area418(FIG. 7).

Slots

FIG. 10is an exemplary display450that may be shown on the display unit70during performance of the slots routine230shown schematically inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 10, the display450may include video images452of a plurality of slot machine reels, each of the reels having a plurality of reel symbols454associated therewith. Although the display450shows five reel images452, each of which may have three reel symbols454that are visible at a time, other reel configurations could be utilized.

To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button456, a “See Pays” button458, a plurality of payline-selection buttons460each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to “spinning” the reels, a plurality of bet-selection buttons462each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline selected, a “Spin” button464, and a “Max Bet” button466to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable.

FIG. 12is a flowchart of the slots routine230shown schematically inFIG. 10. Referring toFIG. 12, at block470, the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button458, in which case at block472the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit70. At block474, the routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the payline-selection buttons460, in which case at block476data corresponding to the number of paylines selected by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller100. At block478, the routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the bet-selection buttons462, in which case at block480data corresponding to the amount bet per payline may be stored in the memory of the controller100. At block482, the routine may determine whether the player has pressed the “Max Bet” button466, in which case at block484bet data (which may include both payline data and bet-per-payline data) corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller100.

If the “Spin” button464has been activated by the player as determined at block486, at block488the routine may cause the slot machine reel images452to begin “spining” so as to simulate the appearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine reels. At block490, the routine may determine the positions at which the slot machine reel images will stop, or the particular symbol images454that will be displayed when the reel images452stop spinning. At block492, the routine may stop the reel images452from spinning by displaying stationary reel images452and images of three symbols454for each stopped reel image452. The virtual reels may be stopped from left to right, from the perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence.

The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game or round if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the stopped reel images452of a particular symbol454. If there is such a bonus condition as determined at block494, the routine may proceed to block496where a bonus round may be played. The bonus round may be a different game than slots, and many other types of bonus games could be provided. If the player wins the bonus round, or receives additional credits or points in the bonus round, a bonus value may be determined at block498. A payout value corresponding to outcome of the slots game and/or the bonus round may be determined at block500. At block502, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the slot game and/or bonus round was a winner, the payout value determined at block500.

Although the above routine has been described as a virtual slot machine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as images on the display unit70, actual slot machine reels that are capable of being spun may be utilized instead.

Video Keno

FIG. 11is an exemplary display520that may be shown on the display unit70during performance of the video keno routine240shown schematically inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 11, the display520may include a video image522of a plurality of numbers that were selected by the player prior to the start of a keno game and a video image524of a plurality of numbers randomly selected during the keno game. The randomly selected numbers may be displayed in a grid pattern.

To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button526, a “See Pays” button528, a “Bet One Credit” button530, a “Bet Max Credits” button532, a “Select Ticket” button534, a “Select Number” button536, and a “Play” button538. The display520may also include an area540in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit70is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display520. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit70.

FIG. 13is a flowchart of the video keno routine240shown schematically inFIG. 4. The keno routine240may be utilized in connection with a single gaming unit20where a single player is playing a keno game, or the keno routine240may be utilized in connection with multiple gaming units20where multiple players are playing a single keno game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts described below may be performed either by the controller100in each gaming unit or by one of the network computer22,32to which multiple gaming units20are operatively connected.

Referring toFIG. 13, at block550, the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button528, in which case at block552the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit70. At block554, the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button530or the “Bet Max Credits” button532, in which case at block556bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller100. After the player has made a wager, at block558the player may select a keno ticket, and at block560the ticket may be displayed on the display520. At block562, the player may select one or more game numbers, which may be within a range set by the casino. After being selected, the player's game numbers may be stored in the memory of the controller100at block564and may be included in the image522on the display520at block566. After a certain amount of time, the keno game may be closed to additional players (where a number of players are playing a single keno game using multiple gambling units20).

If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block568, at block570a game number within a range set by the game provider may be randomly selected either by the controller100or a central computer operatively connected to the controller, such as one of the network computers22,32. At block572, the randomly selected game number may be displayed on the display unit70and the display units70of other gaming units20(if any) which are involved in the same keno game. At block574, the controller100(or the central computer noted above) may increment a count which keeps track of how many game numbers have been selected at block570.

At block576, the controller100(or one of the network computers22,32) may determine whether a maximum number of game numbers within the range have been randomly selected. If not, another game number may be randomly selected at block570. If the maximum number of game numbers has been selected, at block578the controller100(or a central computer) may determine whether there are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers selected at block570to cause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how many numbers the player selected and the particular keno rules being used.

If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may be determined at block580to compensate the player for winning the game. The payout may depend on the number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly selected at block570. At block582, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the keno game was won, the payout value determined at block580. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area540(FIG. 11).

Video Bingo

FIG. 14is an exemplary display600that may be shown on the display unit70during performance of the video bingo routine250shown schematically inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 14, the display600may include one or more video images602of a bingo card and images of the bingo numbers selected during the game. The bingo card images602may have a grid pattern.

To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button604, a “See Pays” button606, a “Bet One Credit” button608, a “Bet Max Credits” button610, a “Select Card” button612, and a “Play” button614. The display600may also include an area616in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit70is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display600. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit70.

FIG. 15is a flowchart of the video bingo routine250shown schematically inFIG. 4. The bingo routine250may be utilized in connection with a single gaming unit20where a single player is playing a bingo game, or the bingo routine250may be utilized in connection with multiple gaming units20where multiple players are playing a single bingo game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts described below may be performed either by the controller100in each gaming unit20or by one of the network computers22,32to which multiple gaming units20are operatively connected.

Referring toFIG. 15, at block620, the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button606, in which case at block622the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit70. At block624, the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button608or the “Bet Max Credits” button610, in which case at block626bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller100.

After the player has made a wager, at block628the player may select a bingo card, which may be generated randomly. The player may select more than one bingo card, and there may be a maximum number of bingo cards that a player may select. After play is to commence as determined at block632, at block634a bingo number may be randomly generated by the controller100or a central computer such as one of the network computers22,32. At block636, the bingo number may be displayed on the display unit70and the display units70of any other gaming units20involved in the bingo game.

At block638, the controller100(or a central computer) may determine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player has won, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block634. If any player has bingo as determined at block638, the routine may determine at block640whether the player playing that gaming unit20was the winner. If so, at block642a payout for the player may be determined. The payout may depend on the number of random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, the total number of winners (if there was more than one player), and the amount of money that was wagered on the game. At block644, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the bingo game was won, the payout value determined at block642. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area616(FIG. 14).

Novel Display Technique

FIG. 16illustrates a novel display technique that may be utilized on the display unit70. The display technique may be used with any game such as video poker, blackjack, slots, keno and bingo. The novel display technique may display a plurality of display elements650which may be portions652of a display object654. The display object654may be a single picture, an illustration or a plurality of pictures or illustrations. The display object654also may be a moving picture or illustration. The display object654may be made up of a plurality of pixels656. For example, a technique display658may be made up of 48,000 pixels656(600 horizontal lines of pixels by 800 vertical lines of pixels) which may be part or the entire display of the display unit70.

Referring toFIG. 16a, the controller100may separate the pixels656on the technique display658among display element pixels660and outline pixels662. The controller100may create a display which is stored in the memory106in which the display object654is mapped on all of the pixels656and the controller100may overlay outline pixels662on a previously stored list of outline pixels662. The outline pixels662may be one color such as black. The areas of the display object654which are not outline pixels662may be stored in the memory106as display element pixels660and make up display elements650. As a result, when the controller100maps the display from the memory106on the display unit70, portions652of the display object654may be displayed in the display element pixels660as display elements650surrounded by the darkened outline pixels662which do not display the first display object654. Accordingly, the display object654may have the outline of individual display elements650(as defined by the outline pixels662) displayed over the original display object654. In addition, the display object654may be identifiable or recognizable as being a picture or illustration even with the darkened outline pixels662creating the image that first display object654has been cut into portions652.

Referring again toFIG. 16, the plurality of display elements650may also be displayed as being illustrations of individual playing cards664with card fronts668and card backs670used in the game. The plurality of virtual playing cards664may be outlined with the outline pixels662to illustrate a separation of the individual playing cards664. In addition, the display of the plurality of the display elements650may be accomplished in a progressive manner. For example, the controller100may progressively change the display elements650from displaying card backs670to display portions652of the first display object654while the outline pixels662do not change.

The progression can also change from displaying the display pixels660of the display object654in the display elements650to displaying a second display object672in the display elements650. The second display object672may be card backs670, card fronts668or any other picture or image including the portions652of the display object654.

