United States Patent [19J
`Walker et al.
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEAM
`PLAY OF SLOT MACHINES
`
`Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Ridgefield; James A.
`Jorasch, Stamford; Magdalena Mik,
`Wallingford, all of Conn.
`
`[73] Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC, Stamford, Conn.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/052,835
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Mar. 31, 1998
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................................................ A63F 9/24
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ................................. 463/16; 463/42; 700/92;
`340/323 R
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 463/1, 12-13,
`463/16, 20, 25, 26-29, 30, 36, 40-42; 340/323 R,
`825, 825.3-825.34; 700/91-93; 273/143 R,
`138.1, 138.2, 139, 292-293; 705/16-18
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,636,951 1/1987 Harlick.
`4,669,731 6/1987 Clarke.
`4,837,422 6/1989 Dethloff et al. .
`4,837,728 6/1989 Barrie et al. .
`5,042,818 8/1991 Weingardt.
`5,116,055 5/1992 Tracy.
`5,123,649 6/1992 Tiberio.
`5,173,851 12/1992 Off et al. .
`5,178,390 1/1993 Okada.
`5,179,517 1/1993 Sarbin et al. .
`5,275,400 1/1994 Weingardt et al. .
`5,280,909 1/1994 Tracy.
`5,324,035 6/1994 Morris et al. .
`5,342,049 8/1994 Wichinsky et al. .
`5,377,973 1/1995 Duron et al..
`5,393,061 2/1995 Manship et al. .
`5,409,225 4/1995 Kelly et al..
`5,472,194 12/1995 Breeding et al. .
`5,482,289 1/1996 Weingardt.
`5,559,312 9/1996 Lucero.
`5,564,700 10/1996 Celona.
`5,580,309 12/1996 Piechowiak et al. .
`
`I 1111111111111111
`
`
`11111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII 11111 lllll 111111111111111111
`US006142872A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,142,872
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`5,611,535
`5,611,730
`5,621,201
`5,639,088
`5,655,961
`5,674,128
`
`3/1997 Tiberio .
`3/1997 Weiss .
`4/1997 Langhans et al. .
`6/1997 Schneider et al. .
`8/1997 Acres et al. .
`10/1997 Holch et al. .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Bob Rose, "New Ways for the House to Win", St. Louis
`Post-Dispatch, Oct. 3, 1996 at p. 50.
`Grochowski, John "Players Look for Edge with Casino
`Gimmicks", Chicago Sun Times, p. 15, Aug. 25, 1995.
`"Hot Slots & Reel Deals", Atlantic City Insider vol. 1, No.
`2 Oct. 1996.
`"Triple Play Draw Poker Takes Casino Industry by Storm",
`IGT
`Press Releases,
`(http://www.igtgame.com/press/
`02-18-98.htm), Feb. 28, 1998.
`
`Primary Examiner-Mark A Sager
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dean Alderucci; Nandu A.
`Talwalkar
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Slot machines for enabling team play by a plurality of slot
`machine players are disclosed. The game results of each
`team player are combined in a predefined manner to obtain
`a team game result. The game results of each player may be
`combined on a "per-spin" basis, or collected for each team
`player over an entire play session, with the net result of each
`team player combined on a "per-session" basis. In a "per(cid:173)
`spin" embodiment, each team player initiates play, and the
`individual game results of each team player are combined in
`a predefined manner to obtain the best team game result,
`with the highest resulting payout, for each spin. In a "per(cid:173)
`session" embodiment each team player continues play for an
`entire play session, and the net result of each team player is
`analyzed in a predefined manner on a "per-session" basis to
`obtain the team session result. A session can be defined, for
`example, in terms of (i) the number of plays per session; (ii)
`the duration of the session; or (iii) all plays until a predefined
`event occurs.
`
`72 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`==-:i_____
`
`BLCPUMJ
`
`----
`
`I ____
`
`_
`
`! l~SSIONTRANSACTION
`:\
`DATABASE
`
`- (Ci
`1.QQQ,,
`
`[
`
`[-
`
`PER-SPINP:SOCESS -:J
`
`1.§QQ
`
`!
`PER-SESSl:J~jPROCESS
`1800
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`SLOT SERVER
`
`200
`
`SLOT NETWORK
`
`110
`
`SLOT
`MACHINE
`1 300
`
`SLOT
`MACHINE
`2 301
`
`SLOT
`MACHINE
`3 302
`
`■
`
`■
`
`SLOT
`■ MACHINE
`N 303
`
`FIG. 1
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`200
`
`RAM
`230
`
`ROM
`220
`
`SLOT NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`260
`
`CLOCK
`240
`
`CPU
`
`COMMUN I CATION
`PORT
`
`210
`
`(
`
`(
`
`PLAYER DATABASE
`
`REGISTERED TEAM
`DATABASE
`
`MACHINE DATABASE
`
`600 ~
`
`700
`
`800 ~
`
`PER-SPIN TRANSACTION
`DATABASE
`900
`
`PER-SESSION TRANSACTION
`DATABASE
`1000
`
`PER-SPIN PROCESS
`
`1600 I
`
`PER-SESSION PROCESS
`1800 I
`
`FIG. 2
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`SESSION
`INFORMATION
`DISPLAY
`380
`
`DISPLAY
`
`362
`
`KEYPAD
`363
`
`CARD
`READER
`364
`
`STARTING
`CONTROLLER
`374
`
`SLOT
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`376
`
`300 ~
`
`FIRST
`REEL
`332
`
`SECOND
`REEL
`334
`
`THIRD
`REEL
`336
`I
`
`VIDEO
`DISPLAY
`346
`
`RANDOM
`NUMBER
`GENERATOR
`378
`
`COIN/BILL
`ACCEPTOR
`355
`
`~
`
`HOPPER
`-
`CONTROLLER
`352
`
`I
`
`HOPPER
`
`354
`
`REEL
`CONTROLLER
`330
`
`CPU
`
`310
`
`-
`
`r-------..__
`
`(320
`
`---
`---
`
`PER-SPIN PAYOUT
`DATABASE 1100
`
`( PER-SESSION PAYOUT
`
`DATABASE 1200
`
`PER-SPIN PROBABILITY
`DATABASE 1300
`
`( PER-SESSION PROBABILITY
`DATABASE 1400
`
`PER-SPIN
`PROCESS 1500
`
`PER-SESSION
`PROCESS 1700
`
`FIG. 3
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`332
`
`334
`
`336
`
`I'\
`
`-
`
`/
`
`'
`
`//
`
`,.
`'"
`~ QI ~
`.
`~ ~
`~
`~ 0
`
`II ~An
`II Llf"'l.J.'\..
`
`II
`I)
`
`-
`
`-
`
`~
`
`II BAR II
`
`300
`
`LJ
`
`0)
`
`I
`
`II
`74
`3
`··_,,/
`
`ii
`
`~ 364
`355
`'/
`
`c-
`
`410 ---- V
`
`
`r------__ '
`~
`--- ~
`
`---
`
`I
`
`I
`
`PULLS "'
`JACK ~ 0 ~
`I
`I REMAINING MARY ~ [:!ill] ~
`I ~ I ~
`II
`5~
`om]
`TEAM ~ ~ ~
`
`BOB
`
`11
`
`'\
`
`CARD
`
`--
`
`BILLS
`
`REEL 1 REEL 2 REEL 3 [§ INSERT
`I
`
`L'==
`
`-
`
`PAYS LEFT r
`...... PAYS RIGHT
`1 player 2 player 3 player
`TO RIGHT
`TO LEFT
`7 7 7
`7 7 7
`15
`100
`10 ~~~
`~tjy,fj~
`50
`~.Q,
`000
`20
`5
`000
`~ ~ ~ 20
`5
`Giw~
`~,Q,,Q
`oo~
`3 ~oo
`18
`4
`14
`, oo[}gf]
`~00
`10
`· Any Pair/6:f"
`Any Pair/{2t
`5
`1 ._Any/Any/~
`2
`Any/Any/~
`I
`
`30
`20
`10
`10
`8
`6
`5
`3
`1
`
`2
`1
`1
`
`~
`
`....
`
`(
`
`~
`
`)
`
`-
`
`7
`
`FIG. 4
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`~
`
`t--
`
`/
`
`-
`
`~ O' '/
`~
`- r -
`~ ~
`0
`
`llr.AT'lli
`II u~.n
`
`.. II
`
`'
`
`@
`
`I BAR II
`
`/
`510
`------
`~
`
`______----.....
`
`"-
`I'-
`PULLS
`JACK
`REMAINING MARY
`11 s3 [I BOB
`
`TEAM
`
`PLAYER WIN/LOSS
`+20
`-2
`+100
`+100
`
`--
`
`1 PAYS LEFT
`
`r
`
`1 player 2 player 3 player
`
`' _) -
`
`I
`
`/
`
`INSERT
`
`""
`~
`CARD I ~
`I~
`"" PAYS RIGHT
`TO LEFT
`7 7 7
`15
`10 ~~~
`.G,G,~
`5
`000
`5
`~~.Q
`3 ~oo
`4
`~C>C>
`Any Pair/fi:1'
`Any/Any/6:J"
`
`30
`20
`10
`10
`8
`6
`5
`3
`1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`2
`1
`1
`
`~
`
`)
`
`-
`
`7
`
`TO RIGHT
`7 7 7
`100
`~~R:w:J~
`50
`C>C>C>
`20
`~~~ 20
`~~~ 18
`oo~
`14
`C)C)ju_"',J
`10
`Any Pair/G!f"
`5
`I Any/Anyl&.:f'°
`2
`
`..
`
`(
`
`-~ -
`
`-
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 6
`
`

`

`PLAYER
`IDENTIFIER
`630
`
`605
`~
`610
`~
`615
`~
`4558123
`620
`~ 2370964
`
`2370493
`
`2370964
`
`~600
`
`PLAYER
`NAME
`635
`
`JOHN SMITH
`
`SUSAN GREEN
`
`MIKE DOE
`
`JUDY GOLD
`
`ADDRESS
`
`640
`15 RIVER PL.
`TOWN, USA
`
`18 MAIN ST.
`CITY, USA
`
`30 ROAD DR.
`VILLAGE, USA
`
`10 BROAD ST.
`METRO, USA
`
`TEAM
`IDENTIFIER
`630
`
`REWARD
`POINTS
`BALANCE
`635
`
`31157
`
`500
`
`31157
`
`2,000
`
`22182
`
`173
`
`NONE
`
`10,563
`
`FIG. 6
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'J'J. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`O'I
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`"'-' N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 7
`
`

`

`~700
`
`TEAM
`IDENTIFIER
`720
`705
`~ 31157
`710
`~ 22182
`
`1ST PLAYER
`IDENTIFIER
`725
`
`2ND PLAYER
`IDENTIFIER
`730
`
`3RD PLAYER
`IDENTIFIER
`735
`
`SESSION
`DURATION
`740
`
`2370493
`
`2370964
`
`3411190
`
`1 HOUR
`
`4558123
`
`9003418
`
`7789013
`
`100 PULLS
`
`FIG. 7
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`-..J
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`■,;...
`N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 8
`
`

`

`~800
`
`MACHINE
`IDENTIFIER
`820
`805
`~ 123456
`810
`~ 789012
`
`MACHINE TYPE
`
`NUMBER
`OF REELS
`
`DENOMINATION
`
`825
`
`830
`
`835
`
`SLOT
`
`VIDEO POKER
`6/9 JACKS OR BETTER
`
`3
`
`N/A
`
`$1.00
`
`$0.25
`
`MAXIMUM
`WAGER
`840
`
`$3.00
`
`$1.25
`
`FIG. 8
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`00
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`"'-' N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 9
`
`

`

`..,,---900
`
`PLAYER 1
`
`PLAYER 2
`
`930
`TEAM
`IDENTIFIER PLAYER REEL REEL REEL MACHINE PLAYER REEL REEL REEL
`ID
`ID
`1
`3
`ID
`1
`2
`2
`3
`931
`933
`934
`935
`941
`942
`943
`932
`944
`
`920
`905
`~ 31157
`910
`~ 34156
`
`765432 7789013 BAR CHERRY BELL
`4558123 BELL ORANGE BELL 987654 9003418 CHERRY BAR CHERRY
`
`543210
`
`654321 0926617 BELL BELL BAR
`6700251 BAR CHERRY CHERRY 876543 8001372 BELL BAR CHERRY
`
`432109
`
`FIG. 9
`
`PLAYER 3
`
`940
`MACHINE PLAYER REEL REEL REEL
`ID
`3
`ID
`1
`2
`954
`945
`951
`952
`953
`
`950
`MACHINE
`ID
`955
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`\0
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`"'-' N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 10
`
`

`

`~1000
`
`PLAYER 1
`
`PLAYER 2
`
`1030
`TEAM
`IDENTIFIER PLAYER MACHINE COIN COIN NET PLAYER MACHINE COIN
`IN
`OUT TOTAL ID
`IN
`ID
`ID
`ID
`1041
`1042
`1034
`1043
`1033
`1035
`1031
`1032
`
`PLAYER 3
`
`1040
`COIN NET PLAYER MACHINE
`COIN COIN
`OUT
`OUT TOTAL ID
`IN
`ID
`1054
`1044
`1045
`1051
`1053
`1052
`
`1050
`
`NET
`TOTAL
`1055
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`'"""'
`0
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`"'-' N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`1020
`1005
`~ 31157
`1010
`~ 34156
`
`2370493 123456
`
`100
`
`120
`
`+20 4599014 123457
`
`100
`
`98
`
`-2
`
`3411190 123458
`
`100
`
`200
`
`+100
`
`4769066 234567
`
`100
`
`30
`
`-70
`
`8790041 234568
`
`100
`
`150
`
`+50 9006544 234569
`
`100
`
`10
`
`-90
`
`FIG.10
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 11
`
`

`

`~1100
`
`OUTCOME
`
`SINGLE PLAYER
`
`2 MEMBER TEAM
`
`3 MEMBER TEAM
`
`1102~
`1104~
`1106~
`1108~
`1110~
`1112~
`1114~
`1116~
`1118~
`1120~
`1122~
`1124~
`1126~
`1128----+
`1130----+
`1132~
`1134----+
`
`1140
`CHERRY /ANY /ANY
`ANY/ANY/CHERRY
`CHERRY/CHERRY/ANY
`ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY
`CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY
`CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY
`BAR/ORANGE/ORANGE
`ORANGE/ORANGE/BAR
`ORANGE/ORANGE/ORANGE
`BAR/PLUM/PLUM
`PLUM/PLUM/BAR
`PLUM/PLUM/PLUM
`BAR/BELL/BELL
`BELL/BELL/BAR
`BELL/BELL/BELL
`BAR/BAR/BAR
`7/7/7
`
`2
`2
`5
`5
`5
`20
`10
`10
`20
`14
`14
`20
`18
`18
`20
`50
`100
`
`1150
`
`1160
`
`1170
`
`1
`1
`3
`3
`3
`10
`5
`5
`10
`6
`6
`10
`8
`8
`10
`20
`30
`
`1
`1
`1
`1
`2
`5
`2
`2
`5
`3
`3
`5
`4
`4
`5
`10
`15
`
`FIG. 11
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`'"""'
`'"""'
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`"'-' N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 12
`
`

`

`~1200
`
`GAME RESULT
`
`SINGLE PLAYER
`
`2 MEMBER TEAM
`
`3 MEMBER TEAM
`
`1202----+
`1204----+
`1206----+
`1208----+
`1210----+
`1212----+
`1214----+
`1216----+
`1218----+
`1220----+
`1222----+
`1224----+
`1226----+
`1228----+
`1230----+
`1232----+
`1234----+
`
`1240
`CHERRY/ANY/ANY
`ANY/ANY/CHERRY
`CHERRY/CHERRY/ANY
`ANY /CHERRY /CHERRY
`CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY
`CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY
`BAR/ORANGE/ORANGE
`ORANGE/ORANGE/BAR
`ORANGE/ORANGE/ORANGE
`BAR/PLUM/PLUM
`PLUM/PLUM/BAR
`PLUM/PLUM/PLUM
`BAR/BELL/BELL
`BELL/BELL/BAR
`BELL/BELL/BELL
`BAR/BAR/BAR
`7/717
`
`2
`2
`5
`5
`5
`20
`10
`10
`20
`14
`14
`20
`18
`18
`20
`50
`100
`
`1250
`
`1260
`
`1270
`
`2
`2
`4
`4
`4
`15
`7
`7
`15
`10
`10
`15
`15
`15
`15
`30
`75
`
`2
`2
`3
`3
`3
`10
`5
`5
`10
`8
`8
`10
`10
`10
`10
`20
`50
`
`FIG. 12
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`'"""'
`N
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`"'-' N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 13
`
`

`

`~1300
`
`SINGLE PLAYER
`1350
`OUTCOME 1ST
`2ND
`1ST
`3RD
`2ND
`REEL REEL REEL REEL REEL
`1351
`1352
`1353
`1361
`1362
`
`2 MEMBER TEAM
`1360
`3RD
`REEL
`1363
`
`1340
`1305
`~ CHERRY
`1310
`~ ORANGE
`1315
`~ PLUM
`1320
`~ BELL
`1325
`~ BAR
`1330
`~ 7
`
`3 MEMBER TEAM
`1370
`3RD
`REEL
`1373
`
`1ST
`2ND
`REEL REEL
`1371
`1372
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`z 0
`
`~
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`0
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`'"""' ~
`0 ....,
`N
`,i;;..
`
`0--,
`....
`~
`"'-' N
`....
`00
`.....:a
`N
`
`20
`
`20
`
`50
`
`100
`
`20
`
`10
`
`50
`
`30
`
`10
`
`20
`
`100
`
`10
`
`20
`
`70
`
`100
`
`10
`
`10
`
`10
`
`10
`
`10
`
`65
`
`120
`
`10
`
`5
`
`40
`
`30
`
`10
`
`25
`
`110
`
`5
`
`10
`
`85
`
`5
`
`5
`
`110
`
`70
`
`5
`
`5
`
`5
`
`130
`
`5
`
`2
`
`30
`
`20
`
`10
`
`30
`
`115
`
`2
`
`5
`
`90
`
`115
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`FIG. 13
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 14
`
`

`

`SINGLE PLAYER 1450
`
`2 MEMBER TEAM
`1460
`
`3 MEMBER TEAM 1470
`
`OUTCOME
`
`RANDOM
`NUMBER
`1452
`1440
`1-8570
`NONWINNING COMBINATION
`8571-9250
`CHERRY /ANY /ANY
`9251-9930
`ANY/ANY/CHERRY
`9931-10130
`
`CHERRY/CHERRY /ANY
`10131-10330
`ANY /CHERRY /CHERRY
`10331-10398
`CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY
`10399-10418
`CHERRY /CHERRY /CHERRY
`10419-10460
`BAR/ORANGE/ORANGE
`10461-10466
`ORANGE/ORANGE/BAR
`10467-10508
`ORANGE/ORANGE/ORANGE
`10509-10528
`BAR/PLUM/PLUM
`1 0529-1 0533
`PLUM/PLUM/BAR
`10534-10583
`PLUM/PLUM/PLUM
`10584-10587
`BAR/BELL/BELL
`10588-10607
`BELL/BELL/BAR
`10608-10627
`BELL/BELL/BELL
`10628-1064 7
`BAR/BAR/BAR
`10648
`7/7/7
`
`EXPECTED
`HITS PER
`CYCLE
`1454
`8570
`680
`680
`200
`200
`68
`20
`42
`6
`42
`20
`5
`50
`4
`20
`20
`20
`1
`
`RANDOM
`NUMBER
`1462
`1-8917
`8918-9467
`9468-10017
`10018-10167
`10168-10317
`10318-10367
`10368-104382
`10383-10412
`10413-10516
`10517-10546
`10547-10561
`10562-10565
`1 0566-10600
`10601-10603
`10604-10618
`10619-10633
`10634-1 064 7
`10648
`
`EXPECTED
`HITS PER
`CYCLE
`1464
`8917
`550
`550
`150
`150
`50
`15
`30
`4
`30
`15
`4
`35
`3
`15
`15
`15
`1
`
`RANDOM
`NUMBER
`1472
`1-9289
`9290-9789
`9790-10289
`10290-10389
`10390-10489
`10490-10524
`10525-10534
`10535-1 0554
`10555-10557
`10558-10577
`10578-10587
`10588-10590
`10591-10615
`10616-10617
`10618-10627
`10628-10637
`10638-1064 7
`10648
`
`EXPECTED
`HITS PER
`CYCLE
`1474
`9289
`500
`500
`100
`100
`35
`10
`20
`3
`20
`10
`3
`25
`2
`10
`10
`10
`1
`
`1402.._.
`1404.._.
`1406.._.
`1408 .._.
`1410.._.
`1412.._.
`1414 .._.
`1416.._.
`1418.._.
`1420 .._.
`1422.._.
`1424.._.
`1426.._.
`1428 .._.
`1430 .._.
`1432 .._.
`1434 .._.
`1436 .._.
`
`FIG. 14
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 15 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`START
`
`1500
`
`)
`
`RECEIVE PLAYER TRACKING
`CARD DATA
`
`1505
`
`RETRIEVE CORRESPONDING RECORD
`FROM PLAYER DAT ABASE
`
`1510
`
`IS PLAYER
`REGISTERED ON A TEAM?
`
`NO
`
`EXECUTE CONVENTIONAL PLAY
`1520
`
`DOES CURRENT
`RECORD EXIST FOR TEAM
`IN PER-SPIN TRANSACTION
`DATABASE?
`1525
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`SIGNAL SLOT SERVER TO CREATE
`NEW RECORD FOR TEAM IN PER-SPIN
`TRANSACTION DAT ABASE 1530
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL FROM SLOT
`SERVER INDICATING START OF
`GAME PLAY
`1535
`
`TO FIG. 158
`
`FIG. 15A
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 16 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`FROM FIG. 15A
`
`INDICATE THAT GAME PLAY
`MAY BEGIN
`
`1540
`
`FROM FIG. 15C
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL FROM PLAYER
`INITIATING GAME PLAY
`
`RECEIVE THREE RANDOM NUMBERS
`FROM RANDOM NUMBER
`GENERATOR
`
`RETRIEVE SYMBOLS CORRESPONDING
`TO EACH RANDOM NUMBER
`FROM PER-SPIN PROBABILITY
`DATABASE AND GENERATE INDIVIDUAL
`GAME RESULT
`1555
`
`TRANSMIT INDIVIDUAL GAME
`RESULT TO SERVER
`
`TO FIG. 15C
`
`FIG. 15B
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 17 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`FROM FIG. 158
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL FROM SERVER
`INDICATING INDIVIDUAL GAME RESULT
`OF EACH TEAM PLAYER AND RESULTING
`TEAM GAME RESULTS
`1565
`
`RETRIEVE PAYOUT FROM THE
`APPROPRIATE FIELD IN THE PER-SPIN
`PAYOUT DATABASE BASED ON TEAM
`GAME RESULTS AND NUMBER OF
`TEAM PLAYERS
`1570
`
`SIGNAL HOPPER CONTROLLER TO
`DISPENSE APPROPRIATE PAYOUT
`1575
`
`DO
`TEAM PLAYERS DESIRE
`ADDITIONAL SPINS?
`1580
`
`TO FIG. 15B
`
`NO
`
`END
`
`FIG. 15C
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 18 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`1600
`
`)
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL TO OPEN NEW
`RECORD FOR TEAM IN PER-SPIN
`TRANSACTION DATABASE
`1605
`
`RECEIVE SLOT MACHINE
`IDENTIFIER OF EACH TEAM
`PLAYER
`
`1610
`
`ARE ALL
`MACHINES COMPATIBLE?
`1615
`
`NO
`
`SEND "INCOMPATIBLE MACHINE"
`MESSAGE TO TEAM PLAYERS
`1620
`
`YES
`
`SEND SIGNAL TO PLAYERS INDICATING
`THAT GAME PLAY MAY BEGIN
`
`RECEIVE SIGNALS INDICATING
`INDIVIDUAL GAME RESULTS OF
`EACH PLAYER
`1630
`
`RECORD INDIVIDUAL GAME RESULTS IN
`REEL FIELDS OF TEAM RECORD IN PER(cid:173)
`SPIN TRANSACTION DATABASE 1635
`
`TO FIG. 16B
`
`FIG. 16A
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 19 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`FROM FIG. 16A
`
`ANALYZE THE INDIVIDUAL GAME
`RESULTS AND DETERMINE
`HIGHEST PAYING POSSIBLE
`GAME RESULT
`
`1640
`
`SEND A SIGNAL TO EACH MACHINE
`INDICATING INDIVIDUAL GAME
`RES UL TS OF EACH TEAM PLAYER AND
`THE RESULTING TEAM
`GAME RESULT
`
`1645
`
`END
`
`FIG. 168
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`1700
`
`)
`
`RECEIVE PLAYER IDENTIFIER
`1705
`
`RETRIEVE PLAYER'S RECORD FROM
`PLAYER DAT ABASE
`
`1710
`
`IS PLAYER
`ON A REGISTERED TEAM?
`1715
`
`NO
`
`PROMPT PLAYER TO EXECUTE
`CONVENTIONAL SLOT PLAY
`
`1720
`
`RETRIEVE TEAM'S RECORD FROM
`REGISTERED TEAMS DATABASE AND
`DETERMINE SESSION DURATION
`1730
`
`YES
`
`IS
`CORRESPONDING
`TEAM RECORD CURRENTLY
`ACTIVE?
`1725
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL INDICATING THAT
`GAME PLAY MAY BEGIN
`
`1735
`
`TO FIG. 17B
`
`FIG. 17A
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`FROM FIG. 17A
`
`A
`
`,I,
`
`DISPLAY MESSAGE TO PLAYER
`INDICATING THAT GAME PLAY
`MAY BEGIN
`
`1740
`
`FRO M FIG.17C
`
`C
`
`~
`
`~
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL FROM PLAYER
`TO INITIATE GAME PLAY
`
`1745
`
`UPDATE COIN-IN METER
`
`1750
`
`SEND COIN-IN INFORMATION TO
`SERVER TO BE ENTERED INTO TEAM'S
`PER-SESSION TRANSACTION
`DAT ABASE RECORD
`1755
`
`RECEIVE RANDOM NUMBER FROM
`RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR
`1760
`i
`RETRIEVE CORRESPONDING GAME
`RESULT FROM THE APPROPRIATE
`FIELD OF THE PER-SESSION
`PROBABILITY DATABASE 1765
`
`RETRIEVE PAYOUT FROM THE
`APPROPRIATE FIELD IN THE
`PER-SESSION PAYOUT DATABASE
`BASED ON GAME RESULT AND NUMBER
`OF TEAM PLAYERS
`1770
`
`0
`
`TO FIG 17C
`
`FIG. 17B
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`FROM FIG. 17B
`
`SEND SIGNAL TO SLOT SERVER
`INDICATING TEAM MEMBER'S GAME
`RESULT AND PAYOUT TO BE RECORDED
`IN COIN-OUT FIELD OF OF THE
`PER-SESSION TRANSACTION
`DATABASE
`1775
`
`HAS SESSION
`
`YES
`
`TO FIG. 17B
`
`SEND SIGNAL TO SLOT SERVER
`INDICATING END OF SESSION
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL FROM SLOT SERVER
`INDICATING INDIVIDUAL NET RESULTS
`OF TEAM MEMBERS AND RESULTING
`NET TEAM RESULTS
`1790
`
`DISPLAY INDIVIDUAL NET RESULTS
`AND NET TEAM RESULTS
`TO PLAYER
`
`1792
`
`SIGNAL HOPPER CONTROLLER
`TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE
`PAYOUT
`
`END
`
`FIG. 17C
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 23 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`1800
`
`)
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL TO OPEN A NEW
`RECORD FOR TEAM IN PER-SESSION
`TRANSACTION DAT ABASE 1805
`
`RECEIVE SLOT MACHINE IDENTIFIERS
`1810
`
`NO
`
`DISPLAY "INCOMPATIBLE MACHINE"
`MESSAGE TO TEAM PLAYERS
`
`ARE ALL MACHINES
`COMPATIBLE?
`1815
`
`YES
`
`SEND SIGNAL TO SLOT MACHINES
`INDICATING THAT GAME PLAY
`MAY BEGIN
`
`1825
`
`RECEIVE SIGNALS INDICATING COIN-IN
`INFORMATION AND INDIVIDUAL NET
`RESULTS OF TEAM PLAYERS 1830
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL INDICATING THAT
`SESSION IS COMPLETE
`
`1835
`
`TO FIG. 18B
`
`FIG. 18A
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2000
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`6,142,872
`
`FROM FIG. 18A
`
`CALCULATE NET TEAM RESULT
`1840
`
`SEND INDIVIDUAL NET RESULTS
`AND NET TEAM RESULT TO
`SLOT MACHINES
`
`1845
`
`END
`
`FIG. 18B
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 25
`
`

`

`6,142,872
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEAM
`PLAY OF SLOT MACHINES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to electronic gam(cid:173)
`ing devices, such as slot machines, and more particularly, to
`a system for permitting team play of such electronic gaming
`devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`2
`found that the competitive and social aspects of progressive
`slot machine play do not fully satisfy the expectations of
`many players.
`In addition, while playing progressive or conventional
`5 slot machines, players can easily hit an "unlucky streak" and
`lose a significant amount of money in a short period of time.
`There is currently no effective way for players to protect
`themselves. The successful play of one progressive slot
`machine player, for example, will typically not help reduce
`10 the losses of other progressive
`slot machine players.
`Although gambling loss insurance programs are available,
`such programs are not widely utilized and require an
`advance payment that some players are reluctant to provide.
`Sports are another popular form of entertainment, offering
`both active and passive sports enthusiasts many game alter(cid:173)
`natives. Many people, of course, are attracted to sports for
`their competitive and social aspects. Golf, for example, is
`often played in a tournament environment where players
`compete against one another, with many golf tournaments
`incorporating a team component. The popular "better ball"
`golf tournament format, for example, permits the team score
`for each golf hole to be the lowest number of strokes
`obtained by any team player for a given hole. Another
`variation is the "best ball" format, where the best field
`position of any team player on each stroke is utilized by all
`team players for the subsequent stroke. Thus, in both tour(cid:173)
`nament formats, a group of players are able to play a round
`of golf as part of a cooperative team, competing against
`other teams. While the "better ball" format spreads the risk
`of one or more bad holes among all the players on the team,
`the "best ball" format spreads the risk of one or more bad
`strokes among all the players on the team.
`As apparent from the above-described deficiencies with
`conventional slot machine systems, a need exists for a
`system that permits team play of slot machines and increases
`player interaction. A further need exists for a system that
`increases the competitive and social aspects of slot machine
`play. Yet another need exists for a system that spreads the
`40 financial risk associated with slot machine play among a
`plurality of players.
`
`Gambling is becoming an increasingly popular form of
`entertainment, offering gamblers many game alternatives,
`including numerous table games, such as poker, blackjack
`and roulette, and various electronic gaming devices, includ-
`ing slot machines, video poker devices, video keno devices
`and video blackjack devices
`(hereinafter, collectively
`referred to as "slot machines"). Slot machines are an impor(cid:173)
`tant source of
`income
`for
`the gambling
`industry.
`Accordingly, casinos constantly search for new gaming
`strategies and features to distinguish their slot machines
`from competitors in the industry, and to provide additional
`incentives for slot machine players to play longer and to
`return to the casino on their next trip.
`Unlike table games, where a group of players typically 25
`play against one another or against the casino ( often referred
`to as the "house"), conventional slot machines have tradi(cid:173)
`tionally been an individual game. A number of table games,
`such as blackjack
`and craps, encourage
`a team-like
`mentality, where a group of players play against the house. 30
`The success of slot machines can be attributed, at least in
`part, to their passive and isolated nature, relative to the more
`competitive and social nature of table games. Many poten(cid:173)
`tial players, however, are averse to the isolation typically
`associated with slot machine play and the inability
`to 35
`interact with other people for help or moral support.
`In order to increase the maximum award that can be
`profitably awarded by an individual slot machine, many
`casinos have introduced progressive slot machines. Progres(cid:173)
`sive slot machines are a group of linked slot machines that
`permit players to win a relatively large progressive jackpot
`prize, in addition to their nonj ackpot winnings at each
`individual gaming machine. The progressive jackpot prize is
`determined by allocating a portion of the money wagered at
`each individual
`linked slot machine
`to the progressive 45
`jackpot prize sum. Thus, the progressive
`jackpot value
`continues to increase until a player hits the progressive
`jackpot prize at one of the linked machines. Progressive slot
`machines may have the unintended result of encouraging a
`quasi-competitive
`environment where players compete 50
`against each other for the progressive jackpot prize. Once
`the progressive jackpot prize is awarded to a player, the
`progressive jackpot prize amount is reset, typically to a
`predefined initial progressive jackpot prize value.
`Unfortunately, however, progressive slot machines have
`experienced only marginal success
`in increasing
`slot
`machine play at many casinos, since the large progressive
`jackpot prize is typically awarded infrequently. In addition,
`the play of progressive slot machines continues to be pri(cid:173)
`marily an individual game. Even though progressive slot
`machine players compete, to a certain extent, for the pro(cid:173)
`gressive jackpot prize, the primary competitive component
`of progressive slot machine play remains the player against
`the individual slot machine. Furthermore, to the extent that
`progressive slot machine players compete for the progres(cid:173)
`sive jackpot prize, there is no cooperative effort among
`players or other positive social interaction. Thus, it has been
`
`20
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Generally, according to one aspect of the invention, a
`plurality of slot machines and a slot server enable team play
`of the slot machines by a plurality of slot machine players.
`The game results of each player on a given team are
`combined in a predefined manner to obtain a team game
`result. The game results of each player may be combined on
`a "per-spin" basis, or the game results may be collected for
`each team player over an entire play session, with the net
`result of each team player combined on a "per-session"
`basis.
`In a "per-spin" embodiment, each team player initiates
`55 play (on the same or separate slot machines), and the
`individual game results of each team player are combined in
`a predefined manner to obtain the best team game result,
`with the best team game result being the one that provides
`the highest resulting payout, for each spin. The individual
`60 game results of each team player can be combined by
`selecting the symbol obtained by the team players in each
`reel position that provides the team game result with the
`highest resulting payout. Alternatively, the individual game
`result of the team player providing the highest resulting
`65 payout can be selected as the team game result.
`In a "per-session" embodiment, each team player contin(cid:173)
`ues play for an entire play session, and the net result of each
`
`IPR2020-00963
`Sony EX1005 Page 26
`
`

