Patent Grant
10109147
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 game in which a player has an opportunity to win multiple awards and potentially large awards or credits are ways to enhance player enjoyment and excitement. Currently, gaming machines or devices provide games, such as slot games, wherein a player has one or more opportunities to obtain a winning symbol combination on mechanical or video reels. In these gaming devices, the player initiates the spin of the reels by making a wager and an award is provided based on the combinations of symbols generated along one or more paylines. Traditional paylines include fixed predetermined symbol display areas arranged adjacently along lines which are horizontal, vertical, diagonal and combinations thereof. The player is able to choose which of the predetermined combinations of symbol display areas will be evaluated for winning combinations of symbols generated in those symbol display areas by activating or wagering on one or more of the predetermined paylines. The player activates a payline based on the amount of the wager made by the player. In other gaming devices, a payout is provided based on a “scatter pay.” A scatter pay includes a pay for the occurrence of designated symbols anywhere on the symbol display. Symbols generated on the symbol display are evaluated for winning combinations as if the symbols were generated along a traditional payline of adjacently arranged symbols.
These gaming machines typically have certain features designated for outcomes such as when a player wins a value, when the player advances to a bonus round or when the game terminates. For example, these gaming machines often display the amount of credits earned, flash lights, make sounds or have other features designed to draw attention to the outcome and entertain the player.
Certain known gaming devices have one or more free spin modes or sequences which are provided to the player after a triggering event in a primary game. The triggering event temporarily halts the primary game play and enables a player to enter a free spin mode or sequence wherein one or more free spins are provided to the player. The player plays the free spin mode or sequence, likely receives an award during one or more of the free spins and returns to the base game. Free spin mode or sequences that provide players with large awards or the potential to win large awards are attractive to players.
To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with increased player interaction and control of a gaming feature in a slot machine.
The present invention provides a gaming device having a game with at least one active symbol position and at least one inactive symbol position wherein any outcome provided to a player is based on the symbols generated at one or more of the active symbol positions.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of symbol generators, such as reels. Each symbol generator is adapted to generate symbols at a plurality of symbol positions. The reels form a symbol matrix of X rows by Y columns (i.e., reels) with Z symbol positions.
In one embodiment, at least one and preferably a plurality of symbol positions are each initially inactive. In another embodiment, each symbol position is initially inactive. In one embodiment, as described below, no symbols will be generated at each inactive symbol position. In another embodiment, if any symbols are generated at the inactive symbol positions, the outcome provided to the player is not influenced by such symbols at the inactive symbol positions.
In one embodiment, at least one and preferably a plurality of symbol positions are each initially active. As described below, the gaming device generates symbols at each active symbol position, wherein the symbols generated at the active symbol positions form one or more symbol combinations. According to an appropriate paytable, awards or payouts are associated with the symbols or symbol combinations generated at the active symbol positions.
In one embodiment, in addition to each symbol position being initially active or inactive, at least one and preferably a plurality of the symbol positions are associated with terminators or ‘end indicators’. In one embodiment, each symbol not associated with a terminator is associated with a ‘continue indicator’. As described below, a terminator ends the symbol position selection sequence and a continuation indicator enables the player to continue the symbol position selection sequence.
In operation, the gaming device enables the player to select a first symbol position from the symbol matrix and the selected symbol position is activated. Additionally, the gaming device reveals whether a terminator or ‘end’ indicator is associated with the first selected symbol position. If a terminator is associated with the first selected symbol position, the symbol position selection sequence ends, the player is not enabled to select any more symbol positions and the game proceeds to the symbol generation sequence as described below. If a terminator is not associated with the first selected symbol position (i.e., a ‘continue’ indicator is associated with the first selected symbol position), the gaming device enables the player to select another symbol position from the symbol matrix. The subsequently selected symbol position is activated and the gaming device reveals whether a terminator is associated with the subsequently selected symbol position. This process continues as described above until the gaming device reveals that one of the selected symbol positions is associated with a terminator. In other words, the player selects symbol positions to activate and continues to make selections until revealing a terminator.
At the conclusion of the symbol position sequence, the gaming device initiates the symbol generation sequence. The symbol generation sequence includes the gaming device randomly generating a symbol at each active symbol position. The generated symbols form one or more symbol combinations. The gaming device determines an outcome or payout, such as a win $5 or a lose outcome, based on the generated symbols or symbol combinations at the active symbol positions and provides the player the determined outcome. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the gaming device does not generate a symbol at each inactive symbol position. In another embodiment, the gaming device generates one or more symbols at one or more inactive symbol positions, but any determined outcome is not based on any symbol generated at any inactive symbol position. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the inactive symbol positions do not form part of any winning symbol combination.
In one embodiment, in addition to any payouts based on the generated symbols or symbol combinations, one or more generated symbols are associated with picks of one or more additional symbol positions. If a generated symbol is associated with a pick of an additional symbol position, the gaming device enables the player to select one or more additional symbol positions to activate. For each subsequent generation of symbols, a symbol is generated at the additionally activated symbol position for evaluation of winning symbol combinations. In one embodiment, the gaming device also provides the player an additional generation of symbols at the currently active symbol positions. In another embodiment, the gaming device does not provide the player any additional generations of symbols based on the associated pick of an additional symbol position.
In another embodiment, in addition to any payouts based on the generated symbols or symbol combinations, one or more generated symbols are associated with one or more additional generations of symbols. In this embodiment, if a symbol associated with an additional symbol generation is generated, the gaming device provides the player one or more additional generations of symbols at the currently active symbol positions.
In one embodiment, the present invention can be employed in conjunction with one or more primary games, such as slot games. In this embodiment, each time the symbol generators are activated (i.e., a symbol is generated at each of the active symbol positions), the player must place one or more separate wagers. In another embodiment, the present invention can be employed in association with free spins or free activations of the symbol generators. In this embodiment, the player is provided a number of free spins or free activations of the symbol generators during which symbols are generated at the activated symbol positions and the game proceeds until a predetermined number of free spins, such as zero, remain or a terminating event or condition occurs and the free spin mode or sequence ends.
The gaming device of the present invention increases player enjoyment by providing the player an opportunity to select the symbol positions which will generate symbols. By providing players with new reel features wherein the new features involve a selection of reel positions to activate, the gaming device of the present invention provides the player with a more exciting gaming experience.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention 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 flagged 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 game outcomes, such as awards, based on probability data. That is, each game outcome is associated with a probability and the gaming device generates the game outcome to be provided to the player based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation, there is no certainty that the gaming device will ever provide the player with any specific award or other game outcome.
In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of game outcomes, such as awards. In this embodiment, as each game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device removes the provided game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removed from the set or pool, the specific provided game outcome cannot be provided to the player again (i.e., unless during a subsequent regeneration of a previously flagged outcome as described in more detail below). In one embodiment, each outcome stored in the set or pool of game outcomes is displayed to the player as the initial generation of an outcome coupled with the subsequent regeneration of the outcome. For example, a game outcome of win $10 may be displayed to the player as an initial generation of a win $5 outcome and also as a subsequent regeneration of the win $5 outcome to total the win $10 outcome that was removed from the set or pool of game outcomes. This type of gaming device provides players with all of the available game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LED) or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable configuration, such as a square, rectangle, elongated rectangle.
The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements and the like.
In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the display device may include any electromechanical device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.
As illustrated in
As seen in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38. The player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive other payout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips redeemable by a cashier or funding to the player's electronically recordable identification card.
In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in
The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad.
In one embodiment, as seen in
In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a player or other sensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and that image can be incorporated into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or base game. The gaming machine or device of the present invention may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form which produces a random outcome based on probability data upon activation from a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video Keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented into the present invention.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game wherein the gaming device enables the player to play a conventional game of video poker and initially deals five cards all face up from a virtual deck of fifty-two card deck. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, may also include that the cards are randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one or more input device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via the touch screen. The player then presses the deal button and the unwanted or discarded cards are removed from the display and replacement cards are dealt from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final five-card hand. The final five-card hand is compared to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. The player is provided with an award based on a winning hand and the credits the player wagered.
