Gaming device having different sets of primary and secondary reel symbols

[0001] This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/098,691, filed Mar. 14, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,395 which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/837,081, filed Apr. 18, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,902 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain 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.

[0003] Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

[0004] The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more specifically to a gaming device having a different set of reel symbols for primary and secondary games, and different probabilities for each set of reel symbols to increase player excitement and enjoyment.

[0005] Certain gaming devices, and in particular, slot machines include base or primary games and bonus or secondary games using identical symbols and sets of symbols on the reels which are displayed to the player on the same display device or on different display devices. To avoid player confusion, regulators have required that the same symbols have the same probability of winning in the primary game and in the bonus game or round. For instance, when the player obtains a bonus of ten free spins based on a predetermined combination of symbols, each free spin must provide the same probability of winning as the spin in the primary game.

[0006] It is known in the art to provide bonus games which have some of the same symbols as the symbols in the primary game to change the probability in the bonus game and to increase a player's chances of winning in the bonus game. However, using the same symbols in the primary game and in the bonus game, and then changing the associated probability related to those symbols between each game, has been prohibited in certain jurisdictions in the United States. Regulators believe that such dual use of symbols and dual probabilities relating to those similar symbols will cause player confusion. Therefore, the gaming regulators generally do not allow for the same set of symbols to have varying probabilities of winning.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide new gaming devices that eliminate confusion and increase player enjoyment and excitement.

[0008] The present invention overcomes the above shortcomings by providing a gaming device, and specifically a slot machine, which includes a set of reel symbols for the primary game having probabilities of winning for each available award and a different set of reel symbols for one or more bonus games having different probabilities of winning for each available award.

[0009] Each set of symbols preferably includes completely different symbols; however, it should be appreciated that one or relatively few symbols could be the same in each set.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment, there are less reel symbols in the set of symbols for the bonus game than the set of symbols for the primary game. The probabilities of winning in the bonus round are therefore greater than the probabilities of winning in the primary game. Additionally, the pay-outs associated with or for the bonus set of symbols is preferably larger than the pay-outs for the set of symbols in the primary game.

[0011] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming machine having different sets of reel symbols for base and bonus games and different probabilities of winning the base and bonus games.

[0012] 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] Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B as gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b, respectively. Gaming device 10a and/or gaming device 10b are generally referred to herein as gaming device 10. Gaming device 10 is preferably a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine. It is constructed so that a player can operate it while standing or sitting, and gaming device 10 is preferably mounted on a console. 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. Furthermore, gaming device 10 can be constructed with varying cabinet and display designs, as illustrated by the designs shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 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.

[0021] Gaming device 10 generally includes a slot primary game and any suitable bonus triggering events. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical or video form.

[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, 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 or ticket vouchers 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.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 30, and the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display device 30 as well as an upper display device 32. Gaming device 10 preferably displays a plurality of reels 34, preferably three to five reels 34 in mechanical or video form at one or more of the display devices. However, it should be appreciated that the display devices can display any visual representation or exhibition, including but not limited to movement of physical objects such as mechanical reels and wheels, dynamic lighting and video images. A display device can be any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any other display mechanism. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device for the video reels 34 is preferably a video monitor.

[0026] Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the general electronic configuration of gaming device 10 preferably includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a central display device 30; an upper display device 32; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36; and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40 can include random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 40 can also include read only memory (ROM) 48 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.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses the input devices 44, such as pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one button 24 and the cash out button 26 to input signals into gaming device 10. In certain instances it is preferable to use a touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52 instead of a conventional video monitor display device. Touch screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 are connected to a video controller 54 and processor 38. A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device 10 by touching touch screen 50 at the appropriate places. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 38 can be connected to coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14. The processor 38 can be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to start the game.

[0029] It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 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 38 and memory device 40 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 38 and memory device 40 is generally referred to herein as the “computer” or “controller.”

[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, to operate the gaming device 10 in one embodiment the player must insert the appropriate amount of money or tokens at coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14 and then pull the arm 18 or push the play button 20. The reels 34 will then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 will come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels 34 again. Depending upon where the reels 34 stop, the player may or may not win additional credits.

[0031] In addition to winning credits in this manner, gaming device 10 gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. The gaming device 10 includes a program or routine which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia or symbols on a display device. The gaming device 10 preferably uses a video-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play the bonus round. Preferably, the qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality of reels 34. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the qualifying condition could be the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels 34 along a payline 56. It should be appreciated that the present invention can include one or more paylines, such as payline 56, wherein the paylines can be horizontal, diagonal or any combination thereof.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, one preferred embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention includes two sets of reels 100 and 110. One set of reels 100 has one set of symbols as illustrated in FIG. 3 for a base or primary game. A completely different set of reels 110 having a different set of symbols as illustrated FIG. 5 are provided for a bonus or secondary game. The reels 102, 104 and 106 in the primary game, for example, may include symbols such as A through H and the reels 112, 114 and 116 in the secondary game, for example, may include symbols such as a heart, a star, a diamond, a moon and a square. It should be appreciated that any suitable symbols may be utilized in conjunction with the sets of reels as long as the sets of symbols are different. If the gaming device includes a single video display (FIG. 1A), both sets of reels may be displayed on the same display at different times. If the gaming device includes two video displays (FIG. 1B), two mechanical sets of reels (not shown) or a video display and a mechanical set of reels (not shown), the sets of primary reels 100 and secondary reels 110 may be displayed by the individual displays or mechanical devices. It should further be appreciated that multiple sets of reels could be provided for a plurality of bonus games, wherein each bonus game includes a different set of reels with a different set of symbols.

[0033] The number of reel symbols in each set of symbols is also preferably different. In particular, the set of reel symbols for the primary game preferably includes more reel symbols than the set of reel symbols for the secondary game. The probabilities of obtaining different combinations of reel symbols in the primary game and the bonus game are thus different. In particular, the probabilities of obtaining winning combinations in the bonus game are higher than the probabilities for obtaining winning combinations in the primary game because the bonus game has less reel symbols and therefore less possible combinations of reel symbols.

[0034] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the display 120 illustrates that if the combination of any three reel symbols such as A, A and A are obtained along a payline (not shown) in the primary game, the game pays the player one hundred times the player's wager. Likewise if the combination of any two matching reel symbols occurs along a payline (not shown), the game pays the player ten times the player's wager. Additionally, if any two bonus reel symbols appear on a payline the bonus game is triggered.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the number of reel symbols on each reel in the bonus game is less than the number of reel symbols on the reels in the base game (FIG. 3). By having less reel symbols in the bonus game, the probability, odds or chances of winning, in the bonus game increase over the probability of winning in the base game, because there are less possible combinations of reel symbols in the bonus game. Thus, a player is more likely to obtain a winning combination in the bonus game than in the base game.

[0036] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention the award or payout for obtaining a winning combination in the bonus game is preferably greater than in the base game because the possibilities of larger awards excite players and enhance player enjoyment of the gaming device. In addition, the base game has a smaller probability of winning and therefore it is more difficult to get to the bonus game. As a result, the higher award or payout rewards the player for reaching the bonus game.

[0037] For example, FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrates the differences between a base game having one set of reel symbols and probability of winning, and a bonus game having a second set of reel symbols and higher probability of winning. In this example, the primary or base game has three reels 102, 104 and 106 each with eight reel symbols designated by the alphabetical characters, A through H. Also, there is a bonus symbol on each reel.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, if a player gets three matching symbols such as A, A and A on a payline in the base game, the gaming device pays the player 100 times the amount that the player wagered. Similarly, if the player gets any two matching symbols, such as B, B or B, D, B, on a payline in the base game, then the gaming device pays the player 10 times the amount that the player wagered. If a player matches any two bonus symbols along a payline, then a bonus game or bonus round is triggered. However, because there are nine reel symbols per reel, including a bonus symbol, there is a larger number of possible combinations of reel symbols and therefore, less chance of achieving the bonus combination and making it into the bonus game.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, once a player reaches the bonus game, a different set of reels 112, 114 and 116 are displayed and have five completely different reel symbols from the reel symbols in the base game. The bonus game reel symbols in this example are: a heart, a star, a diamond, a moon and a square.

[0040] In the bonus game, a player earns one free spin to try to earn an additional award that will increase the player's winnings. In other versions of the bonus game, a player may earn a plurality of spins. In this example, the player will gain an award in the bonus game if they match any two reel symbols or any three reel symbols on a payline. The probability or chances of winning in the bonus game increases because the bonus game has less reel symbols and therefore a greater likelihood that a player will match two or three reel symbols on a payline.

[0041] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the display 130 illustrates that if the player matches three reel symbols on a payline in the bonus game, the player wins 1000 times their wager amount. Similarly, if the player matches two reel symbols along a payline, the player wins 100 times their wager amount. The award or payout is greater in the bonus game than in the base game to increase the player's excitement and enjoyment of the gaming device.

[0042] Thus, using a different set of reel symbols in the bonus game eliminates any confusion that the player may have between the reel symbols in the primary game and the bonus game. Furthermore, the player's excitement and entertainment levels increase because the probability or chance of winning in the bonus game is greater than in the primary game.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bonus games are provided and the first and/or second set of symbols are adapted to trigger each of said bonus games. For example, such bonus games may include free spins of the primary game. Another example is where a bonus game is a paid for game.

[0044] While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.