U.S. patent application number 11/706559 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for gaming systems with random wild symbols.
Invention is credited to Bradley Berman.
Application Number | 20070232382 11/706559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38559893 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070232382 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berman; Bradley |
October 4, 2007 |
Gaming systems with random wild symbols
Abstract
Systems and methods for facilitating participation in a primary
or bonus event of a slot machine or other gaming activity having
one or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes. An embodiment
of a gaming method in accordance with the present invention
involves randomly designating segments of a gaming grid as
candidate wild positions, and for each of the candidate wild
positions, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol if the
change will improve a result for any paylines involving the
respective wild position.
Inventors: |
Berman; Bradley;
(Minnetonka, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC
Suite 125
8009 34th Avenue South
Minneapolis
MN
55425
US
|
Family ID: |
38559893 |
Appl. No.: |
11/706559 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60772746 |
Feb 13, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: randomly designating one or more segments
of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions; and for each of the
candidate wild positions, changing an existing symbol to a wild
symbol if the change will improve a result for any paylines
involving the respective wild position.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein changing an existing symbol to a
wild symbol comprises changing the existing symbol to a wild symbol
if the change results in a winning symbol combination for any
paylines involving the respective candidate wild position.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein changing an existing symbol to a
wild symbol comprises changing the existing symbol to a wild symbol
if the change results in an award or an increased award for any
paylines involving the respective candidate wild position.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising leaving the existing
symbol unchanged if the change will not improve the result for any
paylines involving the respective wild position.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether
changing symbols presented in the designated one or more segments
will improve the result for any of the paylines involving the
respective wild position by analyzing resulting symbol combinations
occurring on the paylines.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein randomly designating one or more
segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions comprises
randomly designating a subset of the set of segments forming the
gaming grid as the candidate wild positions.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein changing an existing symbol to a
wild symbol comprises replacing a symbol previously presented in
the respective segment to a wild symbol.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein replacing a symbol previously
presented in the respective segment comprises replacing a symbol
presented during a standard gaming activity to a wild symbol in a
bonus gaming activity.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising designating a number
of segments eligible for the random designation as candidate wild
positions.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a standard
gaming activity to present symbols in the gaming grid, and wherein
changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol comprises replacing
the symbol presented via the standard gaming activity to the wild
symbol.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein randomly designating one or more
segments as candidate wild positions comprises randomly designating
the one or more segments as candidate wild positions in response to
new symbols being presented via the gaming grid.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein randomly designating the one or
more segments comprises randomly designating the one or more
segments in response to each spin of the reels that form the gaming
grid.
13. The method of claim 12, randomly designating the one or more
segments comprises randomly designating the one or more segments in
response to each spin of mechanical reels that form the gaming
grid.
14. The method of claim 12, randomly designating the one or more
segments comprises randomly designating the one or more segments in
response to each spin of electronic reels that form the gaming
grid.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining payout
results for each of the paylines that are active and associated
with the gaming grid.
16. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon
which are executable by a computer system for facilitating
participation in a gaming activity by performing steps comprising:
randomly designating one or more segments of a gaming grid as
candidate wild positions; and for each of the candidate wild
positions, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol if the
change will improve a result for any paylines involving the
respective wild position.
17. A gaming method, comprising: presenting a display grid
comprising a plurality of grid positions to a game player;
providing a symbol in each of the plurality of grid positions to
the game player in response to a game play; entering a bonus event
in response to a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols
being provided to the game player; randomly choosing a number of
the plurality of grid positions as candidate wild positions;
indicating each of the candidate wild positions as wild to the game
player if changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a
wild symbol benefits the game player; and determining winning
results using the provided symbols and indicated wild symbols.
18. The gaming method as in claim 17, wherein the display grid
comprises presented symbols of a mechanical reel arrangement, and
wherein changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a
wild symbol comprises distinguishing the candidate wild positions
from the remaining positions of the mechanical reel
arrangement.
19. The gaming method as in claim 17, wherein changing the symbol
at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol comprises visually
identifying the candidate wild position.
20. A casino gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity having at
least a standard mode of operation and a bonus mode of operation,
the casino gaming apparatus comprising: a display grid having a
plurality of grid positions; a user interface to facilitate player
participation in at least the standard mode of operation; and a
processor configured to enter a bonus mode of operation in response
to a predetermined symbol combination occurring during the standard
mode of operation, and during the bonus mode of operation to
randomly choose a number of the plurality of grid positions as
candidate wild positions, indicate each of the candidate wild
positions as wild to the game player if changing the symbol at the
candidate wild position to a wild symbol benefits the game player,
and determine winning results using the provided symbols and
indicated wild symbols.
21. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the
processor comprises a random number generator configured to
randomly select the candidate wild positions.
22. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino
gaming apparatus comprises a slot machine, and the standard mode of
operation of the slot machine includes a slot game.
23. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino
gaming apparatus comprises a video poker machine, and the standard
mode of operation of the video poker machine includes a poker
game.
24. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino
gaming apparatus comprises a video bingo machine, and the standard
mode of operation of the video bingo machine includes a bingo
game.
25. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino
gaming apparatus comprises a video keno machine, and the standard
mode of operation of the video keno machine includes a keno
game.
26. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable
instructions for executing a gaming activity, the
computer-executable instructions performing steps comprising:
presenting a display grid comprising a plurality of grid positions
to a game player; providing a symbol in each of the plurality of
grid positions to the game player in response to a game play;
entering a bonus event in response to a predetermined symbol or
combination of symbols being provided to the game player; randomly
choosing a number of the plurality of grid positions as candidate
wild positions; indicating each of the candidate wild positions as
wild to the game player if changing the symbol at the candidate
wild position to a wild symbol benefits the game player; and
determining winning results using the provided symbols and
indicated wild symbols.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application No. 60/772,746, filed on Feb. 13, 2006, to which
priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e), and which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates in general to gaming systems and
processes, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for
providing a gaming activity having one or more symbols randomly
acquire wild attributes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gaming devices such as slot machines have been in use in the
U.S. for over a century. The earliest slot machines originally paid
out in cigars and chewing gum. Remnants of the early slot machines
are manifested in the traditional "fruit" symbols such as cherries,
lemons, oranges, etc., which represent the original flavors of gum.
Notwithstanding the similarity of the symbols and reels associated
with the slot machines of both today and yesteryear, modern day
slot machine implementations are markedly different than their
mechanical ancestors. This dramatic implementation disparity
results primarily from the advent of computers and video
capabilities.
[0004] Pure chance gaming devices such as slot machines have proved
wildly popular, and in recent years have rivaled and even surpassed
their once untouchable table game counterparts. One reason for this
popularity is the increase in innovation, and the recognition of
the need for human stimulation. While true that a primary motivator
for people to play gaming devices is the chance to win monetary or
other prizes (in the case of legalized gambling), the intrigue and
excitement of playing these newly created machines lures people as
well. It is therefore important in the gaming industry that gaming
innovations be rolled out to the participating public.
[0005] Conventionally, participation in slot machines involves
initiating the rotation of multiple reels, and allowing the machine
to randomly stop the reel rotation such that associated reel
symbols line up a payline. If the symbols on that payline
correspond to a predetermined symbol combination, the participant
wins an amount corresponding to the particular symbol combination.
For multi-lined paylines, a coin or other token may be played for
any one or more of the available paylines, and each of the paylines
may provide a winning payout. When this occurs, the slot machine
pays out according to the payoff table posted on the slot machine.
The payoff table informs players of the winning symbol combinations
for that machine, and what each combination pays based on the
number of coins allocated for the spin. If a winning combination
occurs, the machine releases money or tokens into a payout chute,
or may award the winning amount onto a credit meter for the player.
For example, if a player initially wagered three coins and that
player won a high payout, that player may receive fifty coins of
the same denomination in return, or may receive fifty credits for
continued play.
[0006] It is a continual effort in the gaming industry to develop
ways to attract and captivate players in playing gaming machines,
such as slot games. One such manner of stimulating interest and
heightening excitement has been through the use of "bonus" events.
Bonus events or games are used to attract and keep players at a
gaming machine. A bonus game is typically an additional gaming reel
or machine, or a random selection device, that is enabled by a
bonus qualifying signal from an underlying or primary gaming
machine. Generally, a predetermined prize-winning combination of
symbols in an underlying or primary game may result in the player
being awarded one or more bonus games. Often the bonus event has a
much higher probability of winning, thereby instilling a great
interest by players in being awarded bonus events.
[0007] There are various secondary or "bonus" events known in the
art. One such bonus event allows the player to depress a bonus spin
button to allow the player one or more additional free spins in
which a winning payout may be made. Alternatively, additional,
discrete bonus reels may be used for the bonus event. In such case,
a particular symbol on any one or more of the reels, which are
stopped on a winning line, may result in a winning payout. In some
bonus activities, the reels may be controllable in a bonus play,
unlike the underlying primary gaming play. For example, the reels
may be individually stopped, and/or the reels may be rotated slower
to allow the player to attempt to stop the reel such that the
prize-winning symbol stops on the win line. In another example, a
bonus event for a video slot machine may have a second screen where
the player may be rewarded with a bonus game, such as allowing the
player to pick one of five different items on the second screen,
and the selected item reveals a value won by the player. In recent
times, bonus events have become quite extravagant, sometimes
leading the player through video animations that provide visual and
audio entertainment while providing clever ways in which the
participant can receive payouts of varying quantities. After
engaging in the bonus event, play resumes in the underlying,
primary gaming machine.
[0008] Of these different types of bonus activities, one type
includes those bonus activities where the participant may be
allowed to actively participate in the bonus event. For example,
participants may be allowed to make some sort of selection in order
to make the participant feel as though he or she has in some way
contributed to the ultimate result. While this may be desirable for
some participants, others are more intrigued by the random nature
of gaming devices, and may seek an exciting manner of engaging in
bonus activities without having to figure out how to best play such
a bonus round. This participant sentiment may become increasingly
prevalent where the bonus activity is entirely different from the
original, standard play of the game. For example, a standard slot
machine may have a bonus activity where an animated series of
events takes place, and the participant must try to figure out how
to effectively play the bonus round. As some bonus activities
become more and more elaborate, some participants may be put off by
the inherent complexities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention is described in connection with the
embodiments illustrated in the following diagrams.
[0010] FIG. 1-A illustrates a display grid useful for providing a
gaming activity having one or more symbols randomly acquire wild
attributes in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 1-B illustrates a display grid with symbols
representing a bonus qualifying event for a gaming activity in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2-A is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment in
which physical or virtual reel strips are associated with a slot
game in the standard and bonus modes in accordance with embodiments
of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2-B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of multiple
paylines used in connection with a video display device in
accordance with embodiments of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 3-A is a flow diagram illustrating representative
embodiments of the bonus features in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3-B illustrates an embodiment of a display used to
invoke a bonus round of play incorporating random wild features in
accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3-C illustrates an embodiment of a display after
completion of the bonus round of play incorporating random wild
features in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3-D is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a method involving a random wild feature in
connection with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in
which the principles of the present invention may be applied;
and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a representative computing
system capable of carrying out operations in accordance with
embodiments of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] To overcome limitations in the prior art described above,
and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon
reading and understanding the present specification, the present
invention discloses a system, apparatus, and method for providing a
gaming activity having one or more symbols randomly acquire wild
attributes.
[0021] Generally, the present invention is directed to methods and
apparatuses for facilitating participation in a slot game, such as
that played on a slot machine or other computing device. An
embodiment of a gaming method in accordance with the present
invention involves presenting a display grid having a plurality of
grid positions to a game player and providing a symbol in at least
some grid positions in response to a game play. A bonus event may
be entered in response to a predetermined symbol or combination of
symbols being provided to the game player. One or more of the grid
positions are randomly chosen as candidate wild positions. The
candidate wild positions are indicated to the game player as wild
if changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild
symbol benefits the game player. Winning results are determined by
a processor using the provided symbols and the indicated wild
symbols.
[0022] The processor may include a random number generator
configured to randomly select the symbols for presentation in the
active grid positions. A casino gaming apparatus in accordance with
the present invention may be configured as a slot machine, and the
standard mode of operation of the slot machine is a slot game.
Other embodiments include poker games, bingo games, keno games, or
other games.
[0023] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method
is provided that includes randomly designating one or more segments
of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions. For each of the
candidate wild positions, an existing symbol is changed to a wild
symbol if the change will improve a result for any paylines
involving the respective wild position.
[0024] In accordance with a more particular embodiment of such a
method, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol involves
changing the existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change results
in a winning symbol combination for any paylines involving the
respective candidate wild position. In another embodiment, changing
an existing symbol to a wild symbol involves changing the existing
symbol to a wild symbol if the change results in an award or an
increased award for any paylines involving the respective candidate
wild position. In another embodiment, the method further includes
leaving the existing symbol unchanged if the change will not
improve the result for any paylines involving the respective wild
position.
[0025] In another embodiment, the method includes determining
whether changing symbols presented in the designated one or more
segments will improve the result for any of the paylines involving
the respective wild position by analyzing resulting symbol
combinations occurring on the paylines. Another embodiment involves
determining whether changing symbols presented in the designated
one or more segments will result in an award or an increased award.
In another embodiment, randomly designating a segment(s) as
candidate wild positions involves randomly designating a subset of
the set of segments forming the gaming grid as the candidate wild
positions. Another embodiment involves changing an existing symbol
to a wild symbol by replacing a symbol previously presented in the
respective segment to a wild symbol. This replacement of a symbol
previously presented in the respective segment may involve
replacing a symbol presented during a standard gaming activity to a
wild symbol in a bonus gaming activity.
[0026] Other embodiments of such a method include designating a
number of segments eligible for the random designation as candidate
wild positions. Another embodiment involves providing a standard
gaming activity to present symbols in the gaming grid, and wherein
changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol comprises replacing
the symbol presented via the standard gaming activity to the wild
symbol. In another embodiment, randomly designating one or more
segments as candidate wild positions involves randomly designating
the segment(s) as candidate wild positions in response to new
symbols being presented via the gaming grid. This random
designation may be in response to a spin(s) of mechanical or
electronic reels that form the gaming grid. In yet another
embodiment, payout results are determined for each of the paylines
that are active and associated with the gaming grid. Other
embodiments involve a computer-readable medium having instructions
stored thereon which are executable by a computer system for
performing any of these features of the method.
[0027] These and various other advantages and features of novelty
which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity
in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a
better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the
objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the
drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described
specific examples of a system, apparatus, and method in accordance
with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] In the following description of the invention, reference is
made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in
which are shown by way of illustration the particular embodiments
in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood
that other embodiments may be utilized, as structural and
operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0029] Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and
apparatus for facilitating participation in a slot game, such as
that played on a slot machine or other computing device, where one
or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes. An embodiment of
a gaming method in accordance with the present invention involves
presenting a plurality of grid positions to a game player and
providing a symbol in each of grid positions in response to a game
play. During standard play, or in connection with a bonus event
occurring in response to a predetermined symbol or symbol
combination being provided to the game player, one or more grid
positions are randomly chosen as candidate wild positions. The
candidate wild position(s) are indicated as wild if changing the
symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol benefits the
game player. Winning results are determined using the provided
symbols and the indicated wild symbols.
[0030] In accordance with one embodiment, the display segments are
provided electronically, whereas in another embodiment the display
segments are represented by a reel, wheel, or other rotatable
shape. Various electronic embodiments are first described, and
various mechanical embodiments are subsequently described.
[0031] The present invention, as described more fully below, may be
applicable to a variety of gaming activities that are played on a
gaming machine, including slot games such as reel slots and video
slots, electronic poker and other electronic card games, keno,
bingo, craps, dice, roulette, etc. The present invention is,
however, described in large part in the present description in
terms of slot machines to provide an understanding of the
invention. For example, in the context of slot games/machines, the
present invention allows slot game participants to partake in a
standard slot game, while having the opportunity to become engaged
in a bonus activity according to the present invention. While the
invention may be particularly advantageous in the context of slot
machines, and while a description in terms of slot machines
facilitates an understanding of the invention, the invention is
equally applicable to other gaming activities of chance as will be
readily apparent to those of skill in the art from the description
provided herein.
[0032] More particularly, an exemplary gaming system in which the
principles of the present invention are particularly beneficial
includes at least one standard gaming activity, and at least one
bonus activity. For example, in the context of slot machines, a
standard gaming activity includes the normal slot game in which the
participant places a wager, initiates spinning the slot game reels,
and collects payouts upon the occurrence of one of two or more
predetermined winning symbol combinations. A bonus activity is an
activity different from the standard gaming activity, which
generally only occurs at certain times. In other words, where the
standard gaming activity is the gaming activity that is presented
to the participant automatically in connection with play of the
gaming device, a bonus activity is not automatically presented to
the participant. Rather, the bonus activity is generally a special
occurrence awarded to the participant for an occurrence resulting
from standard gaming play. For example, a bonus event may be
awarded to a slot game participant if a resulting symbol
combination occurring during standard slot game activity
corresponds to a symbol combination determined in advance to result
in a bonus event award.
[0033] Bonus events are typically used to attract and keep players
at a gaming machine, and are typically an additional game or
machine, or a random selection device, that may be enabled by a
bonus qualifying signal from an underlying or primary gaming
activity. Generally, a predetermined combination of symbols in an
underlying game may result in the player being awarded one or more
bonus games. Often the bonus event has a much higher probability of
winning, thereby instilling a great interest by players in being
awarded bonus events.
[0034] As is described more fully below, the present invention
provides a gaming activity having a bonus activity where one or
more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes. It should be
recognized, however, that the principles of the present invention
may be utilized in a standard mode of play rather than a bonus mode
of play. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
invention may be utilized in a standard mode of play from the
description provided herein. While the present invention may be
carried out in a standard play mode, an exemplary embodiment of the
invention utilizes the present invention in a secondary, or bonus
mode, and while embodiments of the invention are largely described
herein in connection with such a bonus mode of operation, the
invention is not limited thereto.
[0035] In order to provide an understanding of the operation of the
invention, FIGS. 1-A and 1B illustrate a sequence of events carried
out in connection with a slot machine in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1-A illustrates an example of a
slot game grid 100 that may be presented on a slot game display
102. Different slot games may exhibit a variety of different reel
characteristics and display formats. For example, some slot games
include a conventional three-reel configuration traditionally used
in mechanical-reel slot machines. In a three-reel configuration,
three reels each having an associated reel strip of symbols rotate
vertically as viewed by the participant. The reels stop at random
locations, thereby presenting the participant with one, two, or
three paylines of potentially winning symbol combinations,
depending on the amount wagered by the participant. In more recent
times, this traditional reel display format has changed
significantly, largely due to the ability to present electronic
reels on a display screen. This has resulted in a variety of
different reel formats, including greater quantities of vertically
rotating electronic reels, greater numbers of paylines, and
paylines that include vertical, diagonal, as well as the
traditional horizontal paylines. The present invention may be
applicable with any reel configuration. Therefore, the slot game
grid 100 of FIG. 1-A is shown as having an indeterminate number of
rows and columns, which can accordingly represent an indeterminate
number of reels, paylines, and the like.
[0036] The slot game grid 100 of FIG. 1-A includes a number of
rows, which may represent different paylines. However, as will be
described more fully below, rows do not necessarily correspond to
paylines in accordance with the present invention. Each row
includes one or more display segments. The first row includes
display segments 110, 112, 114, through some predetermined number
of display segments represented by display segment 118. Similarly,
a second row includes display segments 120, 122, 124 through 128,
and a third row includes display segments 130, 132, 134 through
138. Depending on the number of display segments, rows, paylines,
etc. desired, additional rows through the final row are provided,
where the final row includes display segments 140, 142, 144 through
148. Thus, FIG. 1-A is intended to represent a generic slot game
grid having any number or combination of display segments.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1-B, the slot game grid 100 presented
on the display 102 illustrates how symbols ultimately correspond to
the display segments. For example, the slot game state represented
in FIG. 1-B may include at least four rotating reels (e.g., virtual
reels), including the reels corresponding to columns 150, 152, 154
through 158. When the reels randomly come to a stop in accordance
with a standard mode of slot game play, slot game symbols are
presented in each of the display segments as shown in FIG. 1-B. In
some instances, the "symbol" may be a blank symbol as shown in
display segments 112 and 128. Each of the various rows 160, 162,
164 through 168 may represent various paylines, where a
predetermined combination of symbols in any of the paylines may
produce a winning combination and payout during the standard mode
of play. Paylines may also be provided in other manners, such as
vertically through columns 150, 152, 154 through 158 (particularly
where each of the symbols in such columns are not in a
predetermined reel strip configuration). Paylines may also be made
diagonally, or in some other predetermined pattern. The particular
manner in which paylines are formed during a standard mode of play
is not of particular importance to the present invention.
[0038] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a predetermined pattern, number of symbols, or other
predetermined symbol configuration will initiate a secondary mode
of play, referred to herein as a bonus mode of play. The bonus mode
can be initiated by a certain symbol and/or symbol combination
arising on any of the paylines of the slot game grid 100, or by a
certain predetermined symbol and/or symbol combination arising
anywhere on the grid 100. In the example of FIG. 1-B, a
predetermined symbol combination of three cloud symbols initiates
the bonus activity. These three cloud symbols are shown in display
segments 114, 130, and 142. It should be noted that any
predetermined symbol may initiate the bonus activity, as well as
any number of such symbols arising (e.g., one, two, etc.) Again,
for purposes of illustration, three cloud symbols trigger the bonus
mode in the present example.
[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the standard mode of
play may implement a first set of physical or electronic (e.g.,
virtual) reel strips, and the bonus mode of play may implement a
different set of reel strips, where each reel strip provides a
symbol set. Further, the standard mode of play may implement
physical or virtual reel strips where multiple sequential symbols
of the reel strip is provided on multiple paylines during the
standard mode of play. For example, referring to FIG. 2-A, a slot
machine 200 is shown in the standard mode of play. In this example,
the standard mode includes three paylines, shown as payline-1 202,
payline-2 204, and payline-3 206. The reel strips associated with
the standard mode of play may be provided as physical strips having
symbols imprinted thereon, such that the stopping point of the reel
strip determines which symbols will fall on the paylines 202, 204,
206. For example, a first reel strip, RS-1 210 includes a series of
symbols. This reel strip, when stopped, presents a group of symbols
on the paylines 202, 204, 206. More particularly, the symbol group
212A is presented across payline-1 202, payline-2 204, and
payline-3 206 as seen on the slot machine 200 as symbol group 212B.
Analogously, the symbol group 214A of RS-2 216 is presented across
paylines 202, 204, 206 as symbol group 214B on the slot machine
200; and the symbol group 218A of RS-3 220 is presented across
paylines 202, 204, 206 as symbol group 218B on the slot machine
200. The same may hold true for virtual reel strips, where the
order of the symbols on the virtual reel strip may be carried over
to the order of the symbols presented across the paylines.
[0040] It should be noted that the particular reel strips, number
of symbols, and type of symbols presented on the reel strips 230,
232, 234 may differ from one embodiment to the next. For example,
each of the reel strips can include a different symbol set
altogether, rather than having symbols from a common symbol set
such as illustrated in FIG. 2-A. Further, the symbols associated
with any of the reel strips may change. For example, after each
"spin" in the bonus mode one or more of the reel strips can change
symbols, add symbols, remove symbols, etc.
[0041] FIG. 2-B provides an example of multiple paylines that may
be used with random wild features in accordance with the invention.
In this example, a video display screen 300 is provided. The video
display screen may be implemented in a variety of manners,
including electronically represented with outputs shown on
conventional electronic displays, such as a liquid crystal displays
(LCD), dot matrix, plasma, CRT, LED, electro-luminescent display,
or generally any type of video display known in the art.
[0042] The display screen of the illustrated embodiment includes a
grid 301 including two or more video display segments. In one
embodiment, the grid includes five virtual reels 302, 304, 306,
308, and 310 that rotate vertically. However, in a video display
environment, the electronic reels need not rotate vertically, but
may rotate horizontally along rows, or each display segment may
rotate independently of other display segments. In this example it
is assumed that the electronic reels rotate vertically and in
groups defined by reels 302, 304, 306, 308, and 310.
[0043] In the standard mode of play, the reels 302, 304, 306, 308,
and 310 are electronically rotated. The reels are randomly stopped
pursuant to operation of a random number generator (RNG) or other
random operation engine. Winning symbol combinations may be
presented along a number of different paylines. The example of FIG.
2-B includes five paylines, shown as payline-1 320, payline-2 322,
payline-3 324, payline-4 326, and payline-5 328. Additional
paylines could be implemented, such as along columns, particularly
where the standard mode of play randomly selects symbols at each
display segment rather than providing a continuous reel strip for
each column. In this example, payline-1 320 includes display
segments 330, 332, 334, 336, and 338. Payline-2 322 includes
display segments 340, 342, 344, 346, and 348. Payline-3 324
includes display segments 350, 352, 354, 356, and 358. Payline-4
326 includes display segments 330, 342, 354, 346, and 338. Finally,
payline-5 328 includes display segments 350, 342, 334, 346, and
358.
[0044] While the participant may win credits by obtaining
predetermined symbol combinations along paylines 320, 322, 324,
326, 328 during the standard mode of play, the present embodiment
also includes a bonus mode of play. Any predetermined symbol
criteria may be used to invoke the bonus mode of play. For purposes
of discussion, it is assumed that the criteria used in invoke the
bonus mode is that a predetermined symbol must present itself in
each of the reels 302, 304, 306, 308, 310. The example of FIG. 2-B
illustrates that such predetermined symbols presented themselves
during standard play at display segments 340, 352, 354, 356, and
348. This invokes the bonus mode of play.
[0045] FIG. 3-A is a flow diagram illustrating representative
embodiments of the present invention, provided as the bonus mode of
play invoked as described above. As previously indicated, the
invention is equally applicable to a standard/normal mode of play,
but for purposes of FIG. 3-A it is assumed that a bonus mode is
involved. A bonus mode 600 is entered, and a number 610 is chosen
for candidate wild positions. For example, the number 610 may be
randomly selected from the set of integers {2,3,4}. Therefore,
after entering the bonus mode 600, the number 610 will be 2, 3, or
4. Alternatively, the number 610 may be predetermined by the event
that invoked the bonus mode of play. For example, a bonus symbol
may be used to invoke the bonus mode of play. If one bonus symbol
invoked the bonus mode of play, the number 610 selected may be two.
If two bonus symbols invoked the bonus mode of play, the number 610
selected may be three. If three bonus symbols invoked the bonus
mode of play, the number 610 selected may be four. This example is
for illustration purposes only, and is not intended to limit how
the number 610 is selected.
[0046] The number 610 is then used to randomly select the number
610 of display elements 620 as candidates for random wilds. For
example, if the number 610 is three, three display elements are
randomly selected, such as by using an RNG, as random wild
candidates. Before the selected candidate elements are indicated to
the game player, a determination 630 is made as to whether making
the selected candidate element wild will benefit the game player.
If the determination 630 indicates that making the selected
candidate element wild benefits the game player, then the candidate
element is indicated 635 to the game player as a wild position. If
the determination 630 indicates that making the selected candidate
element wild does not benefit the game player, then the candidate
element is not indicated 637 to the game player as a wild position.
If there are more element determinations 630 to perform, the next
candidate display element 639 is selected, and the determination
630 is performed for that element. After all determinations are
completed 638 for all the candidate wild positions, a payout 640 is
determined based on the original symbols presented to the player,
with the indicated positions taken to be wild.
[0047] FIGS. 3-B and 3-C illustrate an embodiment of a method in
accordance with the bonus mode 600, as applied to a slot machine.
FIG. 3-B illustrates a display 650 that invokes a bonus round of
play, and FIG. 3-C illustrates the display 650 after completion of
the bonus round. FIGS. 3-B and 3-C illustrate a 3-row, 5-column
display 650 from a slot machine. In FIG. 3-B, reels 652, 654, 656,
658, and 660 have been spun, and the symbols in the display
elements 665-679 have been presented to a game player. Five
paylines, including Payline-1 682, Payline-2 683, Payline-3 684,
Payline-4 685, Payline-5 686, have been selected by the game
player.
[0048] The spin resulted in bonus symbols being presented in
display elements 671 and 677. For illustration purposes, consider
that the presentation of two bonus symbols on a payline
predetermines that three display elements will be randomly chosen
as candidate wilds. A processor in the slot machine then randomly
selects display elements 667, 670, and 674 as candidate
elements.
[0049] The processor then evaluates the candidate elements to
determine if replacing the symbols in those elements is beneficial
to the game player. As the processor evaluates display element 667,
a determination is made that if the display element 667 is made
wild, the player would have three consecutive stars in payline-1
682, while still retaining the outcome of three double arrows on
payline-5 685, which would benefit the game player with an
increased payout. After the determination, display element 667 is
indicated as wild, in this example by replacing the symbol at
display element 667 with a wild symbol.
[0050] The processor then evaluates the display element 670, and a
determination is made that if the display element 670 is made wild,
the player would not benefit from any increased payout. This is
because the symbol at display element 670 was already wild from the
initial spin that invoked the bonus play. After the determination
for display element 670, no change is indicated to the game
player.
[0051] The processor then evaluates the display element 674, and a
determination is made that if the display element 674 is made wild,
the player would benefit from an increased payout. The
determination is made that if the display element 674 is evaluated
as a double arrow, the player would increase from four arrows in a
row, to five arrows in a row, which would benefit the game player
with an increased payout. This occurs because, in this example,
both the bonus symbol at display element 671 and the wild symbol at
display element 670 are interpreted as double arrows. (The bonus is
also a wild.) After the determination, display element 674 is
indicated as a wild, in this example by replacing the symbol at
display element 674 with a wild symbol. FIG. 3-C illustrates the
display 650 that is presented to the game player after the
determinations have been made, indicating the improved results to
the game player.
[0052] FIG. 3-D is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a method involving a random wild feature in
connection with the present invention. In the illustrated
embodiment, the method includes randomly designating 690 one or
more segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions. For
each of the candidate wild positions, it is determined 692 whether
changing the respective segment would improve a result for any
paylines involving the respective wild position. If so, the
existing symbol is changed 694 to a wild symbol; if not, the
existing symbol is left unchanged 696.
[0053] FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in
which the principles of the present invention may be applied. Many
traditional casino table games may be provided in a "video game"
available via a casino-style gaming device shown in FIG. 4. For
purposes of explanation, the description of the gaming device is
FIG. 4 is provided in terms of a slot machine 400. However, the
present invention is analogously applicable to other casino-style
games having the ability to include at least one bonus
activity.
[0054] The slot machine 400 is a structure including at least a
computing system, a housing, and a display. The housing includes a
base 402 and a display device 404 to allow the slot machine 400 to
be a self-supported, independent structure. The base 402 includes
structure supporting the slot machine 400, and also includes a user
interface 406 to allow the user to control and engage in play of
the slot machine 400. The particular user interface mechanisms
associated with user interface 406 is dependent on the type of
gaming machine. For example, the user interface 406 may include one
or more buttons, switches, joysticks, levers, pull-down handles,
trackballs, voice-activated input, or any other user input system
or mechanism that allows the user to play the particular gaming
activity. The user input 406 allows the user to enter coins or
otherwise obtain credits through vouchers, tokens, credit cards,
etc. Various mechanisms for entering such vouchers, tokens, credit
cards, coins, etc. are known in the art. For example, coin/token
input mechanisms, card readers, credit card readers, smart card
readers, punch card readers, and other mechanisms may be used to
enter wagers. It is through the user input 406 that the user can
initiate the standard mode of play, and may optionally control
certain aspects of the bonus mode of play. In the case of a slot
machine, the user input may include two or more buttons, e.g.,
button 408, which allow the user to enter a number of credits to
play, identify the number of paylines in which to participate, cash
out, automatically bet the maximum amount and paylines, etc. It
should be recognized that a wide variety of other user interface
options are available for use in connection with the present
invention, including pressing a button on a gaming machine,
touching a segment of a touch-screen, entering text, entering voice
commands, or other known user entry methodology. The particular
user interface mechanism employed is not relevant to the present
invention.
[0055] The display device 404 includes a display screen 410. The
display device may take on a variety of forms depending on what
type of presentation is to be provided. For example, a slot game
area 420 is provided where the standard slot gaming activity is
displayed. In this example, the standard slot gaming activity
includes five video reels 422, 423, 424, 425, and 426, and three
paylines depicted as the 1.sup.st payline 428, the 2.sup.nd payline
430, and the 3.sup.rd payline 432. The display segments occur at
the intersections of each video reel and payline. Another
presentation that may be displayed on the display screen 410 is the
bonus payout bar 440, which may optionally be displayed only during
the bonus mode of play.
[0056] Also associated with the display device 404 is an optional
pay table or winning guide area 412, where information associated
with the potential winning symbol combinations of the standard slot
game activity may be presented. This area may also provide in
indication of the requisite symbols, symbol combinations, symbol
locations, etc. that are required to invoke the bonus mode in
accordance with the invention. This information may be part of the
display screen 410, or alternatively may be separate from the
display screen 410 and provided directly on a portion of the
display device 404 structure itself. For example, a backlit colored
panel may be used as the winning guide area 412.
[0057] The gaming machines described in connection with the present
invention may be independent casino gaming machines, such as slot
machines or other special purpose gaming kiosks, video games, or
may be computing systems operating under the direction of local
gaming software and/or remotely-provided software such as provided
by an application service provider (ASP). The casino gaming
machines utilize computing systems to control and manage the gaming
activity. An example of a representative computing system capable
of carrying out operations in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0058] Hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof may be
used to perform the various gaming functions, display presentations
and operations described herein. The functional modules used in
connection with the invention may reside in a gaming machine as
described, or may alternatively reside on a stand-alone or
networked computer. The computing structure 500 of FIG. 5 is an
example computing structure that can be used in connection with
such electronic gaming machines, computers, or other
computer-implemented devices to carry out operations of the present
invention.
[0059] The example computing arrangement 500 suitable for
performing the gaming and bonus group elimination functions in
accordance with the present invention typically includes a central
processor (CPU) 502 coupled to random access memory (RAM) 504 and
some variation of read-only memory (ROM) 506. The ROM 506 may also
be other types of storage media to store programs, such as
programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), etc. The processor
502 may communicate with other internal and external components
through input/output (I/O) circuitry 508 and bussing 510, to
provide control signals, communication signals, and the like.
[0060] Chance-based gaming systems such as slot machines, in which
the present invention is applicable, are governed by random numbers
and processors. Electronic reels are used to display the result of
the digital reels, which are actually stored in computer memory and
"spun" by a random number generator (RNG). RNGs are well known in
the art, and may be implemented using hardware, software operable
in connection with the processor 502, or some combination of
hardware and software. In accordance with generally known
technology in the field of slot machines, the processor 502
associated with the slot machine, under appropriate program
instruction, can simulate the vertical rotation of multiple reels.
Generally, the RNG continuously cycles through numbers, even when
the machine is not being played. The slot machine selects, for
example, three random numbers. The numbers chosen at the moment the
play is initiated are typically the numbers used to determine the
final outcome, i.e., the outcome is settled the moment the reels
are spun. The resulting random numbers are generally divided by a
fixed number. This fixed number is often thirty-two, but for slot
machines with large progressive jackpots it may be even greater.
After dividing, the remainders will be retained. For example, if
the divisor was one-hundred twenty-eight, the machine would have
three remainders ranging from zero to one-hundred twenty-seven. The
remainders may be considered as stops on virtual reels. If the
divisor was one-hundred twenty-eight, then the virtual reels would
each have one-hundred twenty-eight stops with each stop being
equally likely. Each stop on the virtual reel may be mapped to a
stop on an actual reel or displayed reel image. These reel images
may then be displayed on the display 520. The present invention is
operable using any known RNG, and may be integrally programmed as
part of the processor 502 operation, or alternatively may be a
separate RNG controller 540. RNGs are well known in the art, and
any type of RNG may be implemented for the standard mode of play
and/or the bonus mode of play in accordance with the invention.
[0061] The computing arrangement 500 may also include one or more
data storage devices, including hard and floppy disk drives 512,
CD-ROM drives 514, and other hardware capable of reading and/or
storing information such as DVD, etc. In one embodiment, software
for carrying out the standard and bonus gaming operations in
accordance with the present invention may be stored and distributed
on a CD-ROM 516, diskette 518 or other form of media capable of
portably storing information. These storage media may be inserted
into, and read by, devices such as the CD-ROM drive 514, the disk
drive 512, etc. The software may also be transmitted to the
computing arrangement 500 via data signals, such as being
downloaded electronically via a network, such as the Internet.
Further, as previously described, the software for carrying out the
functions associated with the present invention may alternatively
be stored in internal memory/storage of the computing device 500,
such as in the ROM 506. The computing arrangement 500 is coupled to
the display 520, which represents a display on which the gaming
activities in accordance with the invention are presented. The
display 520 merely represents the "presentation" of the video
information in accordance with the invention, and may be any type
of known display or presentation screen, such as LCD displays,
plasma display, cathode ray tubes (CRT), etc. Where the computing
device 500 represents a stand-alone or networked computer, the
display 520 may represent a standard computer terminal or display
capable of displaying multiple windows, frames, etc. Where the
computing device is embedded within an electronic gaming machine,
such as slot machine 400 of FIG. 4, the display 520 corresponds to
the display screen 410 of FIG. 4. A user input interface 522 such
as a mouse or keyboard may be provided where the computing device
500 is associated with a standard computer. An embodiment of a user
input interface 522 is illustrated in connection with an electronic
gaming machine 400 of FIG. 4 as the various "buttons" 408. Other
user input interface devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a
microphone, a touch pad, a touch screen, voice-recognition system,
etc.
[0062] The computing arrangement 500 may be connected to other
computing devices or gaming machines, such as via a network. The
computing arrangement 500 may be connected to a network server 528
in an intranet or local network configuration. The computer may
further be part of a larger network configuration as in a global
area network (GAN) such as the Internet. In such a case, the
computer accesses one or more web servers 530 via the Internet
532.
[0063] Other components directed to slot machine implementations
include manners of gaming participant payment, and gaming machine
payout. For example, a slot machine including the computing
arrangement 500 may also include a hopper controller 542 to
determine the amount of payout to be provided to the participant.
The hopper controller may be integrally implemented with the
processor 502, or alternatively as a separate hopper controller
542. A hopper 544 may also be provided in slot machine embodiments,
where the hopper serves as the mechanism holding the coins/tokens
of the machine. The wager input module 546 represents any mechanism
for accepting coins, tokens, coupons, bills, credit cards, smart
cards, membership cards, etc. for which a participant inputs a
wager amount.
[0064] Using the foregoing specification, the invention may be
implemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by
using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce
programming software, firmware, hardware or any combination
thereof.
[0065] Any resulting program(s), having computer-readable program
code, may be embodied within one or more computer-usable media such
as memory devices or transmitting devices, thereby making a
computer program product or article of manufacture according to the
invention. As such, the terms "article of manufacture," "computer
program product," and/or computer-readable medium as used herein
are intended to encompass a computer program existent (permanently,
temporarily, or transitorily) on any computer-usable medium such as
on any memory device or in any transmitting device.
[0066] One skilled in the art of computer science from the
description provided herein will be able to combine the software
created as described with appropriate general purpose or special
purpose computer hardware to create a computer system and/or
computer subcomponents embodying the invention, and to create a
computer system and/or computer subcomponents for carrying out
methods of the invention.
[0067] Many modifications and variations are possible in light of
the above teaching. For example, the present invention is not
limited to what is traditionally known as "slot machines." The
present invention is applicable to any gaming device or table game
to incorporate bonus rounds in connection with a gaming system.
Also, while the illustrated embodiments have been described in
large part in connection with a "slot machine," other gaming
systems and concepts are also within the scope of the invention,
such as video poker games, card games, and other casino events.
[0068] As can be seen from the foregoing description, the exemplary
embodiments of the invention described herein have been presented
for the purposes of illustration and description, and many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The description of these exemplary embodiments is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed. It is thus not intended that the scope of the
invention be limited with this detailed description, but rather by
the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *