US6033307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gaming machines with bonusing
Assignee: International Game Technology
•
Filing: 1999-03-02
•
Granted: 2000-03-07
•
Expires: 2019-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A method is set forth for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary slot machine. The primary slot machine issues a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of a bonus game when a bonus qualifying event occurs. The reels of the bonus game include value symbols, null symbols, and end game symbols which may be of two basic types: a lose game symbol and a stop game symbol. After the random spin, the values of any value symbols displayed on the payline of the secondary slot machine are accumulated into an accumulated winning value. The value symbols could include positive integer values, negative integer values, and multiples. The random spinning, determination of values of any value symbol and the accumulation of a winning value is repeatedly continued until an end of the bonus game occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 Olaf Vancura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:51
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3244; G07F17/326; G07F17/3267; G07F17/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels at least including value symbols and end game symbols, b. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, c. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the determined values to an accumulated winnings value, d. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps a, b, and c until a predetermined number of end game symbols is reached based upon appearances of end game symbols in the secondary slot machine, e. ending the bonus game when the predetermined number of end game symbols is reached.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels at least including value symbols and end game symbols, b. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, c. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the determined values to an accumulated winnings value, d. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps a, b, and c until a predetermined number of end game symbols is reached based upon appearances of end game symbols in the secondary slot machine, e. ending the bonus game when the predetermined number of end game symbols is reached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the value symbols and end game symbols are displayed on a payline in the secondary gaming machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of awarding an initial value in response to the bonus qualifying signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
9 words
The method of claim 1 further including null symbols.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the value symbols include positive integer values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the value symbols include negative integer values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the value symbols include multipliers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one end game symbol appears on each of the plurality of reels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one end game symbol appears on at least one of the plurality of reels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: ending the bonus game when a player stop signal is received in response to the step of accumulating, and awarding the accumulated winnings value in response to the received player stop signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: determining when the accumulated winnings value at least equals a predetermined winnings value, ending the bonus game, and awarding the accumulated winnings value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of determining when the accumulated winnings value equals a predetermined winnings value, ending the bonus game, and awarding a jackpot award.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number of end game symbols is one and the end game symbol is a stop symbol and further comprising the step of awarding the accumulated winnings in response to the step of ending the bonus game.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number of end game symbols is one and the end game symbol is a lose symbol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of awarding a portion of the accumulated winnings in response to the step of ending the bonus game.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number of end game symbols is N and N is greater than the number of reels on which the end game symbol appears so that the bonus game does not end with the first random spin of the plurality of reels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the end game symbols are lose symbols and further comprising the step of displaying in the secondary gaming machine the current value, Ncurr, where Ncurr equals the number of times a lose symbol has appeared.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of receiving a player lose symbol purchase signal corresponding to the purchase of at least one lose symbol, decrementing the value of Ncurr by the number of purchased lose symbols, and decrementing the accumulated winnings value by a purchase value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of determining the predetermined number of end game symbols at the start of play of the bonus game based upon primary gaming machine results.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one end game symbol appears on one of the plurality of reels and wherein the predetermined number of end game symbols is N and N is greater than one so that the bonus game does not end with the first spin of the plurality of reels in the bonus game.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: providing a jackpot award, setting a count value in response to the issuing of the bonus qualifying signal, adjusting the count value each time the step of randomly spinning occurs, and awarding the jackpot award when the count value equals a predetermined count value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: setting a limit value in response to the issuing of the bonus qualifying signal, adjusting the limit value each time the step of randomly spinning occurs, ending the bonus game when the limit value equals a predetermined limit value, and awarding the accumulated winnings value.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. awarding an initial value in response to the issuance of the bonus qualifying signal, b. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels at least including value symbols, lose game symbols, and null symbols, c. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, d. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the winning values to an accumulated winnings value, e. receiving any player stop signal in response to the step of accumulating, ending the bonus game when the player stop signal is received, and awarding the accumulated winnings value, f. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps b, c, d and e until a predetermined number of lose game symbols is reached based upon appearances of the lose symbols on the payline of the secondary slot machine, g. ending the bonus game when the predetermined number of lose game symbols is reached.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. awarding an initial value in response to the issuance of the bonus qualifying signal, b. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels at least including value symbols, lose game symbols, and null symbols, c. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, d. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the winning values to an accumulated winnings value, e. receiving any player stop signal in response to the step of accumulating, ending the bonus game when the player stop signal is received, and awarding the accumulated winnings value, f. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps b, c, d and e until a predetermined number of lose game symbols is reached based upon appearances of the lose symbols on the payline of the secondary slot machine, g. ending the bonus game when the predetermined number of lose game symbols is reached.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the value symbols, null symbols and lose game symbols are displayed on a payline in the secondary gaming machine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the value symbols include positive integer values.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the value symbols include negative integer values.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the value symbols include multipliers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 23 wherein at least one lose game symbol appears on each of the plurality of reels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23 wherein at least one lose game symbol appears on at least one of the plurality of reels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the predetermined number of lose game symbols is one.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the predetermined number of lose game symbols is N and N is greater than the number of reels on which the end game symbol appears so that the bonus game does not end with the first random spin of the plurality of reels.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of displaying in the secondary gaming machine the current value, Ncurr, where Ncurr equals the number of times a lose symbol has appeared.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the steps of receiving a player lose symbol purchase signal corresponding to the purchase of at least one lose symbol, decrementing the value of Ncurr by the number of purchased lose symbols, and decrementing the accumulated winnings value by the purchase value.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising the steps of determining the predetermined number of end game symbols at the start of play of the bonus game based upon primary gaming machine results.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 23 wherein at least one lose game symbol appears on one of the plurality of reels and wherein the predetermined number of lose game symbols is N and N is greater than one so that the bonus game does not end with the first spin of the plurality of reels in the bonus game.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. awarding an initial value in response to the issuance of the bonus qualifying signal, b. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels at least including value symbols, lose game symbols, and null symbols, c. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, d. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the determined values to an accumulated winnings value, e. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps b, c and d until a lose game symbol appears in the secondary slot machine, f. ending the bonus game in the secondary slot machine, g. awarding a portion of the accumulated winnings value.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. awarding an initial value in response to the issuance of the bonus qualifying signal, b. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels at least including value symbols, lose game symbols, and null symbols, c. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, d. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the determined values to an accumulated winnings value, e. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps b, c and d until a lose game symbol appears in the secondary slot machine, f. ending the bonus game in the secondary slot machine, g. awarding a portion of the accumulated winnings value.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the value symbols, lose game symbols, and null symbols are displayed on a payline in the secondary gaming machine.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the portion is a percentage of the accumulated winnings value.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the value symbols include positive integer values.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the value symbols include negative integer values.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the value symbols include multipliers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 36 wherein at least one lose game symbol appears on each of the plurality of reels.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 36 wherein at least one lose game symbol appears on at least one of the plurality of reels.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. awarding an initial value in response to the bonus qualifying signal, b. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels having symbols chosen from a set of symbols consisting essentially of: negative value symbols, positive value symbols, multiplier symbols, null symbols, and lose symbols, c. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, d. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the determined values to an accumulated winnings value, e. receiving any player stop signal in response to the step of accumulating, said step of receiving further comprising the steps of: i) ending the bonus game when the player stop signal is received, ii) awarding the accumulated winnings value, f. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps b, c, d and e until a predetermined number N of lose game symbols is reached based upon appearances of lose game symbols in the secondary slot machine wherein N is of sufficient value that the bonus game does not end with the first random spin of the plurality of reels, g. ending the bonus game when the predetermined number N of lose game symbols is reached.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary gaming machine, the secondary slot machine having a plurality of reels, the primary gaming machine issuing a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of the bonus game, said method comprising the steps of: a. awarding an initial value in response to the bonus qualifying signal, b. randomly spinning the plurality of reels in the secondary slot machine, the plurality of reels having symbols chosen from a set of symbols consisting essentially of: negative value symbols, positive value symbols, multiplier symbols, null symbols, and lose symbols, c. determining the values in any value symbols displayed in the secondary slot machine in response to the step of randomly spinning, d. accumulating in the secondary slot machine the determined values to an accumulated winnings value, e. receiving any player stop signal in response to the step of accumulating, said step of receiving further comprising the steps of: i) ending the bonus game when the player stop signal is received, ii) awarding the accumulated winnings value, f. repeating in the secondary slot machine steps b, c, d and e until a predetermined number N of lose game symbols is reached based upon appearances of lose game symbols in the secondary slot machine wherein N is of sufficient value that the bonus game does not end with the first random spin of the plurality of reels, g. ending the bonus game when the predetermined number N of lose game symbols is reached.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the set of symbols are displayed on a payline in the secondary gaming machine.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the predetermined number is randomly selected in a range upon issuance of the bonus qualifying signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |