Gaming system and method for providing play of local first game and remote second game

• US 9,142,097 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Rowe, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Allen
• Application Number:
  US11/925,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20090111574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,888 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/23, 463/25
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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 17/3267 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 17/3274 wherein the players cooperate, e.g. team-play
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars

Abstract

A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming devices. Upon the central server determining that a game transfer event has occurred, the central server selects a game played by a first player at a first gaming device to be displayed to a second player at a second, gaming device in the gaming system. The first player at the first gaming device and the second player at the second gaming device are provided any awards for the outcomes generated in association with the game currently played by the first player at the first gaming device.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a first gaming device including;

a housing,

at least one display device supported by the housing,

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including;

(i) an acceptor,

(ii) a validator, and

(iii) a cashout device, and

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the plurality of input devices to;

(a) if a physical item is received via the acceptor;

(i) identify, via the validator, the received physical item, and

(ii) establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received and identified physical item,

(b) display a first game, and

(c) if a cashout input is received via the cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance;

a second, different gaming device including at least one display device; and

at least one controller configured to operate with the first gaming device and the second gaming device to;

(a) randomly determine an occurrence of a game transfer event, wherein the random determination is based on a determination independent of any displayed event in any play of any game of the first gaming device; and

(b) if the game transfer event randomly occurs;

(i) cause the first gaming device to;

(A) display at least one play of a second, different game of the second, different gaming device,

(B) display an outcome for the at least one play of the second game, and

(C) provide any award associated with the displayed outcome for the at least one play of the second game, wherein any provided award for the at least one play of the second game is in addition to any provided award for any plays of the first game; and

(ii) cause the second gaming device to provide any award associated with the displayed outcome for the at least one play of the second game.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least one controller is configured to enable a player at the first gaming device to place a wager on the displayed play of the second game and if the player at the first gaming device placed the wager on the displayed play of the second game, any award associated with the displayed outcome for the at least one play of the second game is modified based on the placed wager.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least one controller is configured to enable a player at the first gaming device to accept or reject the at least one play of the second game.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least on controller is configured to cause the first gaming device to display a plurality of plays of the second game.

5. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including;

a housing,

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including;

(i) an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value,

(ii) a validator configured to identify the physical item, wherein a credit balance is established, based, at least in part, on the monetary value of the accepted and identified physical item, and

(iii) a cashout device configured to receive an input to cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance, and

at least one display device supported by the housing and configured to display a different game; and

at least one controller configured to communicate with each of said gaming devices, said at least one controller is configured to;

(a) randomly determine if a game transfer event occurs; and

(b) if the game transfer event randomly occurs;

(i) randomly designate one of the gaming devices as a triggering gaming device and at least one of the remaining gaming devices as a supplemental gaming device;

(ii) select a game played at one of the supplemental gaming devices;

(iii) cause the triggering gaming device to display at least one play of the selected game to a player at the triggering gaming device; and

(iv) cause the triggering gaming device to provide the player at the triggering gaming device any award associated with an outcome generated for the at least one play of the selected game, wherein a player at the supplemental gaming device which displays the selected game is provided any award associated with the outcome generated for the at least one play of the selected game.

6. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein the random determination that the game transfer event will occur is based on one selected from the group consisting of at least one displayed event in the play of the first game of the first gaming device, and a determination independent of any displayed event in any play of any game of the first gaming device.

7. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein said at least one controller is configured to select a game currently played at one of the supplemental gaming devices.

8. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein said at least one controller is configured to select a game previously played at one of the supplemental gaming devices during a designated period.

9. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein upon the random occurrence of the game transfer event, said at least one controller is configured to enable the player at the triggering gaming device to place a wager on the at least one displayed play of the selected game and if the player at the triggering gaming device placed the wager on the displayed play of the selected game, any award associated with the determined outcome for the at least one play of the selected game is modified based on the placed wager.

10. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein upon the random occurrence of the game transfer event, said at least one controller is configured to cause the triggering gaming device to display a plurality of plays of the selected game to the player at the triggering gaming device.

11. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein the selected game is based on player tracking information.

12. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein the selected game is based on a specified group of players designated by the player at the triggering gaming device.

13. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein said at least one controller is configured to enable a player at the triggering gaming device to accept or reject the at least one play of the selected game.

14. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein said at least one controller is configured to randomly select the game currently displayed at one of the supplemental gaming devices.

15. A gaming apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including;

(i) an acceptor,

(ii) a validator, and

(iii) a cashout device;

at least one display device supported by the housing;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to operate with the plurality of input devices and the at least one display device to;

(a) if a physical item is received via the acceptor;

(i) identify, via the validator, the received physical item, and

(ii) establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received and identified physical item,

(b) display at least one play of a first game;

(c) generate an outcome for the at least one play of the first game;

(d) provide any award associated with the generated outcome for the at least one displayed play of the first game;

(e) receive data from at least one controller regarding a random occurrence of a game transfer event and if said gaming apparatus is randomly designated as a triggering gaming apparatus or as a supplemental gaming apparatus; and

(f) if said gaming apparatus is designated as the triggering gaming apparatus;

(i) display at least one play of a second, different game played at a different gaming apparatus; and

(ii) provide any award associated with an outcome generated for the at least one displayed play of the second game, and

(g) if a cashout input is received via the cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

16. The gaming apparatus of claim 15, wherein if said gaming apparatus is designated as the triggering gaming apparatus, the at least one processor is programmed to receive a placement of a wager on the at least one displayed play of the second game, wherein if the wager is placed on the at least one displayed play of the second game, any award associated with the determined outcome for the at least one play of the second game is modified based on the placed wager.

17. The gaming apparatus of claim 15, wherein if said gaming apparatus is designated as the triggering gaming apparatus, the at least one processor is programmed to display a plurality of plays of the second game.

18. The gaming apparatus of claim 15, wherein if said gaming apparatus is designated as the triggering gaming apparatus, the at least one processor is programmed to receive an input to accept or reject the at least one play of the second game.

19. The gaming apparatus of claim 15, wherein said housing is remote from a housing of the at least one processor.

20. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including;

a housing,

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including;

(i) an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value,

(ii) a validator configured to identify the physical item, wherein a credit balance is established based, at least in part, on the monetary value of the accepted and identified physical item, and

(iii) a cashout device configured to receive an input to cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance, and

at least one display device supported by the housing and configured to display a different game; and

at least one controller configured to communicate with each of said gaming devices to;

(a) cause a first one of the gaming devices to display a first game;

(b) randomly determine if a game transfer event occurs; and

(c) if the game transfer event randomly occurs;

(i) identify the plurality of games at the plurality of gaming devices,

(ii) randomly select at least one of said identified games, and

(iii) cause the first one of the gaming devices to display a free play of the selected game.

21. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein the at least one controller is configured to randomly determine a game outcome for the free play of the selected game.

22. A method of operating a gaming system at a gaming location having a plurality of gaming devices and a plurality of different games playable at said gaming devices, said method comprising:

(a) causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to randomly determine if a game transfer event occurs in association with a first one of the gaming devices which displays a first one of said games, wherein the random determination is based on a determination independent of any displayed event in any play of any game of the first one of the gaming devices; and

(b) if the game transfer event randomly occurs in association with the first one of the gaming devices;

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select a designated one of the plurality of games playable at the gaming devices at the gaming location, and

(ii) causing the selected designated game to be displayed at the first one of the gaming devices, wherein the selected designated game is different than the displayed first one of the games, wherein a credit balance of the first one of the gaming devices is;

(A) increasable via;

(I) an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and

(II) a validator configured to identify the physical item, and

(B) decreasable via a cashout device configured to receive an input to cause an initiation of a payout associated with the credit balance.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein prior to being selected, the designated game is not playable at the first one of the gaming devices.

24. A gaming system comprising:

at least one gaming device, said at least one gaming device including;

a housing;

plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including;

(i) an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value,

(ii) a validator configured to identify the physical item, wherein a credit balance is established based, at least in part, on the monetary value of the accepted and identified physical item, and

(iii) a cashout device configured to receive an input to cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance, and

at least one display device supported by the housing; and

at least one controller configured to communicate with said at least one gaming device, said at least one controller configured to;

(a) cause the at least one gaming device to;

(i) for each of a quantity of plays of a first game, said quantity being at least two, display each said play of the first game, wherein each play of the first game is operable upon a separate wager placed,

(ii) for each of the quantity of plays of the first game, generate and display an outcome, and

(iii) for each of the quantity of plays of the first game, display any award associated with the generated outcome;

(b) determine if a game transfer event occurs, wherein said determination is based on the quantity of plays of the first game; and

(c) if the determination is that the game transfer event occurs,

(i) randomly select a second, different game, and

(ii) cause the at least one gaming device to;

(A) display at least one play of the selected second, different game upon a wager placed,

(B) generate and display an outcome for the at least one wagered on play of the second game, and

(C) provide any award associated with the generated outcome for the at least one wagered on play of the second game.

25. A gaming system comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including;

(i) an acceptor,

(ii) a validator, and

(iii) a cashout device;

at least one display device supported by the housing;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to operate with the plurality of input devices and the at least one display device to;

(a) if a physical item is received via the acceptor;

(i) identify, via the validator, the received physical item, and

(ii) establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received and identified physical item,

(b) display each of a quantity of plays of a first game, wherein said quantity of plays of the first game is at least two and each play of the first game is operable upon a separate wager placed;

(c) generate and display an outcome for each of the quantity of wagered on plays of the first game;

(d) provide any award associated with the generated outcome for each of the quantity of wagered on plays of the first game;

(e) receive data from at least one controller regarding an occurrence of a game transfer event, wherein said received data includes a plurality of instructions for a non-player selected second, different game and the occurrence of the game transfer event is based on a determination independent of any displayed event in any play of the first game;

(f) display at least one play of the second, different game upon a placement of a wager;

(g) generate and display an outcome for the at least one wagered on play of the second, different game,

(h) provide any award associated with the generated outcome for the at least one wagered on play of the second game, and

(i) if a cashout input is received via the cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

26. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein the game transfer event occurs based on an elapsed period of time.

27. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein the game transfer event occurs based on a counter reaching a threshold.

28. A gaming system comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including;

(i) an acceptor,

(ii) a validator, and

(iii) a cashout device;

at least one display device supported by the housing;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one input device and the at least one display device to;

(a) if a physical item is received via the acceptor;

(i) identify, via the validator, the received physical item, and

(ii) establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received and identified physical item,

(b) display each of a quantity of plays of a first game, wherein said quantity of plays of the first game is at least two and each play of the first game is operable upon a separate wager placed by the player;

(c) generate and display an outcome for each of the quantity of wagered on plays of the first game;

(d) provide any award associated with the generated outcome for each of the quantity of wagered on plays of the first game; and

(e) upon an occurrence of a game transfer event, display an indication of a non-player selected, different second game that is available for a separate wager to be subsequently placed on, wherein said indication of the second game is displayed during one of said quantity of displayed plays of the first game and the occurrence of the game transfer event is based on a determination independent of any displayed event in any play of the first game, and

(f) if a cashout input is received via the cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

29. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the game transfer event occurs based on an elapsed period of time.

30. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the game transfer event occurs based on a counter reaching a threshold.