Gaming machine with skill feature

• US 5,342,049 A
• Filed: 03/03/1993
• Issued: 08/30/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.), IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Gutknecht, Leroy H., Fernandez, Claude A., Wichinsky, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US08/025,985
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 273/118 R, 273/118 A, 273/119 R, 273/119 A, 273/121 R, 273/121 A, 273/123 R, 273/123 A, 273/138 R, 273/138 A, 273/143 R, 273/143 A , 273/129 R, 273/129 V, 273/127 R, 273/120 R, 273/120 A
• US Class Current: 273/119.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0017 progressive jackpot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/13 using coins or paper money as play elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/027 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0468 Electronic dice; electronic dice simulators
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A gaming machine combines a random selection feature with a skill feature to allow the player to utilize his ability to manipulate the skill feature to improve his chances of winning on the gaming machine. A reel slot machine is combined with a playing surface using a ball. The reel slot machine is first activated and a combination of slot symbols are randomly selected. The player manipulates a ball about a playing surface and the travel of the ball can result in additional spins of one or more reels of the slot machine so that other winning opportunities can be created. The gaming machine can be operated so that the playing surface is only activated when the player achieves a losing combination on the reel slot machine portion. This allows the player a second chance to win if he can use his skill on the playing surface to respin the reel slots. The player can also win "bonus" amounts as set out on a predetermined schedule of payouts by his skillful manipulation of the ball on the playing surface. Alternatively, the playing surface is activated after each spin of the reels to allow the player the opportunity to respin one or more of the reel slots after a losing spin or to improve a low pay winning spin. Finally, the gaming machine can be operated with a progressive jackpot feature using the results of the spin of the slot reels, the skillful manipulation of the playfield feature or both.

Claims

1. A gaming machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter mounted in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for receiving coins for initially activating the gaming machine;

f) means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a pay line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for paying the player when the symbols displayed on the pay line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved, the means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine comprising a skill hole located on the playing surface, and

j) means for paying the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the pay line after one or more of the reels are respun.

2. A gaming machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter mounted in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for receiving coins for initially activating the gaming machine;

means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a pay line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for paying the player when the symbols displayed on the pay line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved, the means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine comprises a reel lane located on a portion of the playing surface, and

j) means for paying the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the pay line after one or more of the reels are respun.

3. A gaming machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter mounted in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for receiving coins for initially activating the gaming machine;

f) means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a pay line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for paying the player when the symbols displayed on the pay line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved;

j) means for paying the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the pay line after one or more of the reels are respun; and

k) a light feature display including randomly illuminated symbols located on the playing surface and means for paying the player when the symbols on the pay line of the reel slot machine correspond to the illuminated symbols of the light feature display.

4. A gaming machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets, the playing surface having a lower playfield section and an upper playfield section and at least one lane connects the lower playfield section to the upper playfield section;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter mounted in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for receiving coins for initially activating the gaming machine;

f) means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a pay line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for paying the player when the symbols displayed on the pay line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved, the means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine comprising skill holes located on the lower playfield section, and

j) means for paying the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the pay line after one or more of the reels are respun.

5. An amusement machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter located in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for initially activating the amusement machine;

f) means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a scoring line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for allocating points to the player when the symbols displayed on the scoring line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved;

the means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine comprising a skill hole located on the playing surface; and

j) means for allocating points to the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the scoring line after one or more of the reels are respun.

6. An amusement machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter located in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for initially activating the amusement machine;

f) means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a scoring line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for allocating points to the player when the symbols displayed on the scoring line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved;

the means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine comprising a reel lane located on a portion of the playing surface; and

j) means for allocating points to the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the scoring line after one or more of the reels are respun.

7. An amusement machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter located in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for initially activating the amusement machine;

f) means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a scoring line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for allocating points to the player when the symbols displayed on the scoring line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved;

j) means for allocating points to the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the scoring line after one or more of the reels are respun; and

k) a light feature display including randomly illuminated symbols located on the playing surface and means for allocating points to the player when the symbols on the pay line of the reel slot machine correspond to the illuminated symbols of the light feature display.

8. An amusement machine that includes both random features and skill features comprising:

a) a cabinet having a lower section and an upper section;

b) a playing surface located in the lower section and including a plurality of playfield targets, the playing surface having a lower playfield section and an upper playfield section and at least one lane connects the lower playfield section to the upper playfield section;

c) a reciprocating ball shooter located in the lower section adjacent to the playing surface and a ball sized to fit in the ball shooter;

d) a reel slot machine located in the upper section including a plurality of reels, each reel having symbols located thereon;

e) means for initially activating the amusement machine;

f) means for activating the spinning of the reels and means for displaying at least one symbol on each of the reels on a scoring line when the reels stop spinning;

g) means for allocating points to the player when the symbols displayed on the scoring line comprise a winning combination;

h) means for activating the ball shooter to shoot the ball across the playing surface;

i) means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine when the ball activates one of the playfield targets so that a new random selection of a symbol on the reel is achieved, the means for respinning at least one of the reels of the reel slot machine comprising skill holes located on the lower playfield section; and

j) means for allocating points to the player for any amounts resulting from a winning combination on the scoring line after one or more of the reels are respun.