U.S. patent application number 10/407389 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-09 for gaming device having multiple audio, video or audio-video exhibitions associated with related symbols.
Invention is credited to Baerlocher, Anthony J., Bussick, William J., Jones, Aaron T., Kaminkow, Joseph E., Olson, Garrett M., Peterson, Lance R., Vasquez, James A..
Application Number | 20030190945 10/407389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24768853 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030190945 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bussick, William J. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2003 |
Gaming device having multiple audio, video or audio-video
exhibitions associated with related symbols
Abstract
The present invention is a gaming device that provides a gaming
device that displays a plurality of related symbols, wherein each
symbol has a different exhibition associated with it. The gaming
device includes a display adapted to display the symbols and the
exhibitions, whereby when a symbol is selected, the display
provides the associated exhibition. In one preferred embodiment,
the gaming device includes an exhibition library that stores a
plurality of exhibitions. Each time a symbol is selected, the
gaming device selects an exhibition from the exhibition library,
associates it with that symbol, and displays it.
Inventors: |
Bussick, William J.;
(Sparks, NV) ; Peterson, Lance R.; (Reno, NV)
; Baerlocher, Anthony J.; (Reno, NV) ; Olson,
Garrett M.; (Reno, NV) ; Vasquez, James A.;
(Carson City, NV) ; Kaminkow, Joseph E.; (Reno,
NV) ; Jones, Aaron T.; (Reno, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Adam H. Masia
P.O. Box 1135
Chicago
IL
60690-1135
US
|
Family ID: |
24768853 |
Appl. No.: |
10/407389 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10407389 |
Apr 4, 2003 |
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09689529 |
Oct 12, 2000 |
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6554703 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3227 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
The invention is claimed as follows:
1. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager, the gaming
device comprising: a plurality of symbols in the game, the symbols
including a plurality of identical first symbols; a plurality of
exhibitions associated with said symbols including a different
exhibition associated with each identical first symbol, each
exhibition including a plurality of images and said different
exhibitions each including a plurality of different images; and a
display device which displays the symbols and at least one of the
exhibitions associated with one of the symbols following an event
in the game.
2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the event includes a
player input of a selection of one of the symbols.
3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the display device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input from a
processor.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the display device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input through a
network.
5. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the network is selected
from the group consisting of a playing station network, a local
area network, a wide area network and an internet.
6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the display device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input which randomly
determines which different exhibitions are associated with the
identical first symbols.
7. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager, the gaming
device comprising: a plurality of symbols including a plurality of
related symbols; a different exhibition associated with each of the
related symbols; each different exhibition including a plurality of
frames including an identical first frame; and a display device
which displays the symbols and one of the exhibitions associated
with at least one of the symbols following an event in the
game.
8. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the event includes a
player input of a selection of one of the symbols.
9. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the display device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input from a
processor.
10. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the display device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input through a
network.
11. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the network is selected
from the group consisting of a playing station network, a local
area network, a wide area network and an internet.
12. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the display device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input which randomly
determines which different exhibitions are associated with the
related symbols.
13. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager, the gaming
device comprising: a plurality of symbols including a plurality of
first symbols each having a characteristic of a motion picture; a
different portion of said motion picture associated with each first
symbol; and a display device which displays the first symbols and
one of the different portions of the motion picture associated with
at least one of the first symbols following an event in the
game.
14. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the event includes a
player input of a selection of one of the symbols.
15. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input from a
processor.
16. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input through a
network.
17. The gaming device of claim 16, wherein the network is selected
from the group consisting of a playing station network, a local
area network, a wide area network and an internet.
18. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input which randomly
determines which different portions of the motion picture are
associated with the first symbols.
19. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the characteristic of
the motion picture is selected from the group consisting of theme,
plot, title, character, and scene.
20. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the motion picture
includes a movie.
21. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the motion picture
includes a television program.
22. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager, the gaming
device comprising: a plurality of different images of one
character, each image having a different characteristic; a
plurality of exhibitions of said character, a different exhibition
associated with each image of said character, each said exhibition
including a plurality of frames and wherein the first frame of each
exhibition is the image of the character; and a display device
which displays the images and one of the exhibitions associated
with at least one of the images following an event in the game.
23. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the event includes a
player input of a selection of one of the images.
24. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input from a
processor.
25. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input through a
network.
26. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the network is selected
from the group consisting of a playing station network, a local
area network, a wide area network and an internet.
27. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input which randomly
determines which of the exhibitions are associated with the images
of the character.
28. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the characteristic is
selected from the group consisting of color, size, shape and
position.
29. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager, the gaming
device comprising: a plurality of symbols having an identical
identity; a different exhibition associated with each of the
symbols; and a display device which displays the symbols and one of
the exhibitions associated with at least one of the symbols
following an event in the game.
30. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the exhibitions are
selected from the group consisting of a visual exhibition and an
audiovisual exhibition.
31. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the event includes a
player input selecting one of the symbols.
32. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input from a
processor.
33. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input through a
network.
34. The gaming device of claim 33, wherein the network is selected
from the group consisting of a playing station network, a local
area network, a wide area network and an internet.
35. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the display device has
an electronic configuration adapted to receive input which randomly
determines which of the exhibitions are associated with the
symbols.
36. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the symbols include a
character.
37. The gaming device of claim 36, wherein a plurality of the
symbols have a difference selected from the group consisting of
difference in color, difference in expression, difference in
position and difference in outfit.
38. A gaming device having a game operable on a wager, the gaming
device comprising: a plurality of symbols, at least one of the
symbols including a variation of another one of the symbols; a
different exhibition associated with each of the symbols; and at
least one output device which displays the symbols and produces one
of the exhibitions associated with at least one of the symbols
following an event in the game.
39. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the exhibitions are
selected from the group consisting of an audio exhibition, a visual
exhibition and an audio-visual exhibition.
40. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the variation includes a
change in color.
41. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein a plurality of the
symbols include characters and the variation includes a change
selected from the group consisting of change in expression, change
in outfit and change in position.
42. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the event includes a
player input of a selection of one of the symbols.
43. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the output device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input from a
processor.
44. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the output device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input through a
network.
45. The gaming device of claim 44, wherein the network is selected
from the group consisting of a playing station network, a local
area network, a wide area network and an internet.
46. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the output device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input which randomly
determines which of the exhibitions are associated with the
symbols.
47. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the output device
includes a display device.
48. The gaming device of claim 47, wherein the output device
includes at least one speaker.
49. A gaming device having a game operable upon a wager, the gaming
device in communication with a processor, the processor in
communication with a memory device, said memory device storing
instructions which direct the processor to: (a) begin the game; (b)
display a plurality of symbols, at least one of the symbols
including a variation of another one of the symbols; (c) determine
a designated event; (d) retrieve an exhibition from a group of
different exhibitions, the group including at least one exhibition
associated with one of the symbols and at least one different
exhibition associated with a different one of the symbols; and (e)
produce the retrieved exhibition.
50. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the exhibitions are
selected from the group consisting of an audio exhibition, a visual
exhibition and an audio-visual exhibition.
51. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the variation is a
change selected from the group consisting of a change in color, a
change in shape, a change in size, a change in expression, a change
in position and a change in outfit.
52. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein a plurality of the
symbols are characters having an identical identity.
53. A gaming device having a game operable on a wager, the gaming
device comprising: a plurality of reels; at least one reel symbol
on at least one of the reels; a plurality of different exhibitions
associated with the reel symbol; and at least one output device
which displays the reels and the reel symbol and produces one of
the exhibitions following an event in the bonus game.
54. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the exhibitions are
selected from the group consisting of an audio exhibition, a visual
exhibition and an audio-visual exhibition.
55. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the event includes a
player input.
56. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the output device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input from a
processor.
57. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the output device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input through a
network.
58. The gaming device of claim 57, wherein the network is selected
from the group consisting of a playing station network, a local
area network, a wide area network and an internet.
59. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the output device has an
electronic configuration adapted to receive input which randomly
determines which of the exhibitions will be produced.
60. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the output device
includes a display device.
61. The gaming device of claim 60, wherein the output device
includes at least one speaker.
62. A method for operating a gaming device having a game operable
upon a wager, the method comprising: (a) initiating the game; (b)
displaying a plurality of symbols including a plurality of
identical first symbols; (c) providing a different exhibition
associated with each of the identical first symbols; (d) causing an
event in the game to occur; and (e) producing the exhibition
associated with one of the identical first symbols after the
occurrence of the event.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein the step of producing the
exhibition includes the step of producing an exhibition selected
from the group consisting of an audio exhibition, a visual
exhibition and an audio-visual exhibition.
64. The method of claim 62, which includes the step of enabling the
player to select at least one of the symbols.
65. The method of claim 62, wherein the step of enabling an event
in the game to occur includes the step of enabling a player input
to occur.
66. The method of claim 62, which includes the step of
communicating with a processor.
67. The method of claim 62, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network.
68. The method of claim 62, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network selected from the group consisting of a
playing station network, a local area network, a wide area network
and an internet.
69. The method of claim 62, which includes the step of randomly
determining which different exhibitions are associated with the
identical first symbols.
70. A method of operating a gaming device having a game operable
upon a wager, the method comprising: (a) beginning the game; (b)
providing a plurality of symbols including a plurality of related
symbols; (c) providing a different exhibition associated with each
of the related symbols, each different exhibition including a
plurality of frames including an identical first frame; (d)
displaying the symbols; (e) causing an event in the game to occur;
and (f) displaying one of the exhibitions associated with at least
one of the symbols after the occurrence of the event.
71. The method of claim 70, which includes the step of enabling a
player to select at least one of the symbols.
72. The method of claim 70, wherein the step of enabling an event
in the game to occur includes the step of enabling a player input
to occur.
73. The method of claim 70, which includes the step of
communicating with a processor.
74. The method of claim 70, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network.
75. The method of claim 70, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network selected from the group consisting of a
playing station network, a local area network, a wide area network
and an internet.
76. The method of claim 70, which includes the step of randomly
determining which of the different exhibitions are associated with
the related symbols.
77. A method of operating a gaming device having a game operable
upon a wager, the method comprising: (a) beginning the game; (b)
providing a plurality of symbols including a plurality of first
symbols having a characteristic of a motion picture; (c) providing
a different portion of said motion picture associated with each
first symbol; (d) displaying the first symbols; (e) causing event
in the game to occur; and (f) displaying one of the different
portions of the motion picture associated with at least one of the
first symbols after the occurrence of the event.
78. The method of claim 77, which includes the step of enabling a
player to select at least one of the symbols.
79. The method of claim 77, wherein the step of enabling an event
in the game to occur includes the step of enabling a player input
to occur.
80. The method of claim 77, which includes the step of
communicating with a processor.
81. The method of claim 77, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network.
82. The method of claim 77, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network selected from the group consisting of a
playing station network, a local area network, a wide area network
and an internet.
83. The method of claim 77, which includes the step of randomly
determining which of the different portions of the motion picture
are associated with the first symbols.
84. A method of operating a gaming device having a game operable
upon a wager, the method comprising: (a) beginning the game; (b)
providing a plurality of different images of one character, each
image having a different characteristic; (c) providing a plurality
of exhibitions of said character, a different exhibition associated
with each image of said character, each said exhibition including a
plurality of frames and wherein the first frame of each exhibition
is the image of the character; (d) displaying the images of the
character; (e) causing an event in the game to occur; and (f)
displaying one of the exhibitions associated with at least one of
the images after the occurrence of the event.
85. The method of claim 84, which includes the step of enabling a
player to select at least one of the symbols.
86. The method of claim 84, wherein the step of enabling an event
in the game to occur includes the step of enabling a player input
to occur.
87. The method of claim 84, which includes the step of
communicating with a processor.
88. The method of claim 84, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network.
89. The method of claim 84, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network selected from the group consisting of a
playing station network, a local area network, a wide area network
and an internet.
90. The method of claim 84, which includes the step of randomly
determining which of the different exhibitions are associated with
the images of the character.
91. A method of operating a gaming device having a game operable
upon a wager, the method comprising: (a) beginning the game; (b)
displaying a plurality of reels including a plurality of reel
symbols; (c) displaying at least one of said reel symbols on at
least one of the reels; (d) providing a plurality of different
exhibitions associated with said reel symbol; (e) causing a
designated event in the game to occur; and (f) producing one of the
exhibitions after the occurrence of the designated event.
92. The method of claim 91, wherein the step of producing one of
the exhibitions includes the step of producing an exhibition
selected from the group consisting of an audio exhibition, a visual
exhibition and an audio-visual exhibition.
93. The method of claim 91, wherein the step of producing one of
the exhibitions includes the step of randomly selecting said
exhibition from a set of exhibitions.
94. The method of claim 91, which includes the step of enabling the
player to select the reel symbol.
95. The method of claim 91, wherein the step of enabling an event
in the game to occur includes the step of enabling a player input
to occur.
96. The method of claim 91, which includes the step of
communicating with a processor.
