AU2005100497A4 - Linked Jackpot Controller Topology - Google Patents

Description

16Jun. 2005 22:15 Wall ington-Dumm er Sydney No.0990 P. 4 P100/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Linked Jackpot Controller Topology The invention is described in the following statement: Our Ref: 056007 COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:15 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. l, LINKED JACKPOT CONTROLLER TOPOLOGY O The present invention relates to a system of Sinterlinked gaming machines or consoles of the type generally referred to as slot machines, fruit machines or poker machines, and in particular to the combination of a plurality of such machines or consoles with a jackpot 0\ management means.

SThis specification comprises a Divisional Application Sfrom Australian Patent Application No. 2002322158 which discloses a Linked Jackpot Controller having a secondary game feature and associated network topologies. Also disclosed is an accumulation prize pool arrangement. This Divisional Application is directed at the secondary game feature and the associated network topology originally found in the parent application..

For the sake of simplicity the accumulation prize pool is set to zero in this application. Alternatively the game examples described below always result in a jackpot prize being awarded on each play of the secondary or jackpot game with the result that there are no contributions for the accumulation prize pool. The specific game described does not, of itself, affect the network topology which is the subject of this application.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun 2005 22:16 Wall I in ton-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 6 2 fln BACKGROUND 0 Gaming or poker machines have become a major source of amusement and diversion in such places as clubs, hotels and \0 casinos in many parts of the world.

Traditionally such machines were mechanical devices where a number of reels marked with a plurality of numbers or symbols could be made to spin randomly by the application of some mechanical input. If the subsequent 0 patterns of numbers or symbols displayed on the reels, when these returned to a rest state, corresponded to predetermined patterns, the machine would provide a prize or payout. Generally such gaming machines have come to be regulated by government authorities as to their number and in the manner in which the machines must return a percentage of the money taken to the players.

The introduction of electronics, computers and video displays, has allowed a continual increase in the complexity and variations of gaming machines and games while maintaining the basic concept of the traditional machine.

Machines and games that offer novel and stimulating variations on the basic game theme and environment are eagerly sought by the gaming industry and there is consequently intense competition between machine manufacturers to innovate.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16-Jun. 2005 22:16 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 7 3 V) Nevertheless the repetitive playing of even modern 0i gaming machines can lead to boredom of the players with a ci consequent under-utilization of machines and increase in \D player dissatisfaction. One perceived source of player boredom and alienation is the isolation of the player at his or her machine with little possibility of the stimulus 0\ o of interaction with adjoining players.

Networked machine topologies have been published previously which broadly disclose the idea of a secondary game feature associated with a networked gaming machine environment. Such disclosures include the following: 1. Australian Patent Application 24976/99 to Acres Gaming Inc. Acres, as stated at page 17 thereof, broadly discloses a networked gaming machine environment wherein each gaming machine permits play of a primary game. There is also a secondary game playable upon a triggering event, the secondary game being common to all of the linked gaming machines. Acres further discloses a tertiary game playable upon a second triggering event, that tertiary game also being a "common" game. Whilst the display of the secondary game appears from the disclosure to be common to all of the linked gaming machines the play of the secondary game is initiated manually by a qualifying machine and the secondary game thus displayed and run and the output/result thereof is customized and COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16Jun. 2005 22:16 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 8 4 Sn unique and applicable only to that individual C-i qualifying machine. Play of the primary game on the qualifying machine is suspended during this play of IO the secondary game, but the play is suspended only on that machine. To this extent Acres is perhaps best categorized as having a series of secondary games o which, whilst displayed on a common display are really a series of individual games customized for Sonly one of the network machines at a time. Acres ci does not disclose use of dual monitor gaming machines, but instead relies solely for display of the secondary game upon a single common display located above or in association with the linked gaming machines.

2. WOOO/17825 to Mikohn Gaming Corporation discloses a networked gaming machine environment wherein there is a running secondary game a secondary game which is run amongst a selected grouping of eligible machines and which awards sequential payouts as the secondary game progresses. The disclosure of Mikohn differs from that of Acres in that a primary and a secondary display is utilized on each gaming machine as well as an overhead display. The secondary display on each gaming machine is utilized to assist in the running of the secondary game. The primary COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun, 2005 22:16 Wallingtor-Dumser Sydney No.0990 P. 9 S~ display is used only for the primary game of each -i gaming machine.

3. W099/03078 to Aristocrat Leisure Industries discloses \O a generalized networked gaming machine environment with a jackpot controller and associated display.

This disclosure is concerned primarily with the 0\ o manner in which individual ones of the networked gaming machines become eligible for a feature game.

SThis disclosure is not concerned so much with topology or with the mechanisms of display, but is concerned primarily with trigger conditions. (The disclosure forms the basis of the Aristocrat "hyperlink" system).

4. W097/12315 to Wintech Bytecraft, by contrast, is concerned with topology and, more particularly with a particular form of jackpot controller which allows replacement or super position of a first video signal by a second video signal and discloses the concept of applying character based information (relating to jackpot amounts and the like) over a video signal or in substitution for the video signal. There is no disclosure of dual-monitor-type gaming machines nor the use of such dual monitor machines for a networked jackpot environment. This disclosure forms the basis of the "Paltronics" controller currently commercially available in Australia which may be utilized in COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:17 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 6 Sn embodiments of the invention to be described in the C-i present application.

AU53370/86 to Frankovic discloses an early and \O fundamental form of a mystery jackpot controller environment wherein selection of the jackpot trigger amount is determined as a random value set between a 0\ o lower value and a higher value. This particular algorithm is utilized in one preferred embodiment of Sthe invention to be described in the present ci application.

None of the above referenced citations address the player isolation problem by the topology and display combination which is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The following definitions apply in this specification: The term "video" refers to an electrical or optical signal which communicates information which can be interpreted by and displayed on an electronic data display such as a CRT screen, a plasma screen, a LCD screen, a LED screen or the like. The information thus displayed may appear fundamentally static (as for example data such as numerical or alphanumeric data) or it may appear to the human eye as constantly moving (as for example animated graphics). The COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:17 Wallington-Dumm er Sydney No.0990 P. 1i 7 Ssignal can be implemented electronically as a VGA, XGA, 0 super VGA signal or the like.

ci S"Video data" refers to that video which comprises \O data, for example, numeric or alphanumeric data.

Video animated graphics refers to video containing animated graphics information.

0% Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is Sprovided a topology for a bank of linked gaming machines; each gaming machine of said bank of linked gaming machines comprising a dual monitor gaming machine having a main display for display of a primary game and a second display; said second display located above said main display on each said gaming machine; each said dual monitor gaming machine further including at least a machine logic unit which controls said primary game and its display on said main display; each said dual monitor gaming machine further including a display and controller unit which controls what is displayed on said second display; a jackpot controller including computing and display means linked to said bank of gaming machines, the gaming machines arranged to display on said main display selected game features wherein randomized events are caused to award a prize if a predefined event occurs, the controller being characterized in that it is arranged to provide a second game feature; said topology comprising said bank of linked gaming COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:17 Wallington-Dumr er Sydney No.0990 P. 12 8 l machines in electronic communication with said jackpot 0- controller whereby at least a first predefined portion of ci data associated with said second game feature is displayed on said main display of at least selected ones of said bank of linked gaming machines; and wherein at least a second predefined portion of data associated with said second game o feature is displayed on said second display of at least said selected ones of said bank of gaming machines.

SPreferably said first predetermined portion of data comprises animated graphics video data.

Preferably said second predetermined portion of data comprises data video.

Preferably said animated graphics video data comprises an animation of a horse race.

Preferably said data video comprises horse allocation data; eligible machine data and jackpot amount data.

Preferably said first predetermined portion of data is additionally displayed on an overhead display visible to players at each machine of said bank of gaming machines.

Preferably said second predetermined portion of data is additionally displayed on an overhead display visible to all players at machines forming said bank of gaming machines.

Preferably the jackpot controller includes a CPU, a memory device and input and output devices.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:17 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 13 9 SPreferably said first predetermined portion of data is 0 supplied to a graphics video splitter; said graphics video ci splitter receiving a main game video signal from said machine logic unit; said graphics video splitter arranged to supply either said first predetermined portion of data or said main game video signal to said main display of at 0\ least said selected ones of said gaming machines.

0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a generalized first embodiment of a linked jackpot controller for operation in association with a group of linked gaming machines; Fig. 2 is a view of a first display of a second game feature operable in association with the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an alternate view of the second game feature of Fig. 2 displayed via the displays forming part of the group of interlinked machines of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view of a display of player allocations in relation to the second game feature operable in conjunction with the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a block diagram of operation of the linked jackpot controller according to an embodiment of the invention in relation to a first example; COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Juri. 2005 22:17 lB.Jun 200522:1] Wall inglor-Dummer Sydney N.90 P N o 0 9 9 0 P 14 0 forFig. 6 is a flow diagram of operation of qualification frthe second game f eature in accordance with the example of Fig. INO Fig. 7 is a flowchart of qualification for the second game feature of the example of Fig. 5 operable whilst the second game feature is already is operating; o Fig. 8 is a block diagram of a further generalized embodiment of a linked jackpot controller and associated bank of gaming machines; Fig. 9 i s a network interconnection diagram in accordance with a first particular example of the generalized embodiment of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a network diagram of an alternative particular arrangement of the system of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a third embodiment of a network interconnection arrangement for the generalized system of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 illustrates diagrammatically a fourth embodiment of a network interconnection arrangement for the system of fig. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A generalized embodiment of a linked jackpot controller 10 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, following which a COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: lime 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16-Jun. 2005 22:18 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney N 0- 09 0 P 11 Si series of non-limiting examples will be provided by way of further amplification.

SWith reference to Fig. 1, the system of embodiments of IND the present invention is applicable to a plurality, or bank 11, of gaming machines or consoles 12, generally disposed in a line or arc such that a player (not shown) at any one o of the consoles 12 has a view of a centrally disposed jackpot controller 10 and more particularly a display o showing video output from the jackpot controller 10. Each ci of the machines or consoles 12 in the bank 11 is connected to the jackpot controller 10 such that communication signals may pass between any one or all machines and the jackpot controller The jackpot controller 10 includes at least computing means in the form of processor 90, memory 91 and controller display 15 means but may additionally be provided with audio output means and data entry means in the form of I/O 93. That is, the jackpot controller 10 includes a CPU 90, a data storage and retrieval device 91 and input and output devices 93 and display The jackpot controller 10 is further linked to, and controls at least one other (externally visible) display means: a "jackpot" data video display 13. The jackpot data video display 13 displays a jackpot prize which may be an amount of money, a number of free bonus games or some other form of prize.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16Jun. 2005 22:18 Wallington -Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 16 12 IC) It is the function of the jackpot controller 10 to 0 provide a second game feature, (or "jackpot game") which is ci additional to the individual games being played on the ND machines 12 in the bank 11.

A second game feature sequence will now be described with reference to the system 10 illustrated in Figure 1.

Individual machines or consoles 12 in the bank 11 may be used in the normal manner by players who select to play any o one from a plurality of standard games available on each console 12.

As bets are placed on a console 12, a percentage of the money deposited is transferred to the jackpot controller 10 or otherwise made available for winnings associated with the outcome of the second game feature. In a particular form the jackpot controller 10 maintains a record of all data related to the bets and money accruing, including the console which generated the bet and the numbers of bets placed on each console by players.

The jackpot controller 10 is activated to initiate a second game feature depending on the occurrence of a predetermined event or sequence of events which may include one or more of: 1. A random event (including symbols or numbers occurring in base (main) games or secondary or bonus games on each machine 12) COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16-Jun. 2005 22:18 WalIingtor-Dummer Sydney No-0990 P. 117 13 Vn 2. The statistically determined status of a data object o within the jackpot controller.

3. The status of a combination of machines.

\O 4. The coinciding of a value N of an incrementing counter with a randomly pre-selected hidden value M where both N and M lie in a range known to the players.

0\ The triggering of a second game feature is indicated o to the players currently playing on the bank of consoles and no new bets may be placed until the second game feature preparation is completed.

The second game feature may take a number of forms of "games of chance" such as roulette wheels, chocolate wheels and the like, but by way of example, the second game feature method here described is in the form of a horse race.

In preparing the game, the jackpot controller determines the eligibility of players to participate in the race and displays this selection at least as data video either on the controller display 15 or on data video display 13 on the individual machine consoles such as first display 16 or second display 17.

In one preferred form of the invention those players who are indicated as eligible may agree to play the second game feature. They may indicate their participation by the depressing of a button on their consoles for example.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16Jun. 2005 241:18 Wallingtor-Dummer Sydney N o. 09 90 P 18 14 SPlayers who are selected as eligible but who do not 0 indicate their intention to play may now continue with ci individual games on their console.

k\ The jackpot controller 10 now assigns a horse to each of the participating players and runs the race comprising the second game feature in this instance. The race may be displayed on the jackpot controller display 15 or may be arranged to progress along the bank of individual console 0 screens 16, 17 or both. Alternatively, or in addition, the race progress can be displayed in its entirety on each console screen 16, 17 of the participating players.

In this instance, the number of horses in the race is equal to a greater than the number of eligible players. The race is run and the winning horse identified.

In one farm the winning horse is one that was allocated to a participating player, a jackpot prize is issued by the jackpot controller 10 to that player. This may be done by directing the player's console to pay out the jackpot prize amount if this is money, or set the console to allow the free number of bonus games, or direct the player to collect his winnings in some other way.

The data video display comprising jackpot screen 13 remains at the constant jackpot amount or can be re-set to a minimum amount which subsequently accumulates itself in a predefined manner.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 221:19 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o 0 9 P 19 V) At the next triggering of a second game feature where 0, the jackpot in the preceding game was not won, the race ci will be run for the jackpot prize amount.

I\O The methods by which a second game feature may be triggered by the jackpot controller 10 and the method of selecting participants and the allocation of horses as well as possible means of disbursement of the prize will now be -described in more detail.

0 Triggering of a second game feature.

The following are possible, non-limiting ways of triggering the second game feature: 1. The jackpot controller includes a random number generating facility to generate a number within the range N to M. The second game feature is triggered when a selected parameter of the system reaches the generated random number. This parameter may be for example the accumulating value of all bets placed by all machines in the bank. The range N to M is chosen such that the probability of a triggering event occurring is at an average frequency to maintain the interest of the players at the consoles.

2. The second game feature is triggered when the jackpot controller calculates that the betting density has reached a predetermined level, that is, the average number N of all bets placed on all the consoles in the banks within a time period T exceeds a value X.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 200b 221:19 WallIington-Dummer Sydney No.6990 P. 26 16 In3. The second game feature is triggered when the jackpot ocontroller detects that a sufficient number of machines in the bank have been in continuous use over a time period T.

4. The second game feature is triggered by an incrementing counter when the value of the count coincides with a randomly selected value. The counter is visible to the players and the minimum and maximum o values are displayed. The. randomly selected value is not known to the players but is known to lie between the minimum and maximnum values of the counter.

Selection of eligible players for the second game feature.

The following are non-limiting ways in which players of the consoles comprising the bank of consoles may be selected as eligible to play the second game feature: 1. The jackpot controller may be programmed to select as eligible participants for the game, all of the currently occuipied consoles.

2. The jackpot controller may be programmed to select as eligible participants for the game, those consoles which have placed a sufficient number of bets over a given period.

3. The jackpot controller may be programmed to select as eligible participants for the game, those consoles which have placed bets to a sufficient value over a given time period.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:19 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 21 17 l~ 4. The jackpot controller may be programmed to select as O eligible participants for the game a random sub-set of Sthe available players.

A participant may be qualified as eligible in accordance with the nature of the participant's bet in relation to the main or first game on the console or gaming machine that that person is currently playing.

In a particular form the bet can be, for example, a Smaximum line bet.

010 Allocation of horses to participating players To add realism to the game, the horses in the race may include identifiable "favorites" with this information displayed as starting odds for each horse on the jackpot controller screen 15 or on jackpot data display screen 13.

Although in the actual running of the race the winner will be randomly selected, the allocation of "favorites" will add further interest and excitement to the game.

The following are non-limiting ways in which available horses for a play of the second game feature may be allocated to players who have been selected as eligible to play the second game feature: 1. The allocation of all horses by the jackpot controller to eligible participating players may be purely random.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:19 Wal Ington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 22 1.8 Sn In a particular form, a player may be allocated p more than one available horse, while other eligible Splayers may be allocated no horse.

\O 2. The players may be allocated horses on the basis of horses with the shortest odds progressively matched to players with the highest betting record.

o Disbursement of prizes won in a second feature game 0 1. The jackpot amount may be credited to the console of the winning player.

2. The jackpot may be made payable modified by the use of the odds of the winning horse acting as a multiplier.

Specific but non-limiting examples of a linked jackpot controller for use in association with a plurality of linked gaming machines will now be provided.

Example 1 Linked Progressive Mystery Jackpot with Jackpot Pool System With reference to Figs 5, 6 and 7:- A horse racing game with 8 horses is linked to 6 poker machines. (It will be appreciated that the number of horses and poker machines can be varied whilst still remaining within the ambit and spirit of the game). Players participate in normal games run on each individual machine, as well as being able to win a special linked jackpot associated with the bank of machines.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:19 Wal I ington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 23 19 V) In this example, there are 4 types of normal jackpots Cq to be won. These 4 jackpots are set to be won between the Sfollowing values; Jackpot 1 $10,000 $11,000 Jackpot 2 $1,000 $1,100 Jackpot 3 $100 $110 Jac kpot 4 $20 o 0 Each normal jackpot increases by $0.05 when a $1 bet o is made on a machine linked to the horse racing game.

Example Play of Game including Second Game Feature With reference to Fig. 5, of the 6 poker machines, machines No.01, No.02, No.04, No.06 have players participating while machines No.03 and No.05 have no players.

The player on machine No.01 triggers Jackpot 3. At present the value of Jackpot 3 is $110. The player on No.01 is assigned a horse. The other horses can be assigned to a maximum of 5 other players who were participating in a normal game when the player on No.01 triggered the normal jackpot.

Selection Process In a simplified form eligible machines are selected based on whether there has been activity recently on the COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:20 Wal I ngto -Dumm er Sydney No.0990 P. 24 S machine, for example whether turnover has incremented in -q the last three seconds. If there has been such activity Sthen the machine is selected as eligible.

\s Hence, in this instance, machines 01, 02, 04 and 06 are selected. Machines 03 and 05 are not selected because there is no play on the machines at the time of jackpot o prize trigger.

The eight horses can be assigned randomly or, for Sexample, on the basis of a weighting favouring those machines which have had, for example, higher turnover than others within a predefined time (for example since the last time a jackpot was triggered).

With reference to Fig. 6, in this instance, all horses are allocated to eligible machines as outlined in the figure 6.

Even if waiting is utilised as part of the selection process it can still be that the machine which triggered the jackpot feature in the first place and/or that machine with the highest turnover history may not be allocated as many horses as other machines.

The machines of players that have been selected to participate in the horse race are locked up, in the Top Box LCD or second display 17 (refer Fig. l)the player's horse number (or numbers) is displayed. On the normal screen or first display 16 (refer Fig. 1) the horserace game title is displayed and no normal game play can be undertaken.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:20 Wall instor-Dum er Sydney No.0990 P. 21 Sn Players who weren't selected for the horse race can play normal games on their respective machines.

If a player who wasn't selected for the race \O comprising the second game feature continues playing while the race for Jackpot 3 is underway and that player triggers Jackpot 4, the same process as above occurs. The player's o machines that have been selected lock up, and on the second display 17 a message saying "eligible for next race" is displayed.

The race starts and the machine with the winning horse wins Jackpot 3.

In this example, horse number 8 won the race and machine 01 is paid the jackpot 3 amount.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the above described example behaviour of Fig. 5 in flowchart form.

Example 2 Generalised Linked Progressive Mystery Jackpot with Jackpot Pool System applied to Specific Network Interconnection Systems With reference to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 a second generalized embodiment of a linked jackpot controller together with three examples of suitable networking interconnections between machines, the controller and various displays will be described.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16

I

16-Jun. 2005 22:20 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No-0990 P. 26 22 VS Initially with reference to Fig. 8 there is Ci illustrated a second generalized embodiment of a linked jackpot controller 20 and associated bank 21 of gaming N0D machines 22.

With particular reference to Fig. 8A the basic concept involves each of the individual gaming machines 22 being o enabled to play at least a first game 23- In effect the first game 23 is a machine game playable on each respective Sgaming machine 22 independent of the linked jackpot controller 20. With reference to the inset of Fig. 8 a typical gaming machine 22 includes an at least first display 24 which displays the results of first game 23 after the game is instigated by a player (not shown) typically via operation of one or more buttons, keys or the like on keyboard input panel 25. Most usually the at least first display 24 displays a simulation of a spinning reel based "poker" or similar symbol-based game. In many jurisdictions the probabilities of win and payout on the first game 23 are regulated.

With further reference to the inset of Fig. 8 each gaming machine 22 may include a second display 26 which may be arranged to display variable images under the control of an electronic controller. In one form the second display 26 can take the form of a CRT or like cathode ray tube based display. In alternative forms it can take the form of an LCD display. The advantage of such electronically COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:20 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 27 23 S image-manipulatable displays is that what is displayed on c-i the display can be changed readily under the actions of an Selectronic controller which, in turn, is controlled by IO software.

Reverting to Fig. 8A the linked jackpot controller system 20 includes a second game controller 27 which o controls the playing of and outcome of a second game feature 28.

o The second game feature provides for an outcome in the form of a prize or jackpot prize 29.

In a particular form more than one prize 29 may be available at any one time. It can also be that those players not eligible for a current play of a second game feature 28 may continue to play their respective gaming machines 22 all the while being eligible to win others of prize 29 via a further second game feature 28 yet to be run.

In Fig. 8A the communication topology is such that each gaming machine 22 forming bank 21 communicates directly with second game controller 27. However, other topologies are possible as shown in Fig. 8B and as will be described in further detail below.

With particular reference to Fig. 8B a communication topology is shown wherein gaming machines 22 are linked into direct communication with each other as a bank 21 and also with second game controller 27. In this particular COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun, 2005 22:20 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No-0990 P. 28 24 VS topology second game controller 27 communicates the progress of second game featu're 28 on second game feature progress display 31. The currently available prize 29 is displayed in prize display or jackpot prize display 32.

Similarly, the current value displayed on prize display 32 is the current prize or jackpot prize 29 0 available via a play of second game feature 28 under the control of second game controller 27.

o An exemplary play of the linked jackpot controller system 20 illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein the second game feature takes the form of a horse race and wherein second display 26 on each gaming machine 22 takes the form of an LCD display in a "top box" portion of each machine 22 is as follows: Exemplary Run.of Second Game Feature Horse Race Players bet on normal game, percentage of turnover is transferred to jackpot controller A random mystery jackpot is set to trigger between certain values, these values being in a range that results in the jackpot being triggered regularly Once mystery jackpot has been triggered a second game feature starts Jackpot controller randomly selects winning machine or machines COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:21 Wallington-Dumn er Sydney No.0990 P. 29 S- To be eligible for mystery jackpot, player(s) must i participate in a second game (eg. Horse race) Player(s) is randomly pre-selected a horse by the \0 controller, race is displayed on large display or on LCD display in top box If using LCD display the race could be run across a o bank of machines Player with the winning horse is entitled to mystery o jackpot value($40.00) The losing player(s) return to the normal game After either a win or loss occurs the jackpot controller resets the mystery jackpot value to its minimum value COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:21 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 26 SExemplary Communication Topologies Ci In conjunction with the description of Fig. 8 and with Sparticular reference to each of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, IND specific inter-machine and inter-controller topologies will S now be described: In this instance, in each of the topologies of Figs.

S9, 10 and 11, the second game controller takes the form of main controller 40. In a particular form main controller can be implemented on a personal computer or like computing device and adapted to drive a main display or controller display 41 which can act as a second game feature progress display and can also act as a prize display. In a particular form these two functions are split across two separate displays with the main or controller display dedicated to displaying progress of the secondary game in the form of animated graphics video and the auxiliary display or jackpot data display dedicated to displaying data video associated with statistics associated with the second game such as, for example, jackpot values, machines selected as eligible to play and related alpha numeric data. This split arrangement has been described in earlier embodiments and a further example of it is described in the further embodiment associated with Fig. 12 to be described later in this specification. The main controller 40 can be programmed or otherwise manipulated COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16-Jun 2005 22:21 16.Jn. 265 2:21 Wallingtor-Dumner SydneYNo69 P.3 N o 0 9 9 0 P 3 1 27 via input output unit 42 and auxiliary controller display Cl 43.

;Z In the instance of each of Figs. 9, 10, 11 each gaming IND machine 44 forming part of a bank 45 includes a monitor 46 acting as a first display for display of progress and results associated with a first game playable on each o respective gaming machine 44. The first game is controlled by means of a machine logic unit 47. Typically the logic o unit 47 will communicate with monitor 46 and will also ia communicate with a player by means of a keyboard such as keyboard 25 of Fig. 8. The logic unit 47 also communicates with the cash in and cash out systems of the gaming machine 44 including, for example, bill validator 'units and coin transport systems.

The logic unit 47 also communicates with a -link interface 48. The link interface 48 is the intermediary for communication via communication line 49 with all machines 44 forming bank In the instance of the topology of Fig. 9 each link interface 48 is the only means of communication between each machine 44 and main controller 40 by way of communications line 49.

In the instance of Fig. 9 the link interface 48 is also u.tilited to communicate with a second display in the form of an LCD display and controller 50 mounted, in this' instance, for viewing in each machine 44 above monitor 46 COMS ID No: SBMI-1303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:21 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 32 28 t of each machine 44. Such machines are sometimes referred C( to as "dual monitor" machines.

ci SIn the instance of Fig. 10 communication with the LCD \D display and controller 50 of each machine 44 is via each respective machine's logic unit 47.

In the case of the topology of Fig. 11 communication 0 o and control of the LCD display and controller 50 of each machine is run directly from main controller 40 by means of second communications line 51 thereby providing fully independent control of the second display on each machine in the form of LCD display and controller 50 without the requirement to communicate via the link interface and logic units of each machine on communications line 49.

VIDEO SPLITTER EMBODIMENT With reference to fig. 12 there is illustrated a further embodiment wherein like components are numbered as for the embodiment of figs. 9, 10 and 11 except in the 100s series, so for example, monitor 46 of fig. 9 becomes monitor 146 of fig. 12.

This embodiment is based on the above described communication topology of Fig. 9 as far as data video is concerned combined with utilisation of additional video splitters to permit display of animated graphics video on each of monitors 146 of each machine 144 within each bank 145 in the manner contemplated in the earlier described generalised embodiment.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:21 Wal I inston-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 33 29 Sn As for previous embodiments, a bank 145 of linked C-i consoles 144 has associated with it a main or second or jackpot game controller 140 which controls the second game I\ feature (in preferred embodiments a horse race game) taking the form of a jackpot game as previously described with reference to any one of the previous embodiments and at Sleast components of which are displayed on main display 141.

o In this embodiment more than one main display 141 can be utilized by using a video splitter 160 which splits or divides the incoming video signal to main display 3.41 and allows an identical image to that displayed on display 141 to be displayed on additional displays 141a. This is particularly useful where it is desired to place displays 141 and 141a back to back and located immediately above the bank 145 of gaming machines 144.

In addition, as alluded to earlier, the display of the jackpot game can be split by function of data making up the totality of the second game feature 128. Specifically the total information which a player requires comprises the running of the game itself which is best implemented as an animated graphics video (in this instance of the running of a horse race) together with associated what might be termed statistical data such as which machine is allocated which horse, which machines are eligible for the second game and the results of the second game and the awards paid as a COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:22 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 34 S result of the second game. This statistical-type data is (Ci termed "data video" and can typically be displayed as alpha Snumeric symbols.

0D In the instance of Fig. 12 the data required for the data video component is generated by main controller 140 O\ which in a particular embodiment can comprise an industryo standard "paltronics" jackpot controller. The animated graphics video associated with the running of the secondary o game is allocated to separate graphic controller 165.

Collectively controllers 140 and 165 perform the function previously allocated and described with reference to earlier embodiments of controller 10, 27 and 40 of earlierdescribed embodiments. This splitting of function is further assisted by splitting of video signals thereby to more effectively distribute information concerning the second or jackpot game to the individual players of eligible (and indeed non-eligible) machines in order to address the player isolation problem previously referred to in this specification.

More specifically in the arrangement of fig. 12 jackpot game data, 163 is determined by second game controller 140. Portions of this data provided to video splitter 160 display on displays 141, 141A as data video as previously described.

In addition or in the alternative the data video signal 173 is also supplied to linked interface 148 and COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:22 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 31 S from there, as shown in Fig. 12, to the LCD display and controller 150 for display on the second (upper display in Sa dual monitor machine) display of each eligible machine IN 144. In an alternative particular preferred form the data video signal 173 may also be supplied to the LCD display t- and control 150 for display on the second display on each o non-eligible machine of the linked array.

A first predetermined portion 164 of jackpot game data S163 is utilized to direct a separate graphic controller 165. The graphic controller 165 generates animated graphics video signal 161 which, in a preferred form, comprises a video signal of an animated horse race. The animated graphics video signal 161 can be fed to a first graphics video splitter 166 whereby the graphics signal can be displayed simultaneously on both a first overhead display 167 and a second overhead display 168.

In addition, or in the alternative, the graphics signal 161 can also be fed to multiple video splitter 169 which provides simultaneous parallel graphics signals 161 to a second graphics video splitter 170 located in each gaming machine 144 of bank 145.

The second graphics video splitter 170 receives also a main game video signal 171 from logic unit 147. The second graphics video splitter 170 can feed either graphics signal 161 or main game video signal 171 to the main display 146.

In a preferred form of operation the second graphics video COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun. 2005 22:22 Wal linston-Dum er Sydney No.0990 P. 36 32 splitter 170 feeds main game video signal 171 to main Cq display 146 except when a secondary game is to be displayed at which time it receives a switch signal 172 from LCD \D display and controller 150 (received in turn froin link interface 148 and controller 140) which causes second graphics video splitter 170 to instead feed graphics signal o 161 to main display 146 for the duration of the run of the jackpot game. In a particularly preferred embodiment the run of the jackpot game comprises the run of a horse race having a plurality of competing horses visually depicted in a race track context. Other sources of signal for graphics video splitter 170 are also possible including directly from main board 147.

A particularly preferred example of a secondary or jackpot game run by controller 140 in respect of bank 145 of machines 144 in Fig. 12 is as follows: In the course of players playing a main game displayed on displays 146 turnover amounts are supplied to controller 140 via link 149. Controller 140 operates at least one mystery jackpot, data in relation to which is displayed as data video on at least second displays 150 of each machine 148 and optionally also on overhead displays 141, 141a.

When turnover contributions reach a predetermined amount selected by controller 140 lying between a first lower predetermined value and a second predetermined upper value COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16.Jun, 2005 22:221 WallIington-Dmer Sydney No-0990 P. 3] 33 In then controller 140 signals the commencement of a second o (jackpot) game and performs two initial functions: 1. It determines which machines are eligible for the IND second game. In this instance selection is based S on those machines in which a change in turnover amount signal is received within a predetermined time, for example 3 seconds of the current time; 0 0 and o2. A winning value is randomly selected. In the instance of the horserace example a winning horse number is randomly selected from, for example, a field of nine horses.

in an alternative form triggering of the jackpot game can be symbol driven from results occurring on a main game, for example the occurrence of a particular symbol or group of symbols on a main game or on a second game awarded as a result of the play of the main game on a given machine. In a particular form the main game can be a 'Ten Reel' game of the type described in applicant's Australian Patent Application No. 2005902074, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by cross reference.

Flay of the main game on each eligible machine is then terminated and horses attributed to each machine (either in random fashion or by a formula weighted according to turnover on each machine within a predetermined period of time) are displayed on the second display 150 of each COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16B Jun. 2005 22:23 Wallingtor-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 38 34 machine and optionally on overhead displays 141, 141a as 0 data video in the manner previously described. The winning ci horse number is communicated by controller 140 via first ND predetermined portion 164 to controller 165 which then selects a video sequence from a library of video sequences that will show the selected horse number as the winning 0\ horse. The animated graphics video signal 161 -corresponding to that video sequence is then displayed on Seach main display 146 at least of eligible machines and optionally also on overhead displays 167, 168. Once the video sequence has finished that machine which had the winning horse number is awarded the jackpot amount and normal play then resumes on all machines until another jackpot sequence is triggered by turnover amount again reaching a trigger value as determined by controller 140.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16

Claims (1)

16.Jun. 2005 22:23 Wallingtor-Dummer Sydney No.0990 P. 39 SCLAIMS 0 S1. A topology for a bank of linked gaming machines; each ci gaming machine of said bank of linked gaming machines I\O comprising a dual monitor gaming machine having a main display for display of a primary game and a second display; said second display located above said main o display on each said gaming machine; each said dual monitor gaming machine further including at least a Smachine logic unit which controls said primary game 10 and its display on said main display; each said dual monitor gaming machine further including a display and controller unit which controls what is displayed on said second display; a jackpot controller including computing and display means linked to said bank of gaming machines, the gaming machines arranged to display on said main display selected game features wherein randomized events are caused to award a prize if a predefined event occurs, the controller being characterized in that it is arranged to provide a second game feature; said topology comprising said bank of linked gaming machines in electronic communication with said jackpot controller whereby at least a first predefined portion of data associated with said second game feature is displayed on said main display of at least selected ones of said bank of linked gaming machines; and wherein at least a second COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16 16-Jun, 200b 22:23 Wallinston-Dum er Sydney No-0990 P. 36 In predefined portion of data associated with said second 0 game feature is displayed on said second display of at least said selected ones of said bank of gaming IO machines. 2. The topology of Claim 1 wherein said first predetermined portion of data comprises animated 0 graphics video data. 3. The topology of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said second in Spredetermined portion of data comprises data video. 4. The topology of Claim 2 wherein said animated graphics video data comprises an animation of a horse race. The topology of any previous claim wherein said first predetermined portion of data is supplied to a graphics video splitter; said graphics video splitter receiving a main game video signal from said machine logic unit; said graphics video splitter arranged to supply either said first predetermined portion of data or said main game video signal to said main display of at least said selected ones of said gaming machines. DATED: 16 June 2005 Konami Australia Pty Ltd by their Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTON-DUMMER COMS ID No: SBMI-01303511 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:26 Date 2005-06-16