Linked gaming machines having a common feature controller
First Claim
1. A method of operating a system of linked gaming machines in which an award is given based on an award criteria, said method comprising the steps of:
- generating during a period of time one or more combinations of symbols in one or more of said linked gaming machines;
determining, based upon said one or more combinations of symbols generated during said period of time, whether a first criterion has been met for making a feature available to said linked gaming machines, said feature, when available to said linked gaming machines, operating to alter said award given by said linked gaming machines;
making said feature available to said linked gaming machines after it has been determined that said first criterion has been met;
generating one or more combinations of symbols in one or more of said linked gaming machines after said feature has been made available;
comparing said one or more combinations of symbols generated after said feature has been made available to a predetermined award criterion to which said feature applies;
giving an award by one or more of said linked gaming machines based upon whether said one or more combinations of symbols generated after said feature has been made available matches said predetermined award criterion; and
making said feature not available to said linked gaming machines after it has been determined that a second criterion has been met.
17 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The preferred embodiment of the present invention operates on a system of interconnected gaming machines and selectively provides one or more active features to all of the gaming machines linked to the system. The enablement of the feature may be based on the combined results from previous plays on the individual gaming machines. The feature may be a bonus award for a specific displayed combination, an increased possibility for a winning combination, or any other feature which alters the normal operation of the gaming machines. The first machine to generate a winning game result to which the feature applies will be given an award based upon the feature. The feature is then disabled and the system returns to normal play mode until the feature is again enabled. Various other features are described.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of operating a system of linked gaming machines in which an award is given based on an award criteria, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating during a period of time one or more combinations of symbols in one or more of said linked gaming machines; determining, based upon said one or more combinations of symbols generated during said period of time, whether a first criterion has been met for making a feature available to said linked gaming machines, said feature, when available to said linked gaming machines, operating to alter said award given by said linked gaming machines; making said feature available to said linked gaming machines after it has been determined that said first criterion has been met; generating one or more combinations of symbols in one or more of said linked gaming machines after said feature has been made available; comparing said one or more combinations of symbols generated after said feature has been made available to a predetermined award criterion to which said feature applies; giving an award by one or more of said linked gaming machines based upon whether said one or more combinations of symbols generated after said feature has been made available matches said predetermined award criterion; and making said feature not available to said linked gaming machines after it has been determined that a second criterion has been met. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system of linked gaming machines for giving an award based on an award criteria, said system comprising:
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a feature controller coupled to each of said linked gaming machines, said feature controller comprising a computer for determining when a feature is to be made available and not available to said linked gaming machines, based upon previous combinations of symbols generated by one or more of said linked gaming machines, wherein said feature operates to alter an award payable by said linked gaming machines; and a display device for displaying said feature when said feature is made available. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of operating a system of linked gaming machines in which an award is given based on an award criteria, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating one or more combinations of symbols in one or more of said linked gaming machines; determining based upon previous combinations of symbols generated by one or more of said linked gaming machines whether a first criterion has been met for making a feature available to said linked gaming machines, said feature, when available to said linked gaming machines, operating to alter said award given by said linked gaming machines; making said feature available to said linked gaming machines after it has been determined that said first criterion has been met; displaying said feature, after said feature has been made available to said linked gaming machines, on one or more display devices observable by all players of said linked gaming machines prior to a next operation of any of said linked gaming machines by said players; generating, after said feature has been made available, one or more combinations of symbols in one or more of said linked gaming machines; comparing said one or more combinations of symbols generated after said feature has been made available to a predetermined award criterion to which said feature applies; giving an award by one or more of said linked gaming machines based upon whether said one or more combinations of symbols generated after said feature has been made available matches said predetermined award criterion; and making said feature not available to said linked gaming machines after it has been determined that a second criterion has been met. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification