U.S. patent application number 10/640344 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for gaming machine with bonus feature.
Invention is credited to Roukis, George.
Application Number | 20040072614 10/640344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27809808 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040072614 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roukis, George |
April 15, 2004 |
Gaming machine with bonus feature
Abstract
A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to
control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game
controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random
event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined
winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The game includes
a bonus feature which, when triggered, results in the display of a
plurality of devices, each of which animates to reveal a number, a
prize awarded being a product of the numbers displayed by the
devices.
Inventors: |
Roukis, George; (Sydney,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP
2450 COLORADO AVENUE, SUITE 400E
SANTA MONICA
CA
90404
US
|
Family ID: |
27809808 |
Appl. No.: |
10/640344 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 12, 2002 |
AU |
2002950716 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means
arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display
means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein
at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display
means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards
a prize, wherein the game includes a bonus feature which, when
triggered, results in the display of a plurality of devices, each
of which animates to reveal a number, a prize awarded being a
product of the numbers displayed by the devices.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 in which the bonus feature forms
part of a composite feature.
3. The gaming machine of claim 2 in which the composite feature
and, hence, the opportunity to participate in the bonus feature, is
automatically triggered.
4. The gaming machine of claim 2 in which a player has to wager an
additional amount, over and above a standard game wager, in order
to be eligible for the composite feature and, hence, the
opportunity to participate in the bonus feature.
5. The gaming machine of claim 2 in which the composite feature is
triggered independently of the base game.
6. The gaming machine of claim 2 in which the control means makes a
random determination as to whether or not the composite feature is
to be triggered.
7. The gaming machine of claim 1 in which, when the bonus feature
is triggered, the base game is replaced by a second screen
display.
8. The gaming machine of claim 7 in which, when the bonus feature
is triggered, a character appears in the second screen display.
9. The gaming machine of claim 8 in which the devices of the bonus
feature are dice and the character animates to perform a routine
simulating the shaking of a plurality of dice in the character's
hand followed by a simulation of throwing of the dice.
10. The gaming machine of claim 9 in which, to create a heightened
sense of anticipation, the dice are thrown one after the other.
11. The gaming machine of claim 9 in which the prize awarded is the
product of the numbers on the visible faces of the dice.
12. The gaming machine of claim 11 in which, if the numbers on the
visible faces of at least two of the dice are the same, the prize
awarded is multiplied by a predetermined first multiple.
13. The gaming machine of claim 12 in which, if the numbers on the
visible faces of all of the dice are the same, the prize awarded is
multiplied by a second multiple greater than the first
multiple.
14. The gaming machine of claim 1 in which the prize awarded is
multiplied by a number of lines bet and a bet per line.
15. A game to be played on a game playing apparatus, the game
playing apparatus having a display means and a game control means
arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game
including a bonus feature which, when triggered, results in the
display of a plurality of devices, each of which animates to reveal
a number, a prize awarded being a product of the numbers displayed
by the devices.
16. The game of claim 15 in which the bonus feature forms part of a
composite, feature.
17. The game of claim 16 in which the composite feature and, hence,
the opportunity to participate in the bonus feature, is
automatically triggered.
18. The game of claim 16 in which a player has to wager an
additional amount, over and above a standard game wager, in order
to be eligible for the composite feature and, hence, the
opportunity to participate in the bonus feature.
19. The game of claim 16 in which the composite feature is
triggered independently of the base game.
20. The game of claim 16 in which the control means makes a random
determination as to whether or not the composite feature is to be
triggered.
21. The game of claim 15 in which, when the bonus feature is
triggered, the base game is replaced by a second screen
display.
22. The game of claim 21 in which, when the bonus feature is
triggered, a character appears in the second screen display.
23. The game of claim 22 in which the devices of the bonus feature
are dice and the character animates to perform a routine simulating
the shaking of a plurality of dice, in the character's hand
followed by a simulation of throwing of the dice.
24. The game of claim 23 in which, to create a heightened sense of
anticipation, the dice are thrown one after the other.
25. The game of claim 23 in which the prize awarded is the product
of the numbers on the visible faces of the dice.
26. The game of claim 25 in which, if the numbers on the visible
faces of at least two of the dice are the same, the prize awarded
is multiplied by a predetermined first multiple.
27. The game of claim 26 in which, if the numbers on the visible
faces of all of the dice are the same, the prize awarded is
multiplied by a second multiple greater than the first
multiple.
28. The game of claim 15 in which the prize awarded is multiplied
by a number of lines bet and a bet per line.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a gaming machine. More
particularly, the invention relates to a gaming machine and to an
improvement to a game played on such a gaming machine.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Players who regularly play gaming machines quickly tire of
particular games and therefore it is necessary for manufacturers of
these machines to develop innovative game features which add
interest to the games. In so doing, it is hoped to keep players
amused and therefore willing to continue playing the game as well
as to attract new players.
