Patent Publication Number: US-2010120520-A1

Title: Wagering game using purchase change

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/196,895, filed Oct. 20, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gaming machines, and particularly to a wager based gaming machine which utilizes funds from an independent transaction as the source of a wager. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming continues to grow in popularity and is no longer limited to traditional casinos. For example, gaming machines can be found at racetracks, taverns and even grocery and convenience stores. Still, there are various aspects of gaming that some players find inconvenient or unfriendly. Gaming machine manufacturers and operators continue to seek to solve these issues. For example, traditional gaming machines awarded their payouts in the form of coins. Players had to lug coins from the machine to a casino cage for redemption to currency, or had to lug coins from one machine to another when they desired to switch games. As a result, most gaming machines now offer a player the opportunity to cash out or be awarded winnings via a printed ticket having associated value. Nonetheless, there still remains the need for improvements to make gaming machine more accessible and player friendly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a gaming machine, gaming system and method of presenting and playing a game. In one embodiment, a gaming machine is associated with a point of sale device. The gaming machine is configured to receive as a wager the change owed from a purchase processed via the point of sale device. 
     In one embodiment, a gaming machine is linked to a point of sale device. The point of sale device might comprise, for example, a cash register. A purchase transaction, such as the purchase of goods or services from a merchant, may be processed via the point of sale device. Upon tender of payment, it is determined if the customer is entitled to any monetary change. If so, the customer may be provided the opportunity to wager the change, or a portion thereof. The amount of the monetary change may be transmitted to the gaming machine, which accepts the change as a wager. The gaming machine may present one or more wagering games having outcomes that have associated winnings. In the event of a winning, monetary awards may be paid via the point of sale device. In one embodiment, the gaming machine transmits winnings information back to the point of sale device for payment. 
     In one embodiment, the value of the change that may be wagered is the fractional portion of $1.00 (i.e. $0.01 to $0.99). Various winnings may be paid, and the size of the winnings and/or probability of winning may change depending upon the size of the wager. 
     In accordance with the invention, a customer who engages in a monetary transaction, such as a purchase transaction with a merchant, is afforded the opportunity to engage in a wagering game with the change left over from that transaction. The invention thus offers a player a convenient opportunity for wagering and the opportunity to wager funds that the player may have otherwise had little value for. 
     Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description which follows, when considered with the figures provided herein. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system of the present invention, the system comprising one or more gaming machines and associated devices linked to one or more point of purchase devices, such as a cash register and an associated server; and 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
     In general, the invention comprises a method of presenting a wager game using as the wager therefore the monetary change associated with a purchase transaction. The method also comprises a gaming system including one or more point of sale devices, such as a cash register. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a gaming machine or device  100 . Preferably, as detailed below, the gaming machine  100  is a wager-based gaming machine configured to present one or more games to a player which offer the possibility of an award of winnings. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming machine  100  defines a generally enclosed interior space for housing one or more components. As illustrated, the gaming machine  100  generally comprises a housing or cabinet  102  for supporting and/or enclosing various components required for operation of the gaming machine. In the embodiment illustrated, the housing  102  includes a door located at a front thereof, the door capable of being moved between an open position which allows access to the interior, and a closed position in which access to the interior is generally prevented. The configuration of the gaming machine  100  may vary. In the embodiment illustrated, the gaming machine  100  has an “upright” configuration. However, the gaming machine  100  could have other configurations, shapes or dimensions (such as being of a “slant”-type or other configuration as is well known to those of skill in the art). 
     The gaming machine  100  preferably includes at least one display device  104  configured to display game information. The display device  104  may be a mechanical, electro-mechanical or electronic display, such as one or more rotating reels, a video display or the like. When the display device  104  is an electronic video display, it may comprise a cathode ray tube (CRT), high resolution flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD), projection LCD, plasma display, field emission display, digital micro-mirror display (DMD), digital light processing display (DLP), LCD touchscreen, a light emitting display (LED) or other suitable displays now known or later developed, in a variety of resolutions, sizes and formats (e.g. 4:3, widescreen or the like). The display  104  may be capable of projecting or displaying a wide variety of information, including images, symbols and other indicia or information associated with game play, game promotion or other events. 
     The gaming machine  100  may be configured to present a wide variety of games. These may include games in Class III, such as video poker games, slot-type games, and blackjack or other card, dice or various other games now known or later developed, as well as games in Class II, including central determinant games such a video lottery, bingo and bingo-based games, and other games now known or later developed. The games may also be skill based or include one or more skill components. In one embodiment, certain game outcomes may be designated as winning outcomes. Awards may be provided for winning outcomes, such as monetary payments (or representations thereof, such as award of credits), prizes or the like. As is well known in the art, the number of winning outcomes may vary dependent upon the desired payout or winning percentage offered to the players as compared to wagers that are retained by the gaming establishment. 
     The gaming machine  100  may include one or more player input devices  108  (such as input buttons, a touch-screen display, joystick, touch-pad or the like) that may be utilized by the player to facilitate game play. As detailed below, the gaming machine  100  is configured to present one or more wagering games, wherein a wager is provided to the machine in order to establish entitlement to play the game. In a preferred embodiment, as detailed below, wager information is transmitted to the gaming machine from a point of sale device. However, the gaming machine  100  might additionally include a coin accepting mechanism  112  for accepting coins and/or a currency or bill acceptor  114  for accepting cash or paper currency. It is also contemplated that other mechanisms may be provided for accepting a wager, such as credit card, ticket readers or input devices whereby a player may have funds paid from a remote account. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the gaming machine  100  includes a microprocessor or controller (not shown) for controlling the gaming machine, including receiving player input and sending output signals for controlling the various components of the machine  100  (such as generating game information for display by the display  104 ). The controller may be arranged to send signals for determining winning combinations and to cause a display to display winning amount information. In addition, the controller is preferably arranged to determine if a round of game play has resulted in a win, and if so, the amount to be paid to the player for that win. 
     In operation, the player may initiate game play by placing a wager. As detailed below, such a wager may be transmitted to the gaming machine  100  from an associated point of sale device. In one embodiment, the gaming machine  100  may present a game automatically upon receiving a wager, or might do so only after a player provides input, such as to a “start” button or the like. 
     The gaming machine  100  may include a means for paying a player any winnings accumulated during game play. As detailed below, in a preferred embodiment, winnings may be paid via a secondary device, such as an associated point of sale terminal. However, the gaming machine  100  may itself be configured to dispense winnings or accrued or stored credits. For example, a “cash out” button may be provided for permitting a player to be paid the winnings or redeeming any credits initially paid into the gaming machine  100 . The term “cash out” is used herein to define an event initiated by the player wherein the player receives a number of coins or currency that is equivalent to the value of the player&#39;s accrued credit base. Typically when a player cashes out, the player receives either a paper currency voucher or currency in the form of a coin disbursement. If the player decides to receive a coin disbursement, the gaming machine  100  may activate a coin hopper or coin handling device (not shown) which physically counts and delivers the proper number of coins to the player. The coin handling device is commonly configured to transport coins from a supply source (hopper or bin filled with coins) to a coin tray  124  or payout receptacle where the player physically receives the coins. The player might also elect to cash out by having a ticket or other media dispensed, such as via a printer  114 . 
     The gaming machine  100  may be configured as a stand-alone device or be in communication with one or more external devices at one or more times. For example, the gaming machine  100  may be configured as a server based device and obtain game code or game outcome information from a remote server. The gaming machine  100  may also communicate with one or more gaming servers  200 . These one or more gaming servers may be configured to perform accounting, player tracking, bonusing, game generation, promotions or other functions. Though not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there may be multiple gaming machines  100  which are in communication with the one or more gaming servers  200 . 
     In accordance with the invention, a gaming machine is configured to receive a wager in the form of change resulting from a purchase transaction. For example, a party may engage in a purchase transaction with a merchant at a grocery store. The party tenders payment for the purchase and it is determined if any monetary change is due. Some or all of any monetary change which is due may be utilized as a wager at the gaming machine. In a preferred configuration, the monetary change which is used as the wager is automatically transferred to the gaming machine. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a system of the invention and of an environment of a method of the invention. As illustrated therein, the gaming machine  100  is associated with a point of sale device or terminal  300 . The point of sale device  300  preferably comprises a cash register. However, the point of sale device  300  may comprise other devices. Preferably, the point of sale device  300  is configured to generate or display an amount due for a purchase and facilitate payment of the amount due for the purchase. For example, when the point of sale device  300  is a cash register, the cash register may be configured to calculate and display an amount due for the purchase of goods or services. Further, the cash register is configured as a medium for accepting payment for the amount due, such as by accepting entry of a payment amount and currency and/or coins provided to make that payment. 
     In one embodiment, the point of sale device  300  may be associated with a merchant server  400 , such as via one or more communication links  402 . The merchant server  400  may be configured to provide information to the point of sale device  300 , perform accounting functions and the like. For example, as is known in the art of merchant sales processing, goods which a party wishes to purchase may be identified at the point of sale device  300 . For example, a good may have an identifier such as a barcode associated therewith. This information may be routed to the merchant server  400  which identifies the good and the current price thereof, and transmits the price back to the point of sale device  300 . The point of sale device  300  may utilize the individual pricing information for the goods to calculate a total price for a transaction. In addition, the point of sale device  300  may transmit information regarding the identity of goods purchased, the amount of a purchase transaction, and payment information to the merchant server  400 . 
     Preferably, the gaming machine  100  is in communication with the point of sale device  300  and/or the merchant server  400  via one or more communication links  404 . Preferably, the one or more communication links  404  permit the gaming machine  100  to receive information regarding monetary change from a purchase transaction at the point of sale device  300 . As detailed below, in that the gaming machine  100  is configured to present a wagering game to a party who engaged in a purchase transaction, the gaming machine  100  is preferably located in the vicinity of the point of sale terminal  300 . For example, relative to a grocery store, the gaming machine  100  may be located at the check-out isle very close to the point of sale device  300 . In this regard, due to space or other constraints, the gaming machine  100  need not be of the particular configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1 . For example, the gaming machine  100  could be built into a check-out counter or the like. One advantage of having the gaming machine  100  close to the check-out isle or a similar high traffic area is that the display thereof can be configured to display promotional, advertising or similar information when the gaming machine is not presenting a game. 
     It will be appreciated that the various communication links described herein may be wired and/or wireless. Further, the links may utilize various communication protocols. 
     A method of the invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In a first step S 1 , a party engages in a purchase transaction. Such a transaction may occur with a merchant. Such a merchant may offer various goods or services and might comprise, for example, a convenience store operator, a grocer, or the like. As indicated above, as part of the transaction, the merchant may calculate an amount owing for the transaction. 
     In a step S 2  the party tenders payment. As is known in the art, the merchant might accept payment in various forms. For example, the merchant might accept a credit or debit card, money in the form of currency or coins, or other manners of payment. In a step S 3  it is determined if any change (i.e. a sum of money comprising the difference between the amount tendered by the party as payment and the amount owing; i.e. an “overpayment”) is due. In some cases, there may be no change due. For example, if a party pays by a credit card or tendered the exact amount of money owing for the transaction, then no change is due to the party from the merchant. 
     However, in the event change is due, then in a step S 4  the party may be given the choice to wager the change. If the party elects to wager the change that it owed to them, then in a step S 5 , the change is transferred to the gaming device. In a preferred embodiment, the player is permitted to wager only the amount of change due less than $1.00, i.e. amounts in hundredths of a dollar (pennies). For example, a party may purchase a gallon of milk for $3.64 and tender payment in the amount of $5.00. In that event, change is due back to the party in the amount of $1.36. In a preferred embodiment, the merchant returns $1.00 to the party and permits the party to wager the remaining amount due, $0.36. In a preferred embodiment, the player is permitted to wager all of the change due or none of the change due, but not partial amounts due (for example, if the player is owed change in the amount of $0.68, the player can&#39;t wager $0.50 of that amount). 
     In a preferred embodiment, if the player elects to place the wager, the amount of change is transferred to or indicated to the gaming machine. Referring to  FIG. 1 , for example, the operator of the point of sale device  300  may provide input which causes information regarding the amount of change due to be transferred via the communication link  404  from the point of sale device  300  or merchant server  400  to the gaming machine  100 . For example, the point of sale device  300  might send a signal to the gaming machine  100  that $0.64 is being transferred as a wager. Of course, in such event, the point of sale device  300  or merchant server  400  may track that wagering event in order to maintain a balance of amounts owed and paid for the transactions processed thereby. 
     In a step S 6 , if a wager is placed using the change which is owed, then the gaming machine is configured to present a game. The particular game which is presented may vary, and may or may not include player input. For example, the game might be a video or reel slot-type game, a video poker game, a keno, bingo or other game. 
     Preferably, the game has one or more outcomes which are designated winning outcomes. An award may be awarded for each winning outcome. In one embodiment, the awards may be monetary (or equivalents/representations thereof). However, the awards might be goods, services, discounts or the like. In one embodiment, the awards might be in increments of $1.00, such as awards of $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00, $5.00, $10.00, $20.00, $40.00, $100.00 and $1000.00. The awards might also comprise goods, such as $5.00 worth of gasoline, a credit such as a $5.00 store credit, or a discount such as $5.00 off a $15.00 purchase. 
     If the outcome of the game is determined to be a winning outcome, the award may be paid to the player via the point of sale device, as in a step S 7 . For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , if the outcome of the game is a winning outcome having an associated award of $5.00, the gaming machine may send a signal to the point of sale device  300  of the winning outcome and the amount owed. The operator of the point of sale device  300  may then pay the player $5.00 in currency. 
     Various additional aspects of the invention will now be described. As indicated above, in one embodiment a player is permitted to wager their change in the fractional amounts less than $1.00 (i.e. amounts of $0.01, from $0.01 to $0.99). In order to facilitate wagers of differing amounts, the gaming machine may be configured with multiple pay tables or a dynamic pay table. For example, the gaming machine may be configured to present a game of video poker where different pay tables having one or more of differing winning outcomes and/or differing awards may be provided. In another embodiment, the paytable may remain static, providing the same winning outcomes and the same awards, regardless of the amount wagered. For example, the gaming machine may be configured to present a slot-type gaming having 99 paylines. For each wager increment of $0.01, an additional payline may be activated. In this configuration, as the amount of the wager goes up, the odds of receiving at least one winning combination increases (in some configurations, the gaming machine may be configured so that multiple winning combinations can be received, such as along differing paylines, whereby multiple awards may be won). 
     In a preferred embodiment, the player plays the game at the time of the purchase, and the game outcome is determined at that time. However, it is also possible for the game outcome to be determined at a later time. For example, the player elect to wager their change upon a keno or lottery type game where the results are determined at predetermined times or intervals. In that instance, the gaming machine might be configured to generate and dispense a game ticket or receipt which the player can redeem at a later time. 
     As indicated, when the game outcome is determined at the time of the purchase transaction, the player might be paid their winnings at that time. For example, the operator of the point of sale device might pay the player their winnings in paper currency. Alternatively, however, the player might be awarded their winnings in the form of a ticket or other media which bears the game result or amount won. Such a ticket might be redeemed for money, or be utilized in other transactions, such as being accepted at another gaming machine, a vending device or the like. In one embodiment, the point of sale device of the merchant might be configured to accept such tickets or media. For example, a player might win $100.00 and be vended a ticket. The player might give that ticket to the merchant the next time they are engaged in a transaction, thus using the ticket as payment for goods or services. In addition, the winnings might be transferred to a secondary system for payment, such as a cashier station, ticket or voucher issuing station (the winnings could be, for example, issued in the form of a check or credit that is mailed to the player). Depending on the type of award, the award might be transferred to another device. For example, if the award is for free gasoline, the amount of free gas might be credit to a gasoline pump. Awards might also be credit to a player&#39;s credit card or a rewards card. 
     It will be appreciated that the various transactions may be tracked via the various components of the system, such as the merchant server  400  of the merchant&#39;s processing system and the accounting server  200  of a game system. In this manner, amounts of change that are wagered, amounts won, awards paid and the like may be tracked through the various devices for reconciliation. 
     In one embodiment, one or more awards may be “progressive” in nature. Such an award may grow over time, such as depending upon the amounts of wagers placed or the number of games played. The progressive award or jackpot may be won by receiving one or more particular winning combinations. Such a jackpot may be associated with multiple gaming machines in order to grow quickly to large values. 
     In one embodiment, the amounts wagered might be donated to charity. In such a configuration, awards might be donated or might comprise promotional prizes. 
     As indicated, various prizes might comprise goods, services, discounts or other “non-monetary awards”. Such awards might be awarded for particular outcomes of the game. In addition, the game might offer a bonus spin or bonus game in which non-winning players are offered a chance for a consolation prize. Such a prize might comprise one of the non-monetary awards. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and as indicated above, the gaming machine  100  may be linked to a server  200  which performs player tracking functions. A player&#39;s play may be tracked (a player may be required to identify themselves, such as via a player tracking card, merchant card or the like). The player may then be awarded bonuses such as free play, a second chance drawing or lottery chance or the like. Use of such a card could eliminate the need to issue a ticket to track wagers and game participation. In particular, such “card” data could be tracked to monitor the player&#39;s activities. Such tracking may be used by the merchant to target specific offers to the player. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the amount that may be wagered is the fractional portion of a whole value of currency, such as the fractional portion of $1.00 (such a currency could be US dollars, British Pounds, etc.). However, other amounts might be wagered (for example, larger amounts including multiples of a denomination, such as $1.00 or more), and/or the player might be permitted to supplement their wager (such as by inserting additional coins to the machine in order to increase the amount of their wager, or if paying by a credit card, the player might add an amount of a wager to their transaction and increase the amount of the charge on their credit card). 
     The invention has numerous advantages. First, players are afforded a convenient opportunity to play a wagering game. In particular, players are afforded the opportunity to play when they are already engaged in a transaction, at the same place and time as that transaction. This eliminates the need for the player to travel to another location to play a wagering game. Moreover, inconveniences associated with placing a wager are entirely eliminated. Currently a player locates a gaming machine and then must access funds to place a wager, such as by locating change. In accordance with the invention, a player can place a wager as part of another transaction. Because the party was already engaged in the purchase transaction, the transfer of the change to the machine as a wager thus adds no additional steps or work to the party in order to play the game. 
     The invention also adds instantaneous excitement to a purchase event. For example, a party may not be particularly excited about running to the store to purchase milk late in the evening. However, to parties that enjoy gaming, the opportunity to play a game as part of that purchase event greatly enhances the purchasing event. For merchants, this may also increase sales. In particular, parties that often made one or two trips for items might make additional trips in order to gain additional changes to wager their change. Also, parties are enticed to pay cash, since they can then wager their change. This is beneficial to a merchant (since credit card processors generally charge merchants a processing fee on transactions paid for by credit cards). In addition, the game offers a player the opportunity for game play for a very low wager amount, simply comprising the loose change that the player would have received back from their purchase. In this manner, the player uses funds that they likely did not value very much, and yet are permitted to engage in an exciting activity for the chance at much larger winnings. 
     It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.