| Gaming system recommending specific games -> Monitor Keywords |
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Gaming system recommending specific gamesGaming system recommending specific games description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070219000, Gaming system recommending specific games. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a gaming system comprising gaming terminals and a server that is installed in a casino or the like. [0003]2. Background Information [0004]A general, conventional gaming system installed in a casino or the like comprises a plurality of gaming machines, which separately execute respective game programs. In such a gaming system, different game programs require different game machines. The more types of game programs are made available to players, the more gaming machines are required. However, there is not always sufficient space in the casino for a desired number of gaming machines. Thus, the capacity of the casino limits the number of types of available game programs. [0005]A gaming system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602. This gaming system comprises a server and a plurality of client gaming terminals. The server can execute a plurality of game programs. Each client gaming terminal is allowed to access one of the game programs, and display game screens of the accessed game program on its own display unit. Players are allowed to play any games of the game programs executed by the server through operations of the client gaming terminals. Players are also allowed to select desired games by using console units of the client gaming terminals. This gaming system allows a large number of types of game programs to be available to players, regardless of the capacity of the casino. [0006]By using such a gaming system, a larger number of types of games will be available to players, and thereby, a larger number of players will be satisfied. However, an excessive number of choices require players to take too much time to select a game, and thus game selection may become burdensome to the players. More specifically, if a player has determined a desired type of game in advance, the player can select the desired game quickly and smoothly. Most players, however, have not determined any desired type of game in advance, and thus will select an interesting game from the choices presented to them. In this case, if the number of the choices is too large, the players will have difficulty finding and selecting an interesting game, and waste too much time in game selection. This causes the game selection to become burdensome to the players, and thus, make the players reluctant to play games. [0007]Note that there appears to be another download-type gaming system than the gaming system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602, in which a server stores a plurality of game programs, and each client gaming terminal downloads a game program selected by a player from the server and then executes the game program. Alternatively, there appears to be another gaming machine which stores many types of game programs in its memory unit, and executes one of the game programs selected by a player. These gaming systems and machines also have the same problem, i.e., if the number of the choices is too large, the players will have difficulty finding and selecting an interesting game, and as a result of that, the game selection becomes burdensome to the players, and thus, makes the players reluctant to play games. [0008]In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved gaming system that reduces the burdens of selecting games on players, and thereby enhances players' willingness to play games. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]A gaming system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a server and a gaming terminal that are allowed to perform two-way communication with each other. The server comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs; and a server communications unit configured to transmit the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received to the gaming terminal, and receive a request for one of the game programs from the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal comprises a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; a terminal communications unit configured to receive the game recommendation data from the server, and transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server, when the console unit has received data showing the type of the selected game program; and a selection urging unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the terminal communications unit has received, before the console unit receives data showing the type of the selected game program. Furthermore, one of the server and the gaming terminal comprises a controller unit configured to execute a game program that the request indicates. [0010]In this gaming system, the console unit of the gaming terminal accepts the selection of a game, and then, a request for the selected type of game program is transmitted to the server. At that time, the controller unit executes the requested game program. A "thin-client-type gaming system" hereinafter refers to a gaming system where the server comprises the controller unit, and the gaming terminal allows game play to be conducted by a game program executed by the server. On the other hand, a "download-type gaming system" hereinafter refers to a gaming system where the gaming terminal comprises the controller unit, and allows game play to be conducted by a game program downloaded from the server and executed by the gaming terminal. The gaming system of the present invention may be a thin-client-type gaming system or a download-type gaming system. Note that the gaming system may comprise two or more of the gaming terminals. [0011]This gaming system lets a player know the game contents conducted by the specific game programs through the image displayed on the gaming terminal (hereinafter, the recommendation screen), before the player selects a game through the console unit (preferably, before a selection screen control unit of the gaming terminal causes the display unit or another display unit to display a selection screen for use in the selection of the game programs). This may increase the possibility that a player, especially one who has not decided upon a game to play in advance, will select one of the game programs identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, the player can select a game in view of the game programs recommended by the image. This reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Preferably, managers of the gaming system will determine the types of game programs, and enter the game recommendation data identifying the game programs into the input receiver unit of the server. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the game programs that the managers want players to play. [0012]A gaming system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a server and a gaming terminal that are allowed to perform two-way communication with each other. The server comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies a type of the game programs; and a server communications unit configured to receive a request for one of the game programs from the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal comprises a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; and a terminal communications unit configured to transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server, when the console unit has received data showing the type of the selected game program. Furthermore, one of the server and the gaming terminal comprises a controller unit configured to execute a game program that the request indicates; and a play monitor unit configured to detect that the player has stopped playing the game conducted by the game program that the controller unit executes. The controller unit is in particular configured to execute the game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, when the play monitor unit has detected that the player has stopped playing the game. [0013]In this gaming system, the console unit of the gaming terminal accepts the selection of a game, and then a request for the selected type of game program is transmitted to the server. At that time, the controller unit executes the requested game program. The gaming system according to another aspect of the present invention may be a thin-client-type gaming system or a download-type gaming system. Note that the gaming system may comprise two or more of the gaming terminals. [0014]When a player stops playing a game on the gaming terminal, the gaming terminal displays the game screen of a specific game program identified by the game recommendation data. This game screen may invite another player to play the game on the gaming terminal. This may increase the possibility that another player will select the game program identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, this reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Here, managers of the gaming system determine the specific game program, and accordingly, there may be an increased possibility that the player will select the specific game program that the managers want players to play. [0015]A gaming machine according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; a controller unit configured to execute the game program selected through the console unit; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs stored in the memory unit; and a selection urging unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, before the console unit receives data showing the type of the selected game program. [0016]This gaming machine is a standalone one, i.e., the gaming machine accepts the selection of a game from game programs stored in its own memory unit, and then executes the selected game program by using its own controller unit. [0017]This gaming machine lets a player know the game contents conducted by the specific game programs through the recommendation screen, before the player selects a game through the console unit (preferably, before a selection screen control unit of the gaming machine causes the display unit or another display unit to display a selection screen for use in the selection of the game programs). This may increase the possibility that a player, especially one who has not determined a desired game in advance, will select one of the game programs identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, the player can select a game in view of the game programs recommended by the image. This reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Preferably, managers of the gaming system determine the types of game programs, and enter the game recommendation data identifying the game programs into the input receiver unit. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the game programs that the managers want players to play. [0018]A gaming machine according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; a controller unit configured to execute the game program selected through the console unit; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies a type of the game programs stored in the memory unit; and a play monitor unit configured to detect that the player has stopped playing the game conducted by the game program that the controller unit executes. The controller unit is in particular configured to execute the game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, when the play monitor unit has detected that the player has stopped playing the game. [0019]This gaming machine is a standalone one, i.e., the gaming machine accepts a selection of a game from game programs stored in its own memory unit, and then, executes the selected game program by using its own controller unit. [0020]When a player stops playing a game on the gaming machine, the gaming machine displays the game screen of a specific game program identified by the game recommendation data. This game screen may invite another player to play the game on the gaming machine. This may increase the possibility that another player will select the game program identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, this reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Here, managers of the gaming system determine the specific game program, and accordingly, there may be an increased possibility that the player will select the specific game program that the managers want players to play. [0021]The above-described gaming systems and gaming machines according to the present invention can urge players to select specific game programs by using the game recommendation data. This may increase the possibility that players will select the game program identified by the game recommendation data, and reduce the player's burden of selecting a game. In addition, there may be an increased possibility that players will select the specific game program that the managers want players to play. [0022]These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Gaming system recommending specific games... Full patent description for Gaming system recommending specific games Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gaming system recommending specific games patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090286604 - Adaptive live commentary in hosted game - A live commentary experience is provided to a plurality of users participating in a multiplayer game hosted by a gaming service. A live output stream comprising live commentary on the game play is providing by a human being from the gaming service. 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Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Gaming system recommending specific games or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Game system Next Patent Application: Systems, methods and techniques for safely and effectively coordinating video game play and other activities among multiple remote networked friends and rivals Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Gaming system recommending specific games patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.19684 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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