TW201417862A - A gaming machine and a method of restoring a game - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming machine and a method of restoring a game to a stored status at a gaming machine can be provided, whereby the gaming machine comprises a screen for displaying one or more games implemented on the gaming machine; a game module for determining player identification for use at the gaming machine; and for retrieving information stored based on the player identification; and for restoring a game to a stored status based on the retrieved stored information such that the game is substantially replicated to when the information was stored. A computer readable data storage medium having stored thereon computer code means for instructing a processing module of a gaming machine to execute a method for restoring a game to a stored status can also be provided.

Description

Game machine and method for restoring a game

The invention is broadly related to the field of gaming machines and a method of restoring a game.

In a game club, players have a variety of game consoles to choose from. However, it is known that a player has a favorite or a hobby for a particular machine, especially if it has been playing a particular machine for a longer period of time. For example, a player may believe that a particular machine is his/her "lucky machine" or that the player may believe that the game time on that particular machine can quickly win. Thus, a player may attempt to retain a particular machine, for example, when he or she must move from the machine to take care of other things. Another example may be that if a player wants to take a break from a first gaming machine, the player seeks to retain the particular first machine and instead play on another second machine. However, the player may still want to maintain or retain one of the seats at the first machine.

Typically, machine retention may be in the form of a notice or indication left at the machine (such as placing a chair against a gaming machine) to indicate to other players that the gaming machine cannot be used.

One problem that can arise from such reservations is that the "retained" machine is idle when not in use. Another problem that may arise is that a reservation notice or indication may not adequately prevent another player from playing the game machine. This is not desirable because it can lead to conflicts between players.

It can be suggested that the machine can be retained by rules and regulations. However, when the player is In the case of an actual customer or consumer, the handling of such things can be important to ensure customer satisfaction.

Yet another proposal is to reduce the ratio of the number of players to the number of machines by providing more machines or even personal machines. However, this proposal is not cost effective. In addition, the situation where two players are simultaneously attracted to the same machine can still exist.

Therefore, in view of the above, there is a need to find a method for solving one of the above problems and a method of restoring a game to a stored state.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine is provided, comprising: a screen for displaying one or more games implemented on the gaming machine; and a game module for: determining player identification For use at the gaming machine; and for capturing the stored information based on the player identification; and for restoring a game to a stored state based on the retrieved stored information to cause the game to be played Substantially reproduces to the situation when the information is stored.

The game module may capture one or more display elements as the stored information; and may form one display substantially the same as the original display of one of the games when the information is stored based on the one or more display elements. .

The stored information may include one or more of a group consisting of: game location information, icons, game symbols, player point information, previous game history information.

The game machine can further include a generator for generating a random number, and the stored information includes a randomly generated number, wherein the game module retrieves the stored randomly generated number and the The randomly generated number stored is input to the generator to generate a new random number as one of the determinants of the one result.

The gaming machine can further include a player transaction module for receiving and processing an identifier from one of the players.

The identifier can be an identification card.

The game module can retrieve the stored information from the token.

The game module can retrieve the stored information from a network connection to a server of the game machine.

The player identification can be determined at the gaming machine or at the server.

The game module or the server may further include an authentication component for authenticating a player's identity.

The game module can be configured to prompt a resume input, and the game module can be able to restore the game to the stored state based on the stored information based on the resume input.

The game module can be further configured to store status information for one of the games in progress, the store being associated with the player identification.

The game module can be further configured to store the status information for the game based on an actuation of a selectable storage input.

The selectable storage device can be associated with an end game input.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of restoring a game to a stored state, the method comprising: determining that the player is recognized for use at a gaming machine; and capturing the stored based on the player identification Information; and returning a game to a stored state based on the stored information retrieved so that the game substantially reproduces to the situation when the information is stored.

Retrieving the stored information based on the player identification may include capturing one or more display elements as the stored information; and restoring the game may include forming and storing the information based on the one or more display elements One of the original displays of the game is essentially the same as one of the displays.

The stored information may include one or more of the following groups: game location information, game graphics, game symbols, player credit information, previous play Historical information.

The stored information may further comprise generating a randomly generated number using a generator; and the step of capturing the information comprises extracting the stored randomly generated number; and wherein the step of restoring a game comprises The stored randomly generated numbers are input to the generator to generate a new random number as one of the determinants of the one result.

The method can further include receiving and processing an identifier from one of the players.

The identifier can be an identification card.

The step of extracting the stored information may include extracting the stored information from the token.

The step of extracting the stored information may include extracting the stored information from a network connection to a server of the gaming machine.

Determining player identification can be performed at the gaming machine or at the server.

The method can further include using an authentication component to identify a player identity.

The method can further include prompting a resume input; and wherein the step of restoring the game to the stored state is based on the resume input.

The method can further include storing status information of one of the games in progress, the storage being associated with the player identification.

This step of storing status information may be based on an actuation of a selectable storage input.

The selectable storage input can be associated with an end game input.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer readable data storage medium having a computer code component stored thereon, wherein the computer code component is used to instruct a processing module of a gaming machine to execute a game a method of reverting to a stored state, the method comprising the steps of: determining that the player is recognized for use at a gaming machine; extracting the stored information based on the player identification; and based on the captured information captured The game is restored to a stored state such that the game substantially reproduces to the situation when the information is stored.

100‧‧‧game machine

101‧‧‧ front panel

102‧‧‧ top screen

104‧‧‧ main screen

106‧‧‧ Player Trading Panel

108‧‧‧ Player interaction panel

112‧‧‧ tower lights

114‧‧‧ Poster display section

116‧‧‧LCD monitor information screen

118‧‧‧ card insertion slot/transaction module

120‧‧‧Push button/button

122‧‧‧ Game Ticket Verifier

200‧‧‧game machine

202‧‧‧Power supply unit

204‧‧‧ motherboard circuit cover

206‧‧‧ Game Module/Player Module

208‧‧‧Media Module

210‧‧‧Message Interface Module

212‧‧‧Interface board

214‧‧‧ Game Ticket Verifier Module

216‧‧‧Printer

300‧‧‧ system

302a‧‧‧Game machine

302b‧‧‧Game machine

302c‧‧‧Game machine

306‧‧‧ Game Control Server/Server

308‧‧‧Information Storage Server

310‧‧‧ Player LCD touch screen / touch screen / player game module

312‧‧‧Interface board

314‧‧‧ Game Module

316‧‧‧LCD monitor information screen

318‧‧‧ card insertion slot

320‧‧‧ Player Card (or Trading) Panel/Player Card Panel/Sample Screen Capture Screen/Player Trading Panel

322‧‧‧Roulette games

324‧‧‧Winning combinations/sequences of predetermined graphic symbol sequences/symbols

326‧‧‧Buy display window

328‧‧‧Illustration/play game button icon

330‧‧‧ End game button

332‧‧‧Credit/point display window

334‧‧‧Transaction display window

600‧‧‧ computer system

602‧‧‧ computer unit

604‧‧‧Touch screen keyboard/keyboard

606‧‧‧ pointing device

608‧‧‧ display

610‧‧‧Printer

612‧‧‧Computer network/network

614‧‧‧ transceiver device

618‧‧‧ processor

620‧‧‧ random access memory

622‧‧‧Read-only memory

624‧‧‧Input/Output Interface Unit

626‧‧‧Input/Output Interface Unit

628‧‧‧Interconnected system bus/bus/system bus

630‧‧‧ data storage device

800‧‧‧ Game Module

802‧‧‧Communication Module

804‧‧‧Game display or media module

806‧‧‧ Game Execution Module

808‧‧‧ memory module

810‧‧‧ message interface

812‧‧‧ Random Number Generator

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be better understood and readily apparent from the following description of the invention.

1 is a schematic front elevational view of one of the front panels of one of the gaming machines of an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 2 is a schematic front elevational view of one of the gaming machines of an exemplary embodiment with a front panel partially open from the gaming machine.

Figure 3 (a) is a schematic network diagram illustrating one of the network systems of an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 3 (b) is a schematic illustration of one of the exemplary games implemented on a gaming machine in the exemplary embodiment.

4 shows a schematic flow diagram illustrating one example game state capture program in an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow diagram illustrating one example game state storage procedure in an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of one of the computer systems suitable for implementing an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 7 is a schematic flow diagram for illustrating one of the methods of restoring a game to a stored state in an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of one of the game modules of an exemplary embodiment.

The example embodiments set forth herein may provide a gaming machine having one of the functions for restoring a game state to a previously stored state. In an exemplary embodiment, a player may exit a first game from a first gaming machine A, for example, to play another game on another machine B. When the player returns to machine A, the first game may be loaded and restarted at machine A substantially the same as exiting the first game or at the exit of the first game. Another option is to take the other game B and exit the first game. The state loads and resumes the first game substantially the same or at the exit of the first game.

The terms "coupled" or "connected", as used in this description, are intended to cover either directly or in connection with one or more intermediate members unless otherwise stated.

The description herein may be explicitly or implicitly described in some portions as algorithms and/or functions that process data in a computer memory or an electronic circuit. Such algorithm descriptions and/or function operations are typically used by those skilled in the art/data processing techniques for effective description. An algorithm is usually associated with a sequence from one of the steps to result in a desired result. Algorithm steps may include physical manipulation of the number of entities (such as electrical, magnetic, or optical signals) that can be stored, transmitted, transmitted, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated.

In addition, unless explicitly stated otherwise, and generally will be self-cultivating, those skilled in the art will appreciate that throughout this specification, such as "scanning", "calculating", "decision", "alternative", "generating", "initializing" The term "output" and the like refers to an action or program that indicates a processor/computer system or similar electronic circuit/device/component that will be described in the processor/computer system or similar electronic circuit/device/component The data represented within the system as the number of entities is manipulated/processed and transformed into other data that is represented in the system or other information storage, transmission or display device in a similar manner as the number of entities.

The description also discloses related apparatus/apparatus for performing the steps of the method as set forth. The device may be specially constructed for the purposes of the methods, or may comprise a general purpose computer/processor or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in a storage component. The algorithms and displays set forth herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other device. It should be understood that a general purpose device/machine can be used in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, it may be desirable to construct a specialized device/device to perform one of the method steps.

In addition, it is considered that the description also implicitly covers a computer program, as it will be clear that The steps of the methods set forth herein can be implemented by computer code. It will be appreciated that a variety of stylized languages and encodings can be used to implement the teachings of the description herein. Moreover, if applicable, the computer program is not limited to any particular control flow and different control flows may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

In addition, one or more of the steps of the computer program (if applicable) may be performed in parallel and/or sequentially. This computer program (if applicable) can be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium can include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a suitable reader/general purpose computer. The computer readable medium can even include a wired medium, such as exemplified in an internetworking system, or can include wireless media, such as exemplified in the Bluetooth technology. When loaded and executed on a suitable reader, the computer program effectively generates a device that can perform one of the steps of the method described.

The example embodiments may also be implemented as a hardware module. A module is designed to be used with other components or modules as one of the functional hardware units. For example, a module can be implemented using digital or discrete electronic components, or it can form part of an entire electronic circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example embodiments can also be implemented as a combination of a hardware module and a software module.

In addition, in the description herein, the phrase "substantially" shall be understood to include, but is not limited to, "entirely" or "completely" and the like whenever used. In addition, terms such as "comprising" and "comprise" are intended to be used as a non-limiting description language whenever they are used, and are broadly included after the terms are not specifically recited. Components/components. In addition, terms such as "about" and "about" are used whenever they are used to mean a reasonable change, for example, one of +/- 5% of the value disclosed, or one of 4% of the value disclosed. A difference, or a difference of 3% of the value disclosed, is one of 2% of the value disclosed or a difference of 1% of the value disclosed.

In this description, the state is not only the progress of the game but may include the exact game style, View and so on. Moreover, in this description, the terms "status" and "state" are used interchangeably.

1 is a schematic front elevational view of one of the front panels of one of the gaming machines of an exemplary embodiment. The gaming machine 100 includes a front panel 101. The front panel 101 further includes a top screen 102, a main screen 104, a player trading panel 106, and a player interaction panel 108. The gaming machine 100 can optionally include a printer exit 110, a tower light 112, and a poster display portion 114. The gaming machine 100 allows a player to play one or more games installed on the gaming machine 100 or implemented by the gaming machine 100 network.

In this exemplary embodiment, the top screen 102 can be used to display game celebrations, promotional/advertising information, or other information that is generally unrelated to the progress of one of the gaming machine's games. The main screen 104 is used to display the game of the gaming machine 100 to draw the attention of the player. Typically, the main screen 104 is a screen in which the player focuses to play the game.

In the exemplary embodiment, player trading panel 106 is provided for the player to trade with gaming machine 100. By "transaction" is meant the player's (for example) withdrawal of credits/credits owned by a magnetic identification card or a radio frequency identification (RFID) card or any stored value card or credits/credits owned by the player Insert. The term should not be limited to currency transactions. The player transaction panel 106 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) information screen 116 and a card insertion slot 118. The card insertion slot 118 is for receiving a card containing credits/credits and/or identifications belonging to the player in the case of a card insertion slot. The points/credits can be extracted from the card into the gaming machine 100 for playing the game installed in the gaming machine 100. After the player decides to end playing the game at the gaming machine 100, the player trading panel 106 may store the last/updated credits/credit in the stored value card.

For an example embodiment associated with the use of a player identification card, the player transaction panel 106 can retrieve the player's credits/credit information from an external server or database based on the player identification. The captured information can then be used at gaming machine 100 for playing the game. For these embodiments, after the player decides to end playing the game at the gaming machine 100, the player transaction panel 106 The last/updated credits/credit information may be transmitted for storage based on player identification for storage on an external server or database. It will be appreciated that the card insertion slot 118 may take other forms depending on the type of identification card used by the player. For example, if the player is using an RFID card, the transaction module 118 can be an RFID reader/writer. The LCD information screen 116 is used to display, for example, the number of credits/credit information contained in the card.

The player interaction panel 108 includes a push button (for example) 120 that is provided to allow the player to actuate a button (for example) 120 for interacting with the game played on the gaming machine 100. For example, a player may use a button (eg, 120) to make a player selection displayed on the main screen 104. A game ticket validator 122 may be provided for a player to use the banknotes to purchase credit for playing the game of the gaming machine 100. This is similar to, for example, the use of banknotes to purchase beverages/food at a vending machine.

It will be appreciated that although a card slot (using the card insertion slot 118) and a game ticket slot (using the game ticket validator 122) have been discussed above, the gaming machine is not limited thereto and may include allowing the game currency, key insertion, A bill or the like is used for a game for playing a game in a game machine.

It will be appreciated that the main screen 104 can complement or replace one of the touch screens of the player interaction panel 108. The touch sensitive screen can be a capacitive sensing screen, a pressure sensitive sensing screen or the like. That is, the main screen 104 can be a touch sensitive screen that allows the player to interact with the gaming machine 100 using touch commands.

In the exemplary embodiment, printer exit 110 may be provided for gaming machine 100 to output information to the player in print form. For example, gaming machine 100 may print a sticker or reward voucher for the player. The gaming machine 100 can also print a receipt or record for the player to print a point transaction. Tower lights 112 may be provided to illuminate during game celebrations. This can attract the attention of bystanders or players. Tower lights 112 can also be used to highlight technical issues, request assistance or repairs, and the like. The poster display portion 114 can be provided for displaying, for example, game information.

In the exemplary embodiment, the front panel 101 may be from the main body or the main body of the gaming machine 100. The ground is opened or removed to allow, for example, maintenance of the circuitry or components contained in the gaming machine 100.

The inventors have recognized that in addition to points/credit information, the player identification card may also allow for other types of information.

In this exemplary embodiment, one of the game states from a previous game session may be resumed based on player recognition. For example, after the player decides to end playing the game at the gaming machine 100, the current game state at the point where the player ends the game playing is transmitted to the external server or database for storage based on the player identification. The game state may include the entire appearance of the game as displayed on the main screen 104. The player inserts or provides the identification card to the trading panel the next time the player wants to return to the game. After recognition, the gaming machine can then retrieve the previously stored game state from the server/database. It will be appreciated that the determination of the identification can be performed based on the identification card at an external server or at the gaming machine local. The gaming machine 100 can then resume or load the game based on the captured game state to where the player previously ended playing the game. This may include displaying the overall appearance of the game that is substantially identical to the last display on the main screen 104.

Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, the game state may be stored and retrieved from the player identification card itself. In this exemplary embodiment, the gaming machine does not need to be further connected to a server or database. The game state can be stored as a set of indication parameters by identification.

In an exemplary embodiment, the game state includes, but is not limited to, the displayed elements on the main screen 104 at the point where the player ends playing the game. The displayed elements may include icons on the screen, positions of a roulette game, for example, graphical symbols, current credit/point information, previous games displayed on the main screen 104 at the point of ending the game play. History or other information. The game state may also include other display information that may enable the gaming machine to substantially reproduce the display such that the display is substantially identical to the display when the player exits the game. Advantageously, this may allow the game's look or feel to be restored to substantially the same level as when the player exits the game, which may provide a higher level of user due to the customization and personalization that it creates. Consumer satisfaction and the game are all tied to where they were previously ended.

Figure 2 is a schematic front elevational view of one of the gaming machines of an exemplary embodiment with a front panel partially open from the gaming machine. The gaming machine 200 functions substantially the same as the gaming machine 100 described with reference to FIG. Similar numbers are used to refer to substantially identical components that have been set forth. As shown, the front panel 101 is opened from the gaming machine 200 and partially opens with the main screen 104 and the player transaction panel 106 to reveal the interior portion of the gaming machine 200.

The gaming machine 200 includes a power supply unit 202 for powering various components of the gaming machine 200. Power supply unit 202 is coupled to a motherboard circuit cover 204. The motherboard circuit cover 204 is used to house and protect a game module 206. The game module 206 implements one or more games on the gaming machine 200 and also implements game functions such as point/reward calculations. The game module 206 also drives visual content (e.g., display of the game) on the main screen 104 and, for example, video content from the gaming machine 200. A speaker (not shown) is provided to output the audio. The game module 206 is integrated or coupled to a media module 208 and a message interface module 210. The gaming machine 200 further includes an interface circuit board 212 coupled to the game module 206 via the message interface module 210 and a game ticket validator module 214 coupled to one of the game modules 206. The game ticket validator module 214 includes circuitry for implementing game ticket verification and counting. In the exemplary embodiment, if a printer exit 110 is provided, a printer 216 is also included in the gaming machine 200 for performing the printing function.

It will be appreciated that gaming machine 200 may further include other components not illustrated herein for clarity of illustration of the example embodiments.

The interface circuit board 212 is provided to communicate with a game control server (not shown) that can, for example, monitor the outcome of the game of the gaming machine 200, for example, for recording the theme of the gaming machine 200. The result of the base game. In some example embodiments, a game control server (not shown) may, for example, control game machine 200, for example, to notify an external mysterious server/network that is implemented at one of the game control servers. One of the games wins the item. The server/network game is typically independent of the base game installed at the gaming machine 200. Communication with the game control server can be via a wired or wireless network. Alternatively or in another selection, the game control server may store and/or provide player specific information to the game module 206 based on a request from one of the player modules 206.

In an exemplary embodiment, the player specific information may include current game status, player points/credit, and the like.

Figure 3 (a) is a schematic network diagram illustrating one of the network systems of an exemplary embodiment. System 300 includes: at least one gaming machine 302a, 302b, 302c; a game control server 306; and an information storage server 308. System 300 can be connected to one of a variety of gaming machines and servers, wired or wireless. In the description herein, only one gaming machine 302a will be explained for ease of understanding. The gaming machine functions in a similar manner and is substantially similar to the gaming machine 100 of FIG.

The gaming machine 302a includes a player LCD touch screen 310 (corresponding to 104 of FIG. 1) for playing a game on the gaming machine 302a. In addition, a player card (or transaction) panel 320 (corresponding to 106 of FIG. 1) includes an LCD information screen 316 (corresponding to 116 of FIG. 1) and a card insertion slot 318 (corresponding to 118 of FIG. 1). Within the gaming machine 302a, an interface circuit board 312 is further provided, the interface circuit board 312 being coupled to a game module 314 for communicating with the game control server 306. Touch screen 310 and player card panel 320 are coupled to game module 314.

Figure 3 (b) is a schematic illustration of one of the exemplary games implemented on gaming machine 302a in this exemplary embodiment. The game can be a roulette game. However, it will be appreciated that the game on the gaming machine is not limited to this and may be in other forms, such as a large video game. For example, the game can be a large video game simulator game that requires the player to purchase a predetermined amount of credits/points to play the game for a predetermined period of time. Moreover, games (such as roulette games) implemented on gaming machine 302a may not provide prizes or rewards to players in certain example embodiments. That is, such games may be entertainment games that players buy for play for entertainment, graphics, etc., without expecting any rewards or rewards.

In this exemplary embodiment, the roulette game is displayed on the main screen or as a gaming machine. The touch screen 310 of 302a. A sample screen capture screen 320 shows an example of one of the various elements of the roulette game 322. The gaming machine incorporates touch screen technology to enable a player to play a roulette game via touch screen 310. Roulette game 322 relates to a match of a predetermined sequence of graphical symbols (e.g., 324) on the roulette. The discs are displayed in a 3 x 3 matrix and can be mechanically rearward or graphically rotated on the touch screen 310. A buy display window 326 is provided to show the player the number of points/credit required to play, for example, each round of the game. A game play button, shown as one of the illustrations 328, is provided to allow the player to operate or initiate the gaming machine 302a. A credit/point display window 332 is provided to show the player the points/credits available to the player. A transaction display window 334 displays the results of the previous game, for example, a surplus or a deficit of one of the credits/points generated from the previous game or the roulette game. The player may touch the play game button icon 328 to play, for example, a round of roulette game.

In the exemplary embodiment, a transaction module (equivalent to 118 of FIG. 1) receives a game card or a stored value credit/point card from the player for transmitting credit to play the game in the gaming machine 302a. The stored value card also allows the player to transfer unused credits from a previous game session to play the game in the gaming machine 302a. Any existing credits/credits can be transferred to and from the gaming machine 302a using the stored value card.

Alternatively or in addition, the stored value card may allow the player to store information that allows for the recovery of the game state when the game is played at the end of the gaming machine. Therefore, when the player returns to the gaming machine at a later time point or returns to another gaming machine, the player can restore the state of one game to the state of the stored game working phase.

An end game play button (shown graphically as an illustration) 330 is provided to allow the player to request transaction processing for the stored value card when the player stops playing the gaming machine 302a (eg, transfer the remaining points/credit back to the store) Value card) and / or save the current game state.

For an example embodiment associated with the use of a player identification card, the transaction module may retrieve player points/credit information and/or from an external server or database (eg, game control server 306) based on player identification. Previous game state. Then available on the gaming machine (for example, The captured information is used at 302a, 302b, 302c) for playing games. For such embodiments, after the player decides to end playing the game at the gaming machine 302a, the transaction module may transmit the last/updated credits/credit information and/or the current game state based on the player identification for storage on the external server. Or on the database. Alternatively, instead of transmitting the last/updated credits/credit information and/or the current game state for storage on an external server or database, the alternate module may instead store the information on the player identification card or The player identifier is recorded.

In an exemplary embodiment, one of the player identification decisions may be performed at an external server or at the gaming machine local based on a player identification card. For example, a card ID or identification number can be extracted and sent to an external server for comparison against a table. Using the card ID, the player identification can be retrieved at the external server and the stored information based on the player identification can also be retrieved. During game play, the player touches the play game button icon 328 to rotate the wheel for one round. The game module 314 deducts the player's points/credit based on the amount displayed in the buy display 326 window. Different types of wins of the roulette game 322 may have different permutations of winning combinations/sequences (eg, 324) of symbols. For example, three identical symbols in a column can be classified as a flush, and two identical symbols in a column can be classified as a smaller win. The win may be dominated based on a probability table stored or programmed in the gaming machine 302.

In an exemplary embodiment, when a player decides to exit a gaming machine and finish playing the game, the player may push or actuate one of the "exit game" buttons on the game display (not shown in FIG. 3). Another option is that the "Exit Game" button is available at the trading module. Once the "Exit Game" option is initiated, relevant information to restore the game state may be stored in the player's card or transmitted for storage on a networked server based on player identification. In an exemplary embodiment, the related information may include information that may allow for the actual display of the game to be substantially reproduced. This information may be in the form of location information (such as grid coordinates mapped to the display) and parameter values of the game icon and/or symbol, player point information, and/or previous game history. In addition, the related information may include the following information obtained from a random number generator. The number generated by the machine that determines one or more future games. The details of the random number generation are provided in a subsequent section of one of the following descriptions.

In the exemplary embodiment, in order to store the data in the player's card, the relevant information may be processed (eg, encrypted, encoded, and/or compressed) into a storage file format suitable for the information to be written to the player card. . For example, the player card can include a magnetic strip to write data onto the card by modifying the magnetic properties of the particles on the magnetic strip of the card. Therefore, the game module of the game machine can control the transaction module to modify the magnetic stripe player card to store the processed related information. It will be further appreciated that the player card or token is not limited to such magnetic stripe cards and can be implemented as other types of information storage devices or tokens.

As a further alternative, the processed related information can be transmitted and stored in the network to one of the gaming machines. After successfully storing the game state, the display can then prompt the user to remove the card. Another option is to release the card from the card slot of the transaction module.

When a player returns to a gaming machine, the player can, for example, insert the player card into the player trading module and be asked to type in, for example, a password to determine the player's identification. By determining the identity of the player (by communicating with a network connection server or by checking the identification information stored on a player card), the game module of the game machine can then proceed to (eg This can be the case if the player card or the server connected via the network extracts the stored information. It will be appreciated that the information can be decrypted, decoded and/or decompressed accordingly before the stored information can be used by, for example, a gaming module. For example, location information stored, such as grid coordinates, and stored parameter value information may be extracted by the game module and applied to a related game to indicate that the game may be substantially reproduced when the player exits the previous game session. One of the display or game states is displayed. If a random number has been stored, the gaming machine may extract the random numbers stored by the gaming machine and continue to generate random numbers based on the random numbers stored by them.

4 shows an exemplary game state capture process in an exemplary embodiment. One of the schematic flow diagrams 400. The program can be launched when a player starts playing a game at a gaming machine. In this exemplary embodiment, a gaming machine is coupled to a server that stores player information and other game information. At step 402, the player game module 310 (Fig. 3(a)) detects one of the players inserted into the card insertion slot 318 (Fig. 3(a)) of the player transaction panel 320 (Fig. 3(a)). The existence of the card. At step 404, the game module attempts to authenticate the player. This can be accomplished, for example, by prompting the user to provide an identification code or password (which is then compared to the code or password stored on the card). Alternatively, an authentication check can be performed at server 306 (Fig. 3(a)) via interface circuit board 312 (Fig. 3(a)). Player identification information can be obtained from the card and sent to a server along with the provided identification code. The server then compares the information to authenticate the player. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the player cannot use, for example, the game machine to resume or store the game function. At step 406, once the player identification has been determined, the game server checks to determine if the player has previously accessed the machine and/or if the player has any previously stored games. If it is determined that there is no existing information (such as a stored game), the player is allowed to resume playing the game machine. Another option is that the gaming machine can determine the above at the local machine by means of the player card, depending on the implementation.

If it is determined that there is at least one existing stored game, the player may be prompted via the game module and the touch panel to determine whether the player wants to continue/restore a previous game. If the player agrees, then at step 408, the game module 314 (Fig. 3(a)) retrieves the allowable game module 314 (Fig. 3(a)) to resume the previously stored game state (at step 410). Stored information. Depending on the implementation, the stored information can be retrieved from the player card or server.

As explained earlier, previously stored game states may include information that may allow for substantial reproduction of previous game displays. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the information may include player credit/point balance, previous transaction history, previous game icon position, previous game character/symbol position/attitude/appearance, previous carousel position, and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the game module can include a sub-module for performing the above steps. For example, the game module can include: an identification module (eg, with identification) a function chipset) for determining player identification; a capture module (eg, connected to, for example, a library or a memory card/chip chipset) for capturing with player identification The stored information; and an input loader (eg, a buffer chipset) for loading the stored information via a processor or processing module to manipulate one of the gaming machines to produce the recovered Game and game display.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow diagram 500 illustrating one example game state storage program in an exemplary embodiment. The program can be launched when a player finishes playing a game at a gaming machine. In this exemplary embodiment, a gaming machine is coupled to a server that stores player information and other information. At step 502, the machine detects that the player wants to leave the machine, for example, by detecting that one of the exiting game buttons on the touch panel has been activated by a player. At step 504, the game module, upon receiving the request that the player stops playing the game, issues a prompt to ask the player whether to store the game information for later recovery. Another option is that the storage can be automated depending on the implementation. At step 506, if the player wants to store information, relevant information for recovering the current game state at a later point in time is obtained at the game module and transmitted to the server for storage (at step 508) ).

As explained earlier, the information used to restore the state of the game may include information that may allow for substantially reproducing the previous game display.

The example embodiments set forth herein may allow a player to store a game state that may be retrieved from the same and/or other machines at a later point in time. In an exemplary embodiment, the player is provided with a player card that can be used to identify the player for use at a gaming machine and further capable of storing other information. The player inserts the card into a gaming machine to play the game. When playing a game, the player may decide to quit the game to, for example, take care of other things. Information related to restoring the state of the game may be stored in the player card or an external server before the player removes the card from the gaming machine. Then, when the player returns to the gaming machine or another gaming machine, the insertion of the card may allow the previously stored information to be retrieved from the card or the external server, and played The home can then revert to a substantially reproducible state and resume the game from the previous exit point.

The example embodiment may also allow the player to play the game at another gaming machine before continuing to play the game at the first gaming machine. The player may also return to the other gaming machine and restart the game from where he previously exited the game at another gaming machine. For example, a player (which is provided with a player card) first plays the game at machine A. The player continues to play the game after exiting machine A and then at machine B. Thus, the player card or external server may be capable of storing game status information from one or more of the one or more gaming machines such that the user can resume at any of the one or more gaming machines The state of the game.

In some example embodiments, game state information stored on a player card or an external server does not expire. In other words, a player can restore the game to a previously stored state without fear that the information is deleted. Alternatively, the stored game state may be deleted after one of the predetermined periods expires. For example, a player may have stored game state information from a first gaming machine. Subsequently, if the player does not return to play the game at the same machine or continues playing the game at the exit game after, for example, 2 days, the status information is deleted from the card or the external server, and the game cannot be resumed. This can advantageously induce the player to return to play the gaming machine or game before the game state is deleted by the card or server. It will be appreciated that the player may be provided with further stimulation to return to the gaming machine. For example, compared to a "non-recovery" new game, the points for winning rewards can be adjusted higher for a resumed game.

The example embodiments set forth herein may also allow for the same game state recovery function for a different player. For example, when a player X leaves a gaming machine, the game state of X is stored via the player card C. A second player Y can then be allowed to play the game on the same vacated game machine by the player card D. When the player Y exits the game, the player Y is also allowed to store the game state of Y via the player card D. Thus, both players can return to the gaming machine to continue where the players respectively stop or exit in their respective games.

It will be further appreciated that the example embodiments set forth herein may also allow a player Save and restore (for example) different games. In an exemplary embodiment, the player may store multiple game states for different games. For example, related information from a first game and a second game may be stored, wherein related information from the first game may allow a player to resume the game of the first game at a (same or different) gaming machine The status, and related information from the second game, may allow the player to resume the game state of the second game at a (same or different) gaming machine.

In the gaming industry, a RNG (Random Number Generator) can be provided for the gaming machine, which provides a randomly generated number based on the outcome of the game. RNG is preferably independent of external factors. When a player activates a player button to play a game (eg, a five-round game), five random numbers are sequentially generated from the RNG, with each previous random number being used as one of the current random numbers. For example, in one of the roulette games shown in Figure 3(b), the RNG generates a first random number (or a number) for determining the outcome of a first round. The first random number or species is used as an input to one of the RNGs to generate a second random number for determining the outcome of a second wheel. By analogy, the second random number is used as an input to one of the RNGs to generate a third random number for determining the outcome of a third wheel, and so on. In an alternative network based system in which the gaming machine is connected to a central server, the RNG can be provided by the central server.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inventors have recognized that it is possible to store the last random number from the RNG as part of the stored game state information when the player quits playing the game at the gaming machine. For example, for a five-round game, the fifth random number used to determine the outcome of the fifth round can be stored as part of the stored game state information. When the player returns to a gaming machine to continue from the previous exit of the game, the stored RNG random number can be retrieved in addition to the captured display and/or credit information. Therefore, when the player resumes the game state next time, a random number can be retrieved for use as one of the generations of a random number below the RNG. For example, for a five-round game, the fifth random number used to determine the outcome of the fifth round can be stored as part of the stored game state information. When playing The next time the home resumes the game state, after capturing the random number, the RNG can use the random number as an input to generate a new first random number for determining the outcome of the first round, and so on. This can advantageously promote the concept of customization and personalization of the game to the player. It also gives the player the feeling that the game has stopped when the game was last quit.

In an exemplary embodiment, the RNG may be in the form of a crystal oscillator that indicates that the number generator processor periodically generates new random numbers and if a number (or previous random number) is available, the number is generated The device uses the number as an input for number generation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the function of allowing the game state to be stored may provide one player with one option to continue the game at a later time (if the player decides to stop playing the game). Under the condition that the game display is substantially reproduced to the previously stored state, when the player returns to the game at the same game machine or another game machine, the player is provided with a feeling that the machine personalizes the player system. In some embodiments in which the player can resume a game at a different machine, the player may be less concerned with the different machines being used, as the substantially reproducible display may provide the game for the player to customize or Personalized feeling.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram 700 for illustrating one of the methods of restoring a game to a stored state in an exemplary embodiment. At step 702, a player identification is determined for use at a gaming machine. At step 704, the stored information is retrieved based on the player identification. At step 706, a game is restored to a stored state based on the retrieved stored information to cause the game to substantially reproduce to the situation when the information is stored.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of one of the game modules 800 in an exemplary embodiment. The game module 800 includes a communication module 802. The communication module 802 can be used as an input and/or output port of the game module 800, so that the game module 800 can be connected to an external server and/or other modules (such as a player transaction panel (equivalent to 106), a The player interaction panel (equivalent to 108), a main screen (equivalent to 104), etc. communicate. The game module 800 further includes a game display or media module 804 that can indicate the display of the game content on a screen and preferably via a speaker Output audio. The game module 800 also includes a game execution module 806 that retrieves game parameters and instructions to implement one or more games. In the exemplary embodiment, game execution module 806 can facilitate saving or restoring game state based on current game parameters/information or stored game parameters/information, respectively. Such game parameters/information may include grid coordinates, current graphical display values, and the like. Game module 800 also includes a memory module 808 for housing material, such as instructions for implementing a game. The game module 800 further includes a message interface 810 that can receive messages from an external server and/or record internal error messages. Optionally, a random number generator 812 can be provided in an integrated manner with the game module.

In the exemplary embodiment, the game module 800 can determine the player identification to be in the gaming machine via the communication module 802 (ie, from the player trading panel (equivalent to 106) or an external server at the gaming machine local). Used at the place. The game module 800 can also be retrieved based on player identification, for example, via the communication module 802 (ie, from the player transaction panel (equivalent to 106) from a player card or from an external server). The information stored. The game module 800 can also restore a game to a stored state based on the retrieved stored information to cause the game to substantially reproduce to the situation when the information is stored. This can be accomplished by using the game execution module 806 with the stored information and using the game display or media module 804 to indicate a media display. The components of game module 800 can communicate with each other via an internal bus (not shown).

Different example embodiments may be implemented in the context of a data structure, a program module, a program executed in a computer-implemented environment, and computer instructions. A general computing environment is briefly disclosed in this article. One or more of the example embodiments may be embodied in one or more gaming machines of a computer system 600, such as schematically illustrated in FIG.

One or more of the example embodiments can be implemented as a software, such as a computer program executing within computer system 600 and instructing computer system 600 to perform one of the example embodiments.

The computer system 600 includes a computer unit 602, an input module (such as a touch screen keyboard 604 and a pointing device 606), and a plurality of output devices (such as a touch screen keyboard 604 and a pointing device 606). A display 608 and a printer 610). A user can interact with the computer unit 602 using the above device. One or more other input devices (not shown), such as a joystick, game pad or the like, may also be coupled to computer unit 602. Display 608 can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), field emission display (FED), plasma display, or any other device that produces an image that can be viewed by a user.

Computer unit 602 can be coupled to a computer network 612 via a suitable transceiver device 614 for implementing, for example, an internet or other network system (such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) or a personal network. Access). Network 612 can include a server, a router, a network personal computer, a peer device or other common network node, a wireless telephone, or a wireless personal digital assistant. Internet connection environments are available in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, and home computer systems. The transceiver device 614 can be located within the computer unit 602 or a modem/router unit external to the computer unit 602 and can be any type of modem/router, such as a cable modem or a satellite modem.

It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other ways of establishing a communication link between computers can be used. It is assumed that any of various protocols (such as TCP/IP, Frame Relay, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP, and the like) exist, and computer unit 602 can also operate with a client-server configuration to permit one. The user retrieves a web page from a web-based server. In addition, any of a variety of web browsers can be used to display and manipulate the material on the web page.

The computer unit 602 in this example includes a processor 618, a random access memory (RAM) 620, and a read only memory (ROM) 622. ROM 622 can be a system memory that stores basic input/output system (BIOS) information. The RAM 620 can store one or more program modules, such as operating systems, applications, and program materials.

Computer unit 602 further includes a number of input/output (I/O) interface units, for example, I/O interface unit 624 to display 608 and I/O interface unit 626 to keyboard 604. The components of computer unit 602 are typically connected to bus 628 via an interconnected system and are familiar with the art. One way the operator knows to communicate and interface/couple in a connected manner. The bus bar 628 can be any one of a plurality of types of bus bar structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus bar, and a regional bus bar using any of the various bus bar architectures.

It will be appreciated that other devices may also be coupled to system bus 628. For example, a universal serial bus (USB) interface can be used to couple a video or digital camera to system bus 628. An IEEE 1394 interface can be used to couple additional devices to computer unit 602. Other manufacturer interfaces are also possible, such as FireWire developed by Apple Computer and i.Link developed by Sony. The coupling of the device to the system bus 628 can also be via a parallel port, a gaming device, a PCI board or any other interface for coupling an input device to a computer. It will also be appreciated that although such components are not shown in the figures, sound/audio can be recorded and reproduced by a microphone and a speaker. A sound card can be used to couple a microphone and a speaker to the system bus 628. It will be appreciated that several peripheral devices can be simultaneously coupled to the system bus 628 via an alternate interface.

An application can be supplied to a user of computer system 600, encoded/storaged on a data storage medium such as a CD-ROM or flash memory carrier. The application can be read using one of the data storage devices 630 corresponding to the data storage media drive. The data storage medium is not limited to being portable and may include an example embedded in the computer unit 602. The data storage device 630 can include a hard disk drive and/or a removable memory drive coupled to one of the hard disk interface units of the system bus 628 and/or a removable memory interface unit. (both are not shown in detail). This enables reading/writing of data. Examples of removable memory drives include disk drives and optical drives. The disk drive and its associated computer readable medium, such as a floppy disk, provide non-volatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for computer unit 602. It will be appreciated that computer unit 602 can include several of these drives. In addition, computer unit 602 can include a disk drive for interfacing with other types of computer readable media.

The application is read by processor 618 and controlled during its execution. The intermediate storage of program data can be realized using the RAM 620. The methods of the example embodiments can be implemented as computer readable instructions, computer executable components, or software modules. One or more software modules can alternatively be used. The software modules can include an executable program, a data link library, a configuration file, a database, a graphic image, a binary data file, a text file, a destination file, a source file, or the like. When one or more computer processors execute one or more of the software modules, the software modules interact such that one or more computer systems are executed in accordance with the teachings herein.

The operation of computer unit 602 can be controlled by a variety of different program modules. An example of a program module is a routine, program, object, component, data structure, library, etc. that performs a particular task or implements a particular abstract data type. The exemplary embodiments can also be implemented by other computer system configurations, including handheld devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronic components, network PCs, mini computers, large computers, Personal digital assistants, mobile phones, and the like. Moreover, the example embodiments can also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are coupled through a wireless or wired communication network. In a distributed computing environment, the program modules can be located in both the local and remote memory storage devices.

Other variations and/or modifications may be made to a particular embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects

Although the game machine is generally described as implementing a round of game, the game may take different forms and graphical representations of the game, including but not limited to table games, card games, digital games, sports games, medal games, rescue games, sales games, Video games, music games, entertainment games, etc. The winning combination can also be dominated by different game rules. The game may include, for example, any luck or skill game that provides entertainment to the player.

In addition, the reward is not limited to credit and may include game points, loyalty points, and the like. this In addition, although it has been explained that the game state can be stored based on an end game button or a gesture of the illustration, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto and may include one based on when a game is in progress and does not exit the game after being stored. Save the game state by selecting Save Input (for example, an action to save the game button or icon now).

The gaming machine can be implemented as a physical or virtual gaming machine, such as via the Internet, an interactive TV, a local area network (LAN), or other service network. The virtual game machine can be implemented on a desktop device or a portable device. For a gaming machine implemented as a physical gaming machine, although touch screen keys have been described in the exemplary embodiments, other actuators (such as mechanical keys or pull/push handles) may be used to play the game machine. game.

It will be further appreciated that status information can be stored, for example, in a player identification card, in a server, or in a separate gaming machine.

Claims (27)

A gaming machine, comprising: a screen for displaying one or more games implemented on the gaming machine; a game module for: determining player identification for use at the gaming machine; and for Retrieving the stored information based on the player identification; and recovering a game to a stored state based on the retrieved stored information to cause the game to substantially reproduce until the information is stored a situation in which the game module captures one or more display elements as the stored information; and based on the one or more display elements, forms one of substantially the same as the original display of one of the games when the information is stored display. The game machine of claim 1, wherein the stored information comprises one or more of the group consisting of: game location information, icons, game symbols, player point information, previous game history News. The game machine of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a generator for generating a random number, wherein the stored information comprises a randomly generated number, wherein the game module retrieves the stored randomly generated The number is entered into the generator to generate a new random number as a result determinant. The gaming machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gaming machine further comprises a player transaction module for receiving and processing an identifier from one of the players. The gaming machine of claim 4, wherein the identifier is an identification card. The game machine of claim 4, wherein the game module retrieves the stored information from the token. The game machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the game module is connected to the game from the Internet One of the servers retrieves the stored information. A gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the player identification is determined at the gaming machine or at the server. The gaming machine of claim 7, wherein the game module or the server further comprises an authentication component for authenticating a player identity. The game machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the game module is configured to prompt a resume input, and the game module is capable of restoring the game to the stored based on the stored information based on the resume input status. A gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gaming module is further configured to store status information of one of the games in progress, the storage being associated with the player identification. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the gaming module is further configured to store the status information of the game based on an actuation of a selectable storage input. The gaming machine of claim 12, wherein the selectable storage device is associated with an end game input. A method of restoring a game to a stored state, the method comprising: determining that the player recognizes to be used at a gaming machine; extracting the stored information based on the player identification; and storing based on the captured Information to restore a game to a stored state such that the game substantially reproduces to the time when the information is stored; wherein capturing the stored information based on the player identification comprises capturing one or more displays The element acts as the stored information; and the restoring the game includes displaying one of the display based on the one or more display elements substantially identical to the original display of one of the games when the information is stored. The method of claim 14, wherein the stored information comprises one or more of the group consisting of: game location information, game icon, game symbol, player point information, previous game history News. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the stored information further comprises using a generator to generate a randomly generated number; and the step of capturing the information comprises extracting the stored randomly generated number; and wherein The step of restoring a game includes inputting the stored randomly generated number to the generator to generate a new random number as a result determinant. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising receiving and processing an identifier from one of the players. The method of claim 17, wherein the identifier is an identification card. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of extracting the stored information comprises: extracting the stored information from the token. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the step of extracting the stored information comprises: extracting the stored information from a network connection to a server of the gaming machine. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining player identification is performed at the gaming machine or at the server. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising using an authentication component to identify a player identity. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising prompting a resume input; and wherein the step of restoring the game to the stored state is based on the resume input. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising storing status information of one of the games in progress, the storage being associated with the player identification. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of storing the status information is based on an actuation of a selectable storage input. The method of claim 25, wherein the selectable storage input is associated with an end game input. A computer readable data storage medium having stored thereon computer code component means for instructing a processing module of a gaming machine to perform a method for restoring a game to a stored state, The method includes the steps of: determining player identification for use at a gaming machine; extracting stored information based on the player identification; and restoring a game to a stored state based on the retrieved stored information Causing the game to substantially reproduce to the situation when the information is stored; wherein the capturing the stored information based on the player identification comprises capturing one or more display elements as the stored information; and restoring the game A display is formed based on the one or more display elements to form substantially the same as the original display of one of the games when the information is stored.