U.S. patent application number 12/256412 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for neworked gaming system and method having a multi-progressive feature.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bally Gaming, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael Delaney, Jeffrey Mincey, Loren T. Nelson.
Application Number | 20090124391 12/256412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40624219 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090124391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; Loren T. ; et
al. |
May 14, 2009 |
Neworked Gaming System and Method Having a Multi-Progressive
Feature
Abstract
Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods
including a multi-progressive feature. During play of a feature
game, tallies are kept of the appearance of various symbols. One or
more progressive awards may be paid based on the tallies.
Inventors: |
Nelson; Loren T.; (Reno,
NV) ; Mincey; Jeffrey; (Reno, NV) ; Delaney;
Michael; (Reno, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BALLY GAMING INC.
6601 S. BERMUDA ROAD
LAS VEGAS
NV
89119
US
|
Assignee: |
Bally Gaming, Inc.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
40624219 |
Appl. No.: |
12/256412 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60987297 |
Nov 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3258
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A networked gaming system including: a network computer; one or
more gaming machines; a network connecting the network computer to
the one or more gaming machines; a first game and a second game
operable with at least one of the gaming machines, each game having
a set of possible outcomes, one or more of the set of second game
outcomes determined upon a triggering event associated with the
first game; a plurality of accumulators, each associated with an
icon, for tallying any second game outcomes containing one or more
of the icons; and one or more awards which may be won based on the
value of one or more of the accumulators.
2. The networked gaming system of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the first and second games are controlled by the network
computer.
3. The networked gaming system of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the first and second games is controlled by the at least one of the
gaming machines.
4. The networked gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a
progressive controller connected to the one or more gaming
machines;
5. The networked gaming system of claim 4 including one or more
progressive awards controlled by the progressive controller and
awarded based upon the value of at least one of the
accumulators.
6. The networked gaming system of claim 5 wherein the one or more
progressive awards are at least partially funded based on a
percentage of a wager at one or more of the gaming machines.
7. The networked gaming system of claim 5 wherein the one or more
progressive awards are not based on a percentage of a wager placed
at one or more of the gaming machines.
8. The networked gaming system of claim 5 wherein all progressive
awards which may be won are reset to an initial funding level upon
the winning of any one progressive award.
9. A networked system including a server and one or more gaming
machines connected to the server; the server including a first
game, a second game activatable upon an event, and a plurality of
accumulators for tallying the occurrence of icons associated with
one or more second game outcomes to determine whether one or more
progressive prizes have been won; the gaming machines including a
game interface and a display, the game interface enabling a player
to initiate play of the first game through the server, the display
providing a visual representation of the games.
10. A method of operating a networked gaming system, the method
including the steps of: connecting a plurality of gaming machines
comprising a game; for one of the games, upon a triggering event,
initiating a plurality of second game plays, each second game play
having an outcome which may comprise one or more icons; tallying
second game outcomes comprising one or more of the icons;
determining one or more awards which may be won according to the
tally; and paying the determined awards to the player.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the triggering event comprises a
predefined one of the set of first game outcomes.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the awards
comprises a progressive prize.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the progressive prize is at
least partially funded based on a percentage of a wager on the one
of the games.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the progressive prize is not
based on a percentage of a wager on the one of the games.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein all progressive prizes which may
be won are reset to an initial funding level upon the winning of
any one progressive prize.
16. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of
connecting the plurality of gaming machines for cooperative play of
the plurality of second game plays.
17. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of
connecting the plurality of gaming machines for competitive play of
the plurality of second game plays.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein the gaming machines reside in at
least one casino.
19. The method of claim 10 further comprising displaying the
plurality of second game plays on a player tracking system display
at each of the gaming machines.
20. The gaming system of claim 10 further comprising a gaming
display control computer.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority
from U.S. provisional patent application 60/987,297 filed on Nov.
12, 2007.
[0002] This application is also related to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. ______ entitled "GAME AND METHOD HAVING A
MULTI-PROGRESSIVE FEATURE," filed on Oct. 22, 2008 which claims
priority from provisional application 60/987,297 filed on Nov. 12,
2007.
[0003] This application is also related to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. ______ entitled "GAMING MACHINE AND METHOD HAVING A
MULTI-PROGRESSIVE FEATURE," filed on Oct. 22, 2008 which claims
priority from provisional application 60/987,297 filed on Nov. 12,
2007.
