U.S. patent application number 10/735511 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-16 for random bonus delivery mechanism for a gaming system.
Invention is credited to Gelber, Philip B., Rothschild, Wayne H..
Application Number | 20050130732 10/735511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34653635 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050130732 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rothschild, Wayne H. ; et
al. |
June 16, 2005 |
Random bonus delivery mechanism for a gaming system
Abstract
Gaming systems and methods utilize a visual bonus indicator
displayed among a plurality of gaming machines to indicate an
increased likelihood of a bonus award for a player. The visual
bonus indicator may be centrally controlled to display sequentially
on closely located gaming machines to provide the appearance that
the visual bonus indicator is moving among the gaming machines. The
visual bonus indicator may be animated in multiple animations
corresponding to multiple bonus awards.
Inventors: |
Rothschild, Wayne H.;
(Northbrook, IL) ; Gelber, Philip B.; (Glen Ellyn,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENKENS & GILCHRIST, P.C.
225 WEST WASHINGTON
SUITE 2600
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34653635 |
Appl. No.: |
10/735511 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
G07F 17/3211 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for delivering a bonus event to a gaming machine
selected from a plurality of gaming machines comprising: accepting
wagers at first and second gaming machines in a gaming environment;
communicating with said first gaming machine to initiate display of
a visual bonus indicator on a first display of said first gaming
machine; terminating the display of said visual bonus feature
indicator on said first display; communicating with said second
gaming machine to initiate display of said visual bonus indicator
on a second display of said second gaming machine; animating in a
bonus animation said visual bonus indicator on said second gaming
machine display of said second gaming machine; and awarding a bonus
award to a player of said second gaming machine following display
of said bonus animation.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said gaming environment is
selected from the group consisting of a bank of gaming machines, a
casino floor, a casino, and a geographic region.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said bonus award is selected from
the group consisting of bonus credits, free plays of a wagering
game, guaranteed non-losing plays of a wagering game, and prizes
such as physical objects, food items, show tickets, and the
like.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating a display of a bonus
indicator comprises overlapping a bonus indicator display on a
standard gaming display.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating a display of a bonus
indicator comprises replacing a standard gaming display with a
bonus indicator display.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating a display of a bonus
indicator comprises initiating a display of a bonus indicator on a
secondary display area.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein communicating with said first and
second gaming machines comprises communicating with said first and
second gaming machines from a central gaming machine management
system.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein communicating with said first and
second gaming machines comprises intercommunicating between said
first and second gaming machines.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps are completed in the
listed sequence.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein animating said visual bonus
indicator comprises animating said visual bonus indicator in an
interactive animation wherein said visual bonus indicator interacts
with other gaming elements in said second gaming machine
display.
11. A method of awarding bonus awards on two or more gaming
machines comprising: accepting a first wager at a first gaming
machine and accepting a second wager at a second gaming machine;
displaying on a first display of said first gaming machine a visual
bonus indicator; awarding a first bonus award to a player of said
first gaming machine; terminating said display of said visual bonus
indicator on said first display of said first gaming machine;
displaying on a second display of said second gaming machine said
visual bonus indicator; and awarding a second bonus award to a
player of said second gaming machine.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising animating in a first
animation said visual bonus indicator on said first display of said
first gaming machine and animating in a second animation said
visual bonus indicator on said second display of said second gaming
machine.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein said first bonus award has a
value less than a value of said second bonus award.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said first bonus
award and said second bonus award is a free play of the respective
gaming machine.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said first bonus
award and said second bonus award is an award of credits.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein said first and second gaming
machines are located proximate each other and wherein said
displaying of said visual bonus indicator on said first display and
said second display are coordinated to portray movement of said
visual bonus indicator from said first display to said second
display.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the steps are completed in the
listed sequence.
18. The method of claim 11 further comprising displaying a bonus
award symbol on at least one of said first and second gaming
machines.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein displaying said visual bonus
indicator comprises displaying said visual bonus indicator
interacting with other displayed gaming elements.
20. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying said
visual bonus indicator on a display of an idle gaming machine which
is not being wagered upon.
21. A system for providing random bonus awards comprising: a
plurality of gaming machines located in a gaming environment, each
of said plurality of gaming machines having thereon a display and a
value input device for accepting a wager; a visual bonus indicator
controller adapted to coordinate display of a visual bonus
indicator on certain ones of said displays of said gaming machines,
said visual bonus indicator indicating to a player an increased
likelihood of a bonus award being awarded on a gaming machine upon
which it is displayed; and a processor operative to award a bonus
award in connection with certain animations of said visual bonus
indicator.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein said visual bonus indicator
controller is adapted to initiate a first animation of said visual
bonus indicator on a first display of a first gaming machine and is
further adapted to initiate a second animation of said visual bonus
indicator on a second display of a second gaming machine.
