U.S. patent application number 11/333831 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for system and method of a gaming machine with special bonus attraction.
Invention is credited to Duncan F. Brown, Lawrence E. DeMar, Scott D. Slomiany.
Application Number | 20060160624 11/333831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36684656 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060160624 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Slomiany; Scott D. ; et
al. |
July 20, 2006 |
System and method of a gaming machine with special bonus
attraction
Abstract
The present invention includes a first game of chance, or base
(primary) game, with a particular result or outcome that provides
the player with the opportunity to play a second game, or bonus
game. The bonus game is not played on the same gaming machine as
the base game, but played on a bonus game attraction device. The
player must physically leave the gaming machine of the first game
to play the bonus game on the attraction device. The bonus game is
distinct from the first game in that it is an entirely different
game, with a different object and outcome, than the first game. The
addition of a large bonus attraction device is a great enhancement
to playing a wagering game in a casino environment.
Inventors: |
Slomiany; Scott D.; (Rolling
Meadows, IL) ; Brown; Duncan F.; (Grayslake, IL)
; DeMar; Lawrence E.; (Winnetka, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael H. Baniak;BANIAK PINE & GANNON
Suite 1200
150 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
36684656 |
Appl. No.: |
11/333831 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60644757 |
Jan 17, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3267 20130101;
G07F 17/3281 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/042 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: a base game of
chance, a bonus game of chance associated with said base game, said
bonus game of chance being located and played at a place physically
separated from said base game.
2. An improved wagering game having a base game which is playable
upon a wager input, and an associated bonus game, wherein the
improvement comprises said bonus game being located and played at a
place physically separated from said base game.
3. An improved bonus game where the bonus game is triggered or
otherwise earned through play of a wagering game, wherein the
improvement comprises: a bonus game which is playable and is
different in play from the wagering game, and said bonus game is
located and played at a place physically separated from the
wagering game.
4. A gaming system comprising: a base game machine having a game of
chance that is executable by said base game machine, with a wager
input mechanism for a player to register a wager for play of said
base game of chance; a bonus game machine having a game of chance
that is different in play from said base game of chance and
executable by said bonus game machine, said bonus game machine
being located at a place which is spatially separated from said
base game machine.
5. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein said spatial separation
requires a player to traverse a distance greater than ten feet away
from said base game machine as measured on a line from a location
where the player was playing said base game.
6. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein said spatial separation
requires a player to traverse a distance to reach a public
attraction location where said bonus game is located.
7. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein said bonus game machine is
an outsized machine as compared to said base game machine.
8. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein said bonus game is a
pachinko device, with a bonus award being based upon where at least
one member played on said pachinko device comes to rest after
falling through said device.
9. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein said bonus game is a matrix
of video monitors, with a bonus award being based upon the
selection of at least one video monitor from said matrix to reveal
said bonus award.
10. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said member is discharged
from said base game machine upon the occurrence of a bonus event
determined by said base game play.
11. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said member is discharged
from said bonus game machine upon the occurrence of a bonus event
determined by said bonus game play.
12. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said pachinko device has a
plurality of discrete locations where said member can come to rest,
at least some of said locations having differing respective award
values associated therewith.
13. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said member is a puck-like
disk.
14. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said member is a puck.
15. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said pachinko device is
outsized, and said member is a hockey-puck sized disk.
16. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said pachinko device is
sized to receive and play a member which is a hockey-puck sized
disk.
17. A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: providing a
base game of chance, providing a bonus game of chance associated
with said base game, playing said base game at a first location,
said base game further providing a possibility of initiating said
bonus game, and in the event that said bonus game is initiated,
said bonus game is then played at a location physically remote from
said base game.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said bonus game has a manner of
play that is different from a manner of play of said base game.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said base game is played upon a
video machine, and said bonus game is played upon a machine.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein said bonus game initiation
includes the additional steps of: a member being discharged from
said base game machine, and said member is physically carried by a
player to said bonus game machine and deposited therein for said
bonus game play.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein said bonus game initiation
occurs upon a triggering event happening in play of said base game
for a winning player, whereupon play of said base game is
temporarily suspended, the winning player then traverses to said
location of said bonus game, said bonus game is played by the
winning player, and upon completion of play of said bonus game, the
winning player traverses back to said base game and resumes play
thereof.
22. The method of claim 20 further including the generation of an
award based upon play of said bonus game.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein said award is registered on said
base game machine.
24. The method of claim 20 wherein said bonus game is a pachinko
device, with a bonus award being based upon where at least one
member inserted into said pachinko device comes to rest after
falling through said device.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said member is discharged from
said base game machine upon the occurrence of a bonus event
determined by said base game play.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein said pachinko device has a
plurality of discrete locations where said member can come to rest,
at least some of said locations having differing respective award
values associated therewith.
27. The method of claim 17 wherein said bonus game initiation
includes the additional steps of: a member being discharged from
said bonus game machine, and said member is deposited in said bonus
game machine for said bonus game play.