[0004] All of the above referenced applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0005] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 1. Field of the Invention
[0007] The present invention is directed to wagering games, gaming
machines, networked gaming systems and methods and, more
particularly, to wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming
systems and methods having a secondary game with multiple
progressive awards.
[0008] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0009] In the prior art, various types of gaming machines have been
developed with different features to captivate and maintain player
interest. In general, a gaming machine allows a player to play a
game in exchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of the game,
the player may be entitled to an award which is paid to the player
by the gaming machine, normally in the form of currency or game
credits. Gaming machines may include flashing displays, lighted
displays, or sound effects to capture a player's interest in a
gaming device.
[0010] Another important feature of maintaining player interest in
a gaming machine includes providing the player with many
opportunities to win awards, such as cash or prizes. For example,
in some slot machines, the display windows show more than one
adjacent symbol on each reel, thereby allowing for multiple-line
betting. Feature games of various types have been employed to
reward players above the amounts normally awarded on a standard
game pay schedule. Generally, such feature games are triggered by
predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certain
combinations of indicia in a primary game. In order to stimulate
interest, feature games are typically set to occur at a gaming
machine on a statistical cycle based upon the number of primary
game plays.
[0011] Some gaming machine games today include one or more
progressive prize awards. In some configurations, the progressive
prize may have a small probability of a player winning it; thus
making it possible to have a larger progressive prize. In other
game configurations, the progressive prize may be a small amount;
thus allowing the player patron to win the progressive prize more
frequently. In most typical game configurations, the player wins
the progressive prize as a result of a specific game outcome within
the primary or main game.
[0012] While gaming machines including feature games and
progressive prizes have been very successful, there remains a need
for games that provide a player with enhanced excitement and
increased opportunity of winning
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a networked gaming system includes a network computer; one or more
gaming machines and a network connecting the network computer to
the one or more gaming machines. A progressive controller may be
connected to the one or more gaming machines. A first game and a
second game are operable with at least one of the gaming machines,
with each game having a set of possible outcomes. One or more of
the set of second game outcomes is determined upon a triggering
event associated with the first game. A plurality of accumulators,
each associated with an icon, tallies any second game outcomes
containing one or more of the icons. One or more awards may be won
based on the value of one or more of the accumulators. In
accordance with one or more other embodiments of the invention, one
or more of the awards may be a progressive award.
[0014] In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, a
method of operating a game includes the steps of connecting a
plurality of gaming machines including a game and, for one of the
games, upon a triggering event, initiating a plurality of second
game plays. Each second game play includes an outcome which may
include one or more icons. The method further includes the steps of
tallying second game outcomes including one or more of the icons
and determining one or more awards which may be won according to
the tally. The method also includes paying the determined awards to
the player
[0015] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the
features of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the physical and logical
components of the gaming machine of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 provides an overview of a game of one embodiment of
the invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a display image associated with a help screen of
one embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a display image associated with an example feature
game in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a display image associated with an example feature
game in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram depicting the steps
associated with carrying out an example method in accordance with
one or more aspects of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware
elements of a networked gaming system in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Various embodiments are directed to a game, gaming machine,
gaming networks and method for playing a game, wherein the game
includes a multi-progressive secondary game. The embodiments are
illustrated and described herein, by way of example only, and not
by way of limitation. Referring now to the drawings, and more
particularly to FIGS. 1-7, there are shown illustrative examples of
games, gaming machines, gaming networks and methods for playing a
game in accordance with various aspects of the invention.
[0025] In accordance with one or more embodiments, FIG. 1
illustrates a gaming machine 100 including cabinet housing 120,
primary game display 140 upon which a primary game and feature game
may be displayed, top box 150 which may display multiple
progressives that may be won during play of the feature game,
player-activated buttons 160, player tracking panel 136,
bill/voucher acceptor 180 and one or more speakers 190. Cabinet
housing 120 is a self-standing unit that is generally rectangular
in shape and may be manufactured with reinforced steel or other
rigid materials which are resistant to tampering and vandalism.
Cabinet housing 120 houses a processor, circuitry, and software
(not shown) for receiving signals from the player-activated buttons
160, operating the games, and transmitting signals to the
respective displays and speakers. Any shaped cabinet may be
implemented with any embodiment of gaming machine 100 so long as it
provides access to a player for playing a game. For example,
cabinet 120 may comprise a slant-top, bar-top, or table-top style
cabinet. The operation of gaming machine 100 is described more
fully below.
