AU2008201074B2 - A gaming system, a gaming server and a gaming method - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant (s) ACEI AB Invention Title: A GAMING SYSTEM, A GAMING SERVER AND A GAMING METHOD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P71311 AU.1 Pat Set Fling Applicat 2008-3-6.doc (M) - 2 A GAMING SYSTEM, A GAMING SERVER AND A GAMING METHOD Field The invention relates to a gaming system and gaming server 5 and a gaming method. Background to the Invention In recent times, there has been a move towards server based gaming systems where players play a gaming terminal 10 that provides graphics for the game and allows the player to input instructions for a game but the game logic is executed on a server. Summary of the Invention 15 In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming system for multiple region game play, the gaming system comprising: a gaming server; and 20 a plurality of gaming clients in data communication with the gaming server including at least a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency, the first gaming 25 client adapted to receive the first currency and the second gaming client adapted to receive the second currency, wherein any amount of the first or second currency received by the first or second gaming clients is 30 converted by the system to a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate, the gaming server arranged to execute a game instance for each of the plurality of gaming clients to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in 35 game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play, the system employing a set of region credit 2266697 1 (GHManters) 4/05/10 - 3 rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate of a region to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play, such that a value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of a local 5 currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play and such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions, and the system employing an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play such that the value of game 10 credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play. In an embodiment, in each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of 15 the region. In an embodiment, a system base credit balance is stored for each gaming client by the game server. 20 In an embodiment, the gaming server comprises a credit value controller arranged to determine whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and 25 to control the value of game credits on this basis. In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming servers each adapted to communicate with a plurality of gaming clients. 30 In an embodiment, the gaming server comprises a plurality of servers. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a 35 gaming server for multiple region game play, the gaming server arranged to: communicate with a plurality of gaming clients in 2266697_I (GHMatters) 4/05/10 - 4 data communication with the gaming server including a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency, the first gaming s client adapted to receive the first currency and the second gaming client adapted to receive the second currency, wherein any amount of the first or second currency received by the first or second gaming clients is converted by the server to a system base credit value by a 10 currency specific exchange rate; and execute a game instance for each of the plurality gaming clients to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the is game play, the gaming server employing a set of region credit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate of a region to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play such that a value of game credits is derived directly from a 20 denomination of the local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play and such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions, and the gaming server employing an alternative region credit rate for all regions for 25 interregional play such that the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play. 30 In an embodiment, in each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region. 35 In an embodiment, the gaming server is arranged to store a system base credit balance for each gaming client. 2266697_1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10 - 5 In an embodiment, the gaming server comprises a credit value controller arranged to determine whether the client s is engaging in local region play or interregional play and to control the value of game credits on this basis. In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gaming for multiple region game play, the 10 comprising: communicating with a plurality of gaming clients, including a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency; 15 converting any amount of the first or second currency received by the first or second gaming clients a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate; executing a game instance for each of the plurality gaming client to enable players operating the 20 gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play; and controlling the value of game credits by employing a set of region credit rates, each linked to the 25 currency specific exchange rate of a region to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play such that the value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of the local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region 30 play and such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and, by employing an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play such that the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the 35 first and second regions in interregional play. In an embodiment, in each region the value of game credits 2266697_ 1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10 - 6 is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region. 5 In an embodiment, the method of gaming comprises storing a system base credit balance for each gaming client. 10 In an embodiment, the method of gaming comprises determining whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and controlling the value of game credits on this basis. 