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Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machineRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Credit/debit Monitoring Or Manipulation (e.g., Game Entry, Betting, Prize Level, Etc.)Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machine description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070015570, Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machine. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/698,711 filed Jul. 13, 2005, which application is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates generally to computerized wagering game machines, and more specifically to audio that is adaptive to win level in a computerized wagering game machine. Copyright [0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material to which the claim of copyright protection is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any person of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but reserves all other rights whatsoever. Copyright 2005, 2006, WMS Gaming, Inc. BACKGROUND [0004] Computerized wagering games have largely replaced traditional mechanical wagering game machines such as slot machines, and are rapidly being adopted to implement computerized versions of games that are traditionally played live such as poker and blackjack. These computerized games provide many benefits to the game owner and to the gambler, including greater reliability than can be achieved with a mechanical game or human dealer, more variety, sound, and animation in presentation of a game, and a lower overall cost of production and management. [0005] The elements of computerized wagering game systems are in many ways the same as the elements in the mechanical and table game counterparts in that they must be fair, they must provide sufficient feedback to the game player to make the game fun to play, and they must meet a variety of gaming regulations to ensure that both the machine owner and gamer are honest and fairly treated in implementing the game. Further, they must provide a gaming experience that is at least as attractive as the older mechanical gaming machine experience to the gamer, to ensure success in a competitive gaming market. [0006] Computerized wagering games do not rely on the dealer or other game players to facilitate game play and to provide an entertaining game playing environment, but rely upon the presentation of the game and environment generated by the wagering game machine itself. Incorporation of audio and video features into wagering games to present the wagering game, to provide help, and to enhance the environment presented are therefore important elements in the attractiveness and commercial success of a computerized wagering game system. It is not uncommon for audio voices to provide instruction and help, and to provide commentary on the wagering game being played. Music and environmental effects are also played through speakers in some wagering game systems to enhance or complement a theme of the wagering game. These sounds typically accompany video presentation of the wagering game on a screen, which itself often includes animation, video, and three-dimensional graphics as part of presentation of the wagering game. [0007] But, wagering game systems are placed in a variety of environments and are subject to a variety of conditions once installed. Audio tracks are typically chosen to be generally appropriate for a particular game event, such as a reel spin or bonus round, but as such may not fit the current level of excitement as a wagering game event unfolds. Volume levels are also often set based on an average desired volume based on the environment around a wagering game, so that sounds produced can be clearly heard but are not overly loud relative to the wagering game system's environment. Selecting audio content and volume in this manner ensures that the wagering game player can hear sounds intended to entertain or convey information regarding the wagering game without disturbing others nearby, but sometimes fails to provide audio appropriate to the progression of a wagering game event. [0008] It is therefore desired that audio played in a wagering game system be adaptable in some situations to be different than the audio typically presented during a wagering game event. SUMMARY [0009] One example embodiment of the invention comprises a computerized wagering game system including a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module operable to change a played audio signal based on win level in a wagering game event. The wagering game event comprises a bonus event or a reel spin in some embodiments, and the audio signal change comprises playing a different audio file or a different portion of an audio file, varying the volume of played audio, or changing audio tracks played to produce an audio signal in various further embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0010] FIG. 1 shows a computerized wagering game machine, as may be used to practice some example embodiments of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of varying sounds played during a bonus event, consistent with some example embodiments of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of varying audio played during a reel spin event in a reel slot machine wagering game, consistent with some example embodiments of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an audio track having various component tracks as are used to vary audio played during a wagering game event, consistent with some example embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] In the following detailed description of example embodiments of the invention, reference is made to specific examples by way of drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and serve to illustrate how the invention may be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments of the invention exist and are within the scope of the invention, and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the subject or scope of the present invention. Features or limitations of various embodiments of the invention described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the invention as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application do not limit the invention as a whole but serve only to define these example embodiments. The following detailed description does not, therefore, limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. [0015] One example embodiment of the invention seeks to provide audio appropriate to the progression of a wagering game event by operation of a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module operable to change a played audio signal based on win level in a wagering game event. The wagering game event comprises a bonus event or a reel spin in some example embodiments, and the audio signal change comprises playing a different audio file or a different portion of an audio file, varying the volume of played audio, or changing audio tracks played to produce an audio signal in various further example embodiments. [0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a computerized wagering game machine, as may be used to practice some embodiments of the present invention. The computerized gaming system shown generally at 100 is a video wagering game system, which displays information for at least one wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered on video display 101. Video display 101 is in various embodiments a CRT display, a plasma display, an LCD display, a surface conducting electron emitter display, or any other type of display suitable for displaying electronically provided display information. Alternate embodiments of the invention will have other game indicators, such as mechanical reels instead of the video graphics reels shown at 102 that comprise a part of a video slot machine wagering game. [0017] A wagering game is implemented using software within the wagering game system, such as through instructions stored on a machine-readable medium such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory. In some further example embodiments, some or all of the software stored in the wagering game machine is encrypted or is verified using a hash algorithm or encryption algorithm to ensure its authenticity and to verify that it has not been altered. For example, in one embodiment the wagering game software is loaded from nonvolatile memory in a compact flash card, and a hash value is calculated or a digital signature is derived to confirm that the data stored on the compact flash card has not been altered. The wagering game implemented via the loaded software takes various forms in different wagering game machines, including such well-known wagering games as reel slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, or hold 'em games. The wagering game is played and controlled with inputs such as various buttons 103 or via a touchscreen overlay to video screen 101. In some alternate examples, other devices such as pull arm 104 used to initiate reel spin in this reel slot machine example are employed to provide other input interfaces to the game player. The wagering game system includes in various embodiments standalone wagering game machines, portable wagering game machines, networked wagering game machines such as multi-player, cooperative, or server-based games, and user-provided computerized systems operable to serve as an interface to a wagering game system. Continue reading about Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machine... Full patent description for Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machine Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machine patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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 Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machine or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Real-time marketing at gaming machines Next Patent Application: Method and system for automated responsible gaming controls Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Win level adaptive audio in a wagering game machine patent info. 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