Method and apparatus for gaming with simulation of telephone for player interaction

• US 6,575,829 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Anchor Gaming (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Ehrlich, Dean A., Tessmer, Michael T., Coleman, James M., deGrandmaison, Jason R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US09/966,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17, 463/18, 463/19, 463/20, 463/25, 463/26, 463/27, 463/28, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• 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

Abstract

A bonus event configured for interaction between a player and a gaming machine initiated through a simulated telecommunications link including a telephone handset or similar device such as a speakerphone. The bonus event may be configured as an “incoming” call triggered by some outcome of a primary game on the gaming machine or as an “outgoing” call by a player to the gaming machine. In either instance, the bonus event includes one or more of positive player interactions with the gaming machine, as through a keypad, prior to generation of a bonus award.

Claims

1. A gaming device for playing games of chance, comprising:

a gaming unit configured for operation in a first mode for play of a primary game and in a second mode for play of a bonus game;

wherein the gaming unit when enabled in the first mode is operable to randomly generate and display at least one combination of symbols selected from a plurality of symbols during play of the primary game, at least some combinations of symbols comprising winning outcomes for the primary game and at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element to enable operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of a bonus game;

wherein the game unit when enabled in the second mode is operable to communicate with a player to provide the player with an opportunity to play one of a plurality of bonus games and to make and communicate at least two choices associated with play of the one bonus game to the gaming unit, each of the at least two choices being available from a plurality of choices, and the gaming unit is operable in the second mode to randomly generate an outcome for the bonus game subsequent to the communication of the at least two choices;

wherein each of the plurality of bonus games is configured as a simulation of a telephone call event and the gaming unit is configured to communicate with the player in association with play of each bonus game of the plurality through a phone link operably coupled to the gaming unit.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element enables immediate operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of the bonus game.

3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the at least one element comprises a watermark associated with at least one symbol of a randomly generated and displayed combination of symbols.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit for enabling operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit accumulation of a plurality of credits for enabling operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

6. The gaming device of claim 5, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit tendering of at least two different numbers of credits for play of the bonus game for at least two different bonus awards.

7. The gaming device of claim 5, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit tendering of differing numbers of credits, each of the differing numbers of credits being within at least two different, non-overlapping ranges, for play of the bonus game for bonus awards within at least two different ranges of bonus awards, each of the at least two different ranges of bonus awards being non-overlapping.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the gaming unit is configured, when enabled for operation in the second mode, to initiate communication with the player relating to a bonus game through the phone link.

9. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the gaming unit is configured, when enabled for operation in the second mode, to permit the player to choose one bonus game of the plurality for play.

10. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the gaming unit is configured, when enabled for operation in the second mode, to randomly assign one of the plurality of bonus games for play.

11. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each simulation of a telephone call event presents the player with the at least two choices, and the gaming unit is configured to receive each of the at least two choices in the form of manual input by the player to the gaming unit.

12. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of bonus games is configured as a Radio Call-In telephone call event, a Psychic Hotline telephone call event, a Love Line telephone call event, or a Joke Line telephone call event.

13. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein the Radio Call-In telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing a choice to the player of a plurality of radio stations, each exhibiting a different program format;

responsive to a choice of a radio station from the plurality, randomly assigning a contest category from a plurality of contest categories;

randomly providing a question within the assigned contest category from a plurality of questions;

providing a choice to the player of a plurality of characters to answer the provided question;

responsive to a choice of character, initiating an answer to the provided question by the character; and

randomly generating a bonus award.

14. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein the Psychic Hotline telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing a choice to the player of a plurality of different questions for a reading by a psychic;

responsive to the choice of a question from the plurality, providing a choice to the player of a plurality of different methods for the reading;

responsive to the choice of a reading method, providing a reading responsive to the chosen question; and

randomly generating a bonus award.

15. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein the Love Line telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing to the player a choice of gender for a love interest;

responsive to the choice of a gender by the player, providing the player with a choice of personal profiles each exhibiting at least some different characteristics;

responsive to the choice of a personal profile by the player, matching the player with a love interest in relation to the exhibited characteristics of the chosen personal profile; and

randomly generating a bonus award.

16. The gaming device of claim 12, wherein the Joke Line telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing to the player a plurality of joke categories from which to choose;

responsive to the choice of a joke category from the plurality by the player, providing an initial portion of a joke and providing to the player a plurality of concluding portions for the joke from which to choose;

responsive to the choice of a concluding portion for the joke by the player, playing back the joke as completed with the chosen concluding portion;

randomly assigning a Laugh-O-Meter value to the completed joke; and

generating a bonus award associated with the randomly assigned Laugh-O-Metervalue.

17. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit the player to wager a bonus award for a double or nothing payout.

18. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit, and the gaming unit is configured to permit cashing out of the at least one credit by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

19. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit accumulation of a plurality of credits and to cash out at least some of the plurality of credits by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

20. A gaming device for playing games of chance, comprising:

a gaming unit configured for operation in a first mode for play of a primary game and in a second mode for play of a bonus game;

wherein the gaming unit when enabled in the first mode is operable to randomly generate and display at least one combination of symbols selected from a plurality of symbols during play of the primary game, at least some combinations of symbols comprising winning outcomes for the primary game and at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element to enable operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of a bonus game;

wherein the gaming unit when enabled in the second mode is operable to communicate with a player to provide the player with an opportunity to play one of a plurality of bonus games, each configured as a telephone call event and to make and communicate a choice of the one bonus game to the gaming unit, and to communicate at least one message associated with the chosen bonus game to the player through a phone link and to randomly generate an outcome for the chosen bonus game.

21. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein each of the telephone call events is associated with a fictitious telephone number.

22. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the gaming unit is configured to receive a choice of telephone call event responsive to the player selecting one of the fictitious telephone numbers.

23. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the gaming unit is configured to randomly communicate at least one of a plurality of potential messages for each telephone call event responsive to selection thereof by the player.

24. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the gaming unit is configured for selection of one of the fictitious telephone numbers through a speed dial input.

25. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein the gaming unit is configured to prompt an input from the player responsive to the at least one communicated message and to randomly generate the outcome for the chosen bonus game in response to the player input.

26. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein the gaming unit is configured to provide the opportunity to the player to choose one of the plurality of bonus games in the form of a voice mail prompt delivered over the phone link.

27. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein the at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element enables immediate operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of the bonus game.

28. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein the at least one element comprises a watermark associated with at least one symbol of a randomly generated and displayed combination of symbols.

29. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit for enabling operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

30. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit accumulation of a plurality of credits for enabling operation of the gaming unit in the second mode for play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

31. The gaming device of claim 30, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit tendering of at least two different numbers of credits for play of the bonus game for at least two different bonus awards.

32. The gaming device of claim 30, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit tendering of differing numbers of credits, each of the two differing numbers of credits being within at least two different, non-overlapping ranges, for play of the bonus game for bonus awards within at least two different ranges of bonus awards, each of the at least two different ranges of bonus awards being non-overlapping.

33. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit the player to wager a bonus award for a double or nothing payout.

34. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit, and the gaming unit is configured to permit cashing out of the at least one credit by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

35. The gaming device of claim 34, wherein the gaming unit is configured to permit accumulation of a plurality of credits and to cash out at least some of the plurality of credits by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

36. A method of playing a game of chance, comprising:

randomly generating and displaying at least one combination of symbols selected from a plurality of symbols during play of a primary game, at least some combinations of symbols comprising winning outcomes, for the primary game and at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element to enable play of a bonus game;

in association with play of a bonus game, providing the player with an opportunity to play one of a plurality of bonus games and to make at least two choices associated with play of the one bonus game, each of the at least two choices being available from a plurality of choices, and randomly generating an outcome for the bonus game subsequent to the making of the at least two choices;

further including configuring each of the plurality of bonus games as a simulation of a telephone call event and communicating with the player in association with play of each bonus game of the plurality through a phone link.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element enables immediate play of the bonus game.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one element comprises a watermark associated with at least one symbol of a randomly generated and displayed combination of symbols.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit for enabling play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

40. The method of claim 36, further including permitting accumulation of a plurality of credits for enabling play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

41. The method of claim 40, further including permitting tendering of at least two different numbers of credits for play of the bonus game for at least two different bonus awards.

42. The method of claim 40, further including permitting tendering of differing numbers of credits, each of the differing numbers of credits being within at least two different, non-overlapping ranges, for play of the bonus game for bonus awards within at least two different ranges of bonus awards, each of the at least two different ranges of bonus awards being non-overlapping.

43. The method of claim 36, further including initiating communication with the player relating to a bonus game through the phone link.

44. The method of claim 43, further including permitting the player to choose one bonus game of the plurality for play.

45. The method of claim 43, further comprising randomly assigning one of the bonus games of the plurality for play.

46. The method of claim 36, wherein each simulation of a telephone call event presents the player with the at least two choices, and further comprising enabling the player to manually input each of the at least two choices.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein at least one of the plurality of bonus games is configured as a Radio Call-In telephone call event, a Psychic Hotline telephone call event, a Love Line telephone call event, or a Joke Line telephone call event.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the Radio Call-In telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing a choice to the player of a plurality of radio stations, each exhibiting a different program format;

responsive to a choice of a radio station from the plurality, randomly assigning a contest category from a plurality of contest categories;

randomly providing a question within the assigned contest category from a plurality of questions;

providing a choice to the player of a plurality of characters to answer the provided question;

responsive to a choice of character, initiating an answer to the provided question by the character; and

randomly generating a bonus award.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the Psychic Hotline telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing a choice to the player of a plurality of different questions for a reading by a psychic;

responsive to the choice of a question from the plurality, providing a choice to the player of a plurality of different methods for the reading;

responsive to the choice of a reading method, providing a reading responsive to the chosen question; and

randomly generating a bonus award.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein the Love Line telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing to the player a choice of gender for a love interest;

responsive to the choice of a gender by the player, providing the player with a choice of personal profiles each exhibiting at least some different characteristics;

responsive to the choice of a personal profile by the player, matching the player with a love interest in relation to the exhibited characteristics of the chosen personal profile; and

randomly generating a bonus award.

51. The method of claim 47, wherein the Joke Line telephone call event is configured to operate in a manner comprising:

providing to the player a plurality of joke categories from which to choose;

responsive to the choice of a joke category from the plurality by the player, providing an initial portion of a joke and providing to the player a plurality of concluding portions for the joke from which to choose;

responsive to the choice of a concluding portion for the joke by the player, playing back the joke as completed with the chosen concluding portion;

randomly assigning a Laugh-O-Meter value to the completed joke; and

generating a bonus award associated with the randomly assigned Laugh-O-Metervalue.

52. The method of claim 36, further comprising permitting the player to wager a bonus award for a double or nothing payout.

53. The method of claim 36, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit, and further comprising permitting cashing out of the at least one credit by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising permitting accumulation of a plurality of credits and cashing out at least some of the plurality of credits by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

55. A method for playing games of chance, comprising:

randomly generating and displaying at least one combination of symbols selected from a plurality of symbols during play of a primary game, at least some combinations of symbols comprising winning outcomes for the primary game and at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element to enable play of a bonus game;

in association with play of a bonus game, communicating with a player to provide the player with an opportunity to play one of a plurality of bonus games, each configured as a telephone call event, and to make a choice of the one bonus game, to communicate at least one message associated with the chosen bonus game to the player through a phone link and to randomly generate an outcome for the bonus game.

56. The method of claim 55, further including associating each of the telephone call events with a fictitious telephone number.

57. The method of claim 56, further including receiving a choice of telephone call event responsive to the player selecting one of the fictitious telephone numbers.

58. The method of claim 57, further including randomly communicating at least one of a plurality of potential messages for each telephone call event responsive to selection thereof by the player.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising enabling selection of one of the fictitious telephone numbers through a speed dial input.

60. The method of claim 55, further comprising prompting an input from the player responsive to the at least one communicated message and randomly generating the outcome for the bonus game in response to the player input.

61. The method of claim 55, further including providing the opportunity to the player to choose one of the plurality of bonus games in the form of a voice mail prompt delivered over the phone link.

62. The method of claim 55, further comprising immediately enabling play of the bonus game responsive to the at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the at least one element comprises a watermark associated with at least one symbol of a randomly generated and displayed combination of symbols.

64. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit for enabling play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

65. The method of claim 55, further including permitting accumulation of a plurality of credits for enabling play of the bonus game at the player'"'"'s discretion.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising permitting tendering of at least two different numbers of credits for play of the bonus game for at least two different bonus awards.

67. The method of claim 65, further comprising permitting tendering of differing numbers of credits, each of the two differing numbers of credits being within at least two different, non-overlapping ranges, for play of the bonus game for bonus awards within at least two different ranges of bonus awards, each of the at least two different ranges of bonus awards being non-overlapping.

68. The method of claim 55, further comprising permitting the player to wager abonus award for a double or nothing payout.

69. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one credit, and further comprising permitting cashing out of the at least one credit by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising permitting accumulation of a plurality of credits and cashing out at least some of the plurality of credits by the player in lieu of enabling the bonus game.

71. A method of playing a game of chance, comprising:

randomly generating and displaying at least one combination of symbols selected from a plurality of symbols during play of a primary game, at least some combinations of symbols comprising winning outcomes for the primary game and at least one outcome of the primary game comprising at least one element to enable play of a bonus game;

in association with play of a bonus game, providing a player with an opportunity to guess at least some unknown digits of a predetermined multi-digit number configured as a telephone number, the process for guessing each of the at least some unknown digits being configured to confirm a correct guess of an unknown digit and to advise if an incorrect guess of an unknown digit is higher or lower than the unknown digit;

proceeding through at least one guess of each unknown digit until the telephone number is completed; and

awarding a bonus amount when the telephone number is completed.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising providing the player with an opportunity to guess all digits of the telephone number.

73. The method of claim 71, further comprising requiring the player to place a telephone call to the completed telephone number to trigger at least some portion of the bonus amount award.

74. The method of claim 71, further comprising providing the player with at least one wild symbol to use as a digit to complete the telephone number.

75. The method of claim 71, further comprising correlating the bonus amount to a number of guesses required to complete the telephone number.