This application is related to the following co-pending commonly owned patent applications: “GAMING DEVICE WITH BONUS SCHEME PROVIDING AWARDS ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEMENTS ALONG A PATH,” Ser. No. 09/583,429, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A DESTINATION PURSUIT BONUS SCHEME WITH ADVANCE AND SETBACK CONDITIONS,” Ser. No. 09/686,409, and “GAMING DEVICE WITH A BONUS SCHEME INVOLVING MOVEMENT ALONG PATHS WITH PATH CHANGE CONDITIONS,” Ser. No. 09/686,538.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains 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 with a bonus scheme wherein a player receives various awards associated with the movement of multiple symbols along a path.
Video games which involve one character or symbol chasing another character or symbol on a path or grid are well known. One character or symbol represents the player, and the other character or symbol represents an opponent. The player symbol is usually initially positioned ahead of the opponent symbol. The player's goal is to advance along the path without being caught by the opponent. Typically, as the player advances, the player receives various points. When the opponent symbol catches the player symbol, one of several events may occur, depending upon the type of game. For example, the game may terminate, the player may lose a life or the player may lose points. If the opponent symbol causes the game to terminate, the opponent symbol may be viewed as a terminating symbol.
Terminating symbols are found in contemporary gaming devices such as slot machines which include a primary game and a bonus round. After a player achieves a certain level of success in the primary game, these games award players with an opportunity to gain bonus values in a bonus round. Some current bonus schemes enable a player to choose from a group of symbols. Often, one or more of the symbols are terminating symbols. In existing gaming device bonus schemes, the location of the terminating symbols does not vary from the beginning of the bonus round to the end of the bonus round. This is because the terminating symbols do not move during the bonus round. European Patent Application No. EP 0 945 837 A2 filed on Mar. 18, 1999 and assigned on its face to WMS Gaming, Inc. discloses a bonus scheme generally of this type.
To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide slot machine players with bonus schemes which involve the movement of terminating symbols. In particular it is desirable to incorporate into a bonus scheme, the movement of a player symbol and a terminating symbol in a chase game. As players wait to see when their symbol will be caught while obtaining awards during the pursuit, players feel a heightened experience of anticipation and excitement.
The present invention overcomes the above shortcomings by providing a gaming device and method which provides players with various awards for advancing a player symbol along a path without being caught by a terminating symbol. The symbols are representations in visual, audio or audio-visual form. The path is a route which is preferably functionally cyclical, even though the path may be displayed in linear form. The path can also be non-cyclical.
At the beginning of the bonus round, a player symbol is exhibited at a starting location, and a terminating symbol is exhibited at another location. The player symbol and terminating symbol preferably advance in the same direction, whether clockwise, counterclockwise forward, backward, upward or downward. The particular locations which the symbols visit during a bonus round can be predetermined and programmed in the computer of the gaming device. Alternatively, the particular locations which the symbols visit can be randomly generated by the computer during the bonus round.
Regardless of how the game determines the new locations, the game preferably simulates a random number generator such as a spinning reel or wheel to increase player excitement and enjoyment. Upon the use of a play activator or upon automatic successive intervals, the computer displays a number of moves for each symbol. Then the computer causes the symbols to visit locations according to the number of moves displayed.
Some, if not all of the locations are associated with bonus values. It should be appreciated that a location can be a bonus value in and of itself. The bonus values preferably vary from location to location. For example, one location may be associated with a relatively high bonus value, and another location may be associated with a relatively low bonus value or no bonus value at all. When the player symbol visits a location, the game awards the player with the bonus value associated with that location. The game may also award bonus values upon the occurrence of other events discussed below.
The bonus round terminates when the terminating symbol catches the player symbol. The term “catch” as used herein means: (i) to visit a location which is also being visited by another symbol; or (ii) to visit a location in front of or beyond another symbol. Once the bonus round terminates, the game awards any accumulated bonus values and credits to the player.
Preferably, the game displays: (a) the number of moves provided for the player symbol and the terminating symbol; (b) a running total of the bonus values accumulated by the player; and (c) the number of the lap which the player symbol is taking through the path.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, preferably the player initially uses a play activator such as a play, action or move button or indicator to make the computer of the gaming device cause visits. After using the play activator once, the computer automatically causes the player symbol and terminating symbol to visit new locations in successive intervals. It should be appreciated that the computer could automatically cause visits when a bonus round is triggered without the player's input. In any event, this automated process continues until the bonus round terminates.
With each interval, the player symbol and the terminating symbol each visit a new location. Each time the player symbol visits or stops on a location, the game awards the player with a bonus value associated with that location, if any. Preferably, the game also awards the player for each lap which the player symbol completes without being caught. When the terminating symbol catches the player symbol, the bonus round terminates and the game awards the player with any gained bonus values and bonus credits.
Similar to the first embodiment, in a second embodiment of the present invention by repeatedly using a play activator, the player makes the computer of the gaming device cause visits. Preferably, the particular locations which the symbols visit are randomly generated by the computer during the bonus round based upon a predetermined formula.
Each time the player symbol visits a new location, the game awards the player with a bonus value associated with that location, if any. In addition, the game awards the player with bonus values when: (a) the player symbol completes a lap without being caught by the terminating symbol; and (b) the player symbol moves so much more than the terminating symbol that the player symbol ends up catching the terminating symbol. Also, whenever the player symbol visits its starting location, the game may award the player symbol with a visit to a new location.
The bonus round of the second embodiment can terminate in one of three manners: (a) if the player symbol has made a predetermined number of laps without being caught by the terminating symbol; (b) if the terminating symbol does in fact catch the player symbol; and (c) if the player symbol catches the terminating symbol. After the bonus round terminates, the game awards the player with any gained bonus values and corresponding bonus credits.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device with a bonus scheme having multiple symbol movement and which provides a player with various awards associated with the symbol movement.
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,
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any game such as slot, poker or keno in addition to any of their bonus triggering events which trigger the bonus scheme of the present invention. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical or video form.
As illustrated in
As shown in
Gaming device 10 also has a display window 28 which contains a plurality of reels 30, preferably three to five reels in mechanical or video form. Each reel 30 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. If the reels 30 are in video form, the gaming device 10 preferably displays the video reels 30 at video monitor 32 instead of at display window 28. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 34 for making sounds or playing music.
At any time during the game, 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 36. 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.
With respect to electronics, gaming device 10 preferably includes the electronic configuration generally illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”). 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 are generally referred to herein as the “computer.”
With reference to
In addition to winning credits in this manner, preferably gaming device 10 also gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. This type of gaming device 10 will include a program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on the display window 28. The gaming device 10 also includes a display device such as a video monitor 32 shown in
If a player achieves a bonus triggering or qualifying condition while playing the game, the gaming device 10 automatically displays a screen for the bonus round of the present invention. Preferably this screen is displayed on a liquid crystal display device. As indicated by block 52 in
Path 54 preferably is a functionally cyclical route having a series of individual locations 56 for a player symbol 58 and terminating symbol 60, as illustrated in
Locations 56, which are identified in
Player symbol 58 and terminating symbol 60 are predetermined images, sounds, or activities. The characteristics of player symbol 58 and terminating symbol 60 are such that a player can distinguish the two symbols from one another. For example, player symbol 58 could be an audio-visual representation of a meowing cat, and terminating symbol 60 could be an audio-visual representation of a barking dog. Player symbol 58 is illustrated in
The gaming device computer determines the outcome as to which location a symbol will visit. This outcome can be predetermined and programmed into the computer. Alternatively, the computer can randomly generate this outcome or generate the outcome based on predetermined probabilities during the bonus round, preferably immediately after the player uses a play activator.
In either case, preferably the game simulates a random number generator technique or a spinning reel or wheel. The purpose is to make the player feel that the game is randomly generating a number of moves for the symbols. Furthermore, it is preferable that the present invention includes only one player symbol 58 and one terminating symbol 60, and that each symbol can only visit one location 56 at a time.
At the beginning of the bonus round, the computer exhibits a player symbol 58 at a particular location 56 on the path 54. The computer also exhibits a terminating symbol 60 at another location 56, preferably behind the player symbol 58. At the beginning of the example bonus round illustrated in
In reference to
As shown in the example bonus round in
In the example bonus round, the terminating symbol 60 did not catch the player symbol 58 when the computer first caused the symbols to visit new locations. However, when the computer caused the symbols to visit new locations for a second time, terminating symbol 60 did catch player symbol 58, as illustrated in
Preferably, the bonus scheme of the present invention displays: (a) the number of moves which the player symbol 58 and terminating symbol 60 will take; (b) a running total of bonus values accumulated by a player; and (c) the number of the lap which the player is taking through the path 54.
It should be appreciated that the present invention can be adapted to deduct bonus values from the player if the player symbol 58 visits certain deduction locations (not shown). The game could visually or audibly reveal the nature of a deduction location to the player, possibly through a message 64. Alternatively, the game could conceal the nature of a deduction location.
In addition, the bonus scheme of the present invention can provide the player with additional lap bonus values for completing one or more laps through path 52. Each time a player completes a lap, the game could award a lap bonus value. This lap bonus value may or may not relate to the number of the lap, and the lap bonus value can be any amount.
The bonus scheme of the present invention incorporates a chase or pursuit concept, where a terminating symbol and player symbol repeatedly move throughout a bonus round. An opponent chases the player, and as long as the opponent does not catch the player, the player gains various bonus values while advancing along a path. When the opponent ultimately catches the player, the bonus round terminates. This type of bonus scheme provides gaming device players with a heightened level of excitement and entertainment.
In a first embodiment of the present invention shown in
Move indicator 76 displays the number of moves player symbol 58a will take and the number of moves terminating symbol 60a will take. Preferably move indicator 76 includes two video reels, one for each symbol, as show in
Once the bonus round is triggered, the computer displays path 54a and player symbol 58a and terminating symbol 60a, both of which are preferably characters, as shown in
Preferably after receiving the player's input, the computer causes move indicator 76 to operate. Preferably, first the video reel which represents player symbol 58a rotates, comes to a stop and displays a number. Then player symbol 58a makes this number of moves and visits the appropriate location 56a. Next, preferably the video reel which represents terminating symbol 60a rotates, comes to stop and displays a number. Then terminating symbol 60a makes this number of moves and visits the appropriate location 56a.
The game will award the player with the bonus value displayed at the location 56a which is visited by player symbol 58a. Furthermore, if terminating symbol 60a does not catch player symbol 58a, the computer automatically causes move indicator 76 to operate again. This process continues until terminating symbol 60a catches player symbol 58a. All the while, the player will receive various bonus values for each location 56a which player symbol 58a visits and various lap bonus values for each lap which player symbol 58a completes.
When terminating symbol 60a eventually catches player symbol 58a, the bonus round terminates. Finally, as shown in
As is apparent in
In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, once the bonus round is triggered, the computer displays path 54b, locations 56b and player symbol 58b ahead of terminating symbol 60b, as shown in
As shown in
After the computer displays path 54b, player symbol 58b and terminating symbol 60b, the player uses a play activator such as a play, action or move button or indicator to make the computer cause the symbols to visit new locations. After the player uses the play activator, the computer causes move indicator 86 to operate. Preferably, first the video reel which represents player symbol 58b rotates, comes to a stop and displays a number. Then player symbol 58b makes this number of moves and visits the appropriate location 56b. The number of moves which player symbol 58b can take is preferably a move from one to six, though it can be any move. Next, preferably the video reel which represents terminating symbol 60b rotates, comes to stop and displays a number. Then terminating symbol 60b makes this number of moves and visits the appropriate location 56b.
The game will then award the player with the bonus value displayed at the location 56b which player symbol 58b visited. If terminating symbol 60b did not catch player symbol 58b, the player must use the play activator again to continue the bonus round. Throughout the entire bonus round, the player must repeatedly use the play activator to make the computer cause the symbols to visit new locations 56b.
Each time the player symbol 58b visits any location, except for its starting location, the player receives a bonus value associated with that location 56b. Whenever player symbol 58b visits its starting location, the game awards the player with a visit to a new location 56b. This visit may be predetermined or the game can enable the player to select a location 56b to visit. In addition, the game awards the player with a lap bonus value for each lap which player symbol 58b completes without being caught.
In this second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for player symbol 58b to catch the terminating symbol 60b. If player symbol 58b makes substantially more movement along path 54b than terminating symbol 60b, player symbol 58b can catch terminating symbol 60b. If this occurs, the game may award the player with a bonus value (preferably, relatively high), as depicted in
Taking into account this manner of terminating, there are preferably three manners in which the bonus round can terminate: (a) terminating symbol 60b catches player symbol 58b; (b) player symbol 58b completes a predetermined number of laps around path 54b (preferably, five laps); and (c) player symbol 58b catches terminating symbol 60b. In either of these events, the bonus round terminates, and the game awards bonus values to the player, as shown in bonus indicator 90 in
As is apparent in
Thus, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides a bonus scheme which involves symbols which repeatedly change locations or move with respect to one another. The bonus scheme also gives awards and penalties associated with the respective locations of these symbols. Specifically, a terminating symbol repeatedly moves during a bonus round, and when the terminating symbol catches a player symbol, the bonus round terminates. Before the terminating symbol catches the player symbol, the player symbol advances along a path. While the player symbol advances without being caught, the player gains various awards, such as bonus values.
It should be appreciated that the present invention could include a button or other mechanism for enabling the player to select one or more locations or pick the location for movement of the character. In such an embodiment, the terminating symbol(s) could be determined or otherwise randomly generated based on the player's selection.
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.
This application claims priority upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/222,159, filed on Aug. 1, 2000, entitled “Gaming Device With Bonus Scheme Having Multiple Symbol Movement and Associated Awards.”
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