97. The method of claim 91, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network.
98. The method of claim 91, which includes the step of receiving
signals through a network selected from the group consisting of a
playing station network, a local area network, a wide area network
and an internet.
99. The method of claim 91, wherein the step of providing a
plurality of different exhibitions associated with the reel symbol
includes the step of randomly determining which of the different
exhibitions are associated with the reel symbol.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/689,529,
filed Oct. 12, 2000.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application is related to the following commonly-owned
copending patent applications: "GAMING DEVICE WITH TRAVELING REEL
SYMBOLS," Ser. No. 09/606,928, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-007;
"GAMING DEVICE WITH MULTI-PURPOSE REELS," Ser. No. 09/606,733,
Attorney Docket No. 0112300-017; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING TOUCH
ACTIVATED ALTERNATING OR CHANGING SYMBOL," Ser. No. 09/602,331,
Attorney Docket No. 0112300-029; "GAMING DEVICE PROVIDING TOUCH
ACTIVATED SYMBOL INFORMATION," Ser. No. 09/680,349, Attorney Docket
No. 0112300-030; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING INTERACTING SYMBOLS," Ser.
No. 09/686,308, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-144; "GAMING DEVICE
WITH TRAVELING REEL SYMBOLS," Ser. No. 09/689,197, Attorney Docket
No. 0112300-153; and "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A SYMBOL COVERING
FEATURE," Ser. No. 09/684,275, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-154.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0003] 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.
DESCRIPTION
[0004] The present invention relates in general to a gaming device,
and more particularly to a gaming device having multiple audio,
video and audio-video exhibitions associated with related symbols
to entertain players.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Gaming devices currently exist with bonus rounds in which a
player has one or more opportunities to obtain bonus awards by
selecting one or more masked awards from a group or plurality of
masked awards displayed to the player. When the player chooses a
masked award from the group, the game removes the mask and either
awards the player with a bonus value or terminates the bonus round
with a bonus terminator. The outcome depends upon whether the
player selects an award or a terminator.
[0006] In the above game, the controller of the gaming device
randomly places a predetermined number of masked awards and
terminators in the group at the beginning of the bonus round and
maintains the positioning until the bonus round terminates. When
the player selects a masked award, the player receives the value of
the award, and the game typically displays a message that the
player may continue and enables the player to select another masked
award. The player then selects another masked award, and the
process continues until the player selects a masked terminator.
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
round of this type.
[0007] Various other known gaming devices provide bonus games where
the awards are masked. In such games, the masked awards are
generally represented by a symbol or image displayed to the player
(often on a touch screen). When the player touches or selects a
symbol, the game displays an audio, video or audio-video exhibition
to entertain the player. Heretofore such, audio, video and audio
video exhibitions have been identical for identical or related
symbols displayed by the gaming device. The players can become
bored based on this repetitive play of one or more audio, video or
audio-video exhibitions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The gaming device of the present invention includes a bonus
round that provides multiple different audio, video or audio-video
exhibitions associated with identical or related symbols provided
by the gaming device. More particularly, the gaming device of the
present invention provides a plurality of symbols or images in
conjunction with a primary game (such as a slot machine game) or a
secondary game (such as a bonus game). Several of these symbols are
identical or related in some way (i.e., they are different images
of the same character or object). Such identical or related symbols
are hereinafter referred to as related symbols.
[0009] The present invention provides each related symbol with
different audio, video or audio-video exhibitions to entertain the
player. The exhibitions associated with each related symbol may be
predetermined or randomly determined from a group of
exhibitions.
[0010] In the preferred embodiment, the gaming device randomly
associates the exhibitions with the symbols. In one embodiment, a
plurality of exhibitions are stored on the gaming device creating
an exhibition library. Each time the player makes a selection, the
controller randomly selects one of the exhibitions from the library
and associates it with that selection (i.e., provides the
exhibition to the player in an audio, video or audio-video
format).
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a gaming device, wherein the game includes multiple audio,
video or audio-video exhibitions associated with identical
symbols.
[0012] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B are front elevational views of a general
embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is flow diagram of one embodiment of the gaming
scheme of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a plurality of symbols
of one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a standard reel
configuration with a winning combination on the payline.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Gaming Device and Electronics
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming
device of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B
as gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b, respectively. Gaming
device 10a and/or gaming device 10b are generally referred to
herein as gaming device 10. Gaming device 10 is preferably a slot
machine having the controls, displays and features of a
conventional slot machine. It is constructed so that a player can
operate it while standing or sitting, and gaming device 10 is
preferably mounted on a console. However, it should be appreciated
that gaming device 10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top
game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while
sitting. Furthermore, gaming device 10 can be constructed with
varying cabinet and display designs, as illustrated by the designs
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Gaming device 10 can also be implemented
as a program code stored in a detachable cartridge for operating a
hand-held video game device. Also, gaming device 10 can be
implemented as a program code stored on a disk or other memory
device which a player can use in a desktop or laptop personal
computer or other computerized platform.
[0019] Gaming device 10 can incorporate any primary game such as
slot, poker or keno, any of their bonus triggering events and any
of their bonus round games. The symbols and indicia used on and in
gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical or video form,
although they are preferably in video form.
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 includes
a coin slot 12 and bill acceptor 14 where the player inserts money,
coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot 12 or
paper money or ticket voucher in the bill acceptor 14. Other
devices could be used for accepting payment such as readers or
validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts
money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the
amount deposited is shown in a credit display 16. After depositing
the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by
pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Play button 20 can be any
play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence
of events in the gaming device.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes
a bet display 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet
by pushing the bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet
by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 24.
When the player pushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits
shown in the credit display 16 decreases by one, and the number of
credits shown in the bet display 22 increases by one.
[0022] 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
28. The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as
credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable
cards which keep track of the player's credits.
[0023] Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device
30, and the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a
central display device 30 as well as an upper display device 32. In
the slot machine embodiment, gaming device 10 displays a plurality
of reels 34, preferably three to five reels 34 in mechanical or
video form at one or more of the display devices. However, it
should be appreciated that the display devices can display any
visual representation or display, including but not limited to
movement of physical objects such as mechanical reels and wheels,
dynamic lighting and video images. A display device can be any
viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid
crystal display or any other display mechanism. If the reels 34 are
in video form, the display device for the video reels 34 is
preferably a video monitor.
[0024] Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells,
hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which
preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device
10. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 36
for providing sounds or playing music.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the general electronic
configuration of gaming device 10 preferably includes: a processor
38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a
central display device 30; an upper display device 32; a sound card
42; a plurality of speakers 36; and one or more input devices 44.
The processor 38 is preferably a microprocessor or
microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying
images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people,
characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40
can include random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or
other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory
device 40 can also include read only memory (ROM) 48 for storing
program code which controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays a
particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay
tables.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses the
input devices 44, such as pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one
button 24 and the cash out button 26 to input signals into gaming
device 10. For the present invention, it is preferable to use a
touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52
instead of a conventional video monitor display device. Touch
screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 are connected to a video
controller 54 and processor 38. A player can make decisions and
input signals into the gaming device 10 by touching touch screen 50
at the appropriate places (such as on the symbols as described
below). As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 38 can be
connected to coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14. The processor 38 can
be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount of
money in order to start the game.
[0027] It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and
memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present
invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one
or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other
hardwired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively
referred to herein as a "processor"). Furthermore, although the
processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside on each gaming
device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their
functions at a central location such as a network server for
communication to a playing station such as over a local area
network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection,
microwave link, and the like. The processor 38 and memory device 40
is generally referred to herein as the "computer" or
"controller."
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, to operate the gaming
device 10 in one embodiment the player must insert the appropriate
amount of money or tokens at coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14 and
then pull the arm 18 or push the play button 20. The reels 34 will
then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 will come to a stop.
As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin
the reels 34 again. Depending upon where the reels 34 stop, the
player may or may not win additional credits.
[0029] In addition to winning credits in this manner, the gaming
device 10 may also provide players the opportunity to win credits
in a bonus round. This type of gaming device 10 will include a
program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the
player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This
qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on
a display device. The gaming device 10 preferably uses a
video-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play
the bonus round. Preferably, the qualifying condition is a
predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality of
reels 34. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B, the qualifying condition could be the number seven
appearing on three adjacent reels 34 along a payline 56. It should
be appreciated that the gaming machines can include one or more
paylines, such as payline 56, wherein the paylines can be
horizontal, diagonal or any combination thereof.
Multiple Exhibitions
[0030] The present invention may be employed in a primary game or a
secondary game such as a bonus round. The present invention
displays a plurality of symbols. The symbols are preferably images
consisting of varying graphics and having various sizes, shapes and
colors. The plurality of symbols are displayed on a video or
virtual display device as described above. In one preferred
embodiment, a plurality of symbols are provided on the video reels
or in a grid-like arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 4. The symbols
can be aligned or spaced apart in an orderly or disorderly
fashion.
[0031] Preferably, certain of the symbols have related
characteristics including being identical symbols. For example,
certain related symbols could be red-colored symbols and other
related symbols could be blue-colored symbols. Symbols could, for
instance, be letters of the alphabet (i.e., a pair of A's, a pair
of D's, etc.). In one preferred embodiment, the related symbols are
identical images of characters. Alternatively, the symbols could be
related in that the symbols are different images of the same
character.
[0032] It should also be appreciated that the related symbols could
have no similarities but nonetheless belong to the same
predetermined set. These symbols can be logically related, for
example: a horse and buggy, drum sticks and a drum, or a rabbit and
carrot. It should be appreciated that any number of related symbols
may be employed in the present invention.
[0033] When a symbol is selected, the gaming device displays an
exhibition associated with that symbol in audio, video or
audio-video form. When a related symbol is selected, the gaming
device preferably displays a different exhibition. In the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device displays a
different exhibition for related symbols (including each identical
symbol selected). Referring now to FIG. 3, the symbol is selected
as indicated by block 100, the game displays the exhibition
associated with the selected symbol as indicated by block 102,
wherein the exhibition is different than the exhibition associated
with any related symbol, the game performs the symbol function as
indicated by block 104 and repeats the process if the selection
process does not end as indicated by diamond 106.
[0034] In one embodiment, the symbols represent different
characters from television programs or movies, while the
exhibitions represent audio, video or audio-video sounds or images
associated with those characters from the television programs or
the movies.
[0035] In the preferred embodiment, the gaming device 10 randomly
associates the different exhibitions with the related symbols. In
one embodiment, a plurality of exhibitions are stored in the memory
device 40 of the gaming device 10 creating an exhibition library.
It should be appreciated that in one preferred embodiment, the
number of exhibitions stored in the library at least equal and
preferably exceed, the number of symbols simultaneously provided by
the game. Each time the player selects a symbol, the controller
randomly selects one of the exhibitions from the library and
associates it with that symbol. This type of event can occur
without player input. The gaming device can determine if an
exhibition is to be played and automatically select an exhibition
to show to the player, for instance to celebrate, highlight or
describe a win in a base game or bonus round.
[0036] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, after
an exhibition is displayed it is eliminated from the available
exhibitions in the library until the next implementation (such as a
new primary game or bonus round). That eliminated exhibition is not
used (i.e., displayed) for the remainder of the implementation. In
another embodiment, the exhibition is returned to library so that
it has a chance of being selected again in the bonus round. In yet
another embodiment of the present invention, one exhibition is
associated with each symbol. That is, at the initiation of the
bonus round, the controller selects one exhibition from the library
and associates it with one symbol, so that each particular symbol
in an implementation has its own associated exhibition, different
from all the other related symbols. Thereafter, any time that
symbol is selected only that exhibition is provided.
[0037] Preferably the game device 10 rearranges the symbols and
exhibitions associated with the symbols each time a new
implementation begins. The rearrangement prevents the symbols from
being located in the same place, for instance on the grid 100, from
one implementation to the next implementation.
[0038] The present invention offer players additional entertainment
because the player does not know what exhibition the player will
receive when the player selects related symbols. It should be
appreciated that different exhibitions could include some similar
or the same features, frames or images. For instance, two
exhibitions associated with an identical symbol could include
identical first frames or identical last frames. The first and last
frames of an exhibition could also be identical to create a looping
effect. The last frame of one exhibition could also be the first
frame of another exhibition. It should be appreciated that the
occurrence of an event such as a win or loss could determine which
exhibition is provided to the player.
[0039] A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 5 which displays a conventional video reel. In
this embodiment, an exhibition from the exhibition library is
associated with two or more symbols on a payline when the symbols
result in or cause a win or other event for the player. In
different games, different exhibitions are associated with such
symbols. For example, in FIG. 5, the same exhibition would be
associated with each of the heart symbols 150a, 150b and 150c, but
in a subsequent game, a different exhibition would be associated
with the heart symbols. It should also be appreciated that the
exhibition could be selected based on predetermined criteria such
as when a symbol is used or what other symbols are combined with
said symbol.
[0040] While the present invention is described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in
the present invention may be made without departing from the novel
aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this
application is limited only by the scope of the claims.
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