23. The system of claim 22 wherein said first gaming machine is
adapted to award a first bonus award to a first player
substantially contemporaneously with a display of said first
animation and said second gaming machine is adapted to award a
second bonus award to a second player substantially
contemporaneously with a display of said second animation.
24. The system of claim 21 wherein said gaming environment is
selected from the group consisting of a bank of gaming devices, a
casino floor, a casino, and a geographic region.
25. The system of claim 21 wherein said gaming environment is a
bank of gaming machines and said plurality of gaming machines are
located proximate each other, said visual bonus indicator
controller being adapted to coordinate said display of said visual
bonus indicator such that said visual bonus indicator appears to
move among the displays of the gaming machines.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein each of said gaming machines
further comprises an audio output device adapted to emit an audio
bonus indicator substantially contemporaneously with display of
said visual bonus indicator.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein said audio bonus indicator
replaces standard audio performances of said gaming machines.
28. The system of claim 26 wherein said audio bonus indicator
superimposes with standard audio performances of gaming
machines.
29. The system of claim 21 wherein said visual bonus indicator is
displayed sequentially on all of said gaming machines and further
wherein said visual bonus indicator controller is adapted to
initiate display of a bonus award symbol on certain ones of said
gaming machines, said bonus award symbol indicating the receipt of
a bonus award by a player.
30. The system of claim 21 wherein said visual bonus indicator is
displayed substantially sequentially on said gaming machines and
further wherein said visual bonus indicator controller is adapted
to coordinate said substantially sequential display and to skip
certain ones of said gaming machines.
31. The system of claim 21 wherein said processor is adaptive to
award based on one or more player characteristics of players of
said gaming machines, said player characteristics chosen from the
group consisting of the number of coins per minute played, the
total number of credits in the machine, and historical play data
for the player.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is generally directed to gaming
systems and is more particularly directed to systems and methods
for awarding bonuses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker
machines, and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming
industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such
machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived
likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic
entertainment value of the machine relative to other available
gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number
of competing machines and the expectation of winning on each
machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players
are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting
machines available. Such machines attract frequent play and, hence,
increase profitability to the operator. Accordingly, in the
competitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need for
gaming machine manufacturers to produce new types of games, or
enhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play by
enhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with
the game.
[0003] A feature employed in some prior games is a bonus feature
that awards bonus awards to a player in addition to the awards
available on a gaming machine's pay table. Bonus features of gaming
machines may include special graphical and audio features that are
in the style of a gaming machine's theme. Bonus features enhance
the gaming experience for the player because they add to the
entertainment value of the game and also represent an opportunity
for greater rewards. Further, bonus features attract onlookers with
attention-grabbing performances and the promise (or apparent
promise) of additional awards from particular gaming machines.
Because of this twofold effect on players and onlookers, there is
an ongoing demand for enhanced bonus features.
[0004] Though bonus features improve the experience of playing a
gaming machine, gaming machines are perceived by some players as
having shortcomings in comparison to other gaming options. For
example, in a casino environment table games such as roulette and
blackjack offer the additional experience of interacting with other
players in a more social way through the shared gaming experience.
Gaming machines, in contrast, have traditionally been perceived as
offering a more solitary gaming experience lacking in the fun and
excitement of interacting with other players.
[0005] There exists a need for enhanced bonus features and for
gaming elements that will add to a more socially-interactive gaming
experience for players and observers of gaming machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A number of gaming machines feature a random bonus delivery
mechanism. In response to gaming activity on gaming machines, a
bonus feature is delivered to one or more gaming devices within a
gaming environment. The bonus feature is accompanied by a visual
display of bonus feature activity across multiple gaming machines,
some or all of which may share in a bonus with one or more
receiving a larger bonus than others.
[0007] Bonuses awarded in connection with visual bonus indicators
on gaming machines may be awarded in connection with bonus award
symbols left on gaming machine displays, and bonus awards according
to the present invention may take a variety of forms.
[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
visual bonus indicators interact with display elements of a
wagering game to alter outcomes or apparent outcomes of wagering
games.
[0009] The above summary of the present invention is not intended
to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present
invention. This is the purpose of the figures and the detailed
description which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon reference to the drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine embodying the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for
operating the gaming machine.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of a plurality of gaming machines
showing a visual bonus indicator.
[0014] FIG. 4 is another front view of a plurality of gaming
machines showing a bonus animation.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of a gaming machine display having
two display areas.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of a gaming machine display showing
interaction between a visual bonus indicator and a gaming
element.
[0017] FIGS. 7a-7d are block diagrams showing gaming machine
communication with a visual bonus indicator controller.
[0018] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way
of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not
intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather,
the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Turning now to the drawings and referring initially to FIG.
1, there is depicted a gaming machine 10 executing a game of chance
that may be used to implement a random bonus delivery according to
the present invention. The gaming machine 10 includes a visual
display 12 preferably in the form of a dot matrix, CRT, LED, LCD,
electro-luminescent, plasma, or other type of video display known
in the art. The display 12 preferably includes a touch screen
overlaying the monitor. Gaming machines according to the present
invention may include video displays combined with mechanical
wagering games. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine
10 is an upright version in which the display 12 is oriented
approximately vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the
gaming machine 10 may have another form factor such as a
"slant-top" version in which the display 12 is oriented at an angle
(for example, about a 30-degree angle) toward a player of the
gaming machine 10.
[0020] The gaming machine 10 allows the play of games of chance by
a player. In one embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is operable to
play a game entitled "Duck Duck Goose," having a group game theme.
The display 12 shows first, second and third reels (respectively,
14, 16, and 18), which spin in response to a wager and a player's
pull of a spin handle 20 or push of a "play" button 22. A player is
awarded an award when symbols 24 on the reels align with selected
pay lines 26, in accordance with a pay table (not shown). A visual
bonus indicator 28, in the form of a goose, indicates participation
in a bonus feature (or potential bonus feature) as explained in
greater detail below.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for
operating the gaming machine 10. Coin/credit detector 30 signals a
central processing unit ("CPU") 32 when a player has inserted a
number of coins or played a number of credits. Then, the CPU 32
operates to execute a game program that causes the display 12 to
display the basic game that includes symbol-bearing reels, such as
reels 14, 16, and 18 of FIG. 1. The player may select the number of
pay lines 26 (shown in FIG. 1) to play and the amount to wager via
touch screen inputs or other controls whose signals are forwarded
to the CPU 32 via an input/output controller 34. The basic game
commences in response to the player activating a play switch 36
(e.g., by pulling the spin handle 20 or pushing the play button 22
as shown in FIG. 1), causing the CPU 32 to set the reels in motion,
randomly select a game outcome, and then stop the reels to display
symbols corresponding to the game outcome. In one embodiment, one
or more game outcomes may cause the CPU 32 to enter a bonus mode
whereby a bonus game is displayed.
[0022] A system memory 38 stores control software, operational
instructions, and data associated with the gaming machine 10. In
one embodiment, the system memory 38 comprises a separate read only
memory (ROM) and battery-backed random access memory (RAM). It will
be appreciated, however, that the system memory 38 may be
implemented on any of several alternative types of memory
structures or may be implemented on a single memory structure. A
payoff mechanism 40 is operable in response to instructions from
the CPU 32 to award a payoff of coins or credits to the player in
response to certain winning outcomes which may occur in the basic
or bonus games. The payoff amounts corresponding to certain
combinations of symbols in the basic game may be predetermined
according to a pay table in the system memory 38. The payoff
amounts corresponding to certain outcomes of the bonus game may
also be stored in the system memory 38.
[0023] Visual display of gaming events may be accomplished with a
single display 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 2, a primary display 42 may display some components of a
game's visual elements and a secondary display 44 may display other
components. For example, a primary display 42 may be used to show
the general game play of a basic game and a secondary display 44
may be used for bonus game displays.
[0024] A communications module 46 allows a gaming machine 10 to
communicate with other gaming machines or with a central controller
over a communications network. The communications module 46 may be
a networking card (for example, an Ethernet card), a modem, a
wireless networking module, or the like. The communications module
46 allows the gaming machine 10 to communicate its status to a
network and to receive instructions from a network. The
communications module 46 allows for several gaming machines to be
monitored and/or controlled from a central point.
[0025] Turning now to FIG. 3, a three-machine bank 48 is shown,
having first, second, and third gaming machines (50, 52, and 54,
respectively). Each gaming machine is provided with a
communications module 46 connected to a communications conduit 56
for communicating in a communications network 57. First, second,
and third displays (58, 60, and 62, respectively) are provided on
the gaming machines 50, 52, and 54. Similarly to the gaming machine
10 of FIG. 1, the gaming machines 50, 52, and 54 of FIG. 3 are
adapted to play a "Duck Duck Goose" game having a group game theme.