[0003] Also, with the growth that has occurred in the gaming
machine market, there is intense competition between manufacturers
to supply various existing and new venues. When selecting a
supplier of gaming machines, the operator of a venue will often pay
close attention to the popularity of various games with their
patrons. Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise
games and/or game features which are popular with the players as a
mechanism for improving sales, retaining customers and attracting
new customers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine having a display means and a game control
means arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the
display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game
wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the
display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the
machine awards a prize, wherein the game includes a bonus feature
which, when triggered, results in the display of a plurality of
devices, each of which animates to reveal a number, a prize awarded
being a product of the numbers displayed by the devices.
[0005] Preferably, the gaming machine includes a composite,
bonusing feature. The composite, bonusing feature comprises a
plurality of bonus features. The bonus features are independent of
each other and of the base game. The bonus feature of the present
invention may form part of the composite, bonusing feature but it
is to be understood that the bonus feature of the present invention
need not necessarily be used exclusively as a part of a composite,
bonusing feature. For ease of reference the composite, bonusing
feature will be referred to as a "composite feature".
[0006] The composite feature and, hence, the opportunity to
participate in the bonus feature of the present invention, may be
automatically triggered. Instead, a player may have to wager an
additional amount, over and above a standard game wager, to be
eligible for the composite feature and, as a result, the bonus
feature of the present invention.
[0007] The composite feature may be triggered independently of the
base game. If the composite feature applies, the control means may
make a random determination as to whether or not the composite
feature is to be triggered.
[0008] Should the composite feature be triggered, the control means
may make a further random determination as to which bonus feature
of the composite feature is to be played.
[0009] In the case of the bonus feature of the present invention,
if this bonus feature is triggered by the control means then, when
the bonus feature is triggered, the base game may be replaced by a
second screen display.
[0010] When the bonus feature is triggered, a character, called
"Lucky Devil" .TM. (Lucky Devil is a trade mark of the Applicant),
which may be common to all of the bonus features of the composite
feature, may appear in the second screen display.
[0011] The devices of the bonus feature may be dice and the
character may animate to perform a routine simulating the shaking
of a plurality of dice, for example, three dice, in the character's
hand followed by a simulation of throwing of the dice.
[0012] Preferably, to create a heightened sense of anticipation,
the dice are thrown one after the other. Each die may, in the
second screen display, animate to roll across a scene of the
display to come to rest at a front of the scene with one face of
the die visible.
[0013] The prize awarded may be the product of the numbers on the
visible faces of the dice. In the case where the feature comprises
three dice, if the numbers on the visible faces of at least two of
the dice are the same, the prize awarded may be multiplied by a
predetermined first multiple, for example, a multiple of five. If
the numbers on the visible faces of all three of the dice are the
same, the prize awarded may be multiplied by a second multiple
greater than the first multiple, for example, a multiple of ten. In
addition, the prize awarded may be multiplied by a number of lines
bet and a bet per line.
[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a game to be played on a game playing apparatus, the game
playing apparatus having a display means and a game control means
arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game
including a bonus feature which, when triggered, results in the
display of a plurality of devices, each of which animates to reveal
a number, a prize awarded being a product of the numbers displayed
by the devices.
[0015] A game playing apparatus includes one which does not require
the wagering of a stake in order to play the game and further
includes apparatus which is connectable to a network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention is now described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a gaming machine, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the
gaming machine;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a screen display of a base game forming part of
a game played on the gaming machine of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a screen display when a composite feature is
triggered on the gaming machine of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIGS. 5a to 5c show a sequence of screen displays of a bonus
feature which is one of the features of the composite feature;
and
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the game played on the gaming
machine when, firstly, the composite feature has been triggered
and, secondly, the bonus feature of FIGS. 5a to 5c has been
selected.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally
designates a gaming machine, including a game, in accordance with
the invention. The machine 10 includes a console 12 having a video
display unit 14 on which a game 16 is played, in use. The game 16
is, preferably but not necessarily exclusively, a spinning reel
game which simulates the rotation of a number of spinning reels 18.
A midtrim 20 of the machine 10 houses a keypad 22 of buttons for
enabling a player to play the game 16. The midtrim 20 also houses a
credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24.1 and a
bill collector 24.2.
[0024] The machine 10 includes a top box 26 on which artwork 28 is
carried. The artwork 28 includes paytables, details of bonus
awards, etc.
[0025] A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash
payouts from the machine 10.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a control means or
control circuit 32 is illustrated. A program which implements the
game and user interface is run on a processor 34 of the control
circuit 32. The processor 34 forms part of a controller 36 that
drives the screen of the video display unit 14 and that receives
input signals from sensors 38. The sensors 38 include sensors
associated with the keypad 22 and touch sensors mounted in the
screen of the video display unit 14. The controller 36 also
receives input pulses from the mechanism 24 to determine whether or
not a player has provided sufficient credit to commence playing.
The mechanism 24 may, instead of the coin input chute 24.1 or the
bill collector 24.2, or in addition thereto, be a credit card
reader (not shown) or any other type of validation device.
[0027] Finally, the controller 36 drives a payout mechanism 40
which, for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the
coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes
to redeem his or her credit.
[0028] FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a screen display 50 of a base
game 52 forming part of the game 16 played on the gaming machine
10. The base game 52 is a spinning reel game comprising a plurality
of spinning reels 18. The example shown is the Applicant's base
game called "Golden Canaries.TM.". However, any other base game 52
could be used in the game 16. The base game 52, in fact, need not
be a spinning reel game and could, for example, be a card game, a
ball-type game, such as Bingo, Keno, or the like.
[0029] The game 16 includes a composite feature called "Lucky
Devils". The composite feature comprises a plurality of unrelated
bonus features which are independent of and unrelated to the base
game 52. The composite feature, for example, comprises five
different bonus features. One of these bonus features is the
subject of the present invention and is described in greater detail
below with reference to FIGS. 5a-5c of the drawings.
[0030] To be eligible for the composite feature, the player must
wager an additional bet. The base game 52 has 20 paylines and,
assuming the player wagers one bet per line, a total of twenty
credits would be required to play all 20 lines of the base game 52.
However, an additional wager of five credits is wagered by the
player as indicated at 54 on a bet meter on the screen display 50.
The wagering of the additional bet merely gives the player
eligibility to participate in the composite feature. It does not
guarantee that the composite feature will occur during the playing
of the base game 52.
[0031] A decision as to whether or not the composite feature is
triggered is made by the controller 36 randomly.
[0032] The determination as to whether or not the composite feature
is to be triggered is entirely independent of the base game 52 and
also of the result of that base game. In other words, no win need
appear in the base game 52 nor need any special symbols occur in
the base game 52 for the composite feature to be triggered. The
chances of triggering the composite feature are preferably the same
regardless of which base game 52 is being played.
[0033] Should a determination be made by the controller 36 that the
composite feature is to be triggered, a special banner 56 (FIG. 4)
is displayed over the base game 52 after completion of the current
base game 52 in order to alert the player that one of the bonus
features constituting the composite feature is about to occur.
[0034] Once again, the controller 36 makes a random determination
as to which bonus feature of the composite feature is to occur.
[0035] Should it be determined that the bonus feature to occur is a
"dice feature", the screen display 50 is replaced by a second
screen display 60 as shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c of the drawings. A
message (not shown) on the screen of the video display unit 14
instructs a player to press the START FEATURE button of the keypad
22 to commence the feature.
[0036] A character 62 of a devil animates on the screen 60 to shake
a plurality of dice 64, preferably three such dice 64, while
waiting for the player to press the START FEATURE button. When the
START FEATURE button is pressed, three outcomes, one for each die
64, are randomly selected being numbers in the range from 1 to 6.
Instead, each random selection may be made just prior to the
animation for that die 64.
[0037] The character 62 animates to throw a first of the dice 64
which lands with the first randomly selected number on a visible
face 66 of the first die 64. This animation is repeated with the
remaining dice, one after the other, until the three outcomes are
shown on the screen as shown in FIG. 5c of the drawings. The prize
awarded to the player is the product of the numbers appearing on
the visible faces 66 of the dice 64. Accordingly, in the
illustrated example, the basic prize is a prize of sixteen
credits.
[0038] However, if the numbers on two of the faces 66 of the dice
64 are the same then the prize is multiplied by a predetermined
multiplier, in this case the multiple being five. If the numbers on
the visible faces 66 of all three dice 64 are the same, then the
prize awarded is multiplied by a higher multiplier, for example, a
multiplier of ten.
[0039] In addition, the prize awarded is multiplied by the bet made
by the player. In this case, the player has bet one credit per line
on 20 lines plus the additional five credits to obtain eligibility
to the composite feature. Therefore, the win for the outcome
illustrated in FIG. 5c of the drawings is:
4.times.4.times.1.times.5.times.20=1600
[0040] which is credited to a win meter 68 displayed on the screen
display 60. A message 70 is also displayed on the screen display 60
to show that a double has been "thrown". Naturally, should a
"triple" be "thrown", the appropriate message 70 would, instead, be
displayed on the screen 60.
[0041] It is to be noted that the dice 64 are thrown one after the
other so that the outcomes appear serially to heighten the sense of
anticipation for the player.
[0042] In the playing of the game 16 on the gaming machine 10, a
random weighted decision is made by the controller 36 as to whether
or not the composite feature is to occur and, if so, which bonus
feature is to be awarded. These determinations are made by the
controller 36 such that the overall return to player of the gaming
machine 10 is substantially unchanged in comparison with a gaming
machine 10 without the composite feature.
[0043] It is an advantage of the invention that a bonus feature is
provided which forms part of a composite feature. The composite
feature, in turn, enhances a base game which underlies the
composite feature. As a result, the player's enjoyment of the game
is enhanced.
[0044] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *