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 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 bonus games generally employ a triggering event that occurs during the base game. The triggering event temporarily stalls or halts the 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 an award and returns to the base game.
One known bonus game enables players to accept or decline multiple award offers. The TOP DOLLAR® gaming device which is manufactured and distributed by the assignee of this application, provides the player with three offers and a final award. When an offer is given, the player may accept or reject it by pushing an accept button or a reject button, respectively. If the player accepts an offer, the player receives the accepted bonus amount and the bonus round terminates. If the player declines an offer, the game generates another offer for the player. The player is automatically provided with the last selected offer if the player rejects the three previous offers.
In this known offer/acceptance game, when the player rejects an offer, the player risks a current or guaranteed award for a higher value award. The game may instead provide a lower award. The game thus creates a risk for the player. Enabling a player to pick from different risk based alternatives and then enabling the player to accumulate awards or offers from the selected alternatives provides excitement and enjoyment to the player. Therefore a need exists to provide an offer/acceptance game that enables a player to weigh options and explore the consequences of selecting those options where the player may accumulate awards or offers.
The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having a selection game with building awards. In one embodiment of the present invention, upon the initiation of the selection game, the gaming device provides a plurality of selections and a plurality of selection groups. Each selection is associated with one of the plurality of selection groups. A value or modifier is associated with each selection group. In one embodiment, each selection group includes one or more elements or positions. In one embodiment, each selection group includes the same number of elements or positions as the number of selections associated with that selection group.
Each element or position in each selection group is associated with a ranking. That is, the elements or positions of each selection group are ranked from one to the number of positions or elements in that selection group. A value or modifier is associated with each ranking, wherein in one embodiment, the greater the ranking, the greater the associated value or modifier. Thus, each element or position in each selection group is associated with a value or award (based on the value or modifier associated with the position's selection group and the value or modifier associated with the ranking of the position within the selection group). As described in more detail below, the value or award associated with each position is an offer component that may be combined with other offer components to form an offer. In one embodiment, the selection groups are arranged as rows or columns of a grid configuration. In one embodiment, each column of the grip represents a selection group and each row of the grid represents a different ranking. In this embodiment, the lowest row represents the lowest ranking and the rankings increase sequentially for each higher row. In another embodiment, each row of the grid represents a selection group and each column of the grid represents a different ranking.
In one embodiment of the selection game of the present invention, the gaming device enables the player to pick one or more of the plurality of selections. The selection group associated with each of the picked selections is revealed and the picked selections are moved to, positioned at or displayed to occupy one of the elements or positions of the associated selection group. The value or award associated with the occupied position is revealed to the player. In this embodiment, the picked selection is positioned at the lowest ranking available or unoccupied position in the associated selection group. For example, if the player selects three selections and two of the player picked selections are revealed to be associated with the same first selection group, then the first picked selection is moved to the lowest ranking position of the associated first selection group. The second picked selection is moved to the second lowest ranking position of the associated first selection group. That is, since the first picked selection already occupies the lowest ranking position, the second picked selection is positioned or placed at the second lowest ranking available or unoccupied position of the associated selection group.
In this embodiment, since the value or award associated with each of the rankings is increased as the rankings increase, the value or award associated with the occupied position of the second picked selection will be greater than the value or award associated with the occupied position of the first picked selection. In other words, the more occupied positions the player builds up in a certain selection group with picked selections, the greater the award that will be provided to the player.
In an alternative embodiment, rather than positioning or placing each picked selection at the lowest available ranking of the picked selection's associated selection group, each selection is associated with a position of one of the selection groups. In this embodiment, the picked selection is positioned at the associated position. In another embodiment, the gaming device randomly places each picked selection at one of the positions of one of the selection groups. In this embodiment, each picked selection may or may not be associated with a selection group.
After each of the player picked selections is positioned or placed at one of the positions of the picked selections associated selection group, an offer based on the occupied positions is offered to the player. As each position is associated with an award or value (i.e., the value of the ranking combined with the value associated with the selection group), the offer is based on the award or value associated with each of the positions occupied by picked selections.
The gaming device enables the player to keep the offer or reject the offer. If the player keeps the offer, the offer is provided to the player and the selection game ends. If the player rejects the offer, and the player has at least one remaining offer, then the position of at least one of the picked selections is modified or moved to another position. In one embodiment, the position of a plurality of picked selections are modified or moved to other positions. In another embodiment, the position of each of the picked selections is modified or moved to other positions.
In one embodiment, the position of each picked selection can be modified or moved to another position within the same selection group that the picked selection was initially associated with. In another embodiment, each position is associated with one or more modified positions and the position of the picked selection can be modified or moved to one of the modified positions associated with the currently occupied position. In another embodiment, the position of each picked selection can be modified or moved to any other position in any of the selections groups. It should be appreciated that in the embodiment wherein each picked selection is positioned or placed at the lowest ranking available or unoccupied position, even after the picked selections are modified or moved the lowest ranking available or unoccupied position of each selection group must be occupied before any other position of that selection group may be occupied. For example, if the position of a picked selection is modified or moved to a selection group that has no other occupied positions, then the modified or moved picked selection must be positioned or placed at the lowest ranking available or unoccupied position of the new selection group.
Another offer based on the awards or values associated with the modified positions of the picked selections is offered to the player for acceptance or rejection. If the offer is accepted or the player does not have at least one new offer remaining, the offer is provided to the player and the selection game ends. If the offer is rejected and the player has at least one new offer remaining, then the gaming device again modifies or moves the positions of the picked selections as described above. The selection game then proceeds as described above until the player either accepts an offer or has no new offers remaining.
The present invention provides an offer and acceptance wherein the gaming device enables a player to rearrange or reposition the occupancy of one or more selections of one or more ranked positions wherein each offer offered to the player is based on the currently occupied position of one or more of the selections.
Moreover, the selection game of the present invention provides an offer and acceptance game that enables a player to weigh options and explore the consequences of selecting those options where the player may accumulate awards or offers.
In an alternative embodiment, the selection game of the present invention determines a first award based on one or more selections by the player and subsequently modifies the first award to form a second award which is provided to the player. It should be appreciated that this embodiment does not enable the player to accept or reject any awards, but rather modifies one or more awards prior to providing any awards to the player.
In one alternative embodiment, the gaming device provides a plurality of elements or positions wherein each position is associated with an award. As described above, the award associated with each position is based on the value or multiplier associated with the position's selection group as well as the value or multiplier associated with the position's ranking. In this embodiment, the gaming device also provides a plurality of selections wherein one or more of the selections are associated with a terminator. The gaming device does not initially reveal which selections are associated with a terminator. In operation of this embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the selections and the gaming device determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. If the picked selection is not associated with a terminator, the gaming device positions or places the picked selection to occupy one of the elements or positions of one of the selection groups. In different embodiments as described above, the gaming device places the picked selection at the lowest available ranking of the picked selection's associated selection group, the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the positions based on the picked selections associated ranking, the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the positions based on the picked selections associated selection group regardless of the rank of the position, or the gaming device randomly places the picked selection at one of the positions. The occupied element or position is associated with an award based on the value or multiplier of the selection group of the occupied position as well as the value or multiplier of the ranking of the occupied position. After placing the picked selection to occupy one of the elements or positions, the gaming device enables the player to pick another one of the selections and again determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator as described above.
