Patent Publication Number: US-2009227343-A1

Title: Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2008900597, filed on Feb. 8, 2008, entitled “A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAME CONTROLLER AND A GAMING SYSTEM”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The invention relates to a method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many gaming systems are provided in the form of gaming machines which allow a player to play a game such as a spinning reel type game. In such games prizes are awarded based on particular symbol combinations of symbols displayed at predefined positions. 
     While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming including: 
     selecting a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display; 
     selecting a position for at least one set of display positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed within the evaluation area; and 
     determining whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, the evaluation area is adapted to display fewer symbols for each set of display positions and a position is selected for each set of display positions. 
     In an embodiment, the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the method includes displaying each set of display positions such that they correspond to one column of the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, the method includes selecting the column in which each set is displayed. 
     In an embodiment, each set of display positions is used to display a subset of symbols of a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. 
     In an embodiment, there are two more display positions for each set than fit in the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, there are five display positions in each set and the method includes selecting symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display positions. 
     In an embodiment, there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. 
     In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: 
     select a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display; 
     select a position for at least one set of display positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed within the evaluation area; and 
     determine whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller includes a symbol selector for selecting the symbols for display at the display positions. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller includes a position selector for selecting the position the at least one set of display positions. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller includes an award determiner arranged to determine whether to make an award. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is constituted by a processor executing program code stored in a memory. 
     In an embodiment, the evaluation area is adapted to display fewer symbols for each set of display positions and the game controller selects a position for each set of display positions. 
     In an embodiment, the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the game controller is arranged to control display of each set of display positions such that they correspond to one column of the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to select the column in which each set is displayed. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to select a subset of symbols for display from a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. 
     In an embodiment, there are two more display positions for each set than fit in the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, there are five display positions in each set and the game controller is arranged to select symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display positions. 
     In an embodiment, there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. 
     In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including: 
     a display; and 
     a game controller arranged to: 
     select a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display; 
     select a position for at least one set of display positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed within the evaluation area; and 
     determine whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller includes a symbol selector for selecting the symbols for display at the display positions. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller includes a position selector for selecting the position the at least one set of display positions. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller includes an award determiner arranged to determine whether to make an award. 
     In an embodiment, includes a processor executing program code stored in a memory to implement the game controller. 
     In an embodiment, the evaluation area is adapted to display fewer symbols for each set of display positions and the game controller selects a position for each set of display positions. 
     In an embodiment, the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the game controller is arranged to control display of each set of display positions such that they correspond to one column of the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to select the column in which each set is displayed. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to select a subset of symbols for display from a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. 
     In an embodiment, there are two more display positions for each set than fit in the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, there are five display positions in each set and the game controller is arranged to select symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display positions. 
     In an embodiment, there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. 
     In an embodiment, the display forms part of a player interface including a game play mechanism operable by the player to place a bet and the game controller operates to select symbols in response to placement of a bet. 
     In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method. 
     In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium including the above program code. 
     In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal including the above program code. 
     In a seventh aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the above program code. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system; 
         FIG. 6  is a further block diagram of a gaming system; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of an embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  are exemplary displays of an example. 
     
    
    
