Gaming device with signified reel symbols

[0002] This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “GAMING DEVICE WITH TRAVELING REEL SYMBOLS,” Ser. No. 09/606,928; “GAMING DEVICE WITH TRAVELING REEL SYMBOLS,” Ser. No. 09/689,197; “GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING THE ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER OF AN AWARD,” Ser. No. 09/583,482; “GAMING DEVICE WITH MULTI-PURPOSE REELS,” Ser. No. 09/606,733; “GAMING DEVICE WITH MOVING SCREEN SIMULATION,” Ser. No. 09/625,884; “GAMING DEVICE WITH SIGNIFIED REEL SYMBOLS,” Ser. No. 09/605,344; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING TOUCH ACTIVATED ALTERNATING OR CHANGING SYMBOL,” Ser. No. 09/602,331; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A CHANGEABLE OBJECT,” Ser. No. 09/680,111; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING INTERACTING SYMBOLS,” Ser. No. 09/686,308; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING CHANGED OR GENERATED PLAYER STIMULI,” Ser. No. 09/686,244; and “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A SYMBOL COVERING FEATURE,” Ser. No. 09/684,275.

[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0004] The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device which signifies certain symbols on certain reels, for one or more purposes.

[0005] In current gaming machines such as slot machines, players are able to receive various awards associated with various events. Sometimes the games directly involve the slot machine reels which are often in video form. Each reel typically includes several symbols. Existing gaming machines use the symbols in a variety of ways. For example, existing gaming machines include winning symbols and winning symbol combinations as well as losing symbols and symbol combinations. The symbols generally determine the awards.

[0006] It is often desirable to emphasize or signify certain symbols during a game, especially after the occurrence of a winning event or a game event such as a winning combination of symbols. One known technique is to signify certain winning symbols by visually enhancing or highlighting the symbols which are part of a winning combination. However, existing gaming machines do not signify certain winning combinations of symbols by means of visually altering the losing symbols alone. Furthermore, existing gaming devices do not include bonus schemes where a player can choose certain reel symbols which are visually signified as selectable.

[0007] To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with new techniques for emphasizing game events and directing a player's attention to the presence and purpose of certain symbols on certain reels using alternative methods.

[0008] The present invention overcomes the above shortcomings by providing a gaming device and method which directly involves a plurality of reels, preferably video reels. The reels are adjacent to one another, and each reel exhibits a plurality of indicia or symbols. During the primary game of the gaming device, functionally each reel spins, comes to a stop and exhibits symbols. The term exhibit, as used herein, generally includes displaying, performing or otherwise representing a person, place or thing visually and/or audibly.

[0009] Various symbols have various functions in the game. Some symbols, when they appear, determine whether a player gains value, loses value or neither gains nor loses value. Other symbols may serve as selections which a player must choose. Based upon a predetermined program, the gaming device signifies various symbols, generally to draw the player's attention to these symbols or to other symbols. When signifying a symbol, the computer of the gaming device applies an enhancement to the symbol. The term enhancement, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, shading, coloration, bordering, illumination, marks, patterns (i.e. pinstripes) or other visual embellishments which distinguish certain symbols or symbol backgrounds from other symbols or symbol backgrounds.

[0010] In one embodiment, before a player begins the primary game, the reels are stationary, and they exhibit a predetermined number of symbols. After the reels spin and come to a stop, certain predetermined symbols (hereafter referred to as “winning symbols”) may appear on certain reels, individually or in combination with other symbols. The appearance of one or more winning symbols in one or more positions constitutes a winning event which causes the game to award the player with a value. For example, a winning event could be a winning symbol appearing anywhere on any reel or it could be the same winning symbol appearing on three identical locations on three adjacent reels. The non-winning symbols (hereinafter referred to as “losing symbols”) are the symbols displayed on the reels which are not the winning symbols. The term symbol, as used in this specification, includes but is not limited to any audio, visual or audio-visual representation of a person, place or thing, such as characters, letter, numbers, drawings, pictures or other indicia.

[0011] Preferably, the computer of the gaming devices signifies the winning symbols in a primary game. Here, the symbols are located on a background. Initially, all of the backgrounds for all of the symbols are identical. When a winning event occurs, the computer uses an enhancement to change the appearance of the losing symbols. In this manner, the computer signifies the winning symbols.

[0012] Depending upon the design of the game, initially all of the symbol backgrounds can be the same color, preferably white. When a winning event occurs, the computer colors, shades or darkens the backgrounds of the losing symbols. Therefore, after a winning event occurs, the winning symbols have a background with one color and the losing symbols have a distinguished, preferably darker background. If the player has remaining credits, the game enables the player to spin the reels again, and this process repeats itself. If the player has no remaining credits, the game terminates.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention may be employed in a bonus scheme, where one or more of the reels includes at least one symbol which the player can select and by doing so, receive a bonus value (hereinafter referred to as a “selection” or a “selectable symbol”). The computer of the gaming device signifies the selections in order to distinguish them from the other symbols by applying enhancements to the background where: (a) the selection is located; (b) the other symbols or non-selectable symbols are located; or (c) both the selections and other symbols are located.

[0014] The player can choose one or more of the signified selections. Preferably, after choosing a selection, the selection and/or other symbols animate. The term animate, as used herein, includes but is not limited to move, simulate movement, vibrate or shake, rotate, flip over, move upwards, downwards, or from side to side, bend, transform into a different shape or size, separate into different parts, expand or contract, change colors, shades or patterns, illuminate, make sounds or otherwise having dynamic characteristics. Next, the game awards the player with a bonus value which corresponds to the chosen selection. Finally, the bonus round terminates.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment of this bonus scheme of the present invention, the gaming device includes a plurality of and preferably five video reels. Each reel, when not spinning, exhibits three symbols on a white background. The symbols include a plurality of characters and other items. Each reel includes one selection, and each selection is a character. The computer of the gaming device signifies the selections by shading or coloring gray the background of the other symbols. As such, the selections have a white background and the other symbols have a darker background.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment, when the player chooses a signified selection, the chosen character animates. The character makes predetermined movements, such as dance movements and the game provides accompanying sounds. Next, the game provides the player with a bonus value which corresponds the chosen selection. The bonus round then terminates.

[0017] The gaming device of the present invention signifies certain reel symbols using enhancements in order to draw attention to the symbols. In a primary game, the winning symbols are signified by applying an enhancement to the background of the losing symbols and not changing the winning symbols. In a bonus scheme, the present invention provides certain symbols on the gaming device reels which the player can select. The computer signifies these selections by applying certain enhancements to the background of the selections and/or other symbols. Once the player chooses a selection, the game provides the player with a corresponding bonus value. Preferably, after the player chooses a selection, certain selections and/or symbols animate for player entertainment.

[0018] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device with reels which signify certain symbols for multiple purposes.

[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the reels and symbols in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the reels, winning symbols and losing symbols in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the reels, winning symbols and losing symbols in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the reels and symbols in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the reels, symbols and selections in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the reels, symbols, selections and various enhancements in one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0029] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of reels and other symbols and selections of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 generally illustrates a gaming device 10 of one embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine. Gaming device 10 is constructed so that a player can operate gaming device 10 while standing or sitting. However, it should be appreciated that gaming device 10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while sitting. Gaming device 10 can also be implemented as a program code stored in a detachable cartridge for operating a hand-held video game device. Also, gaming device 10 can be implemented as a program code stored on a disk or other memory device which a player can use in a desktop or laptop personal computer or other computerized platform.

[0031] Gaming device 10 can incorporate any game such as slot, poker or keno in addition to any triggering combination. The indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical or video form.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 1, gaming device 10 includes a coin slot 12 and bill acceptor 14 where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot 12 or paper money in the bill acceptor 14. Other devices could be used for accepting payment such as readers or validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display 16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Play button 20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, gaming device 10 also includes a bet display 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the player pushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the credit display 16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display 22 increases by one.

[0034] At any time during the game, a player may “cash out” and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player “cashes out,” the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28. The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.

[0035] With respect to electronics, gaming device 10 preferably includes the electronic configuration generally illustrated in FIG. 2, including a processor 30, a memory device 32 for storing program code or other data, a video monitor or other display device 34 (i.e., a liquid crystal display) and at least one input device such as play buttons 20. The processor 30 is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying and exhibiting images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 32 can include random access memory (RAM) 36 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 32 can also include read only memory (ROM) 38 for storing program code which controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses play buttons 20 to input signals into gaming device 10. Furthermore, it is preferable that touch screen 40 and an associated touch screen controller 42 are used instead of a conventional video display device 34. Touch screen 40 and touch screen controller 42 are connected to a video controller 44 and processor 30. A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device 10 by touching touch screen 40 at the appropriate places. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 30 can be connected to coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14. The processor 30 can be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to start the game. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 46 for making sounds or playing music consistent with the theme of the game and bonus scheme.

[0037] It should be appreciated that although a processor 30 and memory device 32 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor 30 and memory device 32 preferably reside on each gaming device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 30 and memory device 32 are generally referred to herein as the “computer.”

[0038] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, display device 34 contains a plurality of reels 48, preferably five reels in mechanical, video or virtual form. Preferably, reels 48 are in video or virtual form. Each reel 48 exhibits a plurality of symbols 50 such as letters, characters, bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, bars or other images or indicia which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10.

[0039] In primary games and in bonus schemes, the computer signifies certain symbols 50 for various predetermined purposes. Such purposes can includes drawing attention to a gain in value, loss in value, winning symbols or combinations thereof, losing symbols, a player's options or choices or other game events. The computer signifies symbols 50 by applying predetermined enhancements to certain symbols 50 or the backgrounds of certain symbols 50.

