Patent Application
20050059455
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.
Gaming device manufacturers strive to make wagering gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment, entertainment and excitement as possible for players. Providing interesting and exciting primary or base games and secondary or bonus games in which a player has an opportunity to win potentially large awards or credits is one way to enhance player enjoyment and excitement. Another way to enhance a player's enjoyment, entertainment and excitement with a gaming device is by including lights, sounds and other visual or audio or audio-visual effects in the gaming machines.
Certain known gaming devices use mechanical devices such as reels, wheels and light displays to enhance the attraction of the machines to players and also to enhance the player's game playing experience. These mechanical devices enable a player to see physical movements of a game, a portion of a game, or a functional game event or element which increases the player's enjoyment of the game.
To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide new and different mechanical devices in conjunction with wagering gaming devices.
The present invention relates generally to a gaming device and, more particularly, to a gaming device including a display device which enables a player to simultaneously accumulate indicators in a plurality of award groups to obtain one or more awards in a game.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a secondary display device which displays a plurality of award groups such as award columns to a player. In one embodiment, the gaming device causes an indicator generator to generate, display and associate a number of indicators with each of the award groups or columns. A number of indicators are accumulated in each of the award columns corresponding to the number of indicators generated by the indicator generator for each of the award columns. The gaming device continues to activate the indicator generator until all the indicators of at least one of the award columns are fully indicated or accumulated, or alternatively indicated or accumulated to a designated level. The gaming device then provides the award or awards to the player associated with any fully indicated award columns. Once the awards are provided to the player, the gaming device determines whether to continue the game or end the game. In one embodiment, this determination is random. If the gaming device determines to end the game, the player receives the accumulated awards in the game and the game ends.
Alternatively, if the gaming device determines not to end the game (or to continue the game), the gaming device resets the indicators (i.e., de-activates the indicators or eliminates the accumulated indicators) in the award columns associated with the awards provided to the player (i.e., the awards the player accumulated or won) and causes the indicator generator to generate and associate a number of indicators with the award columns until all of the indicators in one or more of the award columns are subsequently fully indicated. In one embodiment, the gaming device does not reset the indicators of the award columns that do not include one of the provided awards. Therefore, the player has a better opportunity to indicate the remaining indicators in these award columns and accumulate the award or awards associated with those award columns. As described above, the player hopes to accumulate as many awards as possible before the gaming device determines to end the game. Thus, the gaming device enables a player to have an opportunity to accumulate one or more awards in a game and possibly to accumulate a relatively large award in the game which increases the player's excitement and enjoyment of the game.
In one embodiment, a probability of ending or alternatively, continuing a game is associated with a game where the gaming device determines whether to end or continue a game based on the probability. The probability may change one or more times in a game or change in one or more games.
In another embodiment, the gaming device causes the indicator generator to generate, display and associate a number of indicators with each of the award columns. As described above, a number of indicators are accumulated in each of the award columns corresponding to the number of indicators generated by the indicator generator for each of the award columns. The gaming device continues to activate the indicator generator until all the indicators of at least one of the award columns are fully indicated or accumulated. The gaming device then indicates the awards associated with the fully indicated award columns. Once the awards are indicated, the gaming device determines whether to provide the indicated award or awards to the player. In one embodiment, this determination is random. If the gaming device determines that the indicated awards are to be provided to the player, the gaming device provides the indicated awards and any awards previously acquired in a game or games to the player and ends the game.
Alternatively, if the gaming device determines not to provide the indicated award or awards to the player, the gaming device resets the indicators in the award columns associated with the indicated awards (i.e., the awards the player could have won) and causes the indicator generator to generate and associate a number of indicators with the award columns until all of the indicators in one or more of the award columns are fully indicated. The gaming device does not reset the indicators of the award columns that do not include one of the indicated awards. Therefore, the player still has an opportunity to indicate the remaining indicators in these award columns and potentially receive the award or awards associated with those award columns. The gaming device also does not provide any awards previously acquired by the player until all of the indicators in at least one of the award columns are fully indicated. Therefore, in a game, the player hopes to obtain the largest awards associated with the award columns and also several of the awards associated with the award columns.
