GB2448327A - Gaming machine with an indication of the probability of a win - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin-operated user-operable entertainment machine, actuated by credit of a stake value, for play of a game routine whereby an award is made in the event that the routine results in a winning outcome. The machine has a display device (9) for display of the game routine, and the machine has a user-selectable gamble option, which, when selected, uses the winning outcome to provide a final outcome. An indication (19) of the likelihood of obtaining a designated final outcome is provided on the display device (9). The indication (19) may be a percentage indication of the likelihood of obtaining the designated final outcome, and this may be displayed in the form of a pie chart.

Description

* ENTERTAINMENT MACHINES The invention relates to entertainment

machines and is more particularly concerned with a coin-operated user-operable entertainment machine. The entertainment machine may be generally operable to play a main game having an outcome, after actuation by a game-playing stake value or wager and make available an award in the event that the outcome is of a predetermined winning nature.

As used herein, the term "coin" is also intended to cover tokens, notes, cards and any other suitable means of providing monetary credit.

The machine of the invention may be a self-contained, stand-alone machine, or it may be a terminal or other device, e.g a hand-held unit, which is dependent upon connection to a remotely located control system for its operation, whether the connection is real-time or occasional.

It is known to provide additional features, such as "double-up" or "gamble" options whereby a user can opt to risk a current prize or outcome for a chance to double the current prize or outcome, or win a higher or additional prize, for example.

Where such "double-up" or "gamble" features are provided on an entertainment machine, it is necessary to indicate to a user the theoretical return in the event that a * "double-up" or "gamble" option is activated. For example, where a user has the chance to activate a "gamble" on a monetary win, the machine must show the probability of a S...

particular return being obtained, to allow the user to make an informed choice. S...

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* An object of the invention is to provide an entertainment machine which

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*: *::* provides the user with an accurate indication of a theoretical return of a particular gamble feature.

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A further object of the invention is to provide an entertainment machine which is operable to allow a user to make an informed choice when choosing a gamble feature.

According to the invention therefore, there is provided a coin-operated user-operable entertainment machine, which is operable after actuation by credit of a stake value, for execution of a game routine and to make available an award value in the event that the routine results in a winning outcome, the machine having a control device operable with a display device and a memory device to execute and display said game routine, the machine providing a user-selectable gamble option, which, when selected, uses the winning outcome to provide a final outcome, wherein the machine is operable to provide an indication of a likelihood of obtaining a designated final outcome.

With this arrangement, the possibility of obtaining an outcome is transparent to a user, in that the user can make an informed decision to gamble or not gamble a winning outcome of the machine, based upon the indication.

The indication may provide a percentage indication of the likelihood of obtaining a designated final outcome. The indication may be a graphical component of the percentage of obtaining the final outcome. The graphical component may be a divided space that can be used to show a first portion which is distinguished from a remaining portion. The first portion may represent the percentage likelihood. Most * preferably, the graphical component is a pie chart displaying the likelihood of obtaining at least one designated final outcome from the winning outcome, by distinguishing the first *** * portion corresponding to said likelihood from the remaining porrtion. *.* * *** 0

* The likelihood or probability is preferably determined from the winning *0* *: *:: outcome and the designated final outcome.

*.S*.* * * * The final outcome for which the likelihood is being provided, is preferably a user-selected final outcome. Therefore, the machine preferably comprises a plurality of user-selectable final outcomes, for which a fmal outcome within that plurality is selectable and the likelihood of achieving the selected final outcome is indicated to the user. The plurality of user-selectable final outcomes may be provided as a predetermined scale of final outcomes. Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the user-selectable final outcomes may be inputted manually via a user-input means.

There may be at least one type of gamble feature within the gamble option.

The at least one gamble feature may be a replay of the game which provided the winning outcome. An additional gamble feature may be a "double up" gamble, whereby the final outcome may be double that of the winning outcome.

The gamble features within the gamble option may be user-selectable, or alternatively, may be randomly selected by the machine on user-selection of the gamble option.

The winning outcome and the final outcome may comprise a game result outcome, for example a particular combination of symbols. Therefore, the award corresponding to the winning outcome may be subject to the gamble option. Preferably however, the winning outcome and the final outcome comprises an award, which may be * a monetary value, credit value, physical prize or other suitable outcome.

::::: 20 The gamble option may allow a portion of the winning outcome to be retained regardless of the result. In this respect, an option to save at least a portion of the winning * * outcome from being gambled by the gamble option may be provided. The portion to be *** * *:.::: saved may be user-selectable.

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There may be a maximum winning outcome that can be entered into the gamble option. The maximum winning outcome that can be entered into the gamble option may be the winning outcome obtained in the main game routine.

User-selection of the gamble option andlor gamble features andlor final outcomes may be provided by touch-screen controls.

The game routine may comprise symbol-bearing actual or simulated rotatable wheels, which may, in the latter case, be provided on a separate display. Therefore, the winning outcomes may be the result of a spin of the reels, resulting in an outcome and qualification for the gamble option. Alternatively, other types of game routines may be provided, such as card games.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block circuit diagram of the central system of the machine of figure 1; and Figures 3-6 are representations of a number of possible screen displays of the machine of figure 1.

Referring to figure 1, a coin-operated user-operable entertainment machine comprises a housing or cabinet I with a front wall having upper 2, middle 3 and lower 4 panels. * ** * * * * S. * **... *

* The upper panel 2 comprises a coin-slot 5 which is in turn connected to a coin mechanism 6 within the cabinet 1, whilst the lower panel 4 provides a prize outlet opening 7 which is fed by a coin dispenser 8 within the cabinet 1.

Other credit accepting devices 10 can be alternatively or additionally provided, such as card readers, note acceptors or token acceptors all for the acceptance of credit.

The upper panel 2 also has a display device 9 mounted therein. The display device 9 is touch enabled, to allow user-inputs via the display. Multiple display devices can alternatively be provided for execution of different game routines.

Inside the cabinet I there is a microprocessor based central unit 11, to which the coin mechanism 6 (and/or any other credit accepting device 10), coin dispenser 8 and display device 9 are connected. The central unit 11 is further connected to a memory device 12 for data storage.

The display device 9 can be activated by the insertion of credit of a certain predetermined value either via the coin slot 5 or one of the other optional devices 10 previously mentioned, for play of a main game routine. The machine is then operable via the touch screen display device 9 for play of the main game routine and subsequent activation of a gamble option where appropriate.

As shown in figure 7, the display device 9 provides a first display 13 which, in combination with the control device 11, executes and displays a main game routine comprising a set of three simulated rotating symbol-bearing reels 14. The reels 14 are * : simulated as mounted in a side-by-side arrangement and each reel 14 has a plurality of *** symbols 1 4a around their peripheries. When the reels 14 are at rest, three symbols 1 4a *: *::* from each of the reels 14 can be seen through a simulated window 15 on said display 13, the remainder of the reels 14 being hidden from view.

* The display 13 can also provide an indication of possible awards of a monetary or other value (not shown), each of which corresponds to a possible winning game outcome, for example, three cherries = 5, two bars = 2, etc. A number of win lines 16a -I 6c are superimposed on the reels 14 for determination of a winning outcome.

During execution of the main game routine, the reels 14 are simulated as spinning and eventually come to rest with three randomly selected symbols 1 4a displayed through said window 15. The symbols I 4a displayed on each of the win lines I 6a-1 6c are compared to the possible winning outcomes to provide an award.

Where a winning outcome, or award or combination of the same is of a predetermined kind or above a predetermined threshold, a gamble option is offered, whereby the game routine switches to a second display 17.

The second display 17 (figures 3-6), which may be provided on an additional display device, comprises a scale 18 of possible final outcomes 1 8a, a graphical indication component 19 and a user-selectable gamble option button 20. The display 17 also shows the winning outcome from the main game routine which is to be gambled, in a window 21 and provides a collect button 22 to allow the user to receive the displayed outcome by activating the coin dispenser 8.

A final outcome 1 8a is shown at window 23, which can be incremented and decremented from a default value using "+" and "-" buttons 24, 25. With each activation of the "+" and "-" buttons 24, 25, the next final outcome 18a in the scale 18 is highlighted. For example, where the default final outcome at the window 23 is 8, a I...

* single activation of the "+" button 24, will change the final outcome 18a to 10.

*: *::* Therefore, the change implemented on display 23, is mirrored in the scale 18, whereby the : *,: corresponding final outcome I 8a is highlighted.

* In one embodiment of the invention (figures 3 -5), the scale 18 is provided as a ladder. In a second embodiment of the invention (figure 6), the scale 18 is provided in an arced banner arrangement.

In one embodiment, the scale 18 is assembled in response to the winning outcome received from the main game routine so as to include an appropriate range of values of the final outcomes 18a. For example, where the winning outcome was 5, the scale 18 may comprise values ranging from 1 to 20, whereas a winning outcome of 10 may result in a scale 18 with values ranging from 5 to 40 as the final outcomes I 8a.

However, in the embodiment of figures 3 -5, the scale 18 is always the same with values ranging from 0 to 500 (as shown in figures 3 -5).

In one embodiment (figure 6), there is the further option to "save" a portion of the winning outcome 21 carried from the main game routine, which ensures that the user can collect this saved portion regardless of the outcome of the gamble option. The portion of the winning outcome to be saved is displayed as screen display 27 and can be retained from entering into the gamble option by activating save button 26.

Each final outcome 1 8a in the scale 18 is associated with a number of probabilities or likelihoods of attainment from a number of different winning outcomes.

The final outcomes 1 8a and each of the probabilities or likelihoods associated therewith are stored in a database in the memory storage device 12. for example, the probability of obtaining a 10 final outcome from a 5 winning outcome will be probability A, but from a 2 winning outcome, will be probability B, which is likely to be a lower probability.

The graphical indication component 19 comprises a pie chart for indication of the likelihood or probability. Therefore, in response to a user-selection of one of the final outcomes l8ain the scale 18, the control unit 11 determines the appropriate likelihood of * attainment of that outcome 1 8a by retrieval of the associated probability for the winning outcome already achieved, from the memory storage device 12. In combination with the display device 9, the control device 11 manipulates the component 19 to indicate the appropriate probability to the user.

A user can repeat the selection of the final outcomes 1 8a from the scale 18 to obtain an informed position before choosing to actuate the gamble option via the button 20, as shown in figures 3 -5, where the indication on the component first relates to the likelihood of obtaining a 8 final outcome, then a 10 final outcome and eventually a 20 final outcome, from a 5 winning outcome.

Following selection of the gamble option, the control unit 11 randomly chooses a final outcome I 8a from the scale 18 based upon the same probabilities in the memory storage device 12 that were used to manipulate the graphical indication component 19.

The actual final outcome 1 8a is displayed and provided to the user for collection via button 22.

With the above embodiments, an accurate indication of the possibility of receiving a particular final outcome 1 8a can be provided to a user in a user-friendly manner to aid informed choices. In addition, a large range of possible outcomes can be indicated.

In an alternative embodiment, a user-input number pad provided by the display * ** 17 allows a user to query the possibility of attaining a particular final outcome, which S...

may not appear in the scale 18. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 queries the data S...

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store in the memory device 12 to return and indicate the appropriate probability as described above. However, where a user- inputted value is not associated with the winning outcome in the data store, a zero probability is displayed.

* It is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments. Thus, alternative main game routines other than reels may be provided, such as card games. Furthermore, actual reels may be used by mounting the actual reels behind a window in a different panel, therefore allowing the described display device 9 to be dedicated to the gamble option. In this latter described alternative, or indeed where a second display device is provided as a preferred alternative, the gamble display device may respond instinctively to the outcomes obtained in the main game routine by providing an indication of the probability of the most likely final outcome for that winning outcome.

It is also to be appreciated, that the final outcomes could be prizes or actual winning outcomes instead of monetary values, for example a combination of symbols which have a corresponding monetary or credit value, or a series of prizes (e.g. teddy bear, MP3 player, TV), could be gambled and displayed in the scalel8. * ** * * * * ** **.. * S S... * *. S * S * *a

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Claims (12)

1. A coin-operated user-operable entertainment machine, which is operable after actuation by credit of a stake value, for execution of a game routine and to make available an award value in the event that the routine results in a winning outcome, the machine having a control device (11) operable with a display device (9) and a memory device (12) to execute and display said game routine, the machine providing a user-selectable gamble option, which, when selected, uses the winning outcome to provide a final outcome, wherein the machine is operable to provide an indication (19) of a likelihood of obtaining a designated final outcome.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indication (19) provides a percentage indication of the likelihood of obtaining a designated final outcome.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the indication (19) is a divided space that can be used to show a first portion which is distinguished from a remaining portion wherein the first portion represents the percentage likelihood.

4. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the likelihood or probability is determined from the winning outcome and the designated final outcome.

5. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the machine comprises a * : plurality of user-selectable final outcomes from which the designated final outcome **** * is user-selected. *..

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the plurality of user-selectable final *.** * outcomes is provided as a predetermined scale of final outcomes.

7. A machine as claimed in any of claims 5 or 6 wherein some or all of the user-selectable final outcomes are inputted manually via a user-input means (24, 25).

8. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gamble option has at least one gamble feature which is a replay of the game which provided the winning outcome.

9. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gamble option has a gamble feature which is a "double up" gamble, whereby the final outcome is double that of the winning outcome.

10. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein user-selection of the gamble option andlor final outcomes is provided by touch-screen controls (20, 24, 25).

11. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the game routine comprises symbol-bearing actual or simulated rotatable wheels (14).

12. A machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. * S. * . S *

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