Patent Application
20100222129
The present invention relates to gaming devices and, more particularly, to gaming devices having at least one immoveable display character and at least one moveable symbol display where the moveable symbol display is configured to display a prize to a player.
Gaming devices are well known in the art and a large variety of gaming devices have been developed. In general, gaming devices allow users, or players, to play a game. In many casino-type gaming devices, the outcome of the game depends, at least in part, on a randomly generated event. For example, a gaming device may use a random number generator to generate a random or pseudo-random number (hereinafter collectively referred to as “random number”). The random number may be used to determine a game outcome. For example, the random number can be compared to a pre-defined table to determine a corresponding outcome of the event. If the random number falls within a certain range of numbers on the table, the player may win the corresponding prize. The table may also contain display information that allows the gaming device to generate a display that corresponds to the outcome of the game. The gaming device may present the outcome of the game on a large variety of display devices, such as mechanical spinning reels, spinning wheels or video screens.
Some gaming devices award bonus prizes in addition to prizes that are awarded in a primary game. A bonus prize is generally defined as a prize in addition to the prize obtained from the primary game and is awarded to the player when a pre-defined event occurs. An example of a bonus game can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,932 to Adams. Adams discloses a primary game having three spinning game reels and a bonus game having a bonus display with one spinning wheel. The spinning wheel is divided into multiple sections, and each section has a symbol representing a prize. When pre-determined indicia are displayed on the spinning game reels of the primary game, the wheel of the bonus display spins and stops. The bonus prize is displayed as the symbol on the wheel being pointed to by a pointer. The bonus prize is awarded in addition to any prizes awarded in the primary game.
Another bonus game is disclosed in Baerlocher et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,863). Baerlocher et al. discloses a slot machine with a bonus award display. The bonus award display has a bonus wheel and a mechanical, movable pointer.
One of the problems associated with the devices disclosed in these references is that the outcome of the bonus game is communicated to the player almost immediately. When a bonus game is triggered, a bonus award is selected, displayed, and awarded to the player. The player can see what the outcome of the game is immediately after the pointers have stopped moving. What has long been needed is a device that utilizes intermediate steps between the occurrence of the bonus event and the awarding of the bonus prize to add an additional element of anticipation and excitement for the players. It is further desired that the intermediate steps involve an eye-catching display and player participation. Another problem associated with Adams and Baerlocher et al. is that they utilize a plain combination of wheel and pointer. The Applicants have discovered that more can be done to existing display devices to make them more attractive and interesting to play.
The present invention provides a gaming apparatus having: (a) a housing defining a display area; (b) a plurality of display characters immoveably attached to the housing, the display characters configured to be displayed in the display area; (c) a plurality of moveable symbol displays configured to display at least one symbol, the moveable symbol displays being configured to be displayed in the display area; and (d) a controller in communication with the plurality of moveable symbol displays and being configured to generate a random number and a game outcome based on the random number, wherein the controller is configured to cause movement of at least one of the plurality of moveable symbol displays to display at least one symbol corresponding to the game outcome. In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of display characters is located proximate to at least one of the plurality of moveable symbol displays.
In another embodiment, at least two of the plurality of moveable symbol displays are configured to move and display symbols, wherein one of the at least two of the plurality of moveable symbol displays indicates a first symbol representing at least one prize and a second of the at least two of the plurality of moveable symbol displays indicates a second symbol representing at least one multiplier by which the at least one prize will be multiplied. In a further embodiment, at least two of the plurality of moveable symbol displays are configured to move and display symbols, wherein the game outcome is determined by a mathematical combination of the symbols displayed by the at least two of the plurality of moveable symbol displays.
The present invention further provides a gaming method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order shown: allowing a player to place a wager on a gaming device comprising a plurality of moveable symbol displays, each bearing at least one symbol; providing a plurality of immoveable display characters as background for the plurality of moveable symbol displays; presenting a game to the player; randomly determining a game outcome; moving at least one of the plurality of symbol displays; and displaying at least one symbol indicating the game outcome.
The present invention also provides a gaming device comprising at least one display area means for displaying a game; a plurality of immoveable display character means for display in the display area means; a plurality of moveable symbol display means for displaying a prize; and at least one controller means for causing movement of at least one of the plurality of moveable symbol display means.
The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:
provide a highly attractive and entertaining device for conducting games;
provide a highly attractive and entertaining device for displaying prizes;
the ability to attract more patrons to play a game;
the ability to encourage players to play longer on a gaming apparatus;
provide at least one attractive prize display;
utilize intermediate steps between the occurrence of the bonus event and the awarding of the bonus prize;
provide intermediate steps between the occurrence of the bonus event and the awarding of the bonus prize that involve player participation;
provide intermediate steps between the occurrence of the bonus event and the awarding of the bonus prize that involve an eye-catching display;
provide an additional element of anticipation and excitement for players
provide one or more immoveable display characters;
provide one or more moveable symbol displays for presenting game outcomes; and
provide one or more movable symbol displays which may be used to indicate one or more prizes to be awarded.
These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims and abstract.
The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Certain embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:
In the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As seen in
Gaming device 14 may include a value acceptor for accepting value from a player, such as a coin slot 16, card reader 18, or a voucher reader (not shown). In addition, a payout mechanism (not shown) and a coin receptacle 20 may be provided for awarding prizes or for dispensing value to players cashing out and retiring from a game. A printer (not shown) may also be provided for printing out cashless vouchers (not shown). A handle 22 and/or a button 24 may be provided for activating gaming device 14 to begin a game. A pay table (not shown) may further be provided to allow a player to see what symbol or combination of symbols provide one or more winning events. In at least one embodiment, gaming device 14 may be an S2000™ model gaming device manufactured by International Game Technology in Reno, Nev.
Gaming device 14 may include a gaming outcome display 28 that may be positioned in front of the gaming device 14 so that a player (not shown) playing the gaming device 14 can see the gaming outcome display 28. Gaming outcome display 28 may utilize physical game reels 30, 32, and 34. Game reels 30, 32, and 34 may be attached to a drive mechanism (not shown) of gaming device 14 to rotate the reels in a manner well known in the art. Each game reel 30, 32, and 34 may have a plurality of symbols 36 positioned on the circumference of each game reel 30, 32, and 34. Game reels 30, 32, and 34 may be positioned side-by-side with coincident axes of rotation and a portion of their individual circumferences may face outward from gaming device 14.
A panel 26 may cover game reels 30, 32, and 34 such that only a portion of their individual circumferences are shown to the player. At least one symbol from any of game reels 30, 32, and 34 may be used to display a game outcome. At least one pay line 38 may be provided for the player to use in determining a game outcome based on the symbol or a combination of symbols positioned thereon. In an alternative embodiment, gaming outcome display 28 utilizes a video display (not shown) displaying images of game reels and an image of at least one pay line. A video display may also display game symbols in many other formats and arrangements, such as playing cards.
Gaming apparatus 10 may include a display 12 configured to display at least one game and prize to a player. Display 12 may be configured to display a bonus game and at least one bonus prize to the player. In other embodiments, display 12 may provide a primary game. Alternatively, display 12 may be a stand-alone device allowing a player to place a wager and play a game.
In at least one embodiment, display 12 is attached to gaming device 14 and positioned on top of gaming device 14. In other embodiments (not shown), display 12 may be separate from gaming device 14 but in communication with gaming device 14. In another embodiment, display 12 may be in communication with a plurality of different gaming devices 14 via a computer network in a manner that is well known in the art. Display 12 may also be positioned adjacent to or remote from gaming device 14. In other embodiments, display 12 is a stand-alone display not in communication with gaming device 14, and it may be capable of independently accepting value and wagers, conducting games, and awarding prizes to a player.
With continued reference to
Display characters 43 may be configured to move vertically and may be located in housing 40 of display 12. Display characters 43 may be activated either by a controller 50 (
The appearance of display characters 43 may take on various forms and are typically designed according to a theme of a game. Display characters 43 are not limited to any particular method of construction. In certain embodiments, display characters 43 may be three-dimensional figures. Display characters 43 may represent any suitable image or figure, including, but not limited to, human-like figures, animal figures, cartoon figures, figures of inanimate objects and pointers.
In the example shown in
In at least one embodiment, each display character 43 may comprise at least one indicium 45 affixed thereon. Alternatively, only some of display characters 43 have indicia 45. Indicia 45 may be affixed, imprinted, engraved, or represented on display character 43 in various positions and in any manner known in the art. Indicia 45 may be in various forms, such as a prize amount, a multiplier, a description of merchandise or a service, a progressive prize or a jackpot prize. Indicium 45 may be used to indicate that a player has won a prize. If a display character 43 stops in a position so that indicium 45 is visible, the player may be awarded the prize indicated by the indicium 45 displayed on the character 43. In certain embodiments, indicium 45 is fully visible to the player when display character 43 is in its maximum moving range.
Referring now to
Primary game reel mechanism 52 may be configured to display at least one indicium 45 (
As further shown in
Speakers 56 may broadcast music to be heard by the player, and the music may be matched with choreographed movement of display characters 43. Housing lights 58 may be activated and may flash or blink, including in a manner that is synchronized with the music from speakers 56 and the movement of display characters 43. Housing lights 58 and speakers 56 together may create a festive and lively winning atmosphere to elicit interest and entertainment from both the player and adjacent patrons.
In at least one embodiment, when gaming apparatus 10 (
Referring now to
Each display character housing 62 may define one or more recesses, such as recesses 72, 74, and 76. Recesses 72, 74, and 76 may accommodate light sources 78, 80, and 82. Light sources 78, 80, and 82 may be incandescent, halogen, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent, or other light sources known in the art. The number and positions of recesses 72, 74, 76 and light sources 78, 80, 82 may vary and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
Display character housing 62 may be covered by display material (not shown) that may be designed to look like a hot dog or other desired design and that may have an indicium 45 (
Display mechanism 60 may further include a shaft 84 coupled to the display character housing 62 and a guide 85. Shaft 84 may be moveable within guide 85. Shaft 84 may be coupled to an arm 86. Arm 86 may be connected to an actuator 88, which drives shaft 84, display character housing 62, and display character 43. Arm 86 may be moveably coupled to shaft 84, and atm 86 may define an opening 87 that allows atm 86 to move relative to shaft 84 when actuator 88 drives shaft 84.
Actuator 88 may be a solenoid that may cause atm 86 to move shaft 84, display character housing 62, and display character 43 vertically. Accordingly, atm 86 may comprise a lever 90, a fulcrum 92, and a resistance arm 94. A support strut 93 may be attached to fulcrum 92 to add actuating power to actuator 88. Actuator 88 may be various forms of electro-mechanical or mechanical motors known in the art as well as pneumatic or hydraulic actuators known in the art. Actuator 88, arm 86, and shaft 84 may be oriented in various orientations so as to cause display character housing 62 to move in various directions, such as horizontal, zigzag, or diagonal directions, and actuator 88 may be configured to operate at various speeds and power patterns, such as gradual-fast-gradual or incremental-full range-incremental. The ability of actuator 88 to be flexible in the way it moves display character housing 62 may be desirable, especially when display characters 43 are configured to move in a choreographed manner.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In another embodiment, a wheel (not shown) may be attached to motor 154. The periphery of the wheel may have at least one notch detectable by a sensor (not shown) and used by the bonus game controller 141 or game controller 140 to monitor the position of display characters 43. The wheel and worm gear 152 may be rotated together by motor 154. The sensor may monitor the position of display character 43 by detecting the notch. Bonus game controller 141 or game controller 140 may further store information pertaining to a predetermined number of times the sensor has detected the notch and the corresponding position of display character 43. An optical interrupt (not shown) may be provided to reset the display character position information. The sensor may be an infrared source and detector. In alternative embodiments, the periphery of the wheel may comprise portions with different reflective characteristics, such as absorbent paint lines, instead of the notch of the wheel. Motors 180 (
Crank 204 may be rotatably connected to link 206. Link 206 may be connected to carriage 208. As actuator 202 rotates, crank 204 causes link 206 to move up and down. Because link 206 is connected to carriage 208, carriage 208 will also move up and down when actuator 202 is operational.
Carriage 208 is secured behind an opening 212 in front wall 210 of housing 40 (
As shown in
Encoder 234 may have a series of cutout sections 242. As carriage 208 moves, encoder 234 will move past sensor 236. In turn, cutouts 242 will be read by optical sensor 236. Sensor 236 may communicate this interruption to controller 240, which then knows the position of display character 43. A larger cutout section 244 may be included to communicate to controller 240 when carriage 208 is all the way up or all the way down.
It is understood that other actuating mechanisms and/or detection systems may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, an indexing motor, such as a stepper motor, may be used to control the position of display character 43. In other embodiments, a rack and pinion system could be used to move display character 43.
With reference back to
Gaming device 14 may also be capable, via game controller 140 or other control mechanism (not shown), of producing a bonus-activating event. This event may be many different types of events. For example, a bonus-activating event may comprise a game outcome such as displaying a particular symbol, e.g., a “bonus” symbol 46 (
A bonus game controller 141 may further be provided to detect when a bonus activating event occurs in gaming device 14. Game controller 140 may determine the outcome of each game, and when a bonus-activating outcome occurs, game controller 140 may transmit a signal to the bonus game controller 141. Alternatively, the bonus game controller 141 may periodically interrogate the game controller 140. The bonus game controller 141 and game controller 140 may be a single controller or separate controllers. One suitable controller is model GAM 2000, available from Eagle Engineering, Inc. of Pottstown, Pa.
The bonus prize may be determined by a random number generator (not shown) and a virtual pay table, such as the pay table described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,874 issued to Adams and hereby incorporated by reference. A simple pay table may also appear as follows:
For example, if the random number generator produced a result of 0.65, controller 50 (
The bonus selection process may be repeated for a pre-determined number of times to accumulate several bonus prizes that are added to form the total prize awarded to the game player. For example, the bonus game could be repeated three times to accumulate an award. The present invention is not limited to the example pay table shown. Furthermore, different kinds of bonus prizes may be awarded, such as progressive prizes, jackpot prizes, merchandise, prize multipliers, and additional games. Other effects may also be presented, such as pre-recorded sound from speakers 56 (
Referring now to
In at least one embodiment, the player is allowed to participate in stopping at least one display character 43, and the controller 50 is configured to stop the display character 43 at a pre-defined position. A typical embodiment may provide the player a feeling of control over the positioning of the display character 43. It is understood that regulatory issues may require that this feeling of control be illusionary. At step 324, the controller 50 causes display mechanism 60 to indicate an indicium 45 (
As illustrated in
Prize displays 404 may be fixed, such as being painted on display 402 or illuminated representations. Alternatively, prize displays 404 may be changeable and include LED meters, LED screens and LCD displays. If prize displays 404 are changeable, they may provide an extra element of player suspense and may provide an opportunity for the player to interact with the gaming apparatus 10 (
For example, if prize displays 404 are changeable, the indicia appearing on prize displays 404 may change during the time display characters 418 are in motion. The prize displays 404 may be choreographed to music or sounds in a similar manner to display characters 418. The suspense created by the game may be greater because players may be anticipating both what display character 418 will indicate their prize, and what prize will be indicated by the prize display 404.
In other embodiments, the player can be given control over either the prize displays 404 or the movement of display characters 418. For example, the player may be able to stop the movement of the display characters 418 by activating an input device 24 (
If the player is able to choose the exact position of display characters 418, a controller 50 (
In certain embodiments, an additional display area 520 may be included. Additional display area 520 may display other information that is relevant to the game or prizes. For example, display area 520 may display the value of a progressive jackpot or it may present instruction to the player on how to play the game.
Another embodiment is illustrated in
In operation, the indicia 612 on prize display 610 may change as the display characters 604 move, or it may be fixed. If the indicia 612 change, the changing indicia 612 may be choreographed in a manner similar to any choreography for display characters 604. If the indicia change, players may be allowed to choose a display character 604 to indicate a prize. The controller can then select appropriate indicia 612 to display on the selected display character 608 to correctly indicate the game outcome. Operation may be similar to previously described embodiments, including the availability of cumulative prizes, prizes and multiplies, and so forth. In at least one embodiment prize display 610 is only visible on display character 608 in an indicating position (such as hot dog 608 shown in an extended position in
In certain embodiments, more than one display character 608 can be used to indicate indicia 612. For example,
In contrast to the moveable display characters 43 shown in
Controllers that cause movement of moveable symbol displays 900 in
Input devices that allow some control by the player (see
The direction of movement of moveable symbol displays 900 may include horizontal, zigzag, diagonal or non-linear movements; however, movement is generally in a linear fashion (for example, substantially in a straight line) and typically in a vertical (up and down) fashion. The moveable symbol displays 900 are shown in the “up” or visible position in
In at least one embodiment, each moveable symbol display 900 may comprise at least one symbol thereon. The symbols may be affixed, imprinted, engraved or represented on moveable display 900 in various positions and in any manner known in the art. Typically the symbols are provided by one or more of a display system selected from the group consisting of light emitting diode displays, liquid crystal displays or cathode ray tubes. Use of the latter systems allows for the symbols on each individual moveable symbol display 900 to be changed during the course of a game and provide enhanced anticipation and interest from the game player. Alternatively, the symbol may be permanently fixed to moveable symbol display 900, as previously discussed.
Symbols may be in various forms, such as a prize amount, a multiplier, a description of merchandise or a service, a progressive prize or a jackpot prize. Each symbol may represent a possible game outcome or prize. For example, the symbol may be $0, in which case no prize is awarded and the player must play again. Symbol values may include possible prizes such as, for example, tickets or vouchers for sporting or theater events, vacation trips, extra games plays, services, goods and other items.
In one typical form of game play, the ten moveable symbol displays 900 shown in
It can thus be realized that certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a highly attractive and entertaining device for conducting games and for displaying prizes. Certain embodiments of the present invention may have the ability to attract more patrons to play a game and the ability to encourage players to play longer on a gaming apparatus. Certain embodiments may provide at least one attractive prize display. Certain embodiments may utilize intermediate steps between the occurrence of the bonus event and the awarding of the bonus prize. Certain embodiments may provide intermediate steps between the occurrence of the bonus event and the awarding of the bonus prize that involve player participation. Certain embodiments may provide intermediate steps between the occurrence of the bonus event and the awarding of the bonus prize that involve an eye-catching display. Certain embodiments may further provide an additional element of anticipation and excitement for players.
Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than solely by the examples given.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/239,784, filed on Sep. 29, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/810,175, filed on Mar. 26, 2004 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/616,438, filed on Oct. 4, 2004. The above referenced applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60616438 | Oct 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11239784 | Sep 2005 | US |
| Child | 12770542 | US |
