GAMING DEVICE METHODS AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING AUDIO/VIDEO PROGRAMMING OUTCOME PRESENTATION

• US 20060246985A1
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tulley, Stephen C., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S., Zucker, David F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method (e.g., of operating a gaming device) is provided. The method includes the steps of (i) receiving audio/video content; (ii) associating a plurality of sets of outcome values with the audio/video content; (iii) determining a play session; (iv) determining which of the plurality of sets of outcome values to associate with the audio/video content for a duration of the play session, thereby determining an active set of outcome values; (v) determining a result of a game play during the session; (vi) selecting, based on the result, a value from the active set of outcome values; and (vii) outputting, as an indication of the result, the audio/video content and an indication of the selected value.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method comprising:

displaying a single instance of audio/video programming, wherein the audio/video programming comprises pre-recorded programming adapted from its original purpose to a gaming environment; and

providing multiple outcome values to a gaming device player in conjunction with the displaying.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising associating the multiple outcome values with particular events within the single instance of audio/video programming.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein displaying the single instance of audio/video programming comprises displaying a television sitcom.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising associating a plurality of payout tables with the single instance of audio/video programming.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein associating the plurality of payout tables with the single instance of audio/video programming comprises associating a subset of the plurality of payout tables with a character in the audio/video programming.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein providing multiple outcome values comprises providing an outcome value each time the character acts in a predefined manner.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein providing the outcome value each time the character acts in a predefined manner comprises providing the outcome value each time the character speaks a particular line.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein providing the outcome value each time the character acts in a predefined manner comprises providing the outcome value each time the character uses a particular prop.

29. The method of claim 24 further comprising receiving a selection of one of the plurality of payout tables.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein receiving the selection comprises receiving the selection from the gaming device player.

31. The method of claim 24 further comprising changing payout tables from within the subset of the plurality of payout tables associated with the character between sequential viewings of the single instance of audio/video programming.

32. The method of claim 24 wherein associating the plurality of payout tables with the single instance of audio/video programming comprises associating a plurality of payout tables having an overall expected value such that a desired house edge is maintained.

33. The method of claim 24 further comprising randomly selecting from amongst the plurality of paytables.

34. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a bonus event upon occurrence of a particular event within the single instance of the audio/video programming.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein providing the bonus event upon occurrence of the particular event comprises providing the bonus event upon occurrence of an event selected from a group consisting of:

a particular phrase, a type of phrase, a prop, and a type of prop.

36. The method of claim 21 further comprising triggering a negative outcome upon occurrence of a particular event within the single instance of the audio/video programming.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein providing the negative outcome upon occurrence of the particular event comprises providing the negative outcome upon occurrence of an event selected from a group consisting of:

a particular phrase, a type of phrase, a prop, and a type of prop.

38. A system comprising:

a user interface; and

a control system operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to;

display a single instance of audio/video programming, wherein the audio/video programming comprises pre-recorded programming adapted from its original purpose to a gaming environment; and

provide multiple outcome values to a gaming device player in conjunction with the displaying.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the user interface is disposed within a mobile terminal.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the mobile terminal is selected from a group consisting of:

a personal computer, a telephone, a portable handheld gaming device, and a personal digital assistant.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein the user interface comprises a community screen.

42. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to:

display a single instance of audio/video programming, wherein the audio/video programming comprises pre-recorded programming adapted from its original purpose to a gaming environment; and

provide multiple outcome values to a gaming device player in conjunction with the displaying.