US6203430B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic amusement device and method for enhanced slot machine play
Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1998-10-01
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Granted: 2001-03-20
•
Expires: 2018-10-01
Abstract
Abstract An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a slot machine identifies a tracked symbol and initializes a running count representing active occurrences of the tracked symbol generated during a play session. During the session, the slot machine generates at least one outcome represented by a set of symbols and determines whether the outcome includes an occurrence of a tracked symbol. The slot machine adjusts the running count, increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the tracked symbol. Once the running count reaches a predetermined level, the slot machine determines a bonus payout based on the running count.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
- 👤 Magdalena Mik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:34
CPC Classifications
G; G16; G16H; G16H20/00; G16H20/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; initializing a running count; generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; determining an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and determining a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; initializing a running count; generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; determining an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and determining a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the step of adjusting includes adding a predetermined integer value to the running count; and the step of adjusting further includes subtracting a predetermined integer value from the running count.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of: identifying an expiration condition representing a number of plays after which an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol expires; and determining an expiration of an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol based the expiration condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of: identifying an expiration condition representing a time after which an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol expires; and determining an expiration of an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol based on the expiration condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of determining a payout based on the outcome; determining whether the payout equals zero; and wherein the step of determining an occurrence is performed only if the payout equals zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of storing the running count on a player tracking card, and wherein the running count includes status data representing an expiration condition of each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of storing the running count at a slot server, and wherein the running count includes status data representing an expiration criterion of each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a bonus further includes determining the bonus based on a number of plays of the slot machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a bonus further includes determining the bonus based on a duration of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the running count represents occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol generated by a second slot machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of receiving a wager; and wherein the step of determining a bonus further includes determining the bonus based on a wager amount.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one tracked symbol includes: at least one bonus symbol which contributes to the running count; at least one offsetting symbol; and the step of adjusting the running count further includes subtracting occurrences of the at least one offsetting symbol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of determining a payout, and the step of determining a bonus comprises determining a multiplier to be applied to the payout.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a bonus payout includes determining points for a slot play reward system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 further including the step of determining a payout for expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the slot machine comprises a reel slot machine, and the symbols comprise reel symbols.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 16 wherein: the reel slot machine includes a symbol display window and a payout line visible within the symbol display window; and the step of determining an occurrence includes selecting at least one tracked symbol from amongst all symbols displayed in the symbol display window.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of determining an occurrence includes selecting the at least one tracked symbol from amongst symbols on one specified reel of the reel slot machine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the slot machine comprises a video poker machine, and the symbols comprise playing card attributes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one tracked symbol comprises a function of the face value of cards dealt in a hand.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and identifying a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and identifying a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; identifying a bonus value; and generating a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; identifying a bonus value; and generating a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein the step of generating a running count further includes the steps of: initializing the running count upon the initiation of a session of play by a player; and terminating the running count upon the termination of the session of play by the player; whereby the running count is active throughout the session of play.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a session of play; identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; identifying a bonus value; accumulating a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and awarding a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a session of play; identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; identifying a bonus value; accumulating a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and awarding a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
115 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: identify at least one tracked symbol; initialize a running count; generate an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; determine an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; adjust the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and determine a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
115 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: identify at least one tracked symbol; initialize a running count; generate an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; determine an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; adjust the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and determine a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to: identify an expiration condition representing a number of plays after which an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol expires; and determine an expiration of an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol based the expiration condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
57 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to: identify an expiration condition representing a time after which an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol expires; and determine an expiration of an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol based on the expiration condition.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to: determine a payout based on the outcome; determine whether the payout equals zero; and wherein an occurrence is determined only if the payout equals zero.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to store the running count on a player tracking card, and wherein the running count includes status data representing an expiration condition of each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to store the running count at a slot server, and wherein the running count includes status data representing an expiration criterion of each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to determine the bonus based on a number of plays of the slot machine.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to determine the bonus based on a duration of time.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the running count represents occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol generated by a second slot machine.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to receive a wager; and wherein the bonus is determined based on a wager amount.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to: determine a payout, and determine the bonus by determining a multiplier to be applied to the payout.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to determine the bonus payout by determining points for a slot play reward system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The slot machine of claim 36 wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to determine a payout for expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The slot machine of claim 25 wherein the slot machine comprises a video poker machine, and the symbols comprise playing card attributes.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
110 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: identify at least one tracked symbol; associate a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generate a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and identify a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
110 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: identify at least one tracked symbol; associate a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generate a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and identify a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
120 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: identify at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generate a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; identify a bonus value; and generate a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
120 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: identify at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generate a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; identify a bonus value; and generate a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
107 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: initiate a session of play; identify at least one tracked symbol; associate an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; identify a bonus value; accumulate a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and award a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
107 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor storing a program to control the operation of the processor; the processor operative with the program in the memory to: initiate a session of play; identify at least one tracked symbol; associate an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; identify a bonus value; accumulate a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and award a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
99 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for identifying at least one tracked symbol; means for initializing a running count; means for generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; means for determining an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; means for adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and means for determining a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
99 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for identifying at least one tracked symbol; means for initializing a running count; means for generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; means for determining an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; means for adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and means for determining a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
90 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for identifying at least one tracked symbol; means for associating a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; means for generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and means for identifying a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
90 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for identifying at least one tracked symbol; means for associating a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; means for generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and means for identifying a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
100 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for identifying at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; means for generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; means for identifying a bonus value; and means for generating a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
100 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for identifying at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; means for generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; means for identifying a bonus value; and means for generating a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
91 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for initiating a session of play; means for identifying at least one tracked symbol; means for associating an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; means for identifying a bonus value; means for accumulating a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and means for awarding a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
91 words
A slot machine for determining a bonus payout, the slot machine comprising: means for initiating a session of play; means for identifying at least one tracked symbol; means for associating an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; means for identifying a bonus value; means for accumulating a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and means for awarding a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
109 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; initializing a running count; generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; determining an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and determining a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
109 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; initializing a running count; generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; determining an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol; adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and determining a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and identifying a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol after which each occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and identifying a bonus payout based on the running count.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
114 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; identifying a bonus value; and generating a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
114 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: identifying at least one tracked symbol having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; generating a running count including adding new occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and subtracting expired occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; identifying a bonus value; and generating a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: initiating a session of play; identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; identifying a bonus value; accumulating a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and awarding a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a slot machine to determine a bonus payout, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: initiating a session of play; identifying at least one tracked symbol; associating an expiration condition with the at least one tracked symbol after which the at least one tracked symbol is expired; identifying a bonus value; accumulating a count of active occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol during the session of play; and awarding a bonus payout when the running count exceeds the bonus value.
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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) | 2004-03-19 | 2004-09-18 | 2005-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-19 | 2008-09-18 | 2009-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-19 | 2012-09-18 | 2013-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |