Slot driven video story

• US 8,328,624 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Fink, Jesse M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuff, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin Y
• Application Number:
  US11/677,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20070191092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,119 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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 of operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising:

(a) causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine an outcome associated with a play of a game at the gaming device, the determined outcome being one of;

(i) a first outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of a plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award;

(ii) a second outcome corresponding to;

(A) no award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of said plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award; and

(iii) a third outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) no display of one of the plurality of video presentations;

(b) if the determined outcome is the first outcome;

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to cause a portion of less than all of the content the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to be displayed; and

(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided;

(c) if the determined outcome is the second outcome, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to cause a portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to be displayed; and

(d) if the determined outcome is the third outcome, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions cause the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of the portion of the content of the video presentation to be displayed is based on at least one previously displayed portion of the video presentation and the outcome associated with the play of the game.

3. The method of claim 1, further including storing the video presentation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein storing the video presentation includes storing the video presentation at the gaming device.

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

6. The method of claim 1, further including causing at least one display device to display the content of the video presentation to a player.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein causing the at least one display device to display the content of the video presentation to the player is separate from an indication of the outcome.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein causing the at least one display device to display the content of the video presentation to the player separate from the indication of the outcome includes causing a first display device to display the indication of the outcome in a first game play area and causing a second display device to display the content of the video presentation in a separate second video presentation area of the gaming device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the content of the video presentation is selected from at least one of the group consisting of:

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

10. A system comprising:

an input device;

a processor;

a display device; and

a memory device, said memory device storing a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device and the input device to;

(a) determine an outcome associated with a play of a game, the determined outcome being one of;

(i) a first outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of a plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award;

(ii) a second outcome corresponding to;

(A) no award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of the plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award; and

(iii) a third outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) no display of one of the plurality of video presentations;

(b) if the determined outcome is the first outcome;

(i) display a portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome; and

(ii) cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided;

(c) if the determined outcome is the second outcome, display a portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome; and

(d) if the determined outcome is the third outcome, cause the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software with instructions for directing a processor to operate to:

(a) determine an outcome associated with a play of a game at a gaming device, the determine outcome being one of;

(i) a first outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of a plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award;

(ii) a second outcome corresponding to;

(A) no award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of the plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award; and

(iii) a third outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) no display of one of the plurality of video presentations;

(b) if the determined outcome is the first outcome;

(i) cause a portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to be displayed; and

(ii) cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided;

(c) if the determined outcome is the second outcome, cause a portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to be displayed; and

(d) if the determined outcome is the third outcome, cause the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided.

12. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) providing a play of a first game to a player at a first gaming device;

(b) causing at least one processor to determine an outcome associated with the play of the first game at the first gaming device, the determined outcome being one of;

(i) a first outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of a plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any game play displayed to the player, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the first game;

(2) any award determination associated with any play of any game; and

(3) any value of any determined award;

(ii) a second outcome corresponding to;

(A) no award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of the plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any displayed play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the first game;

(2) any award determination associated with any play of any game; and

(3) any value of any determined award; and

(iii) a third outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) no display of one of the plurality of video presentations;

(c) if the determined outcome of the play of the first game is the first outcome;

(i) causing a first display device to display a first portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to the player at the first gaming device; and

iii) causing the at least one processor to cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided to the player;

(d) if the determined outcome of the play of the first game is the second outcome, causing the first display device to display a first portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to the player at the first gaming device;

(e) if the determined outcome of the first game is the third outcome, causing the at least one processor to cause the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided to the player;

(f) providing a play of a second game to the player at a second gaming device;

(g) determining an outcome associated with the play of the second game at the second gaming device, the determined outcome being one of the first outcome, the second outcome, and the third outcome;

(h) if the determined outcome of the play of the second game is the first outcome;

(i) causing a second display device to display a second portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to the player at the second gaming device; and

(ii) causing the at least one processor to cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided to the player;

(i) if the determined outcome of the play of the second game is the second outcome, causing the second display device to display a second portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to the player at the second gaming device; and

(j) if the determined outcome of the play of the second game is the third outcome, causing the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided to the player.

13. The method of claim 12, further including storing an indication of a termination point, the indication of the termination point denoting an end of the first portion.

14. The method of claim 12, further including storing an indication of a resumption point, the indication of the resumption point denoting a beginning of the second portion.

15. The method of claim 12, further including identifying the player at the first and second gaming device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein identifying the player includes receiving a player tracking card from the player.

17. The method of claim 15, further including determining to provide the second portion of the content of the video presentation to the player at the second gaming device based at least in part on said identification of the player.

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

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the content of the video presentation is selected from at least one of the group consisting of:

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

20. The method of claim 12, wherein causing the second display device to display the second portion of the content of the video presentation includes displaying the second portion of the content of the video presentation after receiving a resume code.

21. The method of claim 20, further including providing the resume code to the player.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving the resume code includes receiving the resume code from the player.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein the first gaming device is the second gaming device.

24. The method of claim 12, wherein the first gaming device is different than the second gaming device.

25. The method of claim 12, wherein causing the second display device to display the second portion of the content of the video presentation includes displaying the second portion of the content of the video presentation after receiving a player identifier.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein receiving the player identifier includes receiving the player identifier from a player tracking card.

29. The method of claim 12, wherein the first game and the second game are a same type of game.

27. A system comprising:

a controller; and

a memory device, said memory device storing a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the controller, cause the controller to operate to;

(a) provide a play of a first game to a player at a first gaming device;

(b) determine an outcome associated with the play of the first game at the first gaming device, the determined outcome being one of;

(i) a first outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of a plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any game play displayed to the player, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with any game play; and

(3) any value of any determined award;

(ii) a second outcome corresponding to;

(A) no award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of the plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with any game play; and

(3) any value of any determined award; and

(iii) a third outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) no display of one of the plurality of video presentations;

(c) if the determined outcome of the play of the first game is the first outcome;

(i) cause a first portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to be displayed to the player at the first gaming device; and

(ii) cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided to the player;

(d) if the determined outcome of the play of the first game is the second outcome, cause a first portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to be displayed to the player at the first gaming device; and

(e) if the determined outcome of the first game is the third outcome, cause the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided to the player;

(f) provide a play of a second game to the player at a second gaming device; and

(g) determine an outcome associated with the play of the second game at the second gaming device, the determined outcome being one of the first outcome, the second outcome, and the third outcome;

(h) if the determined outcome of the play of the second game is the first outcome;

(i) cause a second portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to be displayed to the player at the second gaming device; and

(ii) cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided to the player;

(i) if the determined outcome of the play of the second game is the second outcome, cause a second portion of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to be displayed to the player at the second gaming device; and

(i) if the determined outcome of the play of the second game is the third outcome, causing the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided to the player.

28. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software with instructions for directing a processor to:

(a) cause at least one first display device to display a play of a game to a player at a first gaming device;

(b) cause at least one processor to determine an outcome associated with the play of the game at the first gaming device, the determined outcome being one of;

i) a first outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of a plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any game play displayed to the player, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award;

(ii) a second outcome corresponding to;

(A) no award value greater than zero; and

(B) one of the plurality of video presentations which is displayed in addition to any display of the play of the game, said video presentation including content which is distinct and independent from;

(1) any outcome determination associated with the play of the game;

(2) any award determination associated with the play of the game; and

(3) any value of any determined award; and

(iii) a third outcome corresponding to;

(A) an award value greater than zero; and

(B) no display of one of the plurality of video presentations;

(c) if the determined outcome of the play of the game at the first gaming device is the first outcome;

(i) cause a first portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to be displayed to the player at the first gaming device; and

(ii) cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided to the player;

(d) if the determined outcome of the play of the game at the first gaming device is the second outcome, cause a first portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to be displayed to the player at the first gaming device; and

(e) if the determined outcome of the play of the game at the first gaming device is the third outcome, cause the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided to the player;

(f) cause at least one second display device to display a play of the game to the player at a second gaming device; and

(g) determine an outcome associated with the play of the game at the second gaming device, the determined outcome being one of the first outcome, the second outcome, and the third outcome;

(h) if the determined outcome of the play of the game at the second gaming device is the first outcome;

(i) causing a second portion of less than all of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the first outcome to be displayed to the player at the second gaming device; and

(ii) cause the award value corresponding to the first outcome to be provided to the player;

(i) if the determined outcome of the play of the game at the second gaming device is the second outcome, cause a second portion of the content of the video presentation corresponding to the second outcome to be displayed to the player at the second gaming device; and

(j) if the determined outcome of the second game is the third outcome, causing the award value corresponding to the third outcome to be provided to the player.