[0026] The plurality of player-activated buttons 160 may be used
for various functions such as, but not limited to, selecting a
wager denomination, selecting a game to be played, selecting a
wager amount per game, initiating a game, or cashing out money from
gaming machine 100. Buttons 160 function as input mechanisms and
may include mechanical buttons, electromechanical buttons or touch
screen buttons. Optionally, a handle 185 may be rotated by a player
to initiate a game.
[0027] In other embodiments, buttons 160 may be replaced with
various other input mechanisms known in the art such as, but not
limited to, a touch screen system, touch pad, track ball, mouse,
switches, toggle switches, or other input means used to accept
player input. For example, one input means is a universal button
module as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/106,212,
entitled "Universal Button Module," filed on Apr. 14, 2005, which
is hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, the universal
button module provides a dynamic button system adaptable for use
with various games and capable of adjusting to gaming systems
having frequent game changes. More particularly, the universal
button module may be used in connection with playing a game on a
gaming machine and may be used for such functions as selecting the
number of credits to bet per hand.
[0028] Cabinet housing 120 may optionally include top box 150 which
contains "top glass" 152 comprising advertising or payout
information related to the game or games available on gaming
machine 100. Player tracking panel 136 includes player tracking
card reader 134 and player tracking display 132. Voucher printer
130 may be integrated into player tracking panel 136 or installed
elsewhere in cabinet housing 120 or top box 150.
[0029] Game display 140 presents a game of chance wherein a player
receives one or more outcomes from a set of potential outcomes. For
example, one such game of chance is a video slot machine game. In
other aspects of the invention, gaming machine 100 may present a
video or mechanical reel slot machine, a video keno game, a lottery
game, a bingo game, a Class II bingo game, a roulette game, a craps
game, a blackjack game, a mechanical or video representation of a
wheel game or the like.
[0030] Mechanical or video/mechanical embodiments may include game
displays such as mechanical reels, wheels, or dice as required to
present the game to the player. In video/mechanical or pure video
embodiments, game display 140 is, typically, a CRT or a flat-panel
display in the form of, but not limited to, liquid crystal, plasma,
electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, field emission, or any
other type of panel display known or developed in the art. Game
display 140 may be mounted in either a "portrait" or "landscape"
orientation and be of standard or "widescreen" dimensions (i.e., a
ratio of one dimension to another of at least 16.times.9). For
example, a widescreen display may be 32 inches wide by 18 inches
tall. A widescreen display in a "portrait" orientation may be 32
inches tall by 18 inches wide. Additionally, game display 140
preferably includes a touch screen or touch glass system (not
shown) and presents player interfaces such as, but not limited to,
credit meter (not shown), win meter (not shown) and touch screen
buttons (not shown). An example of a touch glass system is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,571, entitled "Gaming Device with
Direction and Speed Control of Mechanical Reels Using Touch
Screen," which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0031] Game display 140 may also present information such as, but
not limited to, player information, advertisements and casino
promotions, graphic displays, news and sports updates, or even
offer an alternate game. This information may be generated through
a host computer networked with gaming machine 100 on its own
initiative or it may be obtained by request of the player using
either one or more of the plurality of player-activated buttons
160; the game display itself, if game display 140 comprises a touch
screen or similar technology; buttons (not shown) mounted about
game display 140 which may permit selections such as those found on
an ATM machine, where legends on the screen are associated with
respective selecting buttons; or any player input device that
offers the required functionality.
[0032] Cabinet housing 120 incorporates a single game display 140.
However, in alternate embodiments, cabinet housing 120 or top box
150 may house one or more additional displays 153 or components
used for various purposes including additional game play screens,
animated "top glass," progressive meters or mechanical or
electromechanical devices (not shown) such as, but not limited to,
wheels, pointers or reels. The additional displays may or may not
include a touch screen or touch glass system.
[0033] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the interconnection 200 of
physical and logical components of gaming machine 100. Currency
acceptor 210 is typically connected to a conventional central
processing unit ("CPU") 205, such as an Intel Pentium
microprocessor mounted on a gaming motherboard, by a serial
connection such as RS-232 or USB. The gaming motherboard may be
mounted with other conventional components, such as are found on
conventional personal computer motherboards, and loaded with a
gaming machine operating system (OS), such as an Alpha OS installed
within a Bally S9000, M9000 or CineVision.TM. slot machine. CPU 205
executes game program 220 that causes reels 230 to display a game.
In one embodiment, game program 220 is a slot machine game having a
multi-progressive feature game.
[0034] When a player has inserted a form of currency such as, for
example and without limitation, paper currency, coins or tokens,
cashless tickets or vouchers, electronic funds transfers or the
like into currency acceptor 210, a signal is sent to CPU 205 which,
in turn, assigns an appropriate number of credits for play. The
player may further control the operation of the gaming machine, for
example, to select the amount to wager via electromechanical or
touch screen buttons 250. The game starts in response to the player
pushing one of buttons 250 or an alternate start mechanism such as
a handle or touch screen icon (not shown). Random number generator
240 responds to instructions from CPU 205 to provide a display of
randomly selected indicia on reels 230. In some embodiments, random
generator 240 may be physically separate from gaming machine 100;
for example, it may be part of a central determination host system
(not shown) which provides random game outcomes to CPU 205.
Thereafter, the player may or may not interact with the game
through electromechanical or touch screen buttons 250 to change the
displayed indicia. Finally, CPU 205 under control of game program
220 compares the final display of indicia to a pay table. The set
of possible game outcomes may include a subset of outcomes related
to the triggering of a feature game. In the event the displayed
outcome is a member of this subset, CPU 205, under control of game
program 220, may cause feature game play to be presented on feature
display 270.
[0035] In one embodiment, reels 230 are electromechanical reels.
Game program 220 includes reel spinning firmware to provide proper
signals for driving multiple stepper motors (not shown), which, in
turn, spin the reels 230. Preferably, the motors are driven using a
"full step" excitation sequence in which a single motor step is
preformed by changing the excitation on one of the two-phase inputs
in a specified sequence. The sequence determines whether the
direction implemented is forward or reverse. The reel drive pulse
trains go through three distinct stages: acceleration, steady
state, and deceleration. During acceleration, reels 230 are driven
with a pulse frequency that is less than the maximum "start/stop"
frequency. Typically, if a motor is attempted to be started with a
high frequency pulse, the motor loses synchronization and slips.
Therefore, preferably the drive frequency is incrementally
increased until the steady state drive frequency is reached. At
steady state, reels 230 are driven for a specified number of steps
at the maximum drive frequency before going to the deceleration
phase. During deceleration, the process is reversed and the drive
frequency decreased until the stopping frequency is reached.
Preferably, this procedure helps to prevent reels 230 from slipping
past the proper stop position on deceleration. Finally, at the
stopping point, the motor excitation signals are held constant.
[0036] In one embodiment, the primary game reels are not used for
the feature play; instead, a wheel or other feature display 270 is
used to present the feature game outcomes. The feature display may
be an electromechanical device, may present the feature on a video
display or both.
[0037] Predetermined payout amounts for certain outcomes, including
feature game outcomes, are stored as part of game program 220. Such
payout amounts are, in response to instructions from CPU 205,
provided to the player in the form of coins, credits or currency
via payout mechanism 260, which may be one or more of a credit
meter, a coin hopper, a voucher printer, an electronic funds
transfer protocol or any other payout means known or developed in
the art.
[0038] In various embodiments of gaming machine 100, game program
220 is stored in a memory device (not shown) connected to or
mounted on the gaming motherboard. By way of example, but not by
limitation, such memory devices include external memory devices,
hard drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and flash memory cards. In an
alternative embodiment, the game programs are stored in a remote
storage device. In one embodiment, the remote storage device is
housed in a remote server. The gaming machine may access the remote
storage device via a network connection, including but not limited
to, a local area network connection, a TCP/IP connection, a
wireless connection, or any other means for operatively networking
components together. Optionally, other data including graphics,
sound files and other media data for use with gaming machine 100
are stored in the same or a separate memory device (not shown).
Some or all of game program 220 and its associated data may be
loaded from one memory device into another, for example, from flash
memory to random access memory (RAM).
