Title: System and method for providing repeated elimination bonus in gaming activities
Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating participation in a slot game. A display grid having a plurality of active display segments is presented. Symbols are randomly presented in each active display segment that has not expired. The active display segments that have expired in response to at least one randomly-selected expiration parameter are deactivated. The presentation of symbols in each of the active display segments, and the deactivation of active display segments that have expired, is repeated until a predetermined number of the active display segments have been deactivated through expiration.
Patent Number: 6,997,804 Issued on 02/14/2006 to Berman
| Inventors:
|
Berman; Bradley (Minnetonka, MN)
|
| Assignee:
|
King Show Games LLC (Minnetonka, MN)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
665915 |
| Filed:
|
September 19, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
463/20 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
A63F 13/10 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
463/18- 21
273/143.R
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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| 5697843 | Dec., 1997 | Manship et al.
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| 5704835 | Jan., 1998 | Dietz, II.
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| 5725428 | Mar., 1998 | Achmuller.
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| 5890962 | Apr., 1999 | Takemoto.
| |
| 5947820 | Sep., 1999 | Morro et al.
| |
| 5980384 | Nov., 1999 | Barrie.
| |
| 5997401 | Dec., 1999 | Crawford.
| |
| 6004208 | Dec., 1999 | Takemoto et al.
| |
| 6102798 | Aug., 2000 | Bennett.
| |
| 6159097 | Dec., 2000 | Gura.
| |
| 6159098 | Dec., 2000 | Slomiany et al.
| |
| 6168520 | Jan., 2001 | Baerlocher et al.
| |
| 6190255 | Feb., 2001 | Thomas et al.
| |
| 6200217 | Mar., 2001 | Osawa.
| |
| 6234897 | May., 2001 | Frohm et al.
| |
| 6398218 | Jun., 2002 | Vancura.
| |
| 6634945 | Oct., 2003 | Glavich et al.
| |
Primary Examiner: Dolinar; Andrew M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/906,283, filed Jul.
16, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,140, the content of which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a display grid comprising a plurality of active display segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active display segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active display segments that have expired in response to at
least one randomly-selected expiration parameter, wherein the randomly-selected
expiration parameter comprises an expiration count;
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active display segments, and deactivating
the active display segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of
the active display segments have been deactivated; and
wherein a quantity of the expiration count is at least partly influenced by a
wager input.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising randomly selecting award amounts
from a table of alternative award amounts, wherein randomly selecting award amounts
comprises selecting a number of award amounts corresponding to the expiration count.
3. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a display grid comprising a plurality of active display segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active display segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active display segments that have expired in response to at
least one randomly-selected expiration parameter, wherein the randomly-selected
expiration parameter comprises an expiration time duration; and
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active display segments, and deactivating
the active display segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of
the active display segments have been deactivated.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein a quantity of the expiration time duration
is at least partly influenced by a wager input.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising revealing the randomly-selected
expiration parameter to the participant prior to presenting the symbols in each
of the active display segments.
6. The method of claim 3, further comprising randomly selecting the at least
one expiration parameter by randomly selecting the expiration parameter from a
table of alternative expiration parameters.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein randomly selecting the expiration parameter
comprises randomly selecting a plurality of expiration parameters with replacement.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein randomly selecting the expiration parameter
comprises randomly selecting a plurality of expiration parameters without replacement.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein randomly selecting the expiration parameter
comprises randomly selecting the expiration parameter from separate tables of alternative
expiration parameters for each of the active display segments.
10. The method of claim 3, further comprising randomly selecting the at least
one expiration parameter using an equal probability distribution for each alternative
expiration parameter option.
11. The method of claim 3, further comprising randomly selecting the at least
one expiration parameter using a weighted probability distribution for each alternative
expiration parameter option.
12. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a display grid comprising a plurality of active display segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active display segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active display segments that have expired in response to at
least one randomly-selected expiration parameter;
identifying the randomly-selected expiration parameter prior to presenting the
symbols in the active display segments; and
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active display segments, and deactivating
the active display segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of
the active display segments have been deactivated; and
wherein identifying the randomly-selected expiration parameter prior to presenting
the symbols comprises facilitating participant selection of the randomly-selected
expiration parameter.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising facilitating participant association
between particular active display segments and a corresponding randomly-selected
expiration parameter.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying the randomly-selected expiration
parameter prior to presenting the symbols comprises automatically selecting the
randomly-selected expiration parameter without participant intervention.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising individually associating a plurality
of randomly-selected expiration parameters with a plurality of the active display segments.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising associating one randomly-selected
expiration parameter with a plurality of the active display segments.
17. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a display grid comprising a plurality of active display segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active display segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active display segments that have expired in response to at
least one randomly-selected expiration parameter, wherein the randomly-selected
expiration parameter comprises an expiration count and an expiration time duration; and
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active display segments, and deactivating
the active display segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of
the active display segments have been deactivated.
18. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a mechanical reel configuration comprising a plurality of active reel segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active reel segments that have expired in response to at least
one randomly-selected expiration parameter, wherein the randomly-selected expiration
parameter comprises an expiration count;
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments, and deactivating
the active reel segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of the
active reel segments have been deactivated; and
wherein a quantity of the expiration count is at least partly influenced by a
wager input.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising randomly selecting award amounts
from a table of alternative award amounts, wherein randomly selecting award amounts
comprises selecting a number of award amounts corresponding to the expiration count.
20. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a mechanical reel configuration comprising a plurality of active reel segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active reel segments that have expired in response to at least
one randomly-selected expiration parameter wherein the randomly-selected expiration
parameter comprises an expiration time duration; and
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments, and deactivating
the active reel segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of the
active reel segments have been deactivated.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein a quantity of the expiration time duration
is at least partly influenced by a wager input.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising revealing the randomly-selected
expiration parameter to the participant prior to presenting the symbols in each
of the active reel segments.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising randomly selecting the at least
one expiration parameter by randomly selecting the expiration parameter from a
table of alternative expiration parameters.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein randomly selecting the expiration parameter
comprises randomly selecting a plurality of expiration parameters with replacement.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein randomly selecting the expiration parameter
comprises randomly selecting a plurality of expiration parameters without replacement.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein randomly selecting the expiration parameter
comprises randomly selecting the expiration parameter from separate tables of alternative
expiration parameters for each of the active reel segments.
27. The method of claim 20, further comprising randomly selecting the at least
one expiration parameter using an equal probability distribution for each alternative
expiration parameter option.
28. The method of claim 20, further comprising randomly selecting the at least
one expiration parameter using a weighted probability distribution for each alternative
expiration parameter option.
29. The method of claim 20, further comprising identifying the randomly-selected
expiration parameter prior to presenting the symbols in the active reel segments.
30. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a mechanical reel configuration comprising a plurality of active reel segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active reel segments that have expired in response to at least
one randomly-selected expiration parameter;
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments, and deactivating
the active reel segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of the
active reel segments have been deactivated;
identifying the randomly-selected expiration parameter prior to presenting the
symbols in the active reel segments; and
wherein identifying the randomly-selected expiration parameter prior to presenting
the symbols comprises facilitating participant selection of the randomly-selected
expiration parameter.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising facilitating participant association
between particular active reel segments and a corresponding randomly-selected expiration parameter.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein identifying the randomly-selected expiration
parameter prior to presenting the symbols comprises automatically selecting the
randomly-selected expiration parameter without participant intervention.
33. The method of claim 29, further comprising individually associating a plurality
of randomly-selected expiration parameters with a plurality of the active reel segments.
34. The method of claim 29, further comprising associating one randomly-selected
expiration parameter with a plurality of the active reel segments.
35. A method for facilitating participation in a slot game, comprising:
presenting a mechanical reel configuration comprising a plurality of active reel segments;
presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments that have not expired;
deactivating the active reel segments that have expired in response to at least
one randomly-selected expiration parameter wherein the randomly-selected expiration
parameter comprises an expiration count and an expiration time duration; and
repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active reel segments, and deactivating
the active reel segments that have expired, until a predetermined number of the
active reel segments have been deactivated.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to gaming systems and processes, and more
particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a gaming activity having one
or more independent bonus events in corresponding individual display segments,
where the independent bonus events are randomly eliminated from the bonus activity
while affording collective accumulation of credits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gaming devices such as slot machines have been in use in the U.S. for over
a century. The earliest slot machines originally paid out in cigars and chewing
gum. Remnants of the early slot machines are manifested in the traditional "fruit"
symbols such as cherries, lemons, oranges, etc., which represent the original flavors
of gum. Notwithstanding the similarity of the symbols and reels associated with
the slot machines of both today and yesteryear, modern day slot machine implementations
are markedly different than their mechanical ancestors. This dramatic implementation
disparity results primarily from the advent of computers and video capabilities.
Pure chance gaming devices such as slot machines have proved wildly popular,
and in recent years have rivaled and even surpassed their once untouchable table
game counterparts. One reason for this popularity is the increase in innovation,
and the recognition of the need for human stimulation. While true that a primary
motivator for people to play gaming devices is the chance to win monetary or other
prizes (in the case of legalized gambling), the intrigue and excitement of playing
these newly created machines lures people as well. It is therefore important in
the gaming industry that gaming innovations be rolled out to the participating public.
Conventionally, participation in slot machines involves initiating
the rotation of multiple reels, and allowing the machine to randomly stop the reel
rotation such that associated reel symbols line up a payline. If the symbols on
that payline correspond to a predetermined symbol combination, the participant
wins an amount corresponding to the particular symbol combination. For multi-lined
paylines, a coin or other token may be played for any one or more of the available
paylines, and each of the paylines may provide a winning payout. When this occurs,
the slot machine pays out according to the payoff table posted on the slot machine.
The payoff table informs players of the winning symbol combinations for that machine,
and what each combination pays based on the number of coins allocated for the spin.
If a winning combination occurs, the machine releases money or tokens into a payout
chute, or may award the winning amount onto a credit meter for the player. For
example, if a player initially wagered three coins and that player won a high payout,
that player may receive fifty coins of the same denomination in return, or may
receive fifty credits for continued play.
It is a continual effort in the gaming industry to develop ways to attract and
captivate players in playing gaming machines, such as slot games. One such manner
of stimulating interest and heightening excitement has been through the use of
"bonus" events. Bonus events or games are used to attract and keep players at a
gaming machine. A bonus game is typically an additional gaming reel or machine,
or a random selection device, that is enabled by a bonus qualifying signal from
an underlying or primary gaming machine. Generally, a predetermined prize-winning
combination of symbols in an underlying or primary game may result in the player
being awarded one or more bonus games. Often the bonus event has a much higher
probability of winning, thereby instilling a great interest by players in being
awarded bonus events.
There are various secondary or "bonus" events known in the art. One such bonus
event allows the player to depress a bonus spin button to allow the player one
or more additional free spins in which a winning payout may be made. Alternatively,
additional, discrete bonus reels may be used for the bonus event. In such case,
a particular symbol on any one or more of the reels which is stopped on a winning
line may result in a winning payout. In some bonus activities, the reels may be
controllable in a bonus play, unlike the underlying primary gaming play. For example,
the reels may be individually stopped, and/or the reels may be rotated slower to
allow the player to attempt to stop the reel such that the prize-winning symbol
stops on the win line. In another example, a bonus event for a video slot machine
may have a second screen where the player is rewarded with a bonus game, such as
allowing the player to pick one of five different items on the second screen, and
the selected item reveals a value won by the player. In recent times, bonus events
have become quite extravagant, sometimes leading the player through video animations
that provide visual and audio entertainment while providing clever ways in which
the participant can receive payouts of varying quantities. After engaging in the
bonus event, play resumes in the underlying, primary gaming machine.
Of these different types of bonus activities, one type includes those bonus activities
where the participant is allowed to actively participate in the bonus event. For
example, participants may be allowed to make some sort of selection in order to
make the participant feel as though he or she has in some way contributed to the
ultimate result. While this may be desirable for some participants, others are
more intrigued by the random nature of gaming devices, and may seek an exciting
manner of engaging in bonus activities without having to figure out how to best
play such a bonus round. This participant sentiment may become increasingly prevalent
where the bonus activity is entirely different from the original, standard play
of the game. For example, a standard slot machine may have a bonus activity where
an animated series of events takes place, and the participant must try to figure
out how to effectively play the bonus round. As some bonus activities become more
and more elaborate, some participants may be put off by the inherent complexities.
Another problem with prior art bonus activities is that there is conventionally
an understood "end" of the bonus activity that is sure to occur. For example, in
a bonus round where a participant is allowed to select six of twenty-four hidden
bonus amounts, the bonus round ends when the amounts associated with the six selections
have been made and credited to the participant. While it may be exciting for the
participant to engage in such a bonus round, it is largely due to the participant's
knowledge that the bonus round is likely to produce greater payout amounts than
during standard play. However, it would be desirable in the gaming industry to
provide bonus activity that is terminated based on random events, where although
statistically bound, can theoretically continue indefinitely.
The present invention recognizes the strong desirability of bonus activities
in today's gaming industry, and addresses the aforementioned and other concerns
and shortcomings of present bonus activities. The present invention provides gaming
participants with an intelligible gaming bonus activity, while providing an exciting,
visually-appealing activity having a theoretically unlimited potential for credit accumulations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other
limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present
specification, the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for facilitating
participation in a gaming system. The present invention provides a slot game event
where certain display segments are continually eliminated from the slot game event
through their expiration in response to a randomly-selected expiration parameter.
Those display segments that have not expired in this fashion continue to remain
active, and potentially accumulate credits, until they too have expired.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for
facilitating
participation in a slot game. The method includes presenting a display grid having
a plurality of active display segments, and presenting symbols in each active display
segment that has not expired. The active display segments that have expired in
response to at least one randomly-selected expiration parameter are deactivated.
The presentation of symbols in each of the active display segments, and the deactivation
of active display segments that have expired, is repeated until a predetermined
number of the active display segments have been deactivated through expiration.
In more particular embodiments of such a method, the randomly-selected expiration
parameter includes an expiration count. The randomly-selected expiration count
may include a plurality of expiration counts, where deactivating the active display
segments involves deactivating the active display segments that have expired in
response to one of the expiration counts. In a more specific embodiment, a unique
expiration count is provided for each of the active display segments, where deactivating
the active display segments involves deactivating the active display segments that
have expired in response to their corresponding unique expiration count. In another
particular embodiment, the randomly-selected expiration parameter includes an expiration
time duration. The expiration parameters are revealed to the participant in some
embodiments, while in other embodiments the expiration parameters remain concealed
so that the participant is not made aware of the expiration count, expiration time
duration, etc., and is thus unaware of when the active display segments will become
deactivated. The expiration parameters and/or the ultimate award amounts may be
randomly selected from a table of expiration parameters and award amounts respectively,
where this random selection may be a weighted or non-weighted random selection,
and may be made with or without replacement. In another particular embodiment,
the randomly-selected expiration parameters are automatically determined by the
gaming system, while in other embodiments the participant is allowed to choose
from a plurality of items that ultimately define the expiration parameter to be
used for a particular display segment. Expiration parameters may be provided for
each of the display segments, or alternatively an expiration parameter may be used
for two or more of the display segments. In another specific embodiment, the randomly-selected
expiration parameter is a randomly-selected expiration decision performed each
time that the symbols are to be presented in each of the active display segments.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided
for
facilitating participation in a slot game. The method includes presenting a display
grid having a plurality of active display segments, and presenting symbols in each
of the active display segments that have not expired. Each active display segment
is deactivated where it has expired in response to its presentation of symbols
a number of times corresponding to a respective expiration count value. The presentation
of symbols in each of the active display segments, and the deactivation of active
display segments that have expired, is repeated until all of the active display
segments have been deactivated through expiration.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided
for
facilitating participation in a slot game, where the method includes presenting
a display grid or reel configuration having multiple active display segments, and
presenting symbols in each of the active display segments. The active display segments
that are associated with a discontinue symbol are deactivated. The method further
involves repeatedly presenting symbols in each of the active display segments,
and deactivating the active display segments associated with the discontinue symbols,
until a predetermined number of the active display segments have been deactivated.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a casino gaming apparatus
is provided which hosts a gaming activity having at least a standard mode of operation
and a bonus mode of operation. The casino gaming apparatus includes a video screen
to present a display grid having a plurality of display cells, and a user interface
to facilitate player participation in at least the standard mode of operation.
The gaming apparatus includes a processor, which is configured to designate a plurality
of the display cells as active display cells in response to a predetermined symbol
combination occurring during the standard mode of operation. During the bonus mode
of operation, the processor facilitates the random presentation of symbols in the
active display cells and the deactivation of the active display cells that presented
symbols a number of times corresponding to a randomly-selected expiration count.
The random presentation of symbols and deactivation of the display cells that reached
the randomly-selected expiration count is repeated until all of the active display
cells have been deactivated.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize
the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and
form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages,
and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which
form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there
are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus in accordance with
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in connection with the embodiments illustrated in
the following diagrams.
FIGS. 1-A through 1-J illustrate a sequence of events carried out in
connection with a slot game in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1-J illustrates an example where the eliminated display segments retain
an image of the stop-bonus symbol that brought about the respective display segment's elimination;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment in which physical or virtual
reel strips are associated with a slot game in the standard and bonus modes in
accordance with the invention;
FIGS. 3-A and 3-B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the elimination
bonus methodology used in connection with a video display device in accordance
with the invention;
FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in which the principles
of the present invention may be applied;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a representative computing system capable of carrying
out operations in accordance with the invention;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow diagrams illustrating representative embodiments of
the elimination bonus features in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention employing display
segment expiration techniques in connection with the elimination bonus features
of the present invention;
FIGS. 9-A and 9-B illustrate a sequence of events carried out in connection
with a slot machine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention employing
display segment expiration; and
FIGS. 10-A, 10-B, and 10-C are representative embodiments wherein
the gaming participant is afforded an opportunity to make a selection that ultimately
identifies the expiration parameters that a particular display segment(s) will
be subject to.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood
that other embodiments may be utilized, as structural and operational changes may
be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus
for facilitating participation in a slot game, such as that played on a slot machine
or other computing device. Certain display segments of a display grid are continually
eliminated from the slot game event, by becoming associated with a predetermined
one or more discontinue symbols. Those display segments that are not eliminated
in this fashion continue to remain active, and potentially accumulate credits,
until they too are eliminated from the slot game event.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the invention is generally
directed to a gaming method and apparatus where certain display segments are continually
eliminated from the slot game event through their expiration in response to a randomly-selected
expiration parameter. Those display segments that have not expired in this fashion
continue to remain active, and potentially accumulate credits, until they too have expired.
The present invention, as described more fully below, is applicable to a variety
of gaming activities that are played on a gaming machine, including slot games
such as reel slots and video slots, electronic poker and other electronic card
games, keno, bingo, craps, dice, roulette, etc. The present invention is, however,
described in large part in the present description in terms of slot machines to
provide an understanding of the invention. For example, in the context of slot
games/machines, the present invention allows slot game participants to partake
in a standard slot game, while having the opportunity to become engaged in a bonus
activity according to the present invention. While the invention is particularly
advantageous in the context of slot machines, and while a description in terms
of slot machines facilitates an understanding of the invention, the invention is
equally applicable to other gaming activities of chance as will be readily apparent
to those of skill in the art from the description provided herein.
More particularly, an exemplary gaming system in which the principles of the
present invention are particularly beneficial includes at least one standard gaming
activity, and at least one bonus activity. For example, in the context of slot
machines, a standard gaming activity includes the normal slot game in which the
participant places a wager, initiates spinning the slot game reels, and collects
payouts upon the occurrence of one of a plurality of predetermined winning symbol
combinations. A bonus activity is an activity different from the standard gaming
activity, which generally only occurs at certain times. In other words, where the
standard gaming activity is the gaming activity that is presented to the participant
automatically in connection with play of the gaming device, a bonus activity is
not automatically presented to the participant. Rather, the bonus activity is generally
a special occurrence awarded to the participant for an occurrence resulting from
standard gaming play. For example, a bonus event may be awarded to a slot game
participant if a resulting symbol combination occurring during standard slot game
activity corresponds to a symbol combination determined in advance to result in
a bonus event award. Bonus events are typically used to attract and keep players
at a gaming machine, and is typically an additional gaming reel or machine, or
a random selection device, that is enabled by a bonus qualifying signal from an
underlying or primary gaming activity. Generally, a predetermined combination of
symbols in an underlying game may result in the player being awarded one or more
bonus games. Often the bonus event has a much higher probability of winning, thereby
instilling a great interest by players in being awarded bonus events.
As is described more fully below, the present invention provides a repeated bonus
activity that, over time, statistically diminishes in potential payout opportunities
through individual display segment elimination from the bonus activity. It should
be recognized, however, that the principles of the present invention may be utilized
in a standard mode of play rather than a bonus mode of play. Those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that the invention may be utilized in a standard mode
of play from the description provided herein. While the present invention may be
carried out in a standard play mode, an exemplary embodiment of the invention utilizes
the present invention in a secondary, or bonus mode, and while embodiments of the
invention are largely described herein in connection with such a bonus mode of
operation, the invention is not limited thereto.
In order to provide an understanding of the operation of the invention, FIGS.
1-A through
1-J illustrate a sequence of events carried out in connection
with a slot machine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1-A
illustrates an example of a slot game grid
100 that may be presented on
a slot game display
102. Different slot games may exhibit a variety of different
reel characteristics and display formats. For example, some slot games include
a conventional three-reel configuration traditionally used in mechanical-reel slot
machines. In a three-reel configuration, three reels each having an associated
reel strip of symbols rotate vertically as viewed by the participant. The reels
stop at random locations, thereby presenting the participant with one, two, or
three paylines of potentially winning symbol combinations, depending on the amount
wagered by the participant. In more recent times, this traditional reel display
format has changed significantly, largely due to the ability to present electronic
reels on a display screen. This has resulted in a variety of different reel formats,
including greater quantities of vertically rotating electronic reels, greater numbers
of paylines, and paylines that are vertical, diagonal, as well as the traditional
horizontal paylines. The present invention is applicable with any reel configuration.
Therefore, the slot game grid
100 of FIG. 1-A is shown as having an indeterminate
number of rows and columns, which can accordingly represent an indeterminate number
of reels, paylines, and the like.
The slot game grid
100 of FIG. 1-A includes a number of rows, which may
represent different paylines. However, as will be described more fully below, rows
do not necessarily correspond to paylines in accordance with the present invention.
Each row includes one or more display segments. The first row includes display
segments
110,
112,
114, through some predetermined number
of display segments represented by display segment
118. Similarly, a second
row includes display segments
120,
122,
124 through
128,
and a third row includes display segments
130,
132,
134 through
138. Depending on the number of display segments, rows, paylines, etc. desired,
additional rows through the final row are provided, where the final row includes
display segments
140,
142,
144 through
148. Thus, FIG.
1-A is intended to represent a generic slot game grid having any number or combination
of display segments.
Referring now to FIG. 1-B, the slot game grid
100 presented on the
display
102 illustrates how symbols ultimately correspond to the display
segments. For example, the slot game state represented in FIG. 1-B may include
at least four rotating reels (e.g., virtual reels), including the reels corresponding
to columns
150,
152,
154 through
158. When the reels
randomly come to a stop in accordance with a standard mode of slot game play, slot
game symbols are presented in each of the display segments as shown in FIG. 1-B.
In some instances, the "symbol" may be a blank symbol as shown in display segments
112 and
128. Each of the various rows
160,
162,
164
through
168 may represent various paylines, where a predetermined combination
of symbols in any of the paylines may produce a winning combination and payout
during the standard mode of play. Paylines may also be provided in other manners,
such as vertically through columns
150,
152,
154 through
158
(particularly where each of the symbols in such columns are not in a predetermined
reel strip configuration). Paylines may also be made diagonally, or in some other
predetermined pattern. The particular manner in which paylines are formed during
a standard mode of play is not of particular importance to the present invention.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined
pattern, number of symbols, or other predetermined symbol configuration will initiate
a secondary mode of play, referred to herein as a bonus mode of play. The bonus
mode can be initiated by a certain symbol combination arising on any of the paylines
of the slot game grid
100, or by a certain predetermined symbol combination
arising anywhere on the grid
100. In the example of FIG. 1-B, a predetermined
symbol combination of three cloud symbols initiates the bonus activity. These three
cloud symbols are shown in display segments
114,
130, and
142.
It should be noted that any predetermined symbol can initiate the bonus activity,
as well as any number of such symbols arising (e.g., one, two, etc.) Again, for
purposes of illustration, three cloud symbols trigger the bonus mode in the present example.
When the bonus-triggering symbols are presented during the standard mode of
play, the bonus mode is initiated. In accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention, the display segments
114,
130, and
142 corresponding
to the bonus-triggering symbols become the display segments to be used in the bonus
activity. This can be seen in FIG. 1-C, where display segments
114,
130,
and
142 remain "active," but the remaining display segments
110,
112,
118,
120,
122,
124,
128,
132,
134,
138,
140,
144, and
148 temporarily become
"inactive." In one embodiment of the invention, these inactive display segments
are de-emphasized during the bonus mode of play, such as by graying out these display
segments or otherwise providing some other visual manner of distinguishing the
inactive and active display segments.
The bonus activity according to one embodiment of the invention includes randomly
or pseudo-randomly updating the active display segments
114,
130,
142 with bonus symbols that may provide the participant with credits won
through the bonus activity. For example, referring to FIG. 1-D, the bonus activity
includes individually re-spinning virtual reels in each of the display segments
114,
130,
142. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention,
the bonus mode is automatically initiated upon the bonus-triggering event as described
in connection with FIG. 1-C. Alternatively, the participant may be notified visually,
audibly, or otherwise that the bonus mode is available, thereby prompting the participant
to initiate the spinning of the active display segments
114,
130,
142 through a user interface.
The bonus mode according to the present invention utilizes a random number generator
(RNG) to randomly (or pseudo-randomly) determine which bonus symbols will be presented
in the display segments
114,
130,
142 during the bonus activity.
The degree in which the symbols are selected "randomly" may be configured as desired,
such as by controlling the degree in which the symbol is randomly selected through
desired statistical probability outcomes. FIG. 1-E illustrates the display segments
114,
130,
142 after the display segment "spinning" is stopped
pursuant to the RNG. The ultimately resulting symbols that are randomly presented
in each of these active display segments may be common to the symbols used during
the standard mode of play, or alternatively may be a different set of symbols used
just during the bonus mode of play. In the illustrated embodiment, the bonus symbols
are different than those used in the standard mode of play, and include stop-bonus
symbols such as the stop-sign symbol in display segment
130, as well as
continue-bonus symbols such as the star symbols in display segments
114
and
142.
The continue-bonus symbols associated with display segments
114 and
142
result in continued bonus activity at these display segments. An amount value,
corresponding to a number of coins or credits won, may be displayed in connection
with the continue-bonus symbols. For example, the star continue-bonus symbol at
display segment
114 indicates that one hundred credits were randomly awarded,
and the star continue-bonus symbol at the display segment
142 indicates
that twenty-five credits were awarded. Thus, this particular bonus round of the
entire bonus activity resulted in a total of one hundred and twenty-five credits
being awarded to the participant. The continue-bonus symbols may be associated
with positive credit/coin awards, i.e., a credit award greater than zero. Alternatively,
the continue-bonus symbols may be associated with no credits/coins (i.e., a null
credit award), but that display segment will remain active for further bonus activity.
In another embodiment, the continue-bonus symbols may even be associated with negative
credits, such that credit accumulations are taken away from the participant, although
the display segment will remain active for anticipated further credit accumulations.
In still further embodiments, a plurality of matching continue-bonus symbols may
be required in order to obtain a particular credit value.
Each time a continue-bonus symbol is presented during the bonus activity, whether
or not associated with a credit/coin award, the corresponding display segment remains
active, resulting in further chances to accumulate credits/coins via that display
segment. On the other hand, stop-bonus symbols such as the stop symbol in display
segment
130 are deactivated, and therefore eliminated from further activity
during this particular round of play. As will be described in greater detail, the
bonus mode according to the present invention may theoretically continue indefinitely,
as the random selection of continue-bonus symbols can repeatedly be presented in
the display segments during the bonus mode. Thus, there is no scheduled end to
the bonus round, but rather, the bonus activity ends when all or a predetermined
number of the active display segments have been eliminated from the bonus round
through deactivation of the corresponding display segments upon random receipt
of a stop-bonus (i.e., discontinue) symbol. This is described in greater detail
in FIGS. 1-F through
1-J below.
Referring next to FIG. 1-F, the non-eliminated, active display segments
114,
142 re-spin due to a continue-bonus symbol having been previously
associated with these display segments. Display segment
130, on the other
hand, has been de-emphasized due to its earlier elimination resulting from the
stop-bonus symbol being presented in display segment
130. It should be noted
that in one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the active display segments
114,
142 having a continue-bonus symbol may be "held" for use in
the next spin.
Upon completion of the spinning of the remaining display segments
114,
142, a random symbol presentation is presented in the active display segments
114,
142 as shown in FIG. 1-G. In this example, the ultimately resulting
bonus symbols that are randomly presented in these active display segments include
a continue-bonus symbol (e.g., star symbol) in display segment
114, and
a stop-bonus symbol (e.g., stop-sign symbol) in display segment
142. In
the illustrated example, the continue-bonus symbol at display segment
114
has an associated credit award of fifty credits, thereby adding an additional fifty
credits to the participant's accumulated credit total. As previously described,
display segment
114 remains active for further bonus activity due to its
association with a continue-bonus symbol. On the other hand, the stop-bonus symbol
associated with display segment
142 results in display segment
142
being deactivated and eliminated from further bonus activity. It should be recognized
that stop-bonus symbols, as with continue-bonus symbols, may be associated with
a credit award even though the associated display segment is eliminated from further
involvement with that particular bonus activity.
This process of repeatedly eliminating the availability of display segments
during the bonus activity continues, as shown in FIG. 1-H. FIG. 1-H shows that
the remaining active display segments, display segment
114 in this example,
again provide a random selection process of a new bonus symbol, as illustrated
by the display segment spinning action of display segment
114. The previously-eliminated
display segment
142 is optionally de-emphasized. When a bonus symbol has
been randomly selected, it is presented in display segment
114 as shown
in FIG. 1-I. In this example, the bonus symbol is, by random chance, a stop-bonus
symbol. However, the symbol could have been a continue-bonus symbol, thereby awarding
the participant with any associated credit value, and maintaining the display segment
114 as an active display segment. Because of the random nature of the presentation
of continue-bonus and stop-bonus symbols, the bonus activity has no set termination.
However, in other embodiments of the invention, a maximum number of spins or other
termination point may be defined.
The display segments that have been eliminated from the bonus activity may be,
as previously described, de-emphasized, as the original inactive display segments
were. Alternatively, the display segments that have been eliminated from the bonus
activity may retain a visual cue to identify that display segment as a once-active
display segment associated with the bonus activity. FIG. 1-J illustrates such an
example, where the elimination of display segments
130,
142 retain
an image of the stop-bonus symbol that brought about the respective display segment's
elimination. Other images can alternatively be provided in these eliminated display
segments as well.
It should be noted that any predetermined number of symbols, in any predetermined
arrangement, can be used to initiate the bonus activity in accordance with the
invention. Further, an exemplary embodiment of the invention utilizes the same
display segments for purposes of the bonus round that initially gave rise to the
bonus round. For example, display segments
114,
130, and
142
initially gave rise to the bonus round in the example of FIGS. 1-A through
1-I,
and these same display segments were therefore used in the bonus activity. Alternatively,
a different display segment arrangement could be used for the bonus round, but
implementing the repeated elimination process described above. Thus, once the bonus
activity is initiated, any predetermined arrangement and/or number of display segments
could be used in the elimination bonus activity described herein. For example,
even where the display segments
114,
130,
142 originally give
rise to the bonus activity, an alternative embodiment includes utilizing, for example,
the top row
160 of the slot game grid as the relevant display segments.
In one embodiment of the invention, the standard mode of play may implement a
first set of physical or electronic (e.g., virtual) reel strips, and the bonus
mode of play may implement a different set of reel strips, where each reel strip
provides a symbol set. Further, the standard mode of play may implement physical
or virtual reel strips where multiple sequential symbols of the reel strip is provided
on multiple paylines during the standard mode of play. For example, referring to
FIG. 2, a slot machine
200 is shown in the standard mode of play. In this
example, the standard mode includes three paylines, shown as payline-
1 202,
payline-
2 204, and payline-
3 206. The reel strips associated
with the standard mode of play may be provided as physical strips having symbols
imprinted thereon, such that the stopping point of the reel strip determines which
symbols will fall on the paylines
202,
204,
206. For example,
a first reel strip, RS-
1 210 includes a series of symbols. This reel
strip, when stopped, presents a group of symbols on the paylines
202,
204,
206. More particularly, the symbol group
212A is presented across
payline-
1 202, payline-
2 204, and payline-
3
206 as seen on the slot machine
200 as symbol group
212B.
Analogously, the symbol group
214A of RS-
2 216 is presented
across paylines
202,
204,
206 as symbol group
214B
on the slot machine
200; and the symbol group
218A of RS-
3
220 is presented across paylines
202,
204,
206 as symbol
group
218B on the slot machine
200. The same may hold true for virtual
reel strips, where the order of the symbols on the virtual reel strip may be carried
over to the order of the symbols presented across the paylines.
The operation of the reel strips, whether physical or virtual, may change in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine
200 de-emphasizes those display segments that are not "active" when entering
the bonus mode of play. Three display segments
222,
224, and
226
remain active in this example. The same reel strips used during standard play may
be used in the bonus mode, however, in the illustrated embodiment a new set of
bonus reel strips BRS-1
230, BRS-
2 232, and BRS-
3 234
are used. In the bonus mode, one embodiment of the invention involves providing
a reel strip
230,
232,
234 for each of the individual display
segments
222,
224,
226 that is active in the bonus mode of
play. Thus, bonus reel strip BRS-
1 230 will "spin" in display segment
222, bonus reel strip BRS-
2 232 will spin in display segment
224, and bonus reel strip BRS-
3 234 will spin in display segment
226. In this manner, each of the individual active display segments
222,
224,
226 operates as a discrete, self-sufficient bonus payline. As
can be seen, a single symbol such as continue-bonus symbols
240 and
242
from bonus reel strips
230 and
232 respectively may ultimately be
presented in display segments
222 and
224. Similarly, a stop-bonus
symbol
244 from bonus reel strip
234 may ultimately be presented
in display segment
226.
It should be noted that the particular reel strips, number of symbols, and type
of symbols presented on the reel strips
230,
232,
234 may
differ from one embodiment to the next. For example, each of the reel strips can
include a different symbol set altogether, rather than having symbols from a common
symbol set such as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, the symbols associated with
any of the reel strips may change. For example, after each "spin" in the bonus
mode one or more of the reel strips can change symbols, add symbols, remove symbols,
etc. In a more particular example, each time a display segment has a continue-bonus
symbol associated therewith, one or more of the continue-bonus symbols on that
reel strip may be removed, to raise the chance that a stop-bonus symbol will occur.
During bonus mode, the active display segments, such as display segments
222,
224, and
226, thus operate as individual paylines in one embodiment
of the invention. In alternative embodiments, two or more active display segments
may present symbols from a common reel strip. For example, in the case of electronic
reel strips requiring no physical relationship between the symbols, the single
bonus reel strip
230 may provide the symbols for each of the display segments
222,
224, and
226 during the bonus activity. However, in such
case, each of the active display segments
222,
224,
226 would
appear, and spin, as individual paylines. Therefore, such an embodiment is best
suited for video display segments where the reel strip is a "virtual" reel strip
generated electronically, and therefore does not require an actual, physical reel strip.
As described above, one embodiment of the invention involves operating each of
the "active" display segments individually such that the resulting symbol in each
active display segment is not reliant on symbols in other display segments to determine
a winning result. For example, a star symbol in active display segment
222
by itself may generate a winning payout, where the stop symbol in active display
segment
226 by itself may cause that particular display segment to be eliminated
from the bonus activity. In such an embodiment, the symbol presented in the active
display segment provides all the information necessary to determine whether that
display segment will continue to be active, whether it will provide a payout amount,
or whether that display segment will become inactive due to its elimination. Other
actions may also be taken from these single symbols, as different symbols may represent
different actions. One such example is that a certain symbol causes an auxiliary
action, such as doubling the payout of another continue-symbol in another d
