Gaming device having games with variable game functions

• US 20030060252A1
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Hughs-Baird, Andrea C., Cuddy, Ryan William, Swift, Brian Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 6,986,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games

Abstract

The present invention includes a gaming device which includes a plurality of game functions for a single game and a probability associated with each game function. After a predetermined event occurs, the processor uses the probabilities to generate a particular game function for a player to use. Preferably, the predetermined event is a game triggering event. The processor can generate different game functions for a single game from predetermined event to predetermined event. This type of gaming device increases the interest and entertainment of gaming device players.

Claims

1. A gaming device having at least one game, said gaming device comprising:

a display device;

a processor which controls said display device;

a plurality of potential game functions, each potential game function adapted to be provided by said processor and display device during a single play of said game;

a probability associated with each of the potential game functions; and

at least one predetermined event which causes the processor to select at least one of the potential game functions for a play of said game based upon the probabilities associated with said potential game functions.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one input device which communicates with said processor.

3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein each potential game function includes a different number of player inputs.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each potential game function includes a different type of game scenario.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined event is a bonus game triggering event.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the probabilities are different, and the game includes one of said potential game functions for each play of a game based on said probabilities.

7. A gaming device comprising:

a display device;

a processor which controls said display device;

a plurality of game function sets, each game function set including a plurality of potential game functions, each potential game function adapted to be provided by said processor and display device during a single play of a game;

a probability associated with each of the potential game functions; and

at least one game triggering event which causes the processor to select one of the game functions from each game function set for play of said game based on the probabilities associated with said potential game functions.

8. The gaming device of claim 7, which includes a player input function set wherein each game function in said set includes a different number of player inputs.

9. The gaming device of claim 7, which includes a scenario function set wherein each game function in said set includes a different game scenario.

10. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of different number of player inputs which may be made during a single play of a bonus round game;

a probability associated with each of the different number of player inputs; and

at least one bonus round triggering event which causes the processor to use said probabilities to select one of said different number of player inputs based on said probabilities, and which enables the player to make said number of player inputs during play of the bonus round game; and

at least one input device connected to the processor.

11. A gaming device having at least one game, said gaming device comprising:

a memory device which stores a plurality of game functions and a probability associated with each of said game functions; and

a processor connected to the memory device which is adapted to;

(a) perform a calculation to select one of the game functions based on the probabilities associated with said game functions after a predetermined event occurs;

(b) retrieve said selected game function from the memory device;

(c) operate the game using the retrieved game function; and

(d) terminate the game after a termination event occurs during the game.

12. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein the game functions are different numbers of player inputs.

13. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein the game functions are different types of game scenarios.

14. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein the game is a bonus round game.

15. A method of providing a player with an opportunity to gain an award from a gaming device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a predetermined input from a player;

(b) performing a mathematical calculation based upon predetermined probabilities associated with a plurality of predetermined game functions;

(c) retrieving a game function;

(d) operating a game using the retrieved game function; and

(e) terminating the game after a termination event occurs.