In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the player is dealt at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayed and for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards are provided to the player.
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein the gaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers on at least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the player selects at least one and preferable a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers via an input device or via the touch screen. The gaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers to determine an amount of matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and the gaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award based on the amount of matches, if any, based on the amount of determined matches.
In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables the player to obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primary game because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the base or primary game.
In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type of suitable game, either similar to or completely different from the base or primary game. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the bonus game may consist of one or more regenerations of previously generated outcomes. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a triggering event or qualifying condition in the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in the primary slot game embodiment seen in
In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation through continued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulated in a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or entries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic or geometric increase in the number of bonus wagering credits awarded. In one embodiment, extra bonus wagering credits may be redeemed during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.
In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game need be employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a bonus game, rather they must win or earn entry through play of the primary game and thus, play of the primary game is encouraged. In another embodiment, qualification of the bonus or secondary game could be accomplished through a simple “buy in” by the player if, for example, the player has been unsuccessful at qualifying through other specified activities.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the gaming device of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller.
In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming device.
In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, an initial generation of a game outcome coupled with any subsequent regenerations of that game outcome or a series of game outcomes such a free games.
The central server or controller communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller and communicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.
In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the present invention are in communication with a central server or controller for monitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the central server or controller monitors the activities and events occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casino transactions.
A plurality of the gaming devices of the present invention are capable of being connected together through a data network. In one embodiment, the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are in communication with at least one off-site central server or controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. The WAN gaming system of the present invention may be substantially identical to the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of gaming devices in each system may vary relative to each other.
In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller (the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or other data transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players may access an internet game page from any location where an internet connection and computer or other internet facilitator are available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and speed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. It should be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communications may render such technology suitable for some or all communications according to the present invention, particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and interaction with the player.
In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or more gaming sites may be networked to a central server in a progressive configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager to initiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondary event outcomes or 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.
Symbol Position Selection and Generation
Referring now to
The gaming device displays a plurality of inactive symbol positions, wherein at least one symbol position is associated with a terminator as indicated in block 106. A terminator functions to end the symbol position selection sequence of the game and initiate the symbol generation sequence. In one embodiment, each symbol position is initially inactive. In another embodiment, at least one and preferably a plurality of symbol positions are each initially inactive. In this embodiment, at least one and preferably a plurality of the symbol positions are each initially active. In one embodiment, the inactive symbol positions are designated by an illustration of a closed door, however it should be appreciated that the inactive (or active) symbol positions may be illustrated in any suitable manner.
In one embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the symbols positions from the symbol matrix as indicated in block 108. In another embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick a plurality of the symbol positions. In another embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick from a subset of the symbol positions. In one embodiment, the gaming device picks one or more of the symbol positions. In another embodiment, the gaming device picks at least one of the symbol positions and the player picks at least one of the symbol positions.
In one embodiment, the picked symbol position is activated as indicated in block 110. In another embodiment, one or more symbol positions are additionally activated based on the picked symbol position. In another embodiment, in addition to activating the picked symbol position, an award is revealed as associated with the picked symbol position and the revealed award is provided to the player.
After activating the picked symbol positions, the gaming device determines if the picked symbol position is associated with a terminator as indicated in diamond 112. If the picked symbol position is not associated with a terminator, the gaming device enables the player to pick another one of the symbol positions from the symbol matrix as indicated in block 108. This process continues as described above until one of the picked symbol positions is associated with a terminator.
If the picked symbol position is associated with a terminator, the gaming device ends the symbol position selection sequence. The gaming device then determines if the player has at lease one free symbol generation (i.e., at least one free spin) remaining as indicated in diamond 114. In one embodiment, if a selected symbol position is associated with a terminator, that selected symbol position is activated. In another embodiment, if a selected symbol position is associated with a terminator, that selected symbol position is not activated (or otherwise deactivated).
If at least one free symbol generation is remaining in the free spin or free activation embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device generates a symbol at each of the active symbol positions as indicated in block 116. In one embodiment, each symbol position is associated with an individual symbol generator that generates a symbol at that symbol position. For example, each symbol position utilizes it's own independent reel strip. In another embodiment, a plurality of symbol positions are each associated with one symbol generator that generates symbols at each of the associated active symbol positions. For example, one symbol generator (i.e., one reel strip) may generate all of the symbols for each of the active symbol positions associated with that reel. It should be appreciated that any suitable manner of generating symbols may be utilized in accordance with the present invention.
After generating a symbol at each of the active symbol positions, the gaming device determines an outcome or award based on the generated symbols or symbol combinations and provides the determined outcome or award to the player as indicated in block 118. In one embodiment, symbols are not generated at each inactive symbol position. In an alternative embodiment, a symbol is generated at one or more inactive symbol positions, but such symbols are ghosted or grayed and cannot form part of any winning symbol combination.
After providing the player the determined outcome or award, the gaming device determines if any of the generated symbols are associated with one or more picks of additional symbol positions as indicated in diamond 120. In one embodiment, at least one symbol is associated with a pick of an additional symbol position. In another embodiment, a plurality of symbols are each associated with picks of additional symbol positions. In different embodiments, the number of symbols associated with picks of additional symbol positions is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method.
If a generated symbol is associated with a pick of an additional symbol position, the gaming device enables the player to select one or more of the symbol positions, activates the picked symbol positions and provides at least one additional free symbol generation (i.e., at least one free spin) to the player as indicated in blocks 122, 124 and 126. In an alternative embodiment, if a generated symbol is associated with a pick of an additional symbol position, the gaming device enables the player to select one or more of the symbol positions and activates the picked symbol positions without providing at least one additional free symbol generation (i.e., at least one free spin) to the player.
After providing the player with at least one additional free symbol generation or if one of the generated symbols is not associated with an additional symbol position selection, the gaming device determines if at least one free symbol generation remains as indicated in diamond 114. If at least one free symbol generation remains, the gaming device generates a symbol at each of the active symbol positions (including any subsequently activated player picked symbol positions) as indicated in block 116 and continues the process as described above. If no free symbol generations are remaining, the symbol generation sequence is complete and the gaming device ends the game as indicated in block 128.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, at least one and preferably a plurality of the symbol positions are initially inactive. As described above, a symbol generated at an inactive symbol position cannot be part of a winning symbol combination because only symbols generated at active symbol positions may be part of winning symbol combinations in this embodiment. In another embodiment, as illustrated in
In different embodiments, the number of initially inactive symbol positions is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method. In different embodiments, the location of each initially inactive symbol position is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method.
In addition to each symbol position being in an active or inactive state, as described above, at least one of the symbol positions is associated with a terminator. In one embodiment, a plurality of symbol positions are each associated with terminators. In one embodiment, a plurality of the reels each include at least one symbol position associated with a terminator. In another embodiment, a plurality of the reels each include a plurality of symbol positions associated with a terminator. In another embodiment, each of the reels includes at least one symbol position associated with a terminator. In another embodiment, each of the reels includes a plurality of symbol positions associated with a terminator.
In different embodiments, the number of symbol positions associated with terminators is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method. In different embodiments, the location of each symbol position associated with a terminator is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In alternative embodiments, the symbol position sequence may end after any termination event, after any number of termination events and/or after a designated number of symbol positions are activated. In a different embodiment, the designated number of active symbol positions that causes an end of the symbol position sequence is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method.
In one embodiment, the symbol position sequence may end after a designated number of picks of the symbol positions. In this embodiment, rather than associated at least one symbol position with a terminator, the player is enabled to pick a designated number of symbol positions and each of the player picked symbol positions are activated. In different embodiment, the designated number of picks of the symbol positions is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method.
As illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device may generate symbols at one, more or each of the inactive symbol displays, but those generated symbols are for display purposes only and form no part of any outcome provided to the player. The gaming device determines an outcome, such as an award or value, based on the symbols or combination of symbols generated at the active symbol positions. As seen
In different embodiments, the determined outcomes or awards may be values, prizes, modifiers or multipliers, progressive amounts, progressive amount meters, free spins, free games, additional selections of symbol positions, game elements or any other suitable type of award. In one embodiment, each of the awards are different. In another embodiment, a plurality of the awards are different. In another embodiment, each of the awards are the same. In one embodiment, each of the awards are selected from one or more pools of awards. In another embodiment, each of the awards are selected from one or more ranges of awards. In another embodiment, each of the awards is associated with a probability and each of the awards is selected based on the associated probabilities. In different embodiments, the awards are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's wager in a primary game, determined from the occurrence of one or more symbols in a primary game or determined based on any other suitable method.
After determining the outcome, the gaming device determines if any generated symbols are associated with any picks of additional symbol positions. In this example, none of the generated symbols are associated with any additional picks. The gaming device then determines if at least one symbol generation remains.
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In one alternative embodiment, one or more generated symbols are associated with one or more additional symbol generations. In this embodiment, if a symbol associated with an additional symbol generation is generated at one of the active symbol positions, the player is provided one or more additional symbol generations.
In another embodiment, one or more of the active symbol positions may not remain active during one or more subsequent symbol generations. In this embodiment, after a symbol position is active, the gaming device may randomly deactivate the active symbol position. In another embodiment, one or more of the inactive symbol positions may be randomly activated for one or more subsequent symbol generations. In another embodiment, the gaming device may rearrange the active symbol positions. In another embodiment, the gaming device may eliminate one or more previously active or inactive symbol positions from the symbol matrix. In an alternative embodiment, a symbol position may be active, fall inactive (or be deactivated) and then be activated again. In one embodiment, wherein at least one symbol position is initially active, if the player picks a symbol position which is initially active, such symbol position is deactivated. In one embodiment, the active symbol positions remain fixed and do not change locations in the symbol matrix. In another embodiment, the active symbol positions may change locations in the symbol matrix.
In an alternative embodiment, rather than determining each of the active symbol positions then generating symbols at each active symbol position as described above, the gaming device is operable to activate and generate symbols at different symbol positions one at a time. In this embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick a symbol position, activates the picked symbol position and generates a symbol at the activated symbol position. After generating a symbol at the activated symbol position, the gaming device enables the player to pick another symbol position, activates that picked symbol position and generates a symbol at that activated symbol position as described above. This process continues until the player picks a symbol position associated with a terminator, wherein an outcome is determined based on the generated symbols or symbol combinations.
In one embodiment, the present invention is employed as a primary game. In this embodiment, each time the symbol generators are activated (i.e., a symbol is generated at each of the active symbol positions), the player must place one or more separate wagers. In another embodiment, as described above, the present invention is employed as a secondary bonus game in a gaming device. In one embodiment, the present invention is employed in accordance with a plurality of free spins or generations of symbols at the active symbol positions. In this embodiment, upon a suitable triggering event, a number of free spins or activations of the currently active symbol positions are provided to the player. In one free spin mode or sequence embodiment, the gaming device automatically spins the reels for the player upon activation of the bonus game. However, in another embodiment, the player activates each spin of the reels.
It should be appreciated that while the present invention is described in regards to a slot game, the present invention can be implemented into any suitable type of game wherein an outcome is determined based on a plurality of generated symbols. In one embodiment illustrating a card game, a player is enabled to pick and activate playing card positions until the player picks a playing card position associated with a terminator. Upon the player picking a playing card position associated with a terminator, each of the activated playing card positions generate one or more playing cards and the player is provided an outcome based on the generated playing cards.
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 of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/414,261, filed on Jan. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/936,232, filed on Nov. 9, 2015, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/536,412, filed on Jun. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,286,746, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/045,895, filed on Jan. 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,206, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/539,607, filed on Jan. 28, 2004, the entire contents of each are incorporated by reference herein.
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