Gaming device having player-selectable music

• US 7,789,748 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Landrum, Kristopher E., Mierau, Marc S., Maya, Darren
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling, II; John M
• Application Number:
  US10/655,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20050054441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,560 Days
• Field of Search: 463/35, 463/20, 434/307.A, 846/10
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A gaming device and a method for operating the gaming device including enabling a player to select music to be played during a game. The music selections include music recordings within general music classifications such as genre and style and music recordings within specific classifications such as artist or group, album or song. The game presents the music classification selections for player selection at any point before, during or after the game. In one embodiment, the music recordings within the music classification selected by the player and played by the gaming device are incorporated into the theme of the game.

Claims

1. A gaming device comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one music producing device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores;

(i) data corresponding to;

(a) a plurality of awards;

(b) a plurality of symbols associated with a plurality of the awards, the plurality of symbols including at least one music selection symbol associated with a music selection condition;

(c) a plurality of game themes, at least two of the game themes being different, each different game theme being associated with a different one of a plurality of different images;

(d) at least two different classifications of music, each one of the classifications of music being associated with a different one of the game themes; and

(e) a plurality of player selectable selections, each one of the player selectable selections being associated with one of the classifications of music; and

(ii) 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, the at least one input device and the at least one music producing device, for a play of a game to;

(a) start the play of the game after receiving a wager from a player;

(b) cause a display of a first one of the images for the play of the game, the first image being associated with a first one of the game themes;

(c) randomly generate a plurality of the symbols in association with the play of the game;

(d) provide at least one of the awards as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome;

(e) determine whether the music selection condition is satisfied for the play of the game, the determination being based, at least in part, on whether the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(f) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol for the play of the game;

(i) cause the player-selectable selections of the classifications of music to be unavailable for picking by the player; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image and the first game theme; and

(g) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol for the play of the game;

(i) cause the player-selectable selections of the classifications of music to be available for picking by the player;

(ii) determine a second one of the game themes in response to a pick of one of the player-selectable selections of the classification of music by the player;

(iii) cause the music producing device to produce music having the classification of music picked by the player;

(iv) cause a display of a second one of the images, the second image being associated with the determined second game theme; and

(v) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image and the second game theme.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each of the different classifications of music is selected from the group consisting of:

genre, style, period, instrumentation, artist, album and song.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the classifications of music include at least two of the following:

rock, country, jazz, classical, new age, world, folk, bluegrass, rap, reggae, blues, vocal, gospel and easy listening.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different classifications of music include sub-classifications of music, wherein said sub-classifications are associated with a plurality of player-selectable second selections.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the classifications of music is coordinated with said determined second game theme.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the at least one music selection symbol includes a symbol selected from the group consisting of a music symbol, a symbol related to music, and a symbol related to a musical characteristic;

(b) the memory device stores data which corresponds to a plurality of reels; and

(c) when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to randomly generate the plurality of the symbols in association with the reels.

7. A gaming device comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one music producing device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores;

(i) data corresponding to;

(a) a plurality of awards;

(b) a plurality of symbols associated with a plurality of the awards, the plurality of symbols including at least one music selection symbol associated with a music selection condition;

(c) a plurality of game themes, at least two of the game themes being different, each different game theme being associated with a different one of a plurality of different images;

(d) a plurality of player-selectable selections;

(e) at least two different classifications of music, each classification associated with one of the different selections, wherein each of the classifications is associated with one of the game themes; and

(f) a plurality of music recordings, wherein each recording is associated with one of the classifications of music;

(ii) 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 at least one input device, for a play of a game, to;

(a) start the play of the game after receiving a wager from a player;

(b) cause a display of a first one of the images, the first image being associated with a first one of the game themes;

(c) randomly generate a plurality of the symbols in association with the play of the game;

(d) provide at least one of the awards as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome;

(e) determine whether the music selection condition is satisfied, the determination being based, at least in part, on whether the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(f) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) cause the player-selectable selections of the classifications of music to be unavailable for picking by the player; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image and the first game theme; and

(g) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) cause the player-selectable selections of the classifications of music to be available for picking by the player;

(ii) determine a second one of the game themes in response to a pick of one of the player-selectable selections of the classification of music by the player;

(iii) cause music having the classification of music picked by the player to be played;

(iv) cause a display of a second one of the images, the second image being associated with the determined second game theme; and

(v) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image and the second game theme.

8. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein:

(a) the at least one music selection symbol includes a symbol selected from the group consisting of a music symbol, a symbol related to music, and a symbol related to a musical characteristic;

(b) the memory device stores data which corresponds to a plurality of reels; and

(c) when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to randomly generate the plurality of the symbols in association with the reels.

9. A method of operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method, for a play of a game, comprising:

(a) designating a plurality of different game themes, wherein the different game themes are associated with different images;

(b) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to start the play of the game after receiving a wager from a player;

(c) causing at least one display device to display a first one of the images, the first image being associated with a first one of the game themes;

(d) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) randomly generate a plurality of symbols in association with the play of the game;

(ii) determine whether to provide an award as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome; and

(iii) determine whether the randomly generated symbols include at least one music selection symbol, the at least one music selection symbol being associated with a music selection condition;

(e) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) cause a plurality of selections to be unavailable for selection by the player, the selections being associated with a different classification of music, each one of the classifications of music being associated with one of the game themes; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image and the first game theme; and

(f) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) causing the at least one display device to;

(1) display a plurality of selections available for selection by the player, each of the selections being associated with a different classification of music, each one of the classifications of music being associated with one of the game themes; and

(2) indicate an opportunity for a player to select one of the classifications by selecting one of the selections;

(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(1) determine a second one of the game themes in response to a selection of one of the selections of one of the classifications of music by the player; and

(2) cause at least one music producing device to produce music having the classification of music selected by the player to be played;

(iii) causing the at least one display device to display a second one of the images, the second image being associated with the determined second game theme; and

(vi) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image and the second game theme.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the different classifications of music is selected from the group consisting of:

genre, style, period, instrumentation, artist, album and song.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the music classifications are selected from the group consisting of:

rock, country, jazz, new age, world, folk, bluegrass, rap, reggae, blues, vocal, gospel or easy listening.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) to (f) are provided through a data network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the data network is an internet.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one music selection symbol includes generating at least one symbol selected from the group consisting of a music symbol, a symbol related to music, and a symbol related to a musical characteristic.

15. A method of operating a gaming device, said method, for a play of a game, comprising:

(a) specifying a plurality of different game themes, wherein the different game themes are associated with different images;

(b) associating a plurality of different music recordings with a plurality of different player-selectable selections;

(c) associating each one of the music recordings with one of the game themes;

(d) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to start the play of the game after receiving a wager from a player;

(e) causing at least one display device to display a first one of the images, the first image being associated with a first one of the game themes;

(f) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) randomly generate a plurality of symbols in association with the play of the game;

(ii) determine whether to provide an award as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome; and

(iii) determine whether the randomly generated symbols include at least one music selection symbol, the at least one music selection symbol being associated with a music selection condition;

(g) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) cause player-selectable selections and the associated music recordings to be unavailable for picking by the player; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image and the first game theme; and

(h) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) causing the at least one display device to;

(1) display the plurality of different player-selectable selections available for picking by the player; and

(2) indicate an opportunity for a player to pick one of the displayed selections and the associated one of the music recordings;

(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a second one of the game themes in response to a pick of one of the displayed selections and the associated one of the music recordings by the player-;

(iii) causing the at least one display device to display a second one of the images, the second image being associated with the determined second game theme;

(iv) causing at least one music performing device to perform at least the music recording associated with the displayed selection picked by the player; and

(v) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image and the second game theme.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein (a) to (h) are provided through a data network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the data network is an internet.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one music selection symbol includes at least one symbol selected from the group consisting of a music symbol, a symbol related to music, and a symbol related to a musical characteristic.

19. A method of operating a gaming device, said method, for a play of a game, comprising:

(a) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to start the play of the game after receiving a wager from a player;

(b) causing at least one display device to display a first image, the first image being associated with a first game theme;

(c) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) randomly generate a plurality of symbols in association with the play of the game;

(ii) determine whether to provide an award as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome; and

(iii) determine whether the randomly generated symbols include at least one music selection symbol;

(d) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) cause a plurality of selections to be unavailable for picking by the player, wherein for each of the selections, a different classification of music is associated with said selection, the classifications of music being associated with a plurality of different game themes, the different game themes being associated with different images; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image and the first game theme; and

(e) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol,

(i) causing the at least one display device to;

(1) display a plurality of selections available for picking by the player;

(2) indicate a different classification of music associated with each of the selections, the classifications of music being associated with a plurality of different game themes, the different game themes being associated with different images; and

(3) indicate an opportunity for a player to pick one of the classifications by picking one of the selections;

(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a second one of the game themes in response to a pick of one of the selections by the player, the determined second game theme being associated with the classification of music associated with the selection picked by the player;

(iii) causing at least one music producing device to produce music having the classification of music associated with the selection picked by the player;

(iv) causing the at least one display device to display a second one of the images, the second image being associated with the determined second game theme; and

(v) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image, the second game theme and the selected classification of music.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein (a) to (e) are provided through a data network.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the data network is an internet.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one music selection symbol includes a symbol selected from the group consisting of a music symbol, a symbol related to music, and a symbol related to a musical characteristic.

23. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one output device;

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which are executable to provide access to data, the data corresponding to;

(a) a game which is operable upon a wager by a player;

(b) a plurality of symbols including at least one music selection symbol associated with a music selection condition;

(c) a plurality of different sound recordings which are producible during a play of the game;

(d) a plurality of different game themes; and

(e) a plurality of different images associated with the different game themes; and

at least one processor operatively coupled to the at least one display device, the at least one input device, the at least one output device and the at least one memory device, the at least one processor configured to execute the instructions, for the play of the game, to;

(a) start the play of the game after receiving the wager from the player;

(b) cause a display of a first one of the images, the first image being associated with a first one of the game themes;

(c) randomly generate a plurality of the symbols in association with the play of the game;

(d) determine whether to provide an award as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome;

(e) determine whether the music selection condition is satisfied, the determination being based, at least in part, on whether the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(f) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) causing a plurality of selections to be unavailable for picking by the player, each of the selections being associated with a different one of the sound recordings; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image and the first game theme; and

(g) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) causing a plurality of selections to be available for picking by the player, each of the selections being associated with a different one of the sound recordings;

(ii) determine a second one of the game themes in response to a pick of one of the selections and the associated sound recording by the player;

(iii) cause the at least one output device to produce a sound based on the sound recording associated with the selection picked by the player;

(iv) cause a display of a second one of the images, the second image being associated with the determined second game theme; and

(v) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image, the second game theme and the produced sound.

24. The gaming system of claim 23, wherein each one of the different sound recordings corresponds to a classification of music selected from the group consisting of:

genre, style, period, instrumentation, artist, album and song.

25. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein each one of the classifications of music includes at least two of the following:

rock, country, jazz, classical, new age, world, folk, bluegrass, rap, reggae, blues, vocal, gospel and easy listening.

26. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein the plurality of classifications of music include sub-classifications of music, wherein said sub-classifications are associated with a plurality of player-selectable second selections.

27. The gaming system of claim 23, wherein a first plurality of the different game themes corresponds to a first play of the game, and a second plurality of the different game themes corresponds to a second play of the game.

28. The gaming system of claim 23, wherein:

(a) the at least one music selection symbol includes a symbol selected from the group consisting of a music symbol, a symbol related to music, and a symbol related to a musical characteristic;

(b) the at least one memory device stores data which corresponds to a plurality of reels; and

(c) which when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to randomly generate the plurality of the symbols in association with the reels.

29. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one output device;

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which are executable to provide access to data, the data corresponding to;

(a) a game which is operable upon a wager by a player;

(b) a plurality of symbols including at least one music selection symbol associated with a music selection condition;

(c) a plurality of different classifications of music;

(d) a plurality of different game themes; and

(e) a plurality of different images associated with the different game themes; and

at least one processor operatively coupled to the at least one display device, the at least one input device, the at least one output device and the at least one memory device, the at least one processor configured to execute the instructions, for a play of the game, to;

(a) start the play of the game after receiving the wager from the player;

(b) cause a display of a first one of the images, the first image being associated with a first one of the game themes;

(c) randomly generate a plurality of the symbols in association with the play of the game;

(d) determine whether to provide an award as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome;

(e) determine whether the music selection condition is satisfied, the determination being based, at least in part, on whether the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(f) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) cause a plurality of selections to be unavailable for picking by the player, each of the selections being associated with a different one of the classifications of music; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image and the first game theme; and

(g) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) cause a plurality of selections to be available for picking by the player, each of the selections being associated with a different one of the classifications of music;

(ii) determine a second one of the game themes in response to a pick of one of the selections and the associated classification of music by the player;

(iii) cause the at least one output device to produce music classification of music associated with the picked selection; and

(iv) cause a display of a second one of the images, the second image being associated with the determined second game theme; and

(v) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image, the second game theme and the produced music.

30. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein each one of the different classifications of music is selected from the group consisting of:

genre, style, period, instrumentation, artist, album and song.

31. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein each one of the classifications of music includes at least two of the following:

rock, country, jazz, classical, new age, world, folk, bluegrass, rap, reggae, blues, vocal, gospel and easy listening.

32. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of classifications of music include sub-classifications of music, wherein said sub-classifications are associated with a plurality of player-selectable second selections.

33. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein a first plurality of the different game themes corresponds to a first play of the game, and a second plurality of the different game themes corresponds to a second play of the game.

34. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one output device;

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which are executable to provide access to data, the data corresponding to;

(a) a game which is operable upon a wager by a player;

(b) a plurality of symbols including at least one music selection symbol associated with a music selection condition;

(c) a plurality of different classifications of music;

(d) a plurality of different game display interfaces; and

(e) a plurality of different images associated with the different game display interfaces; and

at least one processor operatively coupled to the at least one display device, the at least one input device, the at least one output device and the at least one memory device, the at least one processor configured to execute the instructions, for a play of the game, to;

(a) start the play of the game after receiving the wager from the player;

(b) cause a display of an initial one of the images, the initial image being associated with an initial one of the game display interfaces;

(c) randomly generate a plurality of the symbols in association with the play of the game;

(d) determine whether to provide an award as a result of one or more of the randomly generated symbols corresponding to a winning outcome;

(e) determine whether the music selection condition is satisfied, the determination being based, at least in part, on whether the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(f) if the randomly generated symbols do not include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) cause the classifications of music to be unavailable for selection by the player; and

(ii) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the initial image and the initial game display interface; and

(g) if the randomly generated symbols include the at least one music selection symbol;

(i) cause the classifications of music to be available for selection by the player;

(ii) indicate an opportunity for a player to select one of the classifications of music;

(iii) in response to a selection of a first one of the classifications of music by the player;

(x) determine a first selected music corresponding to the selected first classification of music,

(y) display a first one of the images, the first image being associated with a first one of the game display interfaces, the first game display interface associated with the selected first classification of music, and

(z) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the first image, the first game display interface and the first selected music; and

(iv) in response to a selection of a second one of the classifications of music by the player;

(x) determine a second selected music corresponding to the selected second classification of music,

(y) display a second one of the images, the second image being associated with a second one of the game display interfaces, the second game display interface being associated with the selected second classification of music, and

(z) continue the operation of the play of the game involving the second image, the second game display interface and the second selected music.

35. The gaming system of claim 34, wherein each one of the different classifications of music is selected from the group consisting of:

genre, style, period, instrumentation, artist, album and song.

36. The gaming system of claim 34, wherein each one of the classifications of music includes at least two of the following:

rock, country, jazz, classical, new age, world, folk, bluegrass, rap, reggae, blues, vocal, gospel and easy listening.

37. The gaming system of claim 34, wherein the plurality of classifications of music include sub-classifications of music, wherein said sub-classifications are associated with a plurality of player-selectable second selections.

38. The gaming system of claim 34, wherein a first plurality of the different game themes corresponds to a first play of the game, and a second plurality of the different game themes corresponds to a second play of the game.