28. The method of claim 17 wherein said bonus game initiation
includes the additional steps of: a member being self contained
within said bonus game machine, and said member is played on said
bonus game machine for said bonus game play.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein said bonus game is a pachinko
device, with a bonus award being based upon where at least one
member inserted into said pachinko device comes to rest after
falling through said device.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein said member is discharged from
said bonus game machine upon the occurrence of a bonus event
determined by said base game play.
31. The method of claim 17 wherein said bonus game is a matrix of
video monitors, with a bonus award being based upon the selection
of at least one video monitor from said matrix to reveal said bonus
award.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/644,757 filed Jan. 17, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to games in general, and
particularly to gaming machines allowing wagers to be placed on a
game, and more particularly to a wagering game with a first game
and a second game where the first game offers or provides players
the opportunity to play a second game on an apparatus separate and
distinct from the apparatus of the first game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Wagering games, like those in a casino environment, for
example table games and slot machines, are typically each played
individually by a single player who makes a wager and collects or
loses coins, or credits and the like, based upon the outcome of the
game played. The outcome is ordinarily independent of the result of
any other player or slot machine in the casino.
[0004] Table games are well known wagering games (e.g., blackjack,
craps, roulette) generally played by multiple players who sit
around a physical table and make wagers on potential outcomes of a
game prior to the play of the game. In some variations, the players
participate in the play of the game while in other variations, the
players watch the game being played, but in all such variations,
each player collects or loses based on the outcome of the game as
it relates to his or her own participation. In table games,
generally a player makes a wager, the game is played (such as by a
casino employee called the dealer or in some cases by a computer)
following which the result of the game is evaluated, and payment is
made to the players based on the outcome of the game. In some table
games, such as roulette and keno, the player's involvement is
limited to placing a bet and watching the outcome on a wheel or
board. All players win or lose independent of the result for any
other player.
[0005] In other table games, such as blackjack and Pai-gow poker,
the player makes one or more decisions during the course of the
game (such as drawing or grouping cards) and the outcome is
determined by evaluating the hand of the player against the hand of
the dealer. Again, all players win or lose independent of the
result for any other player.
[0006] In still other table games, such as five-card draw poker and
Texas-hold 'em, players play each game against other players at the
table by making wagers into a common prize pot, with a single
player winning the game and collecting the prize pot while all
other players lose and are excluded from collecting any portion of
the prize pot at the end of the game. In this type of game, the
players win or lose money from each other. In a casino environment,
the operator or casino takes a fixed percentage of the prize pot
without any risk of loss, regardless of the skill of each player.
Players enjoy playing table games in a group setting, whether
competing against the house or each other.
[0007] Players participating in table games play as a community,
and the group participation is a feature upon which players choose
to play table games, versus the solitary play of slot machines.
Although some table games, such as roulette, blackjack and certain
poker games can be played by a single player against the dealer,
most players typically prefer to play table games with multiple
players participating in the game. Table game players share their
experience with, and evaluate the result of their play, against
other players at the same table. This community play aspect is a
desirable feature of table games for some players.
[0008] Yet gaming machines, such as slot machines, poker machines,
blackjack machines, are sometimes more desirable to a player than a
table game. Gaming machines are well known in the art and typically
use spinning mechanical reels or a video display to display the
results of game. These machines contain a player input device, for
example, mechanical buttons, a handle or a touchscreen monitor.
Players wager money on plays of the game, often registered as
credits on the machine. Each machine registers the money wagered by
the player, whether it is through the insertion of coins or bills,
voucher tickets, credit cards or electronic funds transfer. Each
machine offers the player a means to cash out, whether by
dispensing coins from a hopper, dispensing bills, printing a
voucher ticket, applying credit to a credit card or other
electronic funds transfer.
[0009] Traditional slot machines have a plurality of rotating
mechanical drums, or reels, which rotate and then stop to show
symbols on one or more paylines drawn across the reels. These may
be actual mechanical reels, or more often a computer simulation on
a video display. Players wager coins, or credits, on one or more of
these paylines, actuate spins and receive a payment for certain
combinations of symbols on a payline for which a wager has been
placed. More recent video slot machines offer these same types of
features and often add in a bonus game that occurs when a game
results in a particular symbol combination. In many such cases, the
outcome and play of the game is solitary to the player making the
wager.
[0010] As noted above, a bonus game is offered on many slot
machines. The bonus game is usually actuated for play at random
times, as by certain combinations resulting from the wagered play
of the game, such as the occurrence of a certain pattern of symbols
on the paylines wagered upon by the player on the slot machine, for
example, a row of "bonus game" symbols appearing upon a wagered
payline. The bonus game, once actuated, generally consists of a
separate game played on the display of a slot machine. For example,
a player selects objects from a choice of objects offered, and
receives coins or credits based upon the value of the objects
revealed after the game is played. In other bonus games, an event
is displayed for the player's amusement, and the player receives
coins or credits based on the outcome of the event.
[0011] Some players enjoy playing in groups. Gaming machines are
frequently arranged within a casino in groupings of like games,
such as areas for video poker machines or in banks of games with
the same or similar titles, themes or brands. During their
individual play, players often enjoy social interchange with
players on nearby machines, witness and comment upon outcomes
achieved by other players, and evaluate their results against what
other players achieve.
[0012] These gaming machines may not necessarily function totally
independently. In certain desired instances they can be
interconnected, such as through a LAN in a local environment, or a
wide area network (private) or the Internet in a more global
application, so that multiple players can participate at the same
time.
[0013] In a casino environment, there is always a need for more
exciting attractions to make wagering games more appealing to the
player. Many slot machines are based on the license of a well known
icon, such as a popular product or TV show. Groups of slot machines
typically have large signs and wide area progressive jackpots to
attract play.
[0014] There are gaming machines where multiple players play a
primary game, or base game, to achieve play of a secondary game, or
bonus game. The "Super Spin Wheel of Fortune" game allows multiple
players to play linked slot machines for a chance to spin the giant
wheel in the center of the gaming machines. Multiple players that
reach the bonus game, within a specified time period, may
participate jointly in spins of the bonus wheel.
[0015] Another example of an attraction used to attract players is
the simultaneous multiple players racing game described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,793,575 to Brown. Multiple players simultaneously play a
race game on individual gaming stations while the game is
illustrated on a centralized display.
[0016] Some slot machines attract players by dispensing souvenir
items, for example "Silver Strike" by Anchor Gaming as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,125 to Adams. Other machines dispense items of
value, for example "Raining Diamonds" by Sierra Design Group which
dispenses diamond jewelry as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,969
to Luciano.
[0017] Some casinos have special promotional areas and/or games
that award customers in a large gameshow-like format based on
random drawings or accumulation of slot machine play. For example,
the Fortune Dome at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., is
a twelve foot glass dome booth towering over the casino floor.
Players that accumulate the minimum number of tickets based on the
quantity of slot machine play, are invited to step into the Fortune
Dome to grab at cash swirling through the air.
[0018] The popularity of the games, and these gaming machines,
derives from a number of factors, some of which are the apparent
likelihood of winning (typically money in a wagering environment),
the attractiveness of the gaming machine, and the basic level of
entertainment provided by the game/gaming machine itself. It is
therefore one general driving force in the gaming industry to come
up with new and exciting games and gaming machines that will
attract players, entertain them, and promote repeated play.
[0019] One way that has been tried to accomplish the foregoing has
been to enhance play of a wagering game, where the base game may be
a relatively standard-type game already established in the
industry, with a bonus game. Such a bonus game can be completely
unrelated to the base game in the sense of being a game different
from that being played as the base game. For instance, the bonus
game could be a separate wheel that is spun in the course of play
of a slots game when triggered by some event in the slots game.
[0020] Players would enjoy playing more exciting wagering games.
The purpose of the present invention is to create attractions that
enhance the play and enjoyment of a gaming machine so that it is
more appealing to the player to play.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The addition of a large bonus attraction device can be a
great enhancement to playing a wagering game in a casino
environment. It is a principal objective of the present invention
to create bonus attractions that enhance the play and enjoyment of
a gaming machine so that it is more appealing to the player to
play. While there have been games where players participate in
bonus games, there has not been (until the present invention) a
bonus game that is an entirely different game, with a different
object and outcome, than the first or base game. Additionally, the
bonus game is played on an entirely different apparatus, spatially
separate from the base game.
[0022] The present invention, in perhaps one of its broadest
expressions, comprises a base game of chance, a bonus game of
chance associated with the base game, and the bonus game of chance
being located and played at a place physically separated from said
base game.
[0023] In one preferred from, the present invention is an improved
wagering game having a base game which is playable upon a wager
input, and an associated bonus game, wherein the improvement
comprises the bonus game being located and played at a place
physically separated from the base game.
[0024] In another preferred from, the present invention is an
improved bonus game where the bonus game is triggered or otherwise
earned through play of a wagering game, and the bonus game is
playable and is different in play from the wagering game, and the
bonus game is located and played at a place physically separated
from the wagering game.
[0025] In yet another preferred form, the present invention is a
gaming system comprising a base game machine having a game of
chance that is executable by the base game machine, with a wager
input mechanism for a player to register a wager for play of the
base game of chance, a bonus game machine having a game of chance
that is different in play from the base game of chance and
executable by the bonus game machine, the bonus game machine being
located at a place which is spatially separated from the base game
machine.
[0026] In yet another preferred form, the present invention is a
method of playing a wagering game, by providing a base game of
chance, providing a bonus game of chance associated with the base
game, playing the base game at a first location, the base game
further providing a possibility of initiating the bonus game, and
in the event that the bonus game is initiated, the bonus game is
then played at a location physically remote from the base game.
[0027] The present invention includes a first game of chance, or
base (primary) game, such a slot machine (mechanical or video),
video poker machine, other gaming machine, bingo or table game. The
first game of chance could be any game, existing or not yet
invented. A particular result or outcome from the first game
provides the player with the opportunity to play a second game, or
bonus game. The bonus (second) game can be any game (of skill or
chance), and is not played on the same gaming machine as the base
game (where the "base game" is played on a machine). The bonus game
is played on a bonus game attraction device. The player must
physically leave the gaming machine of the first game to play the
bonus game. Additionally, the bonus game is distinct from the first
game in that it is an entirely different game, with a different
object and outcome, than the first game.
[0028] While the bonus game can be any type of game, it is
preferred that the bonus game provides a greater opportunity for
winning, or the opportunity to win a large monetary amount. It is
also preferred that the bonus game is played on an attraction
device that is of a larger scale than traditional gaming machines
and apparatus. Playing an outsized bonus game on a large bonus
attraction device is exciting to the player, as well as to others
who may watch the player play the bonus game on the large
attraction device.
[0029] The first game of chance can be any machine or live game. In
one embodiment, the first game is a slot machine. A conventional
slot machine has various reels with symbols, with a variety of
symbol combinations that provide different awards. A specific
combination provides the player with the opportunity to play the
bonus game, for example, a single "Bonus" symbol on the last reel
of a mechanical or video reel slot machine, three "Bonus" symbols
on a wagered payline, or scattered on any three reels or
consecutive on the first three reels. It is contemplated that any
event, or symbol combination, can provide the player with the
opportunity to play the bonus game.
[0030] An object of the present invention is to provide a bonus
game attraction device, play thereof which is awarded from a base
game played on a gaming machine. The bonus game is an entirely
different game, with a different object and outcome, than the first
or base game.
[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
bonus game attraction device that is an entirely different
apparatus than the gaming machine of the first game.
[0032] It is a further object of this invention to provide a gaming
machine of the first game that dispenses bonus game qualifying
element to indicate that the player has earned the opportunity to
operate the attraction device.
[0033] It is a further object of this invention to provide a bonus
game attraction device that is placed among games of chance and
preferably in a central area easily viewed from as wide an area as
possible.
[0034] It is a further object of the present invention to allow the
attraction device to be operated unattended. A bonus game
qualifying element can be dispensed from the gaming machine and
inserted into the attraction device to activate the attraction
device before play. Alternatively, the gaming machine can dispense
a game piece, or member, that is used by the player during play of
the bonus attraction device, while simultaneously activating the
attraction device. Additionally, the player can be "credited" with
the opportunity to play the attraction device, via a player
tracking card, voucher ticket or by assigning an ID and PIN
recorded on a computer network, which can be used to activate the
attraction. In fact any secure method may be used that allows the
bonus attraction device to validate that the operation is the
result of a legitimate win by the player on the base gaming
machine.
[0035] It will of course be understood that the aspects and
objectives of the invention are various, and need not be all
present in any given embodiment of the invention. The features,
advantages and accomplishments of the invention will be further
appreciated and understood upon consideration of the following
detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, taken in
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the principal components of
the system according to one configuration of the gaming machine
network of the present invention;
[0037] FIGS. 2 through 4 are screens from a video display showing
an embodiment of the base game according to the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a bonus game attraction
device according to the present invention; and
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a bonus game
attraction device according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0040] The embodiments of the first game of the present invention
described hereinafter have been particularly adapted for play on a
video display, whereas embodiments of the bonus game of the present
invention described hereinafter have been particularly adapted for
play on an attraction device, and even more particularly, for play
of both games in a casino environment. The first game and bonus
game could easily be adapted for play on a mechanical machine
(other than video) without departing from the invention, or in
other conceivable environments where wagering games are played.
[0041] The embodiments of the present invention directed to the
first game, or base game, described hereinafter have been
particularly adapted for play on a video display, and even more
particularly, for play upon a video gaming machine in a casino
environment. The base game could be a multi-line video slot, a
spinning reel slot, blackjack, poker, craps, checkers, or any other
game. Upon play of a base game, a second game can be achieved. The
second game, or bonus game, is particularly adapted for play on an
entirely different gaming machine than the first game, for example
a bonus game attraction device.
[0042] The present invention electronically links an individual
gaming machine and a bonus game attraction device via a network. It
is further contemplated that multiple individual gaming machines
are electronically linked to a bonus game attraction device via a
network. By linking a gaming machine and bonus game attraction
device in a common network, the expected win in the second game can
depend on factors present in the first game. Regardless of the type
of gaming machine or its particular configuration for registering
wagers, it is preferred that the gaming machine has its own CPU. It
is also contemplated that the present invention can be constructed
using a single computer system that would operate the gaming
machine and the bonus game attraction device.
[0043] Whether configured with a single CPU, or multiple CPUs using
a computer network, and whether it is a single physical machine or
multiple machines, players will each play the first game at a
gaming machine.
[0044] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the principal components of
the system according to one configuration of the gaming machine
network 101 of the present invention. A plurality of gaming
machines 103 is connected through a computer network 101, or
software is provided for a single machine to work in a similar mode
of operation. The computer network 101 connects the gaming machines
103 to the bonus game attraction device 107.
[0045] The network 101 includes a plurality of gaming machines 103,
or gaming stations. Each gaming machine 103 is networked (e.g.,
connected) to the bonus game attraction device 107. The gaming
machines 103 may be of the same style machine or varied style
machine, for example video slot machine, video poker machine, or
mechanical reel slot machine.
[0046] Each gaming machine 103 is networked to the bonus game
attraction device 107 through a network router 105. Computer
networking technology is well known in the art and any appropriate
networking architecture may be used, such as, but not limited to,
Cat-5 Ethernet, Fiber Optic, RS-232, RS-422, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi.
The computers could also be networked over a larger network, such
as the Internet, using any suitable connection method such as
dial-up, DSL, Cable Modem, T1, wireless or other available
technology.
[0047] Also connected to the network 101 is a computer that serves
as the server 109. A PC such as those made by IBM, Dell, Compaq or
HP could be used for the server 109 as well as a separate gaming
machine unit or other embedded computer system. The CPU in the
server 109 monitors operation of the first game by communicating
with gaming machines 103 over the network 101, and may further
control the operation of the second game. The gaming machines 103
and bonus game attraction device 107 could communicate without the
use of a server 109 without departing from the invention. The
gaming machines 103 and bonus game attraction device 107 could also
communicate through a network structure which does not require a
router 105, as is well known in the art.
[0048] In one embodiment, the bonus game attraction device 107 is a
pachinko-type attraction device with an over-sized pegboard. The
bonus game attraction device 107 may further include a bonus wheel
device, large interactive plasma display, and the like.
[0049] As an example, the bonus game attraction device 107 begins a
bonus game when a qualification is received. It is necessary for
the qualifications to come from an individual gaming machine 103.
Qualification to play the bonus game attraction device 107 can
include, for example, a symbol combination on the base gaming
machine 103.
[0050] When a game played results in a bonus game qualification,
then the gaming machine 103 sends a message through the computer
network 101 to the server 109, which registers this player for the
bonus game. If a bonus game is in progress, then this request is
queued for a future bonus game. A message is sent to the gaming
machine 103 causing it to display a text message and to continue
regular game play.
[0051] Once the bonus game attraction device 107 receives the
required registration of a qualified player, the bonus game is
initiated. As described above, the network shown in FIG. 1 is only
one possible configuration of many types of networking hardware and
hierarchical arrangements. The gaming machine(s) may be networked
in any reasonable method that is available by current
technology.
[0052] In the case where the first gaming device is not a computer
(such as a table game) then a computer could be used in conjunction
with the table game in order to transmit the necessary information
about the bonus game initiation. The network could be an existing
network such as ones commonly used in casinos to link all of the
machines together for the purposes of player tracking that is well
known in the art.
[0053] Another networked system being used to link gaming machines
together provides "Ticket-In/Ticket-Out" functions for establishing
credits and cashing out on the gaming machines on the network. For
a "Ticket-In/Ticket-Out" network, the player could be issued a
ticket from the first gaming machine which logs the ticket value on
the system which is tracked by the "Ticket-In/Ticket-Out" network.
Then, rather than automatically initiating play on the bonus game
attraction device, the player inserts the ticket into the bonus
game attraction device. The bonus game would be played based on the
value logged for the ticket which the bonus game would access from
the "Ticket-In/Ticket-Out" network as is well known in the art.
[0054] The base game could be a multi-line video slot, a spinning
reel slot, blackjack, poker, craps, checkers, or any other game.
Upon play of a base game, a second game can be achieved. In one
embodiment, the first game is a game of chance played on a video
slot machine where bonus symbols are displayed in conjunction with
regular play symbols. For example, and incorporated herein by
reference, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/051,316 discloses
"Deal and Win" slot game with additional award symbols displayed in
conjunction with symbols of regular slot machines and video poker
games.
[0055] FIGS. 2 through 4 are screens from a video display showing a
first embodiment of the base game according to the present
invention. FIG. 2 shows various meters and buttons of a "Deal and
Win" slot game including a "Lines" meter 201, a "Credit" meter 203,
a "Collect" button 205, a "Help" button 207, a "See PayTable"
button 209, a "Select Lines" button 211, a "Bet Per Line" button
213, a "Max Bet Spin" button 215, a "Spin Reels" button 217, a
"Paid" meter 219, a "Total Bet" meter 221, and a "Bet" meter 223.
This embodiment employs a five reel multi-line slot game as the
first (primary or base) game.
[0056] A player actuates the "Select Lines" button 211 to indicate
the number of lines to be included in the wager of the game,
ranging from one to nine lines, although any number of lines may be
used. The player can actuate the "Bet Per Line" button 213 to
indicate a bet for each line wagered upon, ranging from one to five
coins, although any desired range for this value may be used. Here,
the player has selected to play the "Deal and Win" slot game
betting all nine lines at one credit per line. This comes to a
total bet of nine credits, as displayed on the "Total Bet" meter
221. The player then actuates the "Spin Reels" button 217 to start
the game and spin the reels 217. The nature of the primary game is
incidental to the invention, unless otherwise indicated herein.