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game where more symbols are selected for display at more display positions than will be evaluated and the symbols which are to be evaluated are selected, in part, by selecting positions for at least one, and advantageously, a plurality of sets of display positions relative to an evaluation area. 
     General Construction of Gaming System 
     The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. 
     In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. 
     However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. 
     Irrespective of the form, the gaming system includes several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface  50  and a game controller  60  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components for the player to enter instructions and play the game. 
     Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism  52  to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays  54 , a game play mechanism  56  including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers  58 . 
     The game controller  60  is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor  62  that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory  64  but can also be hardwired. Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. 
     A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The gaming machine  10  includes a console  12  having a display  14  on which are displayed representations of a game  16  that can be played by a player. A mid-trim  20  of the gaming machine  10  houses a bank of buttons  22  for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim  20  also houses a credit input mechanism  24  which in this example includes a coin input chute  24 A and a bill collector  24 B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. 
     A top box  26  may carry artwork  28 , including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel  29  of the console  12 . A coin tray  30  is mounted beneath the front panel  29  for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine  10 . 
     The display  14  shown in  FIG. 2  is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display  14  may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box  26  may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display  14 , or of a different type. 
       FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of  FIG. 2 . 
     The gaming machine  100  includes a game controller  101  having a processor  102 . Instructions and data to control operation of the processor  102  are stored in a memory  103 , which is in data communication with the processor  102 . Typically, the gaming machine  100  will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory  103 . 
     The gaming machine has hardware meters  104  for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface  105  for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine  100 . The input/output interface  105  and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module  113  generates random numbers for use by the processor  102 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , a player interface  120  includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller  101  include one or more displays  106 , a touch screen and/or buttons  107 , a card and/or ticket reader  108 , a printer  109 , a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism  110  and a coin output mechanism  111 . Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine  100 , or hardware may be omitted based on the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. 
     In addition, the gaming machine  100  may include a communications interface, for example a network card  112 . The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database. 
       FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory  103 . The memory  103  includes RAM  103 A, EPROM  103 B and a mass storage device  103 C. The RAM  103 A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor  102  and related data. The EPROM  103 B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device  103 C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor  102  using protected code from the EPROM  103 B or elsewhere. 
     It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine  100  to be distributed, for example input/output devices  106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111  to be provided remotely from the game controller  101 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a gaming system  200  in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system  200  includes a network  201 , which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines  202 , shown arranged in three banks  203  of two gaming machines  202  in  FIG. 5 , are connected to the network  201 . The gaming machines  202  provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines  10 , 100  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or may have simplified functionality depending on the rules and/or guidelines for implementing game play. While banks  203  of two gaming machines are illustrated in  FIG. 5 , banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged. 
     One or more displays  204  may also be connected to the network  201 . For example, the displays  204  may be associated with one or more banks  203  of gaming machines. The displays  204  may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines  202 , and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 
     In a thick client embodiment, game server  205  implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine  202  and the gaming machine  202  implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server  206  may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices  202  in a database  206 A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server  207  will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server  212  may also be provided. 
     In a thin client embodiment, game server  205  implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine  202  and the gaming machine  202  essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server  205  provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. 
     Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network  200 , including for example a gaming floor management server  208 , and a licensing server  209  to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal  210  is provided to allow an administrator to run the network  201  and the devices connected to the network. 
     The gaming system  200  may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall  211 . 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server  205  could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games based on the terminals. 
     Further Detail of Gaming System 
     The outcome generator  622  operates in response to the player&#39;s operation of game play mechanism  56  to generate a game outcome which will then be evaluated by prize evaluator  623 . The player&#39;s operation of game play mechanism establishes the player&#39;s win entitlement for the game based on the bet (wager) the player makes for the game. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player&#39;s win entitlement will vary from game to game and may or may not be dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player&#39;s entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player&#39;s win entitlement may be based on how many lines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of displayed symbol positions, one from each reel, the symbol positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line. 
     In many games, the player&#39;s win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player&#39;s selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement. The win entitlement is not always purchased—e.g. a series of free games may be awarded. 
