Method and apparatus for outputting apparent and actual outcomes of a gaming device

• US 7,467,999 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Friesen, Scott T., Fincham, Magdalena M., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau; Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARPER, TRAMAR YONG
• Application Number:
  US10/328,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20030220133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,195 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• 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 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for outputting an outcome for a game of a gaming device is presented, wherein the method comprises first outputting an apparent outcome for the game and then outputting an actual outcome for the game. In one or more embodiments, a benefit corresponding to the apparent outcome may not be provided to the player playing the gaming device. For example, a hopper may be prevented from dispensing a payout associated with the apparent outcome. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a character (e.g., an animated character) may be displayed as changing the apparent outcome into the actual outcome.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining, based on a random number, a first set of indicia as an outcome of a game being played by a player of a gaming device;

determining that a first benefit associated with the first set of indicia is of at least a predetermined value;

determining, based on the first set of indicia, a second set of indicia that corresponds to a second benefit that is of lesser value than the first benefit, wherein the step of determining a second set of indicia comprises;

determining, based on the first set of indicia, a desired characteristic, wherein a payout is associated with the second set of indicia and the desired characteristic comprises a predetermined amount that the payout cannot exceed; and

determining a second set of indicia such that the second set of indicia possesses the characteristic;

wherein the step of determining the second set of indicia further comprises;

generating a second random number;

determining a possible set of indicia that corresponds to the second random number;

selecting the possible set of indicia as the second set of indicia if the possible set of indicia satisfies the desired characteristic; and

generating a third random number if the possible set of indicia is associated with a payout that does exceed the predetermined amount;

displaying the second set of indicia as the outcome of the game;

displaying, after a predetermined amount of time passes from a time the second set of indicia was displayed, the first set of indicia as the outcome of the game; and

providing the first benefit to the player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a second set of indicia comprises:

determining, based on the first set of indicia, a second set of indicia that does not correspond to any benefit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the second set of indicia comprises:

determining the second set of indicia based on a set of predetermined rules.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining that a first benefit associated with the first set of indicia is of at least a predetermined value comprises:

determining that a first payout associated with the first set of indicia is at least equal to a second predetermined amount.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining the second set of indicia comprises:

determining, based on the first set of indicia, that the payout that is less than the first payout.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

preventing a means for providing benefits from providing the second benefit to the player.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of preventing comprises:

preventing a hopper of the gaming device from dispensing the payout to the player.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of preventing comprises:

preventing a credit meter balance from being increased by an amount of the payout.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

displaying a payout table that includes an indication of the first payout as corresponding to the first set of indicia and an indication of the payout as corresponding to the second set of indicia.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting

an indication of the first benefit,

an indication that the first benefit corresponds to the first set of indicia,

an indication of the second benefit, and

an indication that the second benefit corresponds to the second set of indicia.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

preventing a means for providing benefits from providing the second benefit to the player.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a second possible set of indicia that corresponds to the third random number.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising selecting the second possible set of indicia as the second set of indicia if the second possible set of indicia satisfies the desired characteristic.

14. A system comprising:

a user interface; and

a control system operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to;

determine, based on a random number, a first set of indicia as an outcome of a game being played through the user interface by a player of a gaming device;

determine that a first benefit associated with the first set of indicia is of at least a predetermined value;

determine, based on the first set of indicia, a second set of indicia that corresponds to a second benefit that is of lesser value than the first benefit, wherein the control systems determines the second set of indicia by being adapted to;

generate a second random number;

determine a possible set of indicia that corresponds to the second random number;

determine, based on the first set of indicia, a desired characteristic, wherein a payout is associated with the second set of indicia and the desired characteristic comprises a predetermined amount that the payout cannot exceed; and

determine a second set of indicia such that the second set of indicia possesses the characteristic;

select the possible set of indicia as the second set of indicia if the possible set of indicia satisfies the desired characteristic; and

generate a third random number if the possible set of indicia is associated with a payout that does exceed the predetermined amount;

display the second set of indicia as the outcome of the game;

display, after a predetermined amount of time passes from a time the second set of indicia was displayed, the first set of indicia as the outcome of the game; and

provide the first benefit to the player.

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

determine, based on a random number, a first set of indicia as an outcome of a game being played through a user interface by a player of a gaming device;

determine that a first benefit associated with the first set of indicia is of at least a predetermined value;

determine, based on the first set of indicia, a second set of indicia that corresponds to a second benefit that is of lesser value than the first benefit, wherein the control systems determines the second set of indicia by being adapted to;

generate a second random number;

determine a possible set of indicia that corresponds to the second random number;

determine, based on the first set of indicia, a desired characteristic, wherein a payout is associated with the second set of indicia and the desired characteristic comprises a predetermined amount that the payout cannot exceed; and

determine a second set of indicia such that the second set of indicia possesses the characteristic;

select the possible set of indicia as the second set of indicia if the possible set of indicia satisfies the desired characteristic; and

generate a third random number if the possible set of indicia is associated with a payout that does exceed the predetermined amount;

display the second set of indicia as the outcome of the game;

display, after a predetermined amount of time passes from a time the second set of indicia was displayed, the first set of indicia as the outcome of the game; and

provide the first benefit to the player.