Slot driven video story

• US 7,198,572 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Walker, Jay S., Fink, Jesse M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/882,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20040242304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 9- 13, 463 16- 22, 463 25- 31, 463 40- 43, 273/143.R, 273/139, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273292-293, 700 91- 93, 705/1, 705 16- 17, 705/39, 705/41, 725 5- 8, 725/23, 725/25, 725/30, 725/32, 725/34, 725/86, 725/141, 725/153
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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:

receiving, via a gaming device, a code indicating a point of termination of a video presentation;

determining an outcome of a game play at the gaining device;

determining that the outcome corresponds to a display of a video presentation; and

causing, in response to determining tat the outcome corresponds to a display of a video presentation, a display of the video presentation to be resumed from the point of termination.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication that an outcome of a game play at the gaming device corresponds to an output of a portion of the video presentation;

determining the portion of the video presentation based at least on the code; and

wherein causing comprises;

causing the determined portion of the video presentation to be output via the gaming device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the portion of the video presentation comprises:

determining a start point of the portion based on the point of termination indicated by the code; and

determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining an end point comprises determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on the outcome of the game play.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein determining an end point comprises determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on an amount of the video presentation previously output to a player associated with the code.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein determining an end point comprises determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on a length of a play session of a player associated with the code.

7. The method of claim 3, wberein determining an end point comprises determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on a player status of a player associated with the code.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is output via a first gaming device and is received at a second gaining device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is received at a time different from a time at which the code was output.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the code comprises a player tracking card identifier.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the code comprises:

determining that a player tracking card has been inserted into the gaming device; and

determining a player tracking card identifier of the card.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining, based on the player tracking card identifier, an amount of video presentation already output to a player associated with the player tracking card identifier, thereby determining a point of termination of the video presentation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining an amount of video presentation already viewed comprises:

retrieving, from a database and based on the player tracking card identifier, a record that stores an indication of an amount of video presentation already output to the player.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

perform the method of claim 1.

15. A computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that direct a microprocessor to:

perform the method of claim 1.

16. A method, comprising:

determining that a random outcome of a game play at a gaming device corresponds to an output of a portion of a video presentation;

determining the portion of the video presentation by

selecting the video presentation from a plurality of available video presentations,

determining a start point of the portion of the video presentation, and

determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation; and

causing the determined portion of the video presentation to be output via the gaming device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein selecting the video presentation comprises:

selecting the video presentation based on information associated with a player associated with the random outcome.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein selecting the video presentation comprises selecting a category of video presentation based on a preference indicated by the player.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein detennining a start point of the portion of the video presentation comprises:

determining an end point of a portion of the video presentation previously output to a player associated with the random outcome; and

determining the start point such that an output of the video presentation resumes from the end point of the portion previously output.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation comprises:

determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on the outcome of the game play.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation comprises:

determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on an amount of the video presentation previously output to a player associated with the code.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation comprises:

determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on a length of a play session of a player associated with the random outcome.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation comprises:

determining an end point of the portion of the video presentation based on a player status of a player associated with the random outcome.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

perform the method of claim 16.

25. A computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that direct a microprocessor to:

perform the method of claim 16.