Method for a gaming system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method performed by a gaming system. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a scheme for further improving an attraction power of a game provided in relation to the gaming system. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding gaming system and a computer program product.

Claims

1. A method of controlling access to a gaming service provided by a server, the server arranged in network communication with a gaming terminal operated by a player, the gaming terminal comprising a display unit adapted to provide a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the method comprises: directing, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a first gaming interface within the GUI, wherein the first gaming interface comprises a first element that when operated by the player is adapted to form a gaming service initiation, selecting, at the server and in response to the gaming service initiation being received at the server, an active time period and a passive time period for a single gaming service, wherein the active time period relates to active interaction of the player with the GUI and the passive time period relates to passive interaction of the player with the GUI, wherein the active interaction comprises the player placing one or more bets and the passive interaction comprises the player observing a result of the gaming service, controlling, using the server, a second element of the first gaming interface to provide a series of consecutive gaming services during a first predefined time period, the first predefined time period taking place within the single gaming service, determining, using the server, an accumulated sum of passive time periods of passive interaction of the player with the GUI taking place during the first predefined time period, defining, using the server, a desired inactivity period for the first predefined time period based on a preselected passive time period, determining, using the server, a non-access period based on a comparison between the desired inactivity period and the determined accumulated sum of passive time periods, and directing, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a second gaming interface within the GUI for a duration relating to the non-access period prior to again controlling the gaming terminal to display the first gaming interface, wherein the second gaming interface is different from first gaming interface.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: receiving, at the server, an indication of a geographical location of the player or the gaming terminal, and determining, using the server, the preselected passive time period based on the indication of a geographical location.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: receiving, at the server, an indication of a geographical location of the player or the gaming terminal, defining, at the server, at least one of the first predefined time period, the active time period or the passive time period based on the indication of the geographical location.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gaming service initiation comprises at least an identity of the player, a geographical location of the player, or a bet provided by the player in relation to the gaming service provided by the server.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second gaming interface comprises a countdown timer displayed within the second gaming interface and operated for the second predefined duration.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gaming service comprises one of a gaming, betting or lottery component.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gaming service comprises a multi-reel slots gaming component.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the active time period has a predefined duration.

9. An electronic gaming system adapted for access control, the electronic gaming system comprising: a server, and a gaming terminal arranged in network communication with the server and arranged to be operated by a player, wherein the electronic gaming system is adapted to: direct, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a first gaming interface within the GUI, wherein the first gaming interface comprises a first element that when operated by the player is adapted to form a gaming service initiation, select, at the server and in response to the gaming service initiation being received at the server, an active time period and a passive time period for a single gaming service, wherein the active time period relates to active interaction of the player with the GUI and the passive time period relates to passive interaction of the player with the GUI, wherein the active interaction comprises the player placing one or more bets and the passive interaction comprises the player observing a result of the gaming service, control, using the server, a second element of the first gaming interface to provide a series of consecutive gaming services during a first predefined time period, the first predefined time period taking place within the single gaming service, determine, using the server, an accumulated sum of passive time periods during the first predefined time period of passive interaction of the player with the GUI taking place, define, using the server, a desired inactivity period for the first predefined time period based on a preselected passive time period, determine, using the server, a non-access period based on a comparison between the desired inactivity period and the determined accumulated sum of passive time periods, and direct, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a second gaming interface within the GUI for a duration relating to the non-access period prior to again controlling the gaming terminal to display the first gaming interface, wherein the second gaming interface is different from first gaming interface.

10. The electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the electronic gaming system is further adapted to: receive, at the server, an indication of a geographical location of the player or the gaming terminal, and determine, using the server, the preselected passive time period based on the indication of a geographical location.

11. The electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the electronic gaming system is further adapted to: receive, at the server, an indication of a geographical location of the player or the gaming terminal, define, at the server, at least one of the first predefined time period, the active time period or the passive time period based on the indication of the geographical location.

12. The electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the active time period has a predefined duration.

13. The electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the gaming service initiation comprises at least an identity of the player, a geographical location of the player, or a bet provided by the player in relation to the gaming service provided by the server.

14. The electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the second gaming interface comprises a countdown timer displayed within the second gaming interface and operated for the second predefined duration.

15. The electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the gaming service comprises one of a gaming, betting or lottery component.

16. The electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the gaming service comprises a multi-reel slots gaming component.

17. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program means for operating an electronic gaming system adapted for access control, the electronic gaming system comprising: a server, and a gaming terminal arranged in network communication with the server and arranged to be operated by a player, wherein the computer program product comprises: code for directing, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a first gaming interface within the GUI, wherein the first gaming interface comprises a first element that when operated by the player is adapted to form a gaming service initiation, code for selecting, at the server and in response to the gaming service initiation being received at the server, an active time period and a passive time period for a single gaming service, wherein the active time period relates to active interaction of the player with the GUI and the passive time period relates to passive interaction of the player with the GUI, wherein the active interaction comprises the player placing one or more bets and the passive interaction comprises the player observing a result of the gaming service, code for controlling, using the server, a second element of the first gaming interface to provide a series of consecutive gaming services during a first predefined time period, the first predefined time period taking place within the single gaming service, code for determining, using the server, an accumulated sum of passive time periods of passive interaction of the player with the GUI taking place during the first predefined time period, code for defining, using the server, a desired inactivity period for the first predefined time period based on a preselected passive time period, code for determining, using the server, a non-access period based on a comparison between the desired inactivity period and the determined accumulated sum of passive time periods, and code for directing, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a second gaming interface within the GUI for a duration relating to the non-access period prior to again controlling the gaming terminal to display the first gaming interface, wherein the second gaming interface is different from first gaming interface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The various aspects of the present disclosure, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary gaming system according to a currently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,

(3) FIG. 2 presents an exemplary timeline for controlling access to gaming services provided by means of the gaming system as shown in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 provides an exemplary illustration of a typical graphical user interface (GUI) for use in playing a game, and

(5) FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the exemplary steps for operating the gaming system as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.

(7) Referring now to the drawings and FIG. 1 in particular, there is depicted a gaming system 100 adapted to provide a gaming service. In FIG. 1 the gaming service is exemplified by an online game, such as a slot game. The system architecture illustrated in FIG. 1 depicts a system environment in which systems, methods, apparatus, computer-readable mediums and data structures consistent with the principles of some embodiments of the present disclosure may be included. It may be appreciated that the components of system 100 may be implemented through any suitable combinations of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

(8) As shown in FIG. 1, system 100 includes at least one server 102 and/or at least one gaming database 104. Server 102 and gaming database 104 may be communicably linked to a plurality of gaming terminals, such as client devices 106, 108, 110, etc. through network 112. The network 112 may be wired or wireless, including for example wired connections like a building LAN, a WAN, an Ethernet network, an IP network, etc., and wireless connections like WLAN, CDMA, GSM, GPRS, 3G mobile communications, 4G mobile communications, 5G mobile communications, Bluetooth, infrared, or similar. As such, the network 112 may be locally and/or globally provided.

(9) The gaming database 104 may be any type of physical unit on which games reside, such as a machine in a gaming venue, a lottery machine, an electronic game system, etc. Network 112 may be implemented as the Internet, or any local or wide area network, either public or private. Network 112 may also be a hardware system physically connecting some or all of the server 102 and client devices 106, 108, 110. Client devices 106, 108, 110, typically each operated by a player, may be implemented as any computing devices such as a personal computing device, a server, a server network, handheld computing device, slot machine, other gaming machine in a gaming venue such as a betting terminal, a gaming console, lottery machine, an interface in a virtual environment, etc.

(10) It may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that while only one server, one gaming database, one network and two client devices are depicted, more or fewer servers, more or fewer gaming databases, more networks and more or fewer client devices and/or other devices may reside within system 100.

(11) The elements inside system 100 may include one or more (micro) processors, purpose-built hardware such as, for example, FPGA, ASIC, etc., software systems and applications, software packages, mechanical and electrical parts, etc. Software packages that may be part of server 102, gaming database 104, client devices 106, 108, 110 and network 112 may be recorded on a computer readable medium such as a memory device, RAM, CD/DVD/USB drives, handheld memory device, etc., and/or may be part of a physical device such as one or more (microprocessors or electro-mechanical systems. Any of server 102, gaming database 104, client devices 106, 108, 110, network 112 and further gaming terminal device 114 may be fixed systems, mobile systems, portable systems, or cloud systems (as discussed above). FIG. 1 shows only three gaming terminal devices 106, 108, 110, however it should be understood that a general implementation of the present disclosure comprises a large plurality of gaming terminal devices, possibly greatly above three, such as 100, 1000, 10000, etc.

(12) Although the various components of FIG. 1 are illustrated as discrete elements, it should be recognized that certain operations of some of the various components may be performed by the same physical device, e.g., by one or more microprocessors or other type of devices.

(13) Turning now to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 4, presenting a general and exemplified timeline for controlling access to the gaming services provided by means of the gaming system as shown in FIG. 1. The process starts by controlling, S1, e.g. the client device 106 to display a first gaming interface within the GUI, wherein the first gaming interface comprises a first element, such as in the form of a “start button” that when operated by the player is adapted to form a gaming service initiation. In response to receiving the gaming service initiation, the server 102 selects, S2, an active time period 202 and a passive time period 204 for a single gaming service. As discussed above, the active and passive time periods 202, 204 correspond to different stages of the gaming service provided by the server 102.

(14) The server 102 will then control, S3, a second element of the first gaming interface to provide a series of consecutive gaming services during a first predefined time period 206. In FIG. 2 the series of gaming services comprises three gaming services. Three is however just for providing an illustration of the scheme according to the present disclosure. The series may comprise any number of gaming services (also including a single game). As is illustrated in FIG. 2, each gaming service first comprises the active stage (and thus the active time period 202) followed by the passive stage (corresponding to the passive time period 204).

(15) The server 102 will subsequently determine, S4, an accumulated sum of passive time periods 204 during the first predefined time period 206. In FIG. 2, the accumulated sum will correspond to three times the passive time period 204 or an average of the three passive time periods. The server 102 will also define, S5, an inactivity period for the first predefined time period 206 based on a preselected passive time period, where the preselected passive time period for example may be based on a geographical location of the client terminal 106 and/or the player operating the client terminal 106.

(16) Based on the knowledge of the inactivity period and the determined accumulated sum the server 102 has been adapted to determine, S6, a non-access period 208. The non-activity period 208 is in turn used by the server 102 for controlling, S7, the client device 106 to display a second gaming interface within the GUI for a duration relating to the non-access period. When the non-access period has passed, it will again be possible to the server 102 to control the client device 106 to provide a further gaming service. As indicated above, e.g. a countdown timer may be shown within the GUI of the client device 106 for at least a portion of the non-access period 208. Alternatively a pop including reasons for the non-access period may be shown within the GUI of the client device 106 for at least a portion of the non-access period 208.

(17) Turning now to FIG. 3 illustrating a graphical user interface (GUI) 302 to be displayed at a client device, such as any of the client devices 106, 108, 110, in the illustrated embodiment provided as an application (“app”) or within e.g. a web browser of the portable client device 106 being a tablet. The game to be played at the client device 106 is here shown as an online game of chance in the form of a slot game, visualized within the GUI 302 as comprising a table comprising six individual reels 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330 arranged in columns and provided with a plurality of different symbols. The table also comprises five reels 340, 342, 344, 346, 348.

(18) The GUI 302 also comprises a “button” 306 to start the game, here provided with the description “SPIN” for initiating a turn of the game. In addition, the GUI 302 comprises an indicator of the current bet 308 (i.e. payment for each turn of the game) and an indicator of the total payment to the player 210. It should in any case be understood that other types of games may be played within the scope of the present disclosure, for example being skill based as compared to a game of chance.