Responsive to a visual bonus indicator controller 64 provided on
the communications network 57, a visual bonus indicator 28 is shown
proceeding from the first display 58 to the second display 60.
[0026] The visual bonus indicator 28 is an indicator to a player of
a gaming machine that a probability exists of being awarded a bonus
award. In the "Duck Duck Goose" game shown in FIG. 3, the visual
bonus indicator 28 is a goose image. The visual bonus indicator 28
is animated on each of the displays that it is displayed on.
[0027] Visual bonus indicators 28 according to the present
invention enable a variety of techniques for increasing the appeal
of gaming machines to players. A visual bonus indicator 28 may
leave behind bonus award symbols 68 on one or more of the gaming
machines upon which the visual bonus indicator 28 has appeared. For
example, in FIG. 3, the visual bonus indicator 28 having the image
of a goose has left behind a bonus award symbol 68 having the image
of a golden egg on the first display 58. The bonus award symbol 68
is an indication that a bonus award is available to a player or has
been awarded to the player. The bonus award may be awarded
immediately upon a bonus award symbol 68 being displayed, or it may
be activated at a later time by a player (for example, by the
player touching the bonus award symbol 68 in a touch-screen enabled
gaming machine). Bonus awards awarded with the bonus award symbol
68 may include bonus awards such as free plays of a gaming machine,
free credits or coins, the ability to lock a displayed reel in
place or to otherwise confer an advantage upon the player, a grant
of spins or plays that are incapable of losing, and the like. Bonus
awards may also take the form of prizes awarded to the player--or
an indication that a prize is available to a player. Prizes that
may be awarded to a player include physical objects, meals, prizes
such as ice cream or show tickets, and the like. In combination
with visual displays of a visual bonus indicator 28, audio
performance of gaming machines may also change when a visual bonus
indicator is shown. A game's entire audio performance or soundtrack
may be replaced with sounds particular to a visual bonus indicator
28, or sounds particular to the visual bonus indicator 28 may be
played along with a gaming machine's normal sounds to indicate a
bonus event.
[0028] The visual bonus indicator 28 may be displayed as traveling
from gaming machine to gaming machine in a bank 48 of gaming
machines. In such a display, the bonus indicator 28 may be
displayed partially on the second gaming machine 52 before its
display has completely terminated from the first gaming machine 50.
Such a display is shown in FIG. 3, in which the head of the goose
visual bonus indicator 28 is shown on the second display 60 while
the tail of the goose visual bonus indicator 28 remains on the
first display 58. Alternatively, the visual bonus indicator 28 may
randomly or apparently randomly be displayed on non-contiguous
displays, providing a more random (or apparently random) award of
bonus awards to players. For example, in FIG. 3, a visual bonus
indicator 28 could first be shown on the third display 62 and next
shown on the first display 58.
[0029] The sequential movement of the visual bonus indicator 28
from one display to a contiguous display, such as movement from the
first display 58 to the second display 60, is advantageous in that
it can provide an incentive for players to play gaming machines
that the visual bonus indicator 28 appears to be heading toward. In
one embodiment, the visual bonus indicator 28 is only displayed on
gaming machines having an active wagering session in progress, so
that only players who are actively playing a gaming machine may be
awarded a bonus award. In another embodiment, the visual bonus
indicator 28 may be displayed on idle machines which are not being
wagered upon, even though idle machines may or may not be able to
win. Random or apparently random display of the visual bonus
indicator 28 is advantageous in that it provides an indication to
players that a bonus award, in addition to the bonus awards that
are generally available on gaming machines, may be available at any
time. A player's engaging in a bonus award according to the present
invention may be dependent on player-specific factors, including
the number of coins per minute bet, the number of credits on the
gaming machine, or other player status such as historical play data
for a player to be awarded a bonus.
[0030] In addition to or in lieu of the awarding of a bonus award
with the bonus award symbol 68 as shown in FIG. 3, a visual bonus
indicator 28 may award bonus awards by other techniques. For
example, several different types of bonus award symbols 68 may be
available, and more minor bonuses may be granted to every gaming
machine upon which the visual bonus indicator 28 appears, with
greater awards granted to players of only selected ones of the
gaming machine upon which the visual bonus indicator 28 appears.
Greater awards may be accompanied by more extensive animations and
more attractive or larger bonus award symbols 68. In the "Duck Duck
Goose" example, a goose may be shown laying a golden egg in a first
animation and building an entire nest of golden eggs in a second
animation. The bonus award symbols of a golden egg and an entire
nest of golden eggs may be associated with different bonus award
levels.
[0031] Further, visual bonus indicators 28 according to the present
invention may be animated in an even more eye-catching manner to
award greater bonus awards on certain gaming machines. Turning now
to FIG. 4, a bank 48 of three gaming machines 50, 52, and 54 is
shown with first, second, and third displays 58, 60, and 62. The
first display 58 displays a bonus award symbol 68, indicating that
the visual bonus indicator 28 has already been displayed upon the
first display 58. The visual bonus indicator 28 is shown in a bonus
animation on the third display 62, indicating a greater bonus award
to the player of the third gaming machine 54. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, different bonus animations
may be provided tailored to different types of bonus awards.
[0032] Displays for use with the present invention may be modified
to maximize the impact of visual bonus indicators. For example,
displays may be provided with multiple display screens or display
areas, with particular screens or areas specified for displaying
visual bonus indicators. FIG. 5 shows a display 12 having a primary
display area 70 for displaying basic gaming events and a secondary
display area 72 for displaying a visual bonus indicator 28. In this
embodiment, the display of a visual bonus indicator 28 is visually
separate from the display of basic gaming events, giving the player
more than one image to focus on. Alternatively, a visual bonus
indicator 28 may overlap graphics associated with standard gaming
events (e.g., a visual bonus indicator 28 may be overlaid on visual
displays of reels as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), or the display of a
visual bonus indicator 28 may temporarily replace the display of
standard gaming elements (such as reels) during a bonus animation
or during any time a visual bonus indicator 28 is shown on a
display.
[0033] Visual bonus indicators 28 may be used to interact with
gaming elements, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a visual bonus
indicator 28, again in the form of a goose, nudging a final reel 74
on a display 12 of a five-reel game so that a winning symbol 76
aligns with other winning symbols to result in a win for a player.
Such an interactive event may occur randomly (such as in response
to signals from a visual bonus indicator controller, not shown) or
may occur as a result of a player's selection, for example, of a
button such as the bonus interaction button 78. Such an option may
be given to a player in conjunction with a previous visual bonus
indicator event, such as a previous bonus animation or the
appearance of a bonus award symbol 68 (as shown in FIG. 3). Thus,
the bonus award symbol 68 may serve as an indicator of a future
bonus award. Likewise, referring once again to FIG. 3, a bonus
award symbol 68 such as the golden egg may eventually "hatch" into
an additional visual bonus indicator 28, which may go on to be
displayed on gaming machines 10 in a gaming environment as
described herein. In such an embodiment, animations and other
events involving visual bonus indicators 28 may increase throughout
the day so that peak times for gaming correspond with peak activity
of visual bonus indicators 28.
[0034] Visual bonus indicators 28 according to the present
invention may be controlled and used in a variety of gaming
environments using a variety of types of communication between
gaming machines 10. FIGS. 7a-7d are block diagrams illustrating
different ways in which visual bonus indicators 28 may be
implemented and controlled. In the embodiment of FIG. 7a, a visual
bonus indicator controller 64 is directly connected to one gaming
machine 10, and communications directed to individual gaming
machines 10 are routed through other gaming machines 10. Thus, the
visual bonus indicator 28 may be controlled via signals sent to all
gaming machines 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7b, a visual
bonus indicator controller 64 is connected to network connectors
80, which in turn are connected to individual gaming machines 10.
The visual bonus indicator 28 may be controlled by signals sent to
all gaming machines 10 or to individual gaming machines 10 or
subsets of gaming machines 10 by the visual bonus indicator
controller 64.
[0035] FIG. 7c shows a visual bonus indicator controller 64 adapted
for wirelessly controlling a visual bonus indicator 28 on a
plurality of gaming machines 10. Wireless signals 82 may be sent
from and received by the visual bonus indicator controller 64.
Additionally, if communication between gaming machines 10 is
desired, wireless signals 82 may be sent between gaming
machines.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 7d, a visual bonus indicator controller 64
may be provided within a gaming machine 10, with network
connections 80 provided between gaming machines 10 to allow the
visual bonus indicator controller 64 to control the visual bonus
indicator 28 across multiple gaming machines 10. While FIGS. 7a-7d
each show three gaming machines 10, it is to be understood that the
present invention may be used in gaming environments having two or
more gaming machines 10.
[0037] While the present invention has been described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in
the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. For example, while the present invention has been
described with respect to gaming machines operable to play slot
games, it is to be understood that the principles of the present
invention can be applied to gaming machines operable to play other
games such as poker, blackjack, and keno. In addition, bonus
indicator controllers according to the present invention may be
implemented as part of a more comprehensive gaming machine
management system. Further, while certain methods have been
described above as being executed in sequences, it is to be
understood that certain steps may be performed in a different order
or performed concurrently without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations
thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of
the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *