SHARED SECONDARY WHEEL GAME AND METHODS
A multiple game-of-chance that occupies the same floor space as a traditional slot machine but has a spinning reel game mounted below a spinning wheel game. The game is also an outcome bank for storing outcomes from the spinning wheel game. The spinning wheel game may provide an outcome that activates the upper spinning wheel game, and the outcomes in the spinning wheel game can alter the outcome of the lower spinning reel game and also provide a bank of outcomes in the outcome bank, which can also be utilized to alter the outcome, or likely future outcomes, in the spinning wheel game. The game also utilizes a flexible, resilient, Z-shaped radial drive gear to drive each of the three wheels in the upper wheel game independently.
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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is a continuation of, and claims priority through U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/407,726, which is a continuation of, and claims priority through, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/527,705, filed Mar. 17, 2000, which claims priority through, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/126,052, filed Mar. 23, 1999. All the applications listed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a device and method for playing multiple games. More This invention relates to a device and method for playing multiple games. More specifically, this invention relates to a device and method for playing at least two games of chance.
BACKGROUNDThe gaming industry has long been trying to develop slot type games, that are more exciting to play and thus more likely to be played and generate revenue.
For example, spinning reel wagering games are well known in the prior art and have long been a staple of the gaming industry. These games utilize one or more actual or apparent cylindrical reels that spin around an axis in response to the player's insertion of, or the player's activation of the game after insertion of, a coin or other method of payment to play the game. Game symbols are displayed on the outer circumference of the wheels. Typically, the game is won and a prize is awarded when the game symbols on the reels provide a particular predetermined outcome shown when the reels stop spinning. As a result, a three-wheel game might provide a large award to the player if the outcome is three apples in a row displayed by the three co-axial and adjacent wheels viewable to the player.
These spinning reel games can be made more exciting for the player, and thus more likely to be played, by addition of features such as flashing lights, sounds, double bonus time-periods, and progressive linking of multiple such games to a common jackpot in addition to the local jackpot for each machine on its own. These methods of making spinning reel games more exciting and thus more utilized are well known in the art. However, they still present the game player with only one basic game concept: the spinning reel game.
One way of making spinning reel or other slot type games (e.g., video poker) even more exciting and likely to be played is to offer an additional game that may be played in the event of a particular outcome in the underlying reel game. In one prior art gaming apparatus, such as that shown in UK Patent Application GB 2 201 821 A, a particular outcome or group of outcomes on the underlying spinning reel game allows the user to playa second but different type of game of chance mounted in the same machine or game box. The second game of chance is a spinning or roulette wheel type of game. In this fashion, the player may win a prize or award in the outcome underlying spinning reel game and then, due to that outcome, also procure the ability to play the second, different type of game and procure an additional prize or award based on the outcome of the second game.
In another somewhat similar prior art gaming apparatus, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,874 (the '874 game), the second game of chance, which is also a spinning wheel type of game, is playable upon the occurrence of a particular outcome or group of outcomes in the underlying spinning reel game. In the '874 game, however, the outcome of the second game may directly alter the outcome of the first game and thus directly increase or decrease an award, or provide a different type of award than that provided, in the first game.
Although these types of prior art multiple game-of-chance apparatus can be more exciting than the traditional spinning reel device by itself and more exciting than other one-game slot machines such as game-card (e.g., video poker) machines, the applicant has discovered that much more can be done with multiple game-of-chance machines to make them much more exciting to play, more likely to be played, and more profitable for the game owner or gaming establishment. For example, in the device disclosed in the above-referenced British application, the second, roulette-wheel game has only one conventional roulette wheel and one set of or type of outcomes and awards provided by that one wheel game. In addition, the outcome of the first, base game does not affect the outcome or likely or possible future outcomes of the second game or vice versa.
Although the '874 patent teaches different types of awards in the second wheel game, including direct alteration of the outcome of the base reel game, the range of types of outcomes in the second wheel game is relatively narrow. In addition, the second wheel game does not provide an outcome that can allow for re-playing of the underlying first reel game. The second game also does not provide “appearance” outcomes that can be transferred directly to, for example, the underlying reel game or intermediate gaming apparatus to alter the positioning of the reels and the concomitant award to be provided based on the altered positioning of the reels in the first game. The '874 machine also offers no possibility for the outcome in the second game to allow the player to resume playing the underlying wheel game, nor does it offer the subsequent possibility for the underlying wheel game to yet again provide an outcome to once again play the reel game.