[0039] An example game in accordance with one or more aspects of
the invention is shown in FIGS. 3-5. Referring to FIG. 3, game 300
is implemented using five spinning reels 301-305. Each of 30 pay
line patterns (not shown) passes through one indicium on each of
the five reels. For example, the first pay line 360 extends
horizontally through the center position of each of the five reels
301-305. The number of pay lines and their patterns are by way of
example only and may vary. The player selects the number of played
pay lines and the number of credits or coins wagered on each line
using touch screen controls or gaming device control buttons. The
player's selections are displayed on PAY LINES meter 310, LINE BET
meter 320 and TOTAL BET meter 330 located adjacent to the reels.
WIN PAID meter 340 and CREDIT meter 350 provide the player with
information about the amount paid by the last game played and the
total number of credits available for play. The player may collect
the balance of his credits by pressing a COLLECT button (not
shown).
[0040] The player initiates game play by pressing a SPIN button
(not shown). In some embodiments, the player may simultaneously
select all pay lines at the maximum number of coins or credits
allowed per line by pressing a MAX BET button. Buttons (see FIG. 1,
160) on gaming machine 100 (FIG. 1) or touch screen buttons (not
shown) may be used to perform the actions described here without
deviating from the scope of the invention. Reels 301-305 are made
to spin and stop in predetermined stop positions. A determination
is then made whether the stop positions of the reels resulted in a
winning game outcome.
[0041] In accordance with one embodiment, part of an example pay
table 400 is shown in FIG. 4. The pay table may be accessible
through a HELP/PAYS or similar button. In alternate embodiments,
the pay table may be presented on a second video or printed display
attached to the gaming device (i.e. display 153 or "pay glass" 152,
FIG. 1). A winning combination, for example, could be three or more
symbols adjacent to one another on an active pay line. For each
winning combination, the game device awards the player the award in
the pay table, adjusted as necessary based on the number of credits
wagered on the pay line on which the win occurred. For example,
three RED 7 symbols 410 adjacent to one another from left-to-right
on an active pay line would pay 100 times the player's wager. In
some embodiments, video representations of pay tables may factor in
the amount of the player's wager and no additional award adjustment
is required.
[0042] In various embodiments, winning combinations may be
evaluated across adjacent reels from left-to-right, from
right-to-left or both. Additional winning combinations may be
awarded when certain indicia do not necessarily accumulate
adjacently on a pay line, but rather, appear anywhere on the reels
(i.e., "scatter pays"). In addition, "wild" indicia may be used to
complete winning combinations. Some "wild" indicia may also cause
completed winning combinations to result in pay amounts in excess
of the normal winning combination by way of multiplication or
addition, for example, a wild doubler symbol may be used.
[0043] Various primary game outcomes may be utilized to trigger the
play of a feature game, including, but not limited to, awarding
feature play when certain symbols appear on a pay line, when
certain symbols are scattered, when no symbols of a certain type
appear, when a certain winning combination occurs or, regardless of
the visible symbols, at random or fixed intervals. The availability
of the feature game may be restricted based on the size of the
wager.
[0044] In some embodiments, the feature game may be one of a set of
primary games randomly selected for play following initiation of
play by the player. For example, multiple primary games are
disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/428,220, entitled
"Multiple Primary Games Triggered by Random Number Generator,"
filed on Jun. 30, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference,
in which a gaming machine has at least two distinct primary games.
After receiving a wager, the gaming machine determines which
primary game to activate. The selected primary game is activated
and a game outcome is presented to the player on a game display. A
payout may be awarded according to the game outcome. The
availability of the game may be restricted based on the size of the
wager.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the invention, display 500 presents an example
screen from a feature game in which a player may win one or more
progressive prizes 521-527. In one or more embodiments, the player
is given the opportunity to play multiple free games of a spinning
reel slot-based game after the occurrence of a triggering event
which may conventionally comprise a pre-determined result on the
base game. Meter 540 displays the number of remaining free games
throughout the course of feature game play. Meter 530 displays the
total amount won during feature game play. Within the feature game,
there are one or more spinning reels 501-507, where each reel has
an associated progressive prize 521-527. Each reel 501-507 also has
an associated counter or scoring mechanism 511-517. Upon completion
of each free game, the resulting outcome has the possibility of the
player collecting or scoring one or more units associated with each
reel 501-507, the results may be respectively accumulated and
displayed as shown with respect to scoring mechanism 511-517. Each
reel 501-507 contains one or more symbols, with at least one symbol
associated with the collecting or scoring of one or more units
associated with that reel. In some embodiments, some reels contain
symbols 560 which award the player additional free spins. The
number of extra free games awarded during play of the feature are
tallied and displayed by meter 550. In one or more embodiments,
scoring three units for one or more reels wins the progressive
prize 521-527 associated with that reel or reels. The number of
units required in order to win a progressive prize is an example
and may vary. In one embodiment, a consolation award may be given
to the player if no progressive prize was won within the allotted
number of free spins. This consolation award may be a fixed amount
relative to the initiating bet, or it may be based on the number of
units scored during the free spins, or a combination thereof. In an
alternate embodiment, the number of free spins is not limited and
the player is allowed to play as many free spins as necessary to
win at least one of the progressive prizes.
[0046] While the above example associates symbols to be tallied and
the respective progressive prizes with individual reels, in
accordance with one or more embodiments, the tallies may be
associated with the number of symbols appearing on one or more pay
lines, within a particular subset of reels, in a particular
position or set of positions, or otherwise appearing so as to be
tallied.
[0047] In accordance with still other embodiments, eligibility to
win one or more of the progressives may be based on the size of the
player's wager. For example, a single coin wager may make the
player eligible to win a first progressive according to its tally,
while a two-coin wager might make the player eligible to win both
the first progressive and a second progressive. Generally, the more
the player wagers, the more opportunities to win a progressive will
be enabled.
[0048] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
the progressive prizes 521-527 may be calculated by a progressive
controller such as a controller manufactured by Mikohn, Inc. The
progressive controller monitors wagering during base game play,
calculates a current value for one or more progressive jackpot
pools and transmits the current pool values to the gaming machine.
In one or more embodiments, progressive awards are accumulated
during regular play as a percentage, such as three percent, of the
game play take. The prizes may be sized according to the
preferences of the casino operator. The number of prizes may vary
without deviating from the scope of the invention. The size of the
prizes is dependent on the amount of play prior to initiating
feature play and may come from the contributions of a single gaming
machine or a number of linked gaming machines. In another aspect,
the prizes may be set amounts established by the casino operator
from non-coin-in funds, such as marketing funds.
[0049] In one or more embodiments, the prizes for feature game play
may be accumulated based on funding mechanisms other than a
percentage of wagers accumulated by the gaming machine. For
example, an operator may initially fund the various award levels
such as are shown in FIG. 5 with a pre-determined amount of money,
such as $1000 for one progressive, $500 for a second progressive,
$100 for a third progressive and so on. Subsequently, the casino
operator may determine to increase the amounts of one or more of
the awards at pre-determined times which may be periodically or
randomly selected with a range of times or periods. Once a winner
has occurred at any level, the award levels may be rolled back to
the initial funding level. In one or more embodiments, only the
winning award level is rolled back to the initial funding
level.
[0050] In one or more embodiments, the prizes for feature game play
may be set amounts, i.e. non-progressive. In one or more
embodiments, the algorithms to determine the amounts may be
determined by a statistical percentage based on an average take of
a gaming machine and the likelihood of the win over a period of
time. In the case where one or more gaming machines are networked,
a common award table may be utilized where the award algorithms are
determined based on an average take (total wagers) of all the
networked gaming machines and the likelihood of a win of an award
over a period of time. Each award may be calculated in a similar
manner based on the likelihood of a winning outcome being achieved
during a game play session.
[0051] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a triggering
event in a primary game initiates a feature game. The game
transitions to a seven-reel slot game as illustrated by FIG. 6.
Each reel 601-607 has three types of symbols; blank 610, extra spin
620, and star 630. The blank symbol 610, also known as a ghost, is
just empty space between visible symbols. The extra spin symbol
620, when visible, will give the player additional spins for more
chances to win. The star symbol 630 has a unique color associated
with each reel 601-607 and is the size of the entire visible
portion of the reel. Associated with each reel 601-607 is a counter
or scorecard 611-617 to keep track of when a star symbol 630
appears on the reel after each spin of the game. A meter associated
with each reel 601-607 indicates the value of a progressive award
621-617.
