Audio foreshadowing in a wagering game machine

• US 20060073881A1
• Filed: 10/03/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thomas, Alfred, Pryzby, Eric M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,512,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters

Abstract

A computerized wagering game system has a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module operable to use audio to foreshadow game events. The buildup and excitement of playing a wagering game system is enhanced by providing audio clues or audio foreshadowing as to the results of a wagering game event. Examples include playing subtle sounds, playing different sounds, playing sounds at different volumes such as with volume an increasing volume level, or providing other audio cues as to the outcome of a wagering game event.

Claims

1. A computerized wagering game system, comprising:

a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and

an audio module operable to play a sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game event before the result of the wagering game event is visually indicated.

2. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the wagering game event comprises a reel spin in a reel slot machine.

3. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the wagering game event comprises revealing cards in a card game.

4. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the wagering game event comprises revealing a dice roll in a dice game.

5. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound that indicates by volume the result of the wagering game.

6. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound that indicates the result of the wagering game by length of sound before the result of the wagering game event is visually indicated.

7. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound played only to indicate a specific result of the wagering game.

8. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises varying the tempo of presented sound.

9. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises varying the pitch of the presented sound.

10. A method of operating a computerized wagering game system, comprising:

presenting a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered;

playing a sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game event before the result of the wagering game event is visually indicated.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wagering game event comprises a reel spin in a reel slot machine.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the wagering game event comprises revealing cards in a card game.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the wagering game event comprises revealing a dice roll in a dice game.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound that indicates by volume the result of the wagering game.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound that indicates the result of the wagering game by length of sound before the result of the wagering game event is visually indicated.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound played only to indicate a specific result of the wagering game.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises varying the tempo of presented sound.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises varying the pitch of the presented sound.

19. A machine-readable medium with instructions stored thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause a computerized wagering game system to:

present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered;

play a sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game event before the result of the wagering game event is visually indicated.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the wagering game event comprises a reel spin in a reel slot machine.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the wagering game event comprises revealing cards in a card game.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the wagering game event comprises revealing a dice roll in a dice game.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound that indicates by volume the result of the wagering game.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound that indicates the result of the wagering game by length of sound before the result of the wagering game event is visually indicated.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises a sound played only to indicate a specific result of the wagering game.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises varying the tempo of presented sound.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the sound foreshadowing the result of a wagering game comprises varying the pitch of the presented sound.