SLOT DRIVEN VIDEO STORY

• US 20070191091A1
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James, Sparico, Thomas, Fink, Jesse, WALKER, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,753,780 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 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed

Abstract

A gaming system includes a network server connected to a plurality of gaming devices that are adapted to provide a video payout on each play based on a set of payout parameters. Memory at each gaming device stores payout parameters that correspond to each possible gaming result or outcome. When a play is initiated by a player, a gaming result is generated at a gaming device. The gaming device responds by accessing a corresponding payout parameter from the memory which may be a monetary amount, a video presentation segment or a combination thereof. If the payout is video, the network server receives the payout parameter and transmits video presentation segment to the gaming device accordingly. The gaming device then provides a video payout, in the form of displayed video presentation, to the player. The player thus receives at least one form of payment on each play.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining an outcome associated with game play at a video poker gaming device;

determining if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation;

if the outcome corresponds to the video presentation, providing the video presentation to a player; and

providing an indication of the outcome of the game play distinctly from the video presentation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the indication of the outcome of the play distinctly from the video presentation comprises presenting the indication of the outcome in a first game play area and presenting the video presentation in a separate second video presentation area of the video poker gaming device.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the video presentation.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein storing the video presentation comprises storing the video presentation at the video poker gaming device.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein storing the video presentation comprises storing the video presentation at a device other than the video poker gaming device.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein storing the video presentation comprises storing the video presentation at a server.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the video presentation comprises at least one of:

a movie, a music video, a soap opera, or a sporting event.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that a first portion of the video presentation has been provided, and determining a second portion of the video presentation to be provided based on the first portion having been provided.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a termination point of the video presentation and terminating provision of the video presentation at the termination point.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising determining a second outcome associated with game play that corresponds to a video payout and resuming provision of the video presentation from the termination point to provide the video payout.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein determining if the outcome corresponds to the video presentation comprises determining a game result that corresponds to a video poker hand of a predetermined rank.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the outcome comprises determining the outcome associated with game play of a primary game.

13. A system comprising:

a user interface adapted to present a video poker game to a player; and

a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to;

determine an outcome associated with game play at a video poker gaming device;

determine if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation;

if the outcome corresponds to the video presentation, provide the video presentation to a player via the user interface; and

provide an indication of the outcome of the game play distinctly from the video presentation.

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

determine an outcome associated with game play at a video poker gaming device;

determine if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation;

if the outcome corresponds to the video presentation, provide the video presentation to a player; and

provide an indication of the outcome of the game play distinctly from the video presentation.

15. A method comprising:

determining an outcome associated with game play at a gaming device;

determining if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation, wherein the video presentation is repurposed from its original use;

if the outcome corresponds to the video presentation, providing the video presentation to a player; and

providing an indication of the outcome of the game play distinctly from the video presentation.

16. A method comprising:

creating a database that has entries corresponding to numbers capable of being generated by a random number generator of a gaming device;

associating at least one video payout with at least one of the entries; and

adapting the database for use in a gaming device such that if the random number generator of the gaming device generates a number whose entry in the database corresponds to the at least one video payout, the video payout is provided to a player of the gaming device.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising associating a monetary payout with at least a second entry in the database.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the monetary payout is zero.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the monetary payout is greater than zero.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the video payout comprises at least one of:

a movie, a music video, a soap opera, or a sporting event.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising associating a plurality of video payouts with the entries.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising associating a plurality of monetary payouts with the entries.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein some entries are associated with just a video payout;

some entries are associated with just a monetary payout; and

some entries are associated with both a video payout and a monetary payout.

24. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing the database in the gaming device.

25. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing the database in a server positioned remotely from the gaming device and allowing the gaming device to access the database selectively.

26. A system comprising:

a user interface; and

a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to;

create a database that has entries corresponding to numbers capable of being generated by a random number generator of a gaming device;

associate at least one video payout with at least one of the entries; and

adapt the database for use in a gaming device such that if the random number generator of the gaming device generates a number whose entry in the database corresponds to the at least one video payout, the video payout is provided to a player of the gaming device.

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

create a database that has entries corresponding to numbers capable of being generated by a random number generator of a gaming device;

associate at least one video payout with at least one of the entries; and

adapt the database for use in a gaming device such that if the random number generator of the gaming device generates a number whose entry in the database corresponds to the at least one video payout, the video payout is provided to a player of the gaming device.