Gaming machine with player selection of options in bonus game

• US 20030216167A1
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GTECH Germany GmbH
• Original Assignee: Atronic International GmbH (Gauselmann AG)
• Inventors: Gauselmann, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,508 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

In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game, such as a spinning reel type game, either using physical reels or simulated reels on a video screen. A special combination of symbols activates a video bonus game. The bonus game comprises a plurality of N unknown options in the form of icons, where the player may only make M choices, where M is less than N. In another embodiment, M is less than or equal to N. The unknown options may include, for example, different award credits. The options may be presented as hidden values behind doors or using other attractive presentation. The N values behind the closed doors are displayed in an order unrelated to the arrangement of the unknown options so the player sees what she can possibly win. The player then makes her M selections to win the awards behind the doors. There may be additional levels of the bonus game. Numerous other embodiments are described relating to providing the player unknown options and allowing the player to select a subset of the options. In one embodiment, the games involve some player strategy. For example, the game reveals a hidden value to a player, and the player must choose whether to take the revealed value or select another door.

Claims

1. A gaming method comprising:

conducting a main game, the main game having a plurality of possible outcomes, at least one of the outcomes enabling a secondary game;

after the main game generates said at least one of the outcomes, enabling the secondary game, the secondary game comprising;

displaying a plurality of icons to a player, each icon representing an unknown element;

displaying the elements to a player without identifying which icons are associated with the elements; and

receiving player selection signals conveying a selection of at least one of the icons.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the elements to a player comprises displaying award values.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the elements to a player comprises displaying multiplier values.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the icons resemble closed doors.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, ends the secondary game.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, activates a different secondary game.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, conveys a symbol, and the method further comprising receiving signals from a player selecting icons in order to obtain a predetermined combination of symbols.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein there are three icons on a screen for the player to choose from.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein there are more than three icons for the player to choose from.

10. The method of claim 1 where there are N icons, and the player is only allowed to select M of the icons, where M<

N.

11. The method of claim 1 where there are N icons, and the player is only allowed to select M of the icons, where M≦

N.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein there are N icons, and the icons, if selected, convey award values, the method further comprising:

displaying to the player M multiplier values, where M<

N; and

allowing the player to apply a multiplier value to a selected icon.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein there are N icons, and the icons, if selected, convey award values, the method further comprising:

displaying to the player M multiplier values, where M<

N; and

allowing the player to apply a multiplier value to a selected icon.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein there are N icons, and the icons, if selected, convey multiplier values, the method further comprising:

displaying to the player M award values, where M<

N; and

allowing the player to apply an award value to a selected icon.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein there are N icons, and the icons, if selected, convey multiplier values, the method further comprising:

displaying to the player M award values, where M≦

N; and

allowing the player to apply an award value to a selected icon.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after the player has made one or more selections from the icons, displaying a next level of the secondary game.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising ending the secondary game after a predetermined plurality of different levels of the secondary game are played.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the secondary game ends after the player selects an icon that automatically ends the secondary game.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, activates a different secondary game, wherein the different secondary game comprises a display of various icons in a format different from the initial secondary game, each icon representing an unknown element, the method further comprising receiving player selection signals conveying a selection of at least one icon in the different secondary game.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the player to choose only one icon per display screen in the secondary game.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising revealing an element associated with one of the icons and allowing the player to either keep that element or select a different icon.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein revealing an element comprises the secondary game automatically revealing the element.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein revealing an element comprises requiring a player to wager one or more credits to reveal an element.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein revealing an element comprises allowing a player to play game of chance, where a winning outcome of the game of chance revealing the element.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, enables the player to play a third game, the third game giving the player an opportunity to multiply an award.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the multiplication is double or nothing.

27. A gaming device comprising:

a display area for displaying a main game, the main game having a plurality of possible outcomes, at least one of the outcomes enabling a secondary game; and

at least one processor and display for displaying the secondary game, the secondary game comprising;

displaying a plurality of icons to a player, each icon representing an unknown element;

displaying the elements to a player without identifying which icons are associated with the elements; and

receiving player selection signals conveying a selection of at least one of the icons.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein displaying the elements to a player comprises displaying award values.

29. The device of claim 27 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, ends the secondary game.

30. The device of claim 27 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, activates a different secondary game.

31. The device of claim 27 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, conveys a symbol, and the secondary game receives signals from a player selecting icons in order to obtain a predetermined combination of symbols.

32. The device of claim 27 wherein there are at least three icons on a screen for the player to choose from.

33. The device of claim 27 where there are N icons, and the player is only allowed to select M of the icons, where M<

N.

34. The device of claim 27 wherein there are N icons, and the icons, if selected, convey award values, the secondary game further comprising:

displaying to the player M multiplier values, where M<

N; and

allowing the player to apply a multiplier value to a selected icon.

35. The device of claim 27 wherein the secondary game further comprises:

after the player has made one or more selections from the icons, displaying a next level of the secondary game.

36. The device of claim 27 wherein the secondary game further comprises ending the secondary game after a predetermined plurality of different levels of the secondary game are played.

37. The device of claim 36 wherein the secondary game ends after the player selects an icon that automatically ends the secondary game.

38. The device of claim 27 wherein at least one of the icons, if selected, activates a different secondary game, wherein the different secondary game comprises a display of various icons in a format different from the initial secondary game, each icon representing an unknown element, the secondary game further comprising receiving player selection signals conveying a selection of at least one icon in the different secondary game.

39. The device of claim 27 wherein the secondary game further comprises allowing the player to choose only one icon per display screen in the secondary game.

40. The device of claim 27 wherein the display is a touch screen.

41. The device of claim 27 wherein the display is a video screen.

42. The device of claim 27 wherein the secondary game reveals an element associated with one of the icons and allows the player to either keep that element or select a different icon.

43. The device of claim 42 wherein the secondary game automatically reveals the element.

44. The device of claim 42 wherein the secondary game requires a player to wager one or more credits to reveal an element.

45. The device of claim 42 wherein the secondary game allows a player to play game of chance, where a winning outcome of the game of chance reveals the element.

46. A gaming method comprising:

conducting a main game, the main game having a plurality of possible outcomes, at least one of the outcomes enabling a secondary game;

after the main game generates said at least one of the outcomes, enabling the secondary game, the secondary game comprising;

displaying a plurality of icons to a player, each icon representing an unknown element;

revealing at least one element to the player;

allowing the player to take the revealed element or select one of the remaining unknown elements; and

receiving player selection signals conveying a selection of at least one of the icons.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein one of the unknown elements ends the secondary game, and another of the unknown elements enables the player to continue on to a next level.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising advancing the secondary game to a next level.

49. The method of claim 46 further comprising requiring the player to pay in order to reveal at least one element to the player.

50. The method of claim 46 further comprising requiring the player to answer a question in order to reveal at least one element to the player.