15 Thus, embodiments of the invention allow games that are independent of denominations and the system base currency. They allow bet amounts and credits to be configurable to allow betting in credit values that make sense for the 20 local currency and to allow gaming machines to participate in jackpots that cover different currency regions. Brief Description of the Drawings 25 Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system configuration; Figure 2 is a flow chart of the gaming method of a embodiment; and 2266697_1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10 -7 Figure 3 is perspective view of a gaming machine that may be a gaming client. Detailed Description 5 The embodiment provides a gaming system for multiple region game play. That is, in a typical exemplary embodiment, gaming clients will be located in a plurality of different regions which have different currencies to 10 one another and the gaming system is configured to allow players to play interregional games, for example, where players contribute to a common jackpot or local games where the credit value is derived from the local currency. The gaming clients will be typically be served by a common 15 game server. The system employs "system base credits" and exchange rates are employed to convert all the relevant currencies into system base credits. That is, for each region that 20 has a different currency there will be a region specific exchange rate. The gaming clients will typically be interactive video terminals adapted to receive an input of currency. 25 The system also employs a region credit rate which converts between region credits specific to gaming machines located in a particular region and system base credits. 30 A further rate, the game credit rate is used to make the games in particular regions independent of available denominations in that region. 35 Therefore, the formula: N \Melboume\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P71311 AU\Spccis\P7131 AU Specification final CAP.doc 6/03/08 - 8 system base credits = game credits X game credit rate X region credit rate is used to convert to and from system base credits. 5 The region credit rate will depend on the currency for that machine which would typically depend on the region in which the gaming machine is physically located. The region credit rate can be altered in order to share a 10 jackpot over a number of regions. This is so that game players in a number of different regions contribute equally to the jackpot. The game credit rate may be configured per game or 15 different game credit rates may be employed for different variations of the game. For example, a normal or high stake game. A typical system is shown in Figure 1. The system shows a 20 gaming client in the form of an interactive video terminal 110 and data communication with an application server 120. As illustrated in Figure 1, the interactive video terminal 110 has a game graphic engine 112 and effectively acts as a player interface to the game. The player's bets in game 25 credits and their game instructions are transferred to the game logic 122 of the application server 120. There is also communication between the interactive video terminal 110 and the application server 120 which sets the game credit rate and the region credit rate 114/126 which is 30 stored in both the IVT and the application server. By altering the game credit rate it is possible to alter the value of game credits relative to the denominations that are employed and by altering the region credit rate, it is possible to have gaming clients 110 from different regions 35 participating in the contributing to a common jackpot. A credit value controller 124 determines whether the player is engaging in local play or interregional play and sets N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P71 I 1.AU\Specis\P7 131 AU Specification final CAPdoc 6/03/08 - 9 the region credit rate accordingly. Database 130 stores the current balance of system base credits for the player and stores values defining the game credit rate, the region credit rate and the exchange rates. 5 Accordingly, the credit value controller 124 is arranged to implement the method shown in Figure 2 where following currency input 210 and conversion to system base credits 220 the credit value controller determines whether the 10 player is engaging in local play 230. If they are not engaging in local play, they are engaging in interregional play. If the player is engaging in local play the credit controller implements a first region credit rate 240 and if they are engaging in interregional play the credit 15 value controller implements a second regional credit rate 250. The game logic 122 of the application server then determines the game outcome 260. It will be appreciated that the embodiment employs a 20 distributed architecture wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. The embodiment employs a 25 "thin client" architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. But in other 30 embodiments, a "thick client" architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server. 35 However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server N:\Melboume\Cascs\Patent\71000-71999\P71311 AU\Spcis\P7131 AU Specification final CAP doc 6103/08 - 10 and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin client" mode 5 depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. In a thin client embodiment, the game server provides the io game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs 15 running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. An interactive gaming terminal may take the form of a gaming machine 10 as shown in Figure 3 that includes a 20 console 12 having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The 25 mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A reading device may 30 also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. 35 A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P7131 L AU\Spcis\P7131 LAU Specification final CAP.doc 6/03/08 - 11 information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts s from the gaming machine 10. The display 14 shown in Figure 3 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid 10 crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different 15 type. The system may incorporate a number of additional features for example, a database management server may manage storage of game programs and associated data for 20 downloading or access by the gaming terminals 10. In embodiments where the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server may be provided to implement the Jackpot game. 25 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single "engine" on one server or a 30 separate server may be provided. For example, the application server could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be 35 provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals. N \Mclboumc\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P71311 AU\Specis\P731 L AU Specification final CAP doc 6103/08 - 12 The method will be illustrated further in relation to a series of Tables. Table 1 shows exchange rates "EXR" for different currencies. Currency EXR SEK 100 NOK 109 USD 730 EUR 920 5 Table 1 Table 2 shows that there are two different game credit rates for a normal and a high stake game. In a normal game the game credit rate is 10 in the high stake game the 10 credit rate is 100. Game GCR Normal 10 Highstake 100 Table 2 Table 3 shows nine transactions. Transactions 1 to 4 15 include deposits of 10 units in each of the available currencies. For example, in transaction to a deposit of ten Norwegian kroner results in an increase 1090 system base credits (SBC). At the same time the player stakes 4 game credits which converts via the game credit rate to 40 20 system base credits. Therefore the change in system base credits (delta SPC) is 1050 system base credits made up of the deposit of Norwegian kroner (1090 SBC) and the deduction of the stake (40 SBC). N:\Mclboume\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P71311 AU\Spcis\P713 I AU Spccification final CAP doc 6103/08 - 13 (d U 000 .4.)JLA 0 m~ 0 0 0 0 0 H ~ 0 0 r- mA mA m r q H r- r- 0' H - ca 0 LA~o' Oi O Oi H~ ~ HH ' ' S0 0o 0 0 0% 0 0 0 4J4 Da 0 0 m'- C, ;D H i H4- 0 H' 0 H A 4. 4 J 0 0 0 0A 0~ -l A -4 (d .4.) E- E-4 H H (' ' - 14 In transaction 4 a case is shown where in a normal game there is a deposit of 10 Euros which corresponds to 9200 system base credits plus an additional win of 50 game credits to provide a total of an additional 9700 system s base credits. In transaction 5 a player plays a stake of 9 game credits and has a win of 18 game credits for a change of 90 system base credits. 10 Transaction 6 to 9 relate to a high stake game. A person skilled in the art will see, for example, with reference to transaction 6 that a better 5 game credits now results in a deduction of 500 system base credits. In transaction 15 9, the player places a stake of 7 game credits and wins 14 game credits resulting in a change in the balance of system base credits of 700. Tables 4 to 9 illustrate how the system can be configured 20 for both local and interregional play in further detail. Table 4 shows exchange rates EXR and regional credit rates RCR for local gaming. In this example 3 games are defined, a normal game, a high stake game, and a wide area 25 progressive (WAP) configured to work over all four regions. Currency EXR RCR SEK 1000000 1000 NOK 1092500 10925 USD 7306200 73062 EUR 9203900 92039 Table 4 30 As shown in Table 5, the WAP game has an overridden region credit rate of 10,000 system base credits. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P7131 I AU\Specis\P7131 [AU Specification final CAPdoc 6/03/08 - 15 Game GCR RCR Normal 10 Highstake 100 WAP 10 10000 Table 5 Table 6 shows that the game is configured so that for each regional currency the deposit of 10 of the local currency 5 results in a game credit increase of 100 but different values of system base credits. Thus, for normal play, the number of system base credits is different for each currency and the number of game credits is the same for each currency and directly derived from a denomination of 10 the local currency - i.e. an integer ratio of 10 game credits to each unit of local currency. Region Game Deposit Cur SBC GC Balance Cur SEK Normal 10 SEK 10000000 100 10 SEK NOK Normal 10 NOK 10925000 100 10 NOK USD Normal 10 USD 73062000 100 10 USD EUR Normal 10 EUR 92039000 100 10 EUR Table 6 15 Table 7 shows Swedish regional play of the game normal (in transactions 1 to 5) and the game high stake (transactions 6 to 9) and game play proceeds in a similar manner to that shown in Table 3. 2266697_1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10 -16 OC410 0 0 0 JJ M 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I l LA Ln If LA r, . H0 o H H cn co m co L o 0 0 0 0 r4H 0 OD 0 0 I0 - If I4 Ad 0A 04L 0% 0 0 0 4J- 0 Cl 0 LA LA wC. tn ai Ln LA I C4 C) 0 %oD - 0 co M Ln 0 a% 0 r - C4 mV Cl en HH H CD 00 0 0 0 0 0 o 6% 0 04 0 0o 0 0o 0 oo0000 0 0 0 4 0 Ho r- r-I 0 0 0 004 4 4 0 H H C 1 -l Cri I $4 -17 N %0 0 r, 0 00 0 4Jl m4 N 0 mf 0 0 0 H4 o ' %o H mA t-o m- co C) o 0i ~ ~ ~ ~ 1 enI A A L '. H W C4 H H~0 '.0 Hn Hv (UI2 H C,4 HV 0n Ln ( 0 0 CA 43~ 0 ko H 0 co rn c N o 0U 44 LA OiLA L U 0 N. N H 0 0 0V 0 LA % 0 fn N, Cl 00 Cl H r o H co " a- % n r U 0 0 0 0 0V 00 0 0 0) r, 0 n OD C% cq 0 q 0 0 0 '.0~~cl CV N 0 ~ 4 H 0 $44 ' 4 ~ L rn 4 4 L 41 0 0 H~ ~ ~ N nwwn o r w m - 18 Table 8 the same game played in the currency of US dollars with transactions 1 to 5 relating to the normal game and transactions 6 to 9 relating to the high stake game. Note that in Tables 7 and 8 that the amount deposited in units 5 of local currency, wagered in game credits and won game credits is the same for each correspondingly numbered transaction but the balance of system base credits in the column SBC and the change in system base credits (delta SBC) are very different. 10 Tables 9 and 10 show both regions playing the WAP game. In this game the region credit rate from Table 6 overrides the region credit rates from Table 5. (Noting that it is the same for the Swedish currency). A person skilled in 15 the art will note in relation to Tables 9 and 10 that the change in the system base credits based on the amounts staked 1 and are the same in each of transactions 2 through 5 whereas the amountsstaked relative to the currency of Swedish Krone are different. Accordingly, in 20 this game, players can fairly contribute to the same wide area progressive. 25 2266697_1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10 -19 H2 0 0 0 0> 4J 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 r-4 t 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0NU If) mn 0 Cq 0 0 o r~ l A H0 0 0 0 r-I ai L c I mn iN 0 w~ w~ 0 r-4 mo .r4 0 0 0 0- a CD M 0.r P4 m 0 00 Ln o4 0 V~ 0 *0* 0 0 14 ~ ~ ~ i PQ0eqL 1 43~ r4 c Cq10 c o Ln nn N 4J~ on in eqcl A4C1 __ m C OUO in in o eqa u. ou o m (n eq ED ~ C %DHq n t __ 4D 4D CD C U0 in 0 0 Cl En 0 0 0 0 0 2 00 0 0 0 U0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C1 0 0 0 0N in r)0~0 0 0 0 0 %0 elq in %o 41) 4J) w to 0 0 00 o o% rfl) - 20 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of variations may be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention described herein. 5 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 10 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 15 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country. N \Melboumc\Cases\Paent\71000-71999\P7131 I AU\Specis\P7131 L AU Specification final CAPdoc 6/03/08