[0052] The player is allowed to play as many free games as
necessary to win one of the progressive prizes. From the results of
each free game, each extra spin symbol that is wholly visible in a
reel, increments an extra spin counter 650. Each star symbol 630
that is wholly visible in a reel is scored in the scorecard 611-617
associated with that reel. When at least one reel scores its third
star symbol 630, the player is awarded the progressive prize
621-627 associated with that reel. At this point the free games
continue, limited by extra spin symbols that have accumulated in
meter 650 thus far. These extra spins allow the player to win
additional progressive prizes 621-627 once a progressive prize
621-627 has been won. In one or more embodiments, extra spins are
no longer accumulated once a first progressive prize 621-627 is
won. In still other embodiments, once a progressive prize 621-627
is won, the player may no longer win further prizes on its
associated reel for the duration of the current bonus game. Once
all of the extra spins indicated on extra spin counter 650 are
exhausted, play returns to the primary game.
[0053] In one or more alternate embodiments, the player may be
allowed only a fixed number of free games 660 in an attempt to win
one or more of the progressive prizes 621-627. From the results of
each free game, each extra spin symbol 620 that is wholly visible
in a reel may also increase the number of spins allowed. Extra
spins are tracked in extra spin counter 650, as described above. In
some embodiments, if no progressive prize has been won when all
allowed spins have been exhausted, a consolation prize may be
awarded to the player. In a further alternate embodiment, all
unused spins are forfeited once a progressive prize is won, and
play returns to the primary game.
[0054] A logical flow diagram generally depicting the steps
associated with a method 700 for carrying out a game having a
multi-progressive feature, in accordance with one aspect of the
invention, is presented in FIG. 7. The order of actions as shown in
FIG. 7 is only illustrative, and should not be considered limiting.
For example, the order of the actions may be changed, additional
steps may be added or some steps may be removed without deviating
from the scope and spirit of the invention.
[0055] First at block 710, a primary game play is played by a
player as described above. In one embodiment, the player places a
wager and starts the game, whereby each reel then spins or displays
a representation of a slot machine reel spin before stopping with
particular indicia displayed to the player. A win occurs if a
series of indicia (BAR, BAR, BAR, for example) appears on one or
more pay lines or scattered, as described above. The player is paid
for any winning symbol combinations. At block 720, the indicia on
the reels are examined to determine the existence of a combination
predetermined to be a feature game trigger. For example, a BONUS
symbol appearing scattered on the first, third and fifth reels may
be considered a feature game trigger. If the displayed indicia do
not correspond to a feature game trigger, processing resumes at
block 710 with play of another iteration of the primary game.
Otherwise, the feature game is played at blocks 730-780.
[0056] At block 730, the player plays a feature game including a
slot machine game similar to the example games of FIGS. 5 and 6
above. The reels spin and stop to indicate a combination of feature
game indicia.
[0057] At block 740, visible indicia corresponding to the
collectible icons which may lead to the winning of a progressive
prize are accumulated and displayed in one or more scorecards, as
described above.
[0058] At block 750, each scorecard is examined to determine
whether it is full. If so, the corresponding progressive prize is
paid at block 760.
[0059] At block 770, a determination is made whether any feature
game spins remain to be performed. For example, at the start of the
feature game, it may have been determined that five reel spins
would be performed. It will be appreciated that the number of reel
spins may vary based on the rules of a particular embodiment,
including, for example, a number of spins randomly selected during
game play. In addition, the player may have accumulated extra spins
as a result of feature game outcomes.
[0060] If all free reel spins have not been performed, flow return
to block 730 to perform another feature spin, otherwise the feature
game is complete. If the player has not yet won a progressive
prize, a consolation prize may be awarded at block 780.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 8, in accordance with one or more aspects
of the invention, a networked gaming system 800 includes server
810, gaming machines 850, and network 840 connecting gaming
machines 850 to server 810. Additionally, gaming machine 850 are
shown connected to group gaming controller 830 and progressive
controller 860 as described in FIG. 2. Server 810 may be selected
from a variety of conventionally available servers. The type of
server used is generally determined by the platform and software
requirements of the gaming system. Examples of suitable servers are
an IBM RS6000-based server, an IBM AS/400-based server or a
Microsoft Windows-based server, but it should be appreciated that
any suitable server may be used. It may also be appreciated that
server 810 may be configured as a single "logical" server that
comprises multiple physical servers. Gaming machines 850 operate
similar to conventional peripheral networked terminals. Gaming
machines 850 have a player interface such as a display, a card
reader, and selection buttons through which gaming machines 850
interact with a player playing a group game in accordance with
various embodiments of the invention. The player interface is used
for making choices such as the amount of a bet or the number of
lines to bet. Gaming machines 850 also provide information to
server 810 concerning activity on gaming machines 850 and provide a
communication portal for players with server 810. For example, the
player interface may be used for selecting different server-related
menu options such as, but not limited to, transferring a specified
number of credits from a player account onto the credit meter of
the gaming machine, or for transferring credits from the gaming
machine to a central player account.
