Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7481705?dq=7,444,563
Timestamp: 2014-12-28 16:49:30
Document Index: 412450647

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 26', 'art 26', 'art 26', 'art 26', 'arts 26', 'art 26', 'art 26', 'art 58']

Patent US7481705 - Financial trading game - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA game and particularly an electronic game that simulates trading securities on an exchange. The game is preferably played as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. A computing device is provided having, among other things, a video screen display on which a line chart is displayed. The computing...http://www.google.com/patents/US7481705?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7481705 - Financial trading gameAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7481705 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/381,954Publication dateJan 27, 2009Filing dateMay 5, 2006Priority dateNov 23, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS7040982, US7338360, US7488245, US7819736, US8231457, US20060205499, US20060205500, US20060205501, US20060211469, US20080146304Publication number11381954, 381954, US 7481705 B2, US 7481705B2, US-B2-7481705, US7481705 B2, US7481705B2InventorsEugene Jarvis, Andrew EloffOriginal AssigneeIgtExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (99), Non-Patent Citations (72), Referenced by (1), Classifications (15), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetFinancial trading gameUS 7481705 B2Abstract A game and particularly an electronic game that simulates trading securities on an exchange. The game is preferably played as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. A computing device is provided having, among other things, a video screen display on which a line chart is displayed. The computing device also includes a selection device, which provides a means by which the player interacts with the computing device to �buy� or �sell�. The line chart includes a vertical axis that corresponds to the value or price of one or more securities, and a horizontal axis that corresponds to time. A segmented line is plotted on the line chart during a round of play. A random number generator randomly determines the vertical axis value for each point plotted along the segmented line.
a graph in the game which includes values on a first index and an indication of time on a second index; and
a display device controlled by the processor and operable to display said graph;
wherein said processor is programmed to operate with the input device and display device to:
(a) enable a player to place a wager associated with a first indicated value plotted on the graph;
(b) enable the player to make an input associated with a randomly determined second indicated value plotted on the graph; and
(c) provide the player an outcome based, at least in part, on the difference between the first indicated value and the second indicated value.
2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first indicated value is associated with a buying value and the second indicated value is associated with a selling value.
3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the outcome provided to the player is the difference between the first indicated value and the second indicated value.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the outcome is also based on a predetermined amount is deducted from the second indicated value.
5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the outcome is also based on a predetermined amount is added to the first indicated value.
6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the wager placed by the player equals the first indicated value.
7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to cause the display device to plot a plurality of intermediate values on the graph between the first indicated value and the second indicated value.
a graph displayable by the display device and including a first axis and a second axis, wherein a plurality of different payout values are associated with the first axis and an indication of time is associated with the second axis;
(a) cause the display device to display the graph;
(b) cause the display device to sequentially indicate a plurality of payout values on the graph, wherein at least one of the payout values is randomly determined;
(c) enable the player to place a wager that is associated with the payout value indicated on the graph at a time of the wager;
(d) enable the player to accept one of the indicated payout values using the input device; and
(e) provide an outcome to the player based, at least in part, on the payout value accepted by the player.
9. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the outcome provided to the player is the payout value accepted by the player.
10. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the outcome provided to the player is the difference between the payout value indicated on the graph at the time of the wager and the payout value accepted by the player.
11. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the wager placed by the player equals the payout value indicated on the graph at the time of the wager.
12. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein at least two of the indicated payout values are the same.
13. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the outcome is also based in part on a designated house commission.
14. The gaming device of claim 8, which includes an event that is initiated when one of the indicated payout values intersects an icon displayed on the graph.
15. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the event includes a value added to the payout value that intersects the icon.
16. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the event includes a value subtracted from the payout value that intersects the icon.
17. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the event includes an initiation of at least one bonus game.
18. A method of operating a gaming device including a game operable upon a wager by a player, said method comprising:
(a) enabling a player to place a wager associated with a first indicated value plotted on a displayed graph which includes values on a first index and an indication of time on a second index;
(b) enabling the player to make an input associated with a second randomly determined indicated value plotted on the graph; and
(c) providing the player an outcome based, at least in part, on the difference between the first indicated value and the second indicated value.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first indicated value is associated with a buying value and the second indicated value is associated with a selling value.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the outcome provided to the player is the difference between the first indicated value and the second indicated value.
21. The method of claim 18, which includes deducting a predetermined amount from the second indicated value to determine the outcome.
22. The method of claim 18, which includes adding a predetermined amount to the first indicated value to determine the outcome.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein the wager placed by the player equals the first indicated value.
24. The method of claim 18, which includes plotting a plurality of intermediate values on the graph between the first indicated value and the second indicated value.
27. A method of operating a gaming device including a game, said method comprising:
(a) displaying a graph including a first axis and a second axis, wherein a plurality of different payout values are associated with the first axis and an indication of time is associated with the second axis;
(b) sequentially indicating a plurality of payout values on the graph, wherein at least one of the payout values is randomly determined;
(c) enabling the player to place a wager that is associated with the payout value indicated on the graph at a time of the wager;
(d) enabling the player to accept one of the indicated payout values; and
(e) providing an outcome to the player based, at least in part, on the payout value accepted by the player.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the outcome provided to the player is the payout value accepted by the player.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the outcome provided to the player is the difference between the payout value indicated on the graph at the time of the wager and the payout value accepted by the player.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the wager placed by the player equals the payout value indicated on the graph at the time of the wager.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein at least two of the indicated payout values are the same.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the outcome is also based on a designated house commission.
33. The method of claim 27, which includes an event that is initiated when one of the indicated payout values intersects an icon displayed on the graph.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the event includes a value added to the payout value that intersects the icon.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the event includes a value subtracted from the payout value that intersects the icon.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein the event includes an initiation of at least one bonus game.
37. The method of claim 27, which is provided through a data network.
PRIORITY CLAIM This application is a divisional application of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/002,553, filed on Nov. 23, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND This invention brings the excitement of trading securities on an exchange to an electronic game. A player is able to experience the excitement and unpredictability of electronic trading by condensing months, days or hours of trading activity into a relatively short amount of time. The game provides the player with a line chart that shows changes in value of one or more securities, such as stocks, commodities, options, bonds, futures, indexes, currencies and the live, over a period of time. A segmented line is plotted on the line chart during a round of play. This segmented line is composed of a plurality of points that are joined together by line segments, each point representing a randomly generated, hypothetical item price or value at a given point in time. A round of play begins when the player �buys�, and ends either when the player �sells�, or when the time period allotted for playing the round of play expires.
There is a constant need in the gaming industry for new games that keep plays interested, and substantially reduce the possibility that players will cease playing and wagering or reduce the amount of play and wagering due to lack of interest or challenge.
SUMMARY Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.
This invention relates generally to a game, and more particularly to an electronic game that simulates trading securities, commodities, or currencies on a public exchange, such as a stock exchange, futures exchange, commodities exchange, options exchange, index exchange, bond exchange and the like. More particularly, the game simulates changes in value of an item traded on an exchange, over a period of time. The game of the present invention can be played on any electronic computing device, but is preferably played in a casino as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. The computing device includes, among other things, a video screen display on which a line chart is displayed. The computing device also includes a selection device, which provides a means by which the player interacts with the computing device to, among other things, �buy� or �sell� one or more securities, commodities or currencies. The line chart includes a vertical axis that corresponds to the value of the security or other item being traded, and a horizontal axis that corresponds to time. A segmented line is plotted on the line chart during a round of play. A random number generator randomly determines the vertical axis value for each point plotted along the segmented line.
During play, the segmented line may �intersect� one of the plurality of �special event� icons displayed on the line chart. If the segmented line intersects one of the special event icons, a �special event� is triggered. Depending on the icon type intersected, the value of the security is increased, decreased, the player is rewarded with a bonus round of play, or other special action initiated.
A round of play begins when a player �buys� one or more securities or other items being traded, such as stocks, commodities, currencies, options, bonds, futures, indexes or the like. The player then watches the plotting of the segmented line of the line chart. In other words, the player watches the value of the one or more securities, commodities or currencies change over time. If the player feels the chart is at a peak value, or on a downward trend he activates the �sell� button to lock in profits or reduce potential losses. A round of play ends either when the player �sells� the one or more securities, commodities or currencies, or when the time allotted for the round of play expires.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
The game of the present invention can be played on any electronic computing device. The game is most preferably played in a casino as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. Alternatively, it can be played on a computer as an on-line gaming game over the Internet as part of a Wide Area Network (�WAN�), as part of a Local Area Network (�LAN�), and/or on a stand-alone computer.
The selection device 18 may be a keypad, a peripheral device such as an external keyboard or mouse, and/or a plurality of function specific buttons. In the preferred embodiment, the video display screen 16 is a touch screen that serves as both the selection device 18 and the video screen display 16. In this embodiment, the selection device 18 takes the form of �interactive� icons that appear on the video screen display 16. When the player touches the video screen display 16 at the location where an �interactive� icon is displayed, this has the same affect as if the player were pushing a conventional electro-mechanical keypad button.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a screen display of a completed round of play, as viewed on the touch screen video screen display 16. The screen display 16 includes a two-dimensional line chart 26. The vertical axis 28 of the line chart 26 denotes the value or price of one or more securities or other item being traded, such as a stock, commodity, currency, option, bond, future, index and the like (referred to collectively as �security� or �securities�), and the horizontal axis 32 denotes time. Preferably, at least initially, the value or price of the security corresponds to the number of �credits� wagered. A �credit� may be a fictional amount, or in the case where actual money is wagered, may correspond to the amount of money wagered.
As will be further discussed below, a segmented line 34 is plotted on the line chart 26 during a round of play, and in a relatively short period of time. Preferably, the total time allotted to plot the entire segmented line 34 is long enough to allow the player to react to what is going on and keep the player interested, a time period between and few seconds and a few minutes. In the preferred embodiment it is 3-10 seconds. The time for a round should be short enough that enough revenue can be generated within the allotted time. It should be noted that although only one line chart 26 is shown in the drawings, alternate embodiments are contemplated wherein multiple line charts 26 are displayed, each having a segmented line 34. Yet another embodiment is contemplated wherein multiple segmented lines 34 are plotted on a single line chart 26.
Where, as in the preferred embodiment, the game is played in a casino as a video gaming machine, the game may be configured so that the odds of winning favor the casino or �house�. This can be accomplished by introducing a negative bias into the random number generator. The negative bias will cause the vertical axis or security value to decrease more frequently than it increases over a large number of games.
In the preferred embodiment, revenue can be earned by the casino or �house� by reducing the player's winnings by a �commission�. The �commission� may be a predetermined percentage of the initial bet, a percentage of the winnings, or a combination thereof. The �commission� could also be deducted as each point is plotted, so that the �commission� is gradually paid as the round of play progresses.
One or more special event icons are displayed on the line chart 26. The appearance, timing, type and placement of the special event icons can be controlled by a random number generator, or placed in fixed locations. In the preferred embodiment, if the segmented line 34 �intersects� one of the special event icons, such as 38 of FIG. 2, a special event is triggered. Depending on the icon type intersected, the vertical axis or security value is increased or decreased, and the player is rewarded with a bonus round of play, or other special action is initiated.
As the segmented line 34 is plotted during play, if a point is plotted at the same location as a special even icon (and thus the segmented line 34 �intersects� the special event icon 38), a �special function� associated with that particular special event icon is initiated. A point plotted at the same location as a special event icon is herein referred to as an �intersecting point�, and the corresponding special event icon is herein referred to as a n �intersected icon�.
Where the intersected special event icon is one that affects the security value, the �special function� associated with the intersected special event icon disables the random number generator with respect to the next point to be plotted, and then instead computes the vertical axis value for the next point. The preferred embodiment includes three types of value-affecting special event icons. The first is a �SPLIT� special event icon 36 (see FIG. 8). The �special function� associated with a �SPLIT� special event icon 36 computes the vertical axis value for the next point to be plotted by doubling the vertical axis value for the intersecting point. As shown in FIG. 8, intersecting SPLIT icon 36 results in the security value jumping from point A to pint B.
The second type is a �cash bonus� special event icon 38 (depicted in FIG. 2 as a dollar sign or �$�). In one embodiment, the �special function� associated with the �cash bonus� special event icon 38 computes the value for the next point to be plotted by adding a predetermined value to the vertical axis value for the intersecting point. In other words, the security value increases by a predetermined amount, which is displayed on the �cash bonus� icon 38 during play. In another embodiment, a bonus value random generator randomly generates the value to be added to the intersecting point vertical axis value.
The third type of value affecting special event icon is a �CRASH� special event icon (not shown). The �special function� associated with a �CRASH� special event icon computes the vertical value for the next point to be plotted as zero. In other words, when the segmented line 34 intersects a �CRASH� special event icon, the value of the security value plummets to zero. The rate and effect of a �CRASH� icon can also be varied. Where the intersected special event icon is one that rewards the player with a �bonus game�, a bonus game is initiated where the player can win additional credits.
Referring again to FIG. 2, �MAX BET�, �BUY� and �SELL� interactive buttons 42, 44, and 46, respectively, are displayed on the video screen 16. A �CREDIT� display 48 provides the player with a visual display of the total number of credits available to bet or wager with. A separate �BET� display 52 provides the player with a visual display of the total number of credits bet or wagered for the game cycle. Bet increase and decrease interactive buttons 54 and 56, respectively, permit the player to increase and decrease the number of credits bet or wagered.
FIG. 3 generally describes one method by which a round of play is initiated. In this embodiment, the computing device 10 is the preferred video gaming machine. After start 58, but before the round of play begins, the player inserts �credits� 62 into the computing device 10. These credits may take the form of coins, or could be deducted from a stored value card, a ticket, a debit car, a credit card, or a smart card. Thereafter, the player determines the amount to be wagered 64 for the upcoming game. This can be accomplished two ways. First, the player can touch the �MAX BET� interactive button 42, in which case the maximum allowed bet is wagered. In the alternative, the player can select the amount to be wagered using the bet increase and decrease interactive buttons 54 and 56. Once the amount wagered is selected 64, the player touches the �BUY� interactive button 44, 66 to initiate the round of play 72. When the round of play is initiated 68, the first point is plotted. The vertical axis value of the first plotted point corresponds to the number of credits wagered.
FIG. 4 generally describes a second method by which the round of play may be initiated. In this embodiment, the computing device 10 is again the preferred video gaming machine. However, in this embodiment, the segmented line 34 is continuously plotted 74, even before a round of play begins. The player inserts �credits� 76 into the computing device 10. When the player touches the �BUY� interactive button 44, 78, the vertical axis value for the last point plotted before the player touched the �BUY� interactive button 44 is compared against the number of available �credits� 81 to determine whether the player has a sufficient number of credits to �buy� at that given moment in time 82.
An alternate embodiment is contemplated wherein the player can �short sell� a security. Selling short is a method for trading a security wherein an investor in effect borrows the security from a broker, immediately sells the security, and then at a later time buys the security and effectively returns it to the broker. If the value of the security decreases after the investor initially sells the security (and the investor is able to later buy the security at a lower price) then the investor will realize a profit. In that embodiment, the player touches the �SELL� interactive button 46 rather than the �BUY� interactive button 44, without having previously �bought� the security.
If the player does not have a sufficient number of credits, the computing device prompts the player to inset more credits 84. IF the player does have a sufficient number of credits, then the vertical axis or security value is automatically deducted from the total number of �credits� available 86, and the round of play is initiated 88. The number of �credits� deducted corresponds to the vertical axis value for the last point plotted before the player touched the �BUY� interactive button 44, 88. Also, the last point plotted before the player touched the �BUY� interactive button 44 is counted as the first plotted point in the round of play.
Referring to FIG. 5, in both embodiments, after the round of play has been initiated 68, 88, the processing loop starting at �AA� is invoked. First the �SELL� button 46 is checked for activation, and time expired condition is tested 92. If either event occurred, then the round is terminated, the current vertical axis or security value is added to player credits 94, house commission is deducted 96, ending the current round of play. Otherwise, the random number generator is cycled and computes the vertical axis value for the next point and it is plotted 98. It is then determined whether the new plotted point is an intersecting point 101. If the next point is an intersecting point, then the �special function� associated with the intersected special event icon is executed 103. Where the special event icon is one that affects the value of the security, the �special function� alters the vertical axis value for the chart at the current point. Next the chart value is check to see if it has equaled or exceeded the maximum and minimum chart values 105. If so, round termination 107 is commenced, the current vertical axis or security value is added to player credits 94, house commission is deducted 96, ending the current round of play.
FIG. 2 illustrates a screen display of a completed round of play in which the casino or �house� won. The round of play was initiated using the first of the two above-discussed methods. The player initially wagered 50 credits, and thereafter touched the �BUY� interactive button 44. Thereafter, the computing device 10 plotted the first point, which had a vertical axis value of 50. During play, the segmented line 34 �intersected� a �cash bonus� special event icon 38 having a bonus value of 10 credits. The round of play ended when the player touched the �SELL� interactive icon 46, at which point the security had a value of 18 credits. The outcome in this case is not favorable to the player because the net result is the �SELL� value of 18 minus the original 50 credits wagered on the �BUY�, a negative result representing a loss of 32 credits.
FIG. 6 illustrates a screen display of a completed round of play in which the casino or �house� again won. The round of play was initiated using the first of the two above-discussed methods. The player initially wagered 50 credits, and thereafter touched the �BUY� interactive button 44. Thereafter, the computing device 10 plotted the first point A, which had a vertical axis value of 50. The round of play ended when the time allotted for a given round of play expired, at which point B the chart had a value of 44 credits. The net outcome to the player was a loss of 6 credits.
FIG. 7 illustrates a screen display of a completed round of play in which the casino or �house� again won. The round of play was initiated using the first of the two above-discussed methods. The player initially wagered 50 credits, and thereafter touched the �BUY� interactive button 44. The round of play ended when time expired at which point the security had a value of 30 credits. The net outcome to the player was a loss of 20 credits.
FIG. 8 illustrates a screen display of a completed round of play in which the casino or �house� again won. The round of play was initiated using the first of the two above-discussed methods. The player initially wagered 20 credits, and thereafter touched the �BUY� interactive button 44. Thereafter, the computing device 10 plotted the first point, which had a vertical axis value of 20. During play, the segmented line 34 �intersected� a �SPLIT� special event icon 36, which caused the value of the security to double from 13 at A to 26 at B. The round of play ended when the player touched the �SELL� interactive button 46, at which point the security had a value of 17 credits. The net outcome to the player was a loss of 3 credits.
FIG. 9 illustrates a screen display of a completed round of play in which the player won. The round of play was initiated using the first of the two above-discussed methods. The player initially wagered 20 credits, and thereafter touched the �BUY� interactive button 44. Thereafter, the computing device 10 plotted the first point A, which had a vertical axis value of 20. During play, the segmented line 34 failed to �intersect� a �CASH� special event icon 91 and 93 or �SPLIT� special even icon 92. Nevertheless, the random value of the security increased across time. The round of play ended when the time allotted for a given round of play expired, at which point the security had a value of 31 credits. As a result, the player had a net gain of 31 minus 20, or 11 credits.
Revenue is generated for the casino, game operator, or other establishment by the game from losses by the player. However, revenue can also be generated for the casino, game operator, or other establishment by charging a �commission� in the form of a percentage of the value of the security at the time of purchase and/or sale. Likewise, the player can be charged a fee on the amount of time used during the round. The fee would also be subtracted from the value of the security at specific time intervals; this way the �commission� is gradually paid out over time. The �commission� could be an absolute value, a percentage of the initial bet, a percentage of the current payout value, or some combination thereof. The commission could be determined by a preset formula.
A player can also win or lose by selling �short.� In that embodiment, the player would �sell� at a point in time (prior to buying) and then terminate the wager by �buying� to cover the short at a later time. The amount won, or outcome, is the initial �sell� value minus the ending �buy� value, less any house commission.
The foregoing description of one or more embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable other skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims as set for the below.
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Strictly Slots, published in Nov. 2000.72X Factor Advertisement and Website Page, written by WMS Gaming, Inc., published in 1998.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8777729Nov 13, 2009Jul 15, 2014IgtTime-based award system with dynamic value assignmentClassifications U.S. Classification463/9, 463/25, 463/37, 700/91, 463/16International ClassificationA63F13/00, G06F17/00, G06F19/00, A63F9/24Cooperative ClassificationG07F17/32, G07F17/3288, G07F17/3255European ClassificationG07F17/32, G07F17/32P2, G07F17/32K10Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJul 27, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jun 23, 2009CCCertificate of correctionMay 17, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: IGT, NEVADAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RAW THRILLS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:017632/0812Effective date: 20020419Owner name: RAW THRILLS, INC., ILLINOISFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:JARVIS, EUGENE;ELOFF, ANDREW;REEL/FRAME:017632/0789Effective date: 20011128RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google