No Purchase Necessary Game System

Abstract

A gaming machine system that allows a potential player to view the outcome of an upcoming game before playing it and before spending money on said outcome, and a method of using the same. The gaming machine system comprises a gaming machine configured to display a game and a view of the game. The gaming machine is further configured to initiate the view of the game upon selective communication by the user therewith. The game play starts then finishes with one or more irrevocable final results for view and selection. The view window shows the outcome of the next play before money is spent. The player can view each and every result before spending money. The player can then select and spend money on one of the results that he considers most favorable. The player spends money on a result that is already known to him.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/572,161 filed Aug. 25, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to a gaming machine system that permits a user to determine the outcome of a game prior to playing, and more particularly to a gaming machine configured to display the outcome of an upcoming game before the user is required to spend any money to play the game and a method of using the same.

BACKGROUND

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for many years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines, players are more likely to be attracted to the machines that have the highest expectation of winning. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.

Gaming enhancements that provide entertainment value to the player include offering new and different ways of achieving winning outcomes based on player interaction with the game. Such new and different ways of achieving winning outcomes attract players and may further enhance player loyalty, and would thus help gaming establishments attract further business. It is therefore desirable to develop different ways to allow players to achieve winning outcomes, (i.e., viewing game results). Players benefit by gaining knowledge of the results for a gaming machine.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a gaming machine system that allows a potential player to view the finish of a game without playing it and, more particularly, without spending any money, and a method of using the same. The gaming machine system comprises a gaming machine configured to display the results of the current game and view the results of the following game before it is played. The gaming machine is further configured to initiate the view of the game upon selective communication by the user therewith. The gaming machine is a device capable of allowing a player to play a game, and dispensing rewards, monetary or otherwise, as appropriate, and to view the results of the upcoming game before spending any money or playing said upcoming game. By allowing the player to view the outcome of the upcoming game before it is played or before money is spent, the gaming machine owners have arguably removed the element of chance and, therefore, will not be in violation of the statutes of many states which prohibit gambling.

Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a game play actually starts then finishes with one or more irrevocable final results for view and selection. A view window shows what the outcome of a next play will be for each amount spent before the money is actually spent. More specifically, the player can view each and every result before actually spending any money, thereby eliminating the element of chance. The player can then select and spend money on one of the results that he considers most favorable. In other words, the player spends money on a result that is already known to him. If the player selects one of the results, the result is the same as previously presented to the player. If the player does not want to accept the known outcome, the player can press a button and get the remaining credits or refund printed to a voucher without any charge for playing the viewed upcoming game.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a gaming machine system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a gaming machine system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart disclosing a method of playing a gaming machine system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

Potential users or players of gaming machines are often given a choice of games such as slot machines, video poker, keno, blackjack, and many other games of skill and/or chance. Presented with a multitude of unfamiliar games, players often play only a select few favorites, or simply do not play any at all. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that most games require money or some other form of consideration to play. The process of the present invention is designed for electronic or mechanical video games to allow a potential player to view the finish of a game without playing it and without spending any money, thereby eliminating the element of chance, and avoiding the typical definition of gambling as adopted by many states.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a gaming machine system 100. The gaming machine system 100 comprises a gaming machine 102 configured to display a game display 104 and a view of an outcome of an upcoming game 110 on a preview display 106. The gaming machine 102 is further configured to initiate the view of the upcoming game upon a selective communication by the user therewith. The gaming machine 102 can be any suitable electronic or mechanical video game as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The gaming machine 102 is a device capable of allowing a player to play a game and dispensing rewards, monetary or otherwise, as appropriate. The gaming machine 102 can be a stand-alone unit capable of operating play on its own or, the gaming machine 102 can be utilized within a system that has a plurality of networked gaming machines (not shown).

Additionally, lottery tickets or lottery pull-tabs can also be utilized with the technology of the present invention. The lottery tickets or lottery pull-tabs (not shown) can be displayed through a window (i.e., a pull-tab dispenser), and the player can see the outcome before it is dispensed, and/or the outcome of events can be pre-printed on the ticket.

Typically, the preview display 106 and a value of the game display 108 showing a prize amount are created by adding a new software package directly into the existing software in the gaming machine 102. The new software package may be programmed or otherwise embedded into a readable storage medium on a printed circuit mother board, which is then connected to an existing display monitor, a harness for control buttons, and any other necessary game components. The new software package is then accessed by a software code to initiate a game once the gaming machine 102 is powered up. After the insertion of the preview display 106 software into the existing software program, the game operator will have the option to display the preview display 106 as a small, preview window that shows the next outcome, or the operator can have a button (not shown) that the player may push and view the outcome of the upcoming game 110.

The new software package may comprise the following instructions: generation of an on screen display that comprises a title, a set of instructions, and a payout table; reception of a player's commands through existing hardware; accessing a database of predetermined graphics and symbols to create the preview display 106; using a random number generating algorithm to produce a result for each level of game play which are saved in a game memory storage medium to be revealed upon activation by the user, whereby the game display 104 will change to show the selected result for each level of game play; initiation of the game upon selection of the selected level of game play and displaying the selected result, whereby a number of points corresponding to a pay out table are awarded; and tracking and recording game play data and accounting such as credits in and credits out.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical example of the invention where the gaming machine 102 is a three reel slot machine. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the slot game context. Rather, various embodiments of the invention can be used to illustrate view play of any game capable of being played on a game machine. For example, the gaming machine 102 may be configured to play games comprising: slots, video poker, keno, black jack, and the like.

In existing games of chance, the player has to spend money prior to the start of a game play. The player has no prior knowledge of the result of the game play. Only one, irrevocable final result will be presented to the player after the money has been spent. No matter how the final result of a game play is generated, the player is chancing his money against a result that is not known to him beforehand.

In the presently claimed gaming machine system 100, the game play actually starts then finishes with one or more irrevocable final results for view and selection. The preview display 106 shows what the outcome of the next play will be before the money is spent. The player may therefore view each and every result before spending money. The player can then select and spend money based on one of the results that he considers most favorable. The player also can spend money on a result that is already known to him. In the gaming machine system 100, each game play generates one or more irrevocable final results for view and selection. After the player has selected and spent money on one of the results, a visible process, such a spinning of reels or turning of cards, ending in the exact same result is presented to the player on the game display 104. If the player does not want to accept the known outcome, they can press a button (not shown) and get the remaining credits or refund printed to a voucher without any charge for playing.

Additionally, the invention is not limited to displaying only one result per game play. Unlike existing gaming machines which only generate one result per game play, the gaming machine system 100 generates a plurality of levels of play 112 per game play. Typically, four or more levels of play 112 are configured by game styles and designs. However, the plurality of levels of play 112 may comprise one or more results and still be considered within the scope of the invention.

Illustrated in FIG. 3, is an exemplary method 200 for allowing a potential player to view an outcome of an upcoming game prior to spending consideration. The method will be described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring now to FIG. 3, to operate the gaming machine system 100, at step 202, a player walks up to a gaming machine 102 configured to view the outcome of a plurality of levels of play 112 for the upcoming game. The player then inserts consideration (money) into the gaming machine at step 204 as a deposit should the player decide to participate in the game. At step 206, on the preview display 106, the player is presented with a view of random multiple choices generated in a one-by-one sequence independent of previously generated results as to the plurality of levels of play 112 they would be interested in obtaining. The player decides whether or not to play at step 208, and then selects any or none of the plurality of levels 112 to play. Once a choice is selected, the player is able to view the final conclusion of the game on the game display 104 as if the player actually played the game without having to play it at all.

After inspecting all the outcomes for the plurality of levels 112, the player knows the complete consequences and destiny of the finish of each game choice. The player then, armed with this complete knowledge of the finished game, must choose if they wish to participate or not. Should the player choose to participate, consideration (money) is deducted from the deposit at step 210 and the player then selects the level of play at step 212 thereby participating in the game at step 214. If the player chooses not to participate they can select that choice at step 218 and receive a 100% refund o f their deposit back to them with no purchase necessary. The process starts over again as the player determines at step 218 whether or not to play again. If not, the method ends at step 220.

The exemplary method 200 comprises a software that uses a pseudo-random number generator to determine a number or a plurality of numbers for use in determining a final reel position, or equivalent final result position depending on the game type, for the gaming machine 102 prior to the player purchasing the upcoming game. The results of the final reel position are generated on the preview display 106 which shows the results of the plurality of levels of play 112 for the upcoming game. As such, the player may then determine whether or not to play based of viewing the final reel position on the preview display 106.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A method for allowing a potential player to view an outcome of an upcoming game prior to spending consideration to play the upcoming game, the method comprising:

locating a gaming machine configured to view the outcome of a plurality of levels of play for the upcoming game;

placing a monetary deposit in the gaming machine;

viewing the outcome for the plurality of levels of play for the upcoming game; and

determining whether or not to play the upcoming game based on viewing the outcome.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine comprises an electronic gaming machine or a mechanical gaming machine.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting which of the plurality of levels of play to purchase if deciding to play the upcoming game.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising authorizing a deduction from the monetary deposit corresponding to the selected levels of play.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising obtaining a refund of the monetary deposit if none of the plurality of levels of play were selected.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of levels of play comprise at least three levels of play.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of levels of play comprise between three and five levels of play.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising viewing the results of the upcoming game on a preview display.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the outcome in a one-by-one sequence independent of previously generated results.

10. A software-implemented method for allowing a potential player of a gaming machine to view an outcome of an upcoming game prior to spending consideration to play the upcoming game, the software-implemented method comprising:

using a pseudo-random number generator to determine a number or a plurality of numbers for use in determining a final reel position for the gaming machine prior to purchasing the upcoming game;

displaying the results of the final reel position on a preview display, wherein the final reel position illustrates a plurality of levels of play for the upcoming game: and

determining whether or not to play the upcoming game based on viewing the final reel position.

11. The software-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the pseudo-random number generator is customizable for a plurality of gaming machines.

12. The software-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the gaming machine comprises a plurality of networked gaming machines.

13. The software-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising generating the outcome in a one-by-one sequence without cross-reference to already generated results.

14. The software-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising refunding the consideration if the potential player opts not to play the upcoming game.

15. A gaming machine system for allowing a potential player to view an outcome of an upcoming game having a plurality of levels of play before spending consideration to play the upcoming game; the gaming machine system comprising:

a gaming machine programmed to display a view of the outcome of the plurality of levels of play and a value of the game display for the upcoming game.

16. The gaming machine system of claim 15, wherein the gaming machine is configured to play games comprising at least one of the following games: slots, video poker, keno, or black jack.

17. The gaming machine system of claim 15, wherein the gaming machine system is a single gaming machine.

18. The gaming machine system of claim 15, wherein the gaming machine system is a network of a plurality of gaming machines.

19. The gaming machine system of claim 15, wherein the upcoming game comprises a lottery ticket or a lottery pull-tab game.

20. The gaming machine system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of levels of play comprise at least four levels of play.