If the picked selection is associated with a terminator, the gaming device modifies the position of at least one of the picked selections. Alternatively, the gaming device modifies or moves the positions of a plurality of or each the picked selections. In different embodiments, the gaming device individually moves the positions of one, more or each of the picked selections to: another position within the same selection group (i.e., a different ranking); another position with the same ranking in a different selection group; another position with a different ranking in a different selection group or in any other suitable manner described above. In another embodiment, the gaming device removes at least one of the picked selections from it's currently occupied position (i.e. removed from the offer grid) and the gaming device modifies the positions of the remaining picked selections based on the removed selection. For example, if a picked selection which occupies the lowest ranked position of a selection group is removed, then any previously occupied higher ranked positions of the same selection group must be moved to or repositioned to the lowest ranked unoccupied position because in this embodiment, a higher ranked position of a selection group can only be occupied if each of the lower ranked positions of the selection group are also occupied.
After modifying the positions of one or more of the picked selections, the gaming device determines the modified award based on the awards or values associated with the modified positions of the picked selections. The gaming device provides the determined modified award to the player and ends the game.
In one alternative embodiment, the gaming device provides a plurality of elements or positions wherein each position is associated with an award or award component. As described above, the award components associated with each position is based on the award sub-component, such as the value or multiplier, associated with the position's selection group as well as the award sub-component, such as the value or multiplier, associated with the position's ranking. That is, each ranked position is associated with an award component wherein the award component is formed from award sub-components. For example, an award component is the product of a value of a position's selection group (first award sub-component) and the value associated with that position's ranking (second award sub-component). In this embodiment, the gaming device also provides a plurality of selections wherein one or more of the selections are associated with a terminator. In one embodiment, one or more terminators are each associated with an award, such as a value. The gaming device does not initially reveal which selections are associated with a terminator.
In operation of this embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the selections and the gaming device determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. If the picked selection is not associated with a terminator, the gaming device positions or places the picked selection to occupy one of the elements or positions of one of the selection groups. In different embodiments as described above, the gaming device places the picked selection at the lowest available ranking of the picked selection's associated selection group, the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the positions based on the picked selections associated ranking, the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the positions based on the picked selections associated selection group regardless of the rank of the position, or the gaming device randomly places the picked selection at one of the positions. The occupied element or position is associated with an award component based on the value or multiplier of the selection group of the occupied position as well as the value or multiplier of the ranking of the occupied position. After placing the picked selection to occupy one of the elements or positions, the gaming device enables the player to pick another one of the selections and again determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator as described above.
If the picked selection is associated with a terminator, the gaming device provides the player the award associated with the picked terminator. Additionally, the gaming device modifies the value or multiplier associated with one or more selection groups (i.e., one award sub-component) and/or modifies the value or multiplier associated with one or more rankings (i.e., another award sub-component).
In one embodiment, which value or multiplier is modified is based on which terminator is selected. For example, if one terminator is selected, the values or multipliers associated with one or more selection groups are modified, while if another terminator is selected, the values or multipliers associated with one or more rankings are modified. In different embodiments, which value(s) or modifier(s) are modified is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a probability, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on the player's wager, or determined based on any other suitable method.
After modifying the values or multipliers associated with one or more selection groups and/or the values or multipliers associated with one or more rankings, the gaming device determines the modified award based on the awards or values associated with the modified positions of the picked selections. The gaming device provides the determined modified award to the player and ends the game.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention 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 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 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. In this type of embodiment, the gaming device provides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and guarantees a designated 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, 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 games 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 and images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements, promotions and the like.
In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or by the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the display device may include any suitable electromechanical device which preferable moves one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more mechanical rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of games or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.
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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 which are redeemable by a cashier or funded 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 device 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.
The gaming device 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 of the game from a wager made by the player. 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 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 cards. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, the cards may be randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold by using one or more input devices, such as pressing related hold buttons or touching a corresponding area on a touch-screen. After the player presses the deal button, the processor of the gaming device removes the unwanted or discarded cards from the display and deals replacement cards from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final five-card hand. The processor of the gaming device compares the final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. Award based on a winning hand and the credits wagered is provided to the player.
In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the player is dealt at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards in all of the dealt hands 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 displayed hand and replaced with randomly dealt cards. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards will usually be different for each hand. 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 preferably a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers by using an input device or by using 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, 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 bonus 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 code which causes the processor to automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a triggering event, a qualifying condition or other designated game event 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 their bonus game participation by returning to the base or primary game for continued play. 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 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. The player must win or earn entry through play of the primary game, thereby 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 for the bonus game 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/or 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 an 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 to 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 or webserver) through a conventional phone or other data transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, wireless gateway 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 value or modifier associated with each selection group is randomly determined each time the selection game is initiated. In another embodiment, the value or modifier associated with each selection group is predetermined. In another embodiment, the value or modifier associated with each selection group is selected from a range of values or modifiers. In another embodiment, a probability is associated with each value or modifier and each value or modifier is selected to be associated with a selection group based on it's associated probability.
Each selection group includes one or more elements or positions 126. Each element or position in each selection group is associated with a different ranking or otherwise ranked from a first or lowest position in the selection group to a last or highest position in the selection group. Each ranking is associated with a value or modifier, wherein the higher the ranking, the greater the associated value or modifier. In this case, the first or lowest ranking 134 is associated with a modifier of five, the second or intermediate ranking 136 is associated with a modifier of ten and the third or highest ranking 138 is associated with a modifier of fifteen.
In one embodiment, the value or modifier associated with each ranking is randomly determined each time the selection game is initiated. In another embodiment, the value or modifier associated with each ranking is predetermined. In another embodiment, the value or modifier associated with each ranking is selected from a range of values or modifiers. In another embodiment, a probability is associated with each value or modifier and each value or modifier is selected to be associated with a ranking based on it's associated probability.
Each position of each selection group is associated with a value or award. That is, since each position is included in a selection group (that is associated with a value or modifier) and each position is associated with a ranking within the selection group (that is associated with a value or modifier), each position is associated with a value or award that is based on these associated values. As described in more detail below, the value or award associated with each position is an offer component that may be combined with other offer components to form an offer.
In one embodiment, the selection groups and rankings are arranged as rows or columns of a grid configuration. In one embodiment, each column of the grid represents a selection group and each row of the grid represents a different ranking. In this embodiment, the lowest row represents the lowest ranking and the rankings increase sequentially as the rows increase. In this embodiment, the award or value associated with each position of the grid is based on the value of the column (i.e., the selection group) and the multiplier of the row (i.e., the ranking) that the position is located at on the grid. In another embodiment, each row of the grid represents a selection group and each column of the grid represents a different ranking. The present invention is not limited to a square or rectangular-shaped grid as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the gaming device also provides a plurality of selections represented as numbers 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118. In one embodiment, each selection is initially associated with a selection group. In one embodiment, the selection group initially associated with each selection is masked or otherwise not revealed to the player. In one embodiment, the number of selections associated with each selection group is the same number of positions or elements includes in that selection group. This embodiment includes nine selections, however any suitable number of selections may be implemented in accordance with the present invention. In another embodiment, each selection is not initially associated with a selection group. In this embodiment, each player picked selection is associated with a selection group when the selection is picked or selected by the player.
The gaming device also provides the player a number of picks of the selections, in this case three, which is displayed in a picks remaining display 140. The number of picks of selections may be predetermined or randomly determined. Alternatively, the number of picks may determined during play of the base game, determined based on the amount wagered or determined in any other suitable manner. The gaming device also provides a bonus offer display 144 that displays the total amount of all the currently revealed awards which will form an offer as described in more detail below.
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An award of fifty 142 that is associated with the picked selection's currently occupied position is revealed to the player. It should be appreciated that the award of fifty is based on the value of ten 130 associated with the position's column on the grid (i.e., the picked selection's associated selection group) and the modifier of five 134 associated with the position's row on the grid (i.e., the ranking of the currently occupied position). The bonus offer display 144 displays the offer amount of fifty which is the total amount of all the currently revealed awards. The picks remaining display 140 is subsequently reduced by one to reflect this pick. Appropriate messages such as “YOUR SELECTION IS FROM GROUP B,” “THE POSITION OF YOUR SELECTION HAS A VALUE OF FIFTY” and “PLEASE PICK ANOTHER SELECTION” are preferably provided to the player visually, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
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In one embodiment, the position of each picked selection can be modified or moved to another position within the same selection group that the picked selection was initially associated with. In another embodiment, one or more positions are each associated with one or more modified positions. In this embodiment, if a position is currently occupied and the selection occupying the position is moved or modified to another position, then the selection will be modified or moved to one of the modified positions associated with the currently occupied position. For example, if a first selection is currently occupying the lowest ranking position of a first selection group and the lowest ranking position of the first selection group is associated with the highest ranking position of a second selection group, then if the first selection is modified or moved to another position, the first selection will be modified or moved to the associated highest ranking position of the second selection group. In another embodiment, the position of each picked selection can be modified or moved to any other position in any of the selections groups. It should be appreciated that in the embodiment wherein each picked selection is positioned or placed at the lowest ranking position of the associated selection group, even after the picked selections are modified or moved the lowest ranking position of each selection group must be occupied before any other position of that selection group may be occupied.
As illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment, each selection is associated with a specific position of one of the selection groups. In this embodiment, the picked selection is positioned at the associated position. It should be appreciated that since each selection is associated with a specific position of a selection group, each picked selection will not automatically occupy the lowest ranked unoccupied position of the picked selections associated selection group. Moreover, in this embodiment, if the player rejects an offer and one of the picked selections is moved or repositioned to another position, the picked selection will not automatically occupy the lowest ranked unoccupied position of the picked selections modified selection group. In another embodiment, although each picked selection will not occupy the lowest ranked unoccupied position of the picked selections initially associated selection group, if the player rejects an offer and the picked selection is moved, then the picked selection will, as described above, occupy the lowest ranked unoccupied position of the selection group that the picked selection is moved to.
In an alternative embodiment, each selection group is not associated with a value or modifier. In this embodiment, each selection is associated with a value or modifier. As the selections are moved or modified, the value associated with the moved selection is modified by the value or modifier associated with the ranking of the position the selection is moved to. In this embodiment, if a selection is moved to another position in another selection group, but the other position is associated with the same ranking, then the player's offer will not be altered or changed. In another embodiment, each selection group is associated with a value but each ranking is not associated with a value or modifier. In this embodiment, as the selections are moved or modified, the player's offer is modified or altered based only on the selection group of the position that the selection currently occupied. In this embodiment, if a selection occupies the highest ranking position of a selection group or the lowest ranking position of the selection group, the player's offer will only be altered or changed by the value associated with the position's selection group.
In another embodiment, each ranking is associated with a value. In this embodiment, as more than one position associated with each selection group are occupied, the player's offer is increased by the value associated with the ranking of each of the occupied positions.
In an alternative embodiment, if the player rejects an offer, then at least one of the picked selections is removed from it's currently occupied position (i.e. removed from the offer grid) and the player is enabled to pick at least one of the remaining non-picked selections to replace the removed selection. The picked selection is moved to, positioned at or displayed to occupy the lowest available ranked position of the selection group associated with the picked selection as described above.
Referring generally to
In one alternative of this embodiment, each selection is associated with a selection group and the gaming device places the picked selection at the lowest available ranking of the picked selection's associated selection group or set. In another alternative of this embodiment, each selection is associated with a selection group and the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the ranked positions of the picked selection's associated selection group. In another alternative of this embodiment, each selection is associated with a ranking and the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the positions with the same ranking as the picked selection's associated ranking. In another alternative of this embodiment, each selection is associated with a ranking and a selection group and the gaming device places the picked selection at the position which corresponds to the associated ranking and selection group of the picked selection.
As illustrated in
As seen in
As seen in
In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device modifies the positions of one or more of the picked selections after a plurality of terminators have been revealed. In another alternative embodiment, after a first terminator is revealed, the gaming device modifies the positions of one or more of the picked selections and enables the player to pick at least another selection until a second terminator is revealed. In this embodiment, when the second terminator is revealed, the gaming device again modifies the previously modified positions of one or more of the picked selections.
In an alternative to this embodiment (not shown), the gaming device modifies or moves the position of one, more or each of the picked selections to another position within the same selection group (i.e., a different ranking). In another alternative to this embodiment, the gaming device modifies or moves the position of one, more or each of the picked selections to another position with the same ranking in a different selection group. In another alternative to this embodiment, the gaming device modifies or moves the position of one, more or each of the picked selections to another position with a different ranking in a different selection group.
In another alternative to this embodiment, the gaming device removes at least one of the picked selections from it's currently occupied position (i.e. removed from the offer grid). In this embodiment, the gaming device modifies the positions of the remaining picked selections based on the removed selection such that if a picked selection which occupies the lowest ranked position of a selection group is removed, then any previously occupied higher ranked positions of the same selection group must be moved to or repositioned to the lowest ranked unoccupied position. For example, in
In another alternative embodiment, the gaming device randomly places the selections at different positions when they are picked (regardless of if a lower ranked position of the same selection group is occupied) and after a selection associated with a terminator is picked, the gaming device moves or modifies the positions of one or more of the selections wherein each selection must occupy the lowest ranked unoccupied position of that selection's respective selection group.
Referring generally to
In one such embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the selections and the gaming device determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. If the picked selection is not associated with a terminator, the gaming device positions or places the picked selection to occupy one of the elements or positions of one of the selection groups or sets. The gaming device enables the player to pick another one of the selections and again determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. In one embodiment, if the picked selection is associated with a terminator, the gaming device modifies the value or multiplier associated with one or more selection groups and/or modifies the value or multiplier associated with one or more rankings. After modifying the values or multipliers associated with one or more selection groups and/or the values or multipliers associated with one or more rankings, the gaming device determines the modified award based on the awards or values associated with the positions of the picked selections. The gaming device provides the determined modified award to the player and ends the game.
In one embodiment, each selection is associated with a selection group and the gaming device places the picked selection at the lowest available ranking of the picked selection's associated selection group or set. In another embodiment, each selection is associated with a selection group and the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the ranked positions of the picked selection's associated selection group. In alternative embodiment, each selection is associated with a ranking and the gaming device places the picked selection at one of the positions with the same ranking as the picked selection's associated ranking. In another alternative embodiment, each selection is associated with a ranking and a selection group and the gaming device places the picked selection at the position which corresponds to the associated ranking and selection group of the picked selection. In different embodiments, the position of the picked selection is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a probability, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on the player's wager, or determined based on any other suitable method.
As illustrated in
As seen in
In one embodiment, one or more terminators are each associated with a value. In one embodiment, a plurality of the values associated with a plurality of the terminators are different. In another embodiment, each of the values associated with each of the terminators are different. In another embodiment, a plurality of the values associated with a plurality of the terminators are the same. In another embodiment, each of the values associated with each of the terminators are the same. In one embodiment, the award or value associated with the revealed terminator is determined by the gaming device positioning or placing the selection associated with the terminator to occupy one of the elements or positions of one of the groups or sets, wherein the award associated with the occupied element or position represents the award associated with the terminator. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, when value or multiplier associated with one or more selection groups or one or more rankings is modified, In different embodiments, the values associated with each terminator are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a probability, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on the player's wager, or determined based on any other suitable method.
As seen in
In one embodiment, which value or multiplier is modified is based on which terminator is selected. For example, if one terminator is selected, the values or multipliers associated with one or more selection groups are modified, while if another terminator is selected, the values or multipliers associated with one or more rankings are modified. In this example, if another terminator is selected, the values or multipliers associated with one or more selection groups and the values or multipliers associated with one or more rankings are each modified, while if another terminator is selected, none of the values or multipliers associated with any selection groups or any rankings are modified. In different embodiments, which value(s) or multiplier(s) are modified is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a probability, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on the player's wager, or determined based on any other suitable method.