     Once the player has operated the game play mechanism  56  to place a bet, the first part of forming the game outcome is for a symbol selector  622 A to select sets of symbols having a designated sequence from symbols specified by symbol data  641  for display on display  54  using random number generator  621 . For example, in a spinning reel game, the symbol selector selects a set of symbols for each reel. In the embodiment, the symbol selector  622 A selects more symbols for display on display  54  that will ultimately be evaluated by award determiner  622 B based on prize data  644  to determine whether the selected symbols form any winning outcomes. In one example, this is by selecting more symbols for each set than can fit in the evaluation area. In another example, this is by selecting more sets of symbols than will fit in the evaluation area. 
     Display  54  displays an evaluation area  54 A. A position selector  622 B of outcome generator selects where each set of selected symbols will be displayed relative to the evaluation area. For example, by symbol selector  622 A selecting where a designated symbol (such as the middle symbol) of each set of symbols should be placed relative to the evaluation area using a value obtained from random number generator  621  and a probability table which specifies a relationship between the value and position. One example of selecting symbols is for the symbol selector  622 A to select symbols for display from a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. The symbol sets  641  specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the symbol selector  622 A can select a symbol by selecting a stopping position in the sequence to correspond to a display position—e.g. the middle display position. In one example, five symbols of each of five reels may be displayed such that twenty-five symbols are displayed. The evaluation area  54 A may fit, for example, at fifteen symbols. In the embodiment, constraints are placed on where the sets are positioned to ensure that the evaluation area is filled with symbols. Thus, in the embodiment, the display positions are filled with selected symbol from the symbol sequence and the display positions used to fill the evaluation area are independently chosen. 
     In one example embodiment, suitable for a spinning reel type game, the evaluation area has a plurality of evaluation positions arranged in a grid such that the grid has a plurality of rows and columns. In this embodiment, each set of display positions is associated with a specific column, such that selecting the position is performed by selecting in which row a designated display position of the set of display positions is to be displayed. As a result, the symbols are selected for display positions but the actual positions of those display positions relative to the evaluation area may vary. 
     In a spinning reel embodiment, this is displayed on the display  54  by a plurality of sets of display positions at which the selected symbols will be displayed as moving relative to the evaluation area  54 A while the reels are spun. The selected symbols and positions for the display positions are advised to the display controller  624  which causes them to be displayed on display  54  relative to evaluation area. The display positions stop such that a subset of them are displayed in the evaluation area and then the reels stop to show which symbols will be evaluated. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the display positions could be stopped before, after or simultaneously with the reels. 
     Once the symbols are stopped in the evaluation area, the award determiner  623  determines whether the symbols in the evaluation area  54 A correspond to a winning outcome specified by prize data  644  and updates meters  645  to reflect any wins. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that rather than selecting the vertical positioning of the display positions, the horizontal position or column can be selected as well or instead. In one example, there are six reels and three display positions per reel but only five reels can fit in the display area as there are more display positions than evaluation positions. 
     Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that in some embodiments not all the reels move. For example, in one embodiment only one reel moves. In another embodiment some of the reels may have different numbers of display positions. In one example, only one reel may be associated with more display positions than the evaluation area such that it is the only reel which moves. In other examples, more than one but less than all the reels are have more display positions than the evaluation area. In some embodiments the numbers of display positions of the reels may differ for example such that some have 3 display positions while other have 5. In some embodiments, the number of reels that move at any time may be dependent on one or more conditions such as bet type, bet amount, occurrences in the game, the stage of the game etc. 
     The method  700  of an embodiment is summarised in  FIG. 7 . Symbols are selected  710  for a plurality of sets of display positions. The positions of the display positions relative to the evaluation area are also selected  720 . In a reel embodiment, the reels are displayed  730  as spinning while the display positions move. Spinning and movement is then stopped  740  and the outcome is evaluated  750  to determine whether to award any prize. 
     Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the further aspect of the method will be apparent from the description of the gaming system and that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory  103 ) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). 
     Example 
     An example of a spinning reel type game is shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C . In each of  FIGS. 8A to 8C  there are five reels  811 - 815 , each having five display positions and symbols are selected for each of the five display positions. The evaluation area in the form of pay window  820  is sized such that only three symbols of each reel will fit. 
       FIG. 8A  shows a starting position  800 A where the middle three symbols of each reel  811 - 815  are displayed within the pay window  820 .  FIG. 8B  shows a moving position  800 A where the display positions of each reel are moving relative to the pay window  820  as indicated by arrows,  831 , 832 , 834  &amp;  835  to thereby give the advantageous impression that the reels are moving.  FIG. 8C  shows a stop position  800 C where the display positions of each reel (numbered left to right) have stopped such that the following display positions are in the evaluation area: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 first reel 
                 top three symbols 
               
               
                   
                 second reel 
                 bottom three symbols 
               
               
                   
                 third reel 
                 middle three symbols 
               
               
                   
                 fourth reel 
                 top three symbols 
               
               
                   
                 fifth reel 
                 bottom three symbols. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The game outcome is then evaluated by award determiner  623  based on the symbols within the pay window  620 . 
     It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, that features described herein can be used to form further embodiments. 
     It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 
     In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context indicates otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments and/or aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system, for example. 
     Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.