Multi-line, multi-reel gaming device

• US 6,227,971 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Incorporated (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Original Assignee: Casino Data Systems (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Inventors: Weiss, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCKETTI, JULIE K
• Application Number:
  US09/396,161
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/21, 463/12, 463/13, 273/143 R, 273/138.1, 273/138.2
• US Class Current: 463/20
• 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 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming device and method that allows a primary display and secondary display to be correlated to the extent that symbols of the primary display have vectors which direct that symbol associated with the vector onto the secondary display. The secondary display remains constant through successive games except to the extent modified by the provision of a symbol vector which mandates a change in the symbol depiction on the secondary game. A bonus screen is provided based on the certain outcome of the primary game.

Claims

1. A gaming device, comprising, in combination:

a primary game which includes a plurality of changeable primary indicia each of which changes on successive plays, some of said primary indicia including vector means on said primary indicia for indicating further indicia movement,

a secondary game having indicia transferred from said primary indicia as dictated by said vector means,

means to elect said secondary game,

and means to award a player as a function of correspondence of said indicia as dictated by a pay table.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means to award a player is directed to said primary game.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means to award a player is directed to said secondary game.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said means to award a player is directed to both said primary game and said secondary game.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said vector means are only oriented in an upward direction.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said vector means are only oriented in a downward direction.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said vector means may be oriented in either an upward or a downward direction.

8. A method for gaming, including the steps of:

displaying a primary game after a wager,

awarding certain outcomes of the primary game,

enabling a secondary game and transferring indicia from said primary game as indicated by vectors on said primary game,

awarding certain outcomes of the secondary game,

changing the primary game display based on a subsequent wager,

awarding certain outcomes of the primary game,

enabling a secondary game and transferring indicia from said primary game as indicated by vectors on said primary game,

awarding certain outcomes of the secondary game.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said indicia are directed by said primary game using pointing indicia adjacent to said indicia that only point in an upward direction.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said indicia are directed by said primary game using pointing indicia adjacent to said indicia that only point in a downward direction.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein said indicia are directed by said primary game using pointing indicia adjacent to said indicia that may point in either an upward or a downward direction.

12. A gaming device, comprising, in combination:

an RXC changeable primary display wherein R is a plurality of rows and C is a plurality of columns including vector indicia which appears on said primary display,

a secondary display having means to receive said vector indicia from said primary display, and

a bonus screen actuated upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said displays.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said bonus screen includes a goal to be attained and means to maximize incidences of said goal on said bonus screen.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said maximizing means includes means to sequence said goal on an array such that optimum orientations of said goal result in bonus enhancement.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein a plurality of reels are respun in an attempt to match with said goal.

16. The device of claim 14 further including means to place a series of said goal into an array to form a pattern which correlates to an enhanced award.

17. The device of claim 14 further including an array having pairs of goals obscured from view and exposed two at a time, means to select two at a time, and means to remove matched pairs.