[0062] In various embodiments, any of the gaming machines 850 may
be a mechanical reel spinning slot machine, video slot machine,
video poker machine, keno machine, video blackjack machine, or a
gaming machine offering one or more of the above described primary
games including a group play game. Alternately, gaming machines 850
may provide a group game as one of a set of multiple primary games
selected for play by a random number generator, as described above.
Networking components (not shown) facilitate communications across
network 840 between the system server 810 and game management units
820 and/or gaming display control computers 830 that control
displays for carousels of gaming machines. Game management units
(GMU's) 820 connect gaming machines to networking components and
may be installed in the gaming machine cabinet or external to the
gaming machine. The function of the GMU is similar to the function
of a network interface card connected to a desktop personal
computer (PC) and it may contain tracking software which provides
notification to the casino of certain events on a gaming machine
850, including wins. Depending upon the casino management system,
payouts on large wins at gaming machines 850 may be made directly
to a player account managed by the host computer; in which case,
the player is notified by way of the GMU at gaming machine 850 that
the player's account has been credited.
[0063] Some GMU's have much greater capability and can perform such
tasks as presenting and playing a game for an individual player
and/or in a group gaming environment where the game may be
presented using one or more of the displays of the gaming machine,
such as display 825 operatively connected to GMU 820. In one
embodiment, GMU 820 is a separate component located outside the
gaming machine. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the GMU 820
is located within the gaming machine. Optionally, in an alternative
embodiment, one or more gaming machines 850 connect directly to the
network and are not connected to a GMU 820. Displays related to
group games played on gaming machines 850 or GMU displays 825 may
also be presented on gaming display 835 by group gaming controller
830. Group gaming controller is also shown connected to network
840, through which is may be capable of receiving reconfigured
displays for presentation on display 835. A gaming system of the
type described above also allows a plurality of games in accordance
with the various embodiments of the invention to be linked under
the control of server 810 for cooperative or competitive play in a
particular area, carousel, casino or between casinos located in
geographically separate areas.
[0064] By example, in one or more embodiments, the software to
execute the primary and/or feature game described above may be
stored within the gaming machine and operable through a processor
of the GMU and the game display as discussed above may be driven
either through a display 825 or through one or more of the other
gaming machine displays, such as displays 140, 153. In other
alternative embodiments, the software to execute the primary and/or
feature game may reside on a server, such as server 810, and the
primary and/or feature game may be executed through a server
processor which in turn may drive the images displayed at the
gaming machine through one or more of the gaming machine displays.
In one or more of said embodiments, one or more gaming machines 850
may be connected through a wireless network connecting to server
810 and/or other gaming machines 850. A wireless gaming machine may
comprise a tablet or laptop computing device, a cell phone, a
personal data device, etc.
[0065] In yet another embodiment, a trigger for group gaming may
initiate the feature game for two or more eligible gaming machines
850. The trigger may be the feature game trigger discussed above or
may be another combination of symbols. In the case of a group
feature game, each player may accumulate symbols on their
respective machines as discussed above and may accumulate wins of
progressive awards as discussed above. In addition, at the end of
the group feature game session, one or more players may receive
additional awards based on their respective accumulated points or
awards with respect to the other players.
[0066] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claimed invention. For example, it may further be appreciated that
each of the games could be operated on a remote host computer such
that a player initiates play with the host computer over a network
via the player interface and each gaming machine operates the
respective gaming and video displays in conjunction with the game
whose play is controlled by the remote computer. In another
embodiment, a game in accordance with one or more aspects of the
invention may be associated with a table game such a poker or
blackjack. For example, a player may receive a chance to win a
number of reel spins on a slot machine located adjacent the table,
the opportunity based on cards or hands received during play of the
table game. Each reel spin provides an opportunity to win a
progressive according to the icons earned by way of the reel spins
as described above.
[0067] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various
modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth
in the following claims.
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