EP0874337A1
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EP
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Gaming machine with bonus mode
Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A gaming machine is operated by a programmed micro-processor in which the first mode of operation, a basic gambling game, is implemented such as video poker or reel-type slot machine play. If bonus symbols are selected in the basic mode, a bonus mode is triggered. In the bonus mode the same or a different game is implemented by the micro-processor system employing a Bernoulli trial procedure in which the player continues to play and receive awards until a losing combination occurs. The hit rate for the bonus mode is greater than 50% although the overall pay out percentage of the game remains below 100%.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence E. Demar
- 👤 Erica Frohm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:12
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/326; G07F17/3267; G07F17/3244; A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F2007/0064; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00063; A63F3/00072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A processor controlled game of chance comprising: a) a processor, operating according to a game program, for randomly
selecting symbols and for awarding credits when winning symbol combinations are selected; b) display means on which said selected symbol combinations are displayed
to a game player; c) said processor operating in a basic mode unless and until a symbol
combination, designated as a bonus combination in said game program, is selected, said
processor, in said basic mode, selecting symbols and awarding credits or money in response to
the input of money or credits by said player; d) said processor operating in a bonus mode after said bonus combination is
selected, said processor, in said bonus mode: (1) selecting symbol combinations as a sequence
of Bernoulli trials; (2) displaying the symbol combinations for each trial; (3) awarding credits
for winning combinations associated with each trial until a losing combination is selected, said
bonus mode having a hit rate for winning combinations in excess of fifty percent; whereby a player who reaches the bonus mode accumulates credits as a function
of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a gaming machine including processor means for randomly selecting outcomes,
some of which are winners and the remainder being losers; and for awarding credits or money
corresponding to said winners, and display means for displaying the selected outcomes the
improvement comprising: a) said processor means being programmed to designate certain outcomes as
a bonus event permitting the play of a bonus game; b) said processor, during bonus game play, iteratively and randomly selecting
outcomes as a sequence of Bernoulli trials, displaying said outcomes and awarding the credits
associated therewith until a losing outcome is selected, said bonus game having a hit rate for
winning combinations in excess of fifty percent; whereby a player who reaches the bonus game accumulates credits as a function
of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of operating a gaming machine having a processor for randomly
selecting game outcomes and for awarding credits or money for winning outcomes and, a display
for displaying said outcomes to a game player comprising the steps of: a) operating said processor in a basic mode unless and until an outcome,
designated as a bonus event, is selected, said basic mode permitting outcome selection, display
and credit awards only in response to the input of a credit by said player; b) operating said processor in a bonus mode after said bonus event is selected,
said bonus mode operation causing: (1) random selection and display of outcomes as a sequence of Bernoulli
trials which continue until a losing trial occurs; (2) the award of credits or money for winning outcomes for each trial, said
bonus mode having a hit rate for winning outcomes in excess of fifty percent; whereby a player who reaches the bonus mode accumulates credits as a function
of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to select poker
symbols for the basic mode game.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to select poker
symbols for the bonus mode game.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein the display means includes a video display on
which the symbols are displayed for the basic game.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein the display means includes a video display on
which the symbols are displayed for the bonus game.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein the display means includes at least two physical
reels having symbols arranged thereon, the selected symbols being displayed to a player by
rotation of said reels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of Claim 8 wherein said reels are used as the display for the basic
game.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of Claim 8 wherein said reels are used as the display for the bonus
game.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said display means includes: (a) a reel type display
on which selected symbols are displayed to a player by rotation of said reels; and (b) a video
display on which symbols may appear; one of said displays being used for said basic game, the other being used for the
bonus game.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to produce an
expected value (EV) for said bonus mode greater than 1.0 but wherein the EV of the combined
basic and bonus modes is less than 1.0.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of Claim 2 wherein said processor is programmed to produce an
expected value (EV) for said bonus mode greater than 1.0 but wherein the EV of the combined
basic and bonus modes is less than 1.0.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of Claim 3 wherein said processor is programmed to produce an
expected value (EV) for said bonus mode greater than 1.0 but wherein the EV of the combined
basic and bonus modes is less than 1.0.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a gaming machine including processor means for randomly selecting outcomes,
some of which are winners and the remainder being losers; and for awarding credits or money
corresponding to said winners, and display means for displaying the selected outcomes the
improvement comprising: a) said processor means being programmed to designate certain outcomes as
a bonus event permitting the play of a bonus game; b) said processor, during bonus game play, iteratively and randomly selecting
outcomes each of which is a Bernoulli trial, but wherein p, the probability of success may vary; c) displaying said outcomes and awarding the credits associated therewith
until a losing outcome is selected, said bonus game having a hit rate for winning combinations
in excess of fifty percent; whereby a player who reaches the bonus game accumulates credits as a function
of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of Claim 15 wherein said processor initiates a consolation trial
if the first Bernoulli trial during bonus game play results in a losing outcome, said consolation
trial awarding a randomly determined number of credits as a consolation prize.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of Claim 3 further including the step of: c) initiating a consolation trial if the first Bernoulli trial during bonus game
play results in a losing outcome, said consolation trial awarding a randomly determined number
of credits as a consolation prize.
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