In one embodiment, a probability of providing the awards to a player are associated with the awards in a game. The gaming device therefore determines whether to provide an indicated award or a plurality of indicated awards to a player in a game based on the probability. For example, when an award or awards are indicated in a game (i.e., all of the indicators in the award columns having those awards are fully indicated or accumulated), the gaming device determines whether to provide the award or awards to the player based on the probability. The probability may be randomly determined, predetermined, determined based on a wager made by the player or determined according to any suitable determination method.
In another embodiment, an independent probability of providing an award to the player is associated with each of the awards of the award columns. In this embodiment, the gaming device determines whether to provide an indicated award to the player based on the independent probability associated with that award. It should be appreciated that at least two of the probabilities, a plurality of the probabilities, or all of the probabilities may be different. In one embodiment, a relatively large award is associated with one of the award columns and a plurality of relatively small awards are associated with the other award columns in the game. In this embodiment, the probability associated with the relatively large award is less than the probabilities associated with the relatively small awards. It should be appreciated that the probability may change in each activation of the reel or in a plurality of activations of the reel in a game.
In one embodiment, the secondary display device is connected to the top of the cabinet of the gaming device and includes a plurality of award groups or award columns and a indicator generator which generates and associates a number of indicators with the award columns. In one embodiment, the award columns are displayed on the display device and include at least one indicator and in one embodiment, a plurality of indicators. Additionally, the award columns include at least one award. In one embodiment, at least two of the award columns include a different number of indicators. In a further embodiment, all of the award columns include different numbers of indicators. It should be appreciated that the award columns may include any suitable number of indicators in a game.
In one embodiment, the indicator generator includes a rotatable display which rotates and indicates a number of indicators for each of the award columns in a game. In one embodiment, the rotatable display includes two rollers and a belt which frictionally engages the rollers. A drive roller which is powered by a suitable motor coupled to the drive roller, rotates the belt in a clockwise, counter-clockwise or any suitable combination of directions. The belt includes sections having at least one number of indicators. The number of indicators may be a negative value, a positive value, a null value or zero value or any suitable value or values. In a game, the processor in the gaming device controls the drive roller and causes the drive roller to rotate to align one of the number of indicators with each of the award columns. It should be appreciated that any suitable indicator generator may be employed in a game such as a reel, a plurality of reels or a mechanical wheel.
In one embodiment, an illumination device is connected to each of the indicators in the award columns. The illumination device illuminates or lights up the indicator when the indicators are indicated in a game. It should be appreciated that one or a plurality of illumination devices may be employed in the game and connected to one or more of the indicators in the award columns. In another embodiment, the illumination devices connected to the indicators in each of the award columns include different color lights. In one aspect of this embodiment, the colors of the lights associated with each of the award columns are different.
In one embodiment, the award associated with each of the award columns is positioned adjacent to the top or highest indicator in each of the award columns. It should be appreciated that the award may be positioned in any suitable location on the display device. It should also be appreciated that the award may include at least one modifier, free game, free spin, free activation, game element or any other suitable award or awards.
In one embodiment, at least two of the awards associated with the award columns are different. In another embodiment, at least two of the awards associated with the award columns are the same. It should be appreciated that any suitable combination of awards may be associated with the award columns in a game.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining a plurality of awards in a game.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining a relatively large award in a game.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining multiple awards in a game.
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, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.
Referring now to the drawings, two alternative embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention 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 or CD ROM. 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.
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 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) 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, rectangle, 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 player or other 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 that image can be incorporated 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 of the present invention 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 into the present invention.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
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, extra bonus wagering credits may be redeemed 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; he must win or earn entry through play of the primary game and, thus, play of the primary game is encouraged. 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 of the present invention. 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, one or more of the gaming devices of the present invention 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 of the present invention 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 of the present invention 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 signal 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 according to the present invention, 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, 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.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the gaming device then independently determines whether to end the game or continue the game. If the gaming device determines to end the game, the player receives the total award accumulated in the game.
In one embodiment, if the gaming device determines not to end the game, the gaming device resets the indicators of the award columns including the provided awards and repeats the steps described above until all of the indicators of the same, different or any combination of the award columns are fully indicated or accumulated in the game. The gaming device does not reset the indicators of the award columns that do not include one of the provided awards. Therefore, the player only has to indicate any remaining indicators (i.e., indicators which are not indicated) in these award columns to obtain the award or awards associated with these award columns. The indicator generator continues to generate and align indicators with each of the award columns and the gaming device continues to accumulate the number of the indicators in each of the award columns based on the numbers of indicators generated and aligned with the award columns by the indicator generator. These steps continue until all of the indicators are indicated in at least one of the award columns and the gaming device determines to end the game. The present invention therefore increases a player's excitement and enjoyment of the game by enabling the player to accumulate one or several awards in the game and possibly to accumulate a relatively large award in the game.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the award columns 104 each include a plurality of indicators 106 and an award 108 which is positioned at the top of the column of indicators 106. Each of the award columns 104 may include one, two, three or any suitable number of indicators 106. In one embodiment, each indicator 106 is independently activated, indicated or otherwise accumulated in a game. In this embodiment, each indicator includes at least one illumination device such as a light emitting diode (L.E.D.) which is controlled by a processor associated with the gaming device. It should be appreciated that any suitable illumination device may be employed to illuminate or otherwise indicate the indicators 106 in a game.
In one embodiment, the award columns include at least one award 108. The awards may be modifiers, free games, free spins, game elements or any suitable award or awards. In one embodiment, the awards associated with each of the award columns 104 are different. In another embodiment, at least two of the awards associated with the award columns 104 are the same. In a further embodiment, at least one of the awards associated with the award columns 104 includes a relatively large award and the awards associated with the remaining award columns include relatively small awards. It should be appreciated that any suitable award or awards 108 may be associated with the award columns 104.
Referring to
Referring now to
In one embodiment, an award display 110 indicates any award or awards obtained by the player in the game. The award indicated by the award display 110 is added to the player's total award in the game.
In one embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to accumulate, illuminate or otherwise indicate the indicators 106 in one or more of the award columns 104. The indicators 106 in each of the award columns 104 are independently activated or indicated according to the value 114 associated with the sections 112 on the rotatable display 102 that are aligned with the award columns 104. As shown in
In one embodiment, the gaming device rotates the rotatable display 102 in the direction shown by arrow 116. The gaming device then stops the rotatable display and randomly aligns the sections 112 of the display with each of the award columns 104. The gaming device then illuminates or otherwise indicates the indicators 106 in each of the award columns 104 based on the values 114 associated with the award columns 104. For example, in
In one embodiment, when a designated number such as all of the indicators associated with one or more of the award columns are fully illuminated, indicated or accumulated in a game, the gaming device provides the award or awards associated with those award columns to the player. The gaming device then determines whether to end the game or continue the game. If the gaming device determines to end the game, the player receives any accumulated awards and the game ends.
If the gaming device determines not to end the game (or to continue the game), the gaming device resets the indicators associated with the award columns including the provided award or awards (i.e., de-illuminates, de-activates or otherwise eliminates the accumulation of the indicators in the award columns). The indicators of the award columns which did not include any of the provided awards are not reset and therefore maintain any indicators that were previously illuminated or otherwise indicated in the game. In one embodiment, any award columns where only a portion of the indicators 106 (i.e., less than all of the indicators) are illuminated or indicated, remain illuminated for the remainder of the game. It should be appreciated that the gaming device may reset one indicator, a plurality of indicators or all of the indicators in one or more of the award columns in a game.
The above steps are repeated until all of the indicators 106 are fully illuminated or indicated for the same, different or any combination of the award columns in the game and the gaming device determines to end the game. It should be appreciated that that the sequence may repeat a plurality or number of times such that all of the indicators associated with one or more of the award columns may be fully illuminated or indicated in a game one or more times.
In one embodiment, a probability of ending a game (or alternatively, a probability of continuing the game) is associated with the game. The gaming device determines whether to end or continue the game based on the probability. In one aspect of this embodiment, the probability changes each time the indicators in one or more of the award columns are fully indicated and the award or awards associated with those award columns are provided to a player. In another aspect of this embodiment, the probability changes after a plurality of times which the indicators in one or more of the award columns are fully indicated and the award or awards associated with those award columns are provided to a player. It should be appreciated that the probability of ending the game may change by a random amount or a pre-determined amount in a game or games. It should also be appreciated that the probability of ending the game may increase, decrease or remain the same in one or more games.
Referring now to
Referring to
In one embodiment, the indicators are illuminated or indicated starting with the bottom-most indicator and going upward towards the top of the award column. In another embodiment, the indicator on the top of the award column is illuminated first and then each successive indicator going towards the bottom of the award column are illuminated. It should be appreciated that any suitable order of indicators may be illuminated or indicated in a game. Similar to award column 104a, the indicators 106 in award columns 104c, 104e and 104g are illuminated or indicated based on the value associated with those award columns on the rotatable display 102. The indicators of the award columns 104b, 104d and 104f, which are associated with null values, are not illuminated or indicated because the null value is equivalent to a zero value. Because all of the indicators in one or more of the award columns are not illuminated in the game, the gaming device continues to rotate the rotatable display 102 in the game.
Referring to
The gaming device then determines whether to end the game. The player hopes that the gaming device does not end the game so that the player can accumulate more awards in the game. In this example, the gaming determines not to end the game and therefore resets the indicators in award column 104a (i.e., de-illuminates the indicators or eliminates the accumulated indicators) prior to causing the rotatable display to rotate again and associate more values with the award columns in the game. The gaming device does not reset or eliminate the accumulated indicators in award columns 104b, 104c, 104d, 104e, 104f and 104g.
Referring to
Referring to
In one alternative embodiment, when a designated number such as all of the indicators associated with one or more of the award columns are fully illuminated, indicated or accumulated in a game, the gaming device indicates the awards associated with those award columns and determines whether to provide the indicated awards to the player. If the gaming device determines not to provide the indicated award or awards to the player, the indicated awards are not provided to the player. The gaming device then resets only the indicators associated with the award columns including the indicated awards. The indicators of the award columns which did not include any of the indicated awards are not reset and therefore maintain any indicators that were previously illuminated or otherwise indicated in the game. In one embodiment, any award columns where only a portion of the indicators 106 (i.e., less than all of the indicators) are illuminated or indicated, remain illuminated for the remainder of the game.
When the indicated award or awards are not provided to the player, the gaming device re-activates or rotates the rotatable display. The above steps are repeated until all of the indicators 106 are fully illuminated or indicated for the same, different or any combination of the award columns in the game and the gaming device determines to provide the indicated award or awards to the player. After the award or awards are provided to the player, the game ends.
In one embodiment, a probability of providing the awards to the player is associated with the awards 108 where the gaming device determines whether to provide an indicated award or awards to a player as described above based on the probability associated with the indicated award or awards. In one embodiment, the probabilities associated with the awards are the same. In another embodiment, at least one of the probabilities associated with the awards is different from the probabilities associated with the other awards. In a further embodiment, all of the probabilities associated with the awards are different. It should be appreciated that the probabilities associated with the awards may be any suitable probabilities desired by the game implementor. In this embodiment, the probabilities determine whether the gaming device will provide an indicated award or awards to a player (i.e, whether a player will collect or receive any awards associated with award columns where all of the indicators in the award columns are fully indicated). If the gaming device determines that the indicated award or awards are to be provided to the player based on the probability associated with those awards, the gaming device provides the award or awards to the player.
Referring now to
Referring to
Similar to award column 104a, the indicators 106 in award columns 104c, 104e and 104g are illuminated or indicated based on the value associated with those award columns on the rotatable display 102. The indicators of the award columns 104b, 104d and 104f, which are associated with null values, are not illuminated or indicated because the null value is equivalent to a zero value. Because all of the indicators in one or more of the award columns are not illuminated in the game, the gaming device continues to rotate the rotatable display 102 in the game.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the gaming device provides the largest award to the player when all the indicators associated with a plurality of award columns are fully illuminated in a game. It should be appreciated that the gaming device may provide one, a plurality of or all of the awards associated with the award columns where all of the indicators in those award columns are fully illuminated or fully accumulated in a game and the gaming device determines that those awards will be provided to the player. In another embodiment, the gaming device determines whether to provide one, a plurality of or all of the awards associated with the award columns to the player based on the probabilities associated with the award columns in the game.
It should be appreciated that the present invention may be employed in a primary game, a bonus game, free spins game, a sub-game or in any suitable game.
It should be appreciated that the increments in the illustrated embodiment are dependent on each other (i.e., they are arranged in a particular order and always occur or are generated in that particular order). Therefore, the indicators which are selected for the awards are related to each other based on the dependencies of the various increments. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments one, a plurality of, or all of the increments can be independently generated with out dependency on the other increments.
While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.