[0057] Once the player actuates either the "Spin Reels" button 217
or the "Max Bet Spin" button 215, or a mechanical button which is
not shown, the well known Random Number Generator (RNG) is used to
establish "stop" positions for the five reels 225, which are
meanwhile shown spinning in a video display format, as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0058] The bonus award values 227 are also selected by the RNG and
shown to "spin" as well as the reels 225. Here, the game spins the
reels 225 and the bonus award values 227 at the same time. The game
"stops" the spinning reels 225 and bonus award values 227 at
positions and values selected by the RNG. This method of displaying
spinning the reels and establishing the positions for a slot game
is well known by those skilled in the art.
[0059] FIG. 4 shows one possible outcome of the game shown in FIGS.
2 and 3. After the reels stop, the end results are evaluated. Any
payout of the slot game is determined for all lines that were bet,
with the resulting payout value then multiplied by the number of
credits per line wagered, and the winnings are then shown in the
"Paid" meter 219. This amount is then added to the "Credit" meter
203. Here, the player receives five matching bonus award values 227
of "BONUS", and the player wins an award of playing the bonus game.
The bonus game is played on a separate apparatus from the base
game.
[0060] A player can receive the right to play the bonus (second)
game by any contemplated method, including those listed above. In
one embodiment, the player is given a game piece used in the bonus
game. In this embodiment, the gaming machine dispenses the game
piece to the player. The game piece can be dispensed using a
standard coin hopper, a solenoid released coin tube, or a rotary
merchandiser mechanism. There are many possible ways to dispense a
game piece to the player and any such way may be used without
departing from the invention. The first game of chance may also
supply multiple game pieces to the player. Multiple game pieces
could be dispensed to the player via a saucer shaped plastic
packaging. For example, in reference to FIG. 4, when the player
receives five "Bonus" symbols below the reels, the gaming machine
would dispense a plastic package filled with three bonus game
pieces. The saucer shaped package could be used as the bonus game
piece and/or multiple game pieces could be dispensed at one time to
supply multiple game pieces on a single win.
[0061] It is further contemplated in the embodiments where the
player is "credited" with the opportunity to play the attraction
device, via a player tracking card, voucher ticket, e.g.,
"Ticket-In/Ticket-Out", or by assigning an ID and PIN recorded on a
computer network used to activate the bonus game attraction device,
the game pieces can be dispensed from the attraction device,
including the game pieces being self contained within the
attraction device. For example, a player inserts a player tracking
card that registers the player's win on the base gaming machine and
activates the bonus game attraction device. The attraction device
can either dispense the game pieces to the player for play of the
bonus game or the game pieces can be contained inside, or part of,
the attraction device and raised, for example, on a conveyor to the
player for play.
[0062] One embodiment of the bonus game requiring a game piece
dispensed by the gaming machine is a pachinko-type bonus game. As
shown in FIG. 5, the bonus game is a pachinko-type attraction
device 301.
[0063] The attraction device 301 is a separate apparatus from the
gaming machine of the base game. The player has to relocate from
the gaming machine of the base game to access the attraction device
301 of the bonus game. In another embodiment, using any dispensing
or validating means deemed appropriate, the player does not end
their session on the base game to play the bonus. The bonus game is
initiated upon a triggering event happening in play of the base
game, whereupon play of the base game is temporarily suspended, and
the winning player traverses to the location of the bonus game
attraction device 301. The bonus game is played by the winning
player, and upon completion of play of the bonus game, the winning
player traverses back to the gaming machine of the base game and
resumes play. It further contemplated that the award, if any,
received in the bonus game is registered on the base game machine,
although the other methods of delivering the bonus award described
above may also be used.
[0064] It is preferred that this bonus game attraction be placed
among games of chance and preferably in a central area easily
viewed from as wide an area as possible. The bonus attraction
device 301 can be any type of game of chance, and likewise, any
type of game of skill, or any combination thereof. The larger the
bonus attraction device, the more interesting it is to watch.
[0065] The pachinko-type attraction device 301 consists of a
stairway 303 leading to the top of a large pegboard 305. After
climbing the steps 303 to the top of the pachinko-type attraction
device 301, the player inserts a bonus game piece 307 in to an
acceptance slot 309 at the top of the pegboard 305. Each bottom
slot 311 is given an award value, such as a credit or monetary
value. It is further contemplated that the award values may be
non-monetary, for example, "Win all award values", "Win 2
additional game pieces", "Win merchandise" etc. The award value
slot 311 in which the game piece 307 ends up after caroming down
the board 305 determines the value won for that game piece 307.
[0066] It is further contemplated that the award value for each
slot 311 of the attraction device 301 can change on each play of
the bonus game. Changing award values could be advantageous to
randomize the award values about the slots 311 and revealing the
award values after the game piece has been put into play. This
method eliminates player skill in play of the bonus game, while
still allowing the randomness of gravity and physics to determine
each outcome, or result. This method is further described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,139,013 to Pierce, incorporated herein by reference.
