Abstract:
A system and method for use in one or more casino establishments for offering a game of chance with multiple wheels. A player may bet on one or more of the wheels to win an award. The resulting pay is based on the combination of the final position of the wheels after they come to a stop. The award may be the cumulative value for winning outcomes on each of the wheels, it may be a set outcome depending on the combination of symbols on a win line across the wheels, or it may include special awards such as multipliers and wild card wins depending on the wheel configuration. The system and method are offered on an electronic multi-wheel gaming system with multiple player terminals connected to a set of electro-mechanical wheels or video wheels displayed on a screen, but may also be deployed in other forms such as on a live table game with a live operator of mechanical wheels, or on a general purpose computing device connected to a network.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/567,093, filed on Dec. 5, 2011. 
     
    
     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]    Mechanical wheel-type wagering games have been in operation in casinos for many, many years. One such game is the Big Six wheel, also known as the Big Six, Money Wheel, Wheel of Fortune or Chocolate Wheel. For purposes of this specification, the term “Big Six” will refer to any or all of these different types of mechanical wheel games. 
         [0004]    Big Six is an unequal game of chance played on a large vertical wheel that is spun by a live dealer or operator. A Big Six wheel  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , a wheel  105  is divided into a number of equal segments  110  separated by spokes or pins with each segment having an associated number or value. In the United States, Big Six typically has 54 segments, while in Australia, there are usually 52 segments. During operation, a number of players place wagers on a table  115  marked with values  120  corresponding to those on wheel  105 . Once all bets are placed, the dealer spins wheel  105 . When the wheel stops, a winning segment  125  is indicated by a pointer  130  usually mounted on the top of wheel  105 . Wheel  105  spins and is slowed by a flexible rubber or leather flap which rubs against the pins as they pass to impart friction and slow down wheel  105 . 
         [0005]    There are a number of variants of the Big Six game. The variants may use wheels with different numbers of segments to alter the payout probabilities, different symbols in the segments representing different bet values and payout amounts, or having different probabilities for any particular symbol shown in the segments. The Money Wheel variant is the most common in casinos in the United States. The symbols appearing in the segments are 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 where the numbers represent bill amounts and the number of segments containing each number varies with the smaller numbers appearing more frequently. Two special symbols, such as a joker  135  and a casino logo  140  may also appear. To permit a player to earn a large payout award, special symbols may appear only once to set a low probability of hitting such a symbol. Players stand around table  115  with a felt top and place wagers on one or more of the symbols prior to the spin. Typically, a 1 pays at odds of 1:1, a 2 pays at odds of 2:1, a 5 pays at odds of 5:1, and so on. The joker and the logo pay at 40:1 or 45:1 depending on local gaming regulations or the practice of the casino. 
         [0006]    Big Six wheels are fun for players and also offer a simple game that first time players can enjoy without the usual intimidation factor that goes along with more complex wagering games such as craps or baccarat. The game is easy to understand and because many people can play at once, there is a community feeling that increases excitement with all players cheering for their chosen number to win. The game also moves quickly and it is easy to play multiple games in a short time period. 
         [0007]    Big Six has a number of drawbacks. First, Big Six requires a dealer to monitor and operate the game including accepting wagers from players, spinning the wheel and making payouts. Big Six is regularly shut down during slow periods in the casino due to staffing and oversight issues. In addition, the wheel itself is mechanical, and while the technology has advanced to improve how the wheel spins, the probabilities are impacted by the mechanical movement of the wheel and its parts over time. 
         [0008]    The present invention is an electronic multi-wheel system and method for accepting wagers and making payouts based on the outcome(s) of a spin on one or more wheels. Multiple wheels may be spun individually or together, and the outcome or outcomes on each wheel are determined to make a payout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    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: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a prior art Big Six game; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of an embodiment of an electronic multi-wheel system of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of the betting terminal used in the electronic multi-wheel system of the present invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of game play on the electronic multi-wheel system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     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. 2-4 , like elements of the invention are referred to by the same reference numerals for consistency purposes. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a prior art Big Six game that is described in the background section above. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an electronic multi-wheel system  200 . Electronic multi-wheel system  200  has a set of electronically controlled wheels  205   a - c  which may number one or more. In the system of  FIG. 2 , three wheels are shown and are labeled wheel # 1  ( 205   a ), wheel # 2  ( 205   b ) and wheel # 3  ( 205   c ). Each wheel  205  is centered on stand  210  and spins independently of the other wheels. It should be understood that the spinning motion may be either clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, outer wheel  205   a  and inner wheel  205   c  may both spin in a clockwise direction, while middle wheel  205   b  may spin in a counterclockwise direction, or vice versa. Alternatively, all three wheels may spin in the same direction, clockwise or counterclockwise. 
         [0017]    Operation of wheels  205  is controlled by an electronic controller  230  that is microprocessor based and is located inside stand  210  or elsewhere in a secure area where it can be communicatively connected to wheels  205 . Controller  230  is responsible for operations of wheels  205  including generating random numbers that are converted to game outcomes. For each game outcome, wheels  205  are stopped with the symbols on the periphery of wheels  205  in particular positions. 
         [0018]    Win line indicators or paylines  215  are shown at different points around the periphery of wheels  205  and include a position on each of the wheels so that a symbol or number on each wheel lines up on win line  215  when the wheels stop at the end of a spin. In the system of  FIG. 2 , three different win lines ( 215   a ,  215   b  and  215   c ) are shown, but there may be a varying number of paylines, numbering more or less than three, that are incorporated in the game as determined by the system designer. Win lines  215   a  and  215   b  are simple, straight lines drawn across each of the wheels. Other win lines such as  215   c  may be configured using different positions for each wheel from around the periphery of the wheels. For example, win line  3  ( 215   c ) includes the following symbols: 1) at 45 degrees from the top for the outer wheel  205   a;  2) at 135 degrees from the top of middle wheel  205   b ; and 3) at 225 degrees from the top of inner wheel  205   c.    
         [0019]    It may also be desirable to include more than one symbol on a single wheel in combination with one or more symbols on the other wheels to form a win line. To indicate to a player the win lines that have been played, each win line may be lighted in a different color as an area around each of the symbols like the blocked areas shown for win lines  215  on wheels  205 . 
         [0020]    Each wheel  205  includes a set of numbers or symbols as indicated in  FIG. 2  by letters “X,” “Y,” and “Z.” As discussed with respect to the Big Six Wheel of  FIG. 1 , each number or symbol may appear one or more times on each wheel. The greater the number of the same symbol appearing on a particular wheel or across all of the wheels, the higher the probability that that symbol will show up on a win line when the wheels stop spinning and the game ends. 
         [0021]    It should also be understood that lowering the probabilities for particular symbols on one or more of wheels  205  may be achieved using virtual wheels in electronic memory that is part of electronic wheel controller  230 . The use of virtual wheels allows the designer to pay larger jackpots than would otherwise be available with the use of physical wheels alone that have a limited number of positions. Virtual wheels are well known in slot machine games for physical spinning reels and also for use in bonus wheels such as Wheel of Fortune® manufactured by IGT and other wheel based bonus games. 
         [0022]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , at the end of the game that has been played, the symbols Z, Y and Y are positioned on win line  1  ( 215   a ). This may or may not result in a win. It is possible to consider the result of each wheel independently and award a player for a resulting win line symbol for each wheel. In that case, if a player bets on more than one wheel and wins on more than one wheel, the payout would be the cumulative total of the wins on each wheel. 
         [0023]    Alternatively, a game designer may choose win lines that use combinations of symbol positions across the multiple wheels  215   a - c  to provide a win. For example, win line  2  ( 215   b ) has the combination X, X, X across the three wheels  215   a - c  at the 270 degree mark from the top. Instead of paying out an award for each of the three Xs independently and adding the cumulative total of those pays, a player may be awarded a prize according to a win table that predefines the outcome for any combination of winning symbols. In this case X-X-X may be a winner and since it appears on win line  2  at the 270 degree position, any player placing a wager on win line  2  would be paid according to the win table for X-X-X. 
         [0024]    Another example of a win line configuration is win line  3 , ( 215   c ). This win line is not a straight line across the three wheels. It is formed from a group of positions located at different angles on the wheels. Win line  3  includes a position on outer wheel  205   a  at 45 degrees, a position on middle wheel  205   b  at 135 degrees and a position on inner wheel  205   a  at 225 degrees. The symbols Y, X and X appear on win line  3  in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0025]    To make the game more fun and to allow the player to have different options, the player may choose how many win lines to activate for any particular game by placing a bet on the desired win line(s). More than one win line may be in play during any particular game for each player. The amount of the award paid out to a player at the end of the game will depend on the number of win lines, the amount bet per win line and the combination of symbols on each win line. In this embodiment, win line combinations are set forth in a paytable similar to that used on traditional slot machine. The paytable is accessible to the player on betting terminals  220  and may also be displayed on a screen or other display associated with system  200 . 
         [0026]    In addition to regular payouts for predefined outcomes on win lines  205 , a player may also be awarded a multiplier or wild card win for certain combinations on wheels  205 . For example, a five times (“5×”) or ten times (“10×”) pay may be awarded if a particular symbol lines up on one of the wheels at a particular position, such as the 5× symbol at 225 degrees on outer wheel  205   a.    
         [0027]    It should be understood that system  200  may be included in a networked jackpot system with other multi-wheel systems or any other gaming devices such as slot machines. Networked jackpot systems including progressive jackpot systems and random jackpot systems are well known to those skilled in the art of gaming devices. 
         [0028]    A bonus screen  225  is available for use in system  200  at the center of wheels  205  and may be in the form of a large flat panel display such as a plasma or LCD screen. Bonus screen  225  may alternatively be placed outside of wheels  205  in a position above the wheels or otherwise nearby. Bonus screen  225  may take the form of any bonus indicator, a variety of which are known, including but not limited to a reel, “pick a prize” reveal type bonus indicators, timers, arrows, races, another wheel, etc. Bonus screen  225  may also be in the form of a dedicated device specifically designed for a particular type of bonus game, such as a large physical reel with multiple potential outcomes. 
         [0029]    Bonus screen  225  is used to display bonus opportunities for users of system  200 . In one embodiment of a multi-wheel system  200  with a bonus, a player who lines up certain symbols on a win line  205  is eligible for a bonus opportunity on bonus screen  225 . For example, if a player lines up three Xs as shown on win line  2  ( 215   b ), the player is eligible for a bonus game on bonus screen  225 . Alternatively, the bonus may be triggered by a particular symbol in a particular position, such as on inner wheel  205   c  at 135 degrees. The bonus may be a secondary event similar to bonus events on a traditional slot machine. Bonus screen  225  may be a LCD or plasma screen allowing flexibility in the types of bonuses that may be offered. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a view of system  200  with multiple betting terminals  235 , one of which is enlarged ( 235   a ) to show the components of each betting terminal  235 . Betting terminals  235  are positioned in close proximity to wheels  205  so that players at each betting terminal  235  are close to the action and can watch as the wheels spin during game play. Betting terminals  235  include a screen  240  and buttons  245  that allow the player to interact with system  200 . Screen  240  displays information to the player such as win tables. It can also be used to show the available win lines or to display a small duplicative version of the wheels as they spin during play. At the end of the game, screen  240  may display the different wins achieved by the player for that game. 
         [0031]    Buttons  245  may be used in a manner similar to those on a traditional slot machine to make selections such as number of coins to bet, number of win lines to bet, cash out, start game, stop wheels and any number of other gaming operations. It should also be understood that screen  240  may be a touch screen that allows alternative player interaction or redundant player interaction with buttons  245 . A group of meters  250   a - d  may also be included on terminal  235  to display information to the player such as credits, amount of win, amount bet, bet per win line, etc. Also incorporated into betting terminal  235  is a bill acceptor  255  to accept currency that is inserted into terminal  235  and loaded onto the credit meter so that it is available for a player to place wagers. 
         [0032]    Betting terminal  235  is controlled by a microprocessor based terminal controller  265 . Terminal controller  265  controls the operations of terminal  235  and is connected to display  240 , buttons  245 , bill acceptor  255  and other components of terminal  235 . Terminal controller  265  is also in communication with controller  230  so that player interaction on betting terminal  235  and play of the game on wheels  205  is coordinated over communication lines  260   a - d.    
         [0033]    For games on the multi-wheel system  200  shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the game play follows a sequence of steps shown in the flow chart  400  of  FIG. 4 . The player begins at start  405  and places a wager  410  to initiate play of a multi-wheel game on terminal  235 . Controller  230  is programmed with a time interval during which it waits for wagers from all terminals  235   a - d  to be placed. When the time period expires, the wagers are locked in by controller  230  and the game begins with the wheels starting to spin. After the wheels are spinning, a multi-wheel game random number generator in controller  230  operates to select a random number  415 . The random number is converted to a game outcome and that corresponding outcome is displayed  420  on wheels  205   a - c . The game outcome may be either a winner or a loser for each player depending on wagers made by the players and win lines (or paylines) selected. A determination is made at step  325  by controller  230 . For winners, the player is awarded the appropriate prize at step  430 , usually in the form of credits added to a credit meter that is one of meters  250  on terminal  235 . 
         [0034]    If a bonus game is included, player(s) may achieve certain combinations of symbols on the multi-wheel game to qualify for the bonus round at step  435 . If players are eligible for the bonus game, the bonus game is initiated at step  440  and displayed on bonus display  225 . A bonus game random number is selected to determine the outcome of the bonus round at step  445 . The outcome of the bonus round is displayed at step  450  on the bonus display  225  and a determination is made as to whether each player participating in the bonus round wins or loses at step  455 . For the winners, a prize is awarded at  460 . Once winners are awarded a prize, winners and losers of the bonus round, as well as any new players may start a new game at  405 . 
         [0035]    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, wheels  205  as described are physical wheels like that used in the traditional Big Six game. However, wheels  205  may alternatively be electronic renderings of wheels shown on a video display. Also, wheels  205  are shown in the figures as vertically positioned. It is also possible to configure system  200  with wheels  205  horizontally positioned with players sitting around the periphery of the wheels. Any variation and derivation from the above description and drawings are included in the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.