Gaming device having physical concentric symbol generators which are operable to provide a plurality of different games to a player

• US 20070060246A1
• Filed: 08/26/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Vasquez, James, Kaminkow, Joseph, Baerlocher, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,753,773 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 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

A gaming system with a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different game programs to one, more or each of the gaming devices, wherein each gaming device executes the communicated game program by utilizing one, more or each of the concentric reels. Each game program represents a different setting, configuration or type game which may be played on one, more or each of the gaming devices in the gaming system.

Claims

1. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets controlled by the processor, wherein at least a first one of the reel sets includes an inner reel and an outer reel concentrically arranged around the inner reel, the outer reel of the first reel set defines at least one viewable area through which the inner reel is viewable;

a selectable first game controlled by the processor, said first selectable game having a first set of symbols including;

(a) a plurality of symbols on the outer reel of the first reel set, and

(b) at least one first game symbol on the inner reel of the first reel set, and

wherein when the first game is selected to be played, the processor is programmed to provide at least one play of the first game which includes generating at least one of the symbols of the first set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel to be positioned such that the generated first game symbols on the inner reel are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel; and

a selectable second game controlled by the processor, said second selectable game being different than the first game and having a second set of symbols including;

(a) the plurality of symbols on the outer reel of the first reel set, and

(b) at least one second game symbol on the inner reel of the first reel set, said second game symbols being different than said first game symbols, and

wherein when the second game is selected to be played, the processor is programmed to provide at least one play of the second game which includes generating at least one of the symbols of the second set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel to be positioned such that the generated second game symbols on the inner reel are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first set of symbols includes a plurality of first game symbols.

3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the play of the first game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the first set of symbols.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the second set of symbols includes a plurality of second game symbols.

5. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein the play of the second game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the second set of symbols.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each game is associated with a different paytable which is used if said game is selected.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first and second games are player selectable.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first and second games are processor selectable.

9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first and second games are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

10. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets controlled by the processor, wherein each of the reel sets includes an inner reel and an outer reel concentrically arranged around the inner reel, the outer reel of the each reel set defines at least one viewable area through which the inner reel of said set is viewable;

a selectable first game controlled by the processor, said first selectable game having a first set of symbols including;

(a) a plurality of symbols on the outer reels of the reel sets, and

(b) a plurality of first game symbols on the inner reels of the reel sets, and

wherein when the first game is selected to be played, the processor is programmed to provide at least one play of the first game which includes generating at least one of the symbols of the first set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel of said reel set to be positioned such that the generated first game symbols on said inner reel of said reel set are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel of said reel set; and

a selectable second game controlled by the processor, said second selectable game being different than the first game and having a second set of symbols including;

(a) the plurality of symbols on the outer reels of the reel sets, and

(b) a plurality of second game symbols on the inner reels of the reel sets, said second game symbols being different than said first game symbols, and

wherein when the second game is selected to be played, the processor is programmed to provide at least one play of the second game which includes generating at least one of the symbols of the second set of symbols, said generation includes causing the inner reel and outer reel of at least one of said reel sets to be positioned such that the generated second game symbols on the inner reel of said reel set are viewable through the viewable area of the outer reel of said reel set.

11. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein each game is associated with a different paytable which is used if that game is selected.

12. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the play of the first game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the first set of symbols.

13. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the play of the second game includes generating a plurality of the symbols of the second set of symbols.

14. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the first set of symbols includes a plurality of first game symbols on one of the inner reels of one of the reel sets.

15. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the second set of symbols includes a plurality of second game symbols on one of the inner reels of one of the reel sets.

16. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the first and second games are player selectable.

17. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the first and second games are processor selectable.

18. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the first and second games are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

19. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets operable with the processor, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel including a plurality of symbols, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area which is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area;

a selectable stored first game program, wherein the first stored game program is associated with each of the symbols of the outer reel; and

a selectable stored second game program, wherein the second stored game program is associated with a plurality of symbols of the outer reel and at least one of the symbols of the inner reel, wherein if one of the symbols of the inner reel is generated during a play of the second game program, the outer reel of at least one of the concentric reel sets moves to indicate one of said viewable areas and the inner reel of said concentric reel set is positioned such that the at least one symbol of the inner reel is viewable through the indicated viewable area.

20. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the first stored game program is also associated with at least one of the symbols of the inner reel.

21. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the symbols of the inner reel associated with the first stored game program is different than at least one of the symbols of the inner reel associated with the second stored game program.

22. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area which is positionable such that a plurality of the symbols on the inner reel are viewable through the viewable area.

23. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the first and second game programs are player selectable.

24. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the first and second game programs are processor selectable.

25. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the first and second game programs are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

26. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a first symbol set associated with a selectable first game, said first symbol set including a plurality of first symbols;

a second symbol set associated with a selectable second game, said second symbol set including at least one second symbol which is different than the symbols of the first symbol set; and

a plurality of reel sets operable with the processor, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including the first selectable symbol set and the second selectable symbol set; and

an outer reel including a plurality of third symbols, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area which is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area;

wherein when the first game is selected, in at least one play of the first game, the outer reel of at least one of the concentric reel sets moves to indicate one of said viewable areas and the inner reel of said concentric reel set is positioned such that one of the symbols of the first symbol set is viewable through the indicated viewable area; and

wherein when the second game is selected, in at least one play of the second game, the outer reel of at least one of the concentric reel sets moves to indicate one of said viewable areas and the inner reel of said concentric reel set is positioned such that one of the symbols of the second symbol set is viewable through the indicated viewable area.

27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the second symbol set includes a plurality of second symbols.

28. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein at least one symbol of the plurality of first symbols is different than at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

29. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein at least one symbol of the plurality of first symbols is the same as at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

30. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the at least one second symbol is different than at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

31. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the at least one second symbol is the same as at least one symbol of the plurality of third symbols.

32. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the first and second games are player selectable.

33. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the first and second games are processor selectable.

34. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the first and second games are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

35. A gaming system comprising:

a controller;

a memory device operable with the controller, wherein said memory device stores a plurality of different game programs, each game program is associated with at least one of a plurality of subsets of symbols, wherein said symbols of said plurality of subsets of symbols form a fixed set of symbols and at least two of the different game programs include different subsets of symbols; and

a plurality of gaming devices in communication with the controller, each gaming device including a processor and a plurality of reel sets operable with the processor, the plurality of reels sets including a plurality of symbols which form said fixed set of symbols, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel which defines at least one viewable area, wherein the outer reel is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area;

wherein for each gaming device, the controller is programmed to select one of the different game programs and communicate the selected game program to said gaming device;

wherein each gaming device which the selected game program is communicated to is programmed, for at least one play of the selected game program, to;

(a) cause each of the reel sets to generate at least one symbol from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program, wherein for each concentric reel set, the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program and the outer reel moves to indicate one of said viewable areas;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

36. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the inner reel and outer reel are each electromechanical.

37. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the selected game program is from a group consisting of a predetermined game program, a randomly determined game program, a game program based on the player'"'"'s status in a player tracking system, a game program based on the player'"'"'s wager, a game program based on a selection by the player a game program based on time, and a game program based on a level of a jackpot award.

38. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein each game program is associated with a paytable which is used if that game program is selected.

39. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein at least one symbol is associated with different functions for different game programs.

40. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the outer reel includes at least one symbol.

41. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the outer reel includes a plurality of symbols.

42. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the inner reel of the gaming device which the selected game program displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by moving the inner reel into a designated position.

43. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the inner reel of the gaming device which the selected game program displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by locking the inner reel in a designated position.

44. A gaming system comprising:

a controller;

a memory device operable with the controller, wherein said memory device stores a plurality of different game programs, wherein a plurality of game programs are each associated with a different function of at least one physical reel set; and

a plurality of gaming devices in communication with the controller, each gaming device including a processor and a plurality of physical reel sets operable with the processor, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel which defines at least one viewable area, wherein the outer reel is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area;

wherein for each gaming device, the controller is programmed to select one of the different game programs and communicate the selected game program to said gaming device;

wherein each gaming device which the selected game program is communicated to is programmed to execute the selected game program, for at least one play of the selected game program, by;

(a) causing at least one of the reel sets to generate one of the symbols, wherein which reel sets generate which symbols is based on the selected game program and for each concentric reel set which generates one of the symbols, the inner reel indicates one of the symbols and the outer reel indicates one of said viewable area;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

45. The gaming system of claim 44, wherein the selected game program is from a group consisting of a predetermined game program, a randomly determined game program, a game program based on the player'"'"'s status in a player tracking system, a game program based on the player'"'"'s wager, a game program based on a selection by the player, a game program based on time and a game program based on a level of a jackpot award.

46. The gaming system of claim 44, wherein each game program is associated with a paytable which is used if that game program is selected.

47. The gaming system of claim 44, wherein at least one symbol is associated with different functions for different game programs.

48. The gaming system of claim 44, wherein at least one game program is associated with movement of at least one outer reel and at least one game program is associated with the non-movement of at least one outer reel.

49. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets operable with the processor, the plurality of reels sets including a plurality of symbols which form a fixed set of symbols, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel which defines at least one viewable area, wherein said outer reel is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area; and

a memory device for storing a plurality of different game programs, wherein each game program is associated with at least one of a plurality of different subsets of symbols, wherein said symbols of said plurality of subsets of symbols form said fixed set of symbols;

wherein the processor is operable with said memory device and said reel sets to select one of said game programs and for at least one play of the selected game program;

(a) cause each of the reel sets to generate at least one symbol from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program, wherein for each concentric reel set, the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program and the outer reel moves to indicate one of said viewable areas;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

50. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by moving the inner reel into a designated position.

51. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the inner reel displays at least one of the symbols from the subset of symbols associated with the selected game program by locking the inner reel in a designated position.

52. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the first and second game programs are player selectable.

53. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the first and second game programs are processor selectable.

54. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the first and second game programs are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.

55. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a plurality of reel sets operable with the processor, wherein at least one of the reel sets is a concentric reel set that includes;

an inner reel including a plurality of symbols; and

an outer reel including a plurality of symbols, wherein the outer reel defines at least one viewable area and is positionable such that at least one of the symbols on the inner reel is viewable through the viewable area; and

a memory device for storing a plurality of different game programs;

wherein the processor is operable with the memory device and the reel sets to select one of the different game programs and for at least one play of the selected game program;

(a) cause at least one of the reel sets to generate one of the symbols, wherein which reel sets generate which symbols is based on the selected game program and for each concentric reel set which generates one of the symbols, the inner reel indicates one of the symbols and the outer reel indicates one of said viewable areas;

(b) determine any payout associated with the generated symbols; and

(c) provide any determined payout to a player.

56. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein the first and second game programs are player selectable.

57. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein the first and second game programs are processor selectable.

58. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein the first and second game programs are selectable by a second processor remote from the gaming device.