In one embodiment, the invention is a secondary game played concurrently with a conventional Keno game. In Keno, a player selects a plurality of numbers (e.g., 4-20) within an M×N grid (e.g., 8×10) of different numbers. A random number generator randomly selects a plurality of numbers (e.g., 20) in the grid. The player is then granted a first award based on matches between numbers that the player selected and the randomly selected numbers. As a secondary game played over the Keno game, for each number randomly selected, all numbers in the same row and column in the grid as the selected number are highlighted on the grid display. The player is granted a second award (e.g., free games) for each number not being in a highlighted row or column at the end of the Keno game. Variations of the secondary game are described.
A game involves emulating spinning and randomly stopping virtual reels. If a special symbol is displayed in the matrix, and the special symbol is not used in a winning combination of symbols, then, for the next game, the special symbol is held in its position in the array, and all the reels are spun to randomly display symbols in all positions in the matrix other than in the special symbol position. If the special symbol is used in a winning combination of symbols, the special symbol is not held. The machine may hold the special symbol for an unlimited number of games as long as the player makes a maximum bet or an extra bet. Under certain conditions, an award for a winning combination using the held special symbol is enhanced the longer the special symbol is held without being used, so the player desires to not utilize the special symbol right away.
A reel-type secondary game is played simultaneously with a conventional reel-type main game on a gaming machine. The secondary game is initiated only after the player meets certain criteria, such as betting additional credits. Once the secondary game is initiated, one or more special symbols are added to the leftmost reel and the rightmost reel used in the main game, but not the reels in-between. The added special symbols do not affect the symbols used in the main game. All the reels containing the symbols used in the main game and the one or more special symbols are rotated and randomly stopped. Awards are granted for winning symbol combinations obtained in the main game. If the special symbols align with a certain stop position, a special bonus game is played or the player wins a progressive jackpot.
A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
A63F 13/00 - Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
A gaming machine is described wherein a player first plays a primary game, such as the spinning and stopping of mechanical or video reels displaying symbols. A plurality of progressive jackpots is displayed to the player, where the progressive jackpots are incremented at different random rates. Upon a jackpot-winning outcome of the primary game, the number of different progressive jackpots paid to the player depends on the number of credits bet by the player. The jackpots are incremented upon jackpot-incrementing symbols being displayed by the reels. In one embodiment, the jackpot above each column of symbols gets incremented upon a special symbol, such as a credit value, being displayed in that column.
The present invention is a small tablet that wirelessly communicates with a stationary gaming machine. The player makes bets using the tablet. The gaming machine, and not the tablet, determines the outcome of the game and transmits the award information to the tablet. The gaming machine may be an ordinary slot machine displaying random symbols in an array or displaying another game. The player using the tablet views the display on the gaming machine to see the outcome of a game, so the tablet does not need a large display to play a game. The player who operates the gaming machine bets independently from the player using the tablet. In another embodiment, the gaming machine is operated automatically, and multiple players with tablets independently bet on a common game.
Disclosed herein is a game played on a gaming device that displays a randomly selected array of symbols, where the symbols across one or more paylines are evaluated by circuitry to determine an award to be granted. A trigger event, such as the occurrence of a certain plurality of special symbols, initiates a series of free games. The number of free games and an award multiplier associated with each free game are dependent on the particular type of special symbols making up the trigger event.
Disclosed herein is a game played on a gaming device that displays a randomly selected array of symbols, where the symbols across one or more paylines are evaluated by circuitry to determine an award to be granted. A trigger event, such as the occurrence of a special symbol (e.g., a $ symbol), initiates a special feature. Once the trigger event occurs, one of a plurality of features is randomly selected and applied to the symbols in the existing array of symbols, and an award is then granted based on the results. An example of the group of available features is: 1) multiply the number of $ symbols in the array by X credits; 2) randomly place a $ symbol on reels 1, 2, 4, and 5; 3) change certain predetermined symbols to the $ symbol; and 4) fill two, three, or four reels (randomly selected) with the $ symbol.
Upon a trigger event occurring during a main game on a video slot machine, a number of free games having a special feature are awarded to the player. For each trigger event that occurs during the free games, the lowest value symbol displayed for each free spin becomes a wild symbol or other high value symbol. The converted symbols remain converted during the entire free game session in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the converted symbols revert back to the original symbol if no further trigger event occurs in the free games. The accumulation of high value symbols over multiple spins increases the chances of the player winning an especially large award, such as a jackpot.
