Patent Grant
7914373
This application relates to the following co-pending commonly owned patent applications: “Gaming Device Having a Bonus Scheme With Alternative Ending Sequences,” Ser. No. 10/160,687; “Gaming Device Having Player Selectable Award Digits And Award Modification Options,” Ser. No. 09/934,003; “Gaming Device having Player-Selectable Award Digits And Award Modification Options,” Ser. No. 10/660,281; and “Gaming Device Having Award Modification Options For Player Selectable Award Digits,” Ser. No. 11/626,632.
The present disclosure relates to a gaming device having a game with a moving digit outcome.
Gaming devices provide enjoyment and excitement to players, in part, because they may ultimately lead to monetary awards for the players. Gaming devices also provide enjoyment and excitement to players because they are fun to play. Bonus games, in particular, provide gaming device manufacturers with the opportunity to add enjoyment and excitement to that which is already expected from a base game of the gaming device. Bonus games provide extra awards to the player and enable the player to play a game that is different than the base game.
Gaming devices are typically games of luck, not skill. They are configured to pay back on average a certain percentage of the amount of money wagered. The average payout percentage in most wagering games is set high enough that any player who plays a few hands or spins of the reels obtains one or more winning outcomes. That is, in most wagering games it is not too difficult to experience some level of success.
Bonus games are typically configured for the player to succeed and are factored into the overall paytable of the wagering game accordingly. The player usually wins an award in a bonus game. In bonus game play, the goal is often to maximize the possible award. Winning, at least on some level, is therefore a standard component in gaming devices.
A continuing need therefore exists to provide gaming devices that issue awards in different manners which are exciting and enjoyable manner. In that respect, it is desirable to enable the player to have an impact on, or a hand in, determining their award. It is further desirable to have an increased level of player interaction. Furthermore, it is desirable to build suspense during a player interactive game, for example, to provide a game in which the player wishes for a certain result while interacting with the game.
Each of the above features is desirable in a primary or base wagering game or a secondary or bonus game. Accordingly, a need exists for the further development of games having the above-described features and advantages.
The present disclosure provides a game that can be played as a stand-alone wagering game or as a bonus game. In one embodiment, the game includes a plurality of masked selections and enables the player to sequentially pick a plurality of these masked selections. The picked selections each yield a number or a terminator. If a number is revealed, the number is placed in a position or digit of an outcome or award. If the position is already occupied by another number, that number is moved to or slid to a new position. In one embodiment, that number is slid or shifted to the next highest order digit, for example, from the one's digit to the ten's digit. In this way, the player's outcome or award changes after each pick of a selection until a terminator is selected. Eventually, the player picks a terminator and is provided an award that is based on the numbers or order of the numbers in the positions. In one example, the outcome or award is an overall amount formed by the constituent numbers and their associated digits, places or positions.
In one embodiment, two positions or digits are provided and the digit area is initially unoccupied. If the player picks a first selection that reveals a number, that first number is placed in the one's digit place or position. If the player picks a second selection that reveals a number, that second number is placed in the one's digit place or position and the first number is moved, slid or shifted to the ten's digit place. If the player picks a third selection that reveals a number, that third number is placed in the one's digit place or position, the first number is moved, slid or shifted to the one hundred's digit place and the second number is moved, slid or shifted to the ten's digit place. If the player picks a fourth selection that reveals a number, that fourth number is placed in the one's digit place or position, the second number is moved, slid or shifted to the one hundred's digit place and the third number is moved, slid or shifted to the ten's digit place. The first number is shifted or moved off of or eliminated from the positions or digits. While three digit places or positions provides an entertaining and manageable game, the present disclosure is expressly not limited to three digit places and can instead employ any suitable number of digit places.
When the player ultimately picks a terminator, the player is provided an award or outcome based on the numbers or order of numbers remaining or residing currently in the positions or digit places. In one embodiment, the award or outcome is or is determined by the ordered numbers in the positions or digit places. For example, if the number five is in the one hundred's digit place, the number three is in the ten's digit place and the number nine is in the one's digit place, the player's award or outcome is 539. In alternative embodiments, the number 539 is further modified such as multiplied by a multiplier, before it is provided to the player.
In an alternative embodiment, the numbers are not automatically placed in the one's digit place. The numbers may alternatively be placed in a higher order digit place. To that end, the numbers may be displayed with or otherwise associated with a directional indicator that indicates the direction of the movement or shifting of the numbers residing currently in the positions. For example, a number may be displayed in association with a right facing arrow, which indicates that the number is to be placed in one of the positions so as to displace a current number or numbers to the right. If the three positions of a three digit number are filled currently, the right facing arrow number is placed in the one hundred's digit place and the other numbers are each shifted to the right, decreasing by an order. Here, the one's digit place is moved off of the positions.
The game in an embodiment provides a consolation award in a situation where the player chooses a terminator early in the game such as on the first or second selections. The consolation can be of any suitable type, such as a multiplier, a number of credits, a retry or redo, a non-monetary award, a number of base game plays or spins (if the present game is a bonus game) and the like. It should also be appreciated that the gaming device may pick or provide one, more or all of the numbers.
In another embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality levels wherein each level includes a multi-digit number. In one embodiment, a number that is eliminated from a multi-digit number of one level may be added to another multi-digit number of another level. In another embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to lock one or more numbers into a digit place for each of the multi-digit numbers for each a plurality of different levels.
When the game ends, the gaming device provides the player the determined award or outcome. If the game of the present disclosure is employed as a base or stand-alone game, the player has the opportunity to place another wager and play the game again. If the game of the present disclosure is employed as a bonus game of a stand-alone game, the player returns to and can thereafter continue to play the base game.
It is therefore an advantage of the present disclosure to provide a fun and exciting bonus game for a base game such as slot, poker, keno or other type of wagering games.
Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a bonus game having a fun and exciting display.
A further advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a game having multiple player inputs.
Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a game in which the player can hope to receive a terminator at one or more points during the game.
A further advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a game having an outcome determined by sliding or shifting digits.
Further still, it is an advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a wagering game in which the player may root for different results at different points or times in the game.
A further advantage of the present disclosure to provide a game that is relatively easy to understand and visualize.
Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.
Referring now to the drawings, two alternative embodiments of the gaming device are illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating data described above can be stored in a detachable or removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM, DVD or USB memory device. A player can use such a removable memory device in a desktop, a laptop personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other computerized platform. The processor and memory device may be collectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”
In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based on probability data. That is, each award or other game outcome is associated with a probability and the gaming device generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to the player based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation, there is no certainty that the gaming device will ever provide the player with any specific award or other game outcome. Such random determination could be provided through utilization of a random number generator (RNG) or other suitable randomization process.
In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device removes the provided award or other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removed from the set or pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome cannot be provided to the player again. This type of gaming device provides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses. In another embodiment, upon a player initiating game play at the gaming device, the gaming device enrolls in a bingo game. In this embodiment, a bingo server calls the bingo balls that result in a specific game outcome. The resultant game outcome is communicated to the individual gaming device to be provided to a player.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LED), a display based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display including a projected and/or reflected image or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle.
The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements and the like.
In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the display device may include any electromechanical device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.
As illustrated in
As seen in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38. The player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive other payout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips redeemable by a cashier or funding to the player's electronically recordable identification card.
In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in
The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad.
In one embodiment, as seen in
In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or base game. The gaming machine or device may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form which produces a random outcome based on probability data upon activation from a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video Keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game wherein the gaming device enables the player to play a conventional game of video poker and initially deals five cards all face up from a virtual deck of fifty-two card deck. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, may also include that the cards are randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one or more input device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via the touch screen. The player then presses the deal button and the unwanted or discarded cards are removed from the display and the gaming machine deals the replacement cards from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final five-card hand. The gaming device compares the final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. The gaming device provides the player with an award based on a winning hand and the credits the player wagered.
In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the gaming device deals the player at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayed and for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards are provided to the player.
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein the gaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers on at least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the player selects at least one and preferable a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers via an input device or via the touch screen. The gaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers to determine an amount of matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and the gaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award based on the amount of matches, if any, based on the amount of determined matches.
In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables the player to obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primary game because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the base or primary game.
In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type of suitable game, either similar to or completely different from the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a triggering event or qualifying condition in the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in the primary slot game embodiment seen in
In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation through continued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulated in a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or entries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic or geometric increase in the number of bonus wagering credits awarded. In one embodiment, the player may redeem extra bonus wagering credits during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.
In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game need be employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a bonus game, rather they must win or earn entry through play of the primary game thus, encouraging play of the primary game. In another embodiment, qualification of the bonus or secondary game could be accomplished through a simple “buy in” by the player if, for example, the player has been unsuccessful at qualifying through other specified activities.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller.
In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming device.
In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such a free games.
The central server or controller communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller and communicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.
In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome value is determined for each of a plurality of linked or networked gaming devices based on the results of a bingo or keno game. In this embodiment, each individual gaming device utilizes one or more bingo or keno games to determine the predetermined game outcome value provided to the player for the interactive game played at that gaming device. In one embodiment, the bingo or keno game is displayed to the player. In another embodiment, the bingo or keno game is not displayed to the player, but the results of the bingo or keno game determine the predetermined game outcome value for the interactive game.
In the various bingo embodiments, as each gaming device is enrolled in the bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or engaging an input device, the enrolled gaming device is provided or associated with a different bingo card. Each bingo card consists of a matrix or array of elements, wherein each element is designated with a separate indicia, such as a number. It should be appreciated that each different bingo card includes a different combination of elements. For example, if four bingo cards are provided to four enrolled gaming devices, the same element may be present on all four of the bingo cards while another element may solely be present on one of the bingo cards.
In operation of these embodiments, upon providing or associating a different bingo card to each of a plurality of enrolled gaming devices, the central controller randomly selects or draws, one at a time, a plurality of the elements. As each element is selected, a determination is made for each gaming device as to whether the selected element is present on the bingo card provided to that enrolled gaming device. This determination can be made by the central controller, the gaming device, a combination of the two, or in any other suitable manner. If the selected element is present on the bingo card provided to that enrolled gaming device, that selected element on the provided bingo card is marked or flagged. This process of selecting elements and marking any selected elements on the provided bingo cards continues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more of the provided bingo cards. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the gaming device requires the player to engage a “daub” button (not shown) to initiate the process of the gaming device marking or flagging any selected elements.
After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more of the provided bingo cards, a game outcome is determined for each of the enrolled gaming devices based, at least in part, on the selected elements on the provided bingo cards. As described above, the game outcome determined for each gaming device enrolled in the bingo game is utilized by that gaming device to determine the predetermined game outcome provided to the player. For example, a first gaming device to have selected elements marked in a predetermined pattern is provided a first outcome of win $10 which will be provided to a first player regardless of how the first player plays in a first game and a second gaming device to have selected elements marked in a different predetermined pattern is provided a second outcome of win $2 which will be provided to a second player regardless of how the second player plays a second game. It should be appreciated that as the process of marking selected elements continues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked, this embodiment insures that at least one bingo card will win the bingo game and thus at least one enrolled gaming device will provide a predetermined winning game outcome to a player. It should be appreciated that other suitable methods for selecting or determining one or more predetermined game outcomes may be employed.
In one example of the above-described embodiment, the predetermined game outcome may be based on a supplemental award in addition to any award provided for winning the bingo game as described above. In this embodiment, if one or more elements are marked in supplemental patterns within a designated number of drawn elements, a supplemental or intermittent award or value associated with the marked supplemental pattern is provided to the player as part of the predetermined game outcome. For example, if the four corners of a bingo card are marked within the first twenty selected elements, a supplemental award of $10 is provided to the player as part of the predetermined game outcome. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, the player of a gaming device may be provided a supplemental or intermittent award regardless of if the enrolled gaming device's provided bingo card wins or does not win the bingo game as described above.
In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices are in communication with a central server or controller for monitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the central server or controller monitors the activities and events occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casino transactions.
A plurality of the gaming devices are capable of being connected together through a data network. In one embodiment, the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are in communication with at least one off-site central server or controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. The WAN gaming system may be substantially identical to the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of gaming devices in each system may vary relative to each other.
In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller (the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or other data transmission line, digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players may access an internet game page from any location where an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitator are available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and speed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. It should be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communications may render such technology suitable for some or all communications, particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and interaction with the player.
In another embodiment, as described above, one or more gaming devices are in communication with a central server or controller. The central server or controller may be any suitable server or computing device which includes at least one processor and a memory or storage device. In alternative embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or another gaming machine in the gaming system. In one embodiment, the memory device stores different game programs and instructions, executable by a gaming device processor, to control the gaming device. Each executable game program represents a different game or type of game which may be played on one or more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. Such different games may include the same or substantially the same game play with different pay tables. In different embodiments, the executable game program is for a primary game, a secondary game or both. In another embodiment, the game program may be executable as a secondary game to be played simultaneous with the play of a primary game (which may be downloaded to or fixed on the gaming device) or vice versa.
In this embodiment, each gaming device at least includes one or more display devices and/or one or more input devices for interaction with a player. A local processor, such as the above-described gaming device processor or a processor of a local server, is operable with the display device(s) and/or the input device(s) of one or more of the gaming devices.
In operation, the central controller is operable to communicate one or more of the stored game programs to at least one local processor. In different embodiments, the stored game programs are communicated or delivered by embedding the communicated game program in a device or a component (e.g., a “chip” to be inserted in a gaming device), writing the game program on a disc or other media, downloading or streaming the game program over a dedicated data network, internet or a telephone line. After the stored game programs are communicated from the central server, the local processor executes the communicated program to facilitate play of the communicated program by a player through the display device(s) and/or input device(s) of the gaming device. That is, when a game program is communicated to a local processor, the local processor changes the game or type of game played at the gaming device.
In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or more gaming sites may be networked to a central server in a progressive configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager to initiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondary event awards. In one embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites for providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system. In one embodiment, a host site computer may serve gaming devices distributed throughout a number of properties at different geographical locations including, for example, different locations within a city or different cities within a state.
In one embodiment, the host site computer is maintained for the overall operation and control of the system. In this embodiment, a host site computer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the master for computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sites report to, and receive information from, the host site computer. Each central server computer is responsible for all data communication between the gaming device hardware and software and the host site computer. In one embodiment, an individual gaming machine may trigger a progressive win, for example through a game play event such as a symbol-driven trigger. In one embodiment, the central server or other central controller determines when a progressive win is triggered. In one embodiment, a central controller and an individual gaming machine work in conjunction with each other to determine when a progressive win is triggered, for example through an individual gaming machine meeting a predetermined requirement established by the central controller.
Referring now to
Upon starting or triggering the game as indicated by oval 72, gaming device 10 displays or provides a plurality of masked selections to the player as indicated by block 74. The gaming device also displays a plurality of positions into which numbers (or other suitable symbols, such as playing cards) selected by the player are placed. The selections and positions or digit places may be displayed on the same display or on different displays. The selections are displayed in an embodiment with touch screen 42 and touch screen controller 44. Here, the player picks a masked selection by simply touching the selection. In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device employs electromechanical input devices 30. In that case, the player presses a button corresponding to a desired masked selection, and the display devices 16 or 18 reveals the selection. Examples of the selections and the positions or digits are shown and described in detail below.
Display devices 16 or 18 and/or speakers 50 provide an audio, visual or audiovisual prompt to the player to pick one of the selections as indicated by block 76. The processor 12 of gaming device 10 then receives a signal corresponding to the player's pick of one of the selections as also indicated by block 76.
After the player picks one of the selections, gaming device 10 determines if the picked selection reveals a terminator, as indicated by diamond 78. If the selection chosen reveals a terminator, gaming device 10 provides the player an award or outcome based on any numbers residing currently in the positions or digits as indicated by block 80. In different embodiments, the number of terminators associated with the selections is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method.
In certain instances, gaming device 10 provides a consolation prize or award to the player as also seen in connection with block 80. For example, if three positions or digit places are provided, and the player fills only one or two of the positions, gaming device 10 may provide a consolation award or outcome to the player. Alternatively, if the player's ultimate award is below a threshold or designated value, gaming device 10 can provide a consolation award. In a further alternative embodiment, the consolation or additional bonus is provided based on which selection has yielded terminator as determined in connection with diamond 78. In another implementation, the player wins an additional outcome or award if the player picks each of the selections masking numbers, as determined in connection with diamond 90.
The consolation or additional bonus pay can have any suitable form, such as a multiplier, a number of credits, a retry, a non-monetary value or award, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, if the player receives a terminator on the first pick of a selection, gaming device 10 provides the player a re-pick or retry to pick a different selection. Gaming device 10 may re-shuffle or re-randomize the marked selections in such case, so that the terminator picked initially is placed back into the pool of outcomes. In one alternative embodiment, one or more of the digit positions have starting values or numbers which are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In one embodiment, the game is scripted such that one or more designated numbers will be revealed to the player in a specific order, regardless of which selections the player picks.
If the pick of a selection does not yield a terminator, as determined in connection with diamond 78, the picked selection reveals a number instead. Gaming device 10 places that number in one of the positions or digit places as indicated by block 84. As shown below, in one embodiment gaming device 10 places the newly revealed number in the one's digit place and shifts any existing numbers one digit to the left, or an one order of magnitude higher. In alternative embodiments, gaming device 10 places the newly revealed number in a left most or highest order position or digit place. Further alternatively, gaming device 10 places the newly revealed number in an intermediate or middle position or digit place. It should also be appreciated that the amount or number of shifts can vary in alternative embodiments.
In one embodiment, the newly placed number shifts or moves at least one existing number if it exists. That is, the newly revealed number is placed in a position that is currently occupied by a number if at least one other number has already been generated. As illustrated below, in one embodiment the position or digits are initially empty. In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the positions can be initially occupied by a desired number, for example, the number one or five. In another embodiment, each revealed number is associated with a designated digit place and the gaming device places the revealed number in the designated digit place associated with the revealed number. In this embodiment, if another number previously occupies the designated digit place, the other number is shifted or moved as described above. In another embodiment, one or more picked selections are each associated with a designated digit place. In this embodiment, each revealed number is positioned or placed in the digit place associated with the picked selection. In different embodiments, the designated digit place for each selection is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on the number of digits in the award, determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method.
As indicated by block 86, the placement of the newly revealed number moves each of one or more already existing numbers to a new position. If each of the positions or digits is occupied with a number prior to the generation of a new number, one of the numbers is removed from or shifted off of the positions. For example, if each of three positions or digits is filled and the player generates a new number, gaming device in one embodiment places that new number in the one's position and each of the existing numbers shifts to the left one order or magnitude higher, so that the number previously occupying the one hundred's digit is removed or moved off of the positions, as indicated by block 88.
The gaming device may determine whether the selections remaining for the player to pick conceal only terminators, as determined in connection with diamond 90. If at least one selection masking or concealing a number remains, sequence 70 enables the player to pick another selection, as indicated by block 76. The sequence between block 76 and diamond 90 is repeated until the player picks a selection that reveals a terminator, as determined in connection with diamond 78, or until the player picks each of the selections that reveal a number, as determined in connection with diamond 90. When either of those conditions occurs, the gaming device provides an outcome or award to the player and potentially an associated bonus or retry, as indicated by block 80.
After the gaming device provides an outcome or award due the player, the game ends as indicated in connection with oval 82. If the game of the present disclosure is a base game, the player has the opportunity to wager another wagerable amount and to play the game again or cash out any credits and discontinue gaming. If the game of the present disclosure is a bonus game, game play returns to that of the associated base game, and gaming device 10 enables the player to wager any credits from sequence 70.
In one embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick selections until a terminator is revealed. In another embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick selections until a plurality of terminators are revealed. In different embodiments, the number of terminators which must be revealed before causing a terminating event are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In another embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick selections until a designated number of selections are picked or until a terminator is revealed. In different embodiments, the designated number of selections are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In another embodiment, the player must place a wager for one, more or each selection picked by the player.
Referring now to
Display device 16 or 18 in
Gaming device 10 also displays a plurality of selections 102a to 102l. Selections 102 mask or conceal outcomes. In the embodiments illustrated herein, the outcomes include numbers or terminators. In an alternative embodiment, the terminator can also be associated with an additional award or consolation.
The display device 16 or 18 in
In the example illustrated below, the twelve selections 102a to 102l conceal the numbers zero through nine and two terminators. It should be appreciated that one or more of the numbers zero to nine may not be provided. Further, any one or more of the numbers zero to nine may be repeated or used more than once. Further, it is possible to provide multiple digit numbers, in which case the multiple digit number consumes or occupies a plurality of the positions 100 or digits 100. Also, the multiple digit numbers have the ability to move a plurality of the numbers simultaneously or shift a plurality of the numbers off of positions 100. In one embodiment, multiple digit numbers occupy a single position or digit. For example, in this embodiment, a previous three-digit award is converted or changed to a four-digit award if a multi-digit number is associated with a picked selection. It should be appreciated that other suitable outcomes could be associated with the selections.
Based on the prompt 104 in
In
As illustrated in
Prompt 104 in
Prompt 104 in
The player's selection in
Prompt 104 in
The outcome shown in
Prompt 104 in
In an alternative embodiment the present disclosure provides an automatic or processor initiated generation of one or more or all of the selections or one or more or all of the digits. That is, the player does not have to pick the selections, although player interaction is desirable. Instead, gaming device 10 or a processor operable with the gaming device generates the selections or the numbers without associating the numbers with the selections randomly. In such case, one or more numbers or selections may be weighted to be generated more or less often than at least one other selection or number. It should also be appreciated that the selections may be weighted by providing more of one number associated with a plurality of selections than another number. In another embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick digit places or positions and the gaming device generates one or more numbers to place in the player picked digit place.
In
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Indicator 110 may be directly associated with the generated number as illustrated or be generated elsewhere on display device 16 or 18 or elsewhere or gaming device 10 but at generally the same time as the number, so that the player knows that the indicator is associated with the number. For example, a separate box or meter may be provided, similar to a possession arrow in a basketball game, which indicates whether the next or currently generated number is to be placed in the highest order or lowest order digit place. The player may or may not know the direction prior to picking the next selection 102. In either case, an interesting dynamic is presented to the player who may wish for one or another type of indicator gaming device 10 may associate an indicator (e.g., indicator 110) with each of the numbers, with only certain numbers or only at certain times. Because the player in
Referring now to
As seen in
Right facing indicator 110 presents a number of alternative ways to present the game of the present disclosure.
If the one hundred's or ten's digit place is alternatively filled first before the other digit places, a situation can arise in which a terminator is generated and either or both the one's or ten's digit places 100b and 100c are not occupied. Gaming device 10 can either avoid this situation by filling right to left as discussed above or by automatically filling the empty one's and ten's digits, e.g., with a zero or a five.
In the embodiment illustrated in
In this alterative embodiment illustrated in
In another embodiment, if each digit place of the player's award or outcome is currently occupied by a number, upon the revealing of another number, the gaming device replaces one or more occupied digits and does not shift any existing numbers from any existing digit places. That is, in this embodiment, rather than a revealed number shifting one or more previously revealed numbers one or more digit places, once each digit place of the player's award or outcome is currently occupied by a number, each subsequently revealed number replaces at least one existing number without otherwise affecting the remaining existing numbers. For example, if the player's three-digit award or outcome is currently two-hundred-thirty-one (i.e., the number two in the hundred's position or digit place, the number three in the ten's position or digit place and the number one in the one's position or digit place) and a subsequently picked selection reveals the number seven, the revealed number seven can replace the number in the hundred's position, the number in the ten's position or the number in the one's position. In this example, if the number seven replaces the number three in the ten's position (without causing any shifting of the numbers in the hundred's digit place or the one's digit place), the player's new award or outcome is two-hundred-seventy-one (i.e., the number two in the hundred's position or digit place, the number seven in the ten's position or digit place and the number one in the one's position or digit place).
In another embodiment, one or more of the selections are associated with anti-terminators. In this embodiment, when an anti-terminator is revealed to be associated with a selection, the revealed anti-terminator nullifies the terminating effect of one or more subsequently revealed terminators. That is, if an anti-terminator is associated with a picked selection, the anti-terminator is retained or accumulated for subsequent use. If a terminator is associated with a subsequently picked selection and at least one anti-terminator is retained, the previously retained anti-terminator nullifies the effect of the terminator and allows the game to continue. If a terminator is associated with a subsequently picked selection and no anti-terminators are retained, as described above, the revealed terminator ends the play of the game.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure includes an accept or reject feature. This embodiment enables the player, at any time, to either accept the player's current award or reject the player's current award to try for a higher award. If the player accepts the player's current award (or the player's current award is the last award offered to the player), the player's current award is provided to the player and the game ends. If the player rejects the player's current award (and the player's current award is not the last award offered to the player), the gaming device enables the player to pick another selection to reveal another number. As described above, this revealed number modifiers the player's offered award (i.e., causes one or more previously revealed numbers to shift digit places or positions) and forms part of the player's subsequent offered award. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides the player a number of award offers which the player may accept or reject. In this embodiment, the number of award offers is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In an alternative embodiment, rather than accepting or rejecting the player's current award as described above, the gaming device enables the player to accept or reject each individual revealed number. In this embodiment, if the player accepts an individual revealed number, that number is placed in one of the digit places of the player's award or outcome. If the player rejects an individual revealed number, such number is discarded and not placed in one of the digit places of the player's award or outcome.
In another embodiment, one or more of the selections are associated with award digit modifiers. In one embodiment, such award digit modifier may be in addition to or instead of a number or terminator associated with the selection as described above. In one embodiment, one or more award digit modifiers each add one or more digit places to the player's outcome or award. For example, if a picked selection is associated with an award digit modifier of “plus two digit places”, a player's previous three-digit outcome or award is modified to a five-digit outcome or award. In another embodiment, one or more award digit modifiers each reduce or subtract one or more digit places from the player's outcome or award. For example, if a picked selection is associated with an award digit modifier of “minus one digit place”, a player previous three-digit outcome or award is modified to a two-digit outcome or award. In another embodiment, at least one award digit modifier adds one or more digit places to the player's outcome or award and at least one award digit modifier reduces or subtracts one or more digit places from the player's outcome or award.
In another embodiment, one or more of the selections are associated with shuffle modifiers. In this embodiment, if a shuffle modifier is revealed as associated with a picked selection, the numbers which currently occupy the digit places of the player's award or outcome are shuffled to different digit places or positions. In one such embodiment, the numbers of the player's award are randomly shuffled to different digit places or positions. For example, if the player's award is three-thousand-four-hundred-twenty-nine (i.e., the number three in the thousand's position or digit place, the number four in the hundred's position or digit place, the number two in the ten's position or digit place and the number nine in the one's position or digit place) and the player's picked selection reveals a shuffle modifier, the player's award is shuffled to four-thousand-three-hundred-ninety-two (i.e., the number four in the thousand's position or digit place, the number three in the hundred's position or digit place, the number nine in the ten's position or digit place and the number two in the one's position or digit place). In another embodiment, the numbers of the player's award are shuffled in a predetermined manner, such as circling from left to right or right to left. For example, if the player's award is three-thousand-four-hundred-twenty-nine (i.e., the number three in the thousand's position or digit place, the number four in the hundred's position or digit place, the number two in the ten's position or digit place and the number nine in the one's position or digit place) and the player's picked selection reveals a shuffle modifier, the player's award is shuffled from left-to-right to result in an award of four-thousand-two-hundred-ninety-three (i.e., the number four in the thousand's position or digit place, the number two in the hundred's position or digit place, the number nine in the ten's position or digit place and the number three in the one's position or digit place).
In another embodiment, one or more of the selections are associated with switch modifiers. In this embodiment, if a switch modifier is revealed as associated with a picked selection, the numbers of two or more currently occupied digit places of the player's award or outcome are switched or swapped. For example, if the player's award is six-thousand-seven-hundred-twenty-three (i.e., the number six in the thousand's position or digit place, the number seven in the hundred's position or digit place, the number two in the ten's position or digit place and the number three in the one's position or digit place) and the player's picked selection reveals a switch modifier, the player's award is shuffled to six-thousand-seven-hundred-thirty-two (i.e., the number six in the thousand's position or digit place, the number seven in the hundred's position or digit place, the number three in the ten's position or digit place and the number two in the one's position or digit place). In different embodiments, the digit places or positions which are switched are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method.
In another embodiment, one or more of the selections are associated with “delete low value” modifiers. In this embodiment, if a picked selection reveals a “delete low value” modifier, the lowest valued number in the player's award is replaced or otherwise modified to a higher valued number. In another embodiment, one or more of the selections are associated with “swap high/low value” modifiers. In this embodiment, if a picked selection reveals a “swap high/low value” modifier, the lowest valued number in the player's award changes digit places or positions with the highest valued number in the player's award.
In another embodiment, one or more functional symbols, such as a multiplier symbol or an addition symbol, are associated with the plurality of selections. In this embodiment, if a functional symbol is revealed, that functional symbol is placed or positioned in one of the digit places or positions of the player's award or outcome. The positioned functional symbol modifies the other numbers placed or positioned at digit places of the player's award or outcome. In one embodiment, the functional symbol is treated the same as the revealed numbers described above (i.e., such functional symbol may be shifted or eliminated from the player's award). In another embodiment, if a functional symbol is revealed, the player's award or outcome is increased by one or more digit places to accommodate for the revealed functional symbols. For example, if the player's award or outcome is seven-hundred-twelve (i.e., the number seven in the thousand's position or digit place, the number one in the hundred's position or digit place and the number two in the one's position or digit place) and a functional multiplier symbol is revealed, the functional multiplier is placed between the ten's digit place and the one's digit place such that the player's award or outcome is one-hundred-forty-two (or 71×2). In different embodiments, the placement of each functional symbol may be predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In one embodiment, one or more functional symbols are each also associated with a number (such as a functional symbol of “4×”).
In another embodiment, as illustrated in
In another embodiment including a plurality of levels of multi-digit numbers, a plurality of selections are each associated with one or more numbers to be placed in the appropriate digit place for one or more levels of multi-digit numbers. In one embodiment, at least one selection is associated with a plurality of numbers vertically arranged (i.e., at least two numbers to fill at least one digit place for each of at least two multi-digit numbers). In this embodiment, each vertically arranged number is associated with a designated level, wherein if the player's picked selection is associated with one or more vertically arranged numbers, each vertically arranged number is positioned or placed in a digit place or position of the multi-digit number associated with the level of the revealed number. For example, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, at least one selection is associated with a plurality of numbers horizontally arranged (i.e., at least two numbers to fill at least two digit places for one multi-digit number). In another embodiment, at least one selection is associated with a plurality of numbers vertically arranged and at least one selection is associated with a plurality of numbers horizontally arranged. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, one or more of the previously placed numbers may be shifted horizontally or vertically depending on the arrangement of the revealed numbers associated with the player's picked selection. Continuing with the example illustrated in
In different embodiments, the number of levels of multi-digit numbers is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In different embodiments, the number of digit places for each of the multi-digit numbers is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method.
In one embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein includes a plurality of different types of terminators. In one embodiment, different terminators are associated with different levels. In this embodiment, if a terminator associated with a designated level is revealed, the multi-digit number for that designated level is set or fixed. A set or fixed multi-digit number is not modified when other non-set multi-digit numbers are modified. For example, if a multi-digit number is set or fixed with a number in the ten's digit place and a number in the one's digit place, then any additionally revealed numbers will not be placed at any of the digit places of the set or fixed number (and thus the numbers in the ten's and one's digit places will not be shifted or moved).
In another embodiment, a player is enabled to lock or hold one or more digit places or positions of a multi-digit number. In this embodiment, if a player locks or holds a digit place, then the number which currently occupies that digit place will remain in that digit place even if the numbers of the other digit places are moved or shifted. In another embodiment, the gaming device includes this locking feature with a plurality of levels of multi-digit numbers. In this embodiment, a first multi-digit number which includes a plurality of numbers is formed. In different embodiments, the numbers which form this first multi-digit number are based on one or more player picked selections (as described above), predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In this embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick one or more digit places of this first multi-digit number wherein each picked digit place is locked for each of the multi-digit numbers in the plurality of levels. In other words, this embodiment includes a plurality of multi-digit numbers which are simultaneously formed based on one or more of the player's picked selections as described above.
For example, if the first multi-digit number for a first level includes the number three in the hundred's digit place, the number six in the ten's digit place and the number two in the one's digit place and the player picks to lock the number six in the ten's digit place, each of the other multi-digit numbers for each of the other levels will include the number six in the ten's digit place. In one embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to unlock one or more previously locked digit places.
In another embodiment, an award or outcome includes a plurality of numbers in a plurality of digit places or positions wherein less than all of the numbers in the digit places form the player's award or outcome. In this embodiment, as described above, the player picks a plurality of selections which reveal a plurality of numbers which in turn are placed in digit places or positions of the player's multi-digit award or outcome. However, in this embodiment, upon a terminating event (such as the player picking a selection associated with a terminator or the player picking a designated number of selections), only part of the multi-digit number is provided to the player. For example, if the picked selections reveal a multi-digit number of sixty-seven thousand-eight-hundred-twelve (i.e., the number six in the ten thousand's position or digit place, the number seven in the thousand's position or digit place, the number eight in the hundred's position or digit place, the number one in the ten's position or digit place and the number two in the one's position or digit place), upon a terminating event, the gaming device determines that of this number, only the numbers seven, eight and one will form the player's award or outcome. Thus in this example, the player's formed outcome or award of seven-hundred-eighty-one (i.e., the number seven in the hundred's position or digit place, the number eight in the ten's position or digit place, the number one in the one's position) is provided to the player. That is, in this embodiment, only three of the five numbers revealed form the player's award or outcome which is actually provided to the player.
In another embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein utilizes a moving indicator to determine the player's award or outcome. In this embodiment, a plurality of numbers are arranged adjacent to each other to form a string of numbers. In different embodiments, the numbers in the string of numbers are based on one or more player picked selections (as described above), predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. In this embodiment, the player's award or outcome is dependent on the position of the moving indicator relative to the string of numbers. For example, if a string of numbers including the numbers three, zero, eight, nine, seven and six are adjacently arranged and the moving indicator indicates the first three numbers (i.e., the numbers three, zero and eight), then the player's award or outcome is three-hundred-eight. In this example (not shown), if the moving indicator is shifted or moved three spots or positions to the right (i.e., down the string of numbers to indicator the numbers nine, seven and six in the string of numbers), then the player's award or outcome is modified to nine-hundred-seventy-six.
In different embodiment, the number of digit positions the moving indicator may indicate at a time is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method. It should be appreciated that the number of digit positions the moving indicator may indicate at a time may be set for each game play or may vary during game play. It should be further appreciated that the moving indicator may be a physical indicator, such as a mechanical or electromechanical indicator, or a video indicator displayed on a display device.
In one such embodiment, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, rather than numbers being moved off of or eliminated form the positions or digit places of the player's award or outcome, such numbers are accumulated in non-active digit spots. In this embodiment, the digit window may be shifted or modified to include one or more numbers accumulated in the non-active digit spots. In one embodiment, this accumulation forms the string of numbers described above. For example, if the number of numbers indicated by the moving indicator (described above) were increased by two, then two numbers previously accumulated in the non-active digit spots may be recaptured as part of the player's award or outcome.
In another embodiment, the gaming device stores, flags or tracks different multi-digit numbers or outcomes as they are formed during the play of the game. Upon a triggering event, one or more stored multi-digit numbers are subsequently regenerated for the player. For example, the gaming device stores the highest valued multi-digit number formed during the game sequence described above, wherein upon a suitable triggering event, the highest valued multi-digit number is regenerated and provided to the player as the player's award or outcome.
In another embodiment, each of the selections is associated with a number (i.e., none of the selections are associated with a terminator). In one such embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick selections until each of the selections is picked. In another such embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick selections until a designated number of selections are picked. In different embodiments, the designated number of selections are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the wager placed, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on any other suitable method.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/660,281, filed on Sep. 10, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,547,252 which is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/934,003, filed Aug. 20, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,849 which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2743108 | Sanders | Apr 1956 | A |
| 3618952 | Tallarida | Nov 1971 | A |
| 4624459 | Kaufman | Nov 1986 | A |
| 4669731 | Clarke | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4695053 | Vazquez, Jr. et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
| 4811953 | Jeng | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4978129 | Komeda et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
| 4991848 | Greenwood et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
| 5116055 | Tracy | May 1992 | A |
| 5205555 | Hamano | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5342047 | Heidel et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5344144 | Canon | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5377973 | Jones et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
| 5393057 | Marnell, II | Feb 1995 | A |
| 5397125 | Adams | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5456465 | Durham | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5511781 | Wood et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5580309 | Piechowiak et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5584764 | Inoue | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5611535 | Tiberio | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5645485 | Clapper, Jr. | Jul 1997 | A |
| 5700009 | Meoni | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5722891 | Inoue | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5769716 | Saffari et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5788573 | Baerlocher et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5816918 | Kelly et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5817172 | Yamada et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5823873 | Moody | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5823874 | Adams | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5823879 | Goldberg et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5833536 | Davids et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5848932 | Adams | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5882261 | Adams | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5910048 | Feinberg | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5947820 | Morro et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5967893 | Lawrence et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5980384 | Barrie | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5993316 | Coyle et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5997401 | Crawford | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6004207 | Wilson, Jr. et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6012982 | Piechowiak et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6012983 | Walker et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6015346 | Bennett | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6062980 | Luciano | May 2000 | A |
| 6089976 | Schneider et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6102400 | Scott et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6102798 | Bennett | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6109610 | Cherry et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6110041 | Walker et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6113098 | Adams | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6120031 | Adams | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6126542 | Fier | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6142873 | Weiss et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6146273 | Olsen | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6155925 | Giobbi et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6158741 | Koelling | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6159095 | Frohm et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6159097 | Gura | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6159098 | Slomiany et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6162121 | Morro et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6168520 | Baerlocher et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6168522 | Walker et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6168523 | Piechowiak et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6173955 | Perrie et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6174233 | Sunaga et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6174234 | Seibert, Jr. et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6174235 | Walker et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6186894 | Mayeroff | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6190255 | Thomas et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6203429 | Demar et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6210277 | Stefan | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6210279 | Dickinson | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6217022 | Astaneha | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6224482 | Bennett | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6224483 | Mayeroff | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6227969 | Yoseloff | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6227971 | Weiss | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6231442 | Mayeroff | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6231445 | Acres | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6234897 | Frohm et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6238287 | Komori et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6244957 | Walker et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6251013 | Bennett | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6254482 | Walker et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6261177 | Bennett | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6270409 | Shuster | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6283855 | Bingham | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6299165 | Nagano | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6302791 | Frohm et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6309299 | Weiss | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6309300 | Glavich | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6312331 | Tamaki | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6312334 | Yoseloff | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6315662 | Jorasch et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6315663 | Sakamoto | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6322309 | Thomas et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6328649 | Randall et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6334814 | Adams | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6335815 | Kobayashi | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6336862 | Byrne | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6346043 | Colin et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6347996 | Gilmore et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6358147 | Jaffe et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6364767 | Brossard et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6394902 | Glavich et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6398201 | Solomond et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6398218 | Vancura | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6413161 | Baerlocher et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6428412 | Anderson et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6439995 | Hughs-Baird et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6443837 | Jaffe et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6514141 | Kaminkow et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6565436 | Baerlocher | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6569016 | Baerlocher | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6575830 | Baerlocher et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
| 6582306 | Kaminkow | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6589114 | Rose | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6609972 | Seelig et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6659864 | McGahn et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6688977 | Baerlocher et al. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
| 6712694 | Nordman | Mar 2004 | B1 |
| 6722981 | Kaminkow et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6722982 | Kaminkow et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6776711 | Baerlocher | Aug 2004 | B1 |
| 6796901 | Baerlocher | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 6811483 | Webb et al. | Nov 2004 | B1 |
| 6811485 | Kaminkow | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6875108 | Hughs-Baird | Apr 2005 | B1 |
| 6966833 | Kaminkow et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6971955 | Baerlocher et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6979263 | Baerlocher et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 7131908 | Baerlocher | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7172506 | Baerlocher et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7566271 | Hostetler et al. | Jul 2009 | B2 |
| 20020094861 | Seelig et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20030036422 | Baerlocher et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
| 20030162579 | Gauselmann | Aug 2003 | A1 |
| 20040053687 | Nordman | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040214628 | Boyd et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20050054416 | Hostetler et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20050164774 | Gauselmann | Jul 2005 | A1 |
| 20060025196 | Webb et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060073872 | B-Jensen et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20080076535 | Baerlocher et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080214272 | Baerlocher et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 9739339 | Mar 1998 | AU |
| 9917318 | Sep 1999 | AU |
| 200069612 | Oct 2000 | AU |
| 2140949 | Oct 1995 | CA |
| 0945837 | Sep 1999 | EP |
| 0984409 | Mar 2000 | EP |
| 2 366 435 | Jun 2002 | GB |
| 7275432 | Oct 1995 | JP |
| WO 8500910 | Feb 1985 | WO |
| WO 9732285 | Sep 1997 | WO |
| WO 9809259 | Mar 1998 | WO |
| WO 0012186 | Mar 2000 | WO |
| WO 0017831 | Mar 2000 | WO |
| WO 0119476 | Mar 2001 | WO |
| WO 0158546 | Aug 2001 | WO |
| WO 03015881 | Feb 2003 | WO |
| WO 03015883 | Feb 2003 | WO |
| WO 03102885 | Dec 2003 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060025196 A1 | Feb 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10660281 | Sep 2003 | US |
| Child | 11222914 | US | |
| Parent | 09934003 | Aug 2001 | US |
| Child | 10660281 | US |
