AU2013204646B2

AU2013204646B2 - Improved multi-game gaming machine

Info

Publication number: AU2013204646B2
Application number: AU2013204646A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Natalie Bryant; Martin Leach
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-06
Filing date: 2013-04-12
Publication date: 2016-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-15
Also published as: AU2013204658A1; AU2013204658B2; AU2015200484A1; AU2013204667B2; AU2013204667A1; AU2013204646A1

Abstract

A multi-game gaming machine includes a gaming console having a first display means an which a simulation of a game can be displayed housed in the console and a second display means also housed in the console4 A player input means and a control means are arranged in the console for controing images displayed on the first video display means. The gaining machine is arranged to allow a player to select a game to be played on the gaming machine from a plurality of difTerent games. The second video display unit displays information pertaining to the mutti-gane theme or advertisements for games playable on the machine displayed ogaher or in sequence one after another, when the gaming machine is not being played and/or when no game has been slecle,4 and when a game is selected, or played on the machine, the second video display unit displays at least second infbrnation associated with the selected game. The present invention provides significant advantages over existing multi gaming machines. It allows individual games accessible within a multi-game gaming machine to be advertised in addition to the multi-game gaming machine itself so that the games do not lose their identity within the multi-game machine, At the same time, it provides played the ability to view game information whilst playing the game.

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a gaming machine.

Background of the Invention

Players who regularly play gaming machines quickly tire of particular games and therefore it is necessary for manufacturers of these machines to develop innovative game features which add interest to the games. In so doing, it is hoped to keep players amused and therefore willing to continue playing the game as well as to attract new players .

Also, with the growth that has occurred in the gaming machine market, there is intense competition between manufacturers to supply various existing and new venues. When selecting a supplier of gaming machines, the operator of a venue will often pay close attention to the popularity of various games their patrons. Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise games and/or features which are popular with the players as a mechanism for improving sales, retaining customers and attracting new customers . "Multi—game" gaming machines are gaining machines that are capable of playing a number of games and allow a player to select a game they wish to play from a range of available games. When the gaming machine is not being played, the gaining machine's video screen displays a game selection screen offering a range of available games that the player can choose from. The gaming machine's art work is generally generic and usually only indicates that the game machine is a multi—game gaming machine.

Whilst multi-game gaming machines have an advantage over gaming machines which play only a single game in terms of enabling a smaller number of machines to provide a greater range of games so that a player is more likely to be able to locate the game which they prefer playing or wish to play, they have the disadvantage that the individual games played on the machine tend to lose their identity to the multi-game theme. Therefore, players cannot look at a bank of machines from across a club and see their favourite games. Instead, they see a multi-game theme and then have to look closely at the video screen to see what games are provided on that multi-game machine. Hence, operators are disadvantaged by not being able to advertise the games that the players may wish to play.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine including a controller and a touch sensitive electronic display, the controller being arranged to cause a game selection image to be displayed on the electronic display, the game selection image including a plurality of separate image elements including: a) a name of a game that is available for play on the gaming machine; and b) a set of different bet denominations for the game, wherein at least one of the sets of bet denominations of at least one of the separate image elements is different to the set of bet denominations of at least one other of the separate image elements, the gaming machine being further arranged to allow a player to select a game and a denomination by touching the touch sensitive electronic display where a respective denomination is displayed.

Optionally, in response to the player selecting a different bet denomination to a previously selected bet domination of the plurality of different bet denominations, the gaming machine is arranged to issue a prompt requesting the player to confirm a selected one of the different bet denominations.

Optionally, the gaming machine is arranged to allow the player to make a selection of the game, wherein in response to the selection the game controller is arranged to cause a game image to be displayed on the electronic display thereby replacing the game selection image on the touch sensitive electronic display, the game image depicting a previous outcome that was generated by the game .

Optionally, the gaming machine is arranged to allow the player to make a selection of the game, wherein in response to the selection the game controller is arranged to cause a game image to be displayed on the electronic display thereby replacing the game selection image on the touch sensitive electronic display, the game image depicting a previous outcome that was generated by the game.

Optionally, the controller is arranged, in response to a predefined event, to cause the game image displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display to be replaced with the game selection image displayed on the electronic display.

Preferably, each game includes a spinning reel game of chance on which the player can make a wager.

In an embodiment, at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination with a value higher than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.

In an embodiment, at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination with a value lower than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.

In an embodiment, the denominations of at least one set of bet denominations are each equal or greater in value to the denominations of another set of bet denominations.

Optionally, the gaming machine further comprises two sets of bet denominations having the same denominations

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of gaming including: causing a game selection image to be displayed on a touch sensitive electronic display, the game selection image including a plurality of separate image elements including: a) a name of a game that is available for play on the gaming machine and b) a set of different bet denominations for the game, wherein at least one of the sets of bet denominations of at least one of the separate image elements is different to the set of bet denominations of at least one other of the separate image elements; and wherein the player can select a game and a denomination by touching the touch sensitive electronic display where a respective denomination is displayed.

Optionally, the method comprises issuing a prompt requesting the player to confirm a selected one of the different bet denominations in response to the player selecting a different bet denomination to a previously selected bet domination of the plurality of different bet denominations .

Optionally, the method comprises allowing the player to make a selection of the game and, in response to the selection, causing a game image to be displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display thereby replacing the game selection image on the electronic display, the game image depicting a previous outcome that was generated by the game .

Optionally, the method comprises causing the game image displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display to be replaced on the electronic display with the game selection image in response to a predefined event.

In an embodiment, at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination greater in value than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.

In an embodiment, at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination lower in value than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.

Optionally, two sets of bet denominations have the same denominations .

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of gaming including: displaying a game selection image on a touch sensitive electronic display, the game selection image including a plurality of the separate image elements including: a) a name of a game that is available for play on the gaming machine and b) a set of different bet denominations for the game, wherein at least one of the sets of bet denominations of at least one of the separate image elements is different to the set of bet denominations of at least one other of the separate image elements; detecting a player input corresponding to a player touching a region of the touch sensitive electronic display; identifying a bet denomination and a game associated with the touched region of the touch sensitive electronic display; and presenting said game configured with said bet denomination associated with the region to the player on the touch sensitive electronic display.

Optionally, the method comprises issuing a prompt on said touch sensitive electronic display requesting the player to confirm a selected one of the different bet denominations in response to the said identified bet denomination being different to a previously selected bet domination of the plurality of different bet denominations .

Optionally, the method comprises causing the game image displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display to be replaced on the touch sensitive electronic display with the game selection image in response to a predefined event.

Optionally, two sets of bet denominations have the same denominations .

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a multi-game gaming machine incorporating a secondary display screen in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic, block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows generic artwork for a gaming machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a game display appearing on a main video screen of the gaming machine of Figure 1;

Figures 5 to 7 are exemplary advertisements for different games offered on the machine which may appear on secondary screen of the gaming machine of Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows an example of a main display which may appear on the main display of the gaming machine;

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a mid-trim of the gaming machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 illustrates a display of a pay table for a game being played on the gaming machine;

Figure 11 and Figure 12 show displays of rules for a game being played on the gaming machine;

Figure 13 shows a exemplary display which appears on the main screen of the gaming machine following the selection of a different bet option to that selected for Figure 8;

Figure 14 shows the associated dynamic associated pay table which appears when the different bet option is selected; and

Figure 15 is a flow chart setting out the operation of the gaming machine .

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1, reference number 10 generally designates a gaming machine, embodying the invention. The machine 10 includes a console 12 having a first or main display means in the form of a video display unit 14 on which a game 16 is played, in use. The video display unit 14 may be implemented as a cathode ray screen device, a liquid crystal display, a plasma screen, or the like. The game 16 is a spinning reel game which simulates the rotation of a number of spinning reels 18. A mid-trim 20 of the machine 10 houses a bank 22 of buttons for enabling a player to play the game 16. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24.1 and a bill collector 24.2.

The machine 10 includes a top box 26 on which a second or secondary display means in the form of a video display unit, most preferably an LCD display 28 is carried. The display may, for example, show advertisements, pay tables, or details of bonus awards, as is described in more detail below.

The belly 29 of the gaming machine displays artwork which is shown in more detail in Figure 3. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash payouts from the machine 10.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, a control means or control circuit 32 is illustrated. A program which implements the game and user interface is run on a processor 34 of the control circuit 32. The processor 34 forms part of a controller 36 that drives the screen of the video display unit 14 and that receives input signals from sensors 38. The sensors 38 include sensors associated with the bank 22 of buttons and touch sensors mounted in the screen of the video display unit 14. The controller 36 also receives input pulses from the mechanism 24 to determine whether or not a player has provided sufficient credit to commence playing. The mechanism 24 may, instead of the coin input chute 24.1 or the bill collector 24.2, or in addition thereto, be a credit card reader (not shown) or any other type of validation device.

Finally, the controller 36 drives a payout mechanism 40 which, for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the coin tray 30 to make a payout to a player when the player wishes to redeem his or her credits.

Figure 3 shows the artwork 48 which is displayed on the belly of the gaming machine which is static generic multigame artwork as is generally required in order to identify the gaming machine in most jurisdictions. Because of the position of the belly artwork and the way gaming machines are generally arranged in venues, the belly of a gaming machine is not usually particularly noticeable and artwork located in the belly of a gaming machine is not usually responsible for initially attracting a potential player to a particular machine.

The gaming machine 10 is configured to be able to play a plurality of games, typically, at least ten. A flow chart setting out the operation of the game is set out in Figure 15. The player chooses the game (box 102) that they wish to play on the gaming machine from a menu, displayed on a game selection screen on the main display 14. One example of a game selection screen 49 is shown in Figure 4 which offers four games, "Queen of the Nile 11", "Fortuna", Wild Panther" and "Indian Dreaming II" and for each game, discloses a series of denomination button icons 50 for each game, each denomination button icon indicating the value of a single credit for the applicable game. By touching one of the button icons, the player will be able to select the desired denomination of the game applicable to the associated game image. While in the game selection mode shown in Figure 4, generic multi-game art is displayed on the secondary display 28. This may be a static video representation of the same artwork 48 that appears in the belly of the gaming machine as shown in Figure 3.

When the machine has zero credits registered on its credit meter, it automatically reverts to the game selection screen 49 on the main display if it is not already being displayed (box 100 - Fig 15). The machine will then seek to attract potential players by commencing an animated sequence on the secondary display 28, referred to as an "attract mode". The animated sequence commences with generic multi-game artwork shown in Figure 3 and then cycles through a series of advertisements for the different games that are offered on the machine. Examples of how some of those advertisements might look are shown in Figures 5 to 7. Because of the predominant position of the secondary display means on the top box of the gaming machine, the attract mode will serve the purpose of advertising the different available games to potential players within the venue. Hence, although the machine is a multi-gaming machine, the games that are available on the gaming machine will still be clear to potential players, even from a distance. If the games are changed or updated in the gaming machine's software, the attract mode sequence will also be updated accordingly, and therefore potential players will be immediately aware that new games are present when they look at the machine.

Returning to Figure 4, when the player touches one of the denomination buttons 50 on the game selection screen, the main display will change to the game screen applicable to the selected game, and at the same time, the secondary display will change to apply solely to the selected game shown in Figure 1 (box 104 - Fig 15). In one embodiment, the secondary display shows the attract display for the applicable game. An example of the attract display for "INDIAN DREAMING" 54 is shown in Figure 5. If the secondary display, does display the attract display for the applicable game, the pay table and game information for playing the selected game will be shown on a help screen displayed on the main display means. Preferably though, the secondary display will show the pay table and game information for the selected game. This display will preferably remain on the secondary display for the duration of play of the selected game. The pay table may be dynamic in which case it will change slightly as games are played to accommodate the different bets selected as described in more detail below. Alternatively, there may be special feature events, that are displayed on the secondary display occurring during game play which temporarily replaces the pay table information.

By way of example, if the player touches the one "lc" button in the Indian Dreaming Section of the game selection screen shown in Figure 4, the main display changes to that shown in Figure 8. Note that the game displayed shows the outcome of the last game of Indian Dreaming that was played on the machine except that the credit meter will display the currently available credit. Hence, in Figure 8, the credit meter shows $2.10 i.e. 210 credits, which is the same number of credits shown on the game selection screen in Figure 4. The bet of ten credits represents a bet of one credit per reel cost on three reels at a cost of ten credits (standard reel power bet). The win meter reads zero since there was no winning combination in the last game played.

Note that the gaming machine is arranged so that when the player selects a game denomination e.g. "5c", if it differs from the last denomination that was played on the machine he will be asked to confirm his selection. For example if a "5c" game is selected after a "lc" game was last played the machine will display "5c game, are you sure? Y/N".

The bet buttons 56 are displayed as touch screen icons on the display screen 14. Since the gaming machine is a multi-game machine, the available buttons may differ for different games and therefore cannot be easily provided using mechanical buttons. In order to prevent the game screen becoming too cluttered, functions that remain consistent in the different games such as PLAY, GAMBLE, TAKE WIN, COLLECT, RESERVE, GAME RULES and GAME MENU, are provided on mechanical buttons 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, and 74 on the mid-trim 20 of the machine as shown in Figure 9. In the preferred embodiment, at the same time as the game screen of Figure 8 is shown on the main display, the secondary display 28 shows a pay table for the Indian Dreaming game being played along with all essential game information. Whilst this could be all the game information, it is most preferably a subset of the game information, that a player is most likely to want, or need to refer to whilst playing the game. A typical secondary display is shown in Figure 10.

All remaining game information that is not shown on the secondary display, appears on help screens that can be accessed in place of the game screen on the main display 14 in a standard way when the player presses the mechanical GAME RULES button 62. For example, if the player presses the GAME RULES button 62 once, the display shown in Figure 11 is displayed on the main screen 14.

Note that the secondary display shown in Figure 10 shows that 20, 15, or 10 free games are won when a combination of three or more scatters appears, but if a player wants full details about how the feature functions, they can access the help screen on the main display 14 by pressing button 62 to give them that information which results in the display shown in Figure 11 being shown on the main screen. When a player has finished reviewing the help screen, they can press any button to exit back to the game screen, or alternatively, can press the GAME RULES button 62 again to view additional rules information such as shown in Figure 12.

Thus, by providing some information on help screens and other information on the secondary display 28, the player can view necessary game information while playing the game, even for a very complicated game, without the game screen itself 14 becoming cluttered. The players watching the machine will also be able to view a full game package for the game being played in order to understand the game as they watch. This allows observers to identify the games being played by others in order to be able to find the same game elsewhere in the venue if they decide that they wish to play it. The display pay table is also preferably dynamic and as the player selects different bet options, they are reflected on the game screen and secondary display 28 after a new bet is placed.

For jurisdictional reasons, the credit bet and win information does not change but for example, if the player were to touch the BET PER REEL COST button 56 displaying the numeral "2" followed by the REELS TO PLAY button 58 labelled "1-5" shown in Figure 8, the main display will change to that shown in Figure 13. Note that the reels cost for betting on 1 to 5 reels is thirty credits for the reel power game displayed. At the same time, the secondary display changes to that shown in Figure 14.

The present invention provides significant advantages over existing multi-gaming machines. It allows individual games accessible within a multi-game gaming machine to be advertised in addition to the multi-game gaming machine itself so that the games do not lose their identity within the multi-game machine. At the same time, it provides players the ability to view game information whilst playing the game .

It provides a benefit to a venue operator because players know exactly what games are available on a gaming machine embodying the present invention, even from a distance and therefore may be attracted by the machine. The player also benefits since they are allowed to refer to prizes and game information whilst playing the gaming machine which on the secondary display rather than the main game screen where it would clutter up the main game screen and create confusion. A potential player of the game benefits since game information mentioning a game is displayed so that they can follow what is happening, and know what game is being played and in which game mode the game is being played.

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 without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive .

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires 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.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A gaming machine including a controller and a touch sensitive electronic display, the controller being arranged to cause a game selection image to be displayed on the electronic display, the game selection image including a plurality of separate image elements including: a) a name of a game that is available for play on the gaming machine; and b) a set of different bet denominations for the game, wherein at least one of the sets of bet denominations of at least one of the separate image elements is different to the set of bet denominations of at least one other of the separate image elements, the gaming machine being further arranged to allow a player to select a game and a denomination by touching the touch sensitive electronic display where a respective denomination is displayed.
2. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein in response to the player selecting a different bet denomination to a previously selected bet domination of the plurality of different bet denominations, the gaming machine is arranged to issue a prompt requesting the player to confirm a selected one of the different bet denominations .
3. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the gaming machine is arranged to allow the player to make a selection of the game, wherein in response to the selection the game controller is arranged to cause a game image to be displayed on the electronic display thereby replacing the game selection image on the touch sensitive electronic display, the game image depicting a previous outcome that was generated by the game .
4. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is arranged, in response to a predefined event, to cause the game image displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display to be replaced with the game selection image displayed on the electronic display.
5. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each game includes a spinning reel game of chance on which the player can make a wager.
6. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the previous clams, wherein at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination with a value lower than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.
7. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination with a value higher than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.
8. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the denominations of at least one set of bet denominations are each equal or greater in value to the denominations of another set of bet denominations.
9. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two sets of bet denominations having the same denominations .
10. A method of gaming including: causing a game selection image to be displayed on a touch sensitive electronic display, the game selection image including a plurality of separate image elements including: a) a name of a game that is available for play on the gaming machine and b) a set of different bet denominations for the game, wherein at least one of the sets of bet denominations of at least one of the separate image elements is different to the set of bet denominations of at least one other of the separate image elements; and wherein the player can select a game and a denomination by touching the touch sensitive electronic display where a respective denomination is displayed.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, comprising issuing a prompt requesting the player to confirm a selected one of the different bet denominations in response to the player selecting a different bet denomination to a previously selected bet domination of the plurality of different bet denominations.
12. The method as claimed in either one of claims 10 and 11, comprising allowing the player to make a selection of the game and, in response to the selection, causing a game image to be displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display thereby replacing the game selection image on the electronic display, the game image depicting a previous outcome that was generated by the game.
13. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising causing the game image displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display to be replaced on the electronic display with the game selection image in response to a predefined event.
14. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein each game includes a spinning reel game of chance on which the player can make a wager.
15. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination greater in value than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.
16. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination lower in value than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.
17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the denominations of at least one set of bet denominations are each equal or greater in value to the denominations of another set of bet denominations.
18. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17, comprising two sets of bet denominations having the same denominations .
19. A method of gaming including: displaying a game selection image on a touch sensitive electronic display, the game selection image including a plurality of the separate image elements including: a) a name of a game that is available for play on the gaming machine and b) a set of different bet denominations for the game, wherein at least one of the sets of bet denominations of at least one of the separate image elements is different to the set of bet denominations of at least one other of the separate image elements; detecting a player input corresponding to a player touching a region of the touch sensitive electronic display; identifying a bet denomination and a game associated with the touched region of the touch sensitive electronic display; and presenting said game configured with said bet denomination associated with the region to the player on the touch sensitive electronic display.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, comprising issuing a prompt on said touch sensitive electronic display requesting the player to confirm a selected one of the different bet denominations in response to the said identified bet denomination being different to a previously selected bet domination of the plurality of different bet denominations.
21. The method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 30, comprising causing the game image displayed on the touch sensitive electronic display to be replaced on the touch sensitive electronic display with the game selection image in response to a predefined event.
22. The method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein each game includes a spinning reel game of chance on which the player can make a wager.
23. The method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination greater in value than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.
24. The method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein at least one set of bet denominations has a denomination lower in value than each denomination of another set of bet denominations.
25. The method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the denominations of at least one set of bet denominations are each equal or greater in value to the denominations of another set of bet denominations.
26. The method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 25, comprising two sets of bet denominations having the same denominations .