A game variation played on a gaming device displaying reels is disclosed. The game grants awards to the player for certain combinations of symbols. When a player gets one or more special symbols in an initial game, the player gets a free spin of one or more reels while the reels that display the special symbols are held. The player continues to get free spins as long as additional special symbols are displayed after each spin. The player may be granted awards for winning symbols combinations after each spin. In one embodiment, a certain number of special symbols across a payline awards the player a jackpot. In another embodiment, the game is a bonus game where any reels containing special, or trigger, symbols are shifted by one position after each free spin and then held for the next free spin. Only reels that do not display a trigger symbol are spun. The bonus game ends when there are no more trigger symbols displayed. The game may be played on a video gaming machine or a motor-driven reel machine. Various embodiments are described herein.
A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
A63F 13/00 - Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
10.
Enhanced play mode in a gaming machine based on contributions from player's wagers
A control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines selects one or more of the active machines to be set to an enhanced play mode. The selection may be random or based on other factors. During the enhanced play mode, free games are provided, or the awards attributed to each symbol combination are increased, or additional symbols combinations are deemed winning combinations, or other game parameters may be changed that are advantageous to the player. The wagers by all the players playing machines connected to the progressive jackpot system are used to set the number of free games or the length of the enhanced play mode. The number of free games increases or the length of time of the enhanced play mode increases along with the jackpot that may be won in the enhanced play mode until the values are reset to starting values upon a jackpot win. This technique increases the likelihood that the jackpot will be won in the enhanced play mode as the jackpot progressively increases to optimize the attractiveness of the system to players.
Disclosed herein is a game played on a gaming device that displays a randomly selected array of symbols, where the symbols across one or more pay lines are evaluated by circuitry to determine an award to be granted. In one embodiment, the gaming device allows the player to designate a position in the array for a next spin of the virtual reels. After the next spin, the symbol in that designated position becomes a scatter symbol. A scatter symbol is a symbol whose significance applies whether it occurs on a certain pay line or not. A certain number of scatter symbols in the array causes an award to be granted to the player. The scatter symbols may have other special award features, such as a providing an award multiplier or initiating a bonus game.
A secure smart card or other secure modular memory device is plugged into (or otherwise connected to) a port of a game controller board internal to a gaming machine. The smart card is programmed to detect an encrypted “challenge” message from the host CPU and output an encrypted “response.” If the host CPU determines that the response has the expected properties, then the host CPU verifies that the game program is authentic (i.e., the game program is accurate and authorized for use by that particular gaming machine and customer), and the game can be played. The challenge/request exchange may be performed before every game is played on the machine or at any other time. If the response is improper, then the host CPU will issue a halt command to halt play of the game. By controlling access to the properly programmed smart card, gaming machines cannot run unauthorized copies of the game program. Various other security features are disclosed for protecting communications and data within the gaming machine, such as erasing secure memories if tampering is detected and requiring that an authorized secure smart card be connected to each one of multiple game boards in a single gaming machine for accurate secure communications between boards.
A group of linked gaming machines generates one or more progressive jackpots, common to all the linked machines, where the amount of each jackpot is increased by a percentage of the wagers made by the players. In accordance with the invention, in order to provide incentive for the player to keep playing the machines and to add additional excitement, non-jackpot awards are paid out to players of the linked gaming machines based on triggering thresholds met by each jackpot. One type of triggering threshold may be a threshold value reached by a jackpot. Upon a jackpot reaching the threshold, one or more players will win an award. After an award win, another threshold level will then be set for the jackpot. Since the frequency of the awards being granted is generally higher than the frequency of the full jackpots being won, the players will anticipate awards being granted and will continue to play the machines. The linked gaming machines can be provided with the additional game with little or no changes to the game programs in the gaming machines, since only the existing jackpot meters are used in the game. The game may be carried out by a central processor or a master processor used for administering the jackpot.
In a virtual spinning reels type video slot machine, one or more of the possible symbols are special symbols. Examples of special symbols are wild cards and multipliers. If the special symbol cannot be utilized in the current game to grant an award to the player, the special symbol is carried over into the next game. When the player spins the reels for the next game, the special symbol(s) moves (e.g., randomly) to any position in the array as the reels appear to spin. When the reels stop, the special symbol(s) carried over from the previous game is applied to the current game to grant an award to the player. In another embodiment, special symbols are not extinguished after they are used, but may continue for any selected number of games.
In one embodiment of the invention, a top light is provided for a slot machine wherein the white light source and colored film is replaced by a red/green/blue light emitting diode (LED) source. The red, green, and blue components of the LED source are selectively controlled to produce any color and any effect (e.g., flashing) so as to generate any color code required in any jurisdiction without changing the top light for each jurisdiction.
In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game which initiates a bonus game for a certain outcome of the main game. In one embodiment, the bonus game displays a plurality of hidden objects in the form of icons. The objects may be credits, money, letters, symbols, or anything else. The player chooses one or more options, and the hidden values for the selected options are revealed to the player. The player's goal is to obtain the highest value amount by, for example, choosing the highest value icon, or by spelling words from accumulated letters, or by accumulating symbols. After each selection by the player, the gaming machine offers the player a value (e.g., a number of credits) to end the bonus game. The player may accept the offer or continue playing the bonus game to its conclusion.
Various bonus games for being played on a gaming machine are described. In one embodiment, a base game and bonus game are played on a video screen. The base game may consist of the random selection and display of a 5×3 matrix of symbols, although any size array of symbols may constitute the base game. Upon a certain outcome of the base game, all or some of the symbols in the array are replaced with values, such as different credit amounts. Each value represents a potential bonus award to the player. Various bonus games are described that select one or more displayed values as the outcome of the bonus game.
A game played on a gaming machine, or any other suitable device, is described wherein a player plays a base game, such as the random selection and display of symbols where combinations of symbols across one or more paylines grant awards to a player. Upon a triggering event, such as a certain outcome in the base game, special features are randomly selected for application to the base game. The special features may include wild cards, multipliers, and the number of game to which the special features apply. Any combination of special features may be randomly selected in response to a triggering event. Many other features are described.
A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
A63F 13/00 - Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
A gaming machine is described wherein a player first plays a primary game, such as the spinning and stopping of mechanical or video reels displaying symbols. A plurality of progressive jackpots is displayed to the player. Upon a jackpot-winning outcome of the primary game, the number of different progressive jackpots paid to the player depends on the number of credits bet by the player. In one embodiment, the jackpot above each column of symbols gets incremented upon a special symbol, such as a credit value, being displayed in that column. As the jackpots are won, other jackpots are shifted over the columns to replace the won jackpots. In another embodiment, the determination of which jackpot is won depends on the outcome of the primary game.
A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed herein. Upon a certain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machines simultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round. The players that have been playing the gaming machines will then play a certain number of free games in a competition with other players involved in the same bonus round. The player awarded the most credits or points from the play of the free games is awarded a special jackpot. Other jackpot games (e.g., split jackpot) are also envisioned. In another embodiment, a jackpot award or any award to the players may be granted based on the outcomes of the free games. In one embodiment, the base awards to the player(s) for the bonus round are multiplied by a multiplier that may be based on the number of players, based on the players' rankings, based on other outcomes of the bonus round, or a fixed or random multiplier. The possibility of the free game bonus round occurring at any time provides incentive for players to keep playing the linked gaming machines. The free game bonus round may also be played on a single non-linked machine where bonuses may be granted for credits exceeding certain levels.
In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game, such as a spinning reel type game, either using physical reels or simulated reels on a video screen. A special combination of symbols activates a video bonus game. The bonus game comprises a matrix of hidden values in the form of icons that may be selected by the player. The values that may be selected are displayed to the player in an order unrelated to the arrangement of the hidden values in the matrix so the player sees what she can possibly win. The player then makes her selections to win the hidden awards. In one embodiment, the player only makes a predetermined number of selections. In another embodiment, the player makes selections until an end-of-game value is selected. After each selection, the displayed values may change.
A mounting bracket for a slot machine is disclosed herein, where the slot machine is slid onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket insures proper alignment of the slot machine onto the platform and secures the slot machine into position.
In a gaming machine, unlocking a first lock enables an attendant to open the front door of the gaming machine, allowing access to the internal circuitry of the gaming machine but not allowing access to the money in the gaming machine. Unlocking a second lock enables an attendant to open a second access barrier to gain access to the money. Since access to the internal circuitry is separated from access to the money, better security control is provided.
G07F 17/34 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements depending on the stopping of moving members, e.g. "fruit" machines
In a system of linked gaming machines, upon a certain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machines simultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round. The players that have been playing the gaming machines will then play a certain number of free games in a competition with other players involved in the same bonus round. A free game pot, common to all the linked machines involved in the free games, pays all awards for the free games. Since the free game pot must fully support the free games prior to a free game round being initiated, and the requirement for the free game pot amount dynamically changes based on the number of eligible machines to be involved in the free game round, the percentage from the wagers for paid games allocated to the free game pot is dynamically adjusted.
In one embodiment, a certain number of special games are granted to a player, or the special games are only enabled for a certain time period. The special games may be free bonus games or paid games. At the end (or beginning) of each special game, at least one position in the array of symbols is designated as a special symbol. The special symbol may be a wild card, a scatter symbol, a multiplier, or any other special symbol. The special symbol selected for a particular game is carried over into the next special game, so the special symbols are accumulated and remain in their positions in the array for the series of special games. Awards, if any, are granted after each game based on the use of the special symbol(s) in combination with other symbols across one or more pay lines. The special symbol position in the array (or the special symbol type) may be selected by the gaming machine or by the player. Other embodiments are disclosed where special symbols are designated by the gaming machine or the player.
In one embodiment, a video slot machine displays an array of symbols, and awards are granted to the player based on certain combinations of symbols across a pay line or in a pattern. While the reels appear to be spinning, or at any time prior to the final symbol display, the player may designate one or more of the positions in the array to be a special symbol. This special symbol may be a wild card, a high value symbol, a scatter symbol, a multiplier, a bonus game trigger symbol, or any other type of special symbol. The virtual reels stop rotating, and all other symbols in the array are then displayed along with the special symbol in the designated position. The player is then granted an award based upon any winning symbol combinations as affected by the special symbol. In another embodiment, the position of the special symbol in the array is selected automatically by the gaming machine. In another embodiment, the player may identify one or more certain patterns within the array that will form a winning pattern of symbols.
A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed herein. Upon a certain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machines simultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round. The player awarded the most credits or points from the play of the free games is awarded a special jackpot. The possibility of the free game bonus round occurring at any time provides incentive for players to keep playing the linked gaming machines. A free game pot, used to fund the free games, is accumulated from a percentage of wagers, where the percentage is dynamically changed based on the level of the free game pot.
A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
A63F 13/00 - Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
28.
Gaming device with network port for selecting jackpot frequency
At least one gaming machine in a network of gaming machines includes displays for a main game and a bonus game. The bonus game is activated when a particular outcome of the main game is achieved. A jackpot that is common to a plurality of the gaming machines in the network may be awarded when certain criteria are achieved in the bonus game. The certain criteria may occur entirely within the bonus game, or may be distributed between the main game and the bonus game. The certain criteria may be, for example, the display of a particular symbol or symbol combination, or a particular outcome of the bonus game.
In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game, such as a spinning reel type game, either using physical reels or simulated reels on a video screen. A special combination of symbols activates a video bonus game. The bonus game comprises a plurality of N unknown options in the form of icons, where the player may only make M choices, where M is less than N. In another embodiment, M is less than or equal to N. The unknown options may include, for example, different award credits. The options may be presented as hidden values behind doors or using other attractive presentation. The N values behind the closed doors are displayed in an order unrelated to the arrangement of the unknown options so the player sees what she can possibly win. The player then makes her M selections to win the awards behind the doors. There may be additional levels of the bonus game. Numerous other embodiments are described relating to providing the player unknown options and allowing the player to select a subset of the options. In one embodiment, the games involve some player strategy. For example, the game reveals a hidden value to a player, and the player must choose whether to take the revealed value or select another door.
In one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a separate touch screen located in an area where buttons are typically located. The touch screen virtual buttons may be both configurable by the player and configurable by the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the touch screen is 3-dimensional in that areas for being touched by the player are raised to give the impression of a physical button. Each raised portion may give tactile feedback to the player when pressed.
A plurality of EGMs are connected within a network. Each of the EGMs is remotely configurable so as to enable an operator to select any desired parameter of the game. The configuration of one EGM may be uploaded to the network and programmed into other EGMs connected to the network. An operator may program the initial EGM at the EGM itself or remotely. In another embodiment, one EGM (a master) may download its configuration settings into other EGMs.
An apparatus for positioning of a symbol display device on the door element of a casing of a coin actuated entertainment automat. The symbol display device at the coin actuated entertainment automate wherein the symbol display device is furnished as a television monitor or as a roller shaped circulating body. The symbol display device exhibits conventionally a fixed position on the front side with the disadvantage that a stray light free observation of the symbol display device is not possible for each user of the coin actuated entertainment automat. This disadvantage is to be removed with the construction according to the present invention. The symbol display device is disposed vertically shiftable on the front side of the casing of a coin actuated entertainment automat for obtaining a reflection free view position of the symbol display device.
33.
Gaming machine having means to change the brightness of its lights
The ambient brightness around a gaming machine is determined by a light sensor, which is preferably located on the gaming machine. The sensor signal is used to control a power supply for the lights in the gaming machine such that the brightness of all displays and/or symbols of the gaming machine is optimum for the ambient brightness. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the energizing voltage to the lights is automatically increased over time to offset the natural diminishing of the light's output over time. In another embodiment, the brightness of the lights may be adjusted by the player.
G09G 3/24 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix using controlled light sources using incandescent filaments
A control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines selects one or more of the active machines to be set to an enhanced play mode. The selection may be random or based on other factors. During the enhanced play mode, the awards attributed to each symbol combination are increased, and the game parameters, other than the award amounts may be changed.
The gaming device displays an array of randomly selected symbols. In one embodiment, only a first jackpot can be awarded to a player if a first bet is made, and both the first jackpot and a second jackpot can be awarded to the player if a higher bet is made. In one embodiment, the first jackpot is associated with all pay lines that are evaluated from left to right, and the second jackpot B is associated with all pay lines that are evaluated from right to left. The amounts in both jackpots are displayed to the player. Additionally, all non-jackpot awards according to the winning symbol combinations from left to right and right to left are granted to the player, depending on the amount of the bet. Due to certain features of the game, the player can exercise strategy in making the appropriate bet.
A gaming device displays a game field with a start field and a target field separated by at least one field. The number of fields separating the start field from the target field is determined for each play of the game by, for example, a pseudo random number generator. In some embodiments, the game field has multiple start fields and multiple target fields that may change position in the game field with each play of the game. An indicator randomly selects the number of moves for the player and a virtual player in competition with the actual player. The object of the game may be for the player to reach a target field before the gaming machine virtual player reaches a target field. An award may be based on the player reaching the target field before the virtual player.
A plurality of symbols are randomly selected by a computer in the gaming machine and displayed to the player in the first stage of the process. One or more of the symbols are then selected by the gaming machine in the second stage of the process. An award to the player is based on the one or more selected symbols after the second stage. Such a two-stage process creates additional excitement since the player, after the first stage, hopes for the highest value symbol(s) to be selected in the second stage.
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
Data generated by certain peripheral devices, such as a coin or bill validator, within a gaming device is encrypted using a randomly generated key transmitted to the peripheral device by a main control unit in the gaming device. The peripheral device sends the encrypted data to the main control unit along with the clear text data. The control unit performs a reverse algorithm to recover the data from the encrypted number. The control unit compares the recovered data to the clear text data. If there is a match, the control unit acts on the data, such as by booking the coin value to a credit meter.
The gaming device comprises a main game, which results in random outcomes. At least one of the outcomes enables a secondary game. Indicia are selected and displayed in the secondary game. A player positions the indicia of the secondary game by operating controls. A pay out to the player is made based on the indicia and their positions selected by the player.
The present invention relates to a method of determining the value of a jackpot award. The method entails operating a main game to obtain an outcome, at least one of the outcomes providing an initial award amount and enabling a secondary game. A player is then allowed to wager the initial award amount in the secondary game. The secondary game then identifies a winning or losing outcome. The winning outcome results in an increase of the initial award amount by some incremental amount. The player may continue to wager all or a portion of the won amount until the player has achieved the full jackpot award.
A jackpot system used in casinos for allocating the wins from at least one jackpot to players playing at a plurality of gaming positions. The gaming positions are associated with a computer network including a computing engine having a memory for receiving inputs from the gaming positions and at least one output for communicating information to the players. At least one paytable is stored in that memory or in another memory associated with the computer network. The paytable can be configured by an operator and has a plurality of possible winning entries and wins associated with the winning entries. A selection generator is triggered at least once, via the computer network, by a trigger input generated in response to the playing of each game of a group of selected games to generate a selection. The selection is compared with the paytable and if the selection corresponds to a winning entry, the associated win is transferred to at least one player associated with the gaming position which triggered the selection, and/or to another jackpot.
patents
