METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCED PLAY OF A GAMING DEVICE

• US 20080153565A1
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Fincham, Magdalena M., Tulley, Stephen C., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Wakker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,016,658 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 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements

Abstract

An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a slot machine identifies a tracked symbol and initializes a running count representing active occurrences of the tracked symbol generated during a play session. During the session, the slot machine generates at least one outcome represented by a set of symbols and determines whether the outcome includes an occurrence of a tracked symbol. The slot machine adjusts the running count, increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the tracked symbol and, in some embodiments, decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the tracked symbol. Once the running count reaches a predetermined level, the slot machine determines a bonus payout based on the running count.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating at least one outcome, in which

each outcome includes a plurality of instances selected from a set of slot machine symbols, and

the set of slot machine symbols includes a plurality of predetermined slot machine symbols;

adjusting a running count based on occurrences of the predetermined slot machine symbols in the outcome;

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired; and

determining a bonus payout based on the running count.

2. The method of claim 1, in which

the plurality of predetermined symbols includes at least a first predetermined symbol and a second predetermined symbol;

and in which

determining a bonus payout based on the running count comprises

determining a bonus payout based on the running count if the running count indicates an occurrence of the first predetermined symbol and an occurrence of the second predetermined symbol.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing an offer to obtain a first bonus payout amount based on the running count.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining that the offer was rejected;

generating at least one additional outcome;

adjusting a running count based on occurrences of the predetermined slot machine symbols in the at least one additional outcome;

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired; and

determining a bonus payout based on the running count.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the offer;

paying the first payout amount.

6. The method of claim 1, in which

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired comprises:

determining whether an occurrence of the predetermined symbols has expired based on a number of plays after which the occurrence expires.

7. The method of claim 1, in which

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired comprises:

determining whether an occurrence of the predetermined symbols has expired based on a time after which the occurrence expires.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a payout based on the outcome;

determining whether the payout equals zero; and

wherein determining a bonus payout is performed only if the payout equals zero.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a wager; and

in which the step of determining the bonus payout based on the running count comprises;

determining the bonus payout based on the running count and the wager.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the running count on a slot server.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the running count from a slot server.

12. The method of claim 1, in which

determining a bonus payout based on the running count comprises

determining a bonus payout based on the running count if a predetermined amount of time has passed.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a processor, and

a storage device in communication with the processor, in which the storage device stores a program that is operable to direct the processor to perform the method of claim 1.

20. A computer-readable medium that stores a program that is operable to direct the processor to perform the method of claim 1.

13. A method comprising:

receiving a player identifier;

receiving, from a server, a running count which is based on the player identifier,

generating a plurality of outcomes, in which

each outcome includes a plurality of instances selected from a set of slot machine symbols, and

the set of slot machine symbols includes a plurality of predetermined slot machine symbols, and

the plurality of predetermined symbols includes at least a first predetermined symbol and a second predetermined symbol;

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined slot machine symbols in each outcome;

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired; and

determining a bonus payout based on the running count if the running count indicates an occurrence of the first predetermined symbol and an occurrence of the second predetermined symbol.

14. The method of claim 13, in which

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired comprises:

determining whether an occurrence of the predetermined symbols has expired based on a number of plays after which the occurrence expires.

15. The method of claim 13, in which

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired comprises:

determining whether an occurrence of the predetermined symbols has expired based on a time after which the occurrence expires.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing an offer to obtain a first bonus payout amount based on the running count.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a processor, and

a storage device in communication with the processor, in which the storage device stores a program that is operable to direct the processor to perform the method of claim 13.

17. A method comprising:

receiving the game program from the server, and

running the game program, which directs a device to perform a method which includes;

receiving a player identifier;

receiving, from a server, a running count which is based on the player identifier.

generating a plurality of outcomes, in which

each outcome includes a plurality of instances selected from a set of slot machine symbols, and

the set of slot machine symbols includes a plurality of predetermined slot machine symbols, and

the plurality of predetermined symbols includes at least a first predetermined symbol and a second predetermined symbol;

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined slot machine symbols in each outcome;

adjusting the running count based on occurrences of the predetermined symbols that have expired; and

determining a bonus payout based on the running count if the running count indicates an occurrence of the first predetermined symbol and an occurrence of the second predetermined symbol.

21. A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a plurality of tracked symbols;

initializing a plurality of running counts, each running count corresponding to a tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols;

determining an occurrence of at least one of the tracked symbols;

selecting a running count which corresponds to the occurrence of at least one of the tracked symbols;

adjusting the selected running count; and

determining a bonus payout based on the selected running count.

22. The method of claim 21 in which:

the step of adjusting includes one of;

adding a predetermined integer value to the selected running count; and

subtracting a predetermined integer value from the selected running count.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

identifying an expiration condition representing a number of plays after which an occurrence of at least one of the tracked symbols expires; and

determining an expiration of an occurrence of at least one of the tracked symbols based on the expiration condition.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

identifying an expiration condition representing a time after which an occurrence of at least one of the tracked symbols expires; and

determining an expiration of an occurrence of at least one of the tracked symbols based on the expiration condition.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

determining a payout based on the outcome;

determining whether the payout equals zero; and

in which the step of determining an occurrence is performed only if the payout equals zero.

26. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

storing the running counts on a player tracking card, and

in which each running count includes status data representing an expiration condition of each occurrence of a tracked symbol.

27. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

storing the running count at a slot server, and

in which each running count includes status data representing an expiration criterion of each occurrence of a tracked symbol.

28. The method of claim 21 in which

determining a bonus payout further comprises:

determining the bonus payout based on a number of plays of the slot machine.

29. The method of claim 21 in which the step of

determining a bonus payout further comprises:

determining the bonus payout based on a duration of time.

30. The method of claim 21 in which each running count represents occurrences of a tracked symbol generated by a second slot machine.

31. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

receiving a wager; and

in which the step of determining a bonus payout further comprises;

determining the bonus payout based on a wager amount.

32. The method of claim 21 in which each tracked symbol includes:

at least one bonus symbol which contributes to the corresponding running count;

at least one offsetting symbol; and

in which adjusting the selected running count further comprise;

subtracting occurrences of the at least one offsetting symbol.

33. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

determining a payout, and

determining a bonus payout comprises

determining a multiplier to be applied to the payout.

34. The method of claim 21 in which

determining a bonus payout includes

determining points for a slot play reward system.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

determining a payout for expired occurrences of a tracked symbol.

36. The method of claim 21 in which the slot machine comprises a reel slot machine, and the symbols comprise reel symbols.

37. The method of claim 36 in which the reel slot machine includes

a symbol display window and

a payout line that is visible within the symbol display window;

and

in which determining an occurrence comprises;

selecting at least one tracked symbol from amongst all symbols displayed in the symbol display window.

38. The method of claim 36 in which

determining an occurrence includes

selecting the at least one tracked symbol from amongst symbols on one specified reel of the reel slot machine.

39. A method for directing the operation of a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a plurality of tracked symbols;

associating a predetermined expiration condition with each occurrence of each tracked symbol after which each occurrence is expired;

generating a plurality of running counts, each running count corresponding to a tracked symbol; and

identifying a bonus payout based on at least one running count.

40. A method comprising:

identifying a plurality of tracked symbols, each having associated therewith an expiration condition after which the tracked symbol is expired;

generating a running count for each tracked symbol, including

adding to the running count for a new occurrences of the tracked symbol and

subtracting from the running count for expired occurrences of the tracked symbol, thereby determining an ongoing count of active occurrences of each tracked symbol;

identifying a bonus value; and

generating a bonus payout when at least one of the running counts exceeds the bonus value.

41. A method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked card symbol;

initializing a plurality of running counts each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked card symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of card symbols;

determining an occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol in the plurality of card symbols;

selecting one of said plurality of running counts corresponding to the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol;

adjusting the selected one of the plurality of running counts; and

determining a bonus payout based on the selected running count.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the at least one tracked card symbol comprises at least one of a card value, a card suit, a combination of a card value and a suit, and a card type.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the selected one of said plurality of running counts based on a card value.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the outcome comprises the plurality of card symbols from a game.

45. The method of claim 41 wherein the plurality of card symbols comprises a final hand.

46. The method of claim 41 wherein determining the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol comprises determining the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol at at least one predetermined card position.

47. The method of claim 41 additionally comprising storing the plurality of running counts on an electronic storage device.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the electronic storage device comprises a server having at least one database for storing the plurality of running counts and an associated player identifier.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the server is accessible from more than one gaming device.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein at least one datum stored in the database expires after a predetermined period of time.

51. The method of claim 47 wherein the electronic storage device comprises a player tracking card.

52. The method of claim 41 wherein determining the bonus payout comprises determining the bonus payout based upon an amount of time during which the selected running count is adjusted.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the amount of time comprises an amount of time required to perform a predetermined number of game plays.

54. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform a method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked card symbol;

initializing a plurality of running counts each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked card symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of card symbols;

determining an occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol in the plurality of card symbols;

selecting one of said plurality of running counts corresponding to the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol;

adjusting the selected one of the plurality of running counts; and

determining a bonus payout based on the selected running count.

55. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to perform a method comprising;

identifying at least one tracked card symbol;

initializing a plurality of running counts each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked card symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of card symbols;

determining an occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol in the plurality of card symbols;

selecting one of said plurality of running counts corresponding to the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked card symbol;

adjusting the selected one of the plurality of running counts; and

determining a bonus payout based on the selected running count.

56. A method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked card symbol;

initializing a plurality of running values each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the plurality of running values based upon at least one of an occurrence of one of the at least one tracked symbol and a period of time since the occurrence.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the period of time comprises a first period of time and a second period of time.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein adjusting comprises increasing the plurality of running values during the first period of time by a first amount and decreasing the plurality of running values during the second period of time by a second amount.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein increasing the plurality of running values occurs at a first rate and decreasing the plurality of running values occurs at a second rate.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the first rate and the second rate are different.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein, for one of the plurality of running values, the second period of time ends when the running value equals zero.

62. The method of claim 58 wherein, for one of the plurality of running values, the second period of time ends when a game ends.

63. The method of claim 56 further comprising determining a bonus payout based on at least one of the plurality of running values.

64. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform a method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked card symbol;

initializing a plurality of running values each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the plurality of running values based upon at least one of an occurrence of one of the at least one tracked symbol and a period of time since the occurrence.

65. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to perform a method comprising;

identifying at least one tracked card symbol;

initializing a plurality of running values each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the plurality of running values based upon at least one of an occurrence of one of the at least one tracked symbol and a period of time since the occurrence.

66. A method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked symbol of a game;

initializing a plurality of running values each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the plurality of running values based upon at least one of an occurrence of one of the at least one tracked symbol and an expiration of a period of time since the occurrence.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the period of time comprises a period of time to perform a predetermined number of game plays.

68. The method of claim 66 further comprising displaying a visual indicia of at least one of the plurality of running values.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the visual indicia comprises an image that decays over the predetermined period of time.

70. The method of claim 68 wherein the visual indicia comprises a plurality of sub-images.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein the plurality of sub-images accumulate in proportion to at least one of the plurality of running values.

72. The method of claim 70 wherein the plurality of sub-images gradually disappear.

73. The method of claim 70 wherein the plurality of sub-images are gradually removed.

74. The method of claim 68 wherein the visual indicia comprises at least one image representative of the at least one tracked symbol and a corresponding image of a timer device indicating an expiration status of the at least one image representative of the at least one tracked symbol.

75. The method of claim 66 wherein a duration of the period of time changes in response to the operation of another game.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the other game is played on a gaming device different that upon which the game is played.

77. The method of claim 66 wherein a duration of the period of time changes in response to the actions of a virtual opponent

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the virtual opponent comprises a game character.

79. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform a method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked symbol of a game;

initializing a plurality of running values each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the plurality of running values based upon at least one of an occurrence of one of the at least one tracked symbol and an expiration of a period of time since the occurrence.

80. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to perform a method comprising;

identifying at least one tracked symbol of a game;

initializing a plurality of running values each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the plurality of running values based upon at least one of an occurrence of one of the at least one tracked symbol and an expiration of a period of time since the occurrence.

81. A method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked symbol having a corresponding value;

initializing a running value;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running value by an amount equal the corresponding value of the at least one tracked symbol upon an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol.

82. The method of 81 further comprising altering the play of a game in response to the running value.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the altering comprises altering a parameter of a bonus game.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein the parameter is at least one of a distance traveled, a speed, gas consumption, a flat tire, and a pit stop

85. The method of claim 82 wherein the altering comprises altering the play of the game for at least one of a predetermined period of time and predetermined number of game plays

86. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform a method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked symbol having a corresponding value;

initializing a running value;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running value by an amount equal the corresponding value of the at least one tracked symbol upon an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol.

87. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to perform a method comprising;

identifying at least one tracked symbol having a corresponding value;

initializing a running value;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running value by an amount equal the corresponding value of the at least one tracked symbol upon an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol.

88. A method comprising:

identifying a tracked symbol in a gaming session;

initializing a running value corresponding to the tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running value upon an occurrence of the tracked symbol by a variable amount depending upon a variable other than the occurrence of the tracked symbol.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein the variable comprises at least one of a point in time of the gaming session, payouts generated in the gaming session, a reel position of the tracked symbol, and the occurrence of one of the plurality of symbols other than the tracked symbol.

90. The method of claim 88 wherein the variable amount is equal to zero when the occurrence of the tracked symbol does not form a part of a winning combination of the game session.

91. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform a method comprising:

identifying a tracked symbol in a gaming session;

initializing a running value corresponding to the tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running value upon an occurrence of the tracked symbol by a variable amount depending upon a variable other than the occurrence of the tracked symbol.

92. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to perform a method comprising;

identifying a tracked symbol in a gaming session;

initializing a running value corresponding to the tracked symbol;

generating an outcome represented by a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running value upon an occurrence of the tracked symbol by a variable amount depending upon a variable other than the occurrence of the tracked symbol.

93. A method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked symbol;

initializing a plurality of running counts each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating a plurality of outcomes each represented by a plurality of symbols;

determining an occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked symbol in the plurality of outcomes;

selecting one of said plurality of running counts corresponding to the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked symbol;

adjusting the selected one of the plurality of running counts; and

determining a bonus payout based on the selected running count.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein each of said plurality of outcomes is generated on a plurality of gaming devices.

95. The method of claim 94 wherein each of said plurality of gaming devices is operated by at least one of a plurality of players.

96. The method of claim 95 further comprising activating a control to form a team comprising a plurality of the plurality of players.

97. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform a method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked symbol;

initializing a plurality of running counts each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating a plurality of outcomes each represented by a plurality of symbols;

determining an occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked symbol in the plurality of outcomes;

selecting one of said plurality of running counts corresponding to the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked symbol;

adjusting the selected one of the plurality of running counts; and

determining a bonus payout based on the selected running count.

98. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to perform a method comprising;

identifying at least one tracked symbol;

initializing a plurality of running counts each corresponding to one of the at least one tracked symbol;

generating a plurality of outcomes each represented by a plurality of symbols;

determining an occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked symbol in the plurality of outcomes;

selecting one of said plurality of running counts corresponding to the occurrence of at least one of the at least one tracked symbol;

adjusting the selected one of the plurality of running counts; and

determining a bonus payout based on the selected running count.