Gaming machines and systems offering simultaneous play of multiple games and methods of gaming

• US 6,652,378 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: OʼDonovan, John P., Cannon, Lee E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUECHNER, PATRICK M
• Application Number:
  US09/872,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16-20, 463/25-27, 463/30-34, 463/40-43, 273/138.1, 273/143.R, 700/90-91
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/326 Game play aspects of gaming systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

Gaming apparatus and methods of conducting a wagering game of chance. A gaming machine is disclosed which is configured for mutually concurrent play of a plurality of games of chance on a single display screen. A method of conducting a wagering activity includes providing a player with a plurality of differing games of chance, at least some of which are mutually concurrently playable on a single screen display of a gaming device and enabling mutually concurrent play of the plurality of differing games of chance on the single screen display. Various other gaming machine configurations and methods of play related to multiple differing games of chance on a single display screen are also disclosed herein. Networked gaming machines are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a wagering game of chance on a gaming device, comprising:

providing a player with a plurality of mutually differing games of chance displayed on a single screen display of the gaming device;

providing the player with a first round of play in which to achieve a specific outcome in at least one of the plurality of mutually differing games of chance;

mutually concurrently playing the plurality of mutually differing games of chance to a specific outcome in at least one of the plurality of mutually differing games of chance;

freezing play of the at least one of the plurality of mutually differing games of chance;

providing the player with a second round of play in which to achieve a specific outcome in the remaining mutually differing games of chance; and

mutually concurrently playing the remaining mutually differing games of chance by the player to a specific outcome in at least one of the remaining mutually differing games of chance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing the player with the plurality of mutually differing games of chance comprises providing the player with at least four mutually differing games of chance, and further comprising providing the player with at least a third and fourth round of play until a specific outcome is achieved in each of the at least four mutually differing games of chance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mutually differing games of chance are selected from the group consisting of blackjack games, poker games, reel slot machine games, keno games, bingo games, roulette games, and craps games.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising paying an award for each of the specific outcomes.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein an award of an increasing amount is paid for each specific outcome achieved during play of the remaining mutually differing games of chance after the first round of play.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing at least one other gaming device linked to the gaming device, the at least one other gaming device provided with the plurality of mutually differing games of chance displayable on a gaming screen thereof, and further comprising permitting a player at the at least one other gaming device to mutually concurrently participate in at least the first round of play.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising paying an award for each of the specific outcomes to the player achieving the specific outcome.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second rounds of play comprise a predetermined number of plays or a predetermined time period in which to achieve a specific outcome in at least one of the plurality of mutually differing games of chance.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising resetting play of the gaming device if the player does not achieve a specific outcome in at least one of the plurality of mutually differing games of chance during the first round of play.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising resetting play of the gaming device if the player does not achieve a specific outcome in at least one of the remaining mutually differing games of chance during the second round of play.

11. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit including a display screen;

a value input device to receive a wager from a first person;

an input device to allow the first person to make an input selection;

a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the value input device, and the input device, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to allow the first person to make a wager;

the controller being programmed to allow the first person to play at least one game;

the controller being programmed to mutually concurrently display the at least one game and at least one remotely played game on the display screen, the at least one remotely played game played by a second person at a remote gaming apparatus; and

the controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with at least an outcome of the at least one game.

12. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein at least one game includes a game selected from the group consisting of a blackjack game, a poker game, a reel slot machine game, a keno game, a bingo game, a roulette game, and a craps game.

13. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein at least one game is selectable from a plurality of types of games.

14. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein at least one game is a tournament game.

15. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to mutually concurrently display the at least one game, the at least one remotely played game, and at least one Sports Book event on the display screen;

wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to make a wager on the at least one Sports Book event.

16. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to mutually concurrently display the at least one game, the at least one remotely played game, and at least one Race Book event on the display screen;

wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to make a wager on the at least one Race Book event.

17. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to make a wager on the at least one remotely played game via the input device of the gaming apparatus.

18. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to receive casino-related information;

wherein the controller is programmed to display the casino-related information in an informational window on the display screen;

wherein the controller is programmed to mutually concurrently display the at least one game, the at least one remotely played game, and the informational window on the display screen.

19. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the remotely played game displayed on the display screen is the same game image that is displayed on a display screen of the remote gaming apparatus.

20. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of discrete, separately-controllable sub-arrays.

21. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the display unit comprises picture-in-picture technology.

22. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to send an email to the remote gaming apparatus.

23. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to display on the display screen email received from the remote gaming apparatus.

24. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising a network interface device operatively coupled to the controller and to a network.

25. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to provide input to the at least one remotely played game via the input device of the gaming apparatus.

26. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the at least one game and the at least one remotely played game are independently operable.

27. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to determine the value payout associated with outcomes of the at least one game and the at least one remotely played game.

28. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein the controller is programmed to apportion the value payout between the first person and the second person.

29. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the remotely played game is a tournament game.

30. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the remotely played game is a tournament game as played by the second person;

and

wherein the at least one game is the same tournament game as played by the first person.

31. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to play a plurality of games;

wherein the controller is programmed to mutually concurrently display the plurality of games and the at least one remotely played game on the display screen; and

wherein the controller is programmed to determine a value payout associated with at least outcomes of the plurality of games.

32. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to play the plurality of games at least one of simultaneously, sequentially, and randomly.

33. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to mutually concurrently display the at least one game, the at least one remotely played game, and information related to the play of the remotely played game on the display screen.

34. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein the information related to the play of the remotely played game includes at least one of a number of credits wagered, a number of credits available, cumulative winnings, and statistical play information.

35. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to display the at least one game and the at least one remotely played game in a plurality of graphically distinct windows on the display screen, cacti of the plurality of graphically distinct windows in a non-overlapping relationship with another of the plurality of the graphically distinct windows.

36. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 35, further comprising player responsive controls, operatively coupled to the controller, to adjust at least one size and location, on the display screen, of at least one of the plurality of graphically distinct windows.

37. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein the plurality of graphically distinct windows are in fixed locations on the display screen.

38. A gaming method, comprising:

accepting a wager from a first person;

mutually concurrently displaying at least one locally played game and at least one remotely played game, wherein the at least one locally played game is played by a first person, and wherein the at least one remotely played game is played by a second person at a location remote to the first person; and

determining a value payout associated with at least an outcome of the at least one locally played game.

39. A gaming method as defined in claim 38, further comprising providing input, via an input device of the gaming apparatus, to the at least one remotely played game.

40. A gaming method as defined in claim 38, further comprising accepting a wager on the at least one remotely played game from the first poison via an input device of the gaming apparatus.

41. A gaming method as defined in claim 38, wherein the at least one locally played game arid the at least one remotely played game are independently operable.

42. A gaming method as defined in claim 38, wherein the remotely played game displayed on the display screen is the same game image that is displayed on a display screen of the remote gaming apparatus.

43. A gaming method as defined in claim 38, wherein the display screen comprises a plurality of discrete, separately-controllable sub-arrays.

44. A gaming method as defined in claim 38, wherein the value payout is associate with outcomes of the at least one locally game and the at least one remotely played game.

45. A gaming method as defined in claim 44, further comprising apportioning the value payout between the first person and the second person.

46. A gaming method as defined in claim 38, wherein the remotely played game is a tournament game.

47. A gaming method as defined in claim 46, wherein the remotely played game is a tournament game as played by the second person;

and

wherein the at least one locally played game is the same tournament game as played by the first person.

48. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit including a display screen;

a value input device to receive a wager from a person;

an input device to allow the person to make an input selection;

a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the value input device, and the input device, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to allow the person to make a wager,

the controller being programmed to initiate play of a plurality of games in response to the wager;

the controller being programmed to allow the person to play the plurality of games simultaneously;

the controller being programmed to mutually concurrently display the plurality of games on the display screen, and

the controller being programmed to provide a bonus in response to a combination of respective specific outcomes of at least two of the plurality of games.

49. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein the provided bonus is relatively more valuable if the respective specific outcomes are simultaneous, rather than non-simultaneous.

50. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein the controller is programmed to qualify the player for entry into a tournament game in response to the combination of the respective specific outcomes.

51. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein the controller is programmed to, in response to the combination of the respective specific outcomes, activate a multiplier, the multiplier to multiply a value payout associated with at least one of the respective specific outcomes of the at least two of the plurality of games.

52. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 51, wherein the controller is programmed to determine the multiplier based on a number of simultaneous winning outcomes.

53. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein the controller is programmed to activate at least one bonus game in response to the combination of the respective specific outcomes.

54. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 53, wherein the controller is programmed to enable play of the bonus game, wherein the bonus game and at least another of the plurality of games, different from the at least two of the plurality of games, are independently operable.

55. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 54, wherein the controller is programmed to determine a value payout based on a winning outcome of the bonus game and the winning outcome of the at least another of the plurality of games.

56. A gaming method comprising:

accepting a wager for initiating play of the plurality of games;

enabling simultaneous play of the plurality of games, wherein the plurality of games are independently operable;

mutually concurrently displaying the plurality of games on a display screen; and

providing a bonus in response to a combination of respective specific outcomes of at least two of the plurality of games.

57. A gaming method as defined in claim 56, wherein the provided bonus is relatively more valuable if the respective specific outcomes are simultaneous, rather than non-simultaneous.

58. A gaming method as defined in claim 56, wherein providing the bonus comprises qualifying the player for entry into a tournament game.

59. A gaming method as defined in claim 56, wherein providing the bonus comprises activating a multiplier, the multiplier to multiply a value payout associated with at least one of the respective specific outcomes of the at least two of the plurality of games.

60. A gaming method as defined in claim 59, further comprising determining the multiplier based on a number of simultaneous winning outcomes.

61. A gaming method as defined in claim 56, wherein providing the bonus comprises activating at least one bonus game.

62. A gaming method as defined in claim 61, further comprising enabling play of the bonus game, wherein the bonds game and at least another of the plurality of games, different from the at least two of the plurality of games, are independently operable.

63. A gaming method as defined in claim 62, further comprising determining a value payout based on a winning outcome of the bonus game and the winning outcome of the at least another of the plurality of games.

64. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit including a display screen;

a value input device;

an input device to allow a first person to make an input selection;

a network interface device to operatively link the gaming apparatus to a network, the network having a plurality of gaming devices, separate from the gaming apparatus, operatively linked thereto;

a web server operatively coupled to the network interface device to facilitate remote access to the gaming apparatus via the network, the web server being configured to generate web pages having executable software that allows remote operation of the gaming apparatus;

the web server being configured to transmit at least one of the web pages via the network to at least one of the gaming devices separate from the gaming apparatus;

a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the value input device, the input device, the network interface device, and the web server, the controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory operatively coupled to the microprocessor, the controller being programmed to allow the first person to make a wager;

the controller being programmed to allow the first person to play a plurality of games, wherein the plurality of games are independently operable;

the controller being programmed to mutually concurrently display the plurality of games on the display screen;

the controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with outcomes of the plurality of games; and

the controller being programmed to allow remote operation of the gaming apparatus via the web server.

65. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the web server is configured to transmit information allowing a second person to view at least one of the plurality of games on one of the plurality of gaming devices sepal-ate from the gaming apparatus.

66. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, further comprising a master wagering control operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to make wagers of common amounts for at least some of the plurality of games via the master wagering control.

67. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, further comprising a credit meter, separate from the display screen, operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is programmed to display available credits on the credit meter.

68. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to play the plurality of games simultaneously.

69. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to play the plurality of genies sequentially.

70. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to play the plurality of games randomly.

71. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the web server is configured to generate web pages having executable software that allows gaming images appearing on the display screen of the gaming apparatus to be displayed on a display of the at least one gaming device separate from the gaming apparatus.

72. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the web server is configured, and the controller is programmed, to allow the first person and a second person to jointly play one of the plurality of games;

wherein the second person participates in the jointly played game via one of the plurality of gaming devices separate from the gaming apparatus.

73. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 72, wherein the controller is programmed to determine a value payout associated with the jointly played game;

wherein the controller is programmed to apportion the value payout between the first person and the second person.

74. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to input to the gaming apparatus an identifier associated with a second person;

wherein the web server is configured to use the identifier to establish bi-directional communication, via the network, between the gaming apparatus and one of the plurality of gaming devices separate from the gaming apparatus that is being operated by the second person.

75. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 74, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to input the identifier via a graphical user interface.

76. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 74, further comprising a smart card reader operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to input the identifier via a smart card.

77. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein at least some of the plurality of games is selectable from a plurality of types of games.

78. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 77, wherein the controller is configured to allow the first person to select a type of game for each of at least sonic of the plurality of games.

79. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 77, wherein the controller is configure to randomly select a type of game for each of at least some of the plurality of games.

80. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein the web server is configured, and the controller is programmed, to allow a second person to remotely play a game via one of the plurality of gaming devices separate from the gaming apparatus.

81. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 80, wherein the controller is programmed to mutually concurrently display the plurality of games and the remotely played game on the display screen.

82. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 81, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person to make a wager on the remotely played game via the input device of the gaming apparatus.

83. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 81, wherein the web server is configured, and the controller is programmed, to allow the second person to make a wager on the remotely played game via one of the plurality of gaming devices separate from the gaming apparatus.

84. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit including a display screen;

a value input device;

a first set of input controls to allow a first person to make input selections;

a second set of input controls, separate from the first set of input controls, to allow a second person to make input selections;

a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the value input device, the first set of input controls, and the second set of input controls, the controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory operatively coupled to the microprocessor,

the controller being programmed to allow the first and second persons to make a wager;

the controller being programmed to allow the first person and the second person to play a plurality of games, wherein the plurality of games are independently operable;

the controller being programmed to mutually concurrently display the plurality of games on the display screen; and

the controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with outcomes of the plurality of games.

85. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein the plurality of games include at least one game selected from the group consisting of a blackjack game, a poker game, a reel slot machine game, a keno game, a bingo game, a roulette game, and a craps game.

86. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein at least one of the plurality of games is selectable from a plurality of types of games.

87. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein at least one of the plurality of games is a tournament game.

88. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein the controller is programmed to mutually concurrently display the plurality of games and at least one Race Book event on the display screen.

89. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the first person and the second person to compete against each other via playing the plurality of games.

90. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein the controller is programmed to apportion the value payout between the first per on and the second person.

91. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein the controller is programmed to display at least some of the plurality of games in a plurality of graphically distinct windows on the display screen, each of the plurality of graphically distinct windows in a non-overlapping relationship with another of the plurality of graphically distinct windows.

92. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 91, wherein the plurality of graphically distinct windows are in fixed locations on the display screen.

93. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 84, wherein the controller is programmed to enable a bonus in response to a specific outcome of at least one of the plurality of games.

94. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 93, wherein the bonus applies to the person playing the at least one of the plurality of games.

95. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 93, wherein the bonus applies to a person other than the person playing the at least one of the plurality of games.

96. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim the bonus applies to the first person and the second person.