U.S. patent application number 10/243512 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for gaming device having a varied wild symbol in a bonus game.
Invention is credited to Rodgers, Paulina.
Application Number | 20040053676 10/243512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29250272 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040053676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodgers, Paulina |
March 18, 2004 |
Gaming device having a varied wild symbol in a bonus game
Abstract
A gaming device randomly selects one of the symbols or cards
displayed in the final state of a game to be a wild symbol or card.
The game can be any game where one symbol may be able to substitute
for any other symbol to increase the chance of obtaining a winning
combination or a better winning combination. The present invention
increases player excitement because the wild symbol will be a
symbol already displayed in the game. In a preferred embodiment,
the wild symbol is displayed after the game has been completed so
that the player may root for or anticipate a particular wild
symbol. The present invention also includes the methods of
operating such a gaming device.
Inventors: |
Rodgers, Paulina; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BELL, BOYD & LLOYD LLC
P. O. BOX 1135
CHICAGO
IL
60690-1135
US
|
Family ID: |
29250272 |
Appl. No.: |
10/243512 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
G07F 17/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
The invention is claimed as follows:
1. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of symbols; a game
including a random generation and display of a set of symbols from
said plurality of symbols; at least one winning combination of
symbols; and a processor operable to randomly select one of the
displayed symbols in the randomly generated set of displayed
symbols, cause a wild symbol to substitute for said displayed
symbol, determine if any winning combinations of symbols occurred,
and provide an award to a player upon the occurrence of any winning
combination of symbols.
2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the wild symbol
substitutes for any of the plurality of displayed symbols.
3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein every occurrence of the
selected symbol is substituted with a wild symbol.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the wild symbol is
displayed to the player in a wild symbol display controlled by the
processor after the set of symbols is displayed to the player.
5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the wild symbol is
displayed to the player in a wild symbol display after the set of
symbols and a set of possible wild symbols are displayed to the
player.
6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor selects the
wild symbol upon the occurrence of a qualifying condition in the
game.
7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the game is a bonus game
played upon the occurrence of a qualifying condition in a base
game.
8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the game is a slot-type
game.
9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the game is a card based
game.
10. A method of operating a gaming device, comprising the steps of:
(a) randomly generating and displaying a set of symbols from a
plurality of symbols; (b) selecting one of the symbols from the set
of displayed symbols and causing a wild symbol to substitute for
said symbol; (c) determining the occurrence of one or more winning
combinations of displayed symbols including the wild symbol; and
(d) providing an award to a player based on the occurrence, if any,
of a winning combinations of displayed symbols including the wild
symbol.
11. The method of claim 10, which includes the step of operating
the method through a data network.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the data network is an
internet.
13. The method of claim 10, which including causing the wild symbol
to substitute for every occurrence of the selected symbol in the
set.
14. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising
the steps of: (a) randomly generating and displaying a plurality of
symbols and causing one of the generated symbols from said
plurality of displayed symbols to be a wild symbol; (b) determining
any occurrence of a winning combination of displayed symbols
including any symbol which is caused to be a wild symbol; and (c)
providing an award based on the occurrence, if any, of a winning
combination of displayed symbols including any symbol which is
caused to be a wild symbol.
15. The method of claim 14, which includes the step of operating
the method through a data network.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the data network is an
internet.
17. The method of claim 14, which includes causing each occurrence
of the symbol which is caused to be a wild symbol to be a wild
symbol.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Contemporary gaming machines such as slot type games and
card games are known. Certain known gaming machines include wild
symbols or wild cards in such games to enhance the player's
excitement because of the increased likelihood of obtaining a
winning combination. One gaming device described in PCT Patent
Application Serial No. PCT/AU97/00103 provides for a randomly
chosen wild symbol for each play of a slot-type game to increase
the chance of obtaining a winning combination. The symbol is chosen
from among any of the possible reel symbols, and the chosen symbol
is displayed during game play. The chosen wild symbol may not
appear on any of the reels in a play of the game and thus not
provide any increased chance of winning an award or an increased
award in that play of the game.
[0002] Other known gaming machines provide a bonus event upon the
occurrence of a qualifying condition or triggering event. These
machines provide the player with a bonus award or opportunity to
play a bonus game through which the player may be provided an
additional award. To maintain player interest, it is desirable to
provide the player with a feature where through a randomly selected
wild symbol in a game or bonus event the wild symbol is certain to
increase the chance of or size of a possible award.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a gaming device that randomly
selects a wild symbol or card from the plurality of symbols or
cards randomly generated and displayed to the player in each
iteration of the game. The present invention increases the player's
enjoyment by enabling the player to anticipate the choosing of a
particular wild symbol that will maximize the award to the player.
The wild symbol is chosen from the random outcome such as the set
of symbols randomly generated on the reels and displayed to the
player. Thus, in each game, the player will obtain an increased
chance of receiving or increasing an award amount upon the
selection and display of the wild symbol. The invention can be
incorporated as either a base game or as a bonus game played upon
the occurrence of a qualifying condition in a base game.
[0004] In one embodiment, the gaming device is a slot-type game.
After the reels spin and the symbols are generated in each game,
the gaming device randomly selects one of the generated symbols on
one or more of the pay lines as a wild symbol that will substitute
for any other symbol. The gaming device will display to the player
the randomly generated symbols for the play of the game prior to
selecting the wild symbol. In one embodiment, possible wild symbols
are displayed continually in sequence to the player before
displaying the chosen wild symbol. Because the wild symbol will be
one of the randomly generated symbols on the reels, the player
knows that the chances of obtaining a winning combination or a
higher paying winning combination will increase once the wild
symbol is randomly chosen and displayed. Certain symbols on the
reels, when wild, will trigger a greater award to the player than
other symbols either because there are more occurrences of that
symbol randomly generated on the reels or a better combination will
result if a certain one of the randomly generated symbols is the
wild symbol. Therefore, the player will root for these more
advantageous symbols after the reels are spun and stopped in each
game, increasing the player's excitement.
[0005] In another embodiment, the gaming device displays a card
based game such as video poker. In this embodiment, once the final
five card hand is reached in the game, the gaming device randomly
chooses one of the final face values or cards to be wild. Again,
the player will root for a certain face value or card to be wild to
maximize the award at the end of each bonus game. For example, a
final hand may consist of a Eight, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. The
player will root for the Eight to be wild because a straight will
occur whereas if any of the other cards are chosen to be wild, only
a pair will occur.
[0006] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to
provide a gaming device that randomly chooses a wild symbol from
the final displayed symbols in a game to increase the award
provided to a player.
[0007] 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 FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a slot-type game embodiment
of the gaming device of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a video poker embodiment of
the gaming device of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present
invention.
[0011] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are plan views of a slot-type game
embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention,
illustrating the display of the wild symbol.
[0012] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are plan views of a slot-type game with
scatter pay feature embodiment of the gaming device of the present
invention, illustrating the display of the wild symbol.
[0013] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are plan views of a video poker
embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention,
illustrating the display of the wild symbol.
[0014] FIGS. 6A and 6B are plan views of a slot-type game
embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention utilized
as a bonus event, illustrating the display of the wild symbol.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Gaming Device and Electronics
[0015] 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 10b, respectively. Gaming device 10a and
gaming device 10b are generally referred to herein as gaming device
10. Gaming device 10 is constructed so that a player can operate it
while standing or sitting. 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. Gaming device 10 can incorporate any
game apparatus for operating any game such as slot, blackjack,
poker and keno, any of their bonus qualifying conditions and any of
their secondary and bonus round games. The symbols and indicia used
on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical or
video form.
[0016] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 includes
a coin slot 12 and a 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 vouchers 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 deal or play button 20.
[0017] 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. 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 pay
out tray 28. The gaming device 10 may employ other pay out
mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or
electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's
credits.
[0018] Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device
30, but other embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1B
can include a central display device 30 and an upper display device
32. Each embodiment preferably also includes a wild symbol display
33. The wild symbol display 33 can be a separate display device as
shown in FIG. 1A or can be incorporated in central display device
30 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3C and 4A through 4C or in
upper display device 32 as illustrated in FIG. 1B. 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.
[0019] A slot machine game of gaming device 10 as shown in FIG. 1A
preferably displays a plurality of reels 34, such as three to five
reels 34, in mechanical or video form on one or more of the display
devices. Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as
bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other symbols
which preferably correspond to a theme associated with gaming
device 10. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device
displaying the video reels 34 is preferably a video monitor.
[0020] Similarly, if the game is card based such as video poker,
the display device is preferably a video monitor as shown in FIG.
1B. The cards 35 are associated with one or more decks of cards
used in conventional poker games including any wild cards. The
cards 35 may further display a variety of images such as bells,
hearts, fruits, numbers, letters or other images which may
correspond to a theme associated with gaming device 10.
Furthermore, each gaming device 10 includes speakers 36 for making
sounds or playing music.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the general electronic
configuration of gaming device 10 preferably includes: a processor
38; a memory device or data storage device 40 for storing program
code or other data; a display device 30; 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 data storage
device 40 can include random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing
event data or other data generated or used during a particular
game. The data storage device 40 can also include read only memory
(ROM) 48. ROM 48 preferably stores program code which controls the
gaming device 10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance
with applicable game rules and pay tables.
[0022] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses
the input devices 44, such as pull arm 18, deal or play button 20,
the bet one button 24, the cash out button 26 and the hold buttons
27 to input signals into gaming device 10. In certain instances 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 locations. 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.
[0023] It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and
data storage 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 or alternatively referred to herein as a
"processor"). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and data
storage 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 at times generally
referred to herein as the "computer" or "controller."
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1A, to operate gaming device 10 in
the slot-type game embodiment, the player must insert the
appropriate amount of money, tokens or other currency at coin slot
12 or bill acceptor 14 and then pull the arm 18 or push the deal or
play button 20. The reels 34 will then begin to spin. Eventually,
the reels 34 will come to a stop. After the reels 34 stop,
processor 38 randomly selects one of the symbols on any of the pay
lines to be a wild symbol. If the game has a scatter pay, processor
38 randomly selects one of the symbols displayed on any of the
stopped reels 34 to be a wild symbol. After selecting the wild
symbol, gaming device 10 displays the chosen symbol on wild symbol
display 33. Then, the final position of reels 34 is compared to a
pay table, and the appropriate award is provided to the player.
Depending upon where the reels 34 stop and the wild symbol
selected, the player may reach an award outcome and win additional
credits, or the player may reach a non-award outcome and win no
credits. It should be appreciated that the present invention can
include a scatter pay feature or one or more pay lines, such as pay
line 56, wherein the pay lines can be horizontal, diagonal or any
combination thereof.
[0025] Similarly, with reference to FIG. 1B, to operate gaming
device 10 in the video poker embodiment, the player must insert the
appropriate amount of money or tokens at coin slot 12 or bill
acceptor 14 and then push the deal or play button 20. Gaming device
10 enables the player to play a conventional game of video poker
and initially deals five cards 35 all face up from a single
fifty-two card deck. If the player wishes to draw, the player
selects the cards 35 to hold by pressing related hold buttons 27 or
the touch screen 50. The player then presses the deal button 20 and
the unwanted cards 35 are removed from the display 30 and
replacement cards 35 are dealt from the remaining cards in the
deck. This results in a final five-card hand 35. Then, processor 38
randomly selects one of the cards or face values displayed in the
final five-card hand 35 to be a wild symbol. After selecting the
wild symbol, gaming device 10 displays the chosen symbol, a card or
face value, on wild symbol display 33. With the wild symbol
substituting for any other card, the final five-card hand 35 is
compared to a pay 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.
[0026] It should be appreciated that there may be additional
variations of poker games such as a hand having a different number
of cards, multiple hands simultaneously played, or variations of
conventional poker hand rankings which gaming device 10 can be
adapted to play. It should also be appreciated that other
card-based games could be used in connection with the present
invention as a base game or bonus game.
[0027] In addition to winning credits in this manner, in one
embodiment gaming device 10 also gives players the opportunity to
win credits in a secondary or bonus event, such as a bonus game.
This embodiment of gaming device 10 includes a program which will
automatically begin a bonus game when the player has achieved a
qualifying condition in the game. In another embodiment, gaming
device 10 enables the player to play one or more bonus games upon
the occurrence of a qualifying condition. This qualifying condition
can be a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on a display
device such as symbols on a pay line or a particular hand in a
poker game. The gaming device 10 may use a video-based display
device 30 to enable the player to play the bonus game.
Variable Wild Symbol
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, after the completion of each
game, gaming device 10 randomly selects one of the symbols or cards
randomly generated and displayed upon the completion of the spin of
the reels, deal of the cards or other such event to be a wild
symbol. The wild symbol can be substituted for any other symbol or
card to help achieve a winning combination. In the slot-type game
embodiment, the wild symbol is chosen from the set of symbols
appearing on the reels. In the video poker embodiment, the wild
symbol is a particular card or face value chosen from the set of
cards or face values appearing in the final hand or draw. This
feature increases the player's enjoyment of the game because the
wild symbol chosen is always one of the symbols randomly generated
in and displayed at the completion of game play. Therefore, the
wild symbol will increase the chance of or the size of any award to
be won in the game, but the size of the increased award depends
upon which displayed symbol is chosen.
[0029] For example, in a slot-type base game embodiment, an award
is provided upon the occurrence of three or more of any one symbol
in a pay line. In this example, after one game has been played as
illustrated in FIG. 3A, a cherry symbol, two "Bar" symbols, and two
"7" symbols occurred on the pay line 56 and are displayed to the
player. In this example, the occurrence of four "7" symbols in a
pay line triggers a larger award than four "Bar" symbols, and the
occurrence of any four like symbols triggers a larger award than
any three like symbols.
[0030] Next, gaming device 10 randomly selects one of the three
displayed symbols on pay line 56, cherry, "7" or "Bar," to be a
wild symbol. Once the symbol is selected, gaming device 10 displays
the wild symbol on wild symbol display 33. After seeing the symbols
displayed on the pay line but prior to seeing the selected wild
symbol, the player will root for a particular symbol to appear as
the wild symbol. In some embodiments, player excitement can be
increased by displaying the possible wild symbols in sequence in
the wild symbol display 33 prior to displaying the selected
symbol.
[0031] In this example, the player will root for a "Bar" to be the
wild symbol because this selection would trigger the highest award
possible for this example, that for the occurrence of four "7"
symbols as illustrated in FIG. 3B. However, the worst that can
happen is that the cherry symbol is chosen, and gaming device 10
provides to the player the award corresponding to the occurrence of
three "7" symbols as illustrated in FIG. 3C or three "Bars". Thus,
in the present invention, randomly selecting a wild symbol from the
displayed symbols increases the award provided to the player and
increases player excitement because the award increase is
temporarily unknown.
[0032] In another example illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4D, the
invention can be used in connection with a scatter pay feature in a
slot-type game embodiment. In a scatter pay feature, an award is
provided upon the occurrence of a certain number of symbols
anywhere on the reels 34 of a slot game. For example, an award is
provided if five or more "7" symbols appear anywhere on the reels
34 of a slot game whereas other symbols only trigger an award if
three or more appear on pay line 56. In this example, the award
increases with the number of like symbols appearing, either "7"
symbols scattered or other like symbols on pay line 56.
[0033] Various possibilities for winning combinations exist in the
example as illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C. Because of the variety
of possibilities, the player's excitement will increase in
anticipation of which symbol is selected and displayed in wild
symbol display 33. In the illustrated example at FIG. 4B, the
player will root for a diamond symbol to be the wild symbol because
then gaming device 10 will provide the award for six scattered "7"
symbols. Also, in one embodiment, gaming device 10 may provide
awards for any and all winning combinations achieved. Thus, the
player may root for a heart symbol to the wild symbol because then
gaming device 10 would provide the awards for three "Bar" symbols
occurring in the pay line 56 and for five scattered "7" symbols as
shown in FIG. 4C. Thus, depending on the pay table and the number
of symbols used in the game, any number of possible winning
combinations are available upon the selection and display of the
wild symbol to increase player enjoyment.
[0034] In another example, in the video poker embodiment, gaming
device 10 randomly selects a wild symbol after the completion of
the game as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Upon the completion of a single
game, gaming device 10 displays the cards 35 of the Jack of Clubs,
the Jack of Hearts, and the Seven, Eight, and Nine of Diamonds as
shown in FIG. 5A. Next, gaming device 10 randomly selects one of
the four face values of the cards 35 to be the wild symbol, i.e.
either Jack, Seven, Eight or Nine, and displays the chosen value in
wild symbol display 33. In this example, after seeing the final
five-card hand 35 the player will root for a Jack to be the wild
symbol because the gaming device 10 will provide the award for a
straight flush as shown in FIG. 5B. On the other hand, if any of
the other symbols, Seven, Eight or Nine, are selected to be the
wild symbol, only the award for three Jacks will be triggered as
illustrated in FIG. 5C.
[0035] In other embodiments, the invention can be used as part of a
bonus event in connection with a base game. In one embodiment, upon
the occurrence of a qualifying condition in a base game, a bonus
event occurs where one of the displayed symbols at the end of the
base game is chosen to be a wild symbol. In an example illustrated
in FIG. 6A, a slot-type game triggers a bonus event and upon the
occurrence of a qualifying event such as the appearance of a
special or triggering symbol 37 when the reels 34 have stopped
spinning. In this example, the bonus event consists of the
processor 38 of gaming device 10 randomly selecting one of the
symbols appearing on the pay line 56 of the base game, "Bar,"
cherry, diamond or "7," to be a wild symbol and displayed in wild
symbol display 33 as shown in FIG. 6B. The same could occur on a
game with a scatter pay feature where the wild symbol is randomly
selected from among all the displayed symbols on the stopped reels
34.
[0036] It should be appreciated that the present invention can be
applied to any game, including but not limited to any variation of
video poker, any slot-type game, black-jack, or other game where
the wild symbol concept can enhance the chance of an increased
award. Further, the present invention can be applied to gaming
devices employing any variety of base games capable of generating a
bonus event. It should also be appreciated that the invention can
be utilized as a separate bonus game triggered upon the occurrence
of a qualifying event in a base game. Also, the probability of any
particular symbol being chosen by processor 38 of gaming device 10
as the wild symbol can be adjusted to conform to any pay out rules
or regulations.
[0037] 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.
* * * * *