Slot machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing a large number of games from a game library stored in an associated memory. The gaming machine overcomes prior inefficiencies by allowing the player to enter desired search criterion and thereby filter the number of available games to a manageable size from which to choose. The search criterion may be made up of a word or words entered by the player and/or the player may limit the search by selecting one of a variety of pre-defined limitations. Preferably the search criterion is compared to a database reflecting the games available in the game library. The game library may be maintained by a central game server that is connected to the gaming machine (and others like it) over a network. As an alternative to searching a game library electronically, a means is also provided to review at least a portion of the games in the game library at a physical display booth. Once a game of interest to a player is selected at the display booth, a variety of methods are disclosed for transferring the selected game to a gaming machine.

1 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a central gaming server with a first memory for storing a plurality of game programs;    a display center for physically displaying information about each game program in a first group of game programs, said first group of game programs comprising some of said plurality of game programs stored in said central gaming server, said display center allowing a player to select at least one of said game programs for play;    a plurality of gaming machines operatively connected by a network to the central gaming server, each of said gaming machines comprising a cabinet, a processor capable of executing at least one of said game programs, a value accepting mechanism comprising at least one of either a ticket reader, bill validator or card reader, a payout mechanism, a wagering device for allowing a player to make a wager on the outcome of a spin of the at least one game program, and a display device for displaying the outcome of the at least one game program;    a means for transporting data corresponding to the game program selected for play from said display center to one of said gaming machines;    said gaming machine being programmed to execute the selected game program in response to receiving the data transported such that the player may play the selected game program at said gaming machine.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the means for transporting comprises providing the player with a PIN at said display center that identifies at least one of said game programs and allowing the player to manually enter said PIN at said gaming machine.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the means for transporting comprises providing the player with a ticket at said display center, said ticket having a machine readable code that may be read by said gaming machine.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 3  wherein the ticket is preprinted.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 3  wherein the ticket is printed at the display center in response to a player selecting a game program.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the means for transporting comprises accepting a player tracking card at said display center and associating a game program with the information on said player tracking card such that when the player tracking card is inserted into a gaming machine the associated game program may be executed.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first group of game programs contains at least ten game programs.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first group of game programs contains at least twenty game programs.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first group of game programs contains at least fifty game programs.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first group of game programs contains at least ten percent of the game programs stored in the central gaming server.  
   
   
       11 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first group of game programs contains at least five percent of the game programs stored in the central gaming server.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first group of game programs contains at least one percent of the game programs stored in the central gaming server.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the display center is located inside a casino remotely from at least some of the gaming machines.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first group of game programs is subdivided into a plurality of subgroups by an identifying theme and the display center notifies players of the themes.