Gaming device having an accumulated award selection bonus scheme

• US 20050064929A1
• Filed: 11/11/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Baerlocher, Anthony J., Kaminkow, Joseph E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,338,367 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 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming device having a bonus game, where one embodiment of the gaming device includes a display device; a processor that controls the display device; and several selections including awards and at least one accumulated award. The gaming device provides a player with a number of picks to start a game. The player picks selections attempting to obtain awards. If the player picks an accumulated award, the player receives two or more awards that are associated with selections preferably adjacent to the accumulated award. The player continues to pick selections until there are no picks remaining. In another embodiment, the selections include at least one terminator where a player continues to pick selections until the player picks a terminator or until there are no picks remaining.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selections at a plurality of positions;

randomly associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

enabling a player to pick at least one of the selections;

providing at least one accumulated award randomly associated with at least one of said selections, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections which are positionally adjacent to the selection having the associated accumulated award; and

providing the player with any awards and accumulated awards associated with the selections picked by the player.

2. The method of claim 1, which includes determining said accumulated award as a sum of the awards associated with selections that are positionally adjacent to the selection having said accumulated award.

3. The method of claim 1, which includes displaying the selections in positions arranged in rows and columns.

4. The method of claim 3, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are in diagonal positions from the selection having said accumulated award.

5. The method of claim 3, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are at positions in the same row as the selection having said accumulated award.

6. The method of claim 3, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are at positions in the same column as the selection having said accumulated award.

7. The method of claim 1, which includes randomly associating the awards and accumulated awards with said selections based on probabilities associated with said awards and accumulated awards.

8. The method of claim 1, which includes determining said accumulated award by summing the awards associated with selections including accumulated award selections that are positionally adjacent to said accumulated award, and wherein the selections include symbols.

9. The method of claim 1, which includes associating a plurality of accumulated awards with said positionally adjacent selections.

10. The method of claim 1, which includes associating one of the awards with the selection having said accumulated award, and wherein said accumulated award includes said award associated with said selection.

11. The method of claim 1, which includes associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections, and ending further player picks of the selections after said selection having the terminator is picked.

12. The method of claim 1, which includes providing a number of picks, said number being at least two, and enabling the player to pick the selections until no picks remain.

13. The method of claim 1, which is provided through a data network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the data network is an internet.

15. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

initiating a game;

displaying a plurality of selection sets in said game, each said plurality of selection sets including at least one selection, and a plurality of said selection sets each including a plurality of selections;

randomly associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

providing at least one accumulated award randomly associated with at least one of said selections, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections which are positionally adjacent to the selection having the associated accumulated award; and

providing the accumulated award to a player if said selection associated with said accumulated award is picked.

16. The method of claim 15, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing all of the awards associated with the selections in the selection set of the selection having the accumulated award.

17. The method of claim 15, which includes associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, and ending further picks of the selections after said selection having said terminator is picked.

18. The method of claim 15, which includes enabling the player to pick said selections.

19. The method of claim 15, which includes providing a number of picks, said number being at least two, and enabling the player to pick selections from each selection set until no picks remain.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a plurality of selection sets includes varying the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets.

21. The method of claim 20, which includes increasing the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets with each subsequent selection set.

22. The method of claim 15, which is provided through a data network.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the data network is an internet.

24. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

providing a game operable upon a wager by a player;

after an occurrence of a triggering event associated with said game, displaying at least one selection set, each selection set including a plurality of selections displayed at a plurality of positions;

randomly associating a plurality of awards with the selections in the selection sets;

providing at least one accumulated award randomly associated with at least one selection in one of the selection sets, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of the awards associated with at least two other selections in said selection set which are positionally adjacent to the selection associated with said accumulated award; and

providing the accumulated award to a player if said selection associated with said accumulated award is picked.

25. The method of claim 24, which is provided through a data network.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the data network is an internet.

27. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selections at a plurality of positions;

enabling a player to pick at least one of the selections;

randomly associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

providing at least one accumulated award randomly associated with at least one of said selections, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections which are positionally adjacent to the selection having the associated accumulated award; and

providing the player with any awards and accumulated awards associated with the selections picked by the player.

28. The method of claim 27, which includes determining said accumulated award by summing the awards associated with selections that are positionally adjacent to the selection having said accumulated award.

29. The method of claim 27, which includes displaying the selections in positions arranged in rows and columns.

30. The method of claim 29, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are in diagonal positions from the selection having said accumulated award.

31. The method of claim 29, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are at positions in the same row as the selection having said accumulated award.

32. The method of claim 29, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are at positions in the same column as the selection having said accumulated award.

33. The method of claim 27, which includes randomly associating the awards and accumulated awards with said selections based on probabilities associated with said awards and accumulated awards.

34. The method of claim 27, which includes determining said accumulated award by summing the awards associated with selections including accumulated award selections that are positionally adjacent to said accumulated award, and wherein said selections include symbols.

35. The method of claim 27, which includes providing a plurality of accumulated awards associated with said positionally adjacent selections.

36. The method of claim 27, which includes providing an award associated with the selection having said accumulated award, and wherein said accumulated award includes said award associated with said selection.

37. The method of claim 27, which includes associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections, and ending further player picks of the selections if the selection having the terminator is picked.

38. The method of claim 27, which includes providing a plurality of picks, and enabling the player to pick the selections until no picks remain.

39. The method of claim 27, which is provided through a data network.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the data network is an internet.

41. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selection sets, each selection set including at least one selection and a plurality of said selection sets including a plurality of selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

providing at least one accumulated award associated with at least one of said selections, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections in the selection set which are positionally adjacent to the selection having the associated accumulated award; and

providing the accumulated award to a player if said selection associated with said accumulated award is picked.

42. The method of claim 41, which includes determining said accumulated award by summing all of said awards associated with said selections in the selection set of the selection having the accumulated award.

43. The method of claim 41, which includes associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, and ending further picks after the said selection having said terminator is picked.

44. The method of claim 41, which includes enabling the player to pick at least one of the selections.

45. The method of claim 41, which includes providing a plurality of picks, and enabling the player to pick one selection from individual selection sets until there are no picks remaining.

46. The method of claim 41, which includes varying the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets.

47. The method of claim 46, which includes increasing the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets with each subsequent selection set.

48. The method of claim 41, which is provided through a data network.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the data network is an internet.

50. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

displaying at least one selection set, each selection set including a plurality of selections displayed at a plurality of positions;

associating a plurality of awards with the selections in the selection sets;

providing at least one accumulated award associated with at least one selection in one of the selection sets, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of the awards associated with at least two other selections in said selection set which are positionally adjacent to the selection associated with said accumulated award; and

providing the accumulated award to a player if said selection associated with said accumulated award is picked.

51. The method of claim 50, which is provided through a data network.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the data network is an internet.

53. A gaming device operated under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a display device controlled by the processor;

a plurality of sequentially arranged selection sets adapted to be displayed by said display device, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

a plurality of awards associated with said plurality of selections;

a plurality of picks provided to the player, wherein the player can sequentially pick selections from the sequentially arranged selection sets until there are no picks remaining, the number of said picks being less than the number of said selection sets;

at least one promoter associated with at least one of said selections in at least one of said selection sets before a final one of the selection sets, wherein if the selection having said promoter is picked, the processor advances the player to a next selection set without utilizing one of said plurality of picks; and

an additional award provided to the player if the player advances to the final selection set.

54. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the probability of picking said selection having said promoter decreases with each subsequent selection set.

55. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets are different.

56. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets increases with each subsequent selection set.

57. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

displaying a plurality of sequentially arranged selection sets, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

providing a number of picks and enabling the player to sequentially pick selections from the subsequently arranged selection sets until there are no picks remaining, the number of said picks being less than the number of said selection sets;

associating at least one promoter with at least one of said selections in at least one of said selection sets before a final one of the selection sets, and after said selection having said promoter is picked, advancing the player to the next selection set without utilizing one of said plurality of picks; and

providing an additional award if the player advances to the final selection set.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the probability of picking said selection having said promoter decreases with each subsequent selection set.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets are different.

60. The method of claim 59, which includes increasing the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets for each subsequent selection set.

61. The method of claim 57, which is provided through a data network.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the data network is an internet.

63. A gaming device operated under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a display device controlled by the processor;

a plurality of sequentially arranged selection sets adapted to be displayed by said display device, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

a plurality of awards associated with said plurality of selections, wherein the average value of the awards associated with each selection set increases with each subsequent selection set;

a plurality of picks provided to the player, wherein the player can sequentially pick selections from the sequentially arranged selection sets until there are no picks remaining, the number of said picks being less than the number of said selection sets; and

at least one promoter associated with at least one of said selections in at least one of said selection sets before a final one of the selection sets, wherein if the selection having said promoter is picked, the processor advances the player to a next selection set without utilizing one of said plurality of picks.

64. The gaming device of claim 63, wherein the probability of picking said selection having said promoter decreases with each subsequent selection set.

65. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

displaying a plurality of sequentially arranged selection sets, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections, wherein the average value of the awards associated with each selection set increases with each subsequent selection set;

providing a number of picks and enabling the player to sequentially pick selections from the subsequently arranged selection sets until there are no picks remaining, the number of said picks being less than the number of said selection sets; and

associating at least one promoter with at least one of said selections in at least one of said selection sets before a final one of the selection sets, and after said selection having said promoter is picked, advancing the player to the next selection set without utilizing one of said plurality of picks.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the probability of picking said selection having said promoter decreases with each subsequent selection set.

67. The method of claim 65, which is provided through a data network.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the data network is an internet.

69. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

displaying a generated plurality of selections at a plurality of positions;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

enabling a player to pick a plurality of the selections;

providing at least one accumulated award associated with at least one of said selections, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections which are positionally adjacent to the selection having the associated accumulated award;

if the player picks a selection having a transformer and then picks a selection having a terminator that would end further player picks of said selections, changing said terminator into an accumulated award; and

providing the player with any awards and accumulated awards associated with the selections picked by the player.

70. The method of claim 69, which includes determining said accumulated award as a sum of the awards associated with selections that are positionally adjacent to the selection having said accumulated award.

71. The method of claim 69, which includes displaying the selections in positions arranged in rows and columns.

72. The method of claim 71, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are in diagonal positions from the selection having said accumulated award.

73. The method of claim 71, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are at positions in the same row as the selection having said accumulated award.

74. The method of claim 71, which includes determining the accumulated award by summing the awards associated with the selections that are at positions in the same column as the selection having said accumulated award.

75. The method of claim 69, which includes associating the awards and accumulated awards with said selections based on probabilities associated with said awards and accumulated awards.

76. The method of claim 69, wherein each of said selections include symbols, and which includes determining said accumulated award based on the awards associated with selections including accumulated award selections that are positionally adjacent to said accumulated award.

77. The method of claim 69, which includes associating a plurality of accumulated awards with said positionally adjacent selections.

78. The method of claim 69, which includes associating one of the awards with the selection having said accumulated award, and wherein said accumulated award includes said award associated with said selection.

79. The method of claim 69, which includes associating at least one terminator with one of said selections, and ending further player picks of the selections after said selection having said terminator is picked.

80. The method of claim 69, which includes providing a plurality of picks and enabling the player to pick the selections until no picks remain.

81. The method of claim 69, which is provided through a data network.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the data network is an internet.

83. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selection sets, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

enabling a player to pick a plurality of the selections;

providing at least one accumulated award associated with at least one of said selections in one of said selection sets, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections in said selection set which are directly positionally adjacent to the selection having said accumulated award;

associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, and ending further player picks of the selections after said selection having the terminator is picked; and

associating at least one transformer with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, wherein if a player picks one of the selections having said transformer and subsequently picks one of the selections having said terminator, changing said terminator into an accumulated award.

84. The method of claim 83, which includes determining said accumulated award as a sum of all awards associated with selections in the selection set having said accumulated award.

85. The method of claim 83, which includes associating at least one promoter with at least one of said selections in one of said selection sets, and advancing the player to a subsequent selection set after said selection having the promoter is picked.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets are different.

87. The method of claim 83, which includes increasing the average value of the awards associated with the selection sets with each subsequent selection set.

88. The method of claim 83, which is provided through a data network.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the data network is an internet.

90. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selection sets, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

enabling a player to pick the selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

providing at least one accumulated award associated with at least one selection in one of said selection sets, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections in said selection set having said accumulated award;

associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections in one of the selection sets; and

associating at least one transformer with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, wherein if the player picks a selection having said transformer and subsequently picks a selection having said terminator, changing said terminator into an accumulated award.

91. The method of claim 90, which is provided through a data network.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the data network is an internet.

93. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selections;

enabling a player to pick a plurality of the selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

providing at least one accumulated award associated with at least one of said selections, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections which are related to the selection having the associated accumulated award;

providing the player with awards associated with the selections picked by the player and any accumulated award associated with the selections picked by the player;

associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections in one of the selection sets; and

associating at least one transformer with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, wherein if the player picks the selection having said transformer and subsequently picks the selection having said terminator, changing said terminator into one of the accumulated awards.

94. The method of claim 93, which is provided through a data network.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the data network is an internet.

96. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selections sets, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

enabling a player to pick a plurality of selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

providing at least one accumulated award associated with at least one selection in one of said selection sets, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two of said awards associated with at least two other selections in said selection set having said accumulated award;

associating at least one promoter with at least one of said selections in at least one of said selection sets, wherein if the selection having said promoter is picked, advancing the player to the next selection set without utilizing one of the picks;

associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections in one of the selection sets, and ending further player picks of the selections after said selection having said terminator is picked; and

associating at least one transformer with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, wherein if the player picks the selection having said transformer and subsequently picks the selection having said terminator, changing said terminator into the accumulated award.

97. The method of claim 96, which is provided through a data network.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein the data network is an internet.

99. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

displaying at least one selection set, each selection set including a plurality of selections;

associating a plurality of awards with said selections;

associating at least one accumulated award with at least one selection in the selection set, wherein said accumulated award is based on at least two awards associated with at least two other selections in the selection set which are positionally adjacent with the selection associated with said accumulated award;

associating at least one terminator with at least one of said selections in one of the selection sets, and ending further player picks of the selections after said selection having said terminator is picked; and

associating at least one transformer with at least one of said selections in at least one of the selection sets, wherein if the player picks the selection having said transformer and subsequently picks the selection having said terminator, changing said terminator into the accumulated award.

100. The method of claim 99, which is provided through a data network.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the data network is an internet.