Gaming device having regenerating multiple award opportunities

• US 20030060272A1
• 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: Glavich, Paulina, Baerlocher, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,066,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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 involves an apparatus and method for regenerating or awarding extra chances or opportunities to a player in connection with a gaming device and preferably in a bonus round of a gaming device. The present invention contemplates regenerating or awarding a plurality of extra chances or opportunities upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. More specifically, the present invention contemplates regenerating or awarding a number of extra chances or opportunities equal to the number of chances or opportunities with which the player enters or begins the game or bonus round of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

an initial indicator in a base game controlled by the processor for displaying of a plurality of symbols;

an initial number of award opportunities associated with at least one symbol or symbol combination of the initial indicator; and

a secondary mechanical indicator in a bonus game controlled the processor for displaying award outcomes and at least one additional opportunity outcome, wherein the additional opportunity outcome includes a plurality of additional award opportunities.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the number of additional award opportunities is equal to said initial number of award opportunities.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the number of additional award opportunities is randomly determined.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the number of additional award opportunities is based on said initial number of award opportunities.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the number of additional award opportunities is predetermined based on the symbol or symbol combination displayed by the initial indicator.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said initial indicator includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said secondary indicator includes a wheel having a plurality of sections.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the secondary indicator includes a plurality of re-spin sections, at least two of said re-spin sections providing a different number of additional award opportunities.

9. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes means controlled by said processor for indicating the number of award opportunities and additional award opportunities to a player.

10. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a limit to accumulated award opportunities and additional award opportunities.

11. The gaming device of claim 10, which includes a consolation award provided to a player upon reaching said limit.

12. A gaming device comprising:

a processor for providing an initial number of award opportunities on a first display to a player upon the generation of an additional opportunity outcome; and

a secondary mechanical indicator for displaying at least one award outcome and a plurality of additional opportunity outcomes that provide a number of additional award opportunities based on the initial number.

13. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein said processor is adapted to provide a number of additional award opportunities equal to the initial number.

14. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein the first display includes a plurality of symbols, wherein at least one symbol or symbol combination generates the initial number of award opportunities.

15. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein the first display includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols.

16. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein said secondary mechanical indicator includes a wheel having a plurality of sections.

17. The gaming device of claim 12, which includes means controlled by the processor for indicating the initial number of award opportunities to said player.

18. The gaming device of claim 12, which includes means controlled by the processor for a player to initiate an outcome generation by the secondary mechanical indicator.

19. The gaming device of claim 12, which includes a limit to an accumulated number of award opportunities and additional world opportunities.

20. The gaming device of claim 19, which includes a consolation award provided to the player upon reaching the limit.

21. A gaming device comprising:

a processor for providing a number of additional award opportunities in a bonus game equal to an initial number of award opportunities upon the generation of an additional opportunity outcome in the bonus game;

a first indicator controlled by the processor for displaying a plurality of symbols in a base game, wherein at least one symbol or symbol combination generates the initial number of award opportunities in the base game; and

a second indicator controlled by the processor for displaying at least one award outcome and at least one of additional opportunity outcome in the bonus game.

22. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

an initial indicator including a plurality of reels in a base slot game controlled by the processor for displaying of a plurality of symbols;

at least two initial award opportunities associated with at least one symbol or symbol combination of the initial indicator;

a secondary mechanical indicator in a bonus game controlled the processor, said secondary mechanical indicator including a wheel having a plurality of sections for displaying award outcomes and at least one additional opportunity outcome, wherein the additional opportunity outcome provides a player a plurality of additional award opportunities equal to said initial number of award opportunities; and

means controlled by said processor for indicating the number of award opportunities, additional award opportunities, and a limit to accumulated award opportunities and additional award opportunities to the player.

23. A method for operating a gaming device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling a player to play a first game;

(b) providing an initial number of award opportunities for a second game to the player during play of said first game;

(c) enabling the player to play the second game; and

(d) providing a number of additional award opportunities based on the number of initial award opportunities to the player upon the generation of an additional opportunity outcome during the second game.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein playing said second game includes rotating a wheel or a cursor.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein playing said second game includes generating an accompanying award.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein providing additional award opportunities includes providing a predetermined number of additional award opportunities.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein providing additional award opportunities includes providing a number of additional award opportunities equal to the initial number of award opportunities.

28. A method for operating a gaming device, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling a player to play a base game;

providing an initial number of award opportunities for a bonus game to said player during play of the base game;

enabling the player to play said bonus game; and

providing a number of additional award opportunities equal to the initial number of award opportunities to the player upon generation of an additional opportunity outcome during the bonus game.