Gaming device having a pick reduction game Number:6,780,107 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a pick reduction game. Initially, a plurality of first selections are displayed to the player. Also, a number of picks is displayed to the player where the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections. The player uses the number of picks to pick first selections until the player picks a trigger selection. The number of picks are reduced after each pick by the player. When the player picks the trigger selection, the gaming device displays a plurality of second selections to the player. Each of the second selections is associated with an award. The player picks second selections and receives awards for each picked second selection until there are no picks remaining.<H reduction, having, Gaming, device, h, 6780107.html, Patent, pto, 6780107

Title: Gaming device having a pick reduction game

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method having a pick reduction game. Initially, a plurality of first selections are displayed to the player. Also, a number of picks is displayed to the player where the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections. The player uses the number of picks to pick first selections until the player picks a trigger selection. The number of picks are reduced after each pick by the player. When the player picks the trigger selection, the gaming device displays a plurality of second selections to the player. Each of the second selections is associated with an award. The player picks second selections and receives awards for each picked second selection until there are no picks remaining.

Patent Number: 6,780,107 Issued on 08/24/2004 to Baerlocher, et al.

Inventors: Baerlocher; Anthony J. (Reno, NV), Kaminkow; Joseph E. (Reno, NV), Schlegel; Megan N. (Reno, NV), Mead; Randall D. (Reno, NV)
Assignee: IGT (Reno, NV)

Appl. No.: 10/063,347

Filed: April 12, 2002

Current U.S. Class: 463/16 ; 463/20

Current International Class: G07F 17/34 (20060101); G07F 17/32 (20060101)

Field of Search: 463/16,20 273/R1.43 R/ 273/138.1,139,140

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Primary Examiner: Walberg; Teresa
Assistant Examiner: Brocketti; Julie
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC

Parent Case Text

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/071,138, filed on Feb. 8, 2002 entitled "Gaming Device Having a Related Symbol Selection Game," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and relied upon.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUPS," Ser. No. 09/656,702; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUP BONUS ROUND," Ser. No. 09/605,107; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN AWARD EXCHANGE BONUS ROUND AND METHOD FOR REVEALING AWARD EXCHANGE POSSIBILITIES," Ser. No. 09/689,510; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE CHOICE LARGE AWARD BONUS SCHEME." Ser. No. 09/686,284; GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTIPLE SELECTION SET BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/680,592; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING RELATED MULTI-GAME BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/688,972; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN INDICATOR SELECTION WITH PROBABILITY-BASED OUTCOME BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/981,163; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SELECTION GROUPS WITH WIN-GROUP OUTCOMES", Ser. No. 09/981,084; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTIPLE SELECTION AND AWARD DISTRIBUTION BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/688,635; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN ELEMENT AND ELEMENT GROUP SELECTION AND ELIMINATION BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/689,381; "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MODIFYING GENERATED VALUES TO DETERMINE AN AWARD IN A GAMING DEVICE," Ser. No. 09/957,018; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE POTENTIAL AWARD SETS," Ser. No. 09/822,697; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A PRIMARY GAME OUTCOME EMPLOYED IN A BONUS GAME," Ser. No. 09/943,976; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING PLAYER SELECTABLE AWARD DIGITS AND AWARD MODIFICATION OPTIONS," Ser. No. 09/934,003; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A RELATED SYMBOL SELECTION GAME," Ser. No. 10/071,138; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AWARD MODIFICATION OPTIONS FOR PLAYER SELECTABLE AWARD DIGITS," Ser. No. 09/933,843; "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN INDICATOR SELECTION WITH PROBABILITY-BASED OUTCOME," Ser. No. 09/990,693; and "GAMING DEVICE WITH SIGNIFIED SYMBOLS," Ser. No. 09/990,484.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of masked first selections, including at least one masked trigger selection, a plurality of masked second selections, at least one display device which displays the first and second selections; a number of picks associated with said first and second selections, wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; a plurality of awards associated with the second selections; and a processor which: (a) enables a player to pick the first selections until the player picks the trigger selection, wherein after each pick, the picked first selection is unmasked and the number of remaining picks is reduced, (b) enables the player to pick the second selections when the player picks the trigger selection, (c) unmasks the picked second selections, (d) reduces the number of remaining picks for each pick by the player from the second selections, and (e) provides any awards to the player associated with the second selections picked by the player until there are no picks remaining.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of awards includes at least one relatively large award and a plurality of relatively small awards.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one additional pick associated with one of the first selections.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one multiplier associated with one of the first selections.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one additional pick associated with one of the second selections.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one multiplier associated with one of the second selections.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein at least one award is associated with each of the second selections.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one additional award associated with the first selections.

9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the number of picks is predetermined.

10. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the number of picks is randomly determined.

11. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player runs out of picks prior to picking the trigger selection.

12. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player picks the trigger selection with the last pick.

13. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the display device is a touch screen.

14. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the display device is a mechanical display.

15. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the mechanical display includes at least one movable revealing member which covers and reveals each of the first selections.

16. The gaming device of claim 15, wherein the first selections are mechanical reels that include one or more trigger symbols.

17. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the second selections replace the first selections on the display device.

18. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one additional pick provided to the player for the second selections.

19. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of masked first selections, including at least one masked trigger selection, a plurality of masked second selections; at least one display device which displays the first and second selections; a number of picks associated with said first and second selections, wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; a plurality of awards associated with the second selections; and a processor which: (a) enables a player to pick the first selections until the player picks the trigger selections wherein after each nick, the nicked first selection is unmasked and the number of remaining nicks is reduced; (b) enables the player to pick the second selections when the player picks the trigger selection; (c) unmasks the picked second selections; (d) reduces the number of remaining picks for each pick by the player from the second selections; and (e) provides any awards to the player associated with the second selections picked by the player until there are no picks remaining.

20. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the display device is a touch screen.

21. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the display device is a mechanical display.

22. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the mechanical display includes at least one movable revealing member which covers and reveals each of the first selections.

23. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the first selections are mechanical reels that include one or more trigger symbols.

24. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the second selections replace the first selections on the display device.

25. The gaming device of claim 19, which includes at least one additional pick provided to the player for the second selections.

26. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of masked first selections including a plurality of trigger selections; a plurality of masked second selections; at least one display device which displays the first and second selections; a number of picks associated with the first and second selections, wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; a plurality of awards associated with the second selections; and a processor which: (a) enables a player to pick the first selections until the player picks the trigger selection, wherein after each pick, the picked first selection is unmasked and the number of remaining picks is reduced, (b) enables the player to pick the second selections when the player picks the trigger selection; (c) unmasks the picked second selections; (d) reduces the number of remaining picks for each pick by the player from the second selections; and (e) provides any awards to the player associated with the second selections picked by the player until there are no picks remaining.

27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the display device is a touch screen.

28. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the display device is a mechanical display.

29. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein the mechanical display includes at least one movable revealing member which covers and reveals each of the first selections.

30. The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the first selections are mechanical reels that include one or more trigger symbols.

31. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the second selections replace the first selections on the display device.

32. The gaming device of claim 26, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player runs out of picks before picking the trigger selection.

33. The gaming device of claim 26, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player picks one of the trigger selections with the last pick.

34. The gaming device of claim 26, which includes at least one additional pick provided to the player for the second selections.

35. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of masked first selections including a plurality of trigger selections; a plurality of masked second selections associated with each of the trigger selections; at least one display device which displays the first and second selections; a number of picks associated with said first and second selections, wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; a plurality of awards associated with the second selections; and a processor which enables a player to pick the first selections until the player picks one of the trigger selections unmasks each picked first selection, reduces the number of remaining picks for each pick by the player from the first selections, enables the player to pick the second selections associated with said trigger selection picked by the player, unmasks each picked second selection, reduces the number of remaining picks for each pick by the player from the second selections and provides any awards to the player associated with the second selections picked by the player until there are no picks remaining.

36. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the display device is a touch screen.

37. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the display device is a mechanical display.

38. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the mechanical display includes at least one movable revealing member which covers and reveals each of the first selections.

39. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein the first selections are mechanical reels that include one or more trigger symbols.

40. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the awards associated with each of the plurality of second selections are different.

41. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the second selections replace the first selections on the display device.

42. The gaming device of claim 35, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player runs out of picks before picking one of the trigger selections.

43. The gaming device of claim 35, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player picks the trigger selection with the last pick.

44. The gaming device of claim 35, which includes at least one additional pick provided to the player for the second selections.

45. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of masked first selections including at least one trigger selection; a plurality of masked second selections; at least one display device which displays the first and second selections; a number of picks associated with said first and second selections, wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; at least one additional pick associated with one of the first or second selections; a plurality of awards associated with the second selections; and a processor which enables a player to pick the first selections until the player picks the trigger selection, unmasks each picked first selection, reduces the number of remaining picks for each pick by the player from the first selections, provides at least one additional pick when the player picks one of the first selections having at least one additional pick associated with said first selection, enables the player to pick the second selections when the player picks the trigger selection, unmasks each picked second selection, reduces the number of remaining picks for each pick by the player from the second selections, provides at least one additional pick when the player picks one of the second selections having at least one additional pick associated with said second selection, and provides any awards to the player associated with the second selections picked by the player until there are no picks remaining.

46. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the display device is a touch screen.

47. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the display device is a mechanical display.

48. The gaming device of claim 47, wherein the mechanical display includes at least one movable revealing member which covers and reveals each of the first selections.

49. The gaming device of claim 48, wherein the first selections are mechanical reels that include one or more trigger symbols.

50. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein at least one of the additional picks is associated with a bonus symbol.

51. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the second selections replace the first selections on the display device.

52. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player runs out of picks before picking the trigger selection.

53. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player picks the trigger selection with the last pick.

54. The gaming device of claim 45, which includes at least one additional pick provided to the player for the second selections.

55. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of masked first selections including at least one trigger selection; a plurality of masked second selections; at least one display device which displays the first and second selections; a number of picks associated with said first and second selections, wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; at least one relationship indicator which identifies the relationship between the trigger selection and each selection picked by a player; a plurality of awards associated with the second selections; and a processor which enables the player to pick the first selections until the player picks, the trigger selection, unmasks each first selection picked by the player, activates the relationship indicator to identify the relationship between the trigger selection and the selection picked by the player, reduces the number of picks for each pick by the player from the first selections, enables the player to pick second selections when the player picks the target selection, unmasks each second selection picked by the player, reduces the number of picks for each pick by the player from the second selections and provides any awards associated with the second selections picked by the player until there are no picks remaining.

56. The gaming device of claim 55, which includes a selector for enabling the player to activate the relationship indicator.

57. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein the display device is a touch screen.

58. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein the display device is a mechanical display.

59. The gaming device of claim 58, wherein the mechanical display includes at least one movable revealing member which covers and reveals each of the first selections.

60. The gaming device of claim 59, wherein the first selections are mechanical reels that include one or more trigger symbols.

61. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein the second selections replace the first selections on the display device.

62. The gaming device of claim 55, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player runs out of picks before picking the trigger selection.

63. The gaming device of claim 55, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player picks the trigger selection with the last pick.

64. The gaming device of claim 55, which includes at least one additional pick provided to the player for the second selections.

65. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of sets including masked first selections; at least one trigger selection included in each of said sets; a plurality of masked second selections; at least one display device which displays the sets of first selections and the second selections; a number of picks associated with each of the sets and the second selections, wherein the number of picks for each set is greater than the number of first selections in that set; a plurality of awards associated with the second selections; and a processor which enables a player to pick first selections in each of the sets until the player picks the trigger selection in the sets unmasks each picked first selection, reduces the number of picks associated with each set for each first selection picked by the player in those sets, enables the player to pick the second selections when the player picks at least one trigger selection, unmasks each nicked second selection, provides a total number of picks to the player based on the sum of the picks remaining for each set, reduces the total number of picks for each pick by the player from the second selections, and provides any awards to the player associated with the second selections picked by the player until there are no picks remaining.

66. The gaming device of claim 65, which includes at least one additional pick associated with one of the first selections in each of the sets.

67. The gaming device of claim 65, which includes at least one multiplier associated with one of the first selections in each of the sets.

68. The gaming device of claim 65, which includes at least one additional pick associated with one of the second selections.

69. The gaming device of claim 65, which includes at least one multiplier associated with one of the second selections.

70. The gaming device of claim 65, which includes a consolation award provided to the player when the player does not pick any of the trigger selections in the sets before running out of picks for said sets.

71. The gaming device of claim 65, which includes at least one additional pick associated with each of the trigger selections in the sets.

72. The gaming device of claim 65, which includes at least one additional pick provided to the player for the second selections.

73. The gaming device of claim 65, wherein the display device is a touch screen.

74. The gaming device of claim 65, wherein the display device is a mechanical display.

75. The gaming device of claim 74, wherein the mechanical display includes at least one movable revealing member which covers and reveals the first selections in each of the sets.

76. The gaming device of claim 75, in the first selections are mechanical reels that include one or more trigger symbols.

77. The gaming device of claim 65, wherein the second selections replace the sets of first selections on the display device.

78. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a plurality of masked first selections, including a trigger selection to a player; (b) displaying a number of picks to the player, wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; (c) enabling the player to pick at least one of the first selections until the player picks the trigger selection; (d) unmasking the picked first selection; (e) reducing the number of picks for each first selection picked by the player; (f) repeat steps (c) to (e) until the player picks the trigger selection; (g) displaying a plurality of masked second selections to the player when the player picks the trigger selection, wherein the second selections are associated with (h) enabling the player to pick at least one of the second selections; (i) unmasking each picked second selection; (j) reducing the number of picks for each second selection picked by the player; (k) providing any award to the player associated with each second selection picked by the slayer; and (j) repeating steps (h) to (k) until there are no picks remaining.

79. The mod of claim 78, the first and second selections are displayed on a touch screen.

80. The method of claim 78, wherein the first and second selections are displayed on a mechanical display.

81. The method of claim 78, wherein the number of picks is reduced by a predetermined amount.

82. The method of claim 78, wherein the number of picks is reduced by a random amount.

83. The method of claim 78, wherein the awards include a plurality of relatively small awards and at least one relatively large award.

84. The method of 78, includes the step of providing a consolation award to the player if the player picks the trigger selection with the final pick.

85. The method of claim 78, which includes the step of providing at least one additional pick to the player when the player picks one of the first or second selections.

86. The method of claim 78, which includes the step of providing at least one multiplier to the player when the player picks one of the first or second selections.

87. The method of claim 78, wherein the first selections include a plurality of trigger selections.

88. The gaming device of claim 78, wherein the second selections replace the first selections.

89. The method of claim 78, wherein the steps (a) to are provided to the player through a data network.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the data network is an internet.

91. The method of claim 78, which includes the step of providing at least one additional pick to the player for the second selections.

92. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a plurality of masked first selections including at least one trigger selection and a plurality of masked second selections to a player, wherein a plurality of awards are associated with the second selections; (b) displaying a number of picks to the player wherein the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections; (c) enabling the player to pick the first selections until the player picks the trigger selection; (d) unmasking each picked first selection; (e) reducing the number of picks for each first selection picked by the player; (f) enabling the player to pick the second selections when the player picks the trigger selection; (g) unmasking each picked second selection; (h) reducing the number of picks for each second selection picked by the player; (i) providing any award to the player for each second selection picked by the player and (j) repeating steps (c) to (i) until there are no picks remaining.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gaming device having a pick reduction game.

Gaming device manufacturers strive to make gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment and excitement as possible. Providing a secondary or bonus game in which a player has an opportunity to win potentially large awards or credits in addition to the awards associated with the primary or base game of the gaming device is one known method for enhancing player enjoyment and excitement.

Gaming devices having bonus games generally employ a triggering event that occurs during the operation of the base game of the gaming device. The triggering event temporarily stalls or halts the base game play and enables a player to enter a second, different game, which is the secondary or bonus game. The player plays the bonus game, likely receives an award, and returns to the base game.

Bonus games exist that include reels having target symbols or target symbol combinations where the player receives a bonus award for obtaining the particular target symbol or target symbol combination on the reels. The bonus award may be a predetermined award or a random award. In some bonus games, the bonus award is modified based on the number of attempts used by the player to obtain the target symbol or target symbol combination on the reels. The modified bonus award is provided to the player once the player obtains the target symbol or target symbol combination on the reels.

One such bonus game is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,445, which is assigned to Acres Gaming, Inc. In this patent, several gaming machines having a plurality of reels are interconnected over a gaming network. Each of the gaming machines displays a plurality of reels having various symbols to the player in a primary or base game. If the player obtains a predetermined winning combination of symbols on the reels after a spin, a bonus game is triggered and a bonus award is provided to start the bonus game. In the bonus game, the bonus award immediately decreases after the first spin of the reels. Subsequently, the bonus award continues to decrease after each spin until the player obtains one of the winning symbols or winning symbol combinations on the reels. The player then receives the modified bonus award.

Gaming devices that increase the opportunities to obtain awards and increase the size of the awards are desirable. Players are attracted to games that provide several larger awards and the opportunity to obtain a very large award. Therefore, to increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide new games for gaming devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a gaming device having a pick reduction game and specifically, a bonus game. In one embodiment, primarily discussed herein, the gaming device displays a plurality of first selections, which are masked or hidden, to the player. Additionally, the gaming device displays a number of picks to the player. The number of picks is preferably greater than the number of first selections. However, in another embodiment, the number of picks may be equal to or less than the number of first selections.

The player uses the picks to pick selections from the plurality of first selections until the player picks a trigger selection. The number of picks are reduced by each pick by the player. Once the player obtains the trigger selection, the gaming device displays a plurality of second selections to the player. The first and second selections may be displayed separately on the same display device or on different display devices, or the second selections may replace the first selections on the same display device. The player uses the remaining number of picks to pick selections from the plurality of second selections. The plurality of second selections are associated with awards. Initially, the awards are masked or hidden from the player and an award is revealed after the player picks the second selection associated with that award. In one embodiment, if the player picks the trigger selection with the player's last pick or the player runs out of picks before picking the trigger selection, the player receives a consolation award. In another embodiment such as in a primary game, the player does not receive any awards and the game ends.

In a further embodiment, the gaming device provides the player with additional picks to choose second selections in the game. If the player has picks remaining after picking the trigger selection, the player also receives the additional picks to choose second selections to receive extra awards. If the player does not have any picks remaining, the player just receives the additional picks and thereby has the minimum number of picks to pick second selections in the bonus game. In this embodiment, the player receives at least a minimum number of picks to pick second selections and obtain awards in the bonus game.

The player's goal is to obtain the trigger selection from the plurality of first selections as quickly as possible so that the player has the maximum number of picks to use to pick selections from the plurality of second selections. The player uses the picks to choose second selections from the plurality of second selections and accumulates the awards associated with each of the second selections picked by the player. The total accumulated award obtained by the player when the player has no picks remaining is the award provided to the player at the end of the bonus game. In one embodiment, the awards include at least one relatively large award. In this manner, the player still has an opportunity to obtain the relatively large award, even if the player has only one pick to use to choose selections from the plurality of second selections.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a bonus symbol is associated with one or more of the plurality of first selections and/or one or more of the plurality of second selections. The bonus symbol provides the player with a predetermined or random number of additional picks in the bonus game. The player may use the additional picks to obtain the trigger selection from the plurality of first selections and thereby receive more picks to choose selections from the plurality of second selections. Additionally, if the player picks the bonus symbol from the plurality of second selections, the player obtains additional picks and thereby receives more awards and possibly, a relatively large award. In a further embodiment, at least one additional pick is associated with one of the first or second selections.

In a further embodiment, relationship indicators are displayed to the player and associated with the plurality of first selections. In one embodiment, the relationship indicators automatically indicate the location or relationship of the trigger selection with respect to the player's last selection or pick from the plurality of first selections. In another embodiment, the player may choose to receive a "hint" by pressing a button or selector and use the relationship indicators to indicate the relative location of the trigger selection in the plurality of first selections. If the player chooses to use the "hint" and thereby the relationship indicators, the player in one embodiment will lose one or more picks to obtain this advantage. Otherwise, the player does not have to use the relationship indicators and may proceed as described above.

In still a further embodiment, the number of picks, the plurality of first selections, and the plurality of second selections displayed to the player by the gaming device are displayed in various shapes, characters or symbols. Preferably, the number of picks, the plurality of first selections and the plurality of second selections are designated with symbols or characters that are associated with the theme of the game.

In an alternative embodiment, the first selections are displayed on a mechanical display. The selections on the mechanical display are covered by movable revealing members such as mechanical doors that move such as by raising and lowering over the selections to reveal or hide the selections, respectively. In one aspect of this embodiment, the selections are displayed on a video display device and the mechanical doors slide over the display device. In another aspect of this embodiment, the mechanical doors slide over mechanical reels, which spin to indicate one or more trigger selections.

In another alternative embodiment, a plurality of sets of first selections are displayed to a player. Each set includes at least one trigger selection. Additionally, a picks remaining display is associated with each of the sets of first selections where a number of picks is indicated in each picks remaining display. The player uses the picks to pick first selections in each of the sets. The player continues to pick first selections in each of the sets until the player picks the trigger selection in one or more of the sets or until there are no picks remaining in the sets. The number of picks indicated in each picks remaining display after the player is finished picking selections, is summed or totaled to provide the player with a total number of picks remaining for the set of seconds selections. The player uses the total number of picks to choose second selections to obtain awards. Alternatively, the player must pick the trigger in each set of first selections to get to the set of second selections. In further alternative embodiments, the player must pick the trigger selection in at least two of the sets of first selections, in one or more specific sets, or in any desired combination of sets.

Although the present invention is primarily discussed relative to the bonus game of a gaming device, it should be appreciated that the present invention could be employed as a primary game in a gaming device.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device having a pick reduction game that provides an opportunity for a player to obtain a large award.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide larger awards to players that increase player excitement and entertainment.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a front perspective of another embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged front elevation views of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E are enlarged front elevation views of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating the first four picks by a player from a plurality of first selections where the player chooses the trigger selection with the player's final pick in the game.

FIGS. 4F and 4G are enlarged front elevation views of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating the first and only pick by a player from a plurality of second selections where the player picks the relatively large award.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are enlarged front elevation views of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating another embodiment of the present invention where the plurality of first selections and the plurality of second selections include a bonus symbol.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention where the bonus game includes relationship indicators associated with the plurality of first selections.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating another embodiment of the present invention where the player has an option of using the relationship indicators associated with the plurality of first selections.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are enlarged front elevation views of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating another embodiment of the present invention where the picks remaining display, plurality of first selections, and plurality of second selections are designated by different symbols.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged front elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein mechanical doors cover the first selections and move or slide up and down to hide and reveal the first selections.

FIG. 9B is an enlarged front elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the mechanical doors of FIG. 9A cover mechanical reels that display the first selections.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating another embodiment of the present invention wherein multiple sets of first selections are displayed to a player.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Gaming Device and Electronics

Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B as gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b, respectively. Gaming device 10a and/or gaming device 10b are generally referred to herein as gaming device 10. Gaming device 10 in one embodiment has the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine. It is constructed so that a player can operate it while standing or sitting, and gaming device 10 is preferably mounted in a cabinet. However, it should be appreciated that gaming device 10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while sitting. Furthermore, gaming device 10 can be constructed with varying cabinet and display designs, as illustrated by the designs shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Gaming device 10 can also be implemented as a program code stored in a detachable cartridge for operating a hand-held video game device. Also, gaming device 10 can be implemented as a program code stored on a disk or other memory device which a player can use in a desktop or laptop personal computer or other computerized platform.

Gaming device 10 can incorporate any primary game such as slot, poker, blackjack or keno, and any of the bonus triggering events and bonus games associated with these primary games. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical, electronic or video form.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 includes a coin slot 12 and bill acceptor 14 where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot 12 or paper money or ticket vouchers in the bill acceptor 14. Other devices could be used for accepting payment such as readers or validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display 16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Play button 20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes a bet display 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the player pushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the credit display 16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display 22 increases by one. Other bet or wager indicators such as a bet max button may also be employed in the gaming device of present invention.

A player may cash out and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player cashes out, the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28. The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.

Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 30, and the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display device 30 as well as an upper display device 32. Gaming device 10 in one embodiment displays a plurality of reels 34 such as three to five reels 34 in mechanical or video form at one or more of the display devices. However, it should be appreciated that the display devices can display any visual representation or exhibition, including but not limited to movement of physical objects such as mechanical reels and wheels, dynamic lighting and video images. A display device can be any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any other display mechanism. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device for the video reels 34 is preferably a video monitor. Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 36 for producing sounds such as music.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the general electronic configuration of gaming device 10 preferably includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a central display device 30; an upper display device 32; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36; and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. One or more secondary processors may also be employed in conjunction with the primary processor to control certain aspects of the game function. The memory device 40 can include random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 40 can also include read only memory (ROM) 48 for storing program code which controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses the input devices 44, such as pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one button 24 and the cash out button 26 to input signals into gaming device 10. In certain instances it is preferable to use a touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52 instead of a conventional video monitor display device. Touch screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 are connected to a video controller 54 and processor 38. A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device 10 by touching touch screen 50 at the appropriate places. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 38 can be connected to coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14. The processor 38 can be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to start the game.

It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively or alternatively referred to herein as a "processor"). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside on each gaming device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 38 and memory device 40 are generally referred to herein as the "computer" or "controller." With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, to operate the gaming device 10, in one embodiment the player must insert the appropriate amount of money or tokens at coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14 and then pull the arm 18 or push the play button 20. The reels 34 will then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 will come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels 34 again. Depending upon where the reels 34 stop, the player may or may not win a