`

`6,142,872
`
`3
`team player is analyzed in a predefined manner on a "per(cid:173)
`session" basis to obtain the team session result. A session
`can be defined, for example, in terms of (i) the number of
`plays per session; (ii) the duration of the session; or (iii) the
`number of plays until a predefined event occurs. The team
`session result can be defined, for example, as (i) the highest
`individual net result of a team player after an entire session;
`(ii) the average of the net result of each team player after an
`entire session; (iii) the sum of the highest five payouts
`awarded to any team player during the session; or (iv) the 10
`sum of each of the highest payouts for each spin.
`A more complete understanding of the present invention,
`as well as further features and advantages of the present
`invention, will be obtained by reference to the following
`detailed description and drawings.
`
`4
`slot machines by a plurality of slot machine players using the
`slot machines 300-303. The game results of each player on
`a given team are combined in a predefined manner, and the
`best overall game result, providing the highest payout, is
`5 provided to each of the team members.
`According to a further feature of the invention, the game
`results of each player on a given team may be combined in
`a predefined manner on a "per-spin" basis. The game results
`may also be collected for each team player over an entire
`play session, with the net result of each team player analyzed
`in a predefined manner on a "per-session" basis. In this
`manner, team players are encouraged to support and cheer
`on one another and may compete against other teams. Thus,
`the social and competitive aspects of slot machine play are
`15 dramatically increased. In addition, the potential loss to each
`team player is minimized, since a non-winning per-spin or
`per-session game result by a team player can be offset when
`combined with the corresponding winning results of another
`team member.
`As used herein, the term "slot machine" refers to any
`programmable gaming device generating a random or
`pseudo-random event in which one or more players can
`wager on the outcome of the event. Examples of slot
`25 machines include traditional slot machines, video poker,
`video bingo, video keno and video blackjack devices. Teams
`may be formed by individual slot machine players or by a
`casino, for example, on an anonymous ad hoc basis. Players
`can optionally register for team play with a casino, for
`30 example, by providing the names and player tracking num(cid:173)
`bers of team players and the preferences of the team, such
`as whether per-spin or per-session team play is preferred,
`and the preferred length of each session for per-session play.
`Team players can be linked electronically, for example, by
`35 means of player tracking cards. Thus, the slot server 200 can
`recognize players as members of a team once the player
`tracking card of each team member has been inserted into a
`card reader on the slot machine 300-303. Slot server 200 can
`indicate to a team player whether other team members are
`currently playing a slot machine 300---303, such as a repre(cid:173)
`sentative slot machine 300, in the casino. The presence of all
`team members may not be required to initiate team play.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a suitable
`communications network environment for interconnecting 20
`one or more electronic gaming devices, such as slot
`machines, with a slot server;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the slot server of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a slot machine of
`FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;
`FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of various embodiments of
`the slot machine of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a sample table from the player database
`of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 7 illustrates a sample table from the registered team
`database of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a sample table from the machine data(cid:173)
`base of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a sample table from the per-spin trans(cid:173)
`action database of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 10 illustrates a sample table from the per-session
`transaction database of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 11 illustrates a sample table from the per-spin payout 40
`database of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 12 illustrates a sample table from the per-session
`payout database of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 13 illustrates a sample table from the per-spin 45
`probability database of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 14 illustrates a sample table from the per-session
`probability database of FIG. 3;
`FIGS. 15A through 15C, collectively, are a flowchart
`describing an exemplary per-spin process implemented by
`the slot machine of FIG. 3;
`FIGS. 16A and 16B, collectively, are a flowchart describ(cid:173)
`ing an exemplary per-spin process implemented by the slot
`server of FIG. 2;
`FIGS. 17A through 17C, collectively, are a flow chart
`describing an exemplary per-session process implemented
`by the slot machine of FIG. 3; and
`FIG. 18 as FIGS. 18Aand 18B are a flow chart describing
`an exemplary per-session process implemented by the slot 60
`server of FIG. 2.
`
`PER-SPIN EMBODIMENT
`
`Generally, in a "per-spin" embodiment of the present
`invention, each team player initiates play in a conventional
`manner, and the individual game results of each team player
`are combined in a predefined manner to obtain the best team
`50 game result, with the best team game result being the one
`that provides the highest resulting payout, for each spin. In
`the illustrative implementation of the per-spin embodiment
`discussed herein, the individual game results of each team
`player are combined by selecting the