[0067] Changing award values could also be advantageous to offer
different expected results on different plays of the bonus game
based on the size, or amount, of the wager on the first game.
Additionally, it may be desirable to combine different types of
gaming machines for the first game, which would require different
expected results from play of the bonus game. The award values for
each slot 311 of the attraction device 301 would be modified to
achieve the expected results based on these factors discussed
above.
[0068] To verify that the game piece 307 is legitimate, the game
piece 307 can go through a mechanical or electronic coin acceptor,
as is well known in the art, to authenticate the game piece 307. It
is further contemplated that the game piece 307 can be
authenticated via RFID (radio frequency identification) tagging, as
is also known in the art.
[0069] In the case of RFID tagging, a preferred embodiment of
dispensing a game piece 307 is to use a rotary merchandising
mechanism. A rotary merchandising mechanism includes tubes for
dispensing an item. If different game pieces 307 have different
award values, then the game pieces 307 could be sorted into the
tubes by award value. Alternatively, the rotary merchandising
mechanism could contain a reader to authenticate the game piece
307, by reading the game piece ID while it is dispensed from a tube
of the rotary merchandising mechanism. The gaming machine 103 that
the primary game was played on could also register the award value
of the game piece 307 on the network 101. Upon authentication, or
identification, of the game piece, the bonus game attraction device
301, could look up the RFID tag in a network database so that the
bonus game is played with the appropriate award values.
[0070] An example of a full embodiment would combine the elements
shown in FIGS. 1-4. The first game of chance is the "Deal and Win"
format shown in FIGS. 1-3. The first game of chance is a video slot
machine with five video reels showing three symbols on each reel.
Below each reel are symbols for various bonus awards, some of which
could be the right to play the bonus attraction. Every time the
player lines up five "Bonus Attraction" symbols 227, the first game
would dispense a bonus game piece 307. Each game piece 307 contains
a RFID chip, which is read by the gaming machine 103 as it passes
through the rotary merchandising mechanism to the player.
[0071] It is well known in the art that a bonus game has a specific
expected value. A multi-line game with nine paylines that allows a
bet of one to five credits per payline has a maximum bet of
forty-five credits per game. An award on the first game, that is
not related to any particular payline (such as the "Deal and Win"
bonus symbols 227 under the standard reels 225) usually results in
a particular expected value that is multiplied by the number of
coins, or credits, wagered on the spin. In the alternative, the
award could be generated from a particular payline combination or
any other type of payline combination, without departing from the
invention.
[0072] In this example, the bonus game provides an award with an
expected value of fifteen times the number of credits wagered on
the spin. Thus, a player wagers one credit per line on the nine
payline game and five "Bonus Attraction" symbols are obtained, as
shown in FIG. 4. The gaming machine computes the expected value of
the bonus game earned by this spin as nine credits wagered times
fifteen (the credit multiplier for bonus games on this particular
gaming machine) for a total of one hundred and thirty five
credits.
[0073] The gaming machine dispenses a game piece and reads the RFID
tag of the game piece as it is dispensed to the player. Assume the
game piece has an RFID code of 5000621. As described above, in
reference to FIG. 1, the attraction device 301 could be attached to
a central server 109 using an Ethernet connection through an
Ethernet switch, as is well known in the art. Each gaming machine
103 on the network 101 may also be connected to the same server 109
using an Ethernet connection through an Ethernet switch. As stated
above, there are many ways to connect the gaming machines 103 in
the network 101, this is just one example. The gaming machine 103
adds a data entry in the server database containing the game piece
code of 5000621 along with the corresponding bonus round expected
value of one hundred and thirty five credits. It is contemplated
that other information can be included in the data entry, for
example, date, time, ID of qualifying gaming machine or any other
information that would be useful to operate the system, or as
required by gaming regulators.
[0074] As another example, a player wagers five credits per payline
on nine lines for a total wager of forty five credits, and the
player obtains the qualifying combination of five "Bonus
Attraction" symbols shown in FIG. 4. The gaming machine 103
dispenses another game piece to the player which has an RFID code
of 5000724. The gaming machine 103 calculates the expected value of
the bonus game played with this game piece at forty five credits
multiplied by fifteen for six hundred and seventy five credits. The
gaming machine 103 adds this information to the server database as
a data entry, along with any other required information, using
protocols that are well known in the art.
[0075] Table 1 illustrates data entries that can reside in the
server database. The first two lines are from the above example
that was played on a gaming machine with an ID of three. The other
three lines of the table are data entries that were made from play
on other gaming machines on the network. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1
Game ID Date Time RFID Bonus EV 3 Jan. 13, 2005 11:23 5000724 675 3
Jan. 13, 2005 11:06 5000621 135 1 Jan. 13, 2005 9:25 5001109 675 6
Jan. 13, 2005 8:37 5000218 675 8 Jan. 12, 2005 22:09 5000730 75
[0076] Upon winning bonus game pieces 307, the player takes them to
the bonus game attraction device 301 in FIG. 5. The player drops
the first game piece 307 (RFID 5000621) into the pachinko-type peg
board 305. As the bonus game piece 307 entered the pachinko-type
board 305, an RFID reader determines if the game piece was valid
and, if so, looks up the RFID code in the server database. If the
piece was not valid, or the RFID was not found in the server
database, a solenoid activates to reject the game pieces 307 from
the pachinko-type board 305.
[0077] In this example, the bonus game attraction device 301 finds
a data entry for RFID 5000621, which was entered into the database
at 11:06 AM on Jan. 13, 2005 from the first game played on the
gaming machine with an ID of three. The data entry shows the EV
(expected value) of the bonus game played with this game piece
should be one hundred and thirty five credits. The bonus game
creates the set of values shown in column A of Table 2, all with an
expected value of one hundred and thirty five. Thus, any value
shown in column A may be used. It is well known in the art how to
make more volatile and less volatile sets of numbers, as may be
desired for the particular game. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 A B Values
25 100 50 175 120 600 35 180 500 2500 75 375 300 1500 140 625 50
250 160 1000 30 120 Total 1485 7425 EV 135 675
[0078] The eleven values in Column A are random, and assigned to
the eleven award value slots 311 upon validation of the game piece
307. While some award values in the slots 311 are hit with higher
frequency than others, randomizing the award values in the slots
311 results in an even distribution of the awards, and thus have a
long run expected value as Table 2.
[0079] The game piece 307 works its way down the pachinko-type
board 305, bouncing between pegs to evenly land in one of the
eleven slots 311. The award value shown in slots 311 is awarded to
the player. The award value may be presented to the player in any
form known in the art, including dispensing coins from a hopper,
printing out a voucher ("Ticket-In/Ticket-Out"), electronic funds
transfer (EFT), hand pay or any other contemplated method.
[0080] The player now inserts the second game piece 307 (RFID
5000724) into the pachinko-type peg board 305. The bonus game
device 301 validates the game piece 307 and its six hundred and
seventy five expected value. Upon validation of the game piece 307,
the bonus game randomly assigns the eleven values in column B of
Table 2 to the award value slots 311, and the process repeats as
described above.
[0081] While the RFID identification system was used in the example
above to allow different plays of the bonus game to operate with
different expected values, other systems could be used to provide
the same result. The data could be tracked through a player
tracking card. In this embodiment, the first gaming machine would
add the data entry of a win to the server database of the network
by using the player tracking card system and associating the
winning player's tracking card number with the data shown in Table
1.
[0082] With a "Ticket-In/Ticket-Out" system, a specially coded
ticket could be awarded to the player that is later validated by
the bonus game device. The bonus game device would retrieve the
expected value from a bonus game database.
[0083] A simple ID and PIN identifier could be used to log the
first gaming machine win on a network, thus allowing play of the
bonus game attraction device upon entering the ID and PIN
information.
[0084] It is further contemplated that the system can operate more
simply by each bonus game having the same expected value. Any of
the above network assisted methods may be used in the example of
each bonus game having the same expected value, in addition, the
system can operate without a network connection. In the event the
bonus game attraction device and gaming machines are not networked,
the gaming machine dispenses a validation ticket or token that is
authenticated by the bonus game attraction device to allow play of
the fixed expected value game.
[0085] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a bonus game
attraction device according to the present invention. The bonus
game attraction device 401 shown in FIG. 6 comprises a 3.times.5
matrix of video monitors 403, although any number or arrangement is
contemplated. Adjacent to the matrix of video monitors 403, the
bonus game attraction device 401 includes attractive signage 405 as
well as a gaming terminal 407 to interface with the attraction
device 401.
[0086] The bonus game illustrated in FIG. 6 is a "multiple pick"
bonus game, which is well known in the art. The player selects one
of multiple bonus game items until a losing item is selected, upon
which the bonus game ends. Any type of bonus game is contemplated
where the player makes a selection, or pick, by walking about a
plurality or matrix of monitors.
[0087] In this embodiment, the player inserts a bonus game
qualifying element (ticket, token, player card, number and PIN,
etc.) into the interface terminal 407. The bonus game may use a
fixed expected value for play of the bonus game, or may use a
variable expected value as described in the pachinko-type example
above.
[0088] In this bonus game attraction device 401, the player 409
walks around to select and touch one of the multiple video monitors
403. Each monitor 403 could be a touchscreen, well known in the
art, or any other device that can detect when it is selected. In
the most preferred form, each monitor 403 has a single bonus game
item displayed on the screen and the player selects the bonus game
item by touching the monitor 403. Although, multiple bonus game
items on each monitor 403 could be used without departing from the
invention.
[0089] Similar to the example above, once the bonus game is
completed, the award value is presented to the player in any form
known in the art, including dispensing coins from a hopper,
printing out a voucher ("Ticket-In/Ticket-Out"), electronic funds
transfer (EFT), hand pay or any other contemplated method.
[0090] While the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will
recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing
from the scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments
and variants thereof is contemplated as falling with the scope of
the claimed invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *