Patent Publication Number: US-7914376-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for determining and presenting outcomes at a gaming device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/791,317 filed Mar. 2, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/452,166 filed Mar. 4, 2003, the disclosures of both which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a gaming device and in particular to a method of presenting outcomes at a gaming device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary gaming device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates as a flow chart exemplary game play on the gaming device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a first exemplary screen shot as game play begins for the gaming device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a second exemplary screen shot as game play proceeds for the gaming device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a third exemplary screen shot for the gaming device of  FIG. 1  highlighting the separation of the symbols from the transition icons; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth exemplary screen shot for the gaming device of  FIG. 1  wherein the symbols are falling into the matrix; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth exemplary screen shot for the gaming device of  FIG. 1  showing the matrix and awards generated by outcomes in the matrix; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a sixth exemplary screen shot for the gaming device of  FIG. 1  highlighting the scrolling nature of the matrix; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary gaming establishment using one or more gaming devices according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a gaming device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a flow chart of a method for use with the gaming device of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming devices such as slot machines and video poker machines generate more than $15 billion per year in revenue for casinos in the United States alone and account for more than half of the gaming revenue for a typical United States casino. Accordingly, casino operators are interested in increasing the enjoyment of playing a slot machine so as to increase the revenue derived therefrom. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing an entertaining game on a gaming device. In a first embodiment, the gaming device provides a popcorn themed game. The players purchase a number of unpopped kernels of popcorn. As game play commences, the kernels pop. After popping, a game symbol is associated with each unit of popcorn. The kernels, and their corresponding game symbols, fall towards a secondary screen. As the popcorn falls, the popcorn fades away leaving the game symbols to fall into a matrix on the secondary screen. The game symbols form game outcomes in the matrix such that rows, columns, and diagonals of symbols may result in payouts for the player. As the matrix fills, the bottom rows of the matrix scroll off the secondary screen, accelerating the dynamic feel of the gaming device. In a secondary embodiment, the gaming device moves away from the popcorn theme and resembles a more traditional slot machine. The player plays the slot machine and symbols appear on the reels. The symbols are then moved graphically from the reels to a matrix on a secondary screen. Again, the symbols form game outcomes in the matrix such that rows, columns, and diagonals of symbols may result in payouts for the player. As the matrix fills, the bottom rows of the matrix scroll off the secondary screen. 
     Before addressing the particularly contemplated embodiments of the present invention, a few definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of concepts presented herein. 
     Basic Game: a game associated with a handle pull, see also meta-game. 
     Bonus Payout: a payout awarded in a meta-game, see also payout 
     Controller: an electronic device (e.g., a computer) that communicates with one or more gaming devices. The controller may function as a computer server and may control the actions of gaming devices. The controller may also contain databases to record statistics such as coin-in, coin-out, jackpot information, theoretical wins, and the like. 
     Display Matrix: a visual display area of an output device operatively connected to a gaming device that is designated to represent the accumulation of at least two game elements such as symbols, icons, and/or outcomes. In some embodiments, a display matrix includes at least two sub-areas, “cells”, slots, or other subdivisions that can be populated with accumulated game elements. Further, in some embodiments, the relative position of accumulated game elements within a display matrix may qualify a player for a payout or bonus payout. 
     Game: a wagering activity whereby a player posts consideration, usually monetary in form, in exchange for a chance at winning a payout. Specifically included are basic games and meta-games. 
     Game Device, Gaming Device: any electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical device that accepts wagers, steps through a process to determine an outcome, and pays winnings based on the outcome. The outcome may be randomly generated, as with a slot machine; may be generated through a combination of randomness and player skill, as with video poker; or may be generated entirely through player skill. Gaming devices may include slot machines (both video and mechanical reels), video poker machines, video blackjack machines, pachinko machines, video lottery terminals, handheld gaming devices, and the like. 
     Game Session, Gaming Session, Session: a gambling event with a beginning and end that may encompass a number of spins or span of time. The end of the game may be determined voluntarily (in which the player elects to stop) or involuntarily (in which the gaming device terminates play). A game session is typically correlated with a meta-game, such that a meta-game is resolved on completion of a game session. 
     Handle Pull, Pull, Spin, Game Start, Discrete Game Play: a single play at a gaming device that generates a single outcome, whether or not a handle is involved in the play and whether or not a handle is even included in the gaming device. The definition is intended to be flexible in that a single play might constitute a single complete game, or a single wager. Handle pulls are generally associated with discrete outcomes that may yield individual payouts. 
     Meta-Game: a game associated with a game session, as opposed to a specific isolated handle pull. Meta-games involve the aggregation of collected symbols. Synonymous with bonus game as a meta-game or bonus game has a bonus payout. See also basic game. 
     Outcome(s): the result(s) of gaming event(s) that may be used in determining payout or bonus payout eligibility. Outcomes may be associated (i) individual symbols that independently can be used to determine payout eligibility (e.g., a single cherry symbol outcome yields a payout), and/or (ii) a combination of individual symbols that are used to determine payout or bonus payout eligibility (e.g., a cherry-cherry-cherry outcome in a basic slot machine, or the aggregation of three cherries in a meta-game). Other example outcomes include a push in blackjack and a flush in video poker. Different types of gaming devices may have widely varying types of outcomes. 
     Payout: the prize, reward, benefit or winnings associated with a certain outcome in a basic game. See also bonus payout. 
     Prepaid Session: time or handle pulls that are paid for in advance. Once a session is prepaid, the player does not need to supply any additional funds until the session has been completed. A prepaid session may allow the player to complete many games during the session. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary gaming device  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The gaming device  10  may be formed in a housing  12 . Within housing  12 , a first display  14  and a second display  16  may be positioned. As illustrated, the first display  14  is positioned above the second display  16 . The housing  12  may also include a user keypad  18 , a player-tracking card reader  20 , a cash acceptor  22 , and a coin hopper  24 . While not illustrated, the gaming device  10  has a controller, which may be a microprocessor and/or software that facilitate functions of the gaming device  10 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates exemplary game play on the gaming device  10 . The explanation of game play is facilitated by reference to the screen shots in the later figures. When the gaming device  10  is not in use, a dynamic idle screen may be presented on the displays  14  and  16  along with accompanying audio if needed or desired (block  26 ). The use of idle screens is not central to the present invention and further discussion is foregone. 
     The player initiates game play (block  28 ) such as through the insertion of cash into the cash acceptor  22 , using a credit card, or the like and by pressing a button on the user keypad  18 . On the first display  14 , a tub  48  is presented with kernels  50  stored therein ( FIG. 3 ). The animation may show the tub  48  being applied to a heat source and initial agitation as the kernels begin to cook. After some dramatic showmanship to enliven the process, the kernels  50  pop into popcorn icons  52  (block  30 ). Initially, the rate of popping may be slow as happens when kernels are cooked to make popcorn. 
     As the popcorn icons  52  fly out of the tub  48 , symbols  54  are associated with the popcorn icons  52  (block  32  and  FIG. 4 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the association is effectuated by superimposing the symbols  54  on the popcorn icons  52 . In an alternate embodiment, the association is effectuated by transforming the popcorn icon  52  into the symbol  54 . Some symbols  54  like kernel symbol  54 A may add kernels  50  to the tub  48 , in effect extending game play. Other symbols  54 , such as jackpot symbol  54 B may provide immediate outcomes if needed or desired. 
     The popcorn icons  52  and associated symbols  54  move about the display  14  as if flying through the air (block  34 ), and as they fall, the symbols  54  separate from the popcorn icons  52  (block  36  and  FIG. 5 ). The symbols  54  fall into a matrix  56  on the second display  16  (block  38  and  FIG. 6 ). As illustrated, some symbols  54 C are still “falling” into the matrix  56 . The matrix  56  may be thought of as a conveyor belt of positions  58  further described below. 
     The symbols  54  in the matrix  56  form outcomes (block  40  and  FIG. 7 ). The outcomes may be read from the rows, diagonals and columns as needed or desired. Note that some winning outcomes may be fractional outcomes if needed or desired. The outcomes are then announced (block  42 ), which as illustrated takes the form of a visual announcement  60 . As outcomes are determined, a credit meter  62  may be updated. In the embodiment illustrated, the credit meter  62  is part of the display  16 . However, the credit meter  62  could be positioned elsewhere, such as on the housing  12  as needed or desired. 
     As alluded to earlier, the matrix  58  may be conceptualized as a conveyor belt, and as the symbols  54  fill empty positions  58 , the rows of the matrix  58  move steadily off the bottom of the display  16  (block  44  and  FIG. 8 ). This movement may add a sense of dynamic excitement to the game as players hope that a row will be filled with the appropriate symbols  54  before it is removed from the display  16 . 
     At the conclusion of the game (block  46 ), a total outcome may be presented in the credit meter  62  or at another location on the gaming device  10 . The player may then choose to play again or collect her winnings and move onto a different machine as she sees fit. 
     In a particularly contemplated embodiment, outcomes are determined randomly and a determination is made randomly as to where to display given outcomes in the display matrix  56 . There are numerous ways in which the randomness of the outcome may be assured, all of which are contemplated for use in embodiments of the present invention. 
     While the above process represents one embodiment of the present invention, the invention is not limited to the popcorn embodiment. Rather, the use of a scrolling matrix can be added to a gaming device as a bonus game or meta-game. Symbols from the primary game may move from the primary game to the scrolling matrix with winning outcomes on the scrolling matrix providing the bonus payouts. A more detailed explanation follows. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , embodiments of the present invention can be configured to work in a network environment  100  including a server  110  that is in communication, via a communication network  120  with one or more gaming devices  10 . The server  110  may communicate with the gaming devices  10  directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN, Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of communications means. Any number and type of devices may be in communication with the server  110 . 
     Those skilled in the art will understand that devices in communication with each other need not be continually transmitting to each other. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. In some embodiments, a server  110  may not be necessary and embodiments of the present invention may be implemented solely within a gaming device  10 . 
     While the embodiment above illustrates the gaming device  10  as a stand alone device, alternate embodiments are not so limited. For example the gaming device  10  may comprise a personal computer connected through the web to an online casino site, a mobile terminal such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, or NINTENDO® GAMEBOY™. 
     While the general composition and operation of the server  110  or processor of the gaming device  10  are well understood, the interested reader is referred to commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0025207, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, which has more detail about some of the operation of the controller and the networks. 
     In a particularly contemplated alternate embodiment, the gaming device  10  may take the form of a slot machine  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Slot machine  200  is configured to operate in conjunction with the present invention. While the slot machine  200  is illustrated as a three reel machine, a five reel slot machine also works with embodiments of the present invention. Slot machine  200  comprises a display area  202  in which an outcome for a game of the slot machine  200  may be displayed to the player. The display area  202  may, for example, be a video display that displays graphical representations of reels. The display area  202  may, in another embodiment, be glass behind which are located mechanical reels. Within the display area  202  is a payline  204 . In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, an outcome of a game is a set of symbols displayed along the payline  204  of the reeled slot machine  200 . The slot machine may further comprise a handle  206 . A player may initiate the movement of the reels in the display area  202  by pulling on the handle  206 . Alternatively, the player may initiate the movement of the reels in the display area by actuating a start button  208 . Either or both of the handle and start button are exemplary embodiments of an input device. 
     Where appropriate, the slot machine may also include an alternate, secondary game screen  210 , for outputting information to the player. The secondary game screen  210  may be utilized, for example, to display the meta-game. 
     Slot machine  200  may include a payment system  212 , which is comprised of a cash acceptor  214 , a credit card reader  216 , and the like. The player may utilize the payment system  212  to provide a wager for playing a game and/or for providing payment for provision of an outcome. 
     Slot machine  200  may further comprise a credit meter balance  218 , which is an exemplary embodiment of a benefit output device. The credit meter balance  218  reflects the amount of electronic credits currently available to a player. The electronic credits may be used by the player, for example, as wagers for games played on the slot machine  200 . The electronic credits may also be “cashed out” as coins, bills, tokens, a cashless gaming receipt, and/or credits to another financial account associated with the player. 
     Finally, the slot machine  200  may comprise a coin tray  220 . Payment to the player may be rendered by dispensing coins into the coin tray  220 . Such coins may be dispensed based on, for example, a player&#39;s indication that the player would like to cash out his credit meter balance and/or a payout obtained by the player as a result of playing a game on the slot machine  200 . The coin tray is an exemplary embodiment of a benefit output device. Note that, where appropriate, the slot machine  200  may include different and/or additional components besides those discussed in this section. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary methodology for use with the slot machine  200  of  FIG. 10 . Note that the methodology could be applied to other gaming devices as needed or desired. In particularly contemplated embodiments, the process steps may be performed by a gaming device, a controller, devices connected to gaming devices and/or controllers (e.g., retrofitted hardware devices), or a combination of these devices. 
     The slot machine  200  receives a request to initiate a game by receiving a signal via an input device, such as the handle  206 , the start button  208  or a button on a touch screen (block  250 ). Alternatively, such a request may be received via a payment accepting apparatus, for example on the deposit of currency, insertion of a credit card, or the like. Further, such a request may be received via a device configured to accept and read player-tracking cards. 
     A game that may be initiated may constitute a basic game and/or a meta-game. Further, the player may purchase a single handle pull or a prepaid session. Thus, a player may initiate play of a basic game and a meta-game through the purchase of a single handle pull, in which case additional symbols for use in the meta-game could be collected through the purchase of additional handle pulls. Or, the player may initiate play of both a basic game and a meta-game through the purchase of a prepaid session, in which case, individual outcomes may yield basic payouts, and aggregated symbols  54  may be collected (through placement of such symbols  54  in a matrix  56 ) throughout the session and be used to determine bonus payout eligibility. Further, the player may initiate play of a meta-game through the purchase of a prepaid session, in which case, a basic game may not be simultaneously initiated (i.e., only a bonus payout can be awarded through a combination of aggregated symbols). 
     A subroutine may optionally be employed at this juncture for confirming the player&#39;s desire to play a game or meta-game. For example, a confirmation screen may be shown to the player via a display device which prompts the player to (i) view or listen to instructional material, (ii) acknowledge the rules of the game or meta-game, (iii) accept the terms of a contractual offer, or (iv) any combination thereof. Such a confirmation subroutine may be particularly desirable in meta-game embodiments employing prepaid session functionality. A more detailed description of systems and methods for providing a confirmation screen to a player are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/791,028 filed Mar. 2, 2004 and published as WO2004/078289, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     Once a game is initiated, the slot machine  200  randomly determines an outcome or plurality of outcomes using the means and methods described herein (block  252 ). For example, a single outcome may result from a single handle pull. Or a plurality of outcomes may result upon the initiation of a prepaid session, such as, for example, in an embodiment where a prepaid session initiates a popcorn-themed meta-game whereby a plurality of outcomes are determined. 
     In some embodiments, determination of an outcome or outcomes at this step can be accompanied by a determination of payout eligibility. For example, in an embodiment where a prepaid session initiates a popcorn-themed meta-game comprising a plurality of outcomes, each individual outcome may potentially yield a payout. Or, in a basic game, each handle pull may result in a payout. 
     Once random outcomes are determined, symbols  54  corresponding to the outcomes are determined (block  254 ). As described herein, outcomes may be associated with (i) individual symbols  54  that independently can be used to determine payout eligibility (e.g., a single cherry symbol  54  outcome yields a payout), and/or (ii) a plurality of individual symbols  54  that are used to determine payout or bonus payout eligibility (e.g., a cherry-cherry-cherry outcome in a basic slot machine  200 , or the aggregation of three cherries in a meta-game). For example, in the embodiments described herein, a single outcome may correspond to a single symbol  54 . Or, as in the case of the another embodiment, a single outcome may correspond with multiple symbols  54 . 
     It should be noted that, in some embodiments, blocks  252  and  254  may be combined so that determination of a random outcome necessarily determines a symbol  54 . For example, rather than utilizing a random number generator to determine a random number which is in turn used to determine a corresponding symbol  54  in a relational database, the randomization may simply yield a selection of one or more of several symbols  54 . 
     Once symbols  54  are determined, a determination is made as to where to position such symbols  54  in the display matrix  56  (block  256 ). This determination may be made randomly as needed or desired such as through a random number generator. Alternatively, this determination may be made based on rules that consider the position of previously accumulated symbols  54 . For example, stored rules retrievable by the processor from a data storage device may dictate that: (1) subsequently generated symbols  54  cannot replace previously generated symbols  54  in the matrix  56 ; (2) unless occupied by other previously generated symbols  54 , symbols  54  should be placed in the row position closest to similar, previously generated symbols in the matrix  56  (e.g., cherry symbols should be placed as close as possible to other cherry symbols, and in the same row of the matrix  56 ); and/or (3) symbols should be situated in the matrix  56  so as to provide the player with the maximum payout (i.e., symbols should be combined according to stored rules in a way that maximized payouts). In another embodiment, this determination may be made based on a previous determination in a multi-symbol outcome. In this embodiment, a multi-symbol outcome (e.g., cherry-bar-plum) is initially determined at blocks  252  and/or  254 . Then, at block  256 , the originally determined multi-symbol outcome configuration is retrieved from memory so that the system can determine where in the matrix  56  to place visually the individual symbols  54  of the multi-symbol outcome. 
     The determined symbols are then output to the player (block  258 ) such as through the display  210 . The individual symbols  54  of the multi-symbol outcome are each displayed to the player so that the player cannot initially determine the ultimate relative position of the individual outcome symbols  54 . For example, the individual symbols  54  may be serially revealed to the player. Or the symbols  54  may be simultaneously displayed in a scrambled fashion. Given the slot machine nature of slot machine  200 , the symbols  54  are displayed on the payline  204 . It should be noted that, alternatively, the determination of a symbol  54  position on the matrix  56  may follow the step of outputting the symbol  54  to the player. 
     The symbols  54  are then transferred to determined positions  58  within the matrix  56  (block  260 ). Using any technique to show movement, the symbols  54  are then transferred to the determined positions  58  in the matrix  56 . 
     Once at least two symbols  54  are in the matrix  56 , a determination is made as to bonus payout eligibility (block  262 ). To determine bonus payout eligibility, a stored set of rules may be retrieved from a database or otherwise referenced from a memory. Such stored rules may indicate the various payouts that are to be awarded to the player for the various combinations of the various symbols  54  that were placed in the matrix  56  previously. For example, stored rules may indicate that: (1) three pear symbols  54  occurring in a single row of the matrix  56  yields two points, (2) three cherry symbols  54  occurring on a single row of the matrix  56  yields three points, (3) a diagonal line of three cherry symbols  54  occurring anywhere on the matrix  56  yields five points, and (4) a total of fifty points in a game session qualifies the player for a $200 bonus payout. Alternatively, individual combinations of symbols  54  may directly yield bonus payouts. For example, three cherry symbols  54  occurring on a single row may yield a bonus payout of $5. 
     Once payout eligibility is determined, a payout may be actuated at the slot machine  200  in a manner known in the art. For example, an appropriate amount of coins may be dispensed from coin tray  220 . 
     Further discussion of the scrolling matrix  56  is merited. In some embodiments, the matrix  56  may be a scrolling matrix  56 , and may optionally be communicated to the player a “conveyor belt”. A scrolling matrix  56  functions to institute a time limit associated with accumulated outcomes, such that if a given row of the matrix  56  is not filled by the necessary complementary symbols  54  by the time the row disappears from the display  16  or  210 , the player loses any accumulated symbols  54  in that row. In effect, as the new rows are filled, the old rows are bumped off. The expiration of aggregated symbols in a meta-game is explained in detail in: (1) U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/445,473 entitled “Electronic Amusement Device and Method for Enhanced Slot Machine Play” filed Feb. 5, 2003, which matured into U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/772,837, (2) U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/447,265 entitled “Electronic Amusement Device and Method for Enhanced Slot Machine Play” filed Feb. 13, 2003, which matured into U.S. patent application Publication No. 2004/0162134, and (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/716,918, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,430. 
     In some embodiments, a peripheral device may be operatively connected to a gaming device that is configured to assist in the operation of functions related to basic games and/or meta-games. A peripheral device may include a processor that can communicate with a processor of a gaming device. Further, a peripheral device may have one or more output devices, such as display screens, and one or more input devices, such as buttons. Examples of peripheral devices include (1) electronic apparatuses “retrofitted” to conventional gaming devices so that inventive processes disclosed herein may be realized through game play at such gaming devices, (2) personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as those manufactured by Palm, Inc. (3) laptop computers, (4) cellular telephones, (5) pagers, or (6) any combination thereof. 
     It should be noted that the embodiments described with reference to the figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting in any sense. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the terms “first embodiment”, “second embodiment”, “third embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean one or more embodiments unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one ore more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. 
     Further, it should be noted that although process steps, method steps, algorithms, or the like may be described in sequential order, such processes, methods, and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. 
     In conclusion, while methods and apparatus of the present invention have been described in terms of particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.