Method and apparatus for team play of slot machines

• US 20020042296A1
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Magdalena Mik
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Walker, Jay S., Mik, Magdalena
• Granted Patent: US 6,733,390 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/23
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes.

Claims

1. A method of operation of slot machines, comprising the steps of:

identifying at least two slot machines for team play;

determining a set of bonus conditions for said team play including a bonus payout if said bonus conditions are satisfied by said team play;

initiating a bonus time period during which said bonus conditions are active;

totaling outcomes from said at least two slot machines to determine if said bonus conditions are met during said bonus time period.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said set of bonus conditions includes a required number of a bonus outcome;

and

said step of initiating a bonus time period includes initiating said bonus time period upon the occurrence of a first said bonus outcome on one of said at least two slot machines.

3. A system for controlling the operation of slot machines, comprising:

a processor;

a memory storing a program to operate said processor;

said processor operative with said program to

identify at least two slot machines for team play,

determine a set of bonus conditions for said team play including a bonus payout if said bonus conditions are satisfied by said team play,

initiate a bonus time period during which said bonus conditions are active, and

total outcomes from said at least two slot machines to determine if said bonus conditions are met during said bonus time period.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said set of bonus conditions includes a required number of a bonus outcome;

and

said operation of initiating a bonus time period includes initiating said bonus time period upon the occurrence of a first said bonus outcome on one of said at least two slot machines.

5. A method of operation of slot machines, comprising the steps of:

identifying at least a first and a second slot machine;

determining a set of bonus conditions including a bonus time period, a required number of a bonus outcome, and a bonus payout to be paid if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of each of said first and second slot machines within said bonus time period;

initiating, when a play of said first slot machine results in said bonus outcome, said bonus time period;

signaling said second slot machine that said bonus time period has been initiated; and

monitoring outcomes on said first and second slot machines to determine if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of said first and second slot machines during said bonus time period.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of identifying at least a first and a second slot machine includes receiving a signal from each of said first and second slot machines indicating their availability for group play.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein each of said first and second slot machines comprises a video poker machine.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said bonus outcome comprises a selected rank of video poker hands.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein each of said first and second slot machines comprises a reeled slot machine.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said bonus outcome comprises a selected combination of reel symbols.

11. The method of claim 5 wherein said monitoring step includes totaling said bonus outcome on each of said first and second slot machines during said bonus time period to determine if said required number of said bonus outcome is met.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of determining a set of bonus conditions includes determining said set of bonus conditions based on the number of slot machines for which said bonus conditions apply.

13. The method of claim 5 and farther including the step of identifying at least a third slot machine for operation with said first and second slot machines.

14. The method of claim 13 and further including the step of removing said third slot machine from operation with said first and second slot machines.

15. The method of claim 5 and further including the step of providing said bonus payout on said first and second slot machines if said monitoring step determines that said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of said first and second slot machines.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of providing said bonus payout includes providing an equal payout on each of said first and second slot machines.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of providing said bonus payout includes providing a different payout on each of said first and second slot machines.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the value of said different payout is determined by the number of bonus outcomes obtained by the slot machine on which said bonus payout is being paid.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said operation of identifying at least a first and a second slot machine includes receiving a signal from each of said first and second slot machines indicating their availability for group play.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein each of said first and second slot machines comprises a video poker machine.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said bonus outcome comprises a selected rank of video poker hands.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein each of said first and second slot machines comprises a reeled slot machine.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said bonus outcome comprises a selected combination of reel symbols.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein said operation of monitoring includes totaling said bonus outcomes on each of said first and second slot machines during said bonus time period to determine if said required number of said bonus outcome is met.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein said operation of determining a set of bonus conditions includes determining said set of bonus conditions based on the number of slot machines for which said bonus conditions apply.

27. The system of claim 19 wherein said processor is further operative to identify at least a third slot machine for operation with said first and second slot machines.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said processor is further operative to remove said third slot machine from operation with said first and second slot machines.

29. The system of claim 19 wherein said processor is further operative to provide said bonus payout on said first and second slot machines if said monitoring step determines that said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of said first and second slot machines.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said operation of providing said bonus payout includes providing an equal payout on each of said first and second slot machines.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein said operation of providing said bonus payout includes providing a different payout on each of said first and second slot machines.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the value of said different payout is determined by the number of bonus outcomes obtained by the slot machine on which said bonus payout is being paid.

19. A system for controlling the operation of slot machines, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to said processor and including a program for controlling the operation of said processor;

said processor operative with said program in said memory to

identify at least a first and a second slot machine,

determine a set of bonus conditions including a bonus time period, a required number of a bonus outcome, and a bonus payout to be paid if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of each of said first and second slot machines within said bonus time period, initiate, when a play of said first slot machine results in said bonus outcome, said bonus time period,

signal said second slot machine that said bonus time period has been initiated, and

monitor outcomes on said first and second slot machines to determine if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of said first and second slot machines during said bonus time period.

33. A system for operating slot machines, comprising:

means for identifying at least a first and a second slot machine;

means for determining a set of bonus conditions including a bonus time period, a required number of a bonus outcome, and a bonus payout to be paid if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of each of said first and second slot machines within said bonus time period;

means for initiating, when a play of said first slot machine results in said bonus outcome, said bonus time period;

means for signaling said second slot machine that said bonus time period has been initiated; and

means for monitoring outcomes on said first and second slot machines to determine if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of said first and second slot machines during said bonus time period.

36. A method in accordance with claim 35 and further including the step of receiving from said second slot machine a signal indicating the occurrence of said bonus outcome on said second slot machine during said bonus time period.

37. A method in accordance with claim 35 wherein each of said slot machines comprises a video poker machine, and said bonus outcome comprises a selected rank of video poker hands.

38. A method in accordance with claim 35 wherein each of said slot machines comprises a reeled slot machine, and said bonus outcome comprises a selected reel outcome.

34. A program product including instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium operative to control a computer to operate slot machines, comprising:

said instructions operative to control said computer to

identify at least a first and a second slot machine;

determine a set of bonus conditions including a bonus time period, a required number of a bonus outcome, and a bonus payout to be paid if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of each of said first and second slot machines within said bonus time period;

initiate, when a play of said first slot machine results in said bonus outcome, said bonus time period;

signal said second slot machine that said bonus time period has been initiated; and

monitor outcomes on said first and second slot machines to determine if said required number of said bonus outcome results from the combined play of said first and second slot machines during said bonus time period.

35. A method of operation a slot machine, comprising the steps of:

identifying at least a second slot machine for group play;

determining a set of bonus conditions including a required quantity of a bonus outcome, a bonus time period, and a bonus payout;

initiating a play resulting in said bonus outcome;

starting said bonus time period substantially upon the occurrence of said bonus outcome; and

transmitting to said second slot machine a signal that said bonus time period is started.

39. A slot machine, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to said processor and storing a program for controlling the operation of said processor;

said processor operative with said program in said memory to

identify at least a second slot machine for group play,

determine a set of bonus conditions including a required quantity of a bonus outcome, a bonus time period, and a bonus payout,

initiate a play resulting in said bonus outcome,

start said bonus time period substantially upon the occurrence of said bonus outcome, and

transmit to said second slot machine a signal that said bonus time period is started.

40. A slot machine, comprising:

means for identifying at least a second slot machine for group play;

means for determining a set of bonus conditions including a required quantity of a bonus outcome, a bonus time period, and a bonus payout;

means for initiating a play resulting in said bonus outcome;

means for starting said bonus time period substantially upon the occurrence of said bonus outcome; and

means for transmitting to said second slot machine a signal that said bonus time period is started.

41. A method of operation of a slot machine, comprising the steps of:

identifying at least a second slot machine;

determining a set of bonus conditions including a required quantity of a bonus outcome, a bonus time period, and a bonus payout;

receiving a signal from said second slot machine indicating that a play of said second slot machine has resulted in a bonus outcome activating said bonus time period;

generating, responsive to plays, at least one outcome during said bonus time period; and

analyzing said at least one outcome to determine if said at least one outcome comprises said bonus outcome.

42. A method in accordance with claim 41 and further comprising the step of transmitting to said second slot machine a signal indicating the occurrence of said bonus outcome during said bonus time period.

43. A method in accordance with claim 41 wherein each of said slot machines comprises a video poker machine, and said bonus outcome comprises a selected rank of video poker hands.

44. A method in accordance with claim 41 wherein each of said slot machines comprises a reeled slot machine, and said bonus outcome comprises a selected reel outcome.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein each of said slot machines comprises a video poker machine.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein each of said slot machines comprises a reeled slot machine.

45. A slot machine, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to said processor and storing a program for controlling the operation of said processor;

said processor operative with said program in said memory to

identify at least a second slot machine,

determine a set of bonus conditions including a required quantity of a bonus outcome, a bonus time period, and a bonus payout,

receive a signal from said second slot machine indicating that a play of said second slot machine has resulted in a bonus outcome activating said bonus time period,

generate, responsive to plays, at least one outcome during said bonus time period, and

test said at least one outcome to determine if said at least one outcome comprises said bonus outcome.

46. A slot machine, comprising:

means for identifying at least a second slot machine;

means for determining a set of bonus conditions including a required quantity of a bonus outcome, a bonus time period, and a bonus payout;

means for receiving a signal from said second slot machine indicating that a play of said second slot machine has resulted in a bonus outcome activating said bonus time period;

means for generating, responsive to plays, at least one outcome during said bonus time period; and

means for testing said at least one outcome to determine if said at least one outcome comprises said bonus outcome.

47. A method of identifying slot machines for team play, comprising the steps of:

receiving from a first slot machine a signal requesting group play;

determining one or more additional slot machines available for group play; and

identifying said first slot machine as part of a group including said one or more additional slot machines.

50. A method of enabling group play of slot machines, comprising the steps of:

identifying a plurality of slot machines available for team play;

transmitting to said plurality of slot machines signals indicating the occurrence of team play;

receiving a signal identifying an available slot machine requesting to be added to a group for team play; and

receiving a signal identifying an unavailable slot machine requesting to be dropped from a group engaged in team play.

51. The method of claim 50 and further including the step of removing said unavailable slot machine from said group.

52. The method of claim 50 and further including the step of adding said available slot machine to said group.

53. The method of claim 50 wherein each of said available and unavailable slot machines comprises a video poker machine.

54. The method of claim 50 wherein each of said available and unavailable slot machines comprises a reeled slot machine.

55. A method of operation of a slot machine, comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal indicating a player request to initiate a team play session with at least one other slot machine;

transmitting a signal requesting said team play session;

receiving a signal indicating the initiation of said team play session; and

engaging in said team play session.

56. The method of claim 55 and further including the steps of:

receiving a signal indicating a player request to end said team play session;

transmitting a signal requesting to end said team play session;

receiving a signal confirming the end of said team play session; and

engaging in stand-alone play.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein said processor is further operative to:

receive a signal indicating a player request to end said team play session;

transmit a signal requesting to end said team play session;

receive a signal confirming the end of said team play session; and

engage in stand-alone play.

57. A slot machine, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;

said processor operative with said program in said memory to

receive a signal indicating a player request to initiate a team play session with at least one other slot machine,

transmit a signal requesting said team play session,

receive a signal confirming the initiation of said team play session, and

engage in said team play session.

59. A slot machine, comprising:

means for receiving a signal indicating a player request to initiate a team play session with at least one other slot machine;

means for transmitting a signal requesting said team play session;

means for receiving a signal confirming the initiation of said team play session; and

means for engaging in said team play session.

60. A program product including instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium operative to control a computer to operate slot machines, comprising:

said instructions operative to control said computer to;

receive a signal indicating a player request to initiate a team play session with at least one other slot machine;

transmit a signal requesting said team play session;

receive a signal confirming the initiation of said team play session; and

engage in said team play session.