Claims (14)

1. A gaming system for multiple region game play, the gaming system comprising: 5 a gaming server; and a plurality of gaming clients in data communication with the gaming server including at least a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a 10 second region having a second currency, the first gaming client adapted to receive the first currency and the second gaming client adapted to receive the second currency, wherein any amount of the first or second 15 currency received by the first or second gaming clients is converted by the system to a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate, the gaming server arranged to execute a game instance for each of the plurality of gaming clients to 20 enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play, the system employing a set of region credit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate 25 of a region to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play, such that a value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of a local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play and such that the value is different 30 in system base credits in different regions, and the system employing an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play such that the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play. 35

2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in 2266697_1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10 - 22 each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region. 5

3. A gaming system as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein a system base credit balance is stored for each gaming client by the game server. 10

4. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming server comprises a credit value controller arranged to determine whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and to 15 control the value of game credits on this basis.

5. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a plurality of gaming servers each adapted to communicate with a plurality of gaming clients. 20

6. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gaming server comprises a plurality of servers. 25

7. A gaming server for multiple region game play, the gaming server arranged to: communicate with a plurality of gaming clients in data communication with the gaming server including a first gaming client located in a first region having a 30 first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency, the first gaming client adapted to receive the first currency and the second gaming client adapted to receive the second currency, wherein any amount of the first or second 35 currency received by the first or second gaming clients is converted by the server to a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate; and 2266697_1 (GHManers) 4/05/10 - 23 execute a game instance for each of the plurality gaming clients to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the s game play, the gaming server employing a set of region credit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate of a region to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play such that a value of game credits is derived directly from a 10 denomination of the local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play and such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions, and the gaming server employing an alternative region credit rate for all regions for 15 interregional play such that the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play.

8. A gaming server as claimed in claim 7, wherein in 20 each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region. 25

9. A gaming server as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, arranged to store a system base credit balance for each gaming client. 30

10. A gaming server as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising a credit value controller arranged to determine whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and to control the value of game credits on this basis. 35

11. A method of gaming for multiple region game play, the comprising: 2266697_1 (GHMtters) 4/05/10 - 24 communicating with a plurality of gaming clients, including a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency; 5 converting any amount of the first or second currency received by the first or second gaming clients a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate; executing a game instance for each of the plurality gaming client to enable players operating the 10 gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play; and controlling the value of game credits by employing a set of region credit rates, each linked to the 15 currency specific exchange rate of a region to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play such that the value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of the local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region 20 play and such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and, by employing an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play such that the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the 25 first and second regions in interregional play.

12. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 11, wherein in each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an 30 integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region. 35

13. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, comprising storing a system base credit balance for each gaming client. 2266697_1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10 - 25

14. A method of gaming as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising determining whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and 5 controlling the value of game credits on this basis. 2266697 1 (GHMatters) 4/05/10