Arcade game with spinning wheel bonus

• US 6,491,296 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2001
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rlt Acquisition Inc.
• Inventors: Oltmann, J. Richard, Kelly, Matthew F., Petermeier, Norman B., Kelly, Bryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/904,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20020017756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 273/118, 273/123, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/142.R, 273/142.B, 463/1, 463/7, 463/27
• US Class Current: 273/118.00A
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0017 progressive jackpot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/0052 with a playstation for each participant, each with a separate playing field
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 5/045 using a rotating wheel and a fixed indicator, e.g. fortune wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0058 electric A63F7/027, A63F7/3065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Claims

1. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus comprising:

a skill-based game of the type not subject to regulation as a gambling device, said skill-based game being capable of dispensing awards based upon skilled operation of said game by a player; and

a spinning wheel bonus apparatus associated with said game and operative to provide a bonus award when said player accomplishes a task which qualifies for a bonus award.

2. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 1 wherein said wheel begins to spin after said player has accomplished a predetermined skilled task.

3. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 2 wherein said wheel automatically comes to a stopping position, and wherein said bonus award is determined by said stopping position.

4. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 3 wherein said spinning wheel is simulated by at least one light-emitting device.

5. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 4 wherein said at least one light-emitting device is a video display.

6. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 3 wherein said spinning wheel is a mechanical wheel having a circumferential edge and an axle centrally located to said wheel.

7. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 6 further comprising a motor coupled to said axle.

8. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 7 wherein said motor is a stepper motor.

9. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 8 further comprising a position sensor associated with said wheel.

10. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 9 further comprising a digital control system coupled to said stepper motor and to said position sensor to monitor a spin of said wheel.

11. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 3 wherein said stopping position is substantially unaffected by said player.

12. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 6 wherein said wheel is divided into a plurality of segments.

13. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 12 wherein said wheel is provided with a plurality of posts proximate said circumferential edge of said wheel.

14. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 13 further comprising a pointer which engages and disengages with said posts as said wheel spins.

15. A game apparatus with spinning wheel bonus as recited in claim 14 wherein said pointer indicates said stopping position to said player.