This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “Gaming Device Having A Multiple Selection Set Bonus Scheme,” Ser. No. 09/680,592, Gaming Device Having Player Selectable Award Digits and Award Modification; Ser. No. 091/934,003; and “Gaming Device Having Award Modification Options for Player Selectable Award Digits,” Ser. No. 09/933,843.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having a related symbol selection game.
Gaming device manufacturers strive to make gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment and excitement as possible. Providing a secondary or bonus game in which a player has an opportunity to win potentially large awards or credits in addition to the awards associated with the primary or base game of the gaming device is one way to enhance player enjoyment and excitement.
Gaming devices having a secondary or bonus games generally employ a triggering event that occurs during the base game operation of the gaming device. The triggering event temporarily stalls or halts further base game play and enables a player to enter a second, different game, which is the bonus game. The player plays the bonus game, likely receives a bonus award, and returns to the base game.
Currently, gaming machines or devices such as slot machines provide bonus games wherein a player has one or more opportunities to select one or more symbols from a plurality of possible symbols. If the player selects one of the designated winning symbols or a winning combination of symbols, the game awards the player a bonus value such as credits. The outcome depends upon the particular symbol or symbols obtained by the player. If the player selects a terminating symbol, the game ends.
One known gaming device is the SPELLBINDER™ gaming device. For the bonus game of the SPELLBINDER™ gaming device, the gaming device displays the numbers one to twelve to a player. The gaming device selects one of the numbers from the set of numbers. The gaming device requires the player to input whether the player believes that the next number will be higher or lower than the selected number. If the player picked correctly, the gaming device provides an award to the player and repeats the process. If the player does not pick correctly, the bonus game ends.
Other various bonus games have been associated with gaming machines. Therefore, to increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide new bonus games for gaming machines.
The present invention provides a gaming device and in particular a secondary or bonus game of a gaming device that includes at least one target set. The target set has a plurality of symbols including at least one symbol which is randomly designated to be the target symbol. The gaming device enables a player to pick symbols from the target set until the player selects the target symbol or runs out of picks. In one embodiment, the player receives a predetermined number of picks when the game begins. After the player picks a symbol, a relationship indicator identifies the relationship between the picked symbol and the target symbol in the target set. If the picked symbol is not (or does not match) the target symbol, the relationship indicator indicates the relationship of the target symbol to the picked symbol. The player continues to pick symbols from the target set until the player obtains the target symbol or runs out of picks. Preferably, the player receives an award for picking the randomly designated target symbol. It should be appreciated that the number of or type of target symbols in each target set may vary. Also, the target symbols may be the same symbols, different symbols or any combination of symbols in each bonus game.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of target sets and provides an award to the player for each picked target symbol in each set. In one embodiment, the player has a total cumulative number of picks the player can use in selecting symbols in all of the target sets. Each target symbol is associated with an award and the player's total award is based on the sum of the individual awards for each picked target symbol. It should also be appreciated that the processor or controller of the gaming device could randomly determine the awards for the target symbols. In accord with one aspect of the invention, each award is associated with a probability of being associated with a target symbol such that one award has a greater probability of being associated with a target symbol than another award.
In another embodiment, the gaming device provides an award to the player based on the target symbols picked by the player. In one such embodiment, the symbols in each target set are numbers, such as the integers from zero to nine, and the target symbol is one of the numbers. When the player picks the target number, the gaming device uses the picked target number to determine the player's award. In one embodiment, the player receives the sum of the awards associated with each picked target symbol in a target set or sets. In an alternative embodiment, the player could receive an award or combined award based on completing an award combination. In this alternative embodiment, the award or combined award is a combination of the target numbers. The combination is formed by placing the target numbers in the combination based on the order that the target numbers are picked or alternatively, in another suitable order. Each picked target number makes up a digit of the combined award. If the player picks several target numbers, the player's award is an order of the digits of the target numbers.
In a further embodiment, the gaming device provides the player with a number of picks. The gaming device also displays a masked combination of target numbers. The combination is formed by randomly selecting and placing target numbers in the combination based on the order that the target numbers are picked by the processor or in another suitable order. The combination may also be predetermined by the processor. Each picked target number makes up a digit in the combination. If the player picks all of the target numbers or digits in the combination, the gaming device preferably provides an award to the player. The award in one embodiment is based on the number of picks that the player has remaining. In one alternative embodiment, the player uses the player's remaining picks to select additional awards or prizes. In another embodiment, the player is provided with another bonus level or bonus game and the player uses their remaining picks in that bonus level or bonus game to obtain larger awards.
In another embodiment, the award provided to the player for picking all of the target symbols in a target combination is based on the number of picks that the player actually uses to obtain the combination. In this embodiment, the gaming device provides a larger award to the player for using less picks to obtain the target symbol combination.
In an alternative embodiment, the number of picks provided to the player is not displayed to the player. In this embodiment, the player's excitement and enjoyment of the gaming device increases because the player does not know when the player's picks will run out and therefore, when the game will end.
Although the present invention is discussed relative to a bonus game of a gaming machine, it should be appreciated that the present invention could be employed as a primary game in a gaming device.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device having a related symbol selection 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 embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any primary game such as slot, poker, blackjack or keno, any of their bonus triggering events and any of their bonus games. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical, electronic or video form.
As illustrated in
As shown in
A player may “cash out” and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player “cashes out,” the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28. The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.
Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in
Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hardwired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively or individually referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside on each gaming device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 38 and memory device 40 is generally referred to herein as the “computer” or “controller.”
With reference to
In addition to winning credits in this manner, gaming device 10 may also give players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. This type of gaming device 10 will include a program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on a display device. The gaming device 10 may use a video-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play the bonus round. The qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality of reels 34. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention, if a player achieves a bonus triggering or qualifying condition during the primary game, the gaming device 10 automatically initiates the bonus game of the present invention.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the symbols are numbers and particularly integers from zero to nine. The symbols, however, may be any suitable symbols as desired. Also, the numbers are preferably displayed in sequential order starting with the lowest value on the left to the highest value on the right. It should be appreciated that any logical order may be displayed to a player based on the symbols being used in the bonus game. The order of the symbols (i.e., zero to nine) in this embodiment illustrates the relationship of the symbols to one another.
The display device includes a picks remaining display 104, an award display 106 and relationship indicators 108 and 110.
The picks remaining display 104 indicates the number of picks that are remaining in a bonus game. At the start of a game, the gaming device determines the total number of picks for that bonus game and displays the number of picks in the picks remaining display 104. The picks remaining display 104 decreases by one after each pick by a player. Thus, at any point in the game, the player knows how many picks are remaining in that game and may adjust the player's strategy accordingly. When the picks remaining display indicates that there are no picks remaining in a game, the bonus game ends.
The award display 106 indicates the total award received by a player in the bonus game. During a bonus game, any awards received by a player are added to the award indicated by the award display 106. Once a bonus game ends, the total award indicated by the award display 106 is provided to the player.
The relationship indicators 108 and 110, indicate the relationship between a picked symbol and the target symbol in the target set. In the illustrated embodiment in
One embodiment of the bonus game of the present invention which includes multiple target sets operates according to the flow diagram in
The gaming device then selects and displays a target set including a plurality of symbols as indicated by block 114. In one embodiment, the game displays a plurality of numbers ranging from 0 to 9. While numbers are discussed, it should be appreciated that any symbols are contemplated, including letters A to Z, signs of the Zodiac, months of the year, characters, city names, state names, etc. It is preferred that the symbols are orderly arranged such as in a sequential order in displayed the target set.
The game determines one symbol to be the target symbol in the target set as indicated by block 116. Preferably, the target symbol is randomly determined, however it should be appreciated that a target symbol may be a predetermined symbol in the target set. The target symbol is not displayed to the player until the player picks the target symbol in the target set.
Next, the gaming device prompts the player to select a symbol from the target set as indicated by block 118, which the player believes may be the target symbol in the target set. The prompt may be a statement or message displayed on the display device 30 or 32, or it may be a cursor that flashes and notifies the player to select another symbol. It should be appreciated that the prompt may be any type of prompt initiated by the gaming device 10.
Once the player picks a symbol, the gaming device 10 completes a series of decisions as illustrated by the decision diamonds in the flow diagram of
If the picked symbol is the target symbol, the gaming device highlights the target symbol in some manner to notify the player that the player picked the target symbol in the target set. It should be appreciated that the target symbol may be highlighted by illuminating it, changing the color of the target symbol or by any other desired method. The gaming device then provides the player with an award as indicated by block 126. In the embodiment where there is only one target set in the game, the bonus game ends. In the embodiment where there are several target sets in a bonus game, the processor of the gaming device 10 must determine if the player has any picks remaining in the bonus game as indicated by decision diamond 128b. If there are no picks remaining in the game, the game ends as indicated by oval 130. The player receives the total award for that bonus game.
The player receives an award for each picked target symbol. In one embodiment with multiple target sets, the gaming device provides the player with an award associated with a target symbol. However, it is contemplated that the award value may also be randomly generated by the processor 38. In one embodiment of the present invention, the awards associated with the target symbols are associated with probabilities such that one award has a greater probability of being associated with a target set or symbol than another award.
In another embodiment, the gaming device provides an award to a player based on the order in which the target symbols are picked. In this embodiment, target symbols are preferably numbers and the player's award is the value of the target number itself. When a player picks a target number, the target number is separately displayed on the display device. Any subsequently picked target numbers are displayed in sequential order next to the previously picked target number or numbers. The player receives the total award designated by the combination of the individual awards from each target symbol. For example, a target set includes the numbers one through nine. A player picks a target number one from a first target set. Then the player picks target number zero from a second target set and target number nine from a third target set. The player's total award for that bonus game is one hundred nine based on the sequential order of the picked target symbols. It should be appreciated that a player may receive the sum of the individual awards or some other suitable award as desired by the game implementor.
If the player has picks remaining in the bonus game, the gaming device 10 displays a new target set with a plurality of symbols to the player as indicated by block 114. The gaming device determines the target symbol and prompts the player to pick a symbol from the target set as indicated by blocks 116 and 118 respectively. The gaming device then repeats the steps described above starting at block 120.
If the player picks a symbol that is not the target symbol, the gaming device 10 must determine whether the player has any picks remaining in the bonus game as indicated by decision diamond 128a. If the player has picks remaining, the gaming device determines the relationship between the picked symbol and the target symbol. Once the relationship is determined, the gaming device displays the relationship to the player as indicated by block 124. The gaming device prompts the player to pick another symbol as indicated by block 118. The process described above is repeated until the player picks a target symbol in the target set or the player runs out of picks. If, however, the player does not have any picks remaining in block 128A, the game ends as indicated by block 130 and the bonus game award total is transferred to the player.
Referring to
Referring now to
The player makes their second pick from the group of numbers 102 in target set 100 as illustrated in
Referring now to
In
Here, the player picks the number six designated as 102g, from the group of numbers 102 in the second target set 100 as illustrated in
In
Referring now to
In
Referring now to
In this illustration, the player picked the first target number, which was the number one (102b). The number one, therefore, is transferred to the first award location 114a. The player then picked the target number five (102f) from the second target set. This target number is placed in the second award location 114b in the award combination 112. If the player ran out of picks at this point in the bonus game, the player would receive the award indicated by the award combination. The award would be the value represented by the first and second target numbers in award locations 114a and 114b, which is fifteen. This is a relatively low bonus award because the first number is a low number. Because of such possibility, the game implementor may want to weight higher numbers in the target set to be randomly selected for the first target set to increase the award to the player in such cases. Alternatively, if the award is below a pre-determined threshold, the processor may cause a replay of the game to provide a sufficient award to the player. Alternatively, the number may be used as a non-credit value such as a multiplier, number of free spins or number of free games.
In the third target set, the player picked the third target number, which was two. The target number two is transferred to the third and final award location 114c in the award combination 112. In this embodiment, the bonus game ends when the player completes the award combination or runs out of picks. Here, the player completed the award combination 112. The player receives the total award indicated by the award combination 112, which is one hundred fifty-two. This award is displayed in the award display 108.
In one aspect of this embodiment, the player may receive an additional award (not shown) for completing the award combination 112. The additional award may be a predetermined award, a random award or any type of award desired. In another aspect of this embodiment, each subsequent target set is larger in size, or includes more symbols or numbers. By increasing the target set size, the level of difficulty of obtaining the target numbers in each subsequent target set increases. For example, in a game with three target sets, the first target set includes five numbers, the second target set includes seven numbers and the third target set includes ten numbers. It should also be appreciated that the target set size could decrease or could be randomly determined.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides additional awards to a player for having picks remaining at the end of a bonus game. Preferably, the gaming device provides an award for each remaining pick. In another aspect of this embodiment, the player uses their remaining picks to select additional awards or prizes. In another embodiment, the player is provided with another bonus level or bonus game for having picks remaining in the game. The player uses their remaining picks in that bonus level or bonus game to obtain larger awards. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the gaming device displays several masked or hidden selections to the player (not shown). The player picks a selection with each remaining pick from the bonus game. Each selection provides an additional award to the player. The additional award may be any type of award desired by the game implementor.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In
If the player picks all of the target numbers or digits in the combination, the gaming device preferably provides an award (not shown) to the player. The award is preferably based on the number of picks that the player has remaining in the bonus game. In one embodiment, the player uses their remaining picks to select additional awards or prizes. In another embodiment, the player is provided with another bonus level or bonus game and the player uses their remaining picks in that bonus level or bonus game to obtain additional awards.
In another embodiment, the award provided to the player for picking all of the target numbers or symbols in the target combination is based on the number of picks that the player actually uses to obtain the target combination. In this embodiment, the gaming device provides a larger award to the player for using less picks to obtain the target combination. It should also be appreciated that the player may also obtain an additional award or larger award for obtaining the target number or symbol in a target set based on the number of picks used by the player.
In an alternative embodiment, the number of picks provided to the player is not displayed to the player. In this embodiment, the player's excitement and enjoyment of the bonus game increases because the player does not know when their picks will run out and therefore, when the game will end.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. It is thus to be understood that modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of this invention as defined in the claims, and that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.
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