With regard to roulette or spinning wheel games in the prior art, they typically also have the wheels mounted at their axial center on axial drive shafts. Mounting and rotating the wheel on an axial drive places significant stress on the drive shaft and associated drive and support structure. Also, an axial mount and drive mechanism is typically noisy and easily damaged or moved off-center during use or installation or movement of the game apparatus. Axial mounting also occupies significant space for the axial drive behind the wheel, and it requires significant additional and complicated structure in order to drive multiple concentric wheels independently.
SUMMARYThe present invention apparatus includes at least two games of chance, and the first game of chance provides a first game outcome, including the possibility to activate the second of chance upon the occurrence of one or more predetermined outcomes in the first game of chance. Upon such activation of the second game of chance, the second game of chance can provide a second game outcome that can influence or alter the first game outcome (i.e. the pre-existing first game outcome or subsequent first game outcomes). Both games of chance are located to be viewable from the vicinity of one game player when located to play the first game of chance.
There are many other aspects of the invention that are apparent from this. For example, the two games may be and preferably are mounted in the same box; and the second game may provide multiple types of outcomes such as awards, potential contributions to an outcome bank or reserve for later utilization by the player in playing the first game, and direct alteration of the first game outcome. As another example, in the preferred embodiment, the first game is a spinning reel game, and the second game is a sequentially activated multi-wheel spinning wheel game.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus utilizes a novel resilient drive gear as a radial drive for the wheels in the wheel game.
OBJECTS OR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game-of-chance apparatus and method that is more exciting for the player and thus more likely to be played.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a “slot machine” type of game that is utilized more than prior art games and thus generates more revenue and profits for the game owner and gaming establishment.
Yet another object is to provide a “slot machine” type of game, thus allowing the game to be played at any time by one player and without any help from any other player or operator.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a multiple game-of-chance that utilizes traditional base games, such as spinning reel or automated card games, and also provides a second game-of-chance that can directly alter the game appearance outcome or possible future game appearance outcome(s) in the base game.
A further advantage is the present invention provides a wagering game-of-chance apparatus having a spinning wheel or other traditional slot machine type of game and a second wheel game-of-chance, with the wheel game having multiple wheels providing multiple outcomes and, preferably, multiple types of outcomes.
A still further advantage is that the invention provides such a game in which the multiple wheels are concentric and preferably rotate or stop rotation in sequence.
An additional advantage is that the present game apparatus also provides a bank or stored reserve of outcomes or partial outcomes that the game or possibly the player may draw upon to alter or improve the appearance and award outcomes in the first or second game.
Another advantage is that, in the present game machine, the second game can add to or alter the contents of the bank, possibly at the game player's option.
Yet another advantage is that the present invention provides a game machine in which the second game is a multi-wheeled game and one wheel provides outcomes that add to or alter the contents of the bank, preferably for altering or improving the outcome for the player in the first game.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that the second game provides the opportunity for re-activation of the first game, and also that the first game may then again provide the opportunity to re-activate the second game. This cycle can continue theoretically for as long as the player desires to continue playing the game.
A further advantage is that the invention provides a multi-wheeled or roulette game that is quieter and more durable and long lasting than prior multi-wheeled games. A related advantage is providing such a game with a more precise yet relatively simple drive mechanism for driving independent rotation of the wheels. A still further related advantage is providing such multi-wheeled game with resilient and reliable radial drive gears. Another advantage is providing a multi-wheeled game in which the wheel drive need not occupy as much space as conventional axial drive wheel games.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a multi-game apparatus and method in which the multiple games can all be viewed by the player without moving from place to place and, preferably, are all mounted together in a manner that occupies approximately the same floor space as a traditional, single game slot machine.
A yet additional advantage is that the present multi-game machine may have one game mounted directly above the other, with the lower game appearing much like a traditional spinning reel or other slot machine, the upper game being a multi-wheeled spinning reel game, and optionally an outcome reserve mounted in or on the first and/or second game.
There are other objects and advantages of the present invention. They will become apparent as the specification proceeds.
In this regard, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by reference to the accompanying claims, and not necessarily by whether any given embodiment achieves all of the objects or advantages stated herein.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in the following section by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to
The base or footprint 21 of the game box 16 occupies the same floor space (not shown) as would be occupied by a traditional single game slot machine (not shown). As a result, this multiple game apparatus 10 may be utilized in place of the traditional slot machine (not shown) without occupying additional floor space (not shown) in the gaming establishment (not shown).
The spinning reel game 12 operates much like a traditional spinning reel game (not shown) with the exception that it interacts with the outcome bank 18 and the spinning wheel game 14 as described in this specification. Thus, the reel game 12 has payment or money-in slots, generally 20, adjacent the three co-axially aligned reels 22, 24, 26 viewable by an operator or player of the game (not shown) who typically would stand or sit immediately in front of the reel game 12 to play the reel game 12. A reel activation arm 28 extends upwardly from the right side 30 of the reel game 12 as viewed by an operator or game player (not shown). The arm 28 is rotatably mounted in the right side 30 in a fashion well known in the art.
The reel game 12 also has a reel game activation or ‘spin’ button 32 and various reel game controls and indicators, generally 34, well known in the art. Among the indicators is a credit meter 36, which indicates the amount of money available for playing the game 10. A coin pay-out bin 38 is located below the level of the game controls 37 and game display indicators 34, which are generally located below the spinning reels 22, 24, 26.
Referring now to
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Referring now to
The base game controller 62 is connected to and controls the sound system 68, other conventional input/output apparatus 70, the reel game 71, the reel game display 72, the coin-in, payout, and peripheral device apparatus 74, and player tracking controller 76 in a fashion well known by those skilled in the art. The base game controller 62 may also be connected to, and control the operation 0, a touch screen display 78. The touch screen display 78 may operate in conjunction with, for example, the LCD 18 display to allow the game player (not shown) to select among various outcome banking options that can be shown in the LCD display 18. This type of additional feature and touch screen 78 is not included, however, in the preferred embodiment of
The wheel game controller 66 is connected to and controls the lighting controller 80, the wheel stepper motors 82, and wheel encoder optics 84. In turn, the wheel stepper motor activates and controls the rotation of the concentric wheel mechanism 86 by means of radial gears 88 shown in detail in
Referring now to
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Referring now to
The gear teeth member 122 of the resilient gear 112 is integral with, and extends radially outwardly from, the central tubular section 120. In the cross-sectional view of
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With reference now to
1. The player activates the game 10 by inserting two coins (or electing two credits) and pulls the handle 28 or pushes the “spin” button 32 on the reel game 12.
2. The reels 22, 24, 26 spin 102 to a stopping position 104 that is randomly generated by a random number generator incorporated into the reel game 12 in a fashion well known to those skilled in the art.
3. If the stop position is an award event 110, the player is credited with the award by the game 112 in a manner well known in the art.
4. If one of the reels 22, 24, 26 in the stop position does not display a “spin wheels” symbol 114, the game ends 134.
5. If one of the reels 22, 24, 26 in the stop position 110 displays a “spin wheels” symbol 114, the wheel game 14 is activated 116 and the three concentric wheels 42, 44, 46 spin and stop at a stopping position 116 in sequence, with the outer wheel 42 stopping first, the middle wheel 44 stopping second, and the inner wheel 46 stopping last. The resulting stopping position 116 is also randomly generated by a random number generator incorporated into the wheel game 14 in a fashion well known to those skilled in the art. In an alternative embodiment, wheels 42, 44, and 46 are not spun to randomly determined stopping positions. Rather, the position of the wheels 42, 44, and 46 are adjusted based on incremental adjusting commands displayed on reels 22, 24, and 26. For example, reel 22 may display a symbol that requires wheel 42 to be rotated one position, in which case wheel 42 is advanced one position. The wheel adjusting commands may require any or all of wheels 42, 44, and 46 to be moved any number of positions in either direction. Because the stopping positions of wheel 42, 44, and 46 are dependent on the staring position of the wheels and the outcome of reels 22, 24, and 26, game 14 can be viewed as an extension of game 12 rather than an independent bonus game. In this embodiment, wheels 42, 44, and 46 may be moved to randomly determined starting positions when game apparatus 10 is first turned on.
The present invention includes yet another embodiment in which outcome of reels 22, 24, and 26 and wheels 42, 44, and 46 are determined by a single random selection process. In this embodiment, a single random number may be generated that is compared to a game outcome table. The game outcome table includes all of the possible outcomes and displays that may be presented by game apparatus 10, including re-spins of the reels and wheels and wheel adjusting commands. While it may appear to the player that games 12 and 14 are operating independently from one another, in fact, a single random event may determine the entire game.
6. The outcome of the wheel game 14 may provide an award event 120 and an award and a bank-storage event 122, 124. More specifically and with continuing reference throughout to
-
- A. As shown in
FIG. 2 , the outer wheel 42 stops at either a number symbol, e.g., 43, or a “Win wild” symbol 40. If the outer wheel 42 stops at number symbol 43, the player is credited with a number of coins equivalent to the number stated by the number symbol 43, 120. - B. If the outer wheel 42 stops at the “Win wild” symbol 40, the “Win wild” symbol 40 is placed, as shown in
FIG. 3 , in the upper horizontal symbol bank display 59 in the symbol bank 18, replacing a pre-existing symbol according to a first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) replacement method 124. When this occurs, one of the symbols in the spinning reel game 12 is replaced with a wild symbol at the conclusion of each of the next four games played by the game player 126, 130, 132, 106. The replacement takes place by automatically selecting and spinning one of the three reels 22, 24, 26 (shown inFIG. 1 ) to display the wild symbol on the one reel 108, to thus provide the best possible outcome by the single replacement on the one of the three reels 22, 24, 26. If this replacement yields a winning outcome 110 on the reels 22, 24, 26, the player is awarded the award 112 according to the winning outcome on the reels 22, 24, 26. - C. Referring back to
FIG. 2 , when the middle wheel 44 stops at an award multiplier, e.g., 52, and the player has been awarded an award by the stop position of the outer wheel 42, that award is multiplied by the amount of the multiplier and credited to the player 118, 120. The multiplier 52 is also stored in, as shown inFIG. 3 , upper horizontal bank display 59 (thus replacing a pre-existing symbol in the bank display 59 according to the FIFO method 122, 124. When this occurs, the multiplier 50 is automatically applied in, as shown inFIG. 1 , the lower reel game 12 to multiply the award, if any, to the player in each of the next four plays of the lower reel game 12, 110, 112. - D. Referring back to
FIG. 2 , if, instead of an award multiplier, e.g., 52, the middle wheel 44 stops on a bank reel symbol, e.g., 50, then that symbol is transferred to and appears in, as shown inFIG. 3 , the bank reel display 58, 122, 124 only if, as shown inFIG. 2 , the inner wheel 46 stops or lands on a bank reel changing indicia, e.g., 54. In such an event, the particular bank reel symbol, e.g., 50, 132, is added to the particular reel area, in the bank reel display 58, identified by the bank reel changing indicia, e.g., 54. Once a symbol resides in the bank reel display 58, the symbol is automatically applied to, as shown inFIG. 1 , the lower reel game 12 if the application of that symbol will result in an award to the player 126, 130, 132. For example, if, as shown inFIG. 3 , the symbol “7” appears in the second bank reel 59 and the combination “7, blank, 7” appears in, as shownFIG. 1 , the stop position of the lower reel game 12, the middle reel 24 rotates to indicate a “7” in the stop position and thus provide an award to the player in conformance with the appearance of “7, 7, 7” in the stop position of the lower reel game 12. - E. Referring back to
FIG. 2 , if the middle wheel 44 stops at the “Oops, take symbol from bank” symbol and the inner wheel 46 stops at bank reel symbol, e.g., 50, then a symbol is removed from, as shown inFIG. 3 , the particular reel area, in the bank reel display 58, identified by the bank reel symbol, e.g., 50, according to the FIFO rule 122, 124, 132. - F. Referring back to
FIG. 2 , if the middle wheel stops at the symbol “Oops loose spin,” that symbol is deposited in, i.e., appears in, the horizontal bank display 59, 122, 124 as shown inFIG. 3 . When this happens, the upper wheel game 14 as shown inFIG. 1 will not be activated, and the wheels 42, 44, 46 as shown inFIG. 2 will not spin, even if a “spin wheels” symbol occurs in, as shown inFIG. 1 , the lower reel game 12 in any of the four succeeding games or reel spins that take place 106, 108. At the same time, however, other symbols may be taken from the bank 18 during this time period as explained above. - G. Referring again to
FIG. 2 , if the middle wheel 44 stops at the symbol “Free wheel spin,” it is deposited in the upper horizontal bank display 59 and is active for the next four games played by the player 106, 108. In other words, regardless of reel outcome in, as shown inFIG. 1 , the lower reel game 12 in each of the next four such games, the upper wheel game 14 is activated when the reel game 12 ceases spinning in each such game. - H. Referring now to
FIG. 2 , if the inner wheel 46 stops at the symbol “Deposit wild symbol in bank,” then a wild symbol is deposited 122, 124 randomly as a next available symbol on one of the bank reel areas in the bank reel display 58 as shown inFIG. 3 . In the next play of the lower reel game 12 by the game player as shown inFIG. 1 in which the wild symbol can provide an award for the player when transferred to the same reel, the wild symbol is transferred to the lower game reel 106,108 and the player is awarded the prize or credit 112 provided by the outcome on the lower reel game 12 as altered by the transfer. - I. Referring now to
FIG. 2 , if the inner wheel 46 lands on the symbol “Oops no deposit,” then nothing happens and the game terminates unless otherwise extended by the stop position of the outer 42 or middle 44 wheels. - J. If the inner wheel 46 lands on the symbols “Reel ‘X’ re-spin” or “Re-spin game” 108, then the designated reel(s) in the lower game 12 as shown in
FIG. 1 is (are) re-spun 102 and the outcome of the re-spin may provide yet another award 112 or re-activation of the wheel spinning game 14, 116. - K. Referring yet again to
FIG. 2 , if the inner wheel 46 lands on the symbol “Oops, take symbol from bank” 122, a randomly selected symbol is removed from the reel display 58 in the bank 18, 124.
- A. As shown in
In this embodiment, adjustments maybe made to the method of the present invention to allow a plurality of game devices 204 to use a single display unit 202. When one of the game devices 204 produces a wheel spinning event (see
In order to avoid confusion among players, system 200 may comprise a means for indicating which game device 204 is currently interacting with display unit 202. The indicating means may comprise a video display or lighted sign on display unit 202 that displays indicia, such as a number, that indicates the currently interacting game device 204. A display, such as a video display or lighted sign, may also be placed on game device 204 for conveying similar information to the player. For example, when the player has qualified to spin the wheel of display unit 202 but the display unit is working on an event for another player, the display may communicate this to the player. When it is the player's turn, the display so informs the player.
System 200 may be adapted for use with progressive jackpots. Display unit 202 may include a progressive jackpot meter that displays the current value of the jackpot in a way that is well known in the art. Players may win the progressive jackpot as a result of obtaining a predefined outcome on display unit 202, game device 204, or a combination of both.
It is to be understood that the foregoing is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain variations therefrom. The scope of the applicant's invention, however, is to be determined by reference to the following claims.
Claims
1. A gaming system, comprising:
- a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device comprising a primary game including a plurality of reels, each reel having a plurality of symbols located on each reel;
- a secondary wheel game including a secondary wheel, wherein the secondary wheel game is shared by the plurality of gaming devices, and wherein activating the secondary game results in generating a secondary outcome on the secondary wheel; and
- a communication device operatively connecting the plurality of gaming devices with the secondary wheel game, wherein the communication device activates the secondary wheel game based upon the presence of a triggering symbol in the primary game.
2. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising a means for indicating whether one of the plurality of gaming devices is interacting with the secondary wheel game.
3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the indicating means is provided on the secondary wheel game.
4. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the indicating means is provided on each of the plurality of gaming devices.
5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the primary game is presented on a video display.
6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary wheel game is presented on a video display.
7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the video display is a liquid crystal display.
8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary wheel is a mechanical reel.
9. A method for managing a secondary wheel game device shared by a plurality of gaming devices, the secondary wheel game device being separate and distinct from the plurality of gaming devices, the gaming devices presenting a primary game including a triggering symbol for starting a secondary wheel game, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal from a first gaming device at the secondary wheel game device, wherein the signal is a request to initiate a spin of a secondary wheel;
- holding the signal from the first gaming device at the secondary wheel game device if the secondary wheel game device is generating an outcome of the secondary wheel game for another gaming device;
- displaying an indicia identifying which gaming device from the plurality of gaming devices is currently interacting with the secondary wheel game device;
- processing the signal from the first gaming device when the secondary wheel game device is free to respond to a new wheel spinning event; and
- spinning the secondary wheel after processing the signal from the first gaming device.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying a new indicia identifying that the first gaming device is currently interacting with the secondary wheel game device.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising informing a player on the first gaming device to initiate play of the secondary wheel game device when the secondary wheel game device is available for play.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 14, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 10, 2011
Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC. (Las Vegas, NV)
Inventor: Robert A. Luciano (Reno, NV)
Application Number: 12/904,335
International Classification: A63F 13/00 (20060101);