(12) United States Patent
`Walker et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 111111111111111 11111 1111111111 11111111
`US006234896Bl
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`May 22, 2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) SLOT DRIVEN VIDEO STORY
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Ridgefield; James A.
`Jorasch, Stamford; Thomas M.
`Sparico, Riverside; Jesse M. Fink,
`Wilton, all of CT (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC, Stamford, CT
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros(cid:173)
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53( d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/832,723
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 11, 1997
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................................................ A63F 9/24
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................. 463/16; 463/30
`(58) Field of Search .................................. 463/16-22, 31;
`273/143 R, 139, 138.1, 138.2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1997 Brettschneider ...................... D21/37
`D. 378,604
`4,375,286 * 3/1983 Setiz et al. .
`4,553,748 * 11/1985 Allen et al. ............................ 463/36
`4,618,150 * 10/1986 Kimura .
`4,799,683
`1/1989 Bruner, Jr ........................ 273/138 A
`4,839,743
`6/1989 Best et al. ............................ 358/310
`5,127,651 * 7/1992 Okada .
`5,142,358 * 8/1992 Jason .
`5,259,613
`11/1993 Marnell, II ....................... 273/138 A
`5,373,440 * 12/1994 Cohen et al. .
`5,393,061 * 2/1995 Manship et al. .
`5,411,258
`5/1995 Wilson et al.
`..................... 273/86 B
`5,423,539
`6/1995 Nagao .............................. 273/143 R
`
`GAMING rEM 10
`
`SLOTNETWORK
`SERVER
`
`5,449,173 * 9/1995 Thomas et al..
`5,472,195 * 12/1995 Takemoto et al. .
`5,488,411
`1/1996 Lewis ....................................... 348/8
`5,494,287 * 2/1996 Manz .
`5,508,731
`4/1996 Kohorn.
`5,513,846
`5/1996 Niederlein et al. .
`5,514,846
`5/1996 Niederlein et al. .............. 273/143 R
`5,579,537
`11/1996 Takahisa .
`5,612,730
`3/1997 Lewis ....................................... 348/8
`5,630,754
`5/1997 Rebane ..................................... 463/9
`5,664,998 * 9/1997 Seelig et al. .
`5,664,999 * 9/1997 Kurihara .
`5,697,843 * 12/1997 Manship et al. .
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2072395 * 9/1981 (GB) .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Atronic Casion Technology Brochure Oct. 1995. *
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Mark A Sager
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Steven M. Santisi
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A gaming system includes a network server connected to a
`plurality of gaming devices that are adapted to provide a
`video payout on each play based on a set of payout param(cid:173)
`eters. Memory at each gaming device stores payout param(cid:173)
`eters that correspond to each possible gaming result or
`outcome. When a play is initiated by a player, a gaming
`result is generated at a gaming device. The gaming device
`responds by accessing a corresponding payout parameter
`from the memory which may be a monetary amount, a video
`presentation segment or a combination thereof. If the payout
`is video, the network server receives the payout parameter
`and transmits video presentation segment to the gaming
`device accordingly. The gaming device then provides a
`video payout, in the form of displayed video presentation, to
`the player. The player thus receives at least one form of
`payment on each play.
`
`48 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`ll
`
`30
`
`SLOT NETWORK INTERFACE
`
`PLAYER ID NUMBER
`OUTCOMEDATA .---~---.
`
`SLOT MACHINE
`
`SLOT MACHINE
`
`SLOT MACHINE
`
`CASINO PLAYER DATABASE 40
`
`NAME
`
`PLAYER ID
`NUMBER
`
`BOB SMITH
`
`4356-ABC
`
`DOUG JONES
`
`1234-FVT
`
`ADDRESS
`
`PREFERRED
`VIDEO
`CATEGORIES
`124 MAIN ST. COMEDY
`ANYTOWN
`345 MAIN ST. SPORTS
`SOMETOWN
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`
`~ '° a-...
`
`_,.,l;,,.
`~
`N
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`'"""'
`'"""'
`'"""' 0 ....,
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`'"""'
`0
`0
`N
`~N
`N
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`18
`
`SLOT MACHINE
`
`•
`
`FIG. 1
`
`lg_
`
`14
`
`SLOT MACHINE
`
`SLOT MACHINE
`
`*
`
`OUTCOME DATA
`PLAYER ID NUMBER
`
`•
`
`VIDEO CLIP
`
`j
`
`___,,,, i-(cid:173)
`
`J~
`
`30
`
`11
`
`SLOT NETWORK INTERFACE
`
`~-'-
`
`SLOT NETWORK
`
`SERVER
`
`GAMING SYSTEM 10
`
`~
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`VIDEO DISPLAY AREA
`
`20
`
`SLOT MACHINE 14
`
`f PLAYER
`
`TRACKING
`D)ICE
`
`VIDEO
`DRIVER
`
`I
`
`RAM
`
`I
`
`CLOCK
`
`FIRST
`REEL
`
`SECOND
`REEL
`
`THIRD
`REEL
`
`I
`
`I
`
`ROM
`
`I
`
`CPU
`
`I I
`
`REEL
`CONTROLLER
`
`~
`
`4
`
`CARD
`READER
`26
`
`I ~
`
`8
`22
`
`RANDOM
`NUMBER
`GENERATOR
`
`OPERATING
`SYSTEM
`
`~
`
`HOPPER --
`
`CONTROLLER
`I
`
`HOPPER
`
`r--......
`
`DATA STORAGE
`DEVICE
`
`5
`
`PROBABILITY TABLE (
`34
`
`DISPLAY CONTROL
`32
`
`(
`
`STARTING
`CONTROLLER
`
`- INTERFACE
`
`SLOT
`NETWORK
`
`30
`
`( PAYOUTTABLE
`
`( )
`36
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`SLOT NETWORK SERVER
`
`f 12
`
`0
`LJ
`
`~
`LJ
`
`0
`
`56
`
`Q
`LJ
`
`COMM.
`PORT
`
`52
`
`CLOCK
`
`OPERATING
`SYSTEM
`
`DATA STORAGE DEVICE
`54
`
`SLOT MACHINE
`NETWORK
`30
`
`VIDEO PROCESSOR
`SUBROUTINE
`
`38
`
`CASINO PLAYER
`DATABASE
`
`GAMING SESSION
`DATABASE
`
`42
`
`(
`
`VIDEO DATABASE« ( )
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`CASINO PLAYER DATABASE 40
`
`NAME
`
`PLAYER ID
`NUMBER
`
`BOB SMITH
`
`4356-ABC
`
`DOUG JONES
`
`1234-FVT
`
`ADDRESS
`
`PREFERRED
`VIDEO
`CATEGORIES
`124 MAIN ST. COMEDY
`ANYTOWN
`345 MAIN ST. SPORTS
`SOMETOWN
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`'° O'I
`0'J
`,I;;..
`~
`N
`O'I
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`'"""'
`'"""'
`0 ....,
`Ul
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`'"""'
`0
`0
`N
`~N
`N
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`FIG. 5
`
`VR GOGGLES
`
`SCREEN
`VIDEO
`
`31 SECONDS
`
`2 MINS. AND
`
`46 SECS.
`
`AD5643
`
`1234-FVT ADVENTURE
`
`IGT 45DE
`
`50BGCRP
`
`SP2345
`
`SPORTS
`
`4356-ABC
`
`BALLY 2A
`
`RIXSCPU
`
`DEVICE
`OUTPUT
`
`CLIP VIEWED
`AMOUNT OF
`
`ALREADY
`
`NUMBER
`VIDEO ID
`
`NUMBER
`PLAYER ID
`
`MACHINE
`
`SLOT
`
`TYPE
`
`ID NUMBER
`MACHINE
`
`SLOT
`
`GAMING SESSION DATABASE 42
`
`i
`
`CATEGORY
`
`VIDEO
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`LENGTH
`(TIME)
`20 MINUTES
`
`15 MINUTES
`
`VIDEO DATABASE 44
`
`i
`
`TITLE
`
`VIDEO ID
`NUMBER
`SP2345
`
`CATEGORY
`
`SPORTS
`
`AD5643
`
`ADVENTURE
`
`1996 BASEBALL
`HIGH LIGHTS
`AMAZON
`JOURNEY
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`SLOT MACHINE PAYOUT TABLE 36
`
`REEL OUTCOME
`3 BARS
`3 CHERRIES
`3 LEMONS
`3 BELLS
`2 BARS & CHERRY
`2 CH ER RIES & BAR
`2 BELLS & LEMON
`2 PEACH ES &BELL
`All others (losing
`combinations)
`
`1 COIN
`50
`25
`15
`10
`5
`1
`30 SEC. VIDEO
`15 SEC. VIDEO
`10 SEC. VIDEO
`
`~
`
`2 COINS
`100
`50
`30
`20
`10
`2
`60 SEC. VIDEO
`30 SEC. VIDEO
`20 SEC. VIDEO
`
`3 COINS
`150
`75
`45
`30
`15
`3
`90 SEC. VIDEO
`45 SEC. VIDEO
`30 SEC. VIDEO
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`PLAYER INSERTS PLAYER TRACKING
`CARD INTO SLOT MACHINE PLAYER
`TRACKING CARD READER
`
`SLOT MACHINE TRANSMITS PLAYER ID
`NUMBER TO SLOT NETWORK SERVER
`
`SLOT NETWORK SERVER RETRIEVES
`PLAYER ID NUMBER IN SESSION
`DATABASE
`
`NO
`
`SLOT NETWORK
`SERVER
`GENERATES NEW
`SESSION RECORD
`68
`
`EXISTING
`ION REC
`
`YES
`
`SLOT NETWORK SERVER RETRIEVES VIDEO
`ID NUMBER AND AMOUNT OF CLIP
`ALREADY VIEWED
`
`70
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`PLAYER INITIATES SLOT MACHINE
`PLAY
`
`SLOT MACHINE GENERATES RANDOM
`NUMBER AND ASSIGNS A
`CORRESPONDING OUTCOME
`
`SLOT MACHINE LOOKS UP PAYOUT
`IN PAYOUT TABLE
`
`72
`
`74
`
`76
`
`,-
`
`NO
`
`SLOT MACHINE TRANSMITS VIDEO PAYOUT
`VALUE TO NETWORK SERVER
`
`FIG. 9
`
`77
`~ - - - - 7
`SLOT MACHINE
`PAYS PLAYER
`BASED ON
`WINNING OUTCOME I
`I
`80
`
`PLAYER INITIATES I
`NEXT PLAY
`
`I
`82 I
`
`I_ -
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`.....J
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`NETWORK SERVER RECEIVES VIDEO PAYOUT
`VALUE AND ACCESSES SESSION DATABASE
`
`86
`
`,r
`
`NETWORK SERVER CALCULATES START
`POINT AND END POINT OF VIDEO TO BE
`TRANSMITTED BASED ON SIZE OF VIDEO
`PAYOUT VALUE AND AMOUNT OF CLIP
`ALREADY VIEWED
`88
`
`, '
`NETWORK SERVER QUEUES NEXT :XX
`SECONDS OF VIDEO CLIP IN SEQUENCE
`
`, ,
`
`NETWORK SERVER TRANSMITS VIDEO
`CLIP TO SLOT MACHINE
`
`90
`
`92
`
`'
`NETWORK SERVER UPDATES AMOUNT OF
`CLIP VIEWED FIELD IN SESSION DATABASE
`TO REFLECT THE ADDITIONAL TIME
`TRANSMITTED
`
`94
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 22, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`SLOT MACHINE RECEIVES VIDEO CLIP
`
`96
`
`'
`REELS STOP SPINNING AND OUTCOME IS
`DISPLAYED TO PLAYER
`(REEL POSITIONS DISPLAYED)
`
`98
`
`1
`
`PLAYER PRESSES BUTTON OR PULLS
`HANDLE TO INITIATE ANOTHER PLAY
`
`100
`
`,.
`
`SLOT MACHINE PLAYS VIDEO CLIP FOR
`PLAYER WHILE REELS ARE SPINNING
`
`102
`
`FIG. 11
`
`

`

`2
`wherein the video presentation is output as a form of a
`low-level non-monetary winning.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a gaming
`system, wherein a player can terminate a video presentation
`5 at a gaming device and can resume display of the video
`presentation from the point of termination, at another time or
`gaming device.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a gaming
`device for provision of a video presentation wherein the
`10 video presentation can be used as part of a skill-game
`puzzle, with a prize structure separate from the gaming
`device.
`A further object of this invention is to provide a gaming
`15 system which provides a payout, either as a monetary award
`or as a displayed video presentation, on each play, based on
`a set of payout conditions.
`A gaming system includes a network server connected to
`a plurality of gaming devices that are adapted to provide a
`video payout on each play based on a set of payout param(cid:173)
`eters. Memory at each gaming device stores payout param(cid:173)
`eters that correspond to each possible gaming result or
`outcome. When a play is initiated by a player, a gaming
`result is generated at a gaming device. The gaming device
`responds by accessing a corresponding payout parameter
`from the memory which may be a monetary amount, a video
`presentation segment or a combination thereof. If the payout
`is video, the network server receives the payout parameter
`and transmits a video presentation segment to the gaming
`device accordingly. The gaming device then provides a
`video payout, in the form of a displayed video presentation,
`to the player. The player thus receives at least one form of
`payment on each play.
`
`30
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network with a network
`server that cooperates with a plurality of slot machines to
`provide video payouts to players for each slot machine play.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a slot machine with video
`capability.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the slot network server.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a player
`database
`maintained in the network server.
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a session
`maintained in the network server.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a video
`maintained in the network server.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a payout table database
`maintained in the slot machine.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a logic flow diagram of the initiation of
`a slot machine play.
`FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate a logic flow diagram of the
`operation of a slot machine play.
`
`database
`
`database
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Slot machines provide an important source of revenue for
`the gaming industry. For that reason, gaming establishments
`constantly search for new gaming strategies and features to
`provide additional incentives for slot machine players to
`continue play. Some gaming devices now provide video or
`graphical information to entertain a player during play. For
`instance, some slot machines provide "Dotmation", a com(cid:173)
`puter controlled LED display, that ties a game to an ani(cid:173)
`mated character. Such a system is currently utilized in 20
`"Piggy Bankin", wherein a pig dances around an LED
`display screen as the slot machine play ensues.
`Another approach is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,613,
`entitled "Casino and Entertainment System", wherein gam(cid:173)
`ing devices are furnished with audio/video communication 25
`equipment that is connected to a central control station. The
`control station selectively engages in both voice and video
`communication with the players at each individual slot
`machine. Live sporting events and even daytime soap opera
`television can be displayed.
`It is also known that some gaming devices provide an
`increased probability of winning to attract players. For
`example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,539 (Nagao) entitled "Slot
`Machine with Payout Modifying Symbols" describes a 35
`gaming device in which a player wins by obtaining a certain
`combination of characters associated with a winning table
`(e.g., the various winning combinations). The gaming sys(cid:173)
`tem includes a wild card which may be substituted for any
`character and, thus, increases the probability of a player 40
`receiving a winning combination of characters.
`Gaming devices have also been known to provide com(cid:173)
`plimentary points for players who are members of slot clubs.
`These slot clubs provide the player with a slot tracking card
`which when inserted into the slot machine rewards the 45
`player with comp points for each handle pull or game play.
`These points, which may be redeemed for some prize or gift,
`are part of casino programs used to attract players. Compli(cid:173)
`mentary points are automatically provided to a player simply
`for initiating a gaming play, (e.g., paying a monetary sum to 50
`begin a play), but do not form part of the prize structure of
`the underlying game. In other words, complimentary points
`are provided to a player regardless of the gaming result. In
`most cases, the monetary sum paid by the player into the slot
`machine determines the amount of complimentary points to 55
`be provided by the casino.
`There is a continuing desire on the part of gaming
`establishments to enhance the playing and winning experi(cid:173)
`ence at slot machines with video or graphic information.
`
`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`1
`SLOT DRIVEN VIDEO STORY
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to a gaming system which provides
`a payout far each play and, more particularly, to a system
`which selectively provides a video presentation to a user, as
`a form of non-monetary compensation, in accordance with
`criteria such as player identification data and a gaming
`result.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
`gaming device which contains a payout table which results
`in a player receiving a "payout" for every possible gaming
`result.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a system for
`provision of a video presentation to slot machine players,
`
`Before proceeding with a detailed description of a pre-
`60 ferred embodiment of the present invention, it is well to
`define certain terms as used herein. Although the embodi(cid:173)
`ments discussed herein are directed to slot machines, it is to
`be understood that the present invention is equally appli(cid:173)
`cable to other gaming devices, such as video poker
`65 machines, video blackjack machines, video roulette
`machines, video keno machines, video bingo machines, and
`the like.
`
`

`

`US 6,234,896 Bl
`
`3
`The term "video presentation" or "video information"
`when used to describe a payout refers to a movie, music
`video, soap opera, sporting event, or other video entertain(cid:173)
`ment material. This video information is presented via a
`video display.
`The term "resume code" will be used hereafter to refer to
`data, provided to a player upon a termination of a video
`presentation, which allows the player to resume display of
`the video presentation at another time or gaming device.
`That is to say, in certain cases, a player may desire to
`terminate display of the video presentation before the entire
`video presentation has been viewed. In such a case, the
`resume code allows a player to continue display of the video
`presentation, from the point of termination, at another time
`or gaming device. The resume code may take the form of 15
`any combination of characters (e.g., ABCDl, $%jl, etc.).
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system 10 in
`accordance with the present invention. Gaming system 10
`includes a network server 12 which is connected to a
`plurality of slot machines 14, 16, 18 via a slot network
`interface 30. Each slot machine 14, 16, 18 is adapted to
`receive player data, (e.g., a Player ID Number), and to
`generate a gaming result and a corresponding payout param(cid:173)
`eter for each play. The player data and payout parameters
`from each slot machine 14, 16, 18 are respectively trans- 25
`mitted to network server 12, via network interface 30.
`Network server 12 receives the player data and payout
`parameters and selects a video presentation for each respec(cid:173)
`tive slot machine based on the player data and payout
`parameters. The selected video presentation is then
`transmitted, via slot network interface 30, to the appropriate
`slot machine 14, 16, 18 for display. Instead of storing the
`video presentation in network server 12 and transmitting the
`video information to slot machine 14, 16, 18, the video
`information can be stored locally in each slot machine 14,
`16, 18 for subsequent display.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a slot machine 14.
`Slot machine 14 is configured in a manner known in the
`prior art, except for a display control subroutine 32, a 40
`probability database 34 and a payout database 36. Player
`tracking device 22 includes a display 24, a card reader 26
`and buttons 28 ("soft" or "hard") for enabling a player to
`input data into slot machine 14. It should be noted that
`"buttons" can refer to a touchscreen button or a physical 45
`button on the outside of the machine casing. A video display
`area 20 may also be provided in slot machine 14, but may
`not be externally accessed by network server 12. If this is the
`case, display 24 is used to display downloaded video infor(cid:173)
`mation (e.g., movies, music videos, etc.) and further mes- 50
`sages to the player. Each of the remaining submodules
`within slot machine 14 is known to those skilled in the art
`and requires no detailed discussion.
`Display control subroutine 32 controls the operation of
`tracking device 22, including card reader 26 and buttons 28.
`When a player inputs a selection or other data via buttons 28,
`such entry is recognized by display control subroutine 32,
`which causes the resident CPU in slot machine 14 to
`configure the entered data for transmission over slot network
`interface 30 to network server 12.
`Network server 12 includes a video processor subroutine
`38 which is stored therein or which can be loaded there into
`via a magnetic disk 56 (FIG. 3). The video processor
`subroutine 38, in combination with the network server
`hardware, provides control and updating of connected
`databases, and selection and transmission of video presen(cid:173)
`tation material to connected slot machines. The video pro-
`
`4
`cessor subroutine 38 further processes input signals from the
`players at the respective slot machines.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a representative
`network server 12. Network server 12 includes a central
`5 processor unit (CPU) 46 which is coupled to a random
`access memory (RAM) 48, a read only memory (ROM) 50
`and a communication port 52 which provides interconnec(cid:173)
`tion to slot machine interface 30. A data storage device 54
`provides memory capacity for a video processor subroutine
`10 38, a casino player database 40, a gaming session database
`42 and a video database 44.
`A schematic illustration of the contents of the casino
`player database 40 is found in FIG. 4 and preferably includes
`Name; Player Identification (ID) Number; Address; and
`Preferred Video Categories. Most of the contents of player
`database 40 are self explanatory and require no further
`description. The Preferred Video Categories identifies types
`of video information, ( e.g., sports, adventure, etc.). In
`essence, player database 40 provides sufficient information
`20 to enable network server 12 to perform the invention hereof
`without requiring any further data from the player.
`Gaming session database 42 is schematically shown in
`FIG. 5 and includes the following data:
`Slot Machine Identification (ID) Number;
`Slot Machine Type;
`Player ID Number;
`Video Category;
`Video Identification (ID) Number;
`Amount of Clip Viewed Already; and
`Output Device.
`Most of the contents of session database are self-explanatory
`and require no further description. Slot Machine Type iden(cid:173)
`tifies the make and model of the slot machine being played.
`Video ID Number identifies a particular video previously
`viewed by the player. "Amount of Clip Viewed Already"
`indicates how much of the video information has been
`previously viewed by the player. Output Device indicates
`the type of display device used for each particular video
`information source (e.g., display screen, Virtual-Reality
`glasses, etc.).
`Video database 44 is shown in FIG. 6 and has fields
`including Video ID Number, Category, Title and Length
`(time). Video ID Number identifies a particular video pre(cid:173)
`sentation. Category classifies the type of video presentation,
`( e.g., action, sports, etc.) Title is the title of each video
`presentation. Finally, Length(Time) indicates the length of
`time of the entire video presentation.
`FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a payout database 36 and
`includes Reel Outcome, 1 Coin, 2 Coins and 3 Coins fields.
`The Reel Outcome field identifies all possible permutations
`of gaming results for slot machine 14. The 1 Coins through
`3 Coins fields correspond to payout parameters (e.g., pre-
`ss determined payout) associated with each possible gaming
`result. That is to say, every possible combination of gaming
`outcome in the Reel Outcome field is associated with a
`payout parameter, thereby ensuring that each slot machine
`play results in payout, ( e.g., at least a presentation of video
`60 information.) For instance, a player, inserting three coins
`and receiving a gaming result of 2 Bells & a Lemon, will
`receive 45 seconds worth of a video presentation.
`Before proceeding with a description of the operation of
`the first embodiment of the invention, it should be under-
`65 stood that in a preferred embodiment each slot machine is
`configured to provide at least a video payout (e.g., a video
`presentation), on each slot machine play, in addition to
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`conventional payouts (e.g., a monetary sum) that are com(cid:173)
`monly provided by slot machines. Therefore, a player
`always wins at least a video payout on each play. In alternate
`embodiments, the invention includes payouts of video infor(cid:173)
`mation as the only payout, and/or video payouts supplemen(cid:173)
`tal to normal cash payouts but without a win on every play.
`Turning now to FIGS. 8 through 11, the operation of the
`first embodiment of the invention will be described. Initially,
`each slot machine 14, 16, 18 has had loaded and stored
`therein probability table 34, payout table 36 and display
`control subroutine 32. The network server 12 also has had
`loaded and stored therein video processor subroutine 38
`player database 40, session database 42 and video database
`44. Such stored databases enable network server 12 to
`selectively provide a video presentation to players at each
`individual slot machines 14, 16, 18.
`As shown in FIG. 8, a player begins a slot machine play
`session by inserting a player tracking card (not shown) into
`card reader 26 of slot machine 14 (Box 60). The player
`tracking card stores at least a Player ID Number and may
`also store monetary credit information. Slot machine 14
`transmits the Player ID Number to network server 12 over
`slot network interface 30 (Box 62). Network server 12
`receives the Player ID Number, accesses session database 42
`(Box 64) and determines whether a session record exists for
`the Player ID Number (Box 66). If a session record exists,
`network server 12 retrieves the Video ID Number and
`Amount of Clip Already Viewed that are associated with the
`Player ID Number (Box 70). Otherwise, network server 12
`generates a new session record in session database 42, for
`the new Player ID Number (Box 68). Such an arrangement
`allows a player to resume display of a video presentation at
`a future play session and, thus, provides additional incentive
`for a player to resume slot machine play.
`While not shown in FIG. 8, slot machine 14 may utilize
`other methods for receiving player data. For instance, a
`player can manually input a resume code or Player ID
`Number (as described above), instead of utilizing a player
`tracking card. The resume code or Player ID Number would
`be provided to a player upon a termination of a video
`presentation by the player. A player can then input the
`resume code or Player ID Number, via buttons 28, at another
`time or gaming device and resume display of the video
`presentation from the point of termination. As with the
`player tracking card embodiment described above, the
`player provided Player ID Number or resume code is
`likewise transmitted to network server 12 for processing.
`Thereafter, a player can commence slot machine play, as
`shown in FIGS. 9 through 11. A player initiates a slot
`machine play by pulling a handle or pushing a "spin reels" 50
`button (Box 72). Slot machine 14 then generates a random
`number and assigns a corresponding outcome to the random
`number (Box 74). The CPU of slot machine 14 accesses
`payout database 36, locates the particular gaming result
`under Reel Outcome field and assigns a corresponding
`payout parameter from either the 1 Coin, 2 Coins or 3 Coins
`field accordingly (Box 76). The payout parameter is then
`transmitted to network server 12.
`Network server 12 receives the payout parameter and
`accesses session database 42 (Box 86). Based on the Player
`ID Number, network server 12 selects a video presentation
`accordingly. For example, the network server would select
`video presentation SP2345, a sports video, for Player ID
`Number 4356-ABC.
`Network server 12 (FIG. 10) then calculates a start point
`and an end point of video presentation to be transmitted to
`slot machine 14 based on the payout parameter (e.g., 45
`
`6
`seconds of video presentation) and an amount of video
`presentation already viewed by the player (Box 88). Other
`gaming results or player factors may also be considered in
`calculating the length of video presentation. For example,
`the length of a play session or player status ( e.g., preferred
`player) could extend the length of the presentation.
`Network server 12 then queues the next portion of the
`video presentation in sequence for transmission (Box 90)
`and transmits the video presentation to slot machine 14 (Box
`92). After transmission, the Amount Of Clip Viewed field of
`session database 42 is updated to reflect the additional time
`period of transmitted video presentation (Box 94).
`Thereafter, slot machine 14 receives the video presenta(cid:173)
`tion from network server 12 (Box 96) and the reels stop
`spinning to display the gaming result to the player (Box 98).
`15 The video presentation is then displayed on display 24 of
`slot machine 14 (Box 102), and a player can initiate the next
`slot machine play (Box 100), as the video presentation is
`displayed. Note that a player continuously playing a slot
`machine ( e.g., initiating one slot machine play after another)
`20 will receive a continuous video stream of video presentation.
`In a second embodiment of the present invention, slot
`machine 14 utilizes the video presentation to provide an
`additional puzzle-type game. Each video presentation por(cid:173)
`tion (e.g., video clip) displayed to the player upon a non-
`25 monetary payout parameter provides a clue for solving a
`puzzle. The puzzle may be a murder mystery, trivia game,
`etc. After each displayed video presentation portion, the
`player is instructed over display 24 to solve the puzzle, for
`example, by selecting one of multiple answer choices which
`30 is then compared with a pre-defined answer or player input
`associated with the displayed video presentation. Such a
`gaming feature may be a form of payout in itself or may
`provide a prize structure of its own.
`In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, slot
`35 machine 14 provides either a monetary payout or a video
`payout, for each slot machine play. The payout is based on
`the gaming result and the corresponding payout parameter
`from payout database 36. Note that the video payouts are
`provided for each gaming result that typically provides no
`40 monetary payout, (e.g., a losing gaming result or outcome.)
`For instance, a gaming result corresponding to 3 Bars would
`result in a monetary payout to the player, whereas 2 Peaches
`& 1 Bell would result in a video payout to the player.
`Payout database 36 (FIG. 7) is adapted to include mon-
`45 etary payout parameters and video payout parameters. Each
`possible gaming result or combination in payout database 36
`has a corresponding payout parameter, either as a monetary
`payout parameter (e.g., cash or credit) or a video payout
`parameter ( e.g., video presentation).
`Slot machine 14 is adapted to identify an occurrence of a
`monetary payout parameter as compared to a video payout
`parameter and to provide a corresponding payout to the
`player. Referring to FIG. 9, such an arrangement is accom(cid:173)
`plished by incorporating additional steps to the operation of
`55 the invention described above, as indicated by the reference
`number 77 (FIG. 9). Specifically, after a gaming result is
`generated and a corresponding payout parameter is selected
`from payout database 26 (Boxes 74, 76), slot machine 14
`determines whether the payout parameter is a monetary
`60 payout parameter or a video payout parameter (Box 78).
`If the payout parameter is monetary, slot machine 14 can
`issue the monetary payout, either as cash or locally stored
`machine credits (Box 80). Cash can be directly dispensed to
`the player or credited to an account maintained locally at the
`65 machine or remotely at the server. In any case, after a
`monetary payout is issued, a player can then initiate the next
`slot machine play (Box 82).
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`If the payout parameter is a video payout, slot machine 14
`transmits the payout parameter to network server 12 (Box
`84). At this point, network server 12 performs the same
`operations as those described above for the first embodiment
`(FIGS. 10 and 11), namely, selecting a segment of video 5
`presentation and transmitting it back to slot machine 14 for
`display.
`Although slot machine 14, in this case, provides either a
`video payout or a monetary payout, other payouts or com(cid:173)
`bination of payouts may also be provided. Such payouts may 10
`include a free play, frequent flyer miles, etc. Payout database
`36, likewise, would be adapted to include additional payout
`parameters; and gaming system 10 would be configured to
`provide these additional forms of payment. For example,
`frequent flyer miles could be provided in the same manner 15
`as monetary credits. In each case, however, the payout, its
`type and amount is derived from the payout database, (e.g.,
`a payout table), and may also be dependent upon the Player
`ID Number.
`In summary, the present invention provides a gaming 20
`system wherein a player always wins a prize, in the form of
`selected video presentation (e.g., a movie, music video,
`etc.), for each play of a gaming device. The prize structure
`is based on the gaming result or outcome generated during
`the play. Such a gaming system may also provide other
`prizes such as a monetary sum, frequent flyer miles, a free
`pull, etc.
`It should be understood that the forgoing description is
`only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and
`modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art 30
`without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the
`present invention is intended to embrace all such
`alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within
`the scope of the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of operating a gaming device, comprising:
`receiving from a player an input to initiate play of the
`gaming device;
`determining a category of video inform