(19) In line with the present disclosure, the access scheme is introduced in order to ensure that players play responsibly. This may for example be manifested, as discussed above, by allowing the reels 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330 to spin for the duration of the passive time period 204, ensures that game play is slowed down. While this may be a solution to responsible game play, it may detract from the attractiveness of the game as players may become impatient whilst waiting for the result of the game. In order to ensure a balance between the attractiveness of the game and responsible game play the present disclosure proposes that the game play continue at an ultimate speed but that the game play be interrupted in order to slow down the game and ensure responsible play.

(20) In such an instance a selected predetermined turn time of the game is set. This may for example vary depending on geographical locations, possibly applying different gaming legislations. An actual turn time of the game is also set. The game is then interrupted for a time period that corresponds to the difference between the selected predetermined turn time of the game and the actual turn time of the game.

(21) The present disclosure can be carried out in various ways. A first option to carry out the present disclosure is to calculate the difference between the selected predetermined turn time of the game and a single turn of the game. In such a case the actual time of a single turn of the game is measured. The difference between the preselected time of the turn and the actual turn time of the single turn is calculated by simply subtracting the two. The game will then be interrupted by this difference after each turn of the game.

(22) A second option to carry out the present disclosure is to calculate the difference between the selected predetermined turn time of the game and the actual turn time of the game over a time interval, corresponding to the first predefined time period 206. In such a case the method of the present disclosure requires the calculation of the expected number of turns in an interval. To determine this a time interval has to be set, for example a time interval of 15 minutes i.e. 900 seconds. Then the selected predetermined turn time has to be set for example 5 seconds a turn. The expected number of turns in an interval is then calculated by taking the selected time interval in seconds and dividing that by the selected predetermined time being 5 seconds. The result is 180 turns. Next the present disclosure requires that the method determine the actual number of turns in the time interval. This is logged by the system, let's say for example 200 turns. In order to determine the time in which to interrupt the game play, the difference between the actual number of turns in the time interval and the expected number of turns is determined (200 minus 180=20 turns). The result is then multiplied by the selected predetermined turn time (20×5=100 seconds. The game will then be interrupted for 100 seconds after the 15-minute time interval lapses.

(23) The present disclosure provides for the implementation of either the first or second option or the implementation of both options.

(24) It is preferable to introduce a count timer 350 during the interruption of the game, defining the second gaming interface. When displaying the second gaming interface, it may also be possible to “remove” or inactivate the start button 306.

(25) In summary, the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling access to a gaming service provided by a server, the server arranged in network communication with a gaming terminal operated by a player, the gaming terminal comprising a display unit adapted to provide a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the method comprises the steps of directing, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a first gaming interface within the GUI, wherein the first gaming interface comprises a first element that when operated by the player is adapted to form a gaming service initiation, selecting, at the server and in response to the gaming service initiation being received at the server, an active time period and a passive time period for a single gaming service, wherein the active time period relates to active interaction of the player with the GUI and the passive time period relates to passive interaction of the player with the GUI, controlling, using the server, a second element of the first gaming interface to provide a series of consecutive gaming services during a first predefined time period, the first predefined time period taking place within the single gaming service, determining, using the server, an accumulated sum of passive time periods of passive interaction of the player with the GUI taking place during the first predefined time period, defining, using the server, a desired inactivity period for the first predefined time period based on a preselected passive time period, determining, using the server, a non-access period based on a comparison between the desired inactivity period and the determined accumulated sum of passive time periods, and directing, using the server, the gaming terminal to display a second gaming interface within the GUI for a duration relating to the non-access period prior to again controlling the gaming terminal to display the first gaming interface, wherein the second gaming interface is different from first gaming interface.

(26) An advantage following such a possibility is the balance between ensuring responsible gambling and an improved attraction power to the game, thus potentially allowing for the player to remain playing the game for an increased duration as compared to previously known similar operational schemes. This could potentially be beneficial to both the player participating in the game and the gaming operator providing the game.

(27) In addition, the control functionality of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system.

(28) Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

(29) Although the figures may show a sequence the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. Additionally, even though the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art.

(30) Further, a single unit may perform the functions of several means recited in the claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting to the claim. Furthermore, in the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality.

(31) Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled addressee in practicing the claimed present disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments.