Method, apparatus, and program product for producing and applying a graphic simulation across multiple gaming machines

Abstract

An apparatus for producing shared image games includes a number of gaming machines, with each gaming machine having a respective video display device. The apparatus also includes a shared image display control arrangement and a shared image prize controller. The shared image display control arrangement controls the respective video display device associated with each gaming machine in the number of gaming machines to produce a shared image graphic effect such as a multi-segmented prize reel that appears to extend across the different video display devices. The shared image prize controller operates to award a shared image prize for at least one of the gaming machines. This shared image prize corresponds to a prize represented at least in part by a respective one of the reel segments displayed at the video display device of the respective gaming machine when the reel segments appear to come to a stop. For example, a given reel segment may show a prize value that is awarded to the player at the particular gaming machine, or may show a multiplier value that is applied to some value accumulated for the player at the particular gaming machine.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The Applicants claim the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 986,950 filed Nov. 9, 2007, and entitled “Method, Apparatus, and Program Product for Conducting a Game Having a Shared Image Component.” The entire content of this provisional application is incorporated herein by this reference.[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent documents or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all rights of copyright.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention is directed to a system which provides a graphic effect across multiple gaming machines to display results in a wagering game. The invention encompasses both methods and apparatus for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A first form of the present invention includes an apparatus having a number of gaming machines, with each gaming machine having a respective player control arrangement which enables a player to make inputs through the respective gaming machine, and also having a respective video display device. The apparatus in this first form of the invention also includes a shared image display control arrangement and a shared image prize controller. The shared image display control arrangement operates to control the respective video display device associated with each gaming machine in the number of gaming machines to produce a shared image graphic effect that appears to extend across the different video display devices. One preferred shared image graphic effect includes a simulation of a multi-segmented prize reel in which the various prize reel segments appear to travel across each respective video display device in a rotation direction and then ultimately reach a stopped (static) condition to display a respective reel segment at the respective video display device of each respective gaming machine. The prize reel segments together represent a series of distinct graphic elements which appear to sequentially travel in unison (that is, as if physically interconnected in a fixed physical relationship) across each respective video display device in the rotation direction and then stop so that a respective distinct graphic element is displayed at each of the video display devices. The shared image prize controller operates to award a shared image prize for at least one of the gaming machines. This shared image prize corresponds to a prize represented at least in part by a respective one of the reel segments displayed at the video display device of the at least one gaming machine when the reel segments appear to come to a stop. For example, a given reel segment may show a prize value that is awarded to the player at the particular gaming machine, or may show a multiplier value that is applied to some value accumulated for the player at the particular gaming machine.

[0011]In this method according to the first form of the invention, the step of controlling each video display device may include communicating one or more client commands from the display control server to each of the gaming machines over a local area network. The respective client command or commands to each respective gaming machine may include a start location in video image data stored at the respective gaming machine and an end location in the video image data, and perhaps other information that may be necessary or desirable for allowing the respective gaming machine to display the desired single machine component of the shared image graphic effect.

[0012]Some preferred methods according to the first form of the invention include detecting an ineligible condition at one or more of the gaming machines. In response to detecting the ineligible condition at a given gaming machine, the method may include modifying the single machine component of the shared image graphic effect at that gaming machine to indicate that the respective gaming machine is not eligible for the shared image prize. This modification of the single machine component of the shared image graphic effect may include reducing the brightness of the single machine component of the shared image graphic effect, changing colors included in the single component of the shared image effect, and / or making some other suitable modification in the single machine component of the shared image graphic effect.

Problems solved by technology

However, the multi-screen presentation disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,008,324 is limited in how it shows results for multiple players concurrently.

This arrangement limits the ability to provide presentations that generate excitement and interest across large numbers of gaming machines, and gaming machines arranged in diverse physical orientations.

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