FIG. 17is an illustration of a method that may be executed to implement the change from displaying in the display elements650the portion652of the display object654to displaying the second display object672or from displaying the second display object672to displaying the portion652of the display object654. The display technique may be stored as a routine in the memory106and may be executed by the controller100.

At block700, a video game image may be generated where the video game image may represent a game such as video poker or video blackjack. As previously explained, other games also could be part of the method. The video game image may be an image of a plurality of playing cards, keno number space, bingo number spaces and the like. At block705, a plurality of playing cards may be displayed where the playing cards having card fronts and card backs. In addition, keno number spaces, bingo number spaces and the like may be displayed. At block710, the display may change from displaying the playing cards or the like to displaying a portion of a display object where the portions of the display object create an identifiable display object. For example, portions of a picture of Austin Powers may be displayed inside the displayed cards creating an identifiable picture of Austin Powers. A block715may change additional playing cards or the like to display portions of the display object654. The change may be from displaying the portion652of the display object654to displaying the second display objects672or from displaying the second display objects672to displaying the portion652of the display object654. The progression of the change of the display elements650can occur in any manner. For example, the progression of the change of the display elements650can occur from left to right, from top to bottom, in a random fashion or in any other manner which may be found attractive to potential users. In addition, specific games may allow for additional variations. For example, if the player is playing multi-hand poker, the controller100may cause the first card664in each hand to change from displaying a card front668to displaying the portion652of the display object654and then the second card664in each hand may change in a similar manner. The change of the display elements650will be of a speed that players will be able to track the progression of the change of the display elements650. At block720, an outcome of the game represented by the video game image may be determined. At block725, a value payout associated with the outcome of the game may be determined.

Referring toFIG. 16, as an example, the display object654may be the picture of Austin Powers and the second display object672may be card backs670. Initially, all the display elements650may display portions652of the display object654which may be, for example, a picture of Austin Powers. Even though the outline pixels662are dark, the display object654is still recognizable. The controller100may determine that the game should enter the attract mode and may begin the display technique. The controller100may change a percentage, for example, the left most ten percent of the previously unchanged display elements650from displaying the card backs670to displaying the portion652of the display object654(in the display pixels660) which may be, for example, a picture of Austin Powers. InFIG. 18, several display elements650, which are virtual playing cards664in this example, change from displaying the portion of the display object654to displaying the second display object672which may be card backs670or card fronts668(not shown). The controller may determine whether a user has been attracted. If a user has been attracted, the display technique may end. If no user has been attracted, the display technique may continue.FIG. 19illustrates an example where the method may have completed and all the display elements650display the second display objects672which may be card backs670or card fronts668(not shown). Of course, the display technique may change the display elements650from displaying the second display objects664to displaying portions652of the display object654.

The unique display technique can be applied to virtually any video game. For example, in blackjack, a series of virtual playing cards664can change from displaying either the card front668or card back670to displaying the portion652of the display object654in the display elements650. As another example, in keno, a keno display may be made up of a plurality of keno number spaces with each keno number space displaying a keno number if that keno number is selected. Similar to the previous example, the keno number spaces may be outlined with the outline pixels662and the outline pixels662may be stored in the memory106. In the non-outline pixels or display element pixels660, portions652of the display object654may be displayed in the display elements650with the outline pixels662outlining the display elements650over the display object654. The controller100may cause the display elements650to change from displaying portions652of the display object654to display the second display objects672which may be, for example, the keno numbers assigned to each keno number space. The display technique also may cause the display elements650to change from being blank to displaying portions652of the display object654or from displaying keno numbers to displaying portions652of the display object654.

The display technique also may be applied to video bingo. In video bingo, a plurality of bingo cards may be displayed with the bingo cards having a plurality of squares for bingo numbers. The actual bingo cards may be used as display elements650or the individual bingo squares may be used as display elements650. Using the individual bingo squares as the display elements650, the display technique may outline the squares using an outline list or map of the outline pixels662stored in the memory106and may change the display elements650of the squares to change from displaying bingo numbers to displaying portions652of the display object654. In addition, the displaying of the portions652of the display object654may change from displaying portions652of the display object654to displaying bingo numbers or being blank.

Modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. This description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and method may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.