In one embodiment, the modified values or multipliers are different than one or more of the unmodified values or multipliers. In another embodiment, the modified values or multipliers are the same as one or more of the unmodified values or multipliers. In another embodiment, the values or multipliers associated with the selection groups are shifted or jumbled such that one or more selection groups are each reassociated with a different value or multiplier. In another embodiment, the values or multipliers associated with the rankings are shifted or jumbled such that one or more rankings are each reassociated with a different value or multiplier. In different embodiments, the modified values or multipliers are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a probability, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on the player's wager, or determined based on any other suitable method.
In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the gaming device provides the player a designated number of picks of the selections. In this embodiment, the player picks a selection for each pick and the gaming device places each pick on the grid as described above. After each of the picked selections are placed on the grid, the gaming device reveals if any of the picked selections are associated with a terminator. If none of the picked selections are associated with a terminator, the gaming device provides the player an award based on the currently occupied positions of each of the picked selections. If at least one of the picked selections is associated with a terminator, the gaming device removes each selection associated with a terminator and modifies the positions of the remaining picked selections to reflect the removal of one or more previously picked selections.
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 invention 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 of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/649,092, filed Aug. 27, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN IMPROVED OFFER/ACCEPTANCE BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/966,884, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-482; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH HIDDEN OFFER,” Ser. No. 10/160,688, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-589; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING OFFER/ACCEPTANCE ADVANCE THRESHOLD AND LIMIT BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/838,014, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-607; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH MASKED OFFERS,” Ser. No. 10/086,014, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-610; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH A PLAYER SELECTION FEATURE,” Ser. No. 10/086,078, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-747; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH A PLURALITY OF AWARD POOLS, A REVEAL FEATURE, AND A MODIFY FEATURE,” Ser. No. 10/255,862, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-949; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 10/074,273, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-974; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN OFFER/ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH MULTI-OFFER SYMBOL,” Ser. No. 10/245,387, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-1053; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN OFFER/ACCEPTANCE GAME WHEREIN EACH OFFER IS BASED ON A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY GENERATED EVENTS,” Ser. No. 10/244,134, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-1065; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE SELECTION BONUS SCHEME WITH A TERMINATOR AND AN ANTI-TERMINATOR,” Ser. No. 10/644,447, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-1609; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A DESTINATION PURSUIT BONUS SCHEME WITH ADVANCE AND SETBACK CONDITIONS,” Ser. No. 10/660,075, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-1679; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING SEPARATELY CHANGEABLE VALUE AND MODIFIER BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 10/767,484, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-1820; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN AWARD OFFER AND TERMINATION BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 10/810,146, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2103; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING VALUE SELECTION BONUS,” Ser. No. 10/803,410, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2165; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS ROUND WITH MULTIPLE RANDOM AWARD GENERATION AND MULTIPLE RETURN/RISK SCENARIOS,” Ser. No. 10/865,713, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2339; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A DESTINATION PURSUIT BONUS SCHEME WITH ADVANCED AND SETBACK CONDITIONS,” Ser. No. 10/950,518, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2502; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED AWARD OFFER BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 10/937,664, Attorney Docket No. 0012300-2529; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED AWARD OFFER BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 10/952,062, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2590; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING OFFER ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH TERMINATION LIMIT,” Ser. No. 10/971,980, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2614; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN AWARD EXCHANGE BONUS ROUND AND METHOD FOR REVEALING AWARD EXCHANGE POSSIBILITIES,” Ser. No. 10/982,518, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2650; and “GAMING DEVICE HAVING RISK EVALUATION BONUS ROUND,” Ser. No. 11/041,801, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2780.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10649092 | Aug 2003 | US |
Child | 11219994 | Sep 2005 | US |