[0040] In one embodiment, the computer signifies winning symbols 50. Before a player begins the primary game, the backgrounds of all of the symbols 50 are identical and preferably colored white, as shown in FIG. 3. Symbols 50 are represented by the letter “S.” When the player initiates a spin, the reels 48 rotate and eventually come to a stop. Depending upon where the reels 48 stop, the computer may or may not exhibit one or more winning symbols 50. If the reels 48 do not exhibit at least one winning symbol 50, the game enables the player to spin the reels 48 again until the player achieves a winning event or runs out of credits.

[0041] If the player achieves a winning event, the computer signifies the winning symbols. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the winning symbols 50aare represented by a “W” and the losing symbols 50bare represented by an “L”. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the winning symbols 50aappear in the middle row. In this case, the winning event could be winning symbols 50aappearing in the middle row of all of the reels or any predetermined number of winning symbols 50abeing located in the middle row.

[0042] As also shown in FIG. 4, the computer applied an enhancement to all of the losing symbols 50b.Preferably the enhancement is a coloration or darkening of the backgrounds of the losing symbols 50b.As further shown in FIG. 5, winning symbols 50acan appear any place on the reels 48, and the computer applies an enhancement to the backgrounds of all losing symbols 50bs.

[0043] In another embodiment, if a player achieves a bonus triggering or qualifying condition while playing the primary game, the reels 48 become stationary, and the gaming device 10 exhibits certain predetermined symbols 50 on reels 48, as indicated by block 52 in FIG. 6. Reels 48 and symbols 50 are illustrated in the example bonus round shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 where reels 48 are shown as columns of letters. Again, the letter “S” represents the symbols 50. After exhibiting these symbols 50, the game signifies certain selections 56 with certain enhancements, as indicated by block 54 in FIG. 6.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 8, preferably, the computer signifies selections 56 by displaying a certain color background for the selections 56 and a different color background for the other symbols 50. The selections 56 are illustrated in FIG. 8 with the letter “O”. Here, the computer exhibits selections 56 on a white background and exhibits the other symbols 50 on a gray background.

[0045] However, the computer can use any type of enhancement to signify selections 56. Various types of enhancements are illustrated in FIG. 9, merely for illustrative purposes. From left to right, the first reel includes a shaded border enhancement of the selection 56 located in the first row, the second reel includes a pin stripe enhancement of the selection 56 located in the third row, the third reel includes a wavy border enhancement of the selection 56 located in the second row, the fourth reel includes a colored or shaded background enhancement of the selection 56 located in the second row and the fifth reel includes a frame border enhancement of the selection 56 located in the third row. It should be appreciated that the symbol 50 itself could also be changed in accordance with the present invention.

[0046] Referring back to FIG. 6, after the game exhibits the selections 56, the game enables the player to choose one or more selections 56, as indicated by block 58 in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the game enables the player to choose only one selection 56. Furthermore, it is preferable that in order to choose a selection 56, the player touches the display device 34 at the position of selection 56. Preferably, when the player chooses a selection 56, the chosen selection 56 and/or one or more of the other symbols 50 or other selections 56 animate. The reels 48 preferably include various types of selections 56, symbols 50 and animations, preferably related with a common theme.

[0047] After the player chooses a selection 56 and after the animation, if any, the game awards the player with bonus value and the corresponding bonus credits, as indicated by block 60 in FIG. 6. Preferably, the bonus value is associated with the chosen selection 56 and is predetermined and programmed into the gaming device computer. In addition, it is preferred that the awarded bonus values vary from selection to selection and that these bonus values are masked. After the game provides this award, the bonus round terminates, as indicated by block 62 in FIG. 6.

[0048] In one preferred embodiment, the game displays five reels 48, shown in FIG. 10. Each reel exhibits three symbols 50, each including one selection 56. The computer signifies the selections 56 by coloring white the background of the selections 56 and coloring gray the background of the other symbols 50.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 10, the symbols 50 include a variety of characters, messages and items. The game enables the player to choose only one selection 56. When the player chooses a selection 56, one or more of the symbols 50 and/or selections 56 animate. In this embodiment, the selections 56 are preferably all characters, and when a player chooses a character selection 56, the chosen character dances, accompanied by certain sounds. In each of these preferred embodiments, the game includes various windows 64 shown in FIG. 10 which allow the player to select certain game options (i.e., bet options), enable the player to operate the game and generally provide information to the player, such as the amount of value and credit the player gained.

[0050] The gaming device of the present invention draws a player's attention to certain reel symbols in various circumstances, such as upon the appearance of winning symbols and for symbols which a player can select.

[0051] In primary games, the computer enhances the backgrounds of the losing symbols so as to signify the winning symbols. After such enhancement, the game awards the player with predetermined value. In bonus rounds, the computer signifies certain selectable symbols or selections with certain enhancements. The player chooses a selection, and the game awards the player with a bonus value associated with the chosen selection. Preferably, prior to receiving the award, the game entertains the player by animating certain selections and/or symbols for a certain amount of time. In both the primary game and bonus round, the enhancement is preferably coloration or shading. This type of gaming device emphasizes gaming events, directs the player to interact with certain symbols on the reels and increases the player's entertainment and enjoyment.

[0052] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. It is thus to be understood that modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of this invention as defined in the claims, and that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.