SLOT DRIVEN VIDEO STORY

• US 20070191092A1
• 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, Walker, Jay, Fink, Jesse
• Granted Patent: US 8,328,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

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 gaming device;

determining if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation; and

if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation, determining a portion of the video presentation to be provided to the player.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the portion of the video presentation to be provided to the player comprises determining based on:

at least one previously provided portion of the video presentation; and

the outcome associated with the game play.

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 gaming device.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein storing the video presentation comprises storing the video presentation at a server positioned remotely from the gaming device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the video presentation to the player.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing the video presentation to the player distinctly from an indication of the outcome.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein providing the video presentation to the player distinctly from the indication of the outcome 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.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the video presentation to the player and providing a monetary payout.

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

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

11. A system comprising:

a user interface; and

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

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

determine if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation; and

if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation, determine a portion of the video presentation to be provided to the player.

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

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

determine if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation; and

if the outcome corresponds to a video presentation, determine a portion of the video presentation to be provided to the player.

13. A method comprising:

providing game play to a player at a first gaming device;

providing a first portion of a video presentation to the player at the first gaming device;

providing game play to the player at a second gaming device; and

providing a second portion of the video presentation to the player at the second gaming device.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising storing an indication of a termination point, the indication of the termination point denoting an end of the first portion.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising storing an indication of a resumption point, the indication of the resumption point denoting a beginning of the second portion.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising identifying the player at the first and second gaming device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein identifying the player comprises receiving a player tracking card from the player.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising determining to provide the second portion of the video presentation to the player at the second gaming device based at least in part on the identifying.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the first gaming device comprises a video poker device.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the video presentation comprises at least one of:

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

21. The method of claim 13 wherein providing the second portion of the video presentation comprises providing the second portion after receiving a resume code.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing the resume code to the player.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein receiving the resume code comprises receiving the resume code from the player.

24. The method of claim 13 wherein the first gaming device is the second gaming device.

25. The method of claim 13 wherein the first gaming device is different than the second gaming device.

26. The method of claim 13 wherein providing the second portion of the video presentation comprises providing the second portion after receiving a player identifier.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein receiving the player identifier comprises receiving the player identifier from a player tracking card.

28. A system comprising:

a user interface; and

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

provide game play to a player on a first gaming device;

provide a first portion of a video presentation to the player at the first gaming device;

provide game play to the player on a second gaming device; and

provide a second portion of the video presentation to the player at the second gaming device.

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

provide game play to a player on a first gaming device;

provide a first portion of a video presentation to the player at the first gaming device;

provide game play to the player on a second gaming device; and

provide a second portion of the video presentation to the player at the second gaming device.