Patent Grant
6932701
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device including a plurality of selection groups with win-group outcomes.
Current gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, video blackjack machines and video keno machines, have bonus schemes wherein players are able to receive various awards associated with various events in a bonus game. For example, a player may receive a relatively high bonus value for selecting a certain symbol and a relatively low bonus value for selecting another symbol. The gaming device processor generates the outcomes for the player, such as bonus value outcomes and game termination outcomes
There are no known gaming devices which include a bonus scheme having a plurality of selection groups with win-group outcomes which provide a player with a plurality of bonus values in a group after a player selects a predetermined symbol in that group, which enables a player to only select one symbol in each group, which includes terminators in one or more of the groups, and wherein the player advances from group to group to gain bonus values and obtain an additional or supplemental award for advancing through each group without selecting a terminator. To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with gaming devices having new bonus schemes.
One embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention provides a bonus game including a plurality of groups of symbols displayed to a player. Each group of symbols includes a plurality of selectable symbols or selections. Predetermined or preferably randomly determined outcomes are associated with each of the selectable symbols. In one embodiment, the gaming device processor operates in accordance with a predetermined program to generate predetermined outcomes and associate the outcomes with the symbols either at the beginning of the bonus game or each time a player selects a symbol.
The potential outcomes associated with the symbols in one preferred embodiment include bonus value outcomes, group-win outcomes and termination outcomes. On one preferred embodiment, the player is only allowed to pick one symbol in each group. If a player picks a symbol in a group having a bonus value outcome, the gaming device provides the player with a predetermined bonus value of that outcome and preferably displays this bonus value to the player in place of the selected symbol. The win-group outcome corresponds to or is associated with a plurality of the bonus value outcomes. In one embodiment, the bonus value outcomes which correspond to the win-group outcome are all associated with symbols in the same group. Thus, if a player picks a symbol having a win-group outcome in a particular group, the gaming device provides the player with a plurality of the bonus values outcomes associated with the win-group outcome. For example, a group may have five symbols including four value outcomes and one win-group outcome. If the player picks the symbol associated with the win-group outcome, the gaming device may provide the player with the four values associated with the other symbols.
In one embodiment, the win-group outcome in a group is associated with all of the bonus value outcomes in that group. As such, when a player reaches a win-group outcome, the player receives all of the bonus values resulting from all of the bonus value outcomes in that group. Here, the win-group outcome functions as a win-all outcome, awarding a player with all of the bonus values available in a group. In the previous example, in this embodiment when the player chose the symbol associated with the win-group outcome, the gaming device provides the player with all four of the values associated with the symbols.
It should be understood that the win-group outcome is associated with a plurality of bonus value outcomes which are available to the player. In one alternative embodiment where the player may select more than one symbol in a group, after a player has picked a symbol and received the associated bonus value, the gaming device again makes this bonus value available to the player if the player picks a symbol in that group which is associated with a win-group outcome. In another alternative of this embodiment, once a player picks a symbol associated with a bonus value, the gaming device makes this bonus value unavailable to the player even if the player later picks a symbol in that group which is associated with a win-group outcome. In this embodiment, the win-group outcome functions as a win-remaining outcome because the player only receives values associated with symbols which the player has not already picked.
In the preferred embodiment where the player can make only one selection in each group, when a player reaches a win-group outcome, the processor requires the player to make his/her next selection from a different selection group. This process continues until the player advances through the groups while avoiding termination outcomes. In the preferred embodiment, if the player advances through the last group, the player receives a predetermined or randomly determined additional or supplemental bonus award or achievement bonus value. The bonus game terminates when the player picks a symbol with a terminating condition in any group or if the player receives the achievement bonus value. In one preferred embodiment, the achievement bonus value is relatively higher than any bonus value generated in the selection groups and also higher than the combined bonus values associated with the win-group outcomes.
In another embodiment of the present, the bonus scheme includes one or more separate move outcomes associated with the symbols in each group. If at any time a player obtains a move outcome in one group, the processor requires the player to make his/her next selection from a different group. In this embodiment, every group does not have to have a win-group outcome or a termination outcome associated with a selectable symbol in that group. This alternative embodiment can also include move outcomes which require the player to revisit certain selection groups. For example, a player may advance to a predetermined group, select a symbol and receive a downward move outcome in that group. The player could then be required to make his/her next selection from a predetermined selection group located below the selected symbol's group.
In one further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bonus scheme includes win-group outcomes which do not advance the player to different groups. Here, when a win-group outcome occurs, the player receives all of the bonus values in the selected symbol's group and the bonus game then terminates. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the processor does not reveal bonus values during the bonus game until the player reaches a win-group outcome or a termination outcome.
In another alternative embodiment, the present invention does not include a termination outcome associated with any of the selectable symbols in the selection groups. In this embodiment, the bonus game terminates when a predetermined termination condition occurs, such as the player making a predetermined number of selections of symbols or the player winning a predetermined bonus value amount.
It should be appreciated that when a player reaches a win-group outcome, the processor does not have to display a win-group symbol. Instead, the processor can merely display the various bonus values associated with the win-group outcome. Accordingly, it should be understood that it is preferable, though not necessary, that all of the various outcomes are indicated by various predetermined outcome symbols.
In one embodiment, outcome symbols are used to indicate all of the outcomes. Here, the gaming device's memory stores a plurality of bonus values, win-group symbols and termination symbols. The processor uses a predetermined program to associate the bonus values, the win-group symbols and the termination symbols with the selectable symbols. When the player selects a symbol, the processor reveals, unmasks or otherwise displays the outcome symbol which is associated with the selected symbol.
The gaming device of the present invention, in one embodiment, includes a bonus game which presents a plurality of award groups or selection groups to a player. Bonus value outcomes, group-win outcomes and termination outcomes are associated with the selectable symbols. The processor enables the player to select one symbol in each of the groups, and depending upon which symbol the player selects, the player may reach a bonus value outcome, a win-group outcome or a termination outcome. The player can accumulate bonus values by reaching bonus value outcomes and win-group outcomes while avoiding termination outcomes. When the player reaches a win-group outcome in a group, the player obtains all of the bonus values generated in that group, and the processor requires the player to make his/her next selection from a different group. The player is provided a achievement award if the player does not select any symbols in any group having a termination outcome. This type of gaming device increases the excitement and enjoyment experienced by gaming device players.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device having a bonus scheme including a plurality of selection groups with win-group outcomes and additional bonus values.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device with a bonus game which enables a player to pick symbols from different selection groups with the possibility of reaching an outcome which provides the player with all of the bonus values available in that group.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, or in like numerals referred to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.
Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any primary game such as slot, poker, blackjack or keno, any of their bonus triggering events and any of their bonus games. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical or video form.
As illustrated in
As shown in
A player may “cash out” and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player “cashes out,” the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28. The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.
Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in
Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia or symbols such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”). The processor may include a sub-processor for controlling certain functions of the gaming device. Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside on each gaming device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 38 and memory device 40 is generally referred to herein as the “computer” or “controller.”
With reference to
In addition to winning credits in this manner, preferably gaming device 10 also gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. This type of gaming device 10 will include a program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on a display device. The gaming device 10 preferably uses a video-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play the bonus round. Preferably, the qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality of reels 34. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in
With reference to
One preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
In one example game of this embodiment, as illustrated in
This result is further illustrated in
It should be appreciated that in the embodiment illustrated in
A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
In any case, if a termination outcome is associated with the selected symbol 110, the bonus game terminates, as indicated by diamond 112 and block 114. Preferably, the gaming device indicates the termination outcome to the player with a terminator symbol 116a, as illustrated in FIG. 6. It should be appreciated that a consolation award could be provided to the player in association with a termination outcome. If a bonus value outcome is associated with the selected symbol 110, the processor provides the player with a predetermined bonus value, as indicated by diamond 118 and block 120. As illustrated in
If a win-group outcome is associated with a symbol selected by the player, the processor provides the player with the bonus value outcomes associated with the win-group outcome, as indicated by block 124 and block 126. Preferably, the bonus value outcomes which are associated with the win-group outcome include all of the bonus value outcomes in the selected symbol's group. It is also preferable that the gaming device indicates the win-group outcome to the player with a win-group symbol 128a, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In addition, it is preferable that the gaming device indicates the associated bonus value outcomes with bonus values 130a to 130d.
With reference to
With reference to
It should be appreciated that when a player obtains a win-group outcome, in various embodiments the gaming device may provide various values associated with various symbols in a group. In one example, as illustrated in
In another example, a player may select the far left symbol in group 100a and receive value 130a. The player may then select the second symbol from the left in group 100a and receive value 130b. When the player selects symbol 110 and obtains the win-group outcome, the gaming device may provide the player only with values 130c and 130d, or the gaming device may provide the player with values 130a and 130b again, in addition to values 130c and 130d.
In another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
In an example bonus game of this embodiment,
The processor enables the player to select his/her next symbol (not shown) in group 140d. This selection results in a win-group outcome which is indicated by win-group symbol 148a in place of the selected symbol. The player then receives all of the bonus values in group 140d. Next, the processor enables the player to select a symbol (not shown) in group 140e. The player's selection results in a termination outcome which is indicated by terminator symbol 146a displayed in place of the selected symbol. The bonus game then terminates and the player receives a payout equal to all of the bonus values gained.
It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, every group does not have to have a win-group outcome or a termination outcome associated with a selectable symbol in that group. For example, group 140c does not include any win-group outcomes or termination outcomes associated with any symbols in that group. This embodiment can also include move outcomes which require the player to revisit certain selection groups. For example, a player may advance to a predetermined group, select a symbol and receive a downward move outcome in that group. This type of move outcome could be indicated by a downwardly pointing move symbol (not shown). The player could then be required to make his/her next selection from a predetermined selection group located below the selected symbol's group.
It should be appreciated that the selection groups in the present invention can have any form, shape or configuration, as illustrated in
In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bonus scheme includes win-group outcomes which do not advance the player to different groups. Here, when a player reaches a win-group outcome, the player receives all of the bonus values in the selected symbol's group, and the bonus game then terminates. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the processor does not reveal bonus values during the bonus game until the player reaches a win-group outcome or a termination outcome.
In another alternative embodiment, the present invention does not include a termination outcome associated with any of the selectable symbols in the selection groups. In this embodiment, the bonus game terminates when a predetermined termination condition occurs. The termination condition can be the player having made a predetermined number of selections or the player having received a predetermined bonus value amount. In this embodiment, the termination condition can apply to individual selection groups or to the entire bonus game. For example, the gaming device may terminate the bonus game if the player does not advance to a new selection group after making one selection in any single group.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the win-group outcome is associated with a plurality of bonus values in a group but not all of the bonus values in that group. For example, in a selection group with six selectable symbols, four symbols in the group are each associated with a bonus value, one symbol is associated with a win-group outcome and one symbol is associated with a termination outcome. When a player selects the symbol associated with the win-group outcome, the player receives only two of the four bonus values in this selection group. Then the player advances to a different selection group to continue playing the bonus game.
The gaming device of the present invention accordingly provides a bonus game which enables a player to select symbols from a plurality of selection groups. In one embodiment, depending upon which symbol the player selects, the player may reach a bonus value outcome, a win-group outcome or a termination outcome which is associated with the selected symbols. If the player reaches a win-group outcome, the player wins all of the bonus value outcomes associated with all of the symbols in the selected symbol's group. Then the player advances to a different selection group and the process repeats itself. If the player advances beyond the final selection group without reaching a termination outcome, the player receives a predetermined achievement bonus value.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claim. It is thus to be understood that modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of this invention as defined in the claims and that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.
This application claims priority of and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/656,702, filed on Sep. 7, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,995, entitled “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUPS.” This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUPS,” Ser. No. 09/656,702, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE AWARD ENHANCING LEVELS,” Ser. No. 09/626,720, “GAMING DEVICE WITH PRIZE BONUS SCHEME HAVING MULTIPLE AWARD LEVELS,” Ser. No. 09/602,140, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUP BONUS ROUND,” Ser. No. 09/605,107, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTIPLE SCREEN BONUS ROUND,” Ser. No. 09/629,235, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING DIRECTIONAL BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/679,499, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN AWARD THROUGH AWARD ELIMINATION OR REPLACEMENT,” Ser. No. 09/686,283, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN AWARD EXCHANGE BONUS ROUND AND METHOD FOR REVEALING AWARD EXCHANGE POSSIBILITIES,” Ser. No. 09/689,510, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTI-ROUND BONUS SCHEME WHEREIN EACH ROUND HAS A PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS,” Ser. No. 09/688,441, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE CHOICE LARGE AWARD BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/686,284, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTIPLE SELECTION SET BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/680,592, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING RELATED MULTI-GAME BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/688,972, “GAMING DEVICE WITH A BONUS SCHEME HAVING REPEATED SELECTION OF VALUE SETS WITH OPTION TO SAVE VALUES,” Ser. No. 09/684,533, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTIPLE SELECTION AND AWARD DISTRIBUTION BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/688,635, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN ELEMENT AND ELEMENT GROUP SELECTION AND ELIMINATION BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/689,381, and “GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/680,630.
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| Child | 09981084 | US |
