Slot driven video story

• US 20030060278A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Jesse M. Fink, Thomas M. Sparico
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Walker, Jay S., Fink, Jesse M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,893,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 gaming device for providing a video payout, said gaming device comprising:

memory means for storing payouts, each payout corresponding to a gaming result;

gaming means, responsive to a player input, for providing a gaming result for each play;

video payout means for providing a video payout to said player, wherein said video payout is a presentation of video information displayed to said player; and

processor means, coupled to said gaming means and responsive to each said gaming result, for selecting from said memory means a payout in accord with said gaming result and causing said video payout means to provide video information based on said payout.

2. A gaming device as recited in claim 1, wherein length of said video information is determined by the said payout.

3. A gaming device as recited in claim 1, further comprising video memory means for storing video information.

4. A gaming device as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for accessing said video information from an external source.

5. A gaming device as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for receiving a player identifier with player data.

6. A gaming device as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor means causes said payout means to display a selected subset of video information based on said player identifier.

7. A gaming device as recited in claim 6 wherein said player identifier is derived from a player input, said player input corresponding to data provided to said player upon a termination of video information during a previous play session.

8. A gaming device as recited in claim 6 wherein said player identifier is derived from a player-inserted identity card.

9. A gaming device as recited in claim 1, wherein said video information offers an award to said player in return for a player input corresponding to a predetermined response to said video information, said gaming device further comprising an input means for receiving player inputs.

10. A gaming device as recited in claim 9, wherein said processor means detects a player input corresponding to said predetermined response and causes said payout means to provide an award to said player.

11. A method of operating a gaming device which provides, at least, a video payout, said video payout based on a set of payouts and being a presentation of video information displayed to a player, said gaming device including memory means for storing payouts corresponding to gaming results, said method comprising the steps of:

a) initiating a play of said gaming device in response to a user input;

b) generating a gaming result in response to said play; and

c) selecting a payout corresponding to said gaming result; and

d) providing video information to said player based on said payout.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising video memory means for storing video information.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein step d) further comprises accessing said video information from an external source.

14. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein step d) in accordance with player data further causes a selected subset of video information to be displayed to said player.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said player data is derived from a player-inserted identity card with player data.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said player data is derived from a player input, said player input corresponding to data provided to said player upon a termination of video information during a previous play session.

17. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said video information offers an award to said player in return for a player input corresponding to a predetermined response to said video information, said gaming device further comprising input means for receiving player inputs, said method comprising the further steps of:

e) receiving a player input corresponding to said predetermined response;

f) responding to said player input by issuing an award to said player.

18. A method of playing a gaming device which provides, at least, a video payout including a presentation of video information, said method comprising the steps:

(a) initiating a play;

(b) receiving a gaming result in response to said play; and

(c) receiving a video payout, as a presentation of video information, in accordance with each said gaming result.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said video information offers an award in return for a player input corresponding to a predetermined response to said video information, said gaming device further including input means for receiving responses from said player, said method comprising the further steps:

(d) providing a player input in response to a displayed query; and

(e) in response to said player input which matches a predetermined response, receiving an award.

20. A gaming system comprising:

a network server, coupled to a plurality of gaming devices, said network server including

server processor means for;

(i) monitoring a specific gaming device to detect an occurrence of a payout, and

(ii) providing video payout data to said specific gaming device, in response to a payout and in accord with a gaming result; and

said plurality of gaming devices, each adapted to provide a video payout based on a set of payouts, each gaming device further comprising;

memory means for storing payouts, each payout corresponding to a gaming result;

gaming means, responsive to a user input, for providing a gaming result;

processor means, coupled to said gaming means and responsive to said gaming result, for accessing from said memory means a payout in accord with said gaming result; and

payout means for providing video information in response to said payout and upon receipt of said video payout data from said server

21. A gaming system as recited in claim 20, wherein said server further comprises memory means for storing video information.

22. A gaming system as recited in claim 20, wherein said server processor means causes a selected subset of video information to be displayed by said payout means, based on a player identifier.

23. A gaming system as recited in claim 22, wherein said player identifier is derived from a player-inserted identity card containing player data.

24. A gaming system as recited in claim 22, wherein said player identifier is derived from a player input, said player input corresponding to data provided to said player upon a termination of video information during a previous play session.

25. A gaming system as recited in claim 22, wherein said selected subset of video information is a sequential continuation of video information previously viewed by said player.

26. A gaming system as recited in claim 22, wherein said server processor means determines said selected subset of video information based on said payout and an amount of video information previously viewed.

27. A gaming system as recited in claim 20, wherein said video information is a movie.

28. A gaming system as recited in claim 20, wherein said video information offers an award to said player in return for a player input corresponding to a predetermined response to said video information, each gaming device further comprising input means for receiving player inputs which are transmitted to said server.

29. A gaming system as recited in claim 28, wherein said server processor means detects a player input corresponding to said predetermined response at a specific gaming device and, in response to said player input, causes said payout means at said specific gaming device to provide an award to said player.

30. A gaming device, connected to a network server, for providing a payout based on a set of payouts, said network server including server processor means for monitoring said gaming device to detect an occurrence of a payout at said gaming device and, in response to each said payout, providing video payout data to said gaming device, said gaming device further comprising:

memory means for storing payouts, each payout corresponding to a gaming result;

gaming means, responsive to a user input, for providing a gaming result;

device processor means, coupled to said gaming means and responsive to said gaming result, for accessing from said memory means a payout in accord with said gaming result; and

video payout means for providing a video payout to said player in accordance with said last-recited payout and video payout data received from said network server.

31. A network server for controlling a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device adapted to provide a payout on each play based on a set of payout parameters, each gaming device including video payout means for providing a video payout, said video payout being a presentation of video information displayed to a player, said network server comprising:

server processor means;

for monitoring a specific gaming device to detect an occurrence of a payout parameter; and

in response to said payout parameter, for causing a video payout means at said specific gaming device to provide a video payout, in accordance with said payout parameter.

32. A network server as recited in claim 31, wherein said server processor means provides video information to said video payout means.

33. A network server as recited in claim 32, wherein said server processor means, in response to said payout parameter, provides a selected subset of video information to said payout means based on determined player criteria and said payout parameter.

34. A network server as recited in claim 33, wherein said selected subset of video information is a sequential continuation of video information previously viewed by said player.

35. A network server as recited in claim 33, wherein said server processor means determines said selected subset of video information based on said payout parameter and an amount of video information previously viewed by said player.

36. A network server as recited in claim 31, further comprising video memory means for storing video information.

37. A network server as recited in claim 31, wherein said video information offers a prize to said player in return for a player input corresponding to a predetermined response to said video information, said network server further comprising:

means for receiving from said specific gaming device a player input corresponding to said predetermined response, requiring a payout to said player.

38. A memory media for operation in conjunction with a network server to provide control functions for connected gaming devices that are adapted to provide a payout on each play, based on a set of payout parameters, said network server including video memory means for storing video information, each gaming device including an input means for receiving player inputs which are transmitted to said network server and a video payout means for providing a video payout, said video payout being a presentation of video information displayed to a player, said memory media comprising:

a) means operating in conjunction with said network server for monitoring each of said gaming devices to detect an occurrence of a payout parameter; and

b) means operating in conjunction with said network server and responsive to said payout parameter at a specific gaming device, for causing said payout means to provide a video payout.

39. The memory media as recited in claim 38 wherein means b) additionally causes said payout means to display said video information during play of said gaming device.

40. The memory media as recited in claim 38, wherein means b) controls said network server to cause said video payout means associated with a specific gaming device to display a selected subset of video information associated with a determined player criteria and said payout parameter, in response to said payout parameter and to receipt of data from said specific gaming device that a player fitting said determined criteria is playing said gaming device.

41. A network server as recited in claim 40, wherein said selected subset of video information is a sequential continuation of video information previously viewed by said player.

42. A network server as recited in claim 40, said means b) determines said selected subset of video information based on said payout parameter and an amount of video information previously viewed by said player.

43. A gaming device for providing a payout on each play based on a set of payout conditions, said payout being either a monetary Layout or a video payout, said video payout being a presentation of video information, said gaming device comprising:

memory means for storing payouts, each payout corresponding to a possible gaming result;

gaming means, responsive to a player input, for providing a gaming result for each play;

payout means for providing a payout on each play, either as a monetary payout or a video payout; and

processor means, coupled to said gaming means and responsive to each said gaming result, for selecting from said memory means a payout in accord with said gaming result and causing said payout means to provide said last-recited payout.

44. A gaming machine of the type wherein a paid play generates an outcome determined at least in part by a set of payout conditions, said gaming machine comprising:

a first set of payout conditions defining a first set of outcomes that result in a monetary payout; and

a second set of payout conditions defining a second set of outcomes that result in a display of video information.

45. The gaming machine of claim 44 wherein said display of video information includes a partial clip of a sequence of video information.

46. The gaming machine of claim 44 and further comprising means for receiving said sequence of video information from an external source.

47. The gaming machine of claim 44 and further comprising means for storing said sequence of video information in said gaming machine.

48. The gaming machine of claim 44 and further comprising means for receiving a player identifier.

49. The gaming machine of claim 48 and further comprising means responsive to said player identifier for selecting said display of video information based at least on part on said player identifier.

50. A method of playing a gaming machine of the type wherein a play generates an outcome determined at least in part by a set of payout conditions, said method comprising the steps of:

initiating a play of said gaming machine;

receiving in response to a first set of outcomes monetary rewards; and

receiving in response to a second set of outcomes partial, sequential clips of video entertainment.

51. A method in accordance with claim 50 wherein said video entertainment comprises a movie.

52. A gaming system, comprising:

a computer server, including

means for storing video information,

means for receiving a player identifier from a selected gaming machine,

means for receiving an outcome from said selected gaming machine, and

means for selecting a clip from said video information responsive to said player identifier and to said outcome,

means for transmitting said clip to said selected gaming machine; and

a plurality of gaming machines connected to said computer server, each of said plurality of gaming machines of the type wherein a play generates an outcome determined at least in part by a set of payout conditions, each of said plurality of gaming machines including

means for transmitting said player identifier to said computer server,

means for receiving said clip of video information from said server,

a first set of stored payout conditions defining a first set of outcomes that result in a monetary payout,

a second set of stored payout conditions defining a second set of outcomes that initiate the display of said clip of video information, and

a video display connected to display said clip of video information upon the occurrence one of said second set of outcomes;

whereby said selected gaming machine transmits said player identifier and said outcome to said computer server and receives responsive to said player identifier and said outcome said clip of video for display on said video display.

53. The gaming system of claim 52 wherein said server further comprises:

a database for storing said player identifier and a record of video clips displayed to said player identifier; and

means for selecting sequential clips of video to display to said player identifier.

54. A computer server for controlling a plurality of gaming machines, each of said plurality of gaming machines of the type wherein a play generates an outcome determined at least in part by a set of payout conditions, said computer server comprising:

electronic memory; and

a processor connected to said electronic memory;

said electronic memory containing entertainment-oriented video information, player identifiers, and a history of video clips displayed to player identifiers;

said processor operative with instructions from said electronic memory to

receive from a gaming machine an outcome,

receive from said gaming machine a player identifier,

select, responsive to said outcome and said player identifier, a sequential clip from said video information, and

initiate the transmission of said sequential clip of video information to said gaming machine.

55. A gaming machine which provides a payout for every paid play, comprising:

means for receiving payments;

means for generating plays responsive to said payments, each of said plays including a random number;

means responsive to each of the random numbers for providing corresponding outcomes;

means for selecting a payout for every outcome; and

means for providing said payout to a player;

whereby every paid play of said gaming machine results in a provision of a payout to a player.

56. The gaming machine of claim 55 wherein at least some of the payouts comprise a video presentation.

57. The gaming machine of claim 56 wherein said means responsive to each of the random numbers for providing corresponding outcomes comprises a lookup table for associating outcomes with corresponding payouts.

58. A gaming machine which provides a payout for every paid play, comprising:

means for receiving payments;

means for generating plays responsive to said payments, each of said plays including a random number;

means responsive to each of the random numbers for providing corresponding outcomes;

a lookup table for associating outcomes with corresponding payouts, said lookup table including a corresponding payout for every possible outcome; and

means for providing said payout to a player;

whereby every paid play of said gaming machine results in a provision of a payout to a player.

59. The gaming machine of claim 58 wherein at least some of said payouts comprise video clips.

60. The gaming machine of claim 59 wherein each of said video clips comprise portions of a video entertainment program.