Multi-reel slot machine with selectable reel play

• US 20050164777A1
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming International Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Daly, Terence Gerard
• Granted Patent: US 7,108,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A reel spinning gaming device 10 includes a plurality of selectable reels 20 each having game symbols 30 located thereon, a selection system 40, an actuating system 50, and a prize controller 60. Each reel displays an outcome symbol 30 after having been spun. The number of selectable reels 20 included in the gaming device 10 is larger than that utilized for an individual game. In this regard, the selection system 40 designates a subset of the selectable reels as the initial active reels 70 for the initial game. The actuating system 50 then spins the initial active reels 70, after which the prize controller 60 determines whether or not a prize is to be awarded dependent upon the combination of the outcome symbols 30 from the initial active reels 70. The selection system 40 (or a reselection system 80 in some preferred embodiments) then designates a new subset of the selectable reels 20 as the active reels 70 for each subsequent consecutive game by substituting a non-active reel from the previous game with an active reel from the previous game. Specifically, the active reels 70 for the subsequent consecutive game include the newly substituted active reel and the remaining active reels from the previous game. The actuating system 50 spins the newly substituted active reel, but does not spin the remaining active reels from the previous game. The prize controller 60 then determines whether or not a prize is to be awarded dependent upon the combination of the outcome symbol 30 from the newly substituted active reel and the outcome symbols of the remaining active reels from the previous game. This process is repeated until all of the games purchased by the player (or otherwise entitled to the player) have been exhausted.

Claims

1. A gaming system that allows a player to play multiple games, wherein each actuation of indicia-bearing members constitutes a game, the system comprising:

a plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members, wherein each selectable indicia-bearing member displays an outcome indicia after the member has been actuated;

a selection system operatively associated with each selectable indicia-bearing member, wherein the selection system designates a subset of the selectable indicia-bearing members as the initial active indicia-bearing members for an initial game;

an actuating system operatively associated with the selectable indicia-bearing members, wherein the actuating system actuates the initial active indicia-bearing members to achieve an outcome indicia combination for the initial game;

a prize controller, wherein the prize controller makes a prize determination as to whether a prize is to be awarded based upon the outcome indicia combination of the initial game; and

a reselection system, wherein the reselection system substitutes a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for a second game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the second game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members, and wherein the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member is actuated for the second game while the remaining active indicia-bearing members are not actuated for the second game;

wherein the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member is used in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members to produce an outcome indicia combination for the second game, and wherein the prize controller performs a prize determination for the second game.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the reselection system further substitutes a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member from the second game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for a third game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the third game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members, and wherein the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member is actuated for the third game while the remaining active indicia-bearing members are not actuated;

wherein the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member is used in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members to produce an outcome indicia combination for the third game, and wherein a prize determination is performed by the prize controller for the third game; and

wherein the substitution, designation, and actuation of active indicia-bearing members, and the prize determination of the outcome indicia combinations produced in association therewith, is repeated for any additional games until a pre-established criteria has been satisfied.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the reselection system substitutes more than one non-active indicia-bearing member for more than one active indicia-bearing member when designating a new subset of the selectable indicia-bearing members as active indicia-bearing members.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the substitution of a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member comprises shifting the selectable indicia-bearing members that are designated as active indicia-bearing members to the left by one indicia-bearing member within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the substitution of a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member comprises shifting the selectable indicia-bearing members that are designated as active indicia-bearing members to the right by one indicia-bearing member within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the substitution of a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member comprises randomly selecting the indicia-bearing members that are to be designated as active indicia-bearing members within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the reselection system that substitutes non-active indicia-bearing members for active indicia-bearing members is player controlled.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the reselection system that substitutes non-active indicia-bearing members for active indicia-bearing members is computer controlled.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the selectable indicia-bearing members are mechanical components.

10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the selectable indicia-bearing members are video components.

11. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the selectable indicia-bearing members include both mechanical and video indicia-bearing members.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are designated as active by highlighting the active indicia-bearing members.

13. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are designated as active by de-emphasizing the non-active indicia-bearing members.

14. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are designated as active by removing the non-active indicia-bearing members from view of the player.

15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are juxtapositioned within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

16. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are non-contiguous within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

17. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein only the initial active indicia-bearing members are actuated in the initial game, and wherein only the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member that is so designated in each following game is actuated in that following game.

18. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members are actuated in the initial game for increased player excitement, but only the outcome indicia combination from the initial active indicia-bearing members is used by the prize controller to provide a prize determination for the initial game;

and

wherein all of the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members, except for the remaining active indicia-bearing members, are actuated in the second game for increased player excitement, but only the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in conjunction with outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members are used by the prize controller to provide a prize determination for the second game.

19. A gaming system that allows a player to play multiple games, wherein each actuation of the indicia-bearing members constitutes a game, the device comprising:

a plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members, wherein each selectable indicia-bearing member displays an outcome indicia after the member has been actuated;

a selection system operatively associated with each selectable indicia-bearing member, wherein the selection system designates a subset of the selectable indicia-bearing members as the initial active indicia-bearing members for the initial game, and wherein, for a second game, the selection system substitutes a non-active indicia-bearing member with an active indicia-bearing member from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for the second game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the second game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members;

an actuating system operatively associated with the selectable indicia-bearing members, wherein the actuating system actuates the initial active indicia-bearing members to achieve an outcome indicia combination for the initial game; and

wherein the actuating system actuates the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in the second game to achieve an outcome indicia while not actuating the remaining active indicia-bearing members in the second game; and

wherein the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in the second game is used in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members to produce an outcome indicia combination for the second game; and

a prize controller, wherein the prize controller makes a prize determination as to whether a prize is to be awarded based upon the outcome indicia combination of each game.

20. The gaming system of claim 19, wherein the substitution, designation, and actuation of active reels, and the prize determination of the outcome indicia combinations produced in association therewith, is repeated for any additional games to which the player is entitled.

21. A gaming method implementing a plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members, wherein each selectable indicia-bearing member displays an outcome indicia after the member has been actuated, and wherein a player engages in multiple games, each actuation of the indicia-bearing members constituting a game, the method comprising:

selecting a subset of the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members as initial active indicia-bearing members in an initial game;

actuating the initial active indicia-bearing members to achieve an outcome indicia combination in the initial game;

making a prize determination based upon the outcome indicia combination, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, in the initial game;

substituting a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for a second game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the second game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members;

actuating, for the second game, the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member to achieve an outcome indicia; and

making a prize determination based upon the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, for the second game.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

substituting a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member from the second game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for a third game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the third game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members;

actuating, for the third game, the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member to achieve an outcome indicia while the remaining active indicia-bearing members are not actuated;

making a prize determination based upon the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, for the third game; and

repeating the substituting, designating, and actuating of active indicia-bearing members, and the making of prize determinations of the outcome indicia combinations produced in association therewith, for any additional games to which the player is entitled.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the substituting of non-active indicia-bearing members with active indicia-bearing members comprises substituting more than one non-active indicia-bearing member with more than one active indicia-bearing member, thereby designating a larger number of newly substituted active indicia-bearing members and a smaller number of remaining active indicia-bearing members for a subsequent consecutive game.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the substituting of indicia-bearing members comprises shifting the indicia-bearing members that are designated as active indicia-bearing members to the left by one indicia-bearing member within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the substituting of indicia-bearing members comprises shifting the indicia-bearing members that are designated as active indicia-bearing members to the right by one indicia-bearing member within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the substituting of indicia-bearing members comprises randomly selecting the indicia-bearing members that are to be designated as active indicia-bearing members within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the substituting of a non-active indicia-bearing member with an active indicia-bearing member is player controlled.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the substituting of a non-active indicia-bearing member with an active indicia-bearing member is computer controlled.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the selectable indicia-bearing members are mechanical components.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the selectable indicia-bearing members are video components.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the selectable indicia-bearing members include both mechanical and video indicia-bearing members.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are designated as active by highlighting at least a portion of the active indicia-bearing members.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are designated as active by de-emphasizing the non-active indicia-bearing members.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are designated as active by concealing the non-active indicia-bearing members from the player'"'"'s view.

35. The method of claim 21, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are juxtapositioned within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

36. The method of claim 21, wherein the active indicia-bearing members are non-contiguous within the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members.

37. The method of claim 21, wherein only the initial active indicia-bearing members are actuated in the initial game, and wherein only the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member that is so designated in each following game is actuated in that following game.

38. The method of claim 21, wherein all of the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members are actuated in the initial game for increased player excitement, but only the outcome indicia combination from the initial active indicia-bearing members is used by the prize controller to make a prize determination;

and

wherein all of the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members except for the remaining active indicia-bearing members are actuated in the second game for increased player excitement, but only the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in conjunction with outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members are used by the prize controller to make a prize determination for the second game.

39. A gaming system, the system comprising:

a plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members having indicia thereon, wherein each selectable indicia-bearing member displays an outcome indicia after the member has been actuated;

means for accepting a wager from a player to purchase game play, wherein each actuation of an indicia-bearing member constitutes a game;

means for selecting a subset of the plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members as initial active indicia-bearing members in an initial game;

means for actuating the initial active indicia-bearing members to achieve an outcome indicia combination in the initial game;

means for making a prize determination based upon the outcome indicia combination, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, in the initial game;

means for substituting a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for a second game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the second game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members;

means for actuating, for the second game, the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member to achieve an outcome indicia; and

means for making a prize determination based upon the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, in the second game.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

means for substituting a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member from the second game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for a third game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the third game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members;

means for actuating, for the third game, the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member to achieve an outcome indicia while the remaining active indicia-bearing members are not actuated; and

means for making a prize determination based upon the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, for the third game.

41. A gaming device that allows a player to play multiple games, wherein each actuation of indicia-bearing members constitutes a game, the device comprising:

a plurality of selectable indicia-bearing members, wherein each selectable indicia-bearing member displays an outcome indicia after the member has been actuated;

a selection system operatively associated with each selectable indicia-bearing member, wherein the selection system designates a subset of the selectable indicia-bearing members as the initial active indicia-bearing members for an initial game;

an actuating system operatively associated with the selectable indicia-bearing members, wherein the actuating system actuates the initial active indicia-bearing members to achieve an outcome indicia combination for the initial game; and

a reselection system, wherein the reselection system substitutes a non-active indicia-bearing member for an active indicia-bearing member from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active indicia-bearing members for a second game, the new set of active indicia-bearing members for the second game including a newly substituted active indicia-bearing member and remaining active indicia-bearing members, and wherein the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member is actuated for the second game while the remaining active indicia-bearing members are not actuated for the second game;

wherein the outcome indicia from the newly substituted active indicia-bearing member is used in conjunction with the outcome indicia from the remaining active indicia-bearing members to produce an outcome indicia combination for the second game.