AU2013101723A4 - A system and method for awarding a plurality of prizes - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for awarding a plurality of prizes, the system including: a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine providing an individual game of chance to a player wagering at each respective gaming machine; a communal jackpot controller in communication with each of the gaming machines, the communal jackpot controller providing a chance to play a communal jackpot game to the players wagering at each gaming machine, the communal jackpot controller awarding the chance to play the communal jackpot game to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game; a portable electronic device having a display and a user interface in communication with the communal jackpot controller for providing the player of the gaming machine that triggered the communal jackpot with the communal jackpot game.

Description

TITLE: A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AWARDING A PLURALITY OF PRIZES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to gaming machines and in particular to systems and methods for awarding monetary and non monetary prizes to players of gaming machines and will be described with reference to this application. The invention will be described particularly with reference to the provision of systems in clubs, pubs, bars, membership clubs and bistros. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. Many clubs and gaming venues have a variety of gaming options for players and members. Some gaming options provide monetary awards while others provide prizes other than money. Such other prizes could include cars, appliances, computers, tablet computers, mobile phones and a range of novelty goods. Prior art games and gaming machines are fixed at a particular point in the venue and require that the player come to the game in order to participate. As such there is a need for a portable solution to allow the game or gaming machine to go the player. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiment of the present invention overcomes or ameliorates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative. According to a first aspect of the invention there is disclosed a system for awarding a plurality of prizes, the system including: a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine providing an individual game of chance to a player wagering at each respective gaming machine; a communal jackpot controller in communication with each of the gaming machines, the communal jackpot controller providing a chance to play a communal jackpot game to the players wagering at each gaming machine, the communal jackpot controller awarding the chance to play the communal jackpot game to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game; 1 a portable electronic device having a display and a user interface in communication with the communal jackpot controller for providing the player of the gaming machine that triggered the communal jackpot with the communal jackpot game. Preferably the portable electronic device is in wireless communication with the communal jackpot controller. Preferably the communal jackpot controller triggers an alarm that includes the location of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game so as to allow a staff member to take the portable electronic device to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game. Preferably the portable electronic device is in Wi-Fi communication with the communal jackpot controller. Preferably the player actuates the communal jackpot game using the user interface on the portable electronic device. Preferably the communal jackpot prize is a non monetary prize. Preferably the non monetary prize is predetermined. Preferably the communal jackpot has a plurality of jackpot levels and the non monetary prize awarded is predetermined according to the jackpot level awarded to the player. Preferably each gaming machine includes a ticket printer for printing a secondary prize voucher indicative of the secondary prize. Preferably the secondary prize voucher is redeemed for the secondary prize. Preferably the redemption takes place at the gaming venue. In other embodiments the redemption takes place at a third party supplier. In some embodiments the redemption is facilitated over the Internet using a website and the non monetary prize is mailed to the player. Preferably the gaming machines for providing an individual game of chance are located at a single venue. In other embodiments the individual gaming machines are located at multiple venues and the jackpot controller is in communication with the gaming machines across those venues. The communication is preferably via, the Internet, a VPN, WAN, or the like. Throughout the specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and other variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or 2 group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers of steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 a is a diagram of a gaming machine according to the invention; Figure lb is a diagram of another gaming machine according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram according to the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a system for awarding a plurality of prizes. The system includes a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine providing an individual game of chance to a player wagering at each respective gaming machine. A communal jackpot controller is in communication with each of the gaming machines, the communal jackpot controller provides a chance to play a communal jackpot game to the players wagering at each gaming machine. The communal jackpot controller awards the chance to play the communal jackpot game to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game. A portable electronic device has a display and a user interface in communication with the communal jackpot controller for providing the player of the gaming machine that triggered the communal jackpot with the communal jackpot game. The portable electronic device is in Wi-Fi communication with the communal jackpot controller. The communal jackpot controller triggers an alarm that includes the location of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game so as to allow a staff member to take the portable electronic device to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game. The player then actuates the communal jackpot game using the user interface on the portable electronic device. In the preferred embodiment the communal jackpot prize is a monetary or non monetary prize as predetermined by the manager of the venue. The communal jackpot has a plurality of jackpot levels and the non monetary prize awarded is predetermined according to the jackpot level awarded to the player. Each gaming machine includes a ticket printer for printing a secondary prize voucher indicative of the secondary prize. In some embodiments the portable electronic device includes a ticket printer for printing a secondary prize voucher indicative of the secondary prize. The prize voucher is redeemed for the secondary prize by customer service representative of the venue. In some the redemption takes place at a third party 3 supplier or is facilitated over the Internet using a website and the non monetary prize is mailed to the player. Preferably the gaming machines for providing an individual game of chance are located at a single venue. In other embodiments the individual gaming machines are located at multiple venues and the jackpot controller is in communication with the gaming machines across those venues. The communication is preferably via, the Internet, a VPN, WAN, or the like. In some embodiment the portable electronic devices in the form of AppleTM iPads operate independently of another gaming machine and provide one or more games directly to the player. In these embodiments the iPad is connected via the internet to the jackpot controller (in the form of an internet server) which allows the iPad to download games to the memory of the iPad and allows the player to play the requested game. In some embodiments the player can select from a plurality of games to play although in other embodiments the venue sets the available games. In a multi player scenario where multiple iPads are used, players can play games against one another or can play in a cooperative mode wherein the jackpot controller monitors and controls the game play. This allows the iPads to be used for bar promotions, member promotions, quiz events, competition entry, lucky draws, tournament play and the like. This enables embodiments of the invention to be used in clubs, pubs, bars, membership clubs and bistros. Gaming machines according to the preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 1A, the gaming device includes one or more display devices controlled by the processor. The display devices are preferably connected to or mounted to the cabinet of the gaming device. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1A includes a central display device 16 which displays a primary game. This display device may also display any suitable secondary game associated with the primary game as well as information relating to the primary or secondary game. The alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 1A includes a central display device 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device may display the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated or not associated with the primary game and/or information relating to the primary or secondary game. These display devices may also serve as digital glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of the gaming establishment. The gaming device includes a credit display which displays a player's current number of credits, cash, account balance or the equivalent. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a bet display which displays a player's amount wagered. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the gaming device includes a player tracking display which displays information regarding a player's playing tracking status. In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobile display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables play of at least a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remote from the gaming device. 4 The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LED), a display based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including a projected and/or reflected image or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device includes a touch screen with an associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable size and configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle. The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, and the like. In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the display device may include any electromechanical device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or indicia. As illustrated in Fig. 1A, in one embodiment, the gaming device includes at least one payment device 24 in communication with the processor. A payment device such as a payment acceptor includes a note, ticket or bill acceptor 28 wherein the player inserts paper money, a ticket or voucher and a coin slot 26 where the player inserts money, coins, or tokens. In other embodiments, payment devices such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment. In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into a card reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the identification card is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information. In another embodiment, a player may carry a portable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag or any other suitable wireless device, which communicates a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information to the gaming device. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device, the processor determines the amount of funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit or other suitable display as described above. In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in Fig. 1A, one input device is a touch screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen controller 44, or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for player interaction with the images on the display. The touch screen and the touch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 46. A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touching the touch 5 screen at the appropriate places. One such input device is a conventional touch-screen button panel. The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad. In one embodiment, as seen in Fig. 1A, the gaming device includes a sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 48 which function in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of speakers 50 or other sound generating hardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/or secondary game or for other modes of the gaming device, such as an attract mode. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamic sounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potential players to the gaming device. The videos may also be customized for or to provide any appropriate information. In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia. Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary and/or base game. The gaming machine or device may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel type game, card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a random outcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement of a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 1B, one or more of the gaming devices 10 are in communication with each other and/or at least one central server, central controller or remote host 56 through a data network or remote communication link 58. In this embodiment, the central server, central controller or remote host is any suitable server or 6 computing device which includes at least one processor and at least one memory or storage device. In different such embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or a processor of one of the gaming devices in the gaming system. In these embodiments, the processor of each gaming device is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands or any other suitable data or signal between the individual gaming device and the central server. The gaming device processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages or commands in conjunction with the operation of the gaming device. Moreover, the processor of the central server is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands or any other suitable data or signal between the central server and each of the individual gaming devices. The central server processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages or commands in conjunction with the operation of the central server. It should be appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of the central controller as disclosed herein may be performed by one or more gaming device processors. It should be further appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of one or more gaming device processors as disclosed herein may be performed by the central controller. In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller. In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming device. In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such as free games. The central server or controller communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, 7 how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller and communicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like. Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a system 300 of the invention according to the preferred embodiment. A plurality of gaming machines 301a and 301b are connected to local Ethernet network 302. Each gaming machine provides an individual game of chance to a player wagering at each respective gaming machine. A communal jackpot controller 303 is connected to network 302 and is in communication with each of the gaming machines 301a and 301b. The communal jackpot controller provides a chance to play a communal jackpot game to the players wagering at each gaming machine 301a and 301b. As would be understood, although only two gaming machines are shown in this example many more machines could be connected to the network and participate in the chance to play the communal jackpot game. The communal jackpot controller 303 awards the chance to play the communal jackpot game to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game. The trigger typically occurs at a random point in time although the triggering may be dependent on certain criteria as determined by the venue such as meeting certain gaming revenue thresholds and the like. A portable electronic device in the form of iPad 304 is in Wi-Fi network communication with the communal jackpot controller through wireless router 305. The iPad includes a display 306 and touch screen user interface 307 for allowing the user to actuate the jackpot game. The communal jackpot controller 303 includes an alarm in the form of an LED light on each gaming machine to indicate which gaming machine triggered the chance to play the communal game. Other embodiments include other forms of alarms such as an email to a gaming attendant. In use when one of the gaming machines triggers the chance to play the communal game, an alarm alerts a gaming attendant who takes the iPad 304 to the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal game. The player at that machine is then handed the iPad and the game on the iPad is activated. The player actuates the game using the user interface 307. Any prize won is displayed on the iPad and the attendant provides the prize through a voucher or ticket which can be printed on the gaming machine using the ticket printer. In some embodiments the iPad provides a standalone game and is not dependent on the player playing another gaming machine. As would be understood any suitable tablet 8 computer may be used such as iPod touch, Android tablets, Samsung Tablets, iPad mini and the like. In some embodiments, the portable electronic devices have internet access either through a mobile phone carrier or through the wireless router 305. In these embodiments the devices can download new games from a server on the internet. Games can be played and monitored on the internet and statistics captured in a live manner for viewing by management online. Embodiments of the invention provide the ability to access a library of games and promotional products including bingo, random number generator for raffles ties this product into a complete promotional tool. This advantageously provides complete flexibility for the venue to choose a number of games to engage players. Embodiments of the invention run across all forms of promotion including bar promotion, gaming promotions, raffles, membership promotions, bingo and raffles. Some embodiments of the invention provide multiple iPads all being connected to the network to provide simultaneous games to players. This also allows the venue to provide tournament style games where players play against one another. Preferably the system allows the Apple iPad to connect to Apple TV (Airplay). This allows game play to be shown on a big screen so spectators can watch. Two example games will now be described. These are the 'Chocolate Wheel' and the 'Flip-to-Reveal' style game of chance games. Each game will have predetermined prize volumes, number of games and win percentage ratios. A random number generator (with adjustable range) will be available for customisation by the venue. The user interface on the iPad includes a User Dashboard and Admin Panel. This will include a secure dashboard area which customers will access to view the available and upcoming games. In the Admin panel, venue managers will be able to access an options panel for each game to adjust various settings such as game time and win percentage ratios. Chocolate Wheel - Spin to Win! The basis of this game is that every player wins something on each spin (a 1:1 game play to win ratio). The wheel has 3 different prize levels indicated by either a number range (1 - 3) or a range of icons (gold, silver, bronze) on each segment. The higher value prize icon / number will appear less often on the segments. Game-play: 1. User clicks a button to spin the wheel, which will rotate and eventually slow to a stop on a segment which will show the icon/number (which would correspond to a prize determined by the venue management). 9 2. A panel will pop-up over the completed game view, clearly indicating the level of prize won, with a 'new game' button for the staff member to use to reset the game for the next player. In the game setup, the odds of each prize icon / number appearing per spin is pre-set. As an example, a user could have a 10% chance per spin of getting gold, a 30% chance of silver and a 60% chance of getting bronze. These odds are the same for every new spin (so gold could get won 2 times in row, as each time there is still a 10% chance of winning). Flip-to-Reveal - Shells Ahoy! The basis of this game is that the user is presented with 10 tiles/icons (I.e. shells) of which 1 can be clicked per play to reveal if the user has selected a shell with a prize behind it. Game-play: 1. User can touch a single shell out of the 10 appearing on screen. The shell will animate with a flip effect to reveal if the user has won a prize 2. A panel will pop-up over the completed game view, clearly indicating the level of prize won, with a 'new game' button for the staff member to use to reset the game for the next player. The game will apply a pre-set percentage chance that the prize is revealed, each turn of the game. The game will have 3 levels of prizes (gold, silver, bronze) that can be revealed. As with the Chocolate Wheel game, each prize level will have a pre-set percentage chance of appearing per turn. As can be seen from the above disclosure, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides a useful system for awarding multiple prizes to players. Any commercial processor may be used to implement the embodiments of the invention either as a single processor, serial or parallel set of processors in the system. Examples of commercial processors include, but are not limited to MercedTM, PentiumTM, Pentium IITM, XeonTM, CeleronTM, Pentium ProTM, EfficeonTM, Athlon, AMD, Intel CentrinoTM Intel Core DuoTM, Intel Core 2 DuoTM, Intel CentrinoTM, Intel XeonTM and the like. Display screens may be segment display screen, analogue display screens, digital display screens, CRTs, LED screens, Plasma screens, liquid crystal diode screens, and the like. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 10

Claims (5)

1. A system for awarding a plurality of prizes, the system including: a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine providing an individual game of chance to a player wagering at each respective gaming machine; a communal jackpot controller in communication with each of the gaming machines, the communal jackpot controller providing a chance to play a communal jackpot game to the players wagering at each gaming machine, the communal jackpot controller awarding the chance to play the communal jackpot game to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game; a portable electronic device having a display and a user interface in communication with the communal jackpot controller for providing the player of the gaming machine that triggered the communal jackpot with the communal jackpot game.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device is in wireless communication with the communal jackpot controller.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the communal jackpot controller triggers an alarm that includes the location of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game so as to allow a staff member to take the portable electronic device to the player of the gaming machine that triggered the chance to play the communal jackpot game.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the player actuates the communal jackpot game using the user interface on the portable electronic device.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein each gaming machine includes a ticket printer for printing a secondary prize voucher indicative of the secondary prize. 11