Interactive gaming system and process

• US 6,375,568 B1
• Filed: 01/13/1999
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Roffman, Elizabeth M. Roffman
• Original Assignee: Interbet Corporation
• Inventors: Roffman, Arnold P., Ross, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US09/229,796
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/25, 463/26, 463/27, 463/42, 463/16-19, 463/21-22, 273/138.2, 273/143.R
• US Class Current: 463/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

An interactive gaming process and system. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players. The system can be configured such that the gaming machines are either located in a casino or at internet locations. Each gaming machine comprises a wagering game and a theme game, respectively. The wagering game has features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played. The system also includes a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random. In one embodiment, the plurality of players play the wagering game as a group wherein if one player'"'"'s theme game results meet predetermined criteria, that particular player will play for the group. The group will then have the opportunity to split a jackpot. In another embodiment, the plurality of players play as a group wherein activation of each player'"'"'s wagering game either helps or hinders the group as a whole in its effort to achieve a predetermined goal. In a further embodiment, the players play their respective wagering game so as to directly compete against each other in the theme game. The results of the wagering games determines the winnings of each player, the eventual winner of the theme game and/or any predetermined jackpot.

Claims

1. An interactive gaming process comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a gaming system comprising;

(i) a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players, each gaming machine having a wagering game and a theme game, the wagering game having features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played, and

(ii) a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random;

(b) configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out scheme;

(c) activating each gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game and theme game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;

(d) controlling each gaming machine to use the results of the wagering game to simultaneously play and influence the results of the theme game;

(e) determining if there is a player whose theme game results meet a first predetermined criteria;

(f) repeating steps (c)-(e) if in step (e), it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria;

(g) designating the player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria as the Leader;

(h) thereafter, configuring the gaming machines according to a second pay-out scheme;

(i) activating the gaming machines to effect play of the wagering game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;

(j) controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the results of the wagering game;

(k) determining if the current Leader'"'"'s theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria;

(l) repeating steps (b)-(k) if it is determined in step (k) that the current Leader'"'"'s theme game results no longer meet the first predetermined criteria;

(m) determining if any of the players'"'"' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria if it is determined in step (k) that the current Leader'"'"'s theme game results continue to meet the first predetermined criteria;

(n) providing a proportional share of a jackpot to each player in the group of players if in step (m), it is determined that there is a player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria; and

(o) repeating steps (i)-(n) if in step (m), it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein step (n) further includes the step of repeating steps (b)-(n) after the proportionate shares of the jackpot are distributed.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein step (f) further comprises the steps of:

determining if each player desires to continue activating his or her respective gaming machine if it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria; and

configuring to a cash-out mode any gaming machine of a player who does not desire to continue activating his or her gaming machine.

4. The process according to claim 1 wherein step (o) further comprises the steps of:

determining if each player desires to continue activating his or her respective gaming machine if it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria; and

configuring to a cash-out mode any gaming machine of a player who does not desire to continue activating his or her gaming machine.

5. The process according to claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of placing wagers in each gaming machine before each gaming machine is activated.

6. The process according to claim 5 wherein each gaming machine includes a coin slot for receiving coins, the step of placing wagers in each gaming machine comprising the step of inserting coins in a coin slot of each gaming machine.

7. The process according to claim 5 wherein each gaming machine includes a credit card validator for receiving a credit card, the step of placing wagers in each gaming machine comprising the step of inserting a credit card in each credit card validator of each gaming machine.

8. The process according to claim 5 wherein the controller includes a memory storage device, for creating an account for each player, the step of placing wagers comprising the steps of:

creating an account for each player in the memory storage device;

depositing a first predetermined amount of money to each account; and

deducting a second predetermined amount of money from each account for each time the player activates his or her gaming machine.

9. The process according to claim 5 further including the steps of:

measuring the amount of time after each wager is placed; and

preventing a player from activating his or her gaming machine if the measured amount of time exceeds a predetermined amount of time.

10. The process according to claim 1 wherein the wagering game of each gaming machine comprises a video slot machine having a plurality of reels and a pay-line.

11. The process according to claim 10 wherein each reel of the video slot machine has indicia that represent features of the theme game.

12. The process according to claim 11 wherein controlling step (d) comprises the step of controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the combination of indicia at the pay-line after the reels are spun.

13. An interactive gaming process comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a gaming system comprising;

(i) a plurality of gaming machines to be played by a corresponding plurality of players, each gaming machine having a wagering game and a theme game, the wagering game having features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played, and

(ii) a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to each gaming machine so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random;

(b) configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out mode;

(c) activating each gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;

(d) controlling all the gaming machines to use the combined results of the wagering games of all the gaming machines to simultaneously play and influence the theme game in each gaming machine;

(e) determining if all of the players'"'"' theme game results in combination achieve a first predetermined objective prior to the occurrence of a first predetermined event;

(f) repeating steps (c)-(e) if it is determined that the players'"'"' combined theme game results have not achieved the first predetermined objective and the first predetermined event has not yet occurred;

(g) controlling the gaming machines to terminate the theme game if the first predetermined event has occurred before the first predetermined objective is achieved;

(h) configuring the gaming machine to a second pay-out mode if it is determined that the players'"'"' combined theme game results have achieved the first predetermined objective before the occurrence of the first predetermined event;

(i) activating the gaming machines to effect play of the wagering game wherein the gaming machines are activated by the players;

(j) determining if all of the players'"'"' theme game results in combination achieve a second predetermined objective prior to the occurrence of a second predetermined event;

(k) repeating steps (i)-(j) if it is determined that the players'"'"' theme game results have not achieved the second predetermined objective and the second predetermined event has not yet occurred;

(l) controlling the gaming machines to terminate the theme game if the second predetermined event has occurred before the second predetermined objective is achieved; and

(m) providing a proportional share of a jackpot to each player if in step (j), it is determined that the players'"'"' combined theme game results have achieved the second predetermined objective before the occurrence of the second predetermined event.

14. The interactive gaming process according to claim 13 wherein the wagering game comprises a video slot machine having a plurality of reels and a pay-line, each reel of the video slot machine having a first set of indicia that represents features that pertain to the theme game.

15. The interactive gaming process according to claim 14 wherein each gaming machine includes a display screen, and wherein configuring step (b) comprises the step of configuring each display screen to a first display screen configuration.

16. The interactive gaming process according to claim 15 wherein the first display screen configuration comprises images of (i) the video slot machine, (ii) a first window that displays the progress of the players in achieving the first predetermined objective, and (iii) a second window for indicating the occurrence of the first predetermined event.

17. The interactive gaming process according to claim 16 wherein when any player receives a predetermined combination of indicia of the first set at the pay-line, the players'"'"' progress in achieving the first predetermined objective is furthered.

18. The interactive gaming process according to claim 14 wherein configuring step (h) comprises the step of configuring each display screen to a second display screen configuration.

19. The interactive gaming process according to claim 18 wherein configuring step (h) further comprises the step of configuring the reels of the video slot machine to display a second set of indicia.

20. The interactive gaming process according to claim 19 wherein the second display screen configuration comprises images of (i) the video slot machine wherein each reel has the second set of indicia, and (ii) a window that indicates the players'"'"' progress in achieving the second predetermined objective.

21. The interactive gaming process according to claim 20 wherein when any player receives a first predetermined combination of indicia of the second set at the pay-line, the players'"'"' progress in achieving the second predetermined objective is furthered and wherein when any player receives a second predetermined combination of indicia of the second set at the pay-line, the players'"'"' progress in achieving the second predetermined objective is hindered.

22. The interactive gaming process according to claim 21 wherein controlling step (l) further comprises the step of controlling each gaming machine such that the display screen of each gaming machine indicates the theme game has ended.

23. An interactive gaming process comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a gaming system comprising;

(i) a plurality of gaming machines to be played by a corresponding plurality of players, each gaming machine having a wagering game and a theme game, the wagering game having features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game, and

(ii) a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to each gaming machine so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random;

(b) configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out mode;

(c) activating each gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;

(d) controlling each gaming machine to use the results of the wagering game to simultaneously play and influence the results of the theme game;

(e) determining if any player'"'"'s theme game results meet a first predetermined criteria and designating that player as the winner;

(f) repeating steps (c)-(e) if it is determined that there is no winner;

(g) configuring the winner'"'"'s gaming machine to a second pay-out mode;

(h) activating the winner'"'"'s gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game wherein the gaming machine is activated by the winner; and

(i) providing a monetary award to the winner based upon the results of the wagering game.

24. The interactive gaming process according to claim 23 wherein each gaming machine includes a display screen.

25. The interactive gaming process according to claim 24 wherein the wagering game comprises a video slot machine having a plurality of reels and a pay-line, each reel of the video slot machine having a first set of indicia that represents features that pertain to the theme game.

26. The interactive gaming process according to claim 25 wherein configuring step (b) comprises the step of configuring the display screen of each gaming machine to display a first display screen configuration.

27. The interactive gaming process according to claim 26 wherein the first display screen configuration comprises (i) the video slot machine having a plurality of reels having a first set of indicia, (ii) a status window that has a plurality of images representing vehicles, the status window further including indicia associated with each vehicle that identifies a particular player, and (iii) an action window that displays interaction of the vehicles displayed in the status window.

28. The interactive gaming process according to claim 27 wherein the status window further includes at least one vehicle component image that is associated with each vehicle image.

29. The interactive gaming process according to claim 28 wherein the first predetermined criteria comprises the destruction of a predetermined number of competing players'"'"' vehicles.

30. The interactive gaming process according to claim 29 wherein a vehicle is destroyed when the vehicle component image associated with that vehicle disappears from the status window.

31. The interactive gaming process according to claim 30 further including the step of displaying in the action window collisions between the vehicles displayed in the status window.

32. The interactive gaming process according to claim 31 wherein a player'"'"'s vehicle component image will disappear if that player'"'"'s vehicle is displayed in the action window as being struck by another player'"'"'s vehicle and the combination of indicia at the pay-line indicate that particular vehicle component.

33. The interactive gaming process according to claim 25 wherein configuring step (g) further comprises the step of configuring the display screen to display video slot machine reels that have a second set of indicia.

34. The interactive gaming process according to claim 33 wherein activating step (h) comprises spinning the reels of the video slot machine only once.

35. The interactive gaming process according to claim 34 wherein providing step (i) comprises providing a monetary award to the winner based upon the combination of indicia of the second set at the pay-line.

36. A gaming process for use with the internet comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a gaming system comprising;

(i) a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players, each gaming machine being configured to display (i) a video slot machine having a plurality of reels and a pay line, and (ii) a theme game, each reel having indicia thereon that corresponds to the theme game wherein the results of the theme game are influenced by the combination of indicia at the pay-line after the reels are spun, and

(ii) a controller remote from the gaming machines for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect video slot machine outputs that are impartial and random;

(b) creating a wager account for each player;

(c) depositing funds into each wager account;

(d) configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out scheme;

(e) activating each gaming machine to effect spinning of the reels of the video slot machine wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;

(f) thereafter, deducting from each wager account a sum representing a wager;

(g) controlling each gaming machine to use the results of the wagering game to simultaneously play and influence the results of the theme game;

(h) determining if there is a player whose theme game results meet a first predetermined criteria;

(i) repeating steps (e)-(h) if it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria;

(j) designating the player whose theme game results meet first predetermined criteria as the Leader;

(k) configuring the gaming machines according to a second pay-out scheme;

(l) activating the gaming machines to effect spinning of the reels of the video slot machine wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;

(m) playing the theme game according to the resulting combination of indicia at the pay-line after each spin of the reels;

(n) determining if the current Leader'"'"'s theme game results still meet the predetermined criteria;

(o) repeating steps (e)-(n) if it is determined in step (n) that the current leader'"'"'s theme game results no longer meet the predetermined criteria;

(p) determining if any of the players'"'"' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria if it is determined in step (n) that the current leader'"'"'s theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria;

(q) repeating steps (l)-(p) it is determined that there is no player whose theme results meet the second predetermined criteria; and

(r) providing a proportional share of a jackpot to each player if in step (p), it is determined that there is a player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria.

37. The process according to claim 36 further including step (s) of repeating steps (b)-(r) after the shares of the jackpot are distributed.

38. The process according to claim 36 wherein step (i) further comprises:

determining if each player desires to continue activating his or her respective gaming machine if it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria; and

configuring to a cash-out mode any gaming machine of a player who does not desire to continue activating his or her gaming machine.

39. The process according to claim 36 wherein step (q) further comprises the steps of:

determining if each player desires to continue activating his or her respective gaming machine if it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria; and

configuring to a cash-out mode any gaming machine of a player who does not desire to continue activating his or her gaming machine.

40. An interactive gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players, each gaming machine having a wagering game and a theme game, the wagering game having features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played;

a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random;

means for configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out scheme;

means for activating each gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game;

means for controlling each gaming machine to use the results of the wagering game to simultaneously play and influence the results of the theme game;

first means for determining if there is a player whose theme game results meet a first predetermined criteria;

means, responsive to the first determining means, for designating the player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria as the Leader;

means for configuring the gaming machines according to a second pay-out scheme when the designating means designates a player as the Leader;

means for activating the gaming machines to effect play of the wagering game in the second pay-out scheme;

means for controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the results of the wagering game;

second means for determining if the current Leader'"'"'s theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria;

third means for determining if any of the players'"'"' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria; and

means, responsive to the second and third determining means for providing a proportional share of a jackpot to each player in the group of players if the current Leader'"'"'s theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria, and at least one of the players'"'"' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria.

41. The system according to claim 40 further means